As huge amounts on money are set to flood into the English game, David Griffin - "Griff" - joins me to look at how the new money can be best used to give the domestic game a much-needed shot in the arm and benefit everyone from the top, down through the counties and to grassroot level cricket.

The money needs to be used wisely, because when it's gone, it's gone. Will the new investors take the game in a new direction and leave tradition behind?

Despite all the uproar, has the ECB pulled off a masterstroke in getting such huge sums of money from the sale of stakes in the franchises for The Hundred. Valued at a whopping £967mln, this provides a big windfall for all the counties, but they need to invest the money wisely if there are to survive long into the future. Is this the lifeline they needed?

Ricky Ellcock has led an amazing life. Born and raised in Barbados, at the age of 15 he was offered a scholarship by Malvern College and he made the journey to start a new life in England. Progressing through schools, then county cricket, Ricky was selected to play Test cricket for England in the West Indies. His debut was curtailed by a back injury, the first of many and when he had to retire from cricket, Ricky retrained as an airline pilot, eventually being picked up by Virgin Atlantic to become their first black captain. Unfortunately, bad luck struck again when he sustained a brain injury after falling down some stairs and Ricky was within a whisker of death, suffering seizures and being put into an induced coma. Thankfully the "Miracle Boy" has survived and he is here to tell us about his life and the autobiography he was written called "Balls to Fly".

It is an inspiring read and to get your copy, please click the link below:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=balls+to+fly+ricky+ellcock+-+an+autobiography&crid=3Q1JGXPXXGYFV&sprefix=balls+to+fly%2Caps%2C72&ref=nb_sb_ss_ts-doa-p_2_12

A very interesting and wide-ranging chat with Rachel Mitchell, Head of Women's and Girls cricket at Billericay Cricket Club and part of the Essex Cricket the Community initiative. We discuss England Women's performance Down Under in the WAshes and ask whether Alex Hartley had a point when she questioned the fitness levels of some of the players. We also talk about the domestic scene and the arrival of county women's teams in 2025, but Rachel is fearful that careless fixture decisions will harm club cricket.

What do you think? Let me know in the comments please!

Former Barbados, Middlesex and England cricketer joins us to talk about his new book, "Breaking Barriers: From Barbados to England and Back". It's a great account of his life coming to England as a youngster from his native Barbados, becoming the first black player to represent England and how once he had retired, returned to "Bim" and become actively involved in all sports on the island.

With the news that James Vince and Tom Kohler-Cadmore have decided to miss the 2025 first class season in England in order to pursue lucrative franchise contracts, RICHARD CLARKE aka "The Grumbler" says this was sadly inevitable. Given the direction of travel and the ECB's apparent lack of support for the county game, will there be more to come and what can the English counties do to stave off a drain of their best talent?

It may be the depths of winter, but there is plenty going on in the world of cricket. England’s men have the power to take a stand and refuse to play Afghanistan in the Champions Trophy next month, so says Tonia Antoniazzi MP. We discuss…

Australia’s Test series again India lived up to all the hype and the hosts sealed a 3-1 win to take the Border-Gavaskar Trophy and seal a place in the World Test Champions Final at Lord’s in June. South Africa has been hosting Pakistan and a 2-0 series win sees them head to Lord’s to get Australia in the WTC Final.

Reports coming through of Australia, England and India plotting to create a two-tier Test structure that would see the top teams play each other more often. But what would this means for the lesser sides? We discuss…

Plus news from around the counties, with Essex Women busy with new signings.

Make sure you follow “98 Not Out” across social media, YouTube and also wherever you get your podcasts!

Johnny Barran is just back from Buenos Aires, where he has been covering the Americas qualifying rounds for the 2026 ICC World Cup, which is to be held in India, We talk about the rich heritage of cricket in Argentina, which stretches back even further than football. The dispute over the Falkland Islands (or "Malvinas", depending on your perspective) is ever present and Johnny gives a little background. However, the ex-pat roots with Britain are still strong!

2025 is the 75th anniversary of the Lord's Taverners and Johnny will be heavily involved in a busy year. He will also be involved as "The Voice of God" at Surrey, so he has plenty on his plate!

A conversation with the legendary David Lloyd that starts off on the pressures of being away at Christmas - whether playing cricket, coaching or commentating - then veers off into a very funny discussion about 80s gameshow "Bullseye" being rebooted under Freddie Flintoff. Classic Bumble!

For those of you who are too young to remember "Bullseye", take a look at this:

https://youtu.be/YlTsyaHh37M?si=YLODF8cO1aCE5-8X

Here are a few festive messages from some of our many friends that have appeared on the show.Have a great Christmas and all the best for 2025. Come on England!!!.