Explore every episode of the podcast 98 Not Out - The Cricket Podcast

Lots to talk about this week - Simon Harmer's part in South Africa's stunning Test series win over Australia; England's ODI world tour continues, as the team arrives Australia; with 39 ECB central contracts announced, what does this mean for the players and their counties and does India have a strangle-hold grip on broadcast rights...we discuss. Also, are we nearing saturation point with the amount of franchise leagues springing up all the time? And with Leicestershire's relegation from the top flight confirmed after their unsuccessful appeal against the points deduction for a su-standard pitch, we look at what it means for them and for Essex who survive by the skin of their teeth.

Taking part in this week's show are Richard Clarke, Dan Whiting, Barrie Funnell, Alex Gates and David Wright. Join the conversation in the comments section below...

The cricket world continues to reverberate from the bombshell news that Lancashire has not offered Sir James Anderson a contract for 2027. Huw Turbervill from "The Cricketer" and Ian Lomax from the Lancashire Action Group lead the discussion.

Joined by our regular contributors Dan Whiting, Nigel Jones and Barrie Funnell, we also talk about England's dismal ODI triangular series in Pakistan, the South Africa vs Australia Test series, as well as the departure of Gareth Batty from Surrey, which seems to have come out of the blue. And there's a trip down memory lane with Oliver Hawke who recalls the days of Sunday league cricket.

BREAKING NEWS: Lancashire CCC has not offered Sir James Anderson a contract for the 2027 season; does this spell the end of a legendary career?...there's also the latest news from around all the other counties.

David Wright and Barrie Funnell examine ways for the ardent cricket fan to get his or her fix over the gloomy autumn and winter months and Nigel Jones questions the wisdom of making Dan Lawrence the captain of the England Lions.

Updates on England as they begin a globe-trotting winter and also all the latest from a thrilling Test match taking place between South Africa and Australia.

The dust has barely settled on the end of the 2026 season, but yet there is so much going on! This week our panel takes a look at the county scene and the fall out from the curtain falling on the English summer, with already players and coaches jumping on the transfer merry go round. England has announced a new batch of central contracts, totalling 39 in all! Is this good or bad from a county perspective? And we get an update on Pakistan legend Imran Khan, who turned 74 last week.

Taking part this week are Don Topley, Dan Whiting, Barrie Funnell, Asif Tanvir, Alex Gates and Harry Everett.

The English cricket season may be over (or not, if you are one Essex or Leicestershire fan), but there is always something to talk about!

This week:

Debbie Knight and "The Grumbler" on Essex.

Dan Whiting on the transfer market.

Nigel Jones previews England's winter...

and Craig Tranter on the latest goings on at Lancashire.

I also say a few words about Jeffrey Archer, whose death was announced this week.

The curtain has come down on the English cricket season. Warwickshire are Champions (as predicted by Barrie Funnell), with Durham and Kent promoted from Division 2. Hampshire are relegated from the top flight, but will an appeal against a points deduction save Leicestershire from the drop and place Essex over the trap door instead?

Controversy as yet again England pluck players out of county games to join the national squad. Lancashire cancelled their end of season awards, but Essex had theirs at Hylands House in Chelmsford, graced by some famous ex-players., including Nasser Hussain and Monty Panesar.

Our panel take a look at all these talking points and examine where their teams did well this season and what needs to be done over the winter.

This week we hear from Oliver Hawke, Dan Whiting, Nigel Jones, David Wright, Barrie Funnell, Dan Haggar and new boy James Tarry.

Remember to subscribe to the podcast where you get full length interviews PLUS items not included on the Phoenix FM radio show.

We enter the final round of County Championship matches with still to be decided both at the top and the bottom of Division One, as well as finding out who will get promoted alongside durham from Division Two. There's also the small matter of the Metro Bank One Day Cup, where Middlesex lifted the trophy after a great final at Trent Bridge against Leicestershire.

Joining us this week to discuss events are newbie Dan Whiting, Oliver Hawke, Alex Gates, Dan Haggar, David Wright, Nigel Jones and Barrie Funnell.

