Other Counties News 2023

[Paul W]

Warwickshire's Henry Brookes has gone on loan to Derbyshire for a couple of matches, and has had an excellent start, with lunchtime figures of 6-3-6-4

as Leicestershire slump to 77-6.

[Paul W]

Don't know what to make of this latest potential development at Yorkshire-

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/cricket/article-12047847/Saudi-Arabia-Prince-negotiations-buy-cash-strapped-Yorkshire.html

Yes, it would enable them to get Colin Graves off their back- but they just end up in debt to someone else who probably isn't just doing it out of the kindness of their heart.

[Paul W]

Kent seem to be in an even bigger mess than us.

After day one Kent 95 all out and Hampshire 89-0 in reply.

Doesn't look there is any possible way back in to the match for Kent, so they are likely to remain firmly at the bottom of the table in a few days time.

[Andrew]

Kent seem to be in an even bigger mess than us.

After day one Kent 95 all out and Hampshire 89-0 in reply.

Doesn't look there is any possible way back in to the match for Kent, so they are likely to remain firmly at the bottom of the table in a few days time.

Sadly day 2 at Kent hasn’t even started yet due to rain. My county Lancashire struggling to take wickets today against Somerset. We are yet to win a game, although we were incredibly close against Notts in our last, very rain affected, match. Currently more worried about relegation than our chances at the top. Great having you Middlesex chaps now onboard, sorry it’s not my county but I certainly have a soft spot for them!

[Paul W]

MCC members who are supporters of other counties very welcome- especially on this thread if you have any info to share.

Personally I'm on Tom Lace watch. He departed Middlesex because he had a 'Pick me or I'm off' clause in his contract and lost his place in the Gloucestershire side half way through last season, and hasn't made a first team appearance since. Not injured, as he has been playing in their second XI, but it is looking increasingly likely he won't get a new deal for next season.

Any Gloucestershire supporters got any views on his continuing absence?

[James Mitchell]

MCC members who are supporters of other counties very welcome- especially on this thread if you have any info to share.

Personally I'm on Tom Lace watch. He departed Middlesex because he had a 'Pick me or I'm off' clause in his contract and lost his place in the Gloucestershire side half way through last season, and hasn't made a first team appearance since. Not injured, as he has been playing in their second XI, but it is looking increasingly likely he won't get a new deal for next season.

Any Gloucestershire supporters got any views on his continuing absence?Plenty of members are reading, even if only a few are contributing at the moment. 36 individual members have viewed this thread to date.

[Andrew]

Plenty of members are reading, even if only a few are contributing at the moment. 36 individual members have viewed this thread to date.

All this new Middlesex stuff is good to have on here. There isn’t a huge amount I can add to the Middlesex part of it, as it isn’t the county I follow, but I will certainly keep an eye on it and hopefully contribute a bit to the ‘Other Counties’ section.

[Paul W]

One to keep an eye on is 19 year old Somerset wicket-keeper James Rew.

Completed his second century in as many matches today, and currently averaging over 50 this season.

Looks like he may be the real deal.

[Andrew]

One to keep an eye on is 19 year old Somerset wicket-keeper James Rew.

Completed his second century in as many matches today, and currently averaging over 50 this season.

Looks like he may be the real deal.


Yes, rather annoyingly for me he scored another century today and held our bowlers up! I have been keeping an eye on him this season and he has been doing well. As you say, he’s definitely one to keep an eye on.

[Paul W]

Yet another hundred for James Rew (second in the match).

[Andrew]

Yet another hundred for James Rew (second in the match).

Yes, he certainly looks a great prospect. Very glad, though, that his second ton won’t lead to a Somerset victory!

[Paul W]

I don't think we need to revive the 'On the move or going nowhere' thread, but major moves are worth a mention.

I really wouldn't have thought Surrey needed to strengthen their squad, but they have the money to sign whoever they want, and good players are always likely to want to sign.

Dan Lawrence leaves Essex for Surrey from next season-

https://www.skysports.com/cricket/news/12040/12903023/dan-lawrence-to-join-surrey-from-essex-at-the-end-of-the-season

[adelaide]

I don't think we need to revive the 'On the move or going nowhere' thread, but major moves are worth a mention.

I really wouldn't have thought Surrey needed to strengthen their squad, but they have the money to sign whoever they want, and good players are always likely to want to sign.

