Day 59: England find questions in defeat

 When you win most of the time, it can mask problems you didn’t know you had or were willing to overlook. It was something that faced the Australian team after the 2017 World Cup. The balance of that side wasn’t right, and although Rachael Haynes could only get in that side as captain, she has since become an essential part of a team that has been at the top of the women’s game ever since.

While one loss by England isn’t anything to worry about, they got outplayed by New Zealand that hadn’t won an ODI in 11 attempts.

The form of Danni Wyatt is worrying. Wyatt has been out of form for some time. It is important for England that she finds a way to get back in the runs. With her firing at the top of the innings with Tammy Beaumont, it gives England’s middle order more freedom to attack later in the game.

After Heather Knight, Nat Sciver, and Amy Jones, is the batting that comes after that good enough to punish teams? It does come down to if there is enough talent coming through to push for a place in the top seven.

The problem is that since the outbreak of Coivd-19 domestic players have had no more than seven games to prove themselves and England’s contracted players even few. It makes it hard for selectors as they will always be tempted to go with what they know. It makes this summer of domestic and international cricket all the more crucial. If England isn’t scheduled any games during the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy, every England contracted player needs to play games.

It’s not just the batters that are under pressure to perform. England’s pace attack has relied on Katherine Brunt and Anya Shrubsole for too long. With Shrubsole injured and Brunt rested for the third ODI, England could not take advantage of early breakthroughs, and Amy Satterthwaite and Amelia Kerr took the game away from England.

How do England approach a team without Brunt and Shrubsole? Who are the bowlers behind them that can fire England to victory? Kate Cross and Freya Davies are obvious candidates. Then there are Tash Farrant and Katie George gives you a left-arm option that varies the attack.  

England will not want to rush Issy Wong, who, at only 18, is one of England’s most exciting fast bowlers; along with side Lauren Bell England have good young bowlers; you feel 2022 might be a year too early.

In Sophie Ecclestone and Sarah Glenn, England have two outstanding spinners. Both look to take the ball away from the right-hander, and maybe England will want to find an off-spinner which they have been missing since the retirement of Laura Marsh. Knight, of course, can fulfil that role, although she seems reluctant to do so.

One defeat doesn’t mean that England have to reinvent their approach, but it does make for an exciting summer as England look for new heroes they didn’t know they had.

Day 58: Frustrations at India Squad announcment

I can imagine one of the most challenging jobs in cricket is picking a squad. Many variables make selecting the best group of cricketers is not easy. Injury, unavailability for non-cricketing reasons, loss of form, the form of others and so on can impact the players you choose.

While it is never easy, you can be accountable for your reasons; sometimes, it is a gut feeling where you feel that because of the conditions or the opposition, a player will impact. That is totally fine. I accept those decisions, and most selectors around the world would tell you just that.

With every job in cricket, there comes accountability. Selecting a team should be no different. That makes the announcement of the latest India women’s squad all the more strange. Some high profile players are missing from the squad to play South Africa at the start of next month. We are none the wiser for the omission of some and the selection of others.

This can be dangerous in the sense that without reason, speculation will always take its place. Transparency helps not just the team and selectors but the public that supports the team.

It came as a surprise when Ekta Bisht, Shikha Pandy, Veda Krishnamurthy and Taniya Bhatia were all dropped for the India squad announced today. These are players that have helped India become one of the best women’s international teams.

India may have lost both World Cup finals the have qualified for in the last three years, but they have had the players to get them there. They nearly won the World Cup final in front of a packed Lord’s, so to get rid of players pivotal in their rise without explanation is bizarre.

Some commentators know the Indian game far better than I could ever imagine to are outraged by today’s news. It isn’t so much that the players who have made the squad don’t deserve to have their chance on the big stage; it is how the BCCI has bungled the whole thing.

Women’s cricket is a serious business around the world. India were on the verge of winning a World Cup, yet the powers that be seem to treat not just the international team but also the prospect of a Women’s IPL as an afterthought.

Better planning and more consideration from the top levels would have seen India the number one team in the world right now. Australia and England do not have the same resources to keep up with a properly supported India Women’s team.

I have felt the frustrations of so many today. They have and will be able to articulate their anger than I ever could.

Day 57: New Zealand v England 2nd ODI match report

Natalie Sciver put in a player of the match performance in the second ODI at University Oval, Dunedin, by seven wickets. It was another dominating performance for England, who sealed the series with a game to spare.

England made one change to their line-up; Kate Cross replacing Freya Davies, who had a good game in the previous game. Cross wasn’t given the new ball, which seniority in the attack might have afforded her. Nor did Tash Farrant, the left-arm seamer who can swing the ball early on.

Sciver was the bowler chosen to open the bowling alongside Kathryn Brunt. It isn’t the first time Sciver has been given the role. With Brunt absent at the 2018 World T20. It worked well then, and so it did today. Given that extra responsibility, She thrived.

Alongside Brunt, who never makes life easy for batters, New Zealand found life challenging. Brunt accounted for both openers inside the first three overs, and from there on, it was going to be tricky for New Zealand.

Much would rest on the shoulders of Sophie Devine and Amy Satterthwaite. Devine spooned a catch to Farrant for six before Sciver bowled Amelia Kerr for two.

New Zealand were soon in deeper trouble when Satterthwaite gloved Cross behind. There was little in the way of celebration, but Satterthwaite had started to walk off. Her teammate Katey Martin appeared to question her decision; Satterthwaite knew it would be of no use.

Things were looking dicey for New Zealand. At 35 for five, a competitive total looked a long way off. Their lower-order rallied. While the top order had failed to get a partnership, Brooke Halliday managed to find batters willing to stick around with her.

In only her second ODI, Halliday top scored with 60, to bring up her second fifty in as many matches. She disrupted England’s line and length. It was Sciver who accounted for her caught behind.

Hannah Rowe and Jess Kerr added 57 for the ninth wicket, and although the momentum shifted, it was going to take something special for New Zealand to win from there.

It did look possible when Heather Knight was run out for eight by her opposite number Devine. England were 12 for two. It never got better for the hosts after Sciver and Tammy Beaumont added 103 for the third wicket.

Beaumont, with 72 not out, was again in good touch. The opener anchored the innings and gave Sciver 63 from 61 balls and Amy Jones 46 from 45 balls to play some shots.

It was another professional performance from England, who dominated the game from the start. They may look to change personnel for the final ODI but don’t bank on it. While they are winning, they will feel they want to keep it going.

It is worrying for New Zealand, who have now gone 11 ODIs without a win. With nothing to lose from the final ODI, we might see a Devine loosen the shoulders and give some entertainment to a New Zealand crowd who are willing their stars to give them something to smile about.

Day 56: Do the men support the women?

