98 Not Out - The Cricket Podcast
By 98 Not Out - the cricket podcast
‘98 Not Out’ is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.
98 Not Out - The Cricket PodcastAug 04, 2022
How "BUMBLE" would fix county cricket
One of English cricket's most experienced names David Lloyd - aka "Bumble" - explains how he would fix the problems currently engulfing English domestic cricket and it's hard to disagree with his ideas! Maybe cricket's powers that be need to listen to more people like Bumble, as he has been there, seen it and done it!
DAN FEIST - Deputy CEO Essex Cricket
Dan Feist, Deputy CEO of Essex Cricket talks about the great start to the season and how newbies Dean Elgar and Jordan Cox have fitted in to the team. After a difficult couple of years off the field, Dan updates on possible sanctions still hanging over the club and the lessons that the club has learned.
On a brighter note, there is the fantastic news of Essex Cricket being awarded Tier 1 for women's cricket and what this news will mean for the game in the region. We also talk about plans to upgrade or relocate the ground and salute all the hard work that is going on around the club to ensure a bright future.
MATT KABIR FLOYD on the IPL
He also talks about his new podcast "It's Not Just Cricket" , which starts on May 1st with guest Azeem Rafiq.
MEL FARRELL assesses the impact of the Kookaburra ball on the County Championship.
#countycricket #cricket #kookaburra #weather #Wisden #England #Ashes
HUW TURBERVILL on English cricket's finances.
The cricket season is finally here and HUW TURBERVILL, editor of "The Cricketer" magazine talks about finance in the English game. Is foreign investment required to ensure the survival of county cricket and make the white ball game competitive on the global stage?
#cricket #countycricket #thehundred #money
VICTORIA POLLEY from BBC Essex looks forward to the new season.
Victoria Polley from BBC Essex looks forward to the 2024 county cricket season and assesses the chances of a new-look Essex in the wake of Sir Alastair Cook's retirement and the departure of Dan Lawrence. Dean Elgar and Jordan Cox look like exciting replacements!
Victoria also talks about the return of her weekly cricket show "Around the Wicket" on BBC Essex, as well as the BBC's continued coverage of every ball of every game up and down the country.
MATT APPLEBY author of "Lost Cricket Stickers".
Hot on the heels of "How to be a Cricket Fan", Matt Appleby's new book "Lost Cricket Stickers", all about the one year (1983) that Panini published a sticker collection album devoted to English cricket players. Jim Carter of "Downton Abbey" fame wrote the introduction and we discuss why the concept never took off and wonder whether it is worth resurrecting!
Get your copy here:
GEORGE DOBELL rants!!!!
The fallout continues as England's winter ends; a disappointing World Cup campaign, the first Test series defeat under Stokes & McCallum with a slide to #6 in the WTC rankings. The Cricketer's George Dobell has been forthright in his views of how the team has played and asks whether "Baz" is more of a mentor than a coach? Have a listen and see if you agree with what he has to say...
DICK DAVIES remembers ROBIN HOBBS
BBC Essex cricket commentator Dick Davies speaks about the life and times of the great Robin Hobbs, who sadly passed away at the weekend. A great leg-spinner whose career peaked in the 1960s, appearing for Essex and latterly Glamorgan, Robin also played seven Tests for England. He was a familiar face at Chelmsford after his playing days ended and also down at Hutton CC, where the Young Volunteer Award is presented every year in his name. "Hobbsy" will be greatly missed ny many.
PAUL NEWMAN from "The DailyMail" joins us from Dharamsala.
England has slumped to a series defeat in their tour of India, the first under the Stokes/McCullum regime. It's been a tough winter for the team, with a disappointing World Cup and a white ball tour to the West Indies; Paul Newman - Chief Cricket Writer at The Daily Mail - joins us to give his verdict on England's progress and what lessons have been learned, ahead of the English season and the visits of West Indies and Sri Lanka.
TIM BROOKS, author of "The Batmaker of Copenhagen".
Tim Brooks talks about his brand new book, "The Batmaker of Copenhagen". Set in wartime Denmark, it's a thrilling tale of how one man is determined to keep his cricket club going against the threat of Nazi occupation. Time explains the ideas and research involved and also his interest in non Test countries that play cricket. Get your copy of his book at all good bookstores now!
