98 Not Out - The Cricket Podcast

Editor of Wisden's Almanac Lawrence Booth joins me to talk about the weight of responsibility in ensuring the evolution and future of one of the game's great institutions. We talk about the impact of Bazball - Lawrence has written a great book on the subject, "Cricket, Lovely Cricket? Bazball". Also, is The Hundred a bitter pill for the counties to swallow to ensure survival and we preview England's upcoming trip to New Zealand. .

Sussex Chair Jon Filby and Anne Chave from "County Cricket Matters" join me to discuss whether we should be optimistic or concerned about the future of county cricket.

The voice of the BBC's Test Match Special Jonathan Agnew joins us to reflect on his time in the commentary box after hanging up his bowling boots thirty three years ago. He talks of his love for Test cricket and why franchise cricket is not really his thing, but acknowledging it has been great for the game. We also remember some of the great names he has sat with in the TMS box and of course we mention the "Leg Over" moment. Aggers also talks about the famous names he has interviewed in "View From The Boundary" and reveals the players he has loved watching.

Huw Turbervill, editor of "The Cricketer" magazine, has some interesting views following England's defeat in the Third Test at Rawalpindi - is it time to find a "drop anchor" batter in the mould of Alastair Cook, Mike Atherton or Geoff Boycott, who can bat time? The current top seven may be entertaining, but results are everything and the team needs to demonstrate more responsibility for poor performances. Winning quickly or losing quickly, just so they can squeeze in a quick nine on the nearest golf course needs to change!

New Zealand's Men have beaten India in their own back yard in a Test match for the first time in 36 years. Despite Day 1 being washed out, New Zealand skittles India for just 46 when play got underway on Day 2 and went on to claim a very famous victory. Meanwhile, over in the UAE, The White Ferns beat South Africa in the Final to be crowned T20 World Champions for the first time in their history! Sports Freak's Rahul Patil joins me to discuss an amazing weekend for New Zealand. www.sportsfreak.co.nz

Recent weeks have seen a succession of departures at Essex Cricket both on and off the field. In this episode, Richard Clarke joins to discuss a "revolving door" at the County Ground and ask how worried should Essex fans be? Remember to subscribe to Richard's free county cricket newsletter here: https://countycricket.substack.com

Surrey and England legend MARK BUTCHER takes a break from the commentary box to talk about his new album "Always Somewhere". This is his third album and it follows "Songs From The Sun House" and "Now Playing", which both met with critical acclaim. This one features more personal writing and Mark talks us through a few of the standout tracks and talks about recording and playing live, all while juggling the day job! "Always Somewhere" is out now on Cherry Red Records.

Essex-based photographer JON WAGSTAFF chats about taking the perfect photograph and how each sport presents its own particular challenges. www.jonwagstaffphotogrpahy.co.uk

After a lengthy absence, Sussex CCC - the oldest of the English county sides - has been promoted back to the County Championship's top flight. To celebrate a great year for the club, I am joined by Chairman JON FILBY to reflect on events on and off the pitch and he offers some upbeat thoughts on the future of county cricket. For the first time in ten years, Essex has awarded a Testimonial Year and the recipient is long-serving opening bat NICK BROWNE. He joins a long list of Essex legends to have been bestowed the honour and he tells us about his plans for a very big year.

Brentwood pulled off the greatest day in their history by beating Northern CC by 9 wickets to lift the National Club Cup on Sunday at New Road, Worcester. Ian Livingston from the Premier League Cricket Club podcast who was commentating on the match and tells us all about a famous victory. Also a report on Essex, who have been hit with a £100,000 fine (£50,000 suspended) over historical racism which took place at the club. Richard Clarke joins me to discuss the punishment and hope that this marks the end of a very dark chapter in the club's history.