There was a moment when I was at the Women's World Cup 2017 semi-final when I nearly bumped into Mitchel Starc. Australia had just taken an early wicket. I hadn't made my seat by then, and as I turned to go and find somewhere to make camp for the day, there was the tall Australian fast bowler.

I was reminded of it today as Rory Burns reacted to one of Alex Hartley's tweets. Hartley's tweet said, "Nice of the England boys to get this test match finished just before England Women play tonight."

Anyone who knows Hartley will realise that it was meant to promote the women's game; there was no disrespect towards the men. It was light-hearted and consistent with the wit that Hartley offers.

It made Rory Burns reply all the more strange. He replied, "Very disappointing attitude considering all the "boys" do to support the Women's game."

Which made me wonder what support exactly Rory? It isn't exactly turning up at games and offering support from the ground. There are seldom and vocal support on social media. So what support do the men offer?

If you look at it in terms of financial support, then, of course, the England men's team brings in revenue. Bums on seats at test matches bring in a lot of income. Not as much as the Sky Sports money, though. Which, of course, is a package that includes women's match.

The ECB's commitment to make the Hundred an equal tournament for both the men and women is commendable. The prize money is the same, and there will be more of a presence of the women's game in front of the television cameras.

It is why I remember the Starc incident; it may have helped that he is married to one of the star women's players in Alyssa Healy. You feel that even if this wasn't the case that the men's and women's teams have a closer bond in supporting each other. Years of the WBBL and BBL hosting doubleheaders and being part of the same franchise system can only be of benefit.

In 2016 West Indies won both the men's and women's World T20 on the same day. Both teams celebrated together that victory. It was a great scene, one that will live long in the memory.

There has never been a 'us or them' attitude with Australia or the West Indies; we all play for the same team and celebrate the successes and losses together.

Which makes Burns' claims bizarre; I have never seen that same level of support. It could just be an ill-advised comment in the frustration of defeat.

The quotation marks around the word boys suggest a misunderstanding of the context that Hartley was using. The language used to describe the women's game has been derogatory for years, and for the keyboard, trolls are still evident.

There is still a long way to go for the women's game to get the acceptance it deserves. If Burns and the rest of the men's game really support the women's game, they aren't doing a good enough job of getting the message across.

There are easy steps to change that. A good luck message to international and county colleges wouldn't go a miss at the least. At this year's Hundred competition, they could get along and earlier and support from the ground.

Even when they finish playing, they could get valuable experience coaching, even if Graeme Swann is opposed to that idea.

 

Day 55: England need to improve quickly

 After the loss that England suffered in the second Test, it was always vital for them to come back strong in the third. With a day-night Test, the game currently underway should have been the game to show some fight and put India on the back foot with one match left after this one.

It didn’t work out that way. When you look into why things have gone wrong since the comprehensive win in the first Test, there are many reasons.

You could look at the conditions of the pitch in that second Test. Or is it more a fundamental inability of England’s batsmen to play spin. The first of those reasons is as good an excuse as any. It wasn’t the best pitch, but in the end, England were outplayed.

It would be an easy argument to say that the way the English season is set up doesn’t allow English players to develop against spin.  There is more than one way to help these players bat against spin. Better game management is vital, knowing when to play a particular shot, which line to play down. Match practice is one way to do that; does that have to be in county championship matches? England needs to expose their players to as many conditions as possible. More Lion’s tours to Asian countries would be a good start.

While England’s rotation policy is admirable to ensure that players mental health and general burnout doesn’t happen in a busy year, there appears at times muddled thinking. The way the ECB handled the Moeen Ali situation showed this. I do believe Joe Root misspoke, but it wasn’t a good look.

Generally, a settled dressing room performs better. While this was always going to be a difficult series, England teams have, for the most part, struggled in India and those that have triumphed had good plans with players knowing their roles.

It is, of course, only one day into this Test, and things can change quickly. England will have to bowl very well in the morning to ensure that when they bat again, India aren’t too far ahead.

Zak Crawley was the only batsman to come out of the first innings with any credit. You would expect Dom Sibley and Jonny Bairstow to make more of an impact in the second innings. They, of course, aren’t the only ones. Joe Root can’t be expected to score the runs every time. It is time for some players to prove that they are good players in all conditions.

Day 54: England back in ODI action

There was an element of business as usual from England against New Zealand at the Hagley Oval, Christchurch. Much had been made of England's absence from the ODI format since the end of 2019. They needn't of worried. Heather Knight's team showed that they are still one of the best teams in the world.

That isn't to say that they haven't still got things to worry about or work on. The biggest surprise was the inclusion of Tash Farrant and Freya Davies; the perceived wisdom was that either one or neither of them would play.

With a player like Kate Cross in the squad, it would have made sense that she would have supported Kathrine Brunt as one of the opening bowlers. Both Davies and Farrant started the day with a cap each. Neither looked out of place; with a busy 2022, this year is the perfect opportunity for England to fine-tune for two World Cups in different formats and the Commonwealth Games.

With more bowlers getting the experience to prove they are good enough, what about the batting line-up. It has felt like a closed shop for players outside of the contracted core. It could be argued those not in the squad haven't put enough pressure on the established batters. In last years Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy, Sophie Luff and Georgia Adams will argue they have scored the runs to disprove that.

Of course, it puts pressure on the batters that are playing. While Danni Wyatt's place is relatively safe, it always feels as if someone was to make way in the top four, it would be her. That is more down to Tammy Beaumont's quality, who showed once again why she is one of the best with a knock of 71.

With captain Knight batting at three and Sciver at four and Amy Jones, the wicketkeeper, the only other slot in the top order under threat is Fran Wilson's, a fantastic fielder and an experienced player; it is hard to see where a new player would fit in.

New Zealand, you feel, have some difficult questions of their own to ask. New Zealand have now lost their last 10 ODIs, and after their display in their previous ODI, it is hard to see where their next win will happen.

It is a shame that they don't have a player of Rachel Priest's quality to call upon; with Suzie Bates also out injured, the batting looks light. Only Hayley Jensen (53) and Brooke Halliday (50) on debut contributed with runs.

Halliday was too far down the order and should have been in the top three. Too much in the New Zealand batting relies on Amy Satterthwaite and Sophie Devine. If they fail, then their side usually falls short of competitive totals.

That being said, England were outstanding in the field. They took some very good catches and put New Zealand under pressure. It was always going to be difficult from that point on.

New Zealand aren't a bad side, and they will turn things around; it just if they can do it soon enough to get something out of this series.

Day 53: New Zealand v England preview

 

On the day of the third ODI, England and New Zealand should have played each other in a World Cup group game. The cancellation of that tournament was taken out of their hands by the ICC. If any country could hold a multi-team competition in a global pandemic, it was New Zealand.

Women's cricket has been hit hard with COivd-19, meaning qualifiers and bi-lateral series cancelled. Therefore, it is to New Zealand and England's credit to organise this series of three ODIs and three T20s.

