Raf Nicholson
@rafnicholson.bsky.social
Women’s cricket historian & journalist. Sports Journalism lecturer at Bournemouth University & writer for Guardian Sport.
Reposted by Raf Nicholson
There are still some tickets left for our conference in February in Cambridge. We'd love to see you there - you can register here: www.cricketsociety.org.uk/events/crick...
January 5, 2026 at 10:37 AM
There are still some tickets left for our conference in February in Cambridge. We'd love to see you there - you can register here: www.cricketsociety.org.uk/events/crick...
Well, these 2 have just gone up in my estimation. Not sure why this hasn't been more widely talked about (unless I missed it in the mainstream media).
From the Cricket community on Reddit: Ben Stokes and Ollie Pope met members of the the Afghan Women's Refugee team at the SCG - The England team have made a generous donation to the Pitch Our Future p...
Explore this post and more from the Cricket community
www.reddit.com
January 5, 2026 at 10:03 AM
Well, these 2 have just gone up in my estimation. Not sure why this hasn't been more widely talked about (unless I missed it in the mainstream media).
First long run of the year ✅
Bushy Park was gorgeous this morning - but very cold! 🥶
Bushy Park was gorgeous this morning - but very cold! 🥶
January 3, 2026 at 10:52 AM
First long run of the year ✅
Bushy Park was gorgeous this morning - but very cold! 🥶
Bushy Park was gorgeous this morning - but very cold! 🥶
“A generation of Afghan Australians no longer see themselves reflected on Australia’s biggest cricket stage.”
Mate, try being a woman. 🤦🏼♀️
Mate, try being a woman. 🤦🏼♀️
Australia’s stance on Afghan cricket is flawed – and deeply painful for people like me. There is another path | Shadi Khan Saif
When I arrived in Australia after the fall of Kabul, seeing Rashid Khan in the BBL eased my grief and reminded me that pride and belonging were possible
www.theguardian.com
January 2, 2026 at 6:33 PM
“A generation of Afghan Australians no longer see themselves reflected on Australia’s biggest cricket stage.”
Mate, try being a woman. 🤦🏼♀️
Mate, try being a woman. 🤦🏼♀️
That was really strange continuity - “we imagine what would happen if…”. So is this bit not #thearchers cannon then??
January 1, 2026 at 7:19 PM
That was really strange continuity - “we imagine what would happen if…”. So is this bit not #thearchers cannon then??
I really, really disagree with this.
If 2-day Tests are “no less of a Test”, why is anyone bothering to argue for the importance of 5-day or even 4-day cricket?
If 2-day Tests are “no less of a Test”, why is anyone bothering to argue for the importance of 5-day or even 4-day cricket?
Stephan Shemilt Ashes column: Why MCG's two-dayer was no less of a Test
BBC Sport chief cricket reporter Stephan Shemilt reflects on the chaos of the Boxing Day Test, which England won inside two days.
www.bbc.co.uk
December 27, 2025 at 6:41 PM
I really, really disagree with this.
If 2-day Tests are “no less of a Test”, why is anyone bothering to argue for the importance of 5-day or even 4-day cricket?
If 2-day Tests are “no less of a Test”, why is anyone bothering to argue for the importance of 5-day or even 4-day cricket?
My Christmas present to you all - it’s my annual Women’s Team of the Year for @theguardian.com!
What do you reckon - did I get it right?
What do you reckon - did I get it right?
The Spin | Women’s cricket team of the year: from Jemimah Rodrigues to Alana King
The Spin’s annual selection marks a special World Cup win for India, and work to do for England
www.theguardian.com
December 24, 2025 at 11:34 AM
My Christmas present to you all - it’s my annual Women’s Team of the Year for @theguardian.com!
What do you reckon - did I get it right?
What do you reckon - did I get it right?
Official confirmation that Kirstie Gordon WILL be representing Scotland in 2026!
She is still recovering from injury, so won’t feature in January’s qualifier, but hopefully there will be a “home” World Cup for her next summer. I’m delighted for her and for Scotland! 🏴 🏏
She is still recovering from injury, so won’t feature in January’s qualifier, but hopefully there will be a “home” World Cup for her next summer. I’m delighted for her and for Scotland! 🏴 🏏
If I was Kirstie Gordon, watching Tilly Corteen-Coleman bowling today, I’d be getting on the phone to Cricket Scotland.
It’s not too late for her to play in the 2026 World Cup at “home” 🏴
It’s not too late for her to play in the 2026 World Cup at “home” 🏴
December 23, 2025 at 1:22 PM
Official confirmation that Kirstie Gordon WILL be representing Scotland in 2026!
