Friday 25 September 2015 20:29, UK
Everybody's very happy up here in Husthwaite - I think it might have something to do with the cider festival!
I'm staying until Sunday before heading to the Cricket Writers Dinner on Monday, then I'm off to the Henley Literary Festival on Tuesday - the start of a week's worth of book promotion for 'Last in the Tin Bath', my autobiography.
My itinerary includes Cheltenham, Wimbledon, Chepstow and Leadenhall so come along if you can.
Now, though, it's time to reveal my End-of-Season Awards. Congratulations to the victors. Everyone else? Here's what you could have won…
Celebration Cup
Mark Wood's pantomime horse takes this one by a nose from Stuart Broad's 'ghost'. He's tee-total, that lad Wood, and it's a good job too. His antics reminded me of Ashley Giles, who used to do imaginary Olympics on the boundary - the long jump, the pole vault…
Best Catch Chalice
We've seen some real stunners this summer - Ben Stokes' sensational effort in the fourth Test, which prompted 'the ghost' for one. But Glenn Maxwell's effort on the boundary in the fourth ODI edges it; his awareness was unbelievable. The first thing he did was take his eye off the ball to look where the boundary is.
Bounce Out Plate
Nasser Hussain. No wonder we didn't win much when he was at slip! He shelled two in a row in the slip catching demo, the second an absolute shocker. I knew that demonstration was going to go wrong from the off with 'poppadom fingers' involved.
Best Impression Crown
The lighter mood in the England camp these days shows that these guys are just human; they are a fantastic bunch of blokes, as Joe Root's impression of Bob Willis at Trent Bridge proved, as are Australia and New Zealand it has to be said. These three sets of players are spot on.
Funniest Moment Memento
Take a bow Andrew Sutcliffe! We gave him some stick after dropping a crowd catch over the boundary in the T20 against New Zealand at Old Trafford. Why? He's only the captain of Todmorden CC. We kept showing it on air and he got heaps!
Super, Smashing, Great Goblet
Full marks to Jonny Bairstow for his unbeaten 83 against New Zealand; he came in with nothing to lose and sealed the series. In fact, he performed so well that they left him out thereafter! But there's no better place than Lord's to score a fast hundred so the winner in this category is Ben Stokes for his ton off 85 balls.
A Bit of Bully Medal
Honourable mentions to Alex Hales and David Willey in this category but the winner is Brendon McCullum for his 158no off 64 balls in the T20 against Derbyshire. You can't beat a bit of bully and he dished it out to the bowlers that day.
Superb Spell Shield
Broadsword calling Danny Boy! Stuart Broad blew everyone out of the water with his 8-15. I turned up to the ground thinking it was going to be quiet… The catching wasn't half bad either, by the way.
BFH shilling
For the worst bowling figures in a T20 match for a full four overs, here's to you Graham Napier. Four overs, no maidens, 62 runs, no wickets. Napes - please collect your bus fare home.
Best Twitter debate
It's clear that there are plenty of people out there who care about the future of county cricket. I certainly wouldn't reduce the number of teams - what I would offer is the possibility of having three divisions with promotion and relegation. That may require 21 teams and include a minor counties XI, a Unicorns XI or an Academy XI. It may include Scotland, Ireland or Holland. The schedule would feature 12 Championship per division, plus a knockout 50-over competition and a block of T20 in the school holidays. I'd prefer 10 Championship matches but that's for another day. The key is that coaches and teams get times to prepare so that people watch the best possible performances.
The Get Tough Award
Well done, the ECB, for ensuring that players who misbehave on the field of play receive bans. The players will soon learn. You can't score runs or take wickets sat on the sidelines. #respect
Young Player Honours
This one's too tough to call so I'm going for joint-winners. Tom Abell, the Curran Brothers - I remember their Dad, you know, a really feisty cricketer - Jack Leaning, Dan Lawrence, Mason Crane, Josh Poysden. Let me know on Twitter who you'd pick out of that lot.
Best Night Plaque
We've covered some ground this summer but I'm plumping for Cardiff - not a place for the faint-hearted on a Friday! It was rocking during the Ashes; you needed a safety net!
The Roger Whittaker 'last farewell' silver salver
Awarded to those county stalwarts moving on. I've got a few of these to give out but principally to Michael Yardy, Geraint Jones, Gary Keedy, Richard Pyrah, Craig Kieswetter. N.B. Rob Key and Paul Collingwood are having another year!
Bullseye Tankard
What a finish! Gloucestershire and Surrey took us back to the good old days with a nail-biting, bum-nipping end to a one-day game in the Royal London One Day Cup final. It was an epic finish at Lord's. Spot on.
And Bumble's Special Prize…
…goes to Rob Key for his excellent commentary, sticking to his own unique health and fitness regime and scoring centuries for Kent. What a combination! Now where did I put that speedboat…?
