Nathan Lyon

[MIDDLE EXILE]

Nathan Lyon, now restored to full fitness is set to sign to play a full season of championship cricket for Lancashire in 2024. Scott Boland is already committed to Durham for next season, Labuschagne and Handscombe are also due to reappear as well. and with Australia not scheduled to play a full Test series during the English summer it's likely that others will be seeking to play county cricket next year. Middlesex would be anxious to secure an overseas signing for the entire season rather than get someone on a short-term basis, and will no doubt explore the availability of suitable candidates within their financial restraints.

[Max Sawyer]

That's Australia's preparation for the next Ashes series sorted - they'll see all likely opponents at first hand!

[MIDDLE EXILE]

Well, not necessarily Max as England's centrally contracted players rarely play county cricket. I'd rather see the standard of county cricket improved by the inclusion of stand-out overseas players from all countries as used to be the case some years ago.I believe the benefits and lessons learned from their inclusion outweigh any negative impact on our domestic game.

[Max Sawyer]

Well, not necessarily Max as England's centrally contracted players rarely play county cricket. I'd rather see the standard of county cricket improved by the inclusion of stand-out overseas players from all countries as used to be the case some years ago.I believe the benefits and lessons learned from their inclusion outweigh any negative impact on our domestic game.

That's a good point, although I would rather see standards improved by test players playing for their counties on a regular basis. And selected on the basis of their performances - with the ending of central contracts. Nothing wrong with competing for test places.

[Gareth Jones]

That's a good point, although I would rather see standards improved by test players playing for their counties on a regular basis. And selected on the basis of their performances - with the ending of central contracts. Nothing wrong with competing for test places.

Does the county championship generate enough revenue to cover the leading player's wages?

[John Assirati]

Does the county championship generate enough revenue to cover the leading player's wages?

There's a case for the ECB paying the wages as England benefits from leading players appearing in the County Championship.

[Max Sawyer]

With all the departures, the ECB must be saving a fortune in salaries, so money shouldn't be a problem.
Silly me - I had forgotten about the golden goodbyes, which seem to be payable to those in senior positions in any orgnisation, irrespective of the reasons for their leaving. Juniors, of course, are just unceremoniously sacked.