England has not played an international since September when they comfortably beat West Indies in a T20 series. Their last ODI was in December 2019. New Zealand had played more recently when they failed to cause Australia too many problems. What will be to New Zealand's advantage is they are well into their domestic season; they have been playing competitive cricket.

England is a very professional unit; they are often asked to switch on and be competitive with little match practice. Even if you look at their international series preparation at home, most players would have a few county games under their belts.

What bodes well is their recent good form over New Zealand. At the same time, New Zealand won their last ODI fixture between the two sides at Leicester in 2018. You have to go back to 2015 for New Zealand's previous win.

Even without Suzie Bates, New Zealand has some world-class performers and cannot be underestimated. Captain Sophie Devine has been in supreme form in the Super Smash. She scored an unbeaten 117 in that game at Leicester. It was a knock that had the press box on their feet. Devine is the sort of player while you expect to perform still exceeds expectations.

While New Zealand has some great batters, they have been able to bat consistently enough to put bowling attacks under pressure.

While it is possible to predict England's batting line-up, the bowling attack is less secure. Kathrine Brunt and Sophie Ecclestone are they only bowlers secure of a spot. However, Sarah Glenn is virtually guaranteed a spot. The leg-spinner is highly thought of; her batting is also expected to mature.

That means the remaining spots will be between Freya Davies, Kate Cross, Tash Farrant and Mady Villiers. With Heather Knight able to bowl off-spin, they may opt for two of the seamers. With England looking for depth behind Brunt and Anya Shrubsloe, when free from injury, will be interested in seeing what direction they go in.

With only one ODI cap to her name, it would be the perfect opportunity to give Davies some match time in the New Zealand games ahead of next years World Cup.

New Zealand includes two uncapped players in batter Brook Halliday and left-arm spinner, Fran Jonas. Both have had good domestic seasons and what better time to make your debut against the world champions.

Where New Zealand match up is in the bowling department. Amelia Kerr, the leg-spinner, is a world-class talent, and in Leah Tahuhu, they have a bowler that can cause England's top-order problems with her pace.

New Zealand will go into the first game full of confidence. Their players are all match fit with recent games in the bank if they go at England hard in the first game, and under Devine, that is a real possibility they could win this series.

England, though have the experience and skill to win even if they are a little undercooked.  

Day 52: Taking a left turn

 The size of the family garden dictated the type of bowler I would become. It was just about long enough to bowl at some stumps at the other end with a short run-up. Being left-handed as well, it was hardly surprising when Phil Tufnell would become an idol. I even managed to get his autograph at Arundel one day. I wasn't a great fielder or a batsman. Tufnell could not be an example to follow.

Left-arm spinners have been the players I have looked I have looked out for and to try and emulate. I was too young to have seen Derek Underwood bowl.

There have been eccentric bowlers of the genre, Phil Edmunds, Tuffnell and Monty Panesar. It would have been great to see Tufnell and Panesar play more for England; neither personality seemed to fit into the England sides.

Ashley Giles, who wasn't as good as the two mentioned but had a consistency that captains like, he took wickets of some top batsmen and, under Nasser Hussian kept Sachin Tendulkar quite.

Giles, though, was derided with descriptions of him as a 'wheelie bin.' Then there was the spelling mistake on mugs at Edgbaston that dubbed him the King of Spain. He was an important part of the 2005 Ashes-winning side. He was a competent batsman, and on that final day at The Oval, he stayed with Kevin Pietersen as England closed out a draw that secured the series win.

There was another left-arm spinner making their mark on an Ashes series that summer. 15-year-old Holly Colvin, the Sussex youngster, made her England debut and helped her side to another monumental win for England over Australia.

Colvin beat many players with her flight and guile, and it is a shame she didn't have a longer playing career than those who saw her play knew just how good she was.

There are some excellent left-arm spinners in the women's girl. Sophie Ecclestone is up there with the best, and it is possible she can get even better.

England also has Kirstie Gordon, who I have seen play for Nottinghamshire and Loughborough Lightning before making the difficult choice of playing for England. Then there is Jess Jonassen, the Australian all-rounder who can be relied upon with both bat and all in a team of superstars.

Ekta Bisht, the Indian international, is just shy of 100 ODI wickets and has been an essential part of making India one of the world's best teams.

There are many others who I haven't had time to mention. I think it would be great to come back to each of them throughout the year. Maybe even make a podcast devoted to the art and speak to as many of them as possible.

Day 51: striving to improve

 

One of the hardest things about following cricket is that a lot of the action takes place in time zones that don’t fit in with your schedule. The choice is to change your sleep pattern and go into work half asleep, or do you catch bits of it and hope for the best. You could not see any of the action but follow events unfold from trusted Twitter accounts.

That is the situation I’m in with the England tour of New Zealand. Had it taken place over this past week, I would have been able to watch every minute with it being half-term. Overall I can’t complain as I get five weeks off in the summer. In the past, that has allowed me to write about the Kia Super League.

It looks like 2021 will be a good year to write about women’s cricket around the day job. With most of the domestic games played over the weekends, there will be an excellent opportunity to cover a lot of different exciting games even if travel might be limited.

Being at the ground is the best way to be sure you get all of the action; you can concentrate on the aspects you think are important. Saying that having a good stream is a better option than not seeing any play at all.

In last years Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy, the regional sides upped the game by making the games visible, and most were streamed on YouTube. With no fans allowed into the grounds, it showed a significant investment.

It was a massive step up from the county games – which, to be fair, were usually played at grounds without decent WiFi – and a decent step up from Kia Super League games.

There are simple steps to get the game across to many more people. Sometimes we can be quick to complain about the lack of coverage for some events and sports. With the age of social media, we can, of course, do something about that. That is why I am so pleased to see websites and podcasts spring up covering and talking about women’s cricket in imparticular.

If you have a passion for something and have the time and the willingness to learn and put yourself out there, go for it. Even if no one reads or listens to what you have to say, that doesn’t mean your effort isn’t appreciated.

I know for one, I have to learn many skills to do this regularly, but like our heroes on the pitch, you have to put the effort in and practice.

So if you ever have any constructive feedback, it is always welcome. It is one of the most important aspects of improving.

Day 50: 1993 the year that changed everything

 When Sussex announced they were releasing a retro Sunday League shirt from 1993, there was no question I had to buy one. It was a year that was important in choosing my sporting allegiances; I just need the Norwich City "bird poo" shirt, and I will be immensely happy.

It was also the year that I went to my first ever first-class cricket match. It was at Hampshire's old county ground, a ground that oozed charm, if not comfort. The Australian's were in town. Names that have since become iconic, Brendan Julian, Wayne Holdsworth and Tim Zoeher, other names escape me right now.

