Andrew Radd
@oldmanradd
Followers
2K
Following
40K
Media
1K
Statuses
7K
Journalist, wireless bod, author, NCCC archivist and OTCC fan. Claire's hubby and Oliver's dad. Wantage Road press box for 40+ years but still clueless.
Northamptonshire
Joined April 2010
Despite many pre-season predictions to the contrary @NorthantsCCC are safe from relegation. Nice.
26
11
250
65
34
202
On May 9 1984 John Lever ran in to bowl the first ball for Essex against @NorthantsCCC - and so began, 40 years ago today, my first day as a professional journalist in the Wantage Road press box. Much has changed, but not - to any great degree - the interior of said press box.
20
10
191
Sad to note the passing of Mike Procter - first Director of Cricket at @NorthantsCCC 1991-92. Part of the club's 'dream team' when the NWT won under @AllanLamb294 in '92. Remember an emotional interview for @BBCNorthampton on the morning @ProteasMenCSA readmitted to Test cricket.
9
12
159
Great to see so many young people enjoying a day at the cricket! @NorthantsCCC Community Day
11
7
155
Match over before I’d even finished my first coffee of the morning. Tough interview afterwards with the captain. Increasingly convinced there are top-to-bottom issues at @NorthantsCCC that must be addressed. Currently not the club I’ve known and loved for 50+ years.
28
22
153
@NorthantsCCC celebrations after winning the NatWest Trophy at Lord’s in 1992. Makes me smile every time I see it. Reflects how much it matters to win for a real county with real history and real supporters, not a brand of snacks.
16
12
143
So - that was the 2023 season, that was. Terrific stuff today from @sando567 and Jack W - and thanks to all @NorthantsCCC players and coaches for friendly cooperation on good and less good days. Thanks too to all my brilliant @BBCSport colleagues #april24
18
5
145
A memorable night for @NorthantsCCC and a pleasure for Phil Rowe and myself to call it. Seven successive defeats against the Bears, seven successive defeats at Old Trafford - eight may be my new lucky number.
10
6
144
Another easy selection in my personal @NorthantsCCC squad from the last 50 years - the outstanding Northamptonshire batter of my time @AllanLamb294. Over 30,000 NCCC runs in all comps and no such thing as a lost cause when he was in the side.
12
3
139
Now, this looks familiar! 39 years and 11 months ago I spent my first ‘official’ day in the Wantage Road press box covering @NorthantsCCC. The press box has changed markedly less than me! Looking forward to another season with #BBCCricket @BBCNorthampton
15
2
133
12
1
130
Cheers to @Ricardo27Vasco and Will Young - the highest partnership for any @NorthantsCCC wicket against @WarwickshireCCC, ever.
8
5
128
Disappointed (and surprised) if anyone disagrees with today's selection for my personal @NorthantsCCC squad of the past half-century. Northamptonshire from cap-peak to toe caps - the much-missed David Capel, 'Capes.'
10
2
125
The great @anilkumble1074 bowling for @NorthantsCCC at Wantage Road in 1995. Note parched outfield! The first summer after @ntfc moved to Sixfields so the football stands had gone, but work didn’t start on the new Lynn Wilson indoor school until 1997.
13
14
120
So - the first name (alphabetically) in my personal @NorthantsCCC squad from the half-century since 1972 is @BishanBedi - the most aesthetically-pleasing spin bowler of that era, or probably any other. One down, fifteen to go.
15
1
121
Happy Father's Day. Coincidentally, Dad features on @TalkingPicsTV this evening at 6pm in The Saint.
12
6
113
Batter, fielder, double-trophy-winning leader and the best ambassador imaginable for @NorthantsCCC through some anxious times for the club a few years ago. The next choice in my personal 1972-2022 squad is Hall of Famer Alex Wakely @AlexWakely1
8
1
120
So - at last, @peterwilley46 and @david_willey have company. The first father and son to score first-class centuries for @NorthantsCCC. Now they're joined by @jum312 and James Sales. A family affair x2. #bbccricket @BBCNorthampton
6
4
120
After 2 days of feeling like a party guest who turns up without a bottle or cans, another season covering @NorthantsCCC ends. End of the summer no more fun now than when I started 40 years ago, but thanks to all the players and coaches for answering my daft questions!
17
3
116
One of my earliest cricketing heroes with @NorthantsCCC - and still one today. Happy birthday, David.