George Dobell from "The Cricketer Magazine" talks about Stephen Fleming's appointment as the new England coach and he is impressed! A vast change from the previous regime and so far it bodes well also for the county game, which remains under huge existential pressure.

We have reached the penultimate round of fixtures in the 2026 County Championship and it is STILL all to play for at the top and the bottom of Division One, but is a late points deduction going to set a cat among the pigeons? Oliver Hawke, Dan Haggar, Barrie Funnell, David Wright and Alex Gates describe a frantic dash for the finish line.

Teams are jostling for position at both ends of the County Championship Division One table, with the spots for champions and relegation still all to play for. Games are coming thick and fast and many outcomes are pivoting on a particularly good or bad session.

As always, plenty to talk about and our panel of Harry Everett, David Wright, Barrie Funnell, Dan Haggar, Oliver Hawke and Alex Gates are here to report on all the latest goings on at their counties.

The blistering English Summer has come to an end with heavy - but much needed - rain coming to disrupt the cricketing calendar. Nonetheless, our intrepid panel members were out and about, braving the weather to catch whatever county matches they could. This week:

Dan Haggar and David Wright on Essex v Surrey

Oliver Hawke on Yorkshire v Leicestershire

Harry Everett on Sussex v Somerset

Alex Gates on Derbyshire v Middlesex, Durham v Gloucestershire and the Test match at Lord's between England and Pakistan.

..and Craig Tranter on Worcestershire v Lancashire.

Red ball cricket is back and our panel is here to report on the games they have been watching:

Harry Everett and Dan Haggar on Somerset v Essex

David Wright and Barrie Funnell on Surrey v Notts

Oliver Hawke on Leicestershire v Glamorgan

Craig Tranter on Lancashire v Northants

...and Craig also tells us what he is REALLY up to in Worcester this week?!?!

Leicestershire and Middlesex will battle it out in the Metro Bank One Day Cup Final at Trent Bridge on the 21st of September. We hear from Oliver Hawke and David Wright, who were at Grace Road and Radlett respectively. Also at Radlett was Alex Gates who gives his thoughts, not only on Middlesex, but England's prospects under new leadership, as the series against Pakistan gets underway. And finally Craig Tranter returns with all the latest goings on at Lancashire, where life is rarely dull!

Essex Cricket has elected Rachel Lewis as the new Chair at the club, the first woman to hold the position in the club's 150 year history. Here she tells us about how she plans a future that is shaped on the past.

The Metro Bank One Day Cup is heading towards a climax and we hear from Dan Haggar,

Oliver Hawke, Harry Everett, Barrie Funnell and David Wright about how their clubs have fared. Spoiler - only one of them is happy!?!?!

As the heatwave continues, so does interest in the Metro Bank One Day Cup, with some great outground cricket being played under sunny skies in front of sizeable crowds.

In this episode, Dan Haggar talks about an eventful trip to Arundel Castle and a meeting with the new Essex Chair Rachel Lewis.

Oliver Hawke reports on a couple of good wins for Leicestershire which saw them top the table. Harry Everett is equally cock-a-hoop about Somerset and David Wright enjoys attending some neutral games alongside his beloved Surrey.

This week Oliver Hawke, Barrie Funnell and Dan Haggar join me to discuss the Metro Bank One Day Cup and the delights of watching cricket at beautiful out grounds under sunny skies. We also look at a poignant Test match just completed in Trinidad, where the West Indies beat Pakistan against the backdrop of Sir Garfield Sobers' death. And how could we not talk about the controversy surrounding Saltburn CC and "Click Bait" ?!?!

Maiden Cricket is a company specialising in kit and equipment designed especially for women and girls who play cricket. Here Mia Rogers and Cat Black explain the story of how it all came about and where they hope to take the brand over the next few years.

www.maiden-cricket.co.uk

As the T20 Blast reaches the quarter final stage, our regular panel of supporters give their views on the progress of their counties.