I didn't recognise Ian Healy when I held a postcard and pen in front of him. These were people I'd only seen on television before. I consumed everything about cricket I could get my hands on – I still do.

Those early days of seeing England trounced more often or not didn't deter me. It felt that the Snooker, Horse racing or the cricket was on when we went to my great-grandma's for tea on a Saturday afternoon.

I was lucky to have not just international cricket but county cricket in the NatWest Trophy and Sunday League on free-to-air television. We weren't a family that bought into extravagances such as Sky Tv, and away from my grandma's house, I was the only one in my house who had any interest in the sport.

I started to go to games more regularly a few years later. In the holidays, there were trips to stay in Mansfield for at least a week usually. It meant I would go and watch Nottinghamshire in the summer and Sussex when back home.

Even when we had friends of the family over from Ireland, I would persuade them to play cricket with me.

It wasn't easy being a cricket fan. I was captain of the school cricket team, and every so often, we would win a game, but it wasn't a sport that most of the other kids would have played out of choice.

It was at university that I found others that liked the game. I still go to games with one of my friends from there.

I sometimes think it is easy to talk about how we get more people involved in cricket. It is a sport that has reminiscing about the past is ingrained into the experience. So it can be easy to think the way we found the sport is how it should continue.

The ECB has made mistakes in the way it has handled the Hundred. Those who oppose it have some very valid points. It's not an easy fix. Yes, we need to find new ways of introducing more audiences from places where cricket has an image problem.

Sticking it all on the BBC or Channel Four is not the primary solution. I don't think the geography of the sides helps. There are fans in Truro and Dover who have to travel far too far to make catching a game at the ground a viable option.

I'm hoping a lot has been learnt from this experience. Domestic women's cricket on television is a big deal, and we have to give credit where it is due. Let's not forget a lot of work still needs to be done.

Day 49: Exciting times to come

At 10 am this moment, the notifications on my phone went crazy. It was the regional centres announcing their fixtures for the coming season. It was unexpected but welcome news. It’s one of those times when you get a little giddy and start planning where you want to be. Even though there is a sceptical voice at the back of your head that says this might not happen.

I know I was lucky to be present at a few games last year. I think we all yearn for crowds to be at the grounds. Sport thrives on spectators, friendly or fierce.

Anyway, the women’s domestic season is starting to shape. County T20 cricket will start the proceedings at the end of April. Before returning, Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy returns, the eight regional sides playing each other once.

With the Hundred yet to be announced, there is a clear gap in the schedule for it. The new regional T20 competition kicks into gear at the end of August, with a finals day on the 5^th of September.

The Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy then rounds off the season. Then there will be England international games to fit in as well. It is all set to be an action-packed season.

Announced around the same time was that Scotland’s women are to get their first full-time coach in Mark Coles. The former Pakistan head coach has a lot of experience in women’s international cricket. What he did for Pakistan was remarkable, and they are a more organised set-up.

It shows some serious investment on Cricket Scotland’s part. An associate nation Scotland that is on the verge of closing the gap with the full member nations and the top associate nations. Scotland faces a number of qualifying tournaments in a short space of time. They have the players to take them forward; both Sarah and Kathryne Bryce are getting professional experience Lightning and joined in the Hundred by Abtaha Maqsood.

In Ireland and Netherlands, Scotland knows they will face some quality competition to get anywhere near either of the upcoming World Cups. Then there is the matter of the Commonwealth games at Edgbaston next year.

It is promising to be a big year for the women’s game. Let us hope it goes ahead as planned.

Day 48: The Record reviewed

It would be harsh to look into The Record too deeply. After all, it was a celebration of Australia's triumph in last years Women's T20 World Cup. Its title does focus partly on showing the attempt to break the world record for a women's sporting event.

Once the cricket kicks in though you are swept along on the ride that the Australian players take, it is interspersed with the opposing captains' views as they play their part in the tournament.

What becomes evident throughout the two episodes are just how likeable the Australian team are. You could say they are the opposite of their male counterparts, that would be too simplistic a thing to admit, but it has a ring of truth.

It might have been nice to hear the thoughts from more players, although, the players that were used summed up the mood and spirit of what the Australian side is all about. Beth Mooney was something of a surprise. She is one of those players like Rachael Haynes who do their talking on the field.

Overall I think there could have been a bit more depth, maybe with a narrator. Another episode would not have diminished the quality of the overall product.

It is easy to be critical, but it is also significant that these documentaries are being made. When you consider that after Katy Perry finished her post-match concert, some of the teams who competed in the tournament have hardly played any cricket.

It is a timely reminder of women's cricket power and let's hope it sparks some pride and encouragement for the future.

There was good news from India that they have found a new venue for their series with South Africa next month. There were some worries that it would not go ahead.  The five ODIs and three T20Is will take place in Bengaluru.

India's last international fixture was the T20 World Cup final that featured so much in The Record. Even in a global pandemic, it feels wrong that it has taken over a year to get a side the quality of India back on the field.

There are 50 days to go until the men's county championship starts, although more likely fewer by the time you read this. It is always a great time of the year for fans of domestic cricket. There are also 67 days until the women's domestic season starts with a county T20 competition. I cannot wait until either, and you can rest assured that I will be writing about them both.

Day 47: Lets get it right

Even with an international pandemic causing havoc, it is still disappointing that a side that reached the finals of the last T20 and ODI World Cups cannot arrange a bilateral series. I’m not saying it is easy, yet India can stage a four-test series followed by a string of ODIs and T20s with England. Yet again it is the women’s team that may miss out.

If the BCCI were really serious about women’s cricket, India would be the best side in the world with the best domestic competition. It has neither of these things.

It would, of course, be disingenuous to say that other national boards are any different. However, in a host of countries, there is a feeling that women’s cricket is at least given a chance to grow. Some nations don’t have a budget for a professional international squad, although, there are countries that are trying.

The T20 format is giving smaller cricketing nations the chance to get a foothold in the international game. Bhutan is one such country. Now that T20 World Cups are stand-alone competitions there is no reason why a T20 World Cup can’t be expanded to include 14 or 15 teams. It would help incentive teams in the top eight nations to improve while giving the sides just below them to become competitive.

It was great to see that Sussex women have committed to keeping county cricket going as they have committed to the London Championship this year giving the county game a strong presence in the South-East.

Also, see Richard Clark’s article for The Cricketer to see that the county game is still relevant in the women’s game. https://www.thecricketer.com/Topics/womenscricket/keeping_flag_flying_women_county_cricket_lives_on.html

Englan’s women lost their final warm-up match before they begin their series with New Zealand next week. These warm-ups help the players go through the gears and have little impact on serious business. New Zealand has a core of match-winning players, and England will not be taking the series lightly.

Sophie Devine is in great form, as is Amelia Kerr and with Amy Satterthwaite, Leah Tahuhu and Suzie Bates there is enough talent to beat any side in the world.

