After George Thomas was released by Somerset at the end of last season, he worked in a Melbourne factory over the winter, found a flat to rent in Bristol and began planning for a life after cricket, only for Sussex to offer him a second chance last month | Nick Friend

"The club has shown a strong commitment to the women's side and I know the team have been preparing hard over the winter." thecricketer.com/Topics/county-…

Having spoken to several people about Charlotte Edwards, hard to conclude anything other than that she should be England Women's next coach. A piece on what makes her a serial winner and what she'd bring to the job, featuring plenty of testimony. thecricketer.com/Topics/england…

Zafar Gohar wants to play for England. He's played a single Test for Pakistan, now counts as a local player and would be eligible next year. Game-changing signing by Middlesex from Glos over the winter: 11 five-fers in 34 Champo games is a serious record. thecricketer.com/Topics/county-…

"We have to look at our professional behaviours and how we go about stuff. That is everything across the board." Charlotte Edwards on Nat Sciver-Brunt's appointment as England Women's captain and her first weeks in her new job | Nick Friend

"All of my wickets have been caught either in the ring or on the boundary, but I've thoroughly enjoyed it." James Anderson hadn't played a T20 game for 11 years but has picked up seven wickets in three games on his return to the Blast | Nick Friend thecricketer.com/Topics/county-…

"No county is missing more players to The Hundred in this year's competition and, with consecutive defeats to begin their latest campaign, that is showing" | ✍️ Nick Friend thecricketer.com/Topics/county-…

Only respect for Maccabi Tel Aviv FC! But how sad for Britain it has come to this.

This is excellent

English cricket's blindspot for spin bowling is deep-seated and maddening | Nick Friend

Sav Perera - captained by Harry Brook at an U19 WC - has more red-ball, second-team hundreds than anyone in the country over the last four years. Yet, at 26, he's never been signed by a county. No bitterness, but found him really interesting to listen to: 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…

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

Ministers left in tears as Holocaust survivor makes speech at Number 10. Read more 🔗 trib.al/1HGPNfq

This is a devastating and important read. The abuse that has been directed ⁦Daniel Finkelstein⁩ is beyond horrific. Yet he follows his survivor parents’ philosophy: life is worth living 💪 Daniel Finkelstein: how the world’s antisemites turned on me thetimes.com/article/b2a9dc…

I went to Brighton a few weeks ago to see James Coles. An extremely talented 21-year-old with a refreshingly varied set of interests. Not sure there's a better uncapped player in the country, and not sure that'll remain the case for much longer. thecricketer.com/Topics/county-…

This is good:

🗣️ Melinda Farrell and Nick Friend discuss pre-season disruptions caused by the Middle East crisis, the lottery around the pursuit of overseas players and Sussex's winter turmoil. WATCH ➡️ youtu.be/8h5WQ3Xh44w LISTEN ➡️ tinyurl.com/TheCountyConve…

Such decency in this message - thank you.

Great to sit down with Issy Wong. An interview about her second-coming as an England player, the road back from rock-bottom - a disastrous T20I at Chelmsford - and how getting to this point again taught her to appreciate it more. thecricketer.com/Topics/england…