Dan Lawrence leaves Essex for Surrey from next season-

https://www.skysports.com/cricket/news/12040/12903023/dan-lawrence-to-join-surrey-from-essex-at-the-end-of-the-season

They are subject to the salary cap like everyone else. Just that many counties, like us, cannot afford to spend up to the cap. The interesting thing is that their fans complain about losing players to England, then sign another one who is likely to play for England. Indeed one of his motives for moving is probably to increase his chances.

I can see some of their younger home grown batsmen wondering how they are going to get a game so some may move on. Amongst the bowlers, they already have Virdi and Moriarty in the Second XI, as Batty doesn't pick them. Given their success it is hard to argue against that (would coach Batty have selected player Batty, I wonder?) but they must be getting hacked off.

[Paul W]

I don't suppose for one minute Dan Lawrence would have wanted to join Middlesex, but let's suppose he did- and let's suppose we had the money to be able to afford him (we don't) I'm sure the attitude would have been, 'But we'll have to leave out Max Holden- and it will completely block opportunities for Robbie White, Jack Davies and Josh De Caires'.

Surprisingly Essex fans on facebook don't seem too bothered- whilst Surrey fans seem delighted with yet another acquisition that will block a home grown product.

[Peter Richardson]

I agree with you Paul, Lawrence's exit will give an opportunity for our younger batters. Das is 21, Rymell is 22 and Khushi at 24 are very promising. My brother who is a second eleven and Essex League umpire believes there are far better batters playing in those leagues than Lawrence. There is also a debate whether Cooke should still be playing as he is taking up a slot for a younger player! It is worth keeping an eye on Buttleman, a very promising keeper. Interesting times at the mighty Essex!

[MIDDLE EXILE]

Sounds like a plan, chuck out the experienced and proven performers, and pick some kids and clubbies.

[Paul W]

As he's played for England I guess this qualifies as a big move-

Matt Parkinson leaves Lancashire and signs a 3 year deal with Kent-

https://www.thecricketer.com/Topics/countycricket/matt_parkinson_bids_reignite_career_switch_kent.ht ml

[Paul W]

It's all happening at Leicestershire today- Nixon removed as head coach, and three players leaving- Chris Wright to Sussex (confirmed as definite) and Callum Parkinson and Colin Ackermann have declined new deals. Both are thought to be Durham bound.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/65988108

Report says there may be more departures to follow in the coming weeks.

[Paul W]

Leicestershire CEO Sean Jarvis 'investigating allegations'.

https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/paul-nixon-leicestershire-investigating-allegations-as-coach-leaves-1383362

Lawyers on both sides involved, so 'no comment' from both the club and Nixon.

[Max Sawyer]

Is there anything that goes wrong anywhere these days that does not result in lawyers lining their pockets?
At one time they were the last port of call. Now they seem to be the first.

[Paul W]

The discrimination in cricket report will be published on Tuesday- with Yorkshire finding out how big their points penalty will be on the same day.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/cricket/article-12228455/Race-report-FINALLY-week-Yorkshire-await-fate-admitting-ECB-racism-charges.html

[Paul W]

Sussex have not offered Ravi Bopara a new T20 only contract for next season- but he says he wants to play on.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/66101716

He's 38 now, so a bit long in the tooth, but if we're serious about improving our T20 fortunes, might we offer him a deal?

[Paul W]

Derbyshire have signed Glamorgan skipper David Lloyd on a three year deal-

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/66108132

He might be a replacement for Du Plooy if he is coming to us (Derbyshire fans seem to think it is practically a done deal), or possibly Wayne Madsen (who can't go on forever) or even Billy Godleman, who has allegedly had a fall out with Micky Arthur, after being dropped after a couple of games in April.

As this is a free week (unless involved in T20 quarter-finals), this was always likely to be a week when a few people looking to move put pen to paper and announcements were made.

Maybe a Du Plooy announcement isn't far off.

[MIDDLE EXILE]

Madsden is contracted till the end of next season so is going nowhere. Billy is out of contract and has not been offered a new one, so he'll be moving on but certainly not back to us, whilst Du Plooyhas received other offers apart from one from us, so don't expect any announcement just yet.

[Paul W]

I wasn't suggesting Billy Godleman would be coming back to us. To be honest, I think he'll be lucky if anyone offers him a deal.

More a case of who Lloyd will be replacing.