There were encouraging signs that Danni Wyatt has found some form and if England is going to win next year’s World Cup, it will be important that along with Tammy Beaumont England are getting off to decent starts.

The Record, a documentary series about Australia’s Women’s T20 World Cup has finally made it to Amazon Prime Video in The UK. I will be watching it tomorrow and update you on what I think.

Day 46: Ireland eye up an action packed summer

The news coming out of Ireland today was positive for both the men’s and women’s game. Ireland announced three series for this coming summer including ODI and T20 series against South Africa and Zimbabwe across July and August. A trip to the Netherlands for three ODIs in June will proceed their home internationals.

International teams at Ireland’s level need to be getting regular cricket. Since their elevation to Test status, they have been in a limbo between the established Test sides and the associate nations they have levitated above.

The news from the women’s game was an announcement about when the domestic fixtures would take place. With Ireland gunning to qualify for two World Cups this year, it will be important for Ireland’s best players to be in a position to compete not just in qualifiers but be ready to play on the biggest stage.

England looks on the verge of defeat in the second Test against India at Chennai. Going into day four they are 429 runs short of victory with seven wickets left. It would take a monumental effort to get anywhere close to a win.

One thing in England’s favour is the late reprieve that Joe Root seemed to receive. India reviewed a decision that appeared to show Root plumb lbw. The technology found in favour of the batsman much to the surprise of everyone watching. It would still take something special from the England captain to turn things around.

Ravichandran Ashwin with an innings of 106 in India’s second knock deflated the England attack. Although it did prove that batting wasn’t as tricky as suggested on the first couple of days.

England will have to reassess the side that they field in the next Test. It will be a game under lights with a pink ball which might mean that we see James Anderson and Stuart Broad on a Test side for the first time this year.

Day 45: Love for Foakes

One of the few positives to come out of the second Test for England is Ben Foakes with both the gloves and bat. There have of course been calls for him to be a regular behind the stumps for England. His performance over the last two days has come with a bit of an 'I told you so' vibe.

When the ball is turning sharply, you need a stumper who knows what they are doing. It also showed in his batting as he was able to play India's spin attack with more ease than everyone else; including Joe Root who has shown just how good he is against the turning ball this year.

A lot has been said about the pitch and how there has been too much turn and variable bounce. It isn't a great look for a second day Test pitch. As Test match connoisseurs people want to see five days of an even contest, where the contest between bat and ball is even.

To a certain degree, we need to see players develop skills to deal with all conditions. I love games that runs are hard to come by for both teams, where every run is prized. There has to be an even element of conditions.

I hear the argument that the ball swings dramatically in England, and it can do for several reasons. The overhead conditions, the amount of grass on the pitch, and the state of the ball.

An element of the battle when that is the case is how to survive the first session, and then batting will usually become easier. Then again, there is a lot of conditioning when it comes to how players go about red-ball cricket, which is one of the beauties of cricket. It would be so dull if batters teed off and were able to hit the boundary with ease.

England's women won their first game on their tour of New Zealand, with a win by 20 runs. It looked like a good workout for many of the squad. What has become evident is that England won't be changing things up. However, some reports have said that Amy Jones and Tammy Beaumont shared the wicketkeeping duties.

Is that a change in England's thinking? Beaumont didn't keep in the warm-up games at Derby last year. Having kept wicket a lot for both Kent and in the KSL Beaumont is a good keeper. It might suggest that Jones, who is regarded as the best keeper in England, needs to score more runs on a more consistent basis.

 

Day 44: How do we ensure that women's international cricket thrives?

England's women start the first warm-up match of their tour of New Zealand this evening. It will be one where most of the squad will be given a chance to either bat or bowl. You feel the main problem is that you think the fringe players won't have a sniff at a place in the first ODI game in just over a week.

It has been said before that the starting line-up for the women's team is too challenging to get into. There are, of course, a variety of reasons for this. World Cup qualification works mean that there is no such thing as a game to be taken for granted where players might have had a chance to get some international caps have diminished.

 One way around this could be to make more use of the academy side. A good way would be to give them more games against the touring teams or set up games with sides such as Ireland and Scotland.

Domestic cricket is also a great way to ensure that future players get competitive exposure. Still, it would be even better to get more use out of a decent academy system. There, of course, needs to be some goodwill on the part of other national boards.

That is very tricky in an international pandemic and as good a time as any for the boards to sit down and plan the future of women's cricket. Is there a place for Test match cricket outside of the Ashes? Of course, there is and the players from India, New Zealand and South Africa, and a few other sides whose players would welcome the chance and benefit from it.

T20 cricket can remain the shop window to develop the women's game, but they need a chance to progress beyond that point.

This is the time to give the game a road map of growing the game globally in the next ten years. Somehow I don't think much if anything will change.

The men continued their compelling series with India today. The host's finished on 300 for six on a pitch that looks like it will produce a result well before the fifth day.

There were some outstanding moments with the ball. Olly Stone, on his return to the Test side, took a wicket with his third ball. Moeen Ali also back in the side bowled Virat Kohli with a ball that dumbfounded the India captain.

Rohit Sharma scored 161 to put his side firmly in control. England will have to perform well on day two to stay in the game and bring the momentum back their way.

Day 42: Longing for Loughbrough

I had never been to Loughborough before 2016. It was somewhere you went through on the train. I was never smart or sporty enough to go to the university as a student, but somehow the place became somewhere I have enjoyed visiting ever since.

It wasn't supposed to be that way, of course. Franchise cricket is the enemy. For a supporter of women's cricket, though it would be part of the future, it would be nice to have a team to follow to lend my support.

One team was automatically out; it was nothing against the players or the club's officials, I couldn't bring myself to support a Southampton based side. A Sussex supporter to start with and then as someone who grew up on the outskirts of Portsmouth its rival city was always difficult to warm to.

Born in the Midlands and with Loughborough the nearest Kia Super League side it made sense to start making my way to support them. When they kept signing players that I had a lot of time for it became the obvious choice.

I travelled everywhere to see them play. One game at Southport was the day before a job interview, and I didn't get home until the early hours. I got the job though, so that was a great omen.

The overseas players over the years were varied and all interesting in their own way. The first year there was Dane van Niekerk, Sophie Devine and Ellyse Perry. Rachael Haynes, Elysse Villani, Hayley Matthews, Chamari Atapattu, and Mignon du Preez all had spells with the club, and all left different impacts on the side.

Playing for Lightning also helped the international inspirations of players such as Kirstie Gordon and Sarah Glenn who both played for England after successful seasons with the midlands based club.

The Kia Super League has been and gone, although the Lightning brand remains. It is also no longer the only side representing the midlands at the pinnacle of women's cricket and Central Sparks are doing a great job to spread the good work of producing good cricketers and great role-models.