Essex set course for 2030...
In this episode, Dan Haggar and I discuss the plans laid out at this week's Members Forum, where the Essex board set out their road map for the future, including plans for the ground redevelopment/relocation and moving on from recent painful events.
DON TOPLEY remembers Mike Procter
Don Topley is just back from South Africa, where he was watching his son Reece play in the SA20. During his time there, "Toppers" was one of the last people to spend time with Mike Procter, who sadly passed away at the weekend. Here Don reminisces about the great man and the impact he made on the game of cricket.
"Griff" remembers Mike Procter
Derbyshire photographer David "Griff" Griffin reacts to the sad news of the death of Mike Procter, a true giant of the game of cricket, who had huge impact on both the English county and international scene, where he played for, then later managed South Africa.
Follow Griff on "X" at @dgriffinpix
Can TAYLOR SWIFT save county cricket?
As the new season edges ever closer, The Grumbler joins me to look at the various talking points dominating county cricket conversations. Is the membership model broken? Are players' wages, foreign interest and monetisation destroying the game's tradition? Could counties break free from the ECB and form their own league....and should Taylor Swift be brought in to attract the youth?
DAGGERS on the u19 World Cup
Charles Dagnall joins us from Johannesburg, where he is covering the ICC u19 Cricket World Cup. England are out, failing to make the semi-finals, but "Daggers" is impressed by what he has seen and highlights some names we should watch for the future.
Cricket and Crypto with TIM BRESNAN
Former Yorkshire, Warwickshire and England cricketer TIM BRESNAN joins us to talk about glory days winning the T20 World Cup and The Ashes with England, as well as being County Champions with Yorkshire. Since retiring from first class cricket, "Bressie" has spent time travelling with his family and has been playing club cricket at Hartshead Moor CC. He is also building a very successful business trading cryptocurrencies.
INDIA vs ENGLAND preview
Tests also for personal reasons.
"It's the most Miserable Tiiiime of the year...."
Monday was officially tagged "Blue Monday" , the most depressing day of the year; the joy of Christmas long gone, the days fail to get light and the weather is just awful. Worse still if you are doing "Dry January" and are struggling with the cost of living.
Here, I am joined by Elizabeth Ammon from The Times to discuss why the downbeat mood appears to be so prevalent among cricket fans.
And there is still time to vote for "98 Not Out" in the Final of Cricket Podcast of the Year, click the link below:
https://www.sportspodcastgroup.com/podcast/98-not-out-the-cricket-podcast/
A chat with THE GRUMBLER on the future of red ball cricket
In the last few days, we have witnessed the shortest-ever Test match take place in Newlands between South Africa and India, the West Indies announce a weakend squad to tour Australia and the increasing frequency of two-Test series. Also the news that the England tour to India later this month might not make it to UK tv screens, is Test cricket in danger of disappearing up its own backside? But good news does exist, with Edgbaston announcing it has sold out the first three days of the Test match it is hosting this summer, it does seem that there remains an appetite to attend cricket of the highest level. Here, I talk to Richard Clarke aka The Grumbler about what can and might be done. Can Barry Hearn save county cricket?!?!
Click here to subscribe to Richard's excellent AND FREE newsletter:
https://countycricket.substack.com
And don't forget to vote for "98 Not Out" in the Final of Cricket Podcast of the Year:
https://www.sportspodcastgroup.com/podcast/98-not-out-the-cricket-podcast/
Thanks and enjoy!
Craig Johnston remembers Franz Beckenbauer
Barely into the New Year and we have received the sad news about the passing of German legend Franz Beckenbauer, one of a very select few men to have lifted the World Cup both as a player and as a manager. When we talked to the Liverpool FC star Craig Johnston a couple of years ago, he told us about how instrumental "Der Kaiser" was in getting a deal with Adidas for the revolutionary Predator boot over the line. Well worth listening again...
Broad, Warner and Ravi Shastri's "dump"...
In today's show, we take a look at the extraordinary events at Newlands where South Africa were beaten by visitors India in the shortest Test match in the history of the game. Commentator Ravi Shastri came up with one of the all-time great soundbites to sum up what was going on!
As Luke Littler takes the world of darts by storm, we take a look at the teenagers who broke the records in cricket at the highest level.