11
4
115
As @TogletTim would say - Wow, Wow, Wow! A first @VitalityBlast win at @TrentBridge for @NorthantsCCC in clinical fashion. @david_willey superb but many other contributions of note. Phil Rowe and I enjoyed calling it for @BBCSport
10
5
113
After spending four wonderful days at Cheltenham I’m all for David’s indignation. He’s right. How dare people advocate taking this away from us? @Gloscricket @NorthantsCCC.
Post-match thoughts after @DerbyshireCCC win - and to think that there are those who would take this away from us.
4
12
109
Many congratulations to 'Mr Reliable' Ben Sanderson @sando567 - now 500 wickets for @NorthantsCCC across all formats for the club. 366 first-class, 53 List A and 81 T20. Plenty of power to add, and climb the all-time list.
9
3
108
Simply appalling. No-one is more passionate about @NorthantsCCC than me, but it’s a game for heaven’s sake. We all have opinions but abuse is not on. Ever.
6
7
109
He made 70 centuries for @NorthantsCCC across all formats - and today @AllanLamb294 celebrates his 70th birthday. His playing record for the County and @englandcricket speaks for itself - and he kindly wrote the foreword to 'Faces on a Wall' out on Monday. Have a good day Lamby!
4
8
105
Former Players' Day at @NorthantsCCC with a galaxy of cricketing talent. Wonderful to welcome so many great players back to the ground. And thanks to @AKSnapper for the photo.
13
9
105
An image from today’s heartening win for @NorthantsCCC at Worcester - showing one of England’s greatest treasures…and Worcester Cathedral. @FredHeldreich @zaib_05 #bbccricket
4
6
107
Absurd for the likes of me to offer technical advice to pro cricketers - but ahead of tomorrow's QF at Wantage Road a reminder of @AlexWakely1's comment following the 2016 title win: "I love this club to bits." No-one will ever say that of a franchise, will they? #FacesonaWall
6
10
107
Choice number five out of 16 - and, alphabetically, if it was @AllanLamb294 yesterday it has to be Wayne Larkins today. Anyone for a Nedding? A great career with @NorthantsCCC and think what he would have done in T20.
11
1
106
Up to number 12 in the squad list - and a fine left-arm bowler given a second chance in county cricket by @NorthantsCCC in the 1990s. He responded with 500-plus wickets and also played for England. Unplayable on his day, we'll toss the ball to 'Roadie' - Paul Taylor.
2
2
107
It lives! A special feeling to see a copy of this latest effort arrive on the desk at which it was written! Beautiful job by @PitchPublishing - and huge thanks to them. Publication date is a week on Monday, June 24th. @NorthantsCCC
12
12
103
On May 29, 1972 - 50 years ago today - my Nan took me to @NorthantsCCC to watch the second day's play against Hampshire, my first visit. She got in for nothing I think, because Great Uncle Percy was on the gate - I had my pristine, uncreased junior member's ticket. Thanks Nan.
14
4
104
What a superb day’s Championship cricket! @lewis_mcmanus becomes @NorthantsCCC’s 136th Champo centurion - and a near miss for @vvsprocter. Four-day county cricket - accept no cheap imitations. Now for the M4…
8
8
100
Alphabetical order suspended in the 1972-2022 @NorthantsCCC squad announcement to allow the captain to be named last. Next we have kind of dynamic all-rounder we would all love to be, responsible for one of the greatest moments in club history - @david_willey. Still one of ours.
2
1
98
Ever wondered what 153,707 runs for @NorthantsCCC looks like? The County's top four all-time run-scorers across all formats - Rob Bailey, @AllanLamb294 @waynelarkins2 and Geoff Cook - plus Capes and Chippy, 12th and 14th on the list. All top blokes as well.
10
4
99
The strongest top six in @NorthantsCCC history? Cook, Larkins, Bailey, Lamb and Capel all played Test cricket for England and 'Chippy' Williams could easily have done. The newly-rebuilt West Stand suggests 1986 as the year. @cchfCricket
13
7
96
After taking a post-Chelmsford deep breath…many, many thanks to all our listeners over the season, to all my brilliant BBC commentary colleagues and especially @bensmithcricket @AlexWakely1 and Phil Rowe for their expertise and company. Counting down the days to next season.