That isn't to say that I don't have a soft spot for the other women's franchises. I always wished Lancashire Thunder well. They had excellent players, real characters who play the game with passion and players you could warm to; they just never had much luck.

Western Storm is a side that if you can build an identity and build unity in a core group of players, success is never too far away.

Day 41: Grounds for memory

The was a book I owned when I was younger that had a cartoon on the cover of a man watching cricket on the television. The view through his window was of the game he was watching on the box.

Since I have been visiting Hove; I have been envious of those who live in the flats and house around the ground's perimeter. There are many reasons why it would be the perfect place to live. I have been a Sussex fan for the best part of 30 years. To be close to a venue that has always required some lengthy travel to reach would be heaven. Also, the short stroll to the seafront would help start the day right.

For me, the cricket grounds that mean the most to me are near a body of water, in Worcester's case sometimes under it.

Trent Bridge, Hove and Worcester are the grounds to which I speak. It might be a coincidence, but they have also played an important part in my passion for women's cricket. In the early days, I watched a side that was current World Cup champions slip under the radar of not just the casual supporter but most of the media. It was long before Twitter and Facebook and a different world to the county cricket I had been fed.

My following of the women's game came and went for years. But that was much to do with the everyday dramas of life.

I never appreciated just how much I cared for Sussex and women's cricket until it wasn't in easy reach. I think it is why I make the most of the moments I spend at these places. Trent Bridge has a rich history but is also far from done with creating new stories which will fill the history books of the future.

Worcester has a charm that is hard to manufacture; the views of the cathedral, where King John rests is one of the iconic sights. The first game that I watched with ECB accreditation sat alongside people whose words inspired and people I have the utmost respect for as I found myself out of my depths sat beside.

I hope that once the pandemic has finally subsided, there will be new memories at these fantastic grounds and that I will tell you all about it.

Day 41: NSW and Victoria bursting with talent

One of the best things about the Kia Super League was the quality of the overseas players that played for each of the teams. The calibre of Loughborough Lightning's overseas recruitment was outstanding. For the first two years, they were able to call on the services of Ellyse Perry. One of the world's leading all-rounders, I remember scoring 78 not out against Lancashire Thunder at Blackpool, Thunder combined to score only 12 more runs than Perry.

It might be a controversial thing to say, but I think Rachael Haynes and Elysse Villani's impact had more impact on the Lightning side. So it was interesting to see all of them playing in the game between Victoria and New South Wales overnight.

Haynes got the early upper-hand when she helped the first three balls of the game from Perry for four. It looked like NSW were going to post a big score as Haynes scored 60 from 60 balls.

Villani stole the show with an unbeaten 135 to take Victoria to an eight-wicket victory.

The depth of talent on both sides was astounding; Victoria's top four batters could take on most international teams with Meg Lanning at three.

I would love to see the kind of game in England, although I think it is a few years away yet. It is a testament to the Australian model of building from the bottom up. That was already in place with the state teams in a sense.

England has struggled because they have a core group of England players, and it is tough to break into that bubble. Until recently that has meant that players who have not had their England contracts renewed have been looking elsewhere for a career.

The regional hubs and to some extent, the Hundred will look to rebalance that gap. Domestic players can make a living from playing cricket. They have a focus that isn't England or bust.

I don't know whether it was a good thing or not to see Kim Garth play for Victoria last night. It is excellent for the player; there is no doubt about that. Garth is a very good player, but I want to see the teams like Ireland keeps its best players. It is in the best interests of world cricket to have 20 teams capable of beating each other when they play at their best.

 

Day 40: England satisfied with five days good work

How good were England? Even some of the most optimistic England supporters would have been crying for a declaration at some point yesterday afternoon in Chennai. Not Joe Root England captain and Chris Silverwood, the coach. They kept their cool and backed their bowlers.

Just over three sessions to bowl out India even on a fifth-day pitch looked a foolish choice. It did of course, as the game was wrapped up with a session to spare.

England has also disrupted India’s plans for the next game that starts at the weekend. They will have to go away and think about the balance of their side.  Their performance wasn’t as disastrous as their first Test against Australia at the end of last year.

England, while they played superbly, have their concerns. Root will, at some point fail to score a massive hundred. That means their other batsman will have to perform. Jos Buttler has earnt a rest and will be replaced by Ben Foakes. How will that dynamic change not just behind the stumps, but in England’s lower middle-order? It shouldn’t really as Foakes is not only a capable batsman but a very good wicketkeeper in the conditions.

Where England have to be careful is in the bowling department. They did well in the first Test not to be out on the pitch and bowling too many long spells. With Ben Stokes in the side, it gives England more options and three seam bowlers that they can rotate.

Both Jack Leach and Dom Bess have been hit and miss even during the Sri Lanka series. They have both been able to take the crucial wickets at valuable times, but never together. Will England draft in Moeen Ali, or stick with Leach and Bess? It is a difficult one to answer. Ali hasn’t had much cricket lately and with a 1-0 lead to protect is it the right time to bring in a player and expect to be on the spot from the get-go? Ali is an experienced player though and gives you more control than Bess, but Bess is picking up wickets England might keep the faith.

James Anderson showed what a class act he was today with the over of the year where he picked up two identical wickets. England will play him in the next Test before Stuart Broad replaces him. That is not a bad position to be in.

Day 39: England have plenty of time to lose series

 

It all comes down to day five. All three results are still possible, although you would see England as the favourites. That isn’t to say that you would ever count out India.

With Virat Kholi and Rishabh Pant, India has two batsmen that can do the unexpected; India will expect one or both to perform. It is what makes Test cricket such an exciting spectacle. Even the draw could come down to the last pair of Indian batsmen hanging on surrounded by expectant English fielders.

Then again, England could skittle through a decent line-up on a fifth-day pitch that offers the bowlers assistance. Jack Leach and Dom Bess will be the main threat but don’t rule out James Anderson, Jofra Archer, and Ben Stokes bowling invaluable short quick bursts that offer the batsmen a different challenge.

England has been criticised for some of their tactics during the game, such as batting on after tea. I don’t think there was anything wrong with that approach. They have made India bowl more than they would have liked over the last four days, and at the start of a series, that is important. England’s bowlers, by contrast, will be much fresher when the second Test comes around.

There would be nothing worse than being control from the toss on the first morning until the final ball on day four only to lose it on day five due to a partnership they could not break whatever they threw at India.

With bat in hand, Joe Root looked to be in a class above his England teammates as they were bowled out for 178 in 46.3 overs. The England captain as taken to 2021 as if there couldn’t be anything easier.

This Test series has many turns to take and risking going one down is something that England will never want to do in India again, and who can blame them. After all, there is plenty of time to lose the series between now and the fourth Test.

