GerryShedd
Super Moderator
A really interesting interview with Keith Barker:
https://www.cricinfo.com/story/first-the-boots-now-the-spikes-keith-barker-the-last-england-footballer-cricketer-calls-time-1562123
Durham are not too sure when the non-Blast fixtures will be announced. They are having a coffee morning on 1 December and say:
"The forum will give Members the chance to discuss the 2027 season’s fixtures following the T20 Blast announcement on Wednesday 25 November, with the hope of also having the County Championship and One Day Cup schedules to discuss"
Jimmy Anderson has signed for Surrey.
I think (not sure) that the non-Blast fixtures come out a day later.
Blast fixtures due am on Wednesday 25 November.
In her monthly e-mail to members, the Club Chair says:
"By broadening the range of membership options and tailoring benefits to suit a variety of supporter profiles, we have welcomed more than 1,400 additional members for 2027."
It's a slightly ambiguous statement - hopefully, it means that there has been a net increase of 1400 members; but it may mean 1400 new members, with no figure for those who have not renewed.
A poll on the Gloucestershire Facebook page has 83% voting against the change, with 8% in favour and the rest unsure. Pretty well all the reports make reference to the history of the change to and from Birmingham Bears.
I see that there is a Gloucestershire members meeting in Cheltenham this evening. That should be fun!
Maybe to counter some of the negativity about Alex, it is worth quoting what Ed Barnard (on The Bear website) has to say about him:
“Al would be the first to admit it was a tough season for him. He struggled a little bit with his finger injury at the start of the year and then probably didn’t score the runs he wanted, but he was amazing in terms of the way he stuck around the group. On the last day of the season, he was there, running on drinks, as excited as anyone.
“There must have been some mixed emotions for him, having led the team up to this season, but he was always there for me to lean on. He has got a brilliant cricket brain and was always ready to advise in red and white-ball cricket whenever I wanted it. We are really hoping that he can get back to being the cricketer we know he can be. He deserves massive credit for what we achieved this year.”
For those who are subscribed to The Bear
(https://the-bear.counterpress.media/) there are now articles headed "The path to Championship glory: Ed Barnard reflects." Well worth a read.
Ethan has been voted County Championship Player of the Year by members of the Cricket Media Club.
Finlay Bean is leaving Yorkshire and looking for another county.
Why am I not surprised that you managed to get a negative comment about AD into a thread about a cookery book?
For lovers of cricket and (maybe good) food, Fairfield Books have come up with this:
https://fairfieldbooks.co.uk/shop/denzils-dining/
Warwickshire related offerings are:
Gladstone Small’s Lamb Doner Kebabs
Ashley Giles’ Toad in the Hole with Mash and Beans
I think I might prefer David Gower's Beef Wellington, though I might forego the mushrooms.
From the Club:
"Warwickshire County Cricket Club has confirmed overseas pre-season tours for both Bears Men and Bears Women ahead of the 2027 season. The men's squad, led by Ian Westwood, will return to Stellenbosch, South Africa, following a successful 2026 tour, while Ali Maiden's Bears Women will travel to Mumbai, India, for their first-ever overseas pre-season tour as a professional team.
The men's tour will run from 3-18 March 2027, with the women's squad travelling from 15-26 March 2027. "
Article in which Isaac explains his "unique journey from Edgbaston ball boy to Worcestershire and England U19s’ Captaincy."
https://wccc.co.uk/news/club-to-county-edition-3-isaac-mohammed/
It's a bit ironic in view of his involvement in sacking Jimmy Anderson; but Paul Farbrace has been given the Cricket Society's Spirit of Cricket Award. I presume that they won't get Jimmy to present it to him.
A happy 90th birthday to A. C. (Alan) Smith.
Adam Hose signing a three year contract with the Pears:
https://wccc.co.uk/news/adamhose2029/