There's a page or two left yet to turn in the cricket season, three final one-day internationals between England and Australia, and the lees of the County Championship, which ends this weekend. It's all due to finish at stumps next Sunday, eight days' autumn-side of the equinox, although whether the weather allows it is another question.
The story of the year includes three Tests against a West Indies team who were a little worse than expected, and three against a Sri Lankan side who were a little better, four thumping victories in short order, one match at Old Trafford that looked as if it might go close, and the solitary defeat by eight wickets at the Oval.
You may have missed it, but the best red-ball cricket played in England this year wasn't at Lord's, Edgbaston, Trent Bridge, or any of the Test venues, but the County Ground at Taunton when Somerset beat Surrey the week before last. These days the championship is the background music of the English season, and sometimes the volume is so low people hardly even seem to notice it's on. But this match was worth catching, and Somerset's live stream drew more than 750,000 viewers over the four days, which is a bigger audience than a lot of matches carried live on subscription TV pull in.
This story is from the September 24, 2024 edition of The Guardian.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the September 24, 2024 edition of The Guardian.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Parry: Premier League would be 'sterile' without EFL
Rick Parry has accused the Premier League of undervaluing the football pyramid, arguing that without the \"variety and competition\" that come from relegation and promotion the game would become \"sterile\".
Official review: Coote faces FA investigation as Webb breaks silence on video
The Football Association has launched its own investigation into the behaviour of the referee David Coote after remarks he made about Jürgen Klopp in a video that surfaced online this week.
Match-by-match: Coote's Liverpool games as an official
Referee who has been caught on video in a foul-mouthed tirade against Jürgen Klopp officiated 21 Liverpool games. Andy Hunter takes a look at the decisions in each one
Wretched, haunted but human: a referee shaped by modern football
Is it really a surprise that an official or someone similar should end up glassy-eyed and spitting toxins on a sofa?
Hall's audition adds intrigue to England's Nations League finale
In-form Newcastle defender can show Thomas Tuchel he can be the solution to perennial problem on the left
'It's about robust planning, proper financial control'
is about \"preventing the shocks\" that have disrupted the sport in recent years.
'People are going to see women's boxing at its very best'
The super-lightweight world champion Katie Taylor says her rematch against Amanda Serrano in Texas, as the main support act to Tyson v Paul, will be something special
Blindkilde Brown and Fujino help City avoid slip up
Manchester City maintained their 100% start in the Women's Champions League group stage as second-half goals from youngsters Laura Blindkilde Brown and Aoba Fujino were enough to beat a determined Hammarby side.
Players must cope with extra scrutiny, says Lewis
The England coach, Jon Lewis, said his players experienced a \"sharp learning curve\" about perception management in the fallout from their disastrous group-stage exit in last month's T20 World Cup.
No input from Jones in England's plan to upset Springboks
England will not be benefiting from the insider knowledge of their former Springbok assistant coach Felix Jones this weekend after it emerged that neither their players nor key staff members have been in contact with the Irishman, still supposedly employed remotely by the Rugby Football Union (RFU).