Dan Haggar wonders if Essex can do it, Craig Tranter predicts who will lift the trophy at Edgbaston, David Wright spots a possible problem, Barrie Funnell looks at non-host county finances and Oliver Hawke reviews Betty's Tea Rooms in Harrogate!

The games are coming thick and fast in the T20 Blast. Our panel of county cricket supporters are here to keep us up to speed!

Barrie Funnell and David Wright on Surrey

Oliver Hawke on Leicestershire Foxes

Harry Everett on Somerset

and Craig Tranter on Lancashire Lightning

Ben Stokes has retired from international cricket with immediate effect. The announcement was made mid-way through the afternoon session on day 4 of the third and deciding Test at Trent Bridge against New Zealand.

It triggered an astonishing sequence of events. Phil Walker, Editor-in-Chief on Wisden Cricket Monthly joins me to discuss the fall out.

Here's a catchup with Derbyshire stalwart David Griffin aka "Griff". We talk about Derbyshire's fortunes, a look back to the summer of '76 and Michael Holding's arrival on the cricketing world stage plus a look at where county cricket is headed and is demutualisation the answer to its problems?

There's a pattern this season of teams going top of the table Div 1 to be soundly beaten the next game. The latest example being leaders Essex getting thumped by Nottinghamshire, the current champions.

Our panel of county cricket supporters take a look at the latest action, before attention returns to The Blast, then the One Day Cup. No red ball games now until August 20th.

Oliver Hawke on Leicestershire v Yorkshire

Dan Haggar on Essex v Nottinghamshire

David Wight & Barrie Funnell on Glamorgan v Surrey

Harry Everett on Somerset v Warwickshire

Alex Gates on Kent v Middlesex

And remember, if you'd like to take part, just get in touch via the 98 Not Out social media messaging functions. All welcome!

We have reached the halfway point in the County Championship and Essex has assumed top spot after a superb win, featuring a double-ton from Jordan Cox, which earning him a call up to the England test team. Somerset also pulled off a stunning win, thrashing current champions Nottinghamshire at Trent Bridge. In Division 2, Middlesexpulled off a rare win and Kent look to be the side to watch.

Our panel of supporters take a look at the action from around the country:

Oliver Hawke on Leicestershire

Dan Haggar on Essex

Harry Everett on Somerset

Alex Gates on Middlesex

Craig Tranter on Lancashire.

Rob Key has just given a press conference on the latest disciplinary transgression from the England camp. George Dobell from "The Cricketer: was there....

We cover a lot of ground this week, with an avalanche of T20 Blast games to get through, the return of the County Championship; Essex's winning streak, Somerset's woes, clouds hanging over Lancashire and Surrey rubbing Middlesex's noses in it!

PLUS we ask if the in-form Dan Lawrence should have been given the nod over Jordan Cox for the Second Test at The Oval.

Contributors this week:

Dan Haggar

Oliver Hawke

Harry Everett

Alex Gates

Craig Tranter

Barrie Funnell

David Wright.

One of the show's biggest supporters Paul Newman shares his thoughts on a very eventful first Test at Lord's, where England's win over New Zealand has raised more questions than answers. The MCC is under huge attack over the state of the pitch and we also examine what - if anything - both sides have learned from the match. `And what do we think the future holds for Ben Stokes?

Read Paul's excellent articles FOR FREE in "the Athletic":

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/tag/cricket/

#BenStokes #Cricket #England

So much going on! The T20 fixtures are coming thick and fast, there's an imminent - and brief - return to the County Championship and there's yet more trouble off the field at both Lancashire and Middlesex.

Our regular panel of county supporters are here to dissect it all!

Oliver Hawke, Craig Tranter, David Wright, Barrie Funnell, Dan Haggar and Alex Gates share their thoughts.

After a dismal winter Down Under, England don the whites again to face New Zealand at the Home of Cricket. Chris

Stocks from The iPaper joins me to preview the series and examine whether England can claw back the goodwill lost after The Ashes.

