Nick Friend

Everyone else is doing it, so I've also set myself up on bluesky for just in case: bsky.app/profile/nickfr…

Serious effort to beat Yorkshire - Lauren Winfield-Hill, Sterre Kalis, Ami Campbell, Beth Langston et al - like this ahead of their tier-one entry. Didn't lose a single wicket all day: 212-0 in 23.5 overs.

Liam, give 'em the old Wainwright #EngvInd

Expecting changes to the women's domestic schedule for 2026 - partly to account for a ninth tier-one team, partly in recognition of too many back-to-back games. More standalone Blast matches, rather than men's/women's doubleheaders also likely: thecricketer.com/Topics/womens-…

Went to Merchant Taylors', where Middlesex needed most of the day to complete a pretty comprehensive win, and was handed the 80-over-old Kookaburra after it was hurled off the field. Piece about a ball: thecricketer.com/Topics/county-…

Half-hour interview in here with Beth Barrett-Wild, on Darwin so far and a couple of anticipated changes for next year's women's domestic scene:

Greatly enjoyed sitting down with Laura Harris. Interview ahead of Blast Finals Day about playing the game in the way that she loves, not being "the cricketer in the family" and carving out a career as an uncapped, unconventional six-hitting globetrotter. thecricketer.com/Topics/county-…

Good day at Cheltenham yesterday, and nice to see the festival thriving amid fears over its future. More than 7,000 in so far this week, massively up on the equivalent last year, after a post-pandemic record for their Blast doubleheader last week.

Not just Rehan Ahmed turning it on this week. A century and a six-fer for at Cheltenham for Tom Hartley - his best figures since Hyderabad. thecricketer.com/Topics/county-…

This is the first time since Ben Stokes' first Test series (13/14 Ashes) that he's taken 15 wickets in a series. #ENGvIND

Ben Compton out, Dom Sibley still in the field. Saif Zaib, batting at the moment, with a great chance to be the first player to 1,000 Champo runs for the summer:

Three Tests (two men's, one women's), a men's ODI and the women's T20 WC final for Lord's in 2026, which feels like a lot

Fielding still very much England's achilles heel, and neither Charlotte Edwards nor Nat Sciver-Brunt hiding from that fact: thecricketer.com/Topics/england…

The pilgrimage.

From Durham, where England played their final ODI before the World Cup: thecricketer.com/Topics/england…

A first red-ball appearance for Phil Salt in 22 months:

No one in the country has as many Champo hundreds as Saif Zaib this year. Only Dom Sibley has more runs. Made his debut at 15 and has always looked a million dollars, but now showing it. Nice to chat about how faith and becoming a father have guided him: thecricketer.com/Topics/county-…

Great bit of news for Kent, this, having lost Gilchrist to Warks, on the back of Compton also staying put:

As per this, Sussex have signed Tom Price. Restricted by injuries recently, but a serious bowler and a really good signing. Big blow for Glos.

Understand that Sussex are frontrunners to sign Gloucestershire allrounder Tom Price. Really good cricketer. Big coup if it comes off. thecricketer.com/Topics/county-…

🚍Cricket on the buses. A piece on the Windrush generation and a unique period of history where arguably the strongest club cricket in England was played between London Transport bus garages. Thanks to @alextudorcoach and his dad Darrell for their time observer.co.uk/news/sport/art…