For those of us wondering why Fabian Cowdrey wasn't on the recent tour, here is the answer:
The most famous family association in cricket is in danger of being severed after 67 years, with Fabian Cowdrey in dispute with Kent over his future.
Fabian, the latest member of the Cowdrey clan to play for Kent, did not go on the recent tour to the West Indies and has yet to start pre-season training.
He is understood to want the final year of his contract paid out as Kent have given him no assurances of regular cricket after he was limited to mainly T20 appearances last summer.
Fabian, who joined the Kent staff in 2011 rather than go to university, is understood to be working with his songwriter brother Julius, who appears in reality show Made in Chelsea, while he sorts out his cricket options.
His grandfather Colin, one of English cricket's greatest names, first played for Kent in 1950 and the Cowdrey name was on the county team sheet for the next 47 years as Fabian's father Chris, briefly England captain, and Uncle Graham followed on.
In comparison, Fabian has failed to make much of a county impact, although he did break his grandfather's record for the number of runs scored for Tonbridge School.
No surprise but Cowdrey has now left Kent "by mutual consent". The name clearly does not carry the weight it once did.
I can't imagine other counties would be desperate to snap him up, based on his performances for Kent?
Certainly not in the four day game - and Kent telling him that he would only be considered for the one day stuff I think is the reason he's leaving.
For those of us wondering why Fabian Cowdrey wasn't on the recent tour, here is the answer:
The most famous family association in cricket is in danger of being severed after 67 years, with Fabian Cowdrey in dispute with Kent over his future.
Fabian, the latest member of the Cowdrey clan to play for Kent, did not go on the recent tour to the West Indies and has yet to start pre-season training.
He is understood to want the final year of his contract paid out as Kent have given him no assurances of regular cricket after he was limited to mainly T20 appearances last summer.
Fabian, who joined the Kent staff in 2011 rather than go to university, is understood to be working with his songwriter brother Julius, who appears in reality show Made in Chelsea, while he sorts out his cricket options.
His grandfather Colin, one of English cricket's greatest names, first played for Kent in 1950 and the Cowdrey name was on the county team sheet for the next 47 years as Fabian's father Chris, briefly England captain, and Uncle Graham followed on.
In comparison, Fabian has failed to make much of a county impact, although he did break his grandfather's record for the number of runs scored for Tonbridge School.
No surprise but Cowdrey has now left Kent "by mutual consent". The name clearly does not carry the weight it once did.
I can't imagine other counties would be desperate to snap him up, based on his performances for Kent?
Certainly not in the four day game - and Kent telling him that he would only be considered for the one day stuff I think is the reason he's leaving.
As a Sussex supporter, I don't think Sussex should be 2nd favourites. The bowling looks quite good but whether promising youngsters can take 30/40 wickets is not a certainty. As for the batting, it's nowhere near good enough especially with Mr Reliable, Ed Joyce, leaving.
Wondered why James Harris was at Canterbury yesterday. Here's the answer:
Middlesex paceman James Harris has signed for Kent on loan.
The 26-year-old Welshman came through the ranks at Glamorgan before joining the reigning county champions in 2013.
The six-foot fast bowler has played for England Under-19s and England Lions and taken 367 first class wickets and 12 five-wicket hauls.
He took 69 County Championship wickets in 2015 including 9 for 34 against Durham at Lord's in May before claiming 16 wickets in seven red-ball appearances as Middlesex lifted the Division One title last season.
James Harris said: “I am pleased to be starting the season with Kent and am grateful to the two counties for making it happen.
"I look forward to helping get the Kent season off to a positive start in the coming weeks."
He was the first 17-year-old to take a seven-wicket haul and earned a full call-up to the England T20 squad in 2012 although he was not selected.
A handy lower-order batsman, Harris has scored 12 half-centuries with a best of 87 not out.
Head coach Matt Walker said: “James has been one of the leading seam bowlers in county cricket in recent years.
“To have him on board with us for the start of the season is very exciting and he brings extra quality to our talented squad.”
He set a record for Glamorgan when playing for their 2nd X1 at the age of 14!
Following on from Durham's 48 point deduction, Leicestershire have been docked 16 points for five on field offences in a year, culminating with Charlie Shreck's "obscene, offensive or insulting" language at Loughborough batsman, Hasan Azad.
With all these deductions flying about we should walk this League - as long as we can reign Matt Coles in that is or we might end up joining them.
Possible signings: Kent have been linked with New Zealand pace bowler Adam Milne as a Twenty20 overseas signing, after a move for fellow seamer Duanne Olivier was reportedly blocked by Cricket South Africa.
Following on from Durham's 48 point deduction, Leicestershire have been docked 16 points for five on field offences in a year, culminating with Charlie Shreck's "obscene, offensive or insulting" language at Loughborough batsman, Hasan Azad.
With all these deductions flying about we should walk this League - as long as we can reign Matt Coles in that is or we might end up joining them.
I was with someone last night who may or may not have played against Shrek last year and he was pissing himself when it came up on BBC Sport that Shrek got done for giving it to students. Said he was a right nasty 'insert bad swear word here' and deserves everything he gets.
Comments
I see his brother, the musician, is now a "star" of Made in Chelsea...
The only thing they're short of is talent!!
Middlesex paceman James Harris has signed for Kent on loan.
The 26-year-old Welshman came through the ranks at Glamorgan before joining the reigning county champions in 2013.
The six-foot fast bowler has played for England Under-19s and England Lions and taken 367 first class wickets and 12 five-wicket hauls.
He took 69 County Championship wickets in 2015 including 9 for 34 against Durham at Lord's in May before claiming 16 wickets in seven red-ball appearances as Middlesex lifted the Division One title last season.
James Harris said: “I am pleased to be starting the season with Kent and am grateful to the two counties for making it happen.
"I look forward to helping get the Kent season off to a positive start in the coming weeks."
He was the first 17-year-old to take a seven-wicket haul and earned a full call-up to the England T20 squad in 2012 although he was not selected.
A handy lower-order batsman, Harris has scored 12 half-centuries with a best of 87 not out.
Head coach Matt Walker said: “James has been one of the leading seam bowlers in county cricket in recent years.
“To have him on board with us for the start of the season is very exciting and he brings extra quality to our talented squad.”
He set a record for Glamorgan when playing for their 2nd X1 at the age of 14!
It is bowlers who win matches.
With all these deductions flying about we should walk this League - as long as we can reign Matt Coles in that is or we might end up joining them.
Old news?
Kent team
ME Claydon, MT Coles, WRS Gidman, AP Rouse†, DI Stevens, JC Tredwell
Gloucestershire team
CT Bancroft, CDJ Dent, GT Hankins, CJ Liddle, CN Miles, P Mustard*†, LC Norwell, DA Payne, WA Tavare, JMR Taylor, GL van Buuren
MATCH DETAILS
Players per side Gloucestershire 11 ; Kent 6
I know we're strapped for cash but to only be able to afford half a side gives us no chance.
Gloucestershire must be a really weak team.
Meanwhile Glamorgan 9-3 against Northants.
And than I plan on loling every post that mentions a Kent wicket falling.
We have an incredible side on paper.
Look at the players who aren't playing and it shows our strength.
Ansari, Meaker, Dunn, Rampaul would get in pretty much every county side out there. Not getting in ours.
Doesn't get any better for Glamorgan though who are currently 26-6
Weatherley out for 36 (80)
Denly 32* (70)
Northeast 0* (4)