Lancashire CCC had their AGM last Sunday and by all accounts was a lively affair. With yet another SGM slated for 9.30am on Sunday 7th June, co-founder of the Lancashire Action Group Ian Lomax gives his take on events. Craig Tranter then offers his view on whether all the off-field activity is having an effect on the field.

We hear from Surrey supporter David Wright, who expresses his concerns at falling attendances at the T20 Blast, notably the Middlesex v Surrey fixture at Lord's, which in the past was a 26k sell-out, but this weekend, barely 7,000 were in attendance.

Finally, writer Tim Brooks has got a new book out - "The Englishman" - and very good it is too! He joined me for a curry and told me all about it.

The first block of county red ball fixtures is complete and, with one eye on The T20 Blast, our regular panel of fans give their view on the latest matches.

Dan Haggar and Oliver Hawke report on Essex v Leicestershire, Alex Gates on Derbyshire's famous win at Lord's, Harry Everett from a rain-affected Taunton, David Wright and Barrie Funnell on Surrey's heavy defeat at the hands of a full-strength Yorkshire and Craig Tranter on Worcestershire's visit to Southport.

With all counties now having played five games, things are getting interesting in the County Championship. Despite the weather, only one draw with the rest yielding results. To take a look at the latest results, I'm joined by supporters David Wright, Harry Everett, Dan Haggar, Oliver Hawke, Alex Gates and Craig Tranter.

County cricket supporters give their verdicts on the championship games, which just took place over the Bank Holiday weekend.

This week, we hear from Oliver Hawke, David Wright, Barrie Funnell, Harry Everett, Alex Gates and Craig Tranter.

If YOU want to contribute to future shows, please get in touch!

The fourth round of the County Championship took place under blue skies, which largely turned out to be a batter's paradise. Here is a round up of what happened, with contributions from Craig Tranter, David Wright, Dan Haggar and Oliver Hawke.

As always, please get in touch if you would like to take part!

Richard Clarke AKA "The Grumbler" joins me to discuss the controversial Substitutes Rule currently being trialed in county cricket.

With Round 3 complete, it's time to have a look at what went on and the impact of the games on the tables. As usual, I get fans' reactions, so this week we have:

Harry Everett on Hampshire v Somerset

Dan Haggar on Warwickshire v Essex

Craig Tranter on Gloucestershire v Lancashire

This platform is open to everyone, so if you would like to report on how your county is doing, please get in touch via the various "98 Not Out" social media messaging functions!

Another thrilling round of matches in the County Championship. Here to give their views on what they saw are:

Dan Haggar on Essex

Oliver Hawke - Leicestershire

Nigel Jones & David Wright on Surrey

Evan Gallagher on Kent

Craig Tranter on Lancashire

If YOU want to take part, message 98 Not Out via social media messaging and let's hear your thoughts!

The County Championship is back and "98 Not Out" is giving a platform for grassroots supporters to give their views on what is going on at their counties, both on and off the pitch.

With Round One complete, we get the views of:

Dan Haggar on Essex

Harry Everett on Somerset

Barrie Funnell & David Wright on Surrey

Oliver Hawke on Leicestershire

and Craig Tranter on Lancashire

Get in touch if you want to take part on future shows!

'Twas the night before Christmas....well, it certainly feels that way as the 2026 County Championship season is upon us. ..and with perfect timing, the IPL simultaneously gets underway?!?!

Richard Clarke aka "The Grumbler" joins me to discuss the latest updates from Essex and also the existential threat that non-host counties are facing in a very uncertain future.

Mark Sands has written a superb book on the history of the John Player League called "Stars on Sunday" Soaked in cricketing nostalgia it reminds us that some issues that were affecting the game nearly sixty years ago have not gone away...but also of a great time watching exciting matches on free-to-air tv.

Mark Sands has written a superb book on the history of the John Player League called "Stars on Sunday" Soaked in cricketing nostalgia it reminds us that some issues that were affecting the game nearly sixty years ago have not gone away...but also of a great time watching exciting matches on free-to-air tv every Sunday afternoon.