Day 38: Lucky or good, England hope for the Bess

There aren’t many sports where the condition of the playing surface changes as much as in cricket. Tennis may be the nearest, although there aren’t the same amount of variations once on the court.

It might come as a surprise to some that England has adapted to the conditions in Chennai. England was told they didn’t stand a chance; destined to be a 4-0 win for Virat Kholi’s side, England needn’t turn up.

They have turned up, with Jonny Bairstow levels of wanting to prove a point; albeit without Bairstow, for the time being.

England’s tactics have been executed with efficiency. There was a call for England to declare yesterday evening and start putting India’s batsmen under pressure. England ignored that and batted on this morning.

It garnered another 23 runs, they may, or may not prove crucial. If England takes the last four wickets early on the fourth day with a sizable lead, I would not expect them to ask India to follow-on. It would mean that India’s bowlers will have bowled on all four days of this Test. These things can be crucial in the long run.

Jofra Archer and James Anderson bowled well for England early on as Archer helped remove openers Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill to leave India 44 for 2. Much would relay on the Indian middle-order. Cheteshwar Pujara was solid as ever until he smashed a Dom Bess delivery at Ollie Pope at Short Leg only for it to bounce off his back and into the hands of Rory Burns.

Bess is developing a happy knack of picking up wickets. If you asked Joe Root if at this moment that he would rather have lucky spinners or good ones I think we would know the answer.

There wasn’t any luck about the way that Bess dismissed Kholi, forcing the India captain to prod the ball to Pope under the helmet at Short-leg.

Jack Leach, who came into the Test as England’s top spinner, was treated with disdain from Rishabh Pant. The left-arm spinner was not allowed to settle and was going for over ten an over at one point.

Pant is one of those players that plays the attacking shots when others would think twice. For most, it would be a foolish move, but Pant clears fielders for fun.

He looked good for a century before that man Bess struck again with Pant on 91. Leach holding on the catch was suitably relieved.

India will start day four 321 runs behind with four wickets in hand. If England can get the early breakthrough, they will be confident of the win. Washington Sundar and Ravichandran Ashwin looked comfortable batting together. It might take a moment of brilliance of pure luck from Bess to make the inevitable result an England win. Although India proved in Australia that they could never be counted out.

Day 37: England look in control

When I realised I slept through the first session this morning, there was possible that I would have woken to a collapse that England has been famous for over the years. My best thoughts were that two or three wickets would inevitably have fallen. It was a pleasant feeling to see that Joe Root and Ben Stokes had batted out the first two hours of the day.

Stokes hasn’t played any cricket in months and see him slot back into the line-up with ease was reassuring. The way that he scored his 82 was as if he had never been away. Root who impressive again took a back seat to Stokes and the two played England into a strong position at Lunch.

England built partnerships around Root, Ollie Pope replaced Stokes and dug in for 34 from 89 balls.

What will be interesting to see is how long England bat on for on the third day. The conventional wisdom would have said that England has a quick blast at India’s openers late in the day and start day three with a relatively new ball.

That is not how England want to do things. They want to get as many first innings runs a possible, Dom Bess unbeaten on 28. With England on 555 for eight, they will be targeting a lead of 600.

There was evidence that the pitch was starting to offer some assistance to the bowlers and with the majority of the wickets falling either bowled or lbw that will encourage England’s bowlers.

Channel Four broadcasting the Test series has raised questions of the best way to make sure the sport reaches the biggest audience and encourages new people to the game.

I don’t think it is an easy fix. When I was growing up, I saw cricket when I visited my great-grandma. It was always on her television. Most of my generation that fell in the game was through someone else in the family with an interest. Or through a friend.

I went to a state school that was at the time, failing. It was turned around by a headteacher with a passion for cricket, but I left before I had time to get to know him. I was the odd one out for liking cricket. I went to county games on my own. There was no desire for the others to play in the park, although I did get friends to play a couple of times it wasn’t the norm.

There are many ways to promote and get people interested in the game and not just the same old faces. We need to ask the younger generations how we can interest them in the game that we love.

FTA is only one portal and not the silver bullet. There are many discussions to be had, and I’m sure many will disagree.

Day 36: England end day one on top

Getting up for four in the morning was always going to be difficult. When it is for something, we love, we will always make sacrifices. To see Test cricket back on terrestrial television was still going to be one of those moments. I don’t think it will be something I often do.

The notes of ‘Mumbo Number Five’ were reassuring. The studio chat was never a concern for me, and I thought it was okay. When you consider that they had less than a week to get things done, it was admirable.

What I was here for was the cricket. England playing in India would make intriguing viewing how England’s batsmen would face up to India’s bowling attack? Do England have the bowlers to take 20 wickets.

England went with the side most expected to them to pick even if Joe Root looked confused at the toss. It was his last moment of nervousness; he batted for a long proportion of the day to end it unbeaten on 128.

It was a continuation of Root’s good form this year, having struck two centuries against Sri Lanka, last month Root showed just how much he enjoys batting in India.

With the return of Rory Burns, England looked more stable at the top order. India’s bowlers offer different threats than Sri Lanka’s, and with pace from the get-go, it was more to England’s liking.

England are striving for a top-order that allows an aggressive middle-order to bat them into strong positions. Burns and Dominic Sibley proved that by putting on 63 for the first wicket.

Whatever your thoughts of Burns shot that saw him depart for 33 it did not prove too costly for England, although Dan Lawrence might agree with you as he was trapped in front for a five-ball duck.

England teams of old might have folded even on a decent track. Root is in the type of form that suggested he might be among the best of his generation. What more encouraging was the way that Sibley went about things. He batted sensibly allowing Root to take centre stage.

It was disappointing to see him fall to the last ball of the day, but the job he was in the side for was then done. He occupied the crease and with Root added 200 for the third wicket. On a personal note, Sibley would have welcomed another 13 runs and another day to bat on.

Lawerence and Sibley became Jasprit Bumrah’s first test wicket’s in India in his first Test in his home country.

So what can we expect on day two? England will look for another solid first session, blunting the new ball and making India’s bowlers have to work hard. With Ben Stokes, Ollie Pope and Jos Buttler England have players who can take a game away from you in a hurry, and if they all play around Root England could be in the driving seat by the end of the day.

Day 35: Looking forward to some great cricket

I would imagine that a tour of India would be a wonderful experience, the people the culture the sights. That will be different for England this time. There will not be the opportunity for the players to explore the country and, weeks inside a bubble can not be fun.

England, however, start without the expectation of causing India any problems. That does seem a bit unfair, but also works in England's favour. The pressure won't be there, which might help Jack Leach and Dom Bess just to go out there and bowl. England's openers will be looking for runs and with the return of Rory Burns might give England a bit more stability.

With Ben Stokes and Jofra Archer back in for the start of the Series, England also has not just potential match-winners but also actual match winners.

