The County Chat

Liam Before Wicket and I discuss the Ashes two test matches in, as England fans we review the first two tests and look to see if there is any optimism to take for the next three. As English fans we discuss all the things that went wrong with the first two tests, as well as all things wrong with England cricket in a wider sense. As well as how Australia’s dominance often feels inevitable in tours of the country and why that often happens.Chapters00:00- 02:32- Intro and intro chat02:32-06:05 - Any potential optimism as England fans?06:05-13:05 The bizarre Bashir situation and England’s general spin problems 13:05-20:00 England’s loyalty to players, a long term problem? 20:00-33:18 Is England’s bowling group good enough to win test matches in Aus? 33:18-36:15 Does the squad selection show systemic issues with England’s pathways for talent?36:15-41:40 What have Australia done well to be 2-0 after 2 tests?41:40-43:50 Where are England’s match winners for the future? 43:50-47:08 What will Australia’s XI look at Adelaide and beyond? 47:08-51:06 Is the Adelaide surface just what England need?51:06-58:27 What England players would you like to get a chance in the next 3 tests? 58:27-58:51 Outro and thanks for watching!

A full deep dive into the 2nd test match, dissecting all that happened in Brisbane to leave Australia 2-0 up in the series. Timestamps (chapters)00:00-01:39 - Intro01:39-04:25 - Joe Root’s 100 relief and bazballs’ batting 04:25-08:42 - Test match review where was it won and lost? 08:42-11:20 - Will Jacks inclusion over Bashir a positive to take? Have England got their selections right?11:20-17:15 How Australia are 2-0 up and their bold selection of Neser 17:15-18:32 How England could learn from Australian selection policy. 18:32-19:20 How dropping Nathan Lyon was so brave in such a big series 19:20-23:47 Last comments on how Australia won in Brisbane23:47-24:42 Outro and new vids coming!

A review of the first Ashes test match. England's aggressive Bazball approach, shown up by a special Travis Head knock. Breaking down the 1st test match and how the rest of the series looks. Intro 00:00-01:25Were England overhyped and overcooked for the 1st test? 01:25-03:27England's new age test cricket vs Aussies classical test cricket? 03:27-06:10England not ruthless? Or Australian excellence? 06:10-10:00Why did England look so undercooked? 10:00-13:02Did Australia just realise their best line-up? 13:02-14:45'It's the hope that kills you' 14:45-17:36Should England have sent batters to the extra warm up game? 17:36-20:59Is a big gap between tests matches, a good or bad thing for England? 20:25-22:45What will Australia's squad look like? 22:45-23:37Hoping for a more competitive next 4 tests. 23:37-25:57

The County Chat talks to Michael Booth, all about his unique cricketing life starting in Zimbabwe to South Africa to playing for Warwickshire in the County Championship. Hear all about his story and life, in the newest episode of in Conversation with.

The second episode of in conversation with, a County Chat with Sussex pro and ex England U-19 star, Bertie Foreman. Covering all things from his career past that has shaped him, and all things English cricket, with an eye to the upcoming Ashes series.

The County Chat and Omkar Khot, have a conversation about all that is contemporary in English cricket. From the beauty of the county championship, to the troubles it faces in the future. A look at the schedule of English summer's and how changes the fandom of county cricket. Discussion's over where the county championship falls in the production of future England players, specifically before the 2025 ashes.

Sussex Cricket have been bailed out by the ECB, this video discusses how this happened and what it means for county cricket in a wider sense. A discussion of the Leonard Curtis Financial report, and what this shows is the systemic faults within the County Cricket system and its financial viability going forward.

Luke Wright steps down as the ECB's chief selector, time to discuss who might replace him and why the emphasis must be on a change in selection mindset to harness the psychological skills and mentality that has hallmarked the Bazball era. This video talks all about where England's cricket red ball team must go to start challenging for World Test Championships, rather than attempting to be the most entertaining test match team.Chapters Intro and Rob Key’s goodbyes to Luke Wright (the head that has rolled) 00:00-03:10Does the next selector need to be ying to McCullum’s yang? 03:10-07:05 Why England’s performance down under means more systemic issues must be addressed 07:05-11:27What has been McCullum’s best skill? His coaching of mentality and his star pupil in Joe Root, is that the blueprint for selection going forward? 11:27-13:09Why Hameed replacing Crawley would be a start in a new era of selection policy for Bazball 13:09-16:24How England must also be aware of Ben Stokes’ career arc and who will come next as captain? 16:24-18:38How having a more diverse selection policy will lead to better talent identification in years to come but how Luke Wright et al must get credit for players like Bethell 18:38-22:11 What England should learn from Australia’s selection policy and other international teams 22:11-24:31Why I think Hameed is a perfect example of a player who can redefine this era of selection. 24:31-27:03Cook and Stewart examples of a more alternative and old school approach to test cricket 27:03-29:59Outro 29:59-30:25