Mark Rhydderch-Roberts is the Chairman of Glamorgan CCC and also co-Chair at Hundred franchise team Welsh Fire. After participating in the inaugural players' auction held in London, Mark joins us to give his thoughts on how it went and the effect all this new IPL money will have on the domestic game.

Lifelong Lancashire supporter Craig Tranter joins me to talk about his club's prospects for the upcoming season. With lots of activity both on and off the field, Craig gives a brilliant and forthright view on everything going on!

Welsh Fire has signed Joe Root, Jordan Cox and Sophie Devine among others for the 2026 campaign in The Hundred. It's an eye-catching line up and I ask Fire co-Chair Mark Rhydderch- Roberts if the side can finally achieve success in the tournament. And what are the knock-on effects of IT billionaire Sanjay Govil's investment in the franchise to Glamorgan County Cricket Club and indeed cricket in Wales.

Sam Blackman from Saffron Walden CC has written 150 poems in 150 days to celebrate 150 years of Essex Cricket. In this episode, he tells us about this splendid achievement and read out some of his favourite pieces.

Also a look at India's inevitable victory at the Men's T20 World Cup Final, the difficulties West Indies had in returning home plus all the details from the player auctions for this year's edition of The Hundred, where the new owners have been fixing their financial muscle!

News also from the England camp and a look at how troubles in the Middle East are affecting the plans of cricket teams in the region.

Lots to talk about with the teams for the ICC Men's T20 World Cup now decided, ahead of Sunday's Final.

Debate about Pakistan players in The Hundred continues, with statements being made by the great and the good, but is the door still open for IPL-owned franchises to exclude players, as they do in other parts of the world?

Essex continue their 150th anniversary celebrations with an event in East London, there's a full report, as well as an interview in "The Cricketer" with Jordan Cox - is he England's forgotten man?

Plus all the latest from around the counties and updates as the troubles in the Middle East disrupt pre-season arrangements.

There's a breaking story this week that The Hundred teams now owned by IPL franchises would chose not to select any Pakistan players that have entered next month's auction. This would mirror a situation in the IPL, this possibly bringing subcontinent politics onto English Soil.

Chris Stocks from The iPaper joins me to discuss this situation and I ask hi kid the ECB has ability to stand up to the IOPL and/or the BCCI.

There's a breaking story this week that The Hundred teams now owned by IPL franchises would chose not to select any Pakistan players that have entered next month's auction. This would mirror a situation in the IPL, this possibly bringing subcontinent politics onto English Soil.

Chris Stocks from The iPaper joins me to discuss this situation and I ask hi kid the ECB has ability to stand up to the IOPL and/or the BCCI.

The T20 World Cup has reached the Super 8s stage and on this week's show I ponder England's progress and ask how far can they go.?

The politics between India and Pakistan has already influenced the tournament and now threatens to spill into The Hundred, with reports of Pakistan players being deemed ineligible for the IPL franchise-owned teams - is the ECB powerless to do anything about it?

Plus a deep dive into all the ins and outs at the English counties so far this winter.

And a reminder that the "98 Not Out" radio show broadcast every week on Phoenix FMhas moved to a new time slot on Thursdays, now going out from 7-8pm. Listen in on 98FM in Essex, online at phoenixfm.com, via your smart speaker and also on DAB.

David Lloyd, known better to all of us as "Bumble" takes a look at the chances for his native Lancashire and also Yorkshire - where he now lives - ahead of the 2026 domestic season.

As entertaining as always, Bumble reveals a love for steam trains and gives us some exclusive news from the wildly successful "Stick to Cricket" show that he does along with Michael Vaughan, Phil Tufnell and Sir Alastair Cook on YouTube.

I asked county cricket fans to give me their thoughts on how their teams would fare in 2026 and I got a great response! Here we have Evan Gallagher on Kent, Dan Haggar on Essex, Barrie Funnell & David Wright on Surrey, Oliver Hawke on Leicestershire, David Griffin on Derbyshire, Harry Everett on Somerset and a certain "David from York" on Lancashire and Yorkshire.