Andy Heafield

@henrywinter Shocker. Arsenal succumb to long ball and teams taking them on whilst relying on tactics that went out with the Ark.

Frustrations in the EFL Cup final and now FA Cup quarter-final will be forgotten if Arsenal win the title. It’s always been about the league for Arsenal this season. 22 years since the Invincibles. Being best in the land, the champions, matters most. Lessons from St Mary’s still need to be taken: more players need to stand up to be counted, Max Dowman has to be given a run of starts now, wide or 10, and short-corner routines should be used only occasionally. Return of Raya, Timber, Saliba, Hincapie, Rice, Gyokeres and Saka (when fit and fatigue-free) to starting XI will help. #SOUARS

@dgriffinpix @DerbyshireCCC Unbelievable. Two tests. And a few years apart? Rumour is he upset Gubby Allen at Lords?

On This Day in 1921 Les Jackson was born. Arguably @DerbyshireCCC greatest bowler, he took more wickets - 1,672 - for the county than anyone else, and five in an innings 114 times. In 1960, aged 39, he took 160 wickets averaging 13.61. Sadly, he played only two Tests for England... @ACScricket

@WG_RumblePants Not many ? I'm just having a guess here 😉

@andy_heafield You daren’t ask.

I hope Rob Key is taking notes on this round of Championship matches — you know, given that Baz is in New Zealand and given that we still don’t have a Selector… Div 1 batters who have scored 100s far: Critchley (173) Foakes (128) Mousley (112*) Abell (108) Clark (101) Div 1 bowlers who have taken a 5fer: Robinson (5-42) Pennington (5-65) Also, a certain Sir James Anderson has taken 5-64 in Div 2.

@dgriffinpix @DerbyshireCCC @HarryCame4 You need help 😊

Obscure Griffstat (of the day...) In the first innings of the current game against Worcestershire, for the first time in 2,895 scheduled first class matches, @DerbyshireCCC batsmen have scored fifty or more runs whilst batting at 1, 2, 5, 6 and 7 in the order. 1 @HarryCame4 2 @CalebJewell32 5 Martin Andersson 6 @lreece17 7 @AnujDal @ACScricket @CountyChamp

@dgriffinpix @DerbyshireCCC We can't just let that stat go by. Partner, how many runs, against who? Cheers

On This Day in 1875 Arnold Warren was born. In 1905 he became @DerbyshireCCC third England Test cricketer. He played 250 games for the county, scoring 5,449 runs and taking 918 wickets. He took part in the ninth wicket world record partnership of 283 in 1910 which still stands...

@dgriffinpix Wow a great honour

So proud. Well done everyone!

@henrywinter What's the point. Oh yes,£ssssss Caps given out like confetti

England and Japan can each make up to 11 subs. Second half will be like Piccadilly Circus. #ENG

@dgriffinpix @DerbyshireCCC @ACScricket He'd have loved social media then

On This Day in 1879 Albert 'Bertie' Lawton was born. Until Kim Barnett's appointment in 1983, Lawton was @DerbyshireCCC youngest-ever captain (23) in 1902. He resigned in 1906 after receiving critical telegrams from committee members during games… @ACScricket

@WG_RumblePants It's a gathering of friends over a ridiculous sport and, more importantly, the over the top analysis of every aspect afterwards over more than a few pints.

Here’s a bit of Saturday night reflection. What is it about cricket — the strangest of games — that makes us love it? It’s an artform, a means of expression. The dance of a bowler’s run up, the flight of a well struck delivery, the poise of a lingering cover drive. On lazy days in the heat, its familiar rhythms comfort, distract and delight us. As the shadows lengthen and we momentarily remember the passage of time, we watch the drama unfold and are glad. But cricket is also a battle; a war of wills. Ritual combat fought with leather and willow rather than with swords, where risk and reward mingle with failure and humiliation. It teaches us character — or, at least, it reveals it. It’s a microcosm of human existence, a drama of endless variety. Yet it all feels as natural as breathing.