The ashes are over and Australia have won 4-1. A predictable result, but plenty to reflect on with lots of off the field problems and general frustration from England fans on the product that was produced down in Australia. Especially given the financial aspect of English fans travelling down under. A lack of planning? Far too loose on and off the field? And where does England cricket go now? All discussed in this video. ChaptersIntro 00:00-00:42 Will England have a regime change 00:42-06:20Australia’s home dominance and how they won the Ashes 06:20-09:25Australian cricket summer and free view test cricket - a game changer? 09:25-13:15Drop in wickets and the future of Australian test wickets 13:15-17:08Was Perth day 2 the moment England lost the test series? 17:08-22:30The standout players of the series 22:30-27:24Ashes captaincy comparison 27:24-32:22

A county chat episode all about the Ashes, with special guest Liam Before Wicket. A discussion about all the major talking points moving into the Ashes in Australia this November and December. A huge episode before one of the most highly anticipated series in a long time. Chapters Intro 00:00-01:02 Thoughts on the England squad 01:02-04:59 The Ollie Robinson dilemma 04:59-10:19 Brook replacing Pope as vice-captain 10:19-12:05 Bethell a superstar but where should he bat? 12:05-13:58 England's ashes prep and what is the England Lions now? 13:58-16:50 How England Lions selection criteria will effect county champ performers (no room for late developers) 16:50-21:13 English vs Australian differing mindsets on national selection 21:13-29:54 Pat Cummins missing in the 1st test how big of an impact? 29:54-34:30 Smith vs Cummins who's the real captain (and should be allowed)? 34:30-38:26 Australian selection and the batting order what will their team look like? 38:26-44:41 England's batting line up consistency vs Australia's inconsistency 44:41-48:49 Aussie pitches and what that will mean for England's selection 48:49-57:12 England's spinner debate and looking back to the success of 2010-11 57:12-01:02:00 Is the series as simple as how England's batting does against Australia bowling? 01:02:00-01:06:43 India series this summer a perfect preparation for the Ashes? 01:06:43-01:07:40 England and the moral victory where did it come from? 01:07:40-01:08:45 Did 2023 ashes make for a particularly heated build-up for this series? 01:08:45-01:12:40 Hoping for a feisty ashes and plenty of stump mic moments 01:12:40-01:15:40Outro 01:15:40-01:16:23

Picking out 5 players who had particularly remarkable seasons in 2025. With a specific look at breakout players, who made massive strides forward both in just their performance and their reputation within English cricketIntro 00:00-01:27George Hill 01:27-04:20James Coles 04:20-07:50Ben Kellaway 07:50-11:45Rehan Ahmed 11:45-15:12Saif Zaib 15:12-19:21Outro 19:21-20:50

One of the most talked about topics in the English cricket world, has a massive update. The heads of the counties have voted to get rid of the Kookaburra ball for county championship in future years. A big talking point of the last 4 years in English cricket, comes to an abrupt end. The County Chat discusses the pros and cons of it whilst it was in use, but also the future ramifications it has on English cricket.

The County Chat dives into England's ashes squads, both England Lions and the full England squad. A discussion of who may have been unlucky to miss out, following excellent domestic seasons. Further discussion on where the county championship now falls into international selection, with a squad which lacks many consistent performers from the English domestic circuit. 00:00-01:28 Introduction 01:28-02:53 England Lions squad overview 02:53-06:30 The dwindling role of county champ performance in England selection06:30-10:14 Analysis on selected players10:14-14:05 The disconnect between county cricket and English international cricket 14:05-20:06 The County Chat's alternative Lions squad 20:06-27:02 Final Thoughts on selection criteria

A quick episode with all the storylines and jeopardy around the final 3 games of the county championship season: promotion, relegation and titles to be won! But by who?

The County Chat talks about how the County Championship division 2 season is going, comparing to the pre season predictions made and naming his team of the season so far.

The County Chat tackles a mid season review of division 1, diving into the stats and the players who have stood out in the first half of the year. Checking out the teams that might be looking good or struggling, finally finishing with a team of the season so far at the end of the episode.