And just to add- Tom Lace not playing for Gloucestershire 2nd Xi this week. I certainly wouldn't want him back- but maybe he and his agent are in discussions with wherever his next port of call turns out to be.

[MIDDLE EXILE]

I was just clarifying the actual position of those you mentioned PW. You misunderstood if you thought I was contradicting anything you suggested or surmised.I actually believe Billy has much still to offer and wish him the very best for the future

[adelaide]

Sussex have not offered Ravi Bopara a new T20 only contract for next season- but he says he wants to play on.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/66101716

He's 38 now, so a bit long in the tooth, but if we're serious about improving our T20 fortunes, might we offer him a deal?

Only slightly longer in the tooth than their new signing, Chris Wright. There does seem to be an element of split personality about Sussex. One moment they are letting their experienced players leave, the next they are signing veterans like Wright and the unfortunate Finny.

[Paul W]

Notts have signed Josh Tongue and Dillon Pennington from Worcestershire-

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/66103286

Other sites are suggesting other Worcestershire players, including Pat Brown (linked to a possible Derbyshire move) and Jack Haynes are looking to move.

[Paul W]

A good example of the type of quality signing that can be made if your coach has the right connections-

Mohammad Amir set to join Derbyshire next year- and he won't even count as overseas.

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/cricket/2023/07/22/mohammad-amir-join-derbyshire-local-british-citizenship/

[Paul W]

Jack Haynes becomes the third player in a couple of weeks to leave Worcestershire for Notts (3 year deal)-

https://www.trentbridge.co.uk/news/2023/july/haynes-joins-notts-on-three-year-deal.html

Although they have to watch what they say, there seems to be a continuing theme with all the Worcestershire departees of saying how the good coaching at (insert new county here) was a key factor in their decision to sign.

[Paul W]

Dane Vilas has confirmed he is leaving Lancashire at the end of the season-

https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/dane-vilas-announces-lancashire-departure-1392543

This could have repercussions from our point of view- as one or two people are suggesting John Simpson might replace him.

[adelaide]

Essex sign Yadav for the last 3 games. No doubt he will take three times as many wickets against us as he did in three matches for us last year, though he did bowl a lot better than his average of 71 suggested.

[Paul W]

Billy Godleman gets an unexpected lifeline, as Warwickshire take him on loan-

https://www.thecricketer.com/Topics/county-cricket-premium/warwickshire_bring_billy_godleman_short_term_loan. html

Derbyshire fans seem certain his time at Derbyshire is up. He hasn't even been playing for their 2nd XI.

[Paul W]

Leicestershire seem happy enough with Peter Handscomb (and he with them) as he has signed a new deal for 2024 and 2025-

https://www.thecricketer.com/Topics/countycricket/group_so_together_peter_handscomb_commits_leiceste rshire_return_two_year_deal.html

[Paul W]

Samit Patel leaving Notts-

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/counties

Sounds like he is hoping someone else might offer him a deal.

I'm not suggesting it should be us. A fine player, but at 38 his best days are behind him.

[Paul W]

Gareth Berg has announced his retirement from first class cricket-

https://www.thecricketer.com/Topics/countycricket/veteran_allrounder_gareth_berg_retires_from_profes sional_cricket.html

That's the same Gareth Berg we released at the end of the 2014 season, with a year left on his contract, because he had a 'career ending injury'.

[Paul W]

Tom Lace is among four to leave Gloucestershire-

https://www.thecricketer.com/Topics/countycricket/paul_van_meekeren_among_four_player_leaving_glouce stershire_end_2023.html

This was fairly easy to predict, as he hadn't played for the firsts since May 2022 and the seconds since the middle of this year.

I did also find this-

https://www.thepca.co.uk/press-release/lace-opens-up-on-mental-health-awareness-week/

Maybe he'll give up on cricket and pursue a career elsewhere.

[Paul W]

Northamptonshire are parting company with batting coach Ben Smith-

https://nccc.co.uk/news/ben-smith-to-leave-role-as-batting-coach/

Northants only managed ten championship batting points all season (twice as many as us).

[Paul W]

Interview with Tom Lace who confirms he has retired from cricket.

I can't read it as it's behind a paywall, but may interest those who can-

https://www.thecricketer.com/Topics/premiumfeatures/tom_lace_pursuit_happiness_interview_was_grieving_ career.html