We celebrate Stuart Broad receiving a CBE in the New Year's Honours List by revisiting his chat with us last year.
Two great names of the modern era have announced their retirement from international cricket, so we pay tribute to Dean Elgar and David Warner.
In more worrying news, South Africa has announced a weakened side for the two-Test tour of New Zealand and question the impact of franchise cricket on the wider game.
Also please remember to vote for "98 Not Out" in the Final for Cricket Podcast of the Year:
https://www.sportspodcastgroup.com/podcast/98-not-out-the-cricket-podcast/
Essex Cricket superfan DAN HAGGAR
If you are a regular visitor to the Cloud County Ground at Chelmsford, or indeed many of the away fixtures, you might well recognise Dan Haggar, or "Kit Man Dan" as he is sometimes known. A passionate Essex fan and regular supporter of "98 Not Out", it was high time we got him on for a chat. Enjoy!
ROLAND BUTCHER joins us from Barbados.
Roland Butcher was the first black player to play cricket for England back in 1980 and he speaks to us from Barbados, where he now lives, to review the progressof West Indies cricket in 2023.
Despite not qualifying for the World Cup in India recently, Roland is upbeat about the overall picture of the team's progress, not only in white ball cricket but points to success at u19s, u23s and Academy levels across all formats. Red ball cricket - despite reports to the contrary - is thriving in the islands and local interest in the game has never been higher despite problems the game is facing in Jamaica.
Christmas messages from some of our friends...
Here are a few seasonal messages from just some of the people we have had on the show:
Charles Dagnall, Debbie Knight, Asif Tanvir, George Dobell, David Paynter, Ryan ten Doeschate, David Gower, Jeffrey Archer, Tymal Mills, Harry Gurney, Rikki Clarke, Nasa Hussain, Huw Turbervill, Peter Moores, Mark Pugatch, Paul Newman, Alex Stewart, Richard Clarke, Michael Carberry, Chevy Green, Chris Green, Ronnie Irani, Ben Allison, Monty Panesar, Matt Kabir Floyd, Alex Tudor, Ian King, Nasser Hussain, Ali Martin, Rishi Persad, Daren Sammy, Matthew Hoggard, Roland Butcher, John Altman, Don Topley and Mark Butcher.
All the best to you and yours over Christmas and have a fantastic New Year!
And don't forget to vote for us in Sports Podcast of the Year!
https://www.sportspodcastgroup.com/podcast/98-not-out-the-cricket-podcast/
All the best and thank you for listening!
DEBBIE KNIGHT from "365 Sporting Days"
Here is the abridged edit of the radio show broadcast on Phoenix 98FM on Thursday, 21st. December For the full version, head to:
https://www.phoenixfm.com/2023/12/21/98-not-out-with-special-guest-debbie-knight/
Debbie Knight, author of the excellent rugby and cricket blog "365 Sporting Days" joins me in the studio to discuss England's white ball tour to the West Indies (with special mention to Reece Topley), hard work for England's women out in India, player contracts amid the march of franchise cricket and we talk about Stuart Broad finishing runner-up in the BBC Sports Personality of the Year.
There's also the fantastic news that "98 Not Out" has been shortlisted in the final for Best Sports Podcast of the Year 2023 and to pull off a famous victory, we need your vote, do so by clicking on the link below and encourage all your friends and family to do the same, Merry Christmas!
https://www.sportspodcastgroup.com/sports_category/best-cricket-podcast/
West Indies legend IAN BISHOP
Special guest on this episode is West Indies legend Ian Bishop, who speaks to us from Barbados, where he is commentating on the England tour and recalls some great moments playing for the West Indies and also at Derbyshire, as well as that famous “remember the name” moment from the 2016 T20 World Cup Final.
EDDIE PILLAR talks night clubs and cricket clubs...
Eddie Pillar was an aspiring young spin bowler, hitting the heady heights of Essex u14s!?!?! His love of cricket has never waned and in this very entertaining chat, he talks about following England around the world and shenanigans in his private box at Surrey CCC. Of course, he made his name in the music industry, forming the very successful Acid Jazz label and lists discovering Jamiroquai and The Brand New Heavies among his credits. He also established a very trendy night club in East London, where he tells us about the night he kept David Bowie hanging about outside!?!?
HUW TURBERVILL - editor of "The Cricketer".
