In a significant move for cricket enthusiasts, BBC Local Radio and BBC Sport have officially extended their partnership with the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) for another four years, as announced on April 3, 2025. This renewed agreement guarantees comprehensive commentary on every match in the Rothesay County Championship, alongside coverage of pivotal moments from the men’s and women’s white-ball competitions. The commentary will be delivered by BBC Local Radio’s team of experts, bolstered by both current and former players from the men’s and women’s games.
Last year, BBC Local commentaries and live text coverage of the Rothesay County Championship attracted nearly 30 million listens and views combined, highlighting the immense interest in local cricket coverage. Fans can look forward to accessing this extensive coverage through the BBC Sport website and app, with selected matches also broadcast on 5 Sports Extra and BBC Sounds. BBC Local has established itself as the most comprehensive provider of local sports coverage in the UK, catering to over 180 local clubs.
Meanwhile, the excitement in the cricket world isn’t limited to broadcasting news. Northamptonshire all-rounder Rob Keogh has expressed optimism about the upcoming County Championship season under the guidance of new head coach Darren Lehmann. Keogh, who scored 439 runs in 10 Championship games last summer, believes Lehmann is the perfect man to unlock the squad’s potential. Northamptonshire finished fourth in Division Two last season, winning two and drawing nine of their 14 games, leaving them 56 points shy of second-placed Yorkshire.
"It's a fresh start for me, a fresh start for everyone," Keogh, 33, shared with BBC Radio Northampton. He praised Lehmann's tactical brilliance, stating, "He’s not massively technical, but tactically he’s brilliant. He wants us to be more savvy with the tactical side, how we play our cricket." Keogh emphasized the importance of working with the players’ existing strengths and is excited about the new season, which kicks off on April 4, 2025, with a home game against Kent, who were relegated from Division One in 2024.
In terms of squad changes, Northamptonshire has seen Emilio Gay and Jack White depart, but Lehmann has utilized his Australian contracts to recruit paceman Liam Guthrie, who also holds a UK passport. Harry Conway is set to join the squad for the four matches in May 2025. Keogh, who has amassed nearly 6,500 first-class runs and taken 165 wickets since his debut in 2012, is looking forward to leading a young group of players and helping them develop their skills.
As the cricketing landscape evolves, the Indian Premier League (IPL) has also been making headlines. On April 3, 2025, defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) secured a convincing 80-run victory over Sunrisers Hyderabad, who now sit at the bottom of the IPL table. KKR set a formidable target of 201 runs, but Sunrisers struggled to respond, collapsing to 9-3 and later 66-5, ultimately bowled out for just 120 in 16.4 overs.
Australia's Travis Head fell early, dismissed for just four runs from the second ball of the chase. Both Abhishek Sharma and Ishan Kishan were removed for two runs each, leaving Sunrisers in dire straits. Although Heinrich Klaasen offered a glimmer of hope with his 33 runs, his dismissal in the 15th over all but sealed KKR's victory. KKR’s seamer Vaibhav Arora emerged as the standout performer, claiming 3 wickets for 29 runs, including the crucial scalps of Head and Klaasen. Spinner Varun Chakravarthy also impressed, taking 3 wickets for just 22 runs.
Earlier in the match, KKR’s innings saw a late flourish, scoring 78 runs in the final five overs to finish at 200-6. Venkatesh Iyer was the star with the bat, smashing 60 runs off just 29 balls, hitting seven fours and three sixes. Rinku Singh contributed an unbeaten 32 runs from 17 balls. This performance was built on a solid foundation laid by skipper Ajinkya Rahane and Angkrish Raghuvanshi, who combined for an impressive third-wicket stand of 81 runs after the early loss of openers Quinton de Kock and Sunil Narine.
Sunrisers began their IPL campaign with a bang, posting 286 runs in their opening match, the second-highest total in tournament history. However, they have since faced a tough stretch, losing three consecutive matches. As the season progresses, both KKR and Northamptonshire are looking to build on their recent performances and make their marks in their respective competitions.
With the County Championship beginning today and the IPL heating up, cricket fans have plenty to look forward to in the coming weeks. The excitement surrounding local broadcasts, new coaching strategies, and thrilling matchups promises to keep supporters engaged as the season unfolds.
