Nick Howson

The April issue of The Cricketer is our county season preview… yes, the one with the world-famous wallchart! 🗓️

Being released from the county game is tough. The months afterwards - working out who you are and what comes next, losing your identity, accepting your fate - are often tougher. A piece following some of the players currently navigating those challenges: thecricketer.com/Topics/premium…

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Lovely to chat with Sajid Mahmood about Reeqip, effectively Vinted for cricket - an idea he came up with while helping to launch the Knight-Stokes Cup. Opens Sunday, aiming to provide affordable, pre-loved kit to youngsters being priced out of the game. thecricketer.com/Topics/premium…

There is no ‘right’ winner of this match, but the cricketing rivalry between these two could really do with a Pakistan victory.

"There is a painful irony that, only months after the future of the first-class counties was seemingly safeguarded for a generation, two of them have slipped into serious trouble" | ✍️ @GeorgeDobell1

Scotland need visas, a sponsor and, ahem, shirts to all fall into place in the next 7 days. But then again as Robbie Burns said, even with "the best-laid plans of mice and men..."

Introducing the brand new The Cricketer Magazine podcast, where we'll be taking a regular look at the rich culture, history and other quirks that make cricket the wonderful sport we all love 🏏🎧 WATCH HERE ➡️ youtu.be/gubw0VD1Xbk LISTEN HERE ➡️ tinyurl.com/f627cczj

🏏NEW MAG OUT NOW🏏 @NickHowson says England can save McCullum’s job in T20 WC 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿Women haven’t had a left‑handed specialist batter for a decade… Nick Friend wonders why 🇮🇪&🇮🇹's Kevin O’Brien is the subject of Facing Up 🐻Ed Barnard, Warks' ODC capt, talks to Paul Edwards

Split into two parts, the second of which is here: thecricketer.com/Topics/premium…

I asked a bunch of English spinners, anonymously, about the challenges facing them in county cricket and the realities of their position. What followed was hours of revealing insight that the game could learn from. thecricketer.com/Topics/premium…

25 years ago, Joe Sillett created Woodworm. For about five years, it was the bat to buy. Peak Flintoff. Early Pietersen. Then, broadly, it faded away as quickly as it arrived. A deep dive into a really cool, whistlestop period that impacted a generation. thecricketer.com/Topics/premium…

Have written about the TNT coverage online and for the magazine, trying to be balanced and fair. Stuff like this is low-hanging fruit. Ultimately, they were doomed to fail by an unserious approach. Cricket boards must set stricter minimum standards & closely monitor broadcasters.

The only possible audio accompaniment to a wicket that tops the pantheon of daftness... #WhyDidHeDoThat?

I've found this so interesting to explore. The sidearm is 15 years old. Quietly, it's changed the way that the game is coached, the way that batters train and, arguably, techniques. A piece on how a contraption designed for dog-walkers took over. thecricketer.com/Topics/premium…

Never fun to write about but had to be done. To give an insight, having walked in those shoes, into why @Uz_Khawaja felt the need to let out all his emotions. He isn’t playing the race card or playing victim. He’s letting you know how it feels & so am I cricbuzz.com/cricket-news/1…

@edwardjg68 Suspect because they wanted to elevate their coverage above their usual winter offering. I think they’d have got criticised for this too, with viewers finding the partisan commentary grating. A better option than this, but not perfect either.

@NickHowson I have just read your piece in The Cricketer. I agree with everything you say about TNT. Why did they not just take Channel 7’s feed?

I watch loads of county cricket and speak to countless English spinners. They all say the same stuff - and have been for years. They've all faced the same barriers and been left out for the same reasons. A contribution to the spin discourse: thecricketer.com/Topics/county-…

January The Cricketer out now! 🏏@mroller98 ranks the top T20 leagues, with help of Reece Topley and co (this is ace) 🏏Mike Selvey talks to the Aussie who made West Indies fit for purpose 🏏@ajarrodkimber analyses why India are losing Test series at home

"He was popular, inspiring both respect and devotion for his selflessness and bravery." ✍️ @derekpringle pays tribute to his former England team-mate and friend, Robin Smith.