It's the Final Countdown...

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.