14
0
97
7
7
99
By happy coincidence - the tenth member of my personal 1972-2022 @NorthantsCCC squad yesterday joined the select group of bowlers to claim 300 first-class wickets for the County. A bowling craftsman whose work is a constant source of delight - Ben Sanderson @sando567
6
1
98
Wonderful from @emilio_nico1 - a maiden double hundred for @NorthantsCCC. First for the County since 2016 and first ever for the County against @Middlesex_CCC #bbccricket
6
3
101
So proud of my old friend 'Kingo' - described by @Swannyg66 as the greatest living Northamptonian, and now awarded the British Empire Medal in the King's Birthday Honours List. Great service to @NorthantsCCC over many years and one of nature's gentlemen. Many congratulations!
10
9
100
Not a pot of gold - but a first Champo victory of the year for @NorthantsCCC, 349 days after polishing off Essex. Terrific from @RobKeogh91 with runs and wickets, @yuzi_chahal excellent and great to see @gusmiller_ and James Sales take their chances.
5
9
96
@NorthantsCCC didn’t let the sun go down on their QF hopes - and now have a risk-free crack at a home tie at OT tomorrow. A wonderful innings from @zaib_05 and @david_willey’s opening over also out of the top-drawer. A successful Bear hunt…
8
5
94
The first four men to score triple centuries for @NorthantsCCC - David Sales, Mal Loye, Michael Hussey and the late Raman Subba Row.
3
6
93
Cricket. Cathedral. Cake. Very well looked after at @WorcsCCC - Sunday lunch in a box and delicious cake to follow! And what a setting…
8
5
94
A @NorthantsCCC player to bat for your life? Easy. My next choice had a big season in 1972 - my first season watching the County - and was still on parade 12 years later when I started reporting, with a SPOTY accolade for good measure. The one-and-only David Stanley Steele.
12
3
94
The best @NorthantsCCC cricketer not to play Test cricket? Discuss. But David Sales is certainly in my personal County squad of the last 50 years - like Mal Loye, a versatile player able to bat long or take on attacks in the shorter formats. And a loyal 'one club' man.
8
1
98
The penultimate choice in my personal 1972-2022 @NorthantsCCC squad - and keeping it in the family. After @david_willey yesterday, one of the bravest and most combative cricketers I've ever watched - Peter Willey, one of the County's 'Famous Five.' Captain follows tomorrow.
11
1
95
Inexplicably, the @oundletowncc tie did not secure access to the Royal Tea Tent at yesterday's Buckingham Palace garden party - but an interesting afternoon for myself and @Radd1970 who looked absolutely beautiful.
12
1
91
Yesterday marked 31 years since @NorthantsCCC beat @leicsccc to win the NatWest Trophy. A strong side under @AllanLamb294 with two late, great all-rounders in Capes and KC. I vividly recall the 'scare' the night before when it was feared the future Sir Curtly had gone missing.
13
10
93
One of @NorthantsCCC 's most versatile batters gets the nod in my 1972-2022 squad today - nearly 11 hours at the crease to save the match against Glamorgan in 1998, or sweeping Brett Lee for six. It's Malachy Loye - who'll be on air again for @BBCNorthampton in the T20.
11
2
93
Test cricket - really don’t need to say it, do I? Thankfully we have a month of good cricket to come, courtesy of the Metro Bank Cup @NorthantsCCC #propercricketwithproperteams
4
2
90
Lucky over the last 40 years to report on some outstanding captain's innings for @NorthantsCCC from Cook, @AllanLamb294, @HaydosTweets, Hussey, Sales, Boje, @AlexWakely1 @Rossington17 et al - but today's effort from @vvsprocter ranks highly. Past 4,000 fc runs for the County too.
7
4
88
Fortunate enough to see the previous highest List A score for @NorthantsCCC - by @waynelarkins2 at Luton 40 years ago - and the innings that beat it today, by @PrithviShaw. Only 5 higher individual scores in List A cricket worldwide, ever #BBCCricket
8
4
89
"One of the best overs I've bowled since coming to the club" - the verdict of @sando567 about his opening over against @Middlesex_CCC. He's now taken 440 wickets in all formats for @NorthantsCCC - heading for the County's all-time top 30 in just seven full seasons #bbccricket
5
5
82
Yes, I know I've been banging on about this book for months. But today 'Faces on a Wall' is published by @PitchPublishing - the stories of @NorthantsCCC captains since 1878 with good chunks of social and local history thrown in. It's a book I've wanted to write for years.
2
6
84
No apologies for posting this one again. RIP Kingo - and “carry on, Corporal.”
13
6
81
“Pick the bones out of that one, mate!” as an old colleague used to say after a match like that. @david_willey reaches 300 T20 wickets, @zaib_05 brilliant with bat and ball - but the final over from Raphy Weatherall was something else. Malachy and I enjoyed it!