Rumours of plans for an extended version of "The Hundred" have been swirling around the cricketing world, so Huw Turbervill joins us to assess the impact any such proposals might have on the English counties and the knock-on effect to the T20 Blast and indeed women's cricket.
Huw is editor of the excellent "The Cricketer" magazine and the December issue is out now! Please take a look here:
RAHUL PATIL reviews the World Cup Final
Rahul Patil from SportsFreak has been out in India covering the ICC World Cup. Here he looks at the Final, where Australia went against the script and beat hosts and tournament favourites India. We discuss how the game unfolded and examine how the result came about. We also examine what was good and bad about the tournament as a whole and what could have been done better.
Check out more from Rahul at www.sportsfreak.co.nz
#ICCWorldCup2023 #Cricket
CHRIS STOCKS - hot off the plane back from India
Chris Stocks has been out in India, covering the World Cup for "The Independent" newspaper. Here, we chat about the substandard planning, organisation and running of the tournament, with over-zealous stewarding and the feeling that it was all designed for the tv audience, rather than the spectators in the ground. We can't avoid talking about England's disastrous defence of their crown and discuss where the side goes from here; is Matthew Mott lucky to still be in a job? Who emerges with any credit and what will the side look like going in to 2024...
DON TOPLEY'S World Cup Diary
Don Topley is just back from India, where he has been following the World Cup. In this chat he talks about the sights and sounds of that country along with the food and what's it's like getting around. Pollution is a big problem and in some places the air is as bad as smoking 80 cigarettes a day!?!?! We also talk about England's performance; what happened? Was it poor preparation, the wrong squad selected or maybe just a cold fact that touring India is not easy. We also get an update on Don's son Reece, who fractured a bowling finger in the match against Sri Lanka, but is recovering well.
JEFFREY ARCHER talks books and cricket!
Lord Archer is at his irascible best as he returns to talk about his latest best-selling book "Traitor's Gate", the latest in the William Warwick series and just in time for Christmas! We also celebrate Somerset actually winning something - The T20 Blast - but it means little to Jeffrey, as he hankers after his side winning the County Championship, We also talk England and he also has words for Sir Alastair Cook and his brilliant career. Very entertaining!
Remember "98 Not Out" is back on the radio, every Thursday 6-7pm on www.phoenixfm.com
Reaction to England's performance at the Cricket World Cup.
I spoke to eminent voices from the cricketing world to get their reaction to England's disastrous performances out in India at the 2023 Cricket World Cup. Paul Newman, Charles Dagnall, Mark Pougatch and Mark Butcher all vent their spleens....
Let me know what you think in the comments section below...
Fans react to Sir Alastair Cook's retirement
Essex fans give their thoughts on the announcement that Sir Alastair Cook has retired from all forms of cricket. It's quite emotional....
DAVID GRIFFIN - Derbyshire CCC supporter of over 50 years...
Cricket fans on Twitter/X will be well aware of David Griffin. His excellent @dgriffinpix account is a brilliant mix of reportage, nostalgia and the occasional dose of good old common sense. I caught up with him here to discuss life, the universe and everything and he certainly didn't disappoint. A real treat.
JAMIE PORTER Essex CCC "Bowler of the Year".
A catchup with Essex strike bowler Jamie Porter, who had a marvellous 2023 season, taking 57 first class wickets and was a key member of a side that went very close in both the County Championship and the T20 Blast. Does this season prove he is back to his best? He also reveals a love of snooker and I challenge him to a game in the close season!!!!
ANNIE CHAVE from "County Cricket Matters"
In this episode we focus on county cricket with Annie Chave, editor of "County Cricket Matters". In a season where the big guns didn't necessarily have it all their own way, thanks to the success of Somerset and Leicestershire in The Blast and One Day Cup respectively. Essex nearly made it a clean sweeper they ran Surrey close to winning the County Championship title. Annie champions the traditional format of the game and how in can thrive in the face of white ball competition. However, she is fearful of the money-making direction of travel that cricket is taking...
subscribe to Annie's excellent publication here:
DON TOPLEY reviews The Hundred.
Former County Championship winner with Essex, Don Topley looks back at the 2023 edition of The Hundred and assesses its progress and the impact - good or bad - it is having on the English domestic game. It's a highly controversial topic and Don doesn't hold back in his enthusiasm for the format. What do you think? Let us know in the comments...