She is still recovering from injury, so won’t feature in January’s qualifier, but hopefully there will be a “home” World Cup for her next summer. I’m delighted for her and for Scotland! 🏴 🏏
She is still recovering from injury, so won’t feature in January’s qualifier, but hopefully there will be a “home” World Cup for her next summer. I’m delighted for her and for Scotland! 🏴 🏏
Unpopular view: Moaning about Snickometer is just a distraction from more fundamental issues. Move on guys.
I'll get back in my women's cricket lane now.
I'll get back in my women's cricket lane now.
December 18, 2025 at 6:30 PM
Unpopular view: Moaning about Snickometer is just a distraction from more fundamental issues. Move on guys.
I'll get back in my women's cricket lane now.
I'll get back in my women's cricket lane now.
This is quite an interesting little news piece about the Kent Women’s team & a good insight into Megan Belt’s day-to-day.
Perhaps the saddest bit was the brief glimpse of the named
cubbyholes at Beckenham, which all appear to belong to Surrey Women. That’s just not right!
Perhaps the saddest bit was the brief glimpse of the named
cubbyholes at Beckenham, which all appear to belong to Surrey Women. That’s just not right!
Kent Tonight Special: Inside Kent Women's Cricket: Life in Tier Two
Dailymotion video by KentOnline / KMTV
www.dailymotion.com
December 14, 2025 at 11:57 AM
This is quite an interesting little news piece about the Kent Women’s team & a good insight into Megan Belt’s day-to-day.
Perhaps the saddest bit was the brief glimpse of the named
cubbyholes at Beckenham, which all appear to belong to Surrey Women. That’s just not right!
Perhaps the saddest bit was the brief glimpse of the named
cubbyholes at Beckenham, which all appear to belong to Surrey Women. That’s just not right!
Reposted by Raf Nicholson
Thanks to @pvelija.bsky.social for her work in convening our webinar series, which continues to feature brilliant, cutting-edge research.
In our latest webinar, Ross Ensor from @lborouniversity.bsky.social discusses his research into the use of the Rooney Rule within English cricket:
In our latest webinar, Ross Ensor from @lborouniversity.bsky.social discusses his research into the use of the Rooney Rule within English cricket:
CRN Webinar 15: 'A Retreat from the Radical' Rooney Rule and English Cricket
YouTube video by Cricket Research Network
www.youtube.com
December 12, 2025 at 10:55 AM
Thanks to @pvelija.bsky.social for her work in convening our webinar series, which continues to feature brilliant, cutting-edge research.
In our latest webinar, Ross Ensor from @lborouniversity.bsky.social discusses his research into the use of the Rooney Rule within English cricket:
In our latest webinar, Ross Ensor from @lborouniversity.bsky.social discusses his research into the use of the Rooney Rule within English cricket:
Reposted by Raf Nicholson
🏏 A reminder that our latest webinar is TODAY at 2pm.
🏏 Ross Ensor (Loughborough University) will be speaking on 'A retreat from the radical: An analysis of the existence, implementation, and effectiveness of the Rooney Rule within English cricket’.
🏏 DM us for the Teams link.
🏏 Ross Ensor (Loughborough University) will be speaking on 'A retreat from the radical: An analysis of the existence, implementation, and effectiveness of the Rooney Rule within English cricket’.
🏏 DM us for the Teams link.
December 9, 2025 at 8:43 AM
🏏 A reminder that our latest webinar is TODAY at 2pm.
🏏 Ross Ensor (Loughborough University) will be speaking on 'A retreat from the radical: An analysis of the existence, implementation, and effectiveness of the Rooney Rule within English cricket’.
🏏 DM us for the Teams link.
🏏 Ross Ensor (Loughborough University) will be speaking on 'A retreat from the radical: An analysis of the existence, implementation, and effectiveness of the Rooney Rule within English cricket’.
🏏 DM us for the Teams link.
All this hyper-blokiness coming out of the England camp when their backs are against the wall - “Bee’s d*ck”, “real men” - makes me really uncomfortable. Am I the problem? #Ashes
December 8, 2025 at 12:37 PM
All this hyper-blokiness coming out of the England camp when their backs are against the wall - “Bee’s d*ck”, “real men” - makes me really uncomfortable. Am I the problem? #Ashes
BREAKING: London Spirit Women to tour Bondi as part of their pre-season.
They will be VERY inspiring and entertaining in 2026.
They will be VERY inspiring and entertaining in 2026.
www.gloscricket.co.uk
December 8, 2025 at 9:06 AM
BREAKING: London Spirit Women to tour Bondi as part of their pre-season.