3
2
85
Number eight out of 16 - and it's David Ripley, second only to Keith Andrew when it comes to 'keeping dismissals for @NorthantsCCC and more-than-useful with the bat as the record shows. Top man too, of course. 'Run-a-ball' Ripley gets his seat on the spaceship.
0
3
86
Easy to get the impression that there's only one white-ball competition in town over the coming weeks. So just a reminder that @BBCSport will broadcast every ball of every match in the @onedaycup - starting for @NorthantsCCC at home to @DerbyshireCCC on Wednesday #BBCCricket
7
10
81
Cricketing royalty in the commentary box! Sir Andy Roberts renews acquaintance with Grace Road 40 years after his final appearance for @leicsccc against - coincidentally - @NorthantsCCC! One of the greats and an honour to have him with us. #bbccricket
3
5
82
A good day for @NorthantsCCC at Edgbaston gets even better thanks to a teatime catch-up with the great Mushtaq Mohammad - one of the very best of all time with the County and @TheRealPCB #bbccricket
4
1
81
One of the more emotional interviews I've done in 37 years of covering @NorthantsCCC after last night's AGM. Delighted that Rips is staying with the club. All County supporters will hope his term as head coach ends on a high note in the next couple of weeks.
2
4
82
Thinking of the great man - a friend to so many for so long - as the 'Kingo Bell' is dedicated at @NorthantsCCC this morning. Will be raising a glass to him later.
6
2
82
I know all @NorthantsCCC supporters will have a view on the departure of @cobby24 from Wantage Road. From a personal viewpoint he has always been honest and accessible in his dealings with the media, and passionate about the game. @GrahamMcKechnie
10
2
81
It's 27 years ago today that one of my favourite @NorthantsCCC partnerships began - 372 for the first wicket between two great chums, Mal Loye and Richard Montgomerie, to save the match against Yorkshire at Wantage Road in 1996. Mal 205, Monty 127 - and a few frustrated tykes.
6
1
79
Just checking our commentary position ready for the off tomorrow. It’s @NorthantsCCC versus @Gloscricket with @oldmanradd @edcricket6 and Phil Rowe from 1100 on Thursday morning. #bbccricket
14
4
79
Excellent to see the @NorthantsCCC team taking the field at Merchant Taylor’s School with black armbands in memory of our friend Tony Kingston.
1
9
77
At the end of this month it will be 50 years since I watched my first @NorthantsCCC match - against @hantscricket in 1972. I've picked a 16-man County squad from that half-century to tour the universe and it's MY team, rather than necessarily the BEST team. First name tomorrow.
10
3
76
Couldn’t be more delighted for James Sales after a terrific career-best innings for @NorthantsCCC today. He and @zaib_05 added 86 in ten overs after lunch to press home the advantage. Will the crushing defeat against @leicsccc in 1879 be avenged tomorrow?
6
0
76
The 17th County Championship hat-trick for @NorthantsCCC by @sando567 - and the first for the County against Warwickshire since 1914, when SG Smith took four in four balls. Always wanted to commentate on a Northamptonshire hat-trick. #bbccricket
9
2
75
A couple of weeks ago Phil Rowe and I were commentating for @BBCNorthampton on a hugely frustrating defeat at Old Trafford. Bit different tonight….@NorthantsCCC
8
0
77
Next choice is a great cricket man, Geoff Cook - batter and captain @NorthantsCCC, coach and mentor @DurhamCricket. Skipper when I started reporting in 1984 and very kind to a keen newbie - ask a daft question and you still got a sensible answer!
5
1
78
So sad that my friend and mentor ‘Uncle’ John Morris has died aged 87. He gave me my first jobs in journalism - at @BBCNorthampton and his own agency - nearly 40 years ago. I owe him so much. Here’s a happy memory from our @NorthantsCCC press box reunion in 2014.
7
3
76
There are eight billion people currently living on earth - and just 40 of them have played 100 or more first-class matches for @NorthantsCCC, including the most recent addition to the 'club' @sando567. The other 53 to reach that milestone since 1905 have moved to greener fields.