I have always been terrible of naming the side that will start in the first game, but I guess the most significant decision is who bats at three. Zak Crawley would most have likely slotted back in at first wicket down. It could be just the chance Dan Lawrence needs to prove his worth to the side with players rested, or about to come back. A more unconventional choice would be to bring back Moeen Ali in at three. It would give England the chance to play three spinners.

Ben Foakes makes his long-awaited return as wicketkeeper, and his abilities will be tested. Jos Buttler kept well in Sri Lanka and is expected to play a lot of cricket. Therefore, it makes sense for a safe pair of hands to take on the role while Buttler rests.

Where England might try and be clever is with the bowlers. It is unlikely that James Anderson and Stuart Broad will play any matches together, with the two rotating.

That means at some point Chris Woakes or Olly Stone will play. England like a player with real pace and Stone offers England the chance to give Archer a rest if they chose not to bring Mark Wood back later in the series.

I know it will be good to get things underway and for the course of the matches to make the 300 previous words look foolish.

The drip-feeding of players signed up to the Hundred has got me looking forward to watching the women's games. Every play participation seems to be players I have got a lot of time for. With my favourite players picked for various teams, it won't be easy to pick a team to support. However, I'm eating more Skips than usual.

Day 34: Channel Four welcome back Test cricket

It is reassuring about cricket being on free-to-air television. For those of us old enough the greetings at the start of play from Richie Benaud or Tony Lewis. Of course, cricket coverage has moved on Sky Sports, and Channel Four in its brief guardianship of the national summer sport. 

England's tour of India starting on Friday will be broadcast on Channel Four who beat Sky Sports and Bt Sport to secure the coverage. It will be the first time since 2005 that Test cricket will be available on terrestrial television in the UK.

The pros and cons of keeping cricket behind a paywall will be debated long into the night, and I'm sure you have your views. The coverage that Sky Sports have brought to the table is of the highest quality. The discussion that Ebony Rainford-Brent and Michael Holding started about racism not just in cricketing but in their lives will stay with people for many years.

The World Cup Final in 2019 shown on FTA gave us a glimpse at what we could have. What a game it was with late drama and that super over. Imagine what a watershed it would have been had the women's World Cup Final two years previously had been available to more girls? It could have sparked a playing revolution.

Hopefully, the Hundred can do that this summer. With games to be broadcast on the BBC, more attention will be paid on the women's game. Not just the international players will be given a platform to play in front of an audience of note, but domestic players.

In England, there is a long way to catch up with Australia. Australia's talent pool at their disposal is larger, and they have been exposed to more high profile games. The WBBL has games broadcast on television, and the other games are live-streamed.

We are getting there in England if we continue to grow the coverage we will be catching up very soon. Some good young players need the challenge on a more consistent basis, which appears to be happening with the regional centres.

With COVID-19 unlikely to go away any time soon we do need a modicum of patience. But I like the way things are going.

I'm proud of my Scottish heritage. With a strong Scottish name like mine, how could I not be? Today on my way home from work, A woman at the bus stop made a remark about my Cricket Scotland jacket. She didn't realise Scotland had a team. For some reason, she didn't talk to me after I told her that Scotland won their last game against England. I was polite and, I do support the country of my birth. It does show that we can always do more to promote the game—what better way than to do that with top quality Cricket Scotland merchandise.

Day 33: A walk to the ground

There is something rather wonderful about approaching a cricket ground. I have been to a few around the shires, and there is always still that anticipation. Cricket, of course, is a game with a rich history. Top-flight football was invented in 1992, but the county championship has been with us forever, it even has it's own holy book.

The first county ground I visited was the old ground at Southampton; you could walk there from the city centre it was convenient, quaint and ramshackle. It was my type of ground, even if it was not my team. I had already fallen for the neighbours. During the winter of 1997, a tour of the ground was arranged for the school cricket team, and I'm not sure if that is the real reason for not warming to the new venue on the edge of the city.

There is nothing better than a stroll to the ground. Arundel being a prime example. It is quite a trek—the opportunity to walk through the historic streets and past what is still a fairy-tale castle.

The scene inside is just as good. I have seen some great players there. The stewards there have always been good there. My sister and I found ourselves autograph hunting in the members' area, stumbling across Phil Tufnell with a banana in one hand and a cigarette in the other. My autograph book came away all the better, and I was happy for the rest of the day.

Test grounds are a different story. They are cricket's cathedrals, decked with memorabilia from the distant dawn of time. Walk into the pavilion at Trent Bridge, and you find yourselves looking up mouth open, just as in any historic building. The portraits and photos of long sainted heroes, championship-winning pennants.

I have been lucky enough to be in that grand old pavilion during the off-season, and it still has that buzz of a place where history has taken place. It is the real test of what constitutes as a ground that truly a place I want to spend my time.

Hove actually is one of the grounds that will hold a special place in my memory. It is a compact little ground renowned for seagulls and deckchairs. It has modernised over the years but without losing any of that charm.

There are several reasons why the Arthur Gilligan Stand was removed. If you don't want to be cynical, that it was in disrepair is a good reason. I remember sitting on there on several occasions. The seats were situated on top of the old indoor nets, and the view was unrivalled.

That I guess is what we all want, a sense of home. Somewhere the cares of the world are far away, to be in the company of people just like you.

Day 32: The evenings are getting lighter

The days are getting longer. That is enough to fill the heart with joy. It may be warmer to crawl into the freezers in Aldi next to the frozen peas than sitting outside for six hours in early April. Those of us who would watch county cricket on the moon, cheer the lighter evenings. The hope makes us feel better about our day. The days on a calendar starts to be crossed off, and suddenly we are daydreaming of a day when we can be under several layers at Derby.

When Bernie Sanders's image at Joe Biden's inauguration with his snazzy mittens, county cricket fans were thinking 'see, we have always been cool.' If Sanders had a thermos flask and a copy of this year's Playfair Annual, we would all have felt we were in a better place.

As a group, the county cricket supporter is often misunderstood. We support a competition that we have been told has been dying since the 1950s. We may not have the time to be at every game like the supporters of teams in other sports, but don't tell us we are any less committed.

We had Ceefax for years, just waiting for the page on the television to refresh so we could see that the two balls had been scoreless. We wouldn't know if it was stoic blocking or wild swishes that failed to contact the bat.

In an age of Twitter and instant streams, we are closer to the action when not at the ground. We can consume more cricket than ever before, yet somehow more distant from it at the same time.

It doesn't help that we don't know when we can get our next cricket fix alongside our natural absorption vitamin d.

I hope it is sooner rather than later. There is nothing better than being able to see familiar faces, even if we never speak to them. There is a Sussex supporter who I think spoke with more at a football match at Burton Albion than I ever have at any cricket game.

So in the meantime keep dreaming of that trip to Northampton or an amble down to Taunton, and hopefully, I will see you soon.