They will be VERY inspiring and entertaining in 2026.
They will be VERY inspiring and entertaining in 2026.
Dad’s take on the Men’s Ashes:
“If they are having dinner in the day-night Test match, could they make Mitchell Starc eat two helpings of pie and chips? That would slow him down a bit.”
🥧 🍟
“If they are having dinner in the day-night Test match, could they make Mitchell Starc eat two helpings of pie and chips? That would slow him down a bit.”
🥧 🍟
December 6, 2025 at 10:29 AM
Dad’s take on the Men’s Ashes:
“If they are having dinner in the day-night Test match, could they make Mitchell Starc eat two helpings of pie and chips? That would slow him down a bit.”
🥧 🍟
“If they are having dinner in the day-night Test match, could they make Mitchell Starc eat two helpings of pie and chips? That would slow him down a bit.”
🥧 🍟
Quite exciting to see The Women in Whites as one of Pitch Publishing's "Big hitting cricket titles for 2026".
It's due out in May, just in time for the World Cup.
I just have to finish the manuscript now! 😬😂
It's due out in May, just in time for the World Cup.
I just have to finish the manuscript now! 😬😂
December 5, 2025 at 1:30 PM
Quite exciting to see The Women in Whites as one of Pitch Publishing's "Big hitting cricket titles for 2026".
It's due out in May, just in time for the World Cup.
I just have to finish the manuscript now! 😬😂
It's due out in May, just in time for the World Cup.
I just have to finish the manuscript now! 😬😂
Reposted by Raf Nicholson
Full programme for our 2026 conference now available!
Hughes Hall, Cambridge, 26 Feb
9am to 5pm
Register here: www.cricketsociety.org.uk/events/crick...
Hughes Hall, Cambridge, 26 Feb
9am to 5pm
Register here: www.cricketsociety.org.uk/events/crick...
December 5, 2025 at 12:27 PM
Full programme for our 2026 conference now available!
Hughes Hall, Cambridge, 26 Feb
9am to 5pm
Register here: www.cricketsociety.org.uk/events/crick...
Hughes Hall, Cambridge, 26 Feb
9am to 5pm
Register here: www.cricketsociety.org.uk/events/crick...
I've just clocked that there is an entire day of women's Blast fixtures scheduled on the day of the World Cup final.
Surely that's utter madness? In 2017 everyone from Alice Capsey to Lauren Bell went to Lord's. Now we're effectively saying that no young players can go & be inspired??
Surely that's utter madness? In 2017 everyone from Alice Capsey to Lauren Bell went to Lord's. Now we're effectively saying that no young players can go & be inspired??
November 26, 2025 at 11:52 AM
I've just clocked that there is an entire day of women's Blast fixtures scheduled on the day of the World Cup final.
Surely that's utter madness? In 2017 everyone from Alice Capsey to Lauren Bell went to Lord's. Now we're effectively saying that no young players can go & be inspired??
Surely that's utter madness? In 2017 everyone from Alice Capsey to Lauren Bell went to Lord's. Now we're effectively saying that no young players can go & be inspired??
Reposted by Raf Nicholson
We’ve opened registration for our annual conference! 🥳
📅 26 Feb 2026
⏰ 9.30am to 5pm
🏫 Hughes Hall, Cambridge
🏏 We’re looking forward to a day of presentations & discussion, plus a Q&A on the 2026 ICC World Cup. Book your place now:
📅 26 Feb 2026
⏰ 9.30am to 5pm
🏫 Hughes Hall, Cambridge
🏏 We’re looking forward to a day of presentations & discussion, plus a Q&A on the 2026 ICC World Cup. Book your place now:
Cricket Research Network, Annual Conference, Cambridge, Thu 26 Feb, 9.30am
Hughes Hall, University of Cambridge, 9.30am to 5.00pm
www.cricketsociety.org.uk
November 24, 2025 at 6:04 PM
We’ve opened registration for our annual conference! 🥳
📅 26 Feb 2026
⏰ 9.30am to 5pm
🏫 Hughes Hall, Cambridge
🏏 We’re looking forward to a day of presentations & discussion, plus a Q&A on the 2026 ICC World Cup. Book your place now:
📅 26 Feb 2026
⏰ 9.30am to 5pm
🏫 Hughes Hall, Cambridge
🏏 We’re looking forward to a day of presentations & discussion, plus a Q&A on the 2026 ICC World Cup. Book your place now:
I’m a few weeks behind in The Archers but how much did the ICC pay for a mention of the 2026 World Cup on air?! 😁
It sounds like we might be building up to a full on “characters attend a match” storyline next year…!