The ECB has fired the starting gun on the sale of franchises in The Hundred and trouble is brewing. Essex has voiced opposition to the process but can it be stopped or amended? Essex has also been deducted 12 Championship points for "Batgate". where Feroze Khushi was deemed using an "illegal" bat during the County Championship game against Nottinghamshire early in the season Is the punishment too harsh and why has it taken so long/ Richard Clarke joins me to discuss...

Chelmsford Cricket Club has secured the title of 2024 Champions of the Essex Premier League with a game to spare. 1st Team captain JACK STERLAND talks about their stunning season and how the celebrations are going. PAUL NEWMAN, newly retired from his role as Chief Cricket Writer at The Daily Mail assesses the achievements of Joe Root, who has gone past Sir Alastair Cook's record of 33 Test centuries for England. At just 33, there is plenty of time to achieve even further greatness for the Yorkshire and England batter!

With the Test series between England and Sri Lanka underway, I'm joined by Mark Machado from "The Mural End" podcast to talk all things Sri Lankan cricket. We remember some of the great moments of the last forty years but are also worried about the current trajectory of Test cricket and the threat it poses to Sri Lanka. A really enjoyable chat!

Touring side Central Country Cricket Club has arrived in the UK from Barbados to embark on a tour that includes games against club sides in Essex. I am joined by club President Andrew Willoughby and his wife Cheryl, along with club captain Dwayne Alleyne, tour manager Jason Wilson and from Essex Cricket Graham Pryke, who has helped with sorting out the fixtures. Follow the team's progress on Instagram at "centralcountryclub".

ITV's Mark Pougatch joins me to discuss the importance of all major sport - especially cricket - being made available on free-to-air television and not hiding behind a paywall.

In this episode, we remember Graham Thorpe, whose death was announced this week - gone far too early at 55. There's also news of the squad announced by England for the Test series against Sri Lanka and a look at goings-on in the county circuit, especially the exploits of a certain Rocky Flintoff. Plus a look at Round 13 of the Essex Premier League.

More detail has been announced on the departure of CEO John Stephenson from Essex CCC. After the 2024 season has finished, he will leave his role at the club and head Down Under to become CEO at the Western Australia Cricket Association in Perth. A fantastic opportunity and after all the good things he has done during his tenure at Chelmsford, Richard Clarke and I discuss how much he will be missed and what happens now? Make sure you subscribe to Richard's excellent newsletter here: https://countycricket.substack.com

The highlight of Cricket Week at Brentwood CC was the visit of the PCA England Masters to play the club in a fund-raising T20. Chris Cowdrey and Graham Napier were on hand to say a few words. As was Brentwood CC Chair Paul Webb! It was also a big weekend at Woolpit CC, where Suffolk took on Essex to contest the Robin Hobbs Trophy. Suffolk Chairman Andrew Squire joins us for a chat.

It's "Cricket Week" at Brentwood CC, with lots going on, culminating in the visit of the PCA England Masters on Friday (19th July). During a match between Brentwood and a Smile Travel Group XI, I caught up with Essex and England legend John Lever as we watched the game along with Don Topley. In a chat dripping with nostalgia, we recall John's England debut in Delhi in 1976, taking 10-70 and Don tells us the story of how in 1984, he was plucked from selling scorecards at Lord's to being put on the pitch and very nearly taking a catch on the boundary to dismiss Malcom Marshall off the bowling of Bob Willis! We talk about how much has changed in the game since the 1970s and 80s and later on, we are joined by Graeme Walker from Smile Group Travel, who do so much for the game of cricket and organise excellent sporting tours. Find out more about Smile Group's upcoming tours at: www.smilegrouptravel.com

Sunday, 30th. June was designated "County Cricket Day", a chance to celebrate and promote the domestic red ball game. Counties up and down the land offered various enticements to draw fans along to witness County Championship cricket first hand and maybe even have a chance to get on the outfield at lunch and tea breaks. Here, I am joined by Richard Clarke to discuss why this was such an important initiative, how successful was it and what could be done better in the future. #countychampionship #englishcricket #countycricket #cricket #countycricketday