4
2
73
Many happy returns to David Stanley Steele - 83 years old today. A @NorthantsCCC hall of fame inductee, BBC SPOTY in 1975 and a great man of cricket. I'm hoping for a bit of Steele-like application from the County batters at Headingley today! @StaffsCricket
4
4
72
Worth reiterating that my 1972-2022 @NorthantsCCC squad is a personal choice - but I'm not expecting too much disagreement with my next choice. A County and @TheRealPCB great with bat and ball, and our Gillette Cup-winning captain in 1976 - Mushtaq Mohammad.
6
3
74
Thanks for all the interaction to the photos posted over the past month. And so the bag is packed for another season covering @NorthantsCCC starting against @KentCricket on Thursday. Don't forget - every ball of every match live on the BBC. @BBCSportNhants #bbccricket
8
3
72
We lost Dad 48 years ago today. Always proud of who he was and what he did, but sad that his passing aged 47 robbed us of more outstanding performances on stage, film and TV.
8
0
71
Some wonderful @VitalityBlast memories from @NorthantsCCC’s 2024 campaign - not least memorable ‘away wins’ at Trent Bridge, Worcester, Durham and - best of all - Old Trafford. Foundations to build on but the ludicrous schedule does no county any favours.
3
6
70
Well played to @NorthantsCCC and @BedfordshireCCC for a most enjoyable match. Excellent to see plenty of young spectators at the ground - none of whom, strangely, seemed confused by 50 overs per side #noneedtopatronisekids.
1
6
70
Ditching franchises and reverting to traditional teams? Now there's a good idea. .
Massive news for SA Cricket: @OfficialCSA have announced the franchise system will be no more come the 2022 season. They will re introduce the provincial cricket system with 12 teams competing.
4
8
66
Consider this, County fans - only Bailey, Lamb, Larkins, Cook and Brookes have scored more runs for @NorthantsCCC across all formats than @jum312 with nearly 22,000 runs in 545 matches. One of the greats - and he celebrates his 47th birthday today. Have a good one, Jumble!
5
3
71
Cracking pie and mash at the @oundletowncc dinner and presentation evening. Plenty to celebrate for the club and congratulations to all the award winners.
4
0
69
I started to tot up the number of runs, wickets and appearances for @NorthantsCCC represented here - and decided that wasn't really the point. Six decades of club history represented here - dating back to Johnny Wild's first-class debut in 1953. Heroes all! Photo by @AKSnapper
6
3
67
And so to my captain - and of course @selvecricket was right! Batting for @NorthantsCCC on the day I was born, skipper when I started following the club and there at Eastbourne when he made his final appearance in 1980. Hero then, hero now - Jim Watts. Support staff tomorrow!
7
1
68
I doff my straw boater to the @leicsccc groundstaff for the remarkable transformation in the past 24 hours. We await the umpires’ verdict but hopeful of cricket today after a dominant showing by @NorthantsCCC on Sat. Birthday boy Richard Rae @FoxComms24 and me on duty #bbccricket
5
3
68
Many thanks to @RWhitehead61 for adding this photo to the @NorthantsCCC archive. If that well-known brewery did cricket images. Dennis Lillee in County colours at Bournemouth in 1988 chatting with 'Dickie' Bird. Fond memories of DK's 39th birthday in the old Colin Milburn bar.
5
3
63
Congrats to @vvsprocter and the @NorthantsCCC team on back-to-back Championship victories. And, of course, to @sando567 on 400 first-class wickets. Next target, 400 for Northamptonshire. No @yuzi_chahal at Headingley but 18 wickets in 2 games here.
8
1
66
Thank you for all the interest in, and comments on, my 1972-2002 @NorthantsCCC squad. It's been suggested that a pre-1972 squad might be of interest - so maybe during the Hundred, when we'll all be grateful for some cricket played by proper teams?
7
0
67
Standing room only at last night's @NorthantsCCC Pathway presentations. 100-plus awards in two hours! Thanks to special guests @vvsprocter and @GrewcockJodi and congrats to Raphael Weatherall on winning the Dorothy Radd Shield - following @BenDuckett1 @AlexWakely1 @RobKeogh91 etc
1
1
67
Fourteen years - nearly to the day - since making his T20 debut for @NorthantsCCC against Warwicks at Wantage Road in 2009, @david_willey is set to make his 250th appearance in the format against Durham tomorrow. Those 250 matches include 43 for @englandcricket. Serious record.
4
4
64
In honour of the visit of @GlamCricket to Wantage Road tomorrow - and especially with @EdBevanCricket on commentary duty with @nickwebb2017 and myself - a favourite photo of @NorthantsCCC taking the field under Peter Murray-Willis (third left) at Swansea in May 1946.
14
5
66