It sounds like we might be building up to a full on “characters attend a match” storyline next year…!
November 13, 2025 at 8:31 AM
I’m a few weeks behind in The Archers but how much did the ICC pay for a mention of the 2026 World Cup on air?! 😁
It sounds like we might be building up to a full on “characters attend a match” storyline next year…!
It sounds like we might be building up to a full on “characters attend a match” storyline next year…!
Trouble is that no one will want to come because of our terrible weather.
(Sorry… couldn’t resist 😬)
(Sorry… couldn’t resist 😬)
Gloucestershire looking to overseas and loan markets to ease their seamer shortage for next summer. Also keen to explore a season-long loan - used so well by Leicestershire, but weirdly not by many else.
Gloucestershire looking at loan and overseas markets to solve seamer exodus | The Cricketer
Jon Lewis, who took 1,078 wickets for Gloucestershire, has returned as director of cricket after his sacking as England Women's head coach with a challenging job on his hands
www.thecricketer.com
November 12, 2025 at 2:23 PM
Trouble is that no one will want to come because of our terrible weather.
(Sorry… couldn’t resist 😬)
(Sorry… couldn’t resist 😬)
Reposted by Raf Nicholson
I think they're referring to different allegations, the ones described as "baseless" ones are against Joty, while the ones they're "investigating" are against a former selector. Jahanara also talked about them in separate interviews.
November 7, 2025 at 9:01 AM
I think they're referring to different allegations, the ones described as "baseless" ones are against Joty, while the ones they're "investigating" are against a former selector. Jahanara also talked about them in separate interviews.
Two days ago they said Jahanara’s allegations were “baseless and devoid of truth”. Now the BCB are “investigating” them. That’s quite the turnaround in 48 hours…
www.espncricinfo.com/story/bcb-to...
www.espncricinfo.com/story/bcb-to...
BCB to investigate Jahanara Alam's allegations of inappropriate behaviour by former selector
Bangladesh seamer claimed that a former selector approached her inappropriately during the 2022 ODI World Cup
www.espncricinfo.com
November 7, 2025 at 8:45 AM
Two days ago they said Jahanara’s allegations were “baseless and devoid of truth”. Now the BCB are “investigating” them. That’s quite the turnaround in 48 hours…
www.espncricinfo.com/story/bcb-to...
www.espncricinfo.com/story/bcb-to...
Reposted by Raf Nicholson
Here’s the recording of our latest webinar panel - The Men’s Ashes and the Future of Test Cricket.
Tim Wigmore and @jarrodkimber.bsky.social covered a LOT of ground - and the event was expertly chaired by @russinthezone.bsky.social 👏
www.youtube.com/watch?v=mtt6...
Tim Wigmore and @jarrodkimber.bsky.social covered a LOT of ground - and the event was expertly chaired by @russinthezone.bsky.social 👏
www.youtube.com/watch?v=mtt6...
Panel: The Men’s Ashes and the Future of Test Cricket
YouTube video by Cricket Research Network
www.youtube.com
November 6, 2025 at 10:23 AM
Here’s the recording of our latest webinar panel - The Men’s Ashes and the Future of Test Cricket.
Tim Wigmore and @jarrodkimber.bsky.social covered a LOT of ground - and the event was expertly chaired by @russinthezone.bsky.social 👏
www.youtube.com/watch?v=mtt6...
Tim Wigmore and @jarrodkimber.bsky.social covered a LOT of ground - and the event was expertly chaired by @russinthezone.bsky.social 👏
www.youtube.com/watch?v=mtt6...
Reposted by Raf Nicholson
CfP open for @cricketacademic.bsky.social Conference @hugheshall.bsky.social @cam.ac.uk!
@rafnicholson.bsky.social @drcricket.bsky.social @bayfirth.bsky.social @bssh.bsky.social @sportinhistorypod.bsky.social @jeremylonsdale.bsky.social @russinthezone.bsky.social
idrottsforum.org/call-for-pap...
@rafnicholson.bsky.social @drcricket.bsky.social @bayfirth.bsky.social @bssh.bsky.social @sportinhistorypod.bsky.social @jeremylonsdale.bsky.social @russinthezone.bsky.social
idrottsforum.org/call-for-pap...
Call for Papers | Cricket Research Network Annual Conference | Hughes Hall, University of Cambridge (overlooking Fenner’s Cricket Ground), February 26, 2026. Call ends November 21, 2025
What looms on the horizon for cricket in 2026? In England & Wales we are contending with new ownership of The Hundred teams and the threat of player strikes in the Men’s County Championship, while loo...
idrottsforum.org
November 4, 2025 at 4:48 PM