Surrey and England legend MARK BUTCHER takes a break from the commentary box to talk about his new album "Always Somewhere". This is his third album and it follows "Songs From The Sun House" and "Now Playing", which both met with critical acclaim. This one features more personal writing and Mark talks us through a few of the standout tracks and talks about recording and playing live, all while juggling the day job!

"Always Somewhere" is out now on Cherry Red Records.

Essex-based photographer JON WAGSTAFF chats about taking the perfect photograph and how each sport presents its own particular challenges.

www.jonwagstaffphotogrpahy.co.uk

After a lengthy absence, Sussex CCC - the oldest of the English county sides - has been promoted back to the County Championship's top flight. To celebrate a great year for the club, I am joined by Chairman JON FILBY to reflect on events on and off the pitch and he offers some upbeat thoughts on the future of county cricket.

For the first time in ten years, Essex has awarded a Testimonial Year and the recipient is long-serving opening bat NICK BROWNE. He joins a long list of Essex legends to have been bestowed the honour and he tells us about his plans for a very big year.

Brentwood pulled off the greatest day in their history by beating Northern CC by 9 wickets to lift the National Club Cup on Sunday at New Road, Worcester. Ian Livingston from the Premier League Cricket Club podcast who was commentating on the match and tells us all about a famous victory.

Also a report on Essex, who have been hit with a £100,000 fine (£50,000 suspended) over historical racism which took place at the club. Richard Clarke joins me to discuss the punishment and hope that this marks the end of a very dark chapter in the club's history.

The ECB has fired the starting gun on the sale of franchises in The Hundred and trouble is brewing. Essex has voiced opposition to the process but can it be stopped or amended?

Essex has also been deducted 12 Championship points for "Batgate". where Feroze Khushi was deemed using an "illegal" bat during the County Championship game against Nottinghamshire early in the season Is the punishment too harsh and why has it taken so long/

Richard Clarke joins me to discuss...

Chelmsford Cricket Club has secured the title of 2024 Champions of the Essex Premier League with a game to spare. 1st Team captain JACK STERLAND talks about their stunning season and how the celebrations are going.

PAUL NEWMAN, newly retired from his role as Chief Cricket Writer at The Daily Mail assesses the achievements of Joe Root, who has gone past Sir Alastair Cook's record of 33 Test centuries for England. At just 33, there is plenty of time to achieve even further greatness for the Yorkshire and England batter!

With the Test series between England and Sri Lanka underway, I'm joined by Mark Machado from "The Mural End" podcast to talk all things Sri Lankan cricket. We remember some of the great moments of the last forty years but are also worried about the current trajectory of Test cricket and the threat it poses to Sri Lanka. A really enjoyable chat!

Touring side Central Country Cricket Club has arrived in the UK from Barbados to embark on a tour that includes games against club sides in Essex. I am joined by club President Andrew Willoughby and his wife Cheryl, along with club captain Dwayne Alleyne, tour manager Jason Wilson and from Essex Cricket Graham Pryke, who has helped with sorting out the fixtures.

Follow the team's progress on Instagram at "centralcountryclub".

ITV's Mark Pougatch joins me to discuss the importance of all major sport - especially cricket - being made available on free-to-air television and not hiding behind a paywall.

In this episode, we remember Graham Thorpe, whose death was announced this week - gone far too early at 55. There's also news of the squad announced by England for the Test series against Sri Lanka and a look at goings-on in the county circuit, especially the exploits of a certain Rocky Flintoff. Plus a look at Round 13 of the Essex Premier League.