@henrywinter Oh dear Henry, you do have a habit of picking lame horses. What was the end result of all his play? Absolutely zero zilch nothing nada rien sweet fa

When Marcus Rashford plays like that, unleashing his pace on opponents, racing past three Uruguayans, going on the outside, leaving Varela tackling thin air, and getting in a cross….it’s not simply a question of whether he will be in the 26 for the World Cup but in the starting XI ahead of Anthony Gordon. Needs to do it more often, of course. But the talent and pace are there. Good awareness: dropped in briefly at left-back when Spence pushed up. #ENG #ENGURU

@henrywinter He clearly doesn't fit into the team structure. Shades of Sir Alf telling Jack Charlton you're not the best centre half but you're the best in the system I'm playing.

Still can’t believe that England are going to the World Cup without arguably their best passer. Watching fringe candidates labour at Wembley highlights even more the nonsense of Alexander-Arnold’s omission. He’s a game-changing option from the bench. If you have pace out wide in Gordon/Rashford and Saka/Madueke/Bowen and want to launch a quick counter, TAA can deliver. If England are in a shoutout, he can deliver. Risk/reward. #ENG

Blimey. That's a top quality for a bowler, Our Fred would never have been picked. Add in how many more?

@WG_RumblePants I'm getting the blanket ready

Here we are then — only one week away. The County Championship returns in a mere 7 days. Spring is firmly upon us and practice games are being played up and down the land. Some lucky souls have already seen their first live cricket of the season.

@WG_RumblePants @TheiPaperSport @StocksC_cricket He's waiting for the call from Rob Key but he's got a few hundred calls to make before him

@TheiPaperSport @StocksC_cricket He can’t be serious?

Ollie Robinson: I'm confused why England axed me ❌ He speaks to @StocksC_cricket 🗣️ #EnglandCricket inews.co.uk/sport/cricket/…

@WG_RumblePants Those cravats.

Another short clip of Silver Age nostalgia for you to enjoy.

@WG_RumblePants Me

You have been put in charge of selecting the new ECB leadership team! Congratulations! The minor fly in the ointment is that you can’t pick any current/former cricketers. Who’re you picking for the following roles? ECB Chairman ECB Chief Exec Men’s Director of Cricket Coach

@WG_RumblePants @sarkarstix Or make him listen to Rob Keys latest drivel on a loop for 24 hours

Yes, totally agree. Also, his car and house should be confiscated and given to the BCCI. His head should be shaved in the market square and he should be pelted with smelly socks and soiled underpants until he apologises profusely for undermining the sanctity of the IPL and outrageously insulting its fans. Then he should be sentenced to life imprisonment at The Hague.

Ben Duckett’s last-minute withdrawal from the IPL is not just a “difficult personal decision,” it’s a serious breach of professional commitment that undermines the very structure of franchise cricket. When a player enters the IPL auction and is picked by a franchise like Delhi Capitals, it sets off months of planning, strategy, and resource allocation. Pulling out at the eleventh hour disrupts team balance, forces last-minute scrambling, and disrespects both the franchise and its fanbase. Yes, international cricket is important but that cannot become a convenient excuse to walk away from signed contracts whenever it suits individual priorities. If players are allowed to opt in and out of the IPL at will, it sets a dangerous precedent that weakens the league’s credibility and operational integrity. The IPL and BCCI must take a firm, uncompromising stance here. This isn’t just about one player, it’s about protecting the sanctity of the tournament. A strong deterrent is essential: a multi-year ban from the IPL, and serious consideration of restricting participation in bilateral series involving India, must be on the table. Professional sport runs on accountability. You cannot enjoy the benefits of the IPL ecosystem and then abandon your obligations without facing consequences. If the league wants to maintain its global stature, such actions cannot go unpunished.

@WG_RumblePants @markmay2hew Tuffers

@markmay2hew Worse than Monty???

I’ve been critical of Michael Vaughan chasing headlines and trying to manufacture clickbait quotes. I think he’s tarnished his 2005 legacy a bit by doing that. I’m one of many fans that he’s blocked. But, having said all that, credit where it’s due. Having listened to him on the TMS podcast and his own pod today, he sounds a lot more competent and capable than Rob Key. He clearly has a vision for England. He is a proven performer. I don’t think he would take any crap. He might even knock a few heads together. Would you like to see him take over from Key?

@WG_RumblePants @lcccmembers I'd like to see almost anyone take over from the current self serving, bull sh#tters in charge. Michael Vaughan would be in the top 3 and it's good he's a not too recent skipper allowing for some distance and no boys club mentality.