SPENCER DAVIS updates us on the Lord's Taverners.
Spencer Davis, committee member of the Essex branch of the Lord's Taverners chats about all the great work done by the Taverners helping young and underprivileged people in the area realise their potential through sporting opportunities. Details of their events and upcoming charity bar at Braxted Park can be found here:
RAHUL PATIL tells us about cricket in the Cook Islands!
Writer and commentator Rahul Patil joins us ahead of his trip to India to cover the upcoming cricket World Cup. He tells us of his journey, starting in Goa and ending up in Wellington, New Zealand via the Cook Islands, where he became manager of their national cricket team.
As well as writing for publications in the Cook Islands and India, he also contributes to Sports Freak in New Zealand. Take a look here:
John Altman remembers Sir Michael Parkinson
Composer, musician and author of "Hidden Man" John Altman joins us to remember the life of his great friend Sir Michael Parkinson, who sadly passed away yesterday (17th August 2023). John talks about his time working on the "Parkinson" tv show and the guests he encountered, such as Ingrid Bergman and also their shared love of jazz, cinema and of course cricket. Listen right to the end, as John plays us out with the "Parkinson" theme tune on his alto saxophone.
ARFAN AKRAM - the balcony king!
Recently spotted on the Australian cricket team's balcony during The Ashes this summer and also at the WTC Final, we grabbed Arfan Akram and asked him ho a boy from Wanstead has risen to such giddy heights!
We also chatted about the fantastic work he does for community cricket in the Essex area, notably at the Leyton Hub and ask why is it that East London has produced such talented cricketers over the last fifty years and more.
Bumble’s Half Time Ashes Report…
I also sneak a Freddie Truman impression out of Bumble!
ALI MARTIN from "The Guardian" previews the 4th Test at Old Trafford.
ANDRÉ NEL is not done yet!!!
Essex League batters beware, the former South Africa strike bowler has landed at Chelmsford CC and is back in action! A great catch up with one of the greats of South African cricket and we chat about his fantastic days playing all formats of the game at international level, including his knack of getting the wicket of Brian Lara, but also how Chris Gayle seemed to pick him out for some hard-hitting treatment. We also chat IPL and find out just how he came to be signed for Chelmsford.
KUMAR SANGAKKARA - wow, just wow...!!!!
Daren.
Geoff Miller & Friends
Given he scored 98 not out in a Test match against Pakistan, we just had to get Geoff Miller on the show. We chat whoopie cushions, itching powder as well as slip catches and what it's like to walk through the Long Room at Lord's as an England player. Geoff is an ambassador for the Tom Bowdidge Foundation and will be speaking at an upcoming fundraiser lunch in the Long Room at Lord's alongside fellow cricketing greats Graham Gooch, Jeff Thompson and Chris Cowdrey. We are also joined by Richard Bowdidge who tells us about the Tom Bowdidge Foundation and all the fantastic work it has been doing to help young people affected by cancer since its inception in 2013 and also Darrell Fox from Synonymous, who are organising the event. Please show your support and get involved by clicking the links below:
https://www.tombowdidgefoundation.org
https://www.becomesynonymous.com/pre-ashes-lunch-in-the-lords-long-room
DAVID GOWER recalls the 1989 Ashes series.
As the 2023 Ashes series approaches, David Gower recalls some rather painful memories of him captaining England back in 1989 in an Ashes where he was not only trying to outwit the Australians on the pitch but also battle against incredible events going on off the pitch. England were soundly beaten and as the urn headed Down Under, David explains to us how he ended up feeling "battered and bruised".
Ashes preview, Wisden's cricketers of the year and the threat from franchise cricket. Elizabeth Ammon from "The Times" joins us for a chat.
As Ben Stokes is announced Wisden cricketer of the year for the third time in four years, Elizabeth Ammon - cricket writer for "The Times" - joins us to chat about what we have learned from the start of the county season and if it gives us any pointers for the upcoming Test summer. With an unusually condensed Ashes series, will an expected rotation of the England squad provide chances for those on the fringes. And with the march of franchise cricket growing ever stronger, will the arrival of new tournaments in the USA and Saudi Arabia put yet more pressure on the traditional game?