First match only a week away..

[James Jacob]

Just posting to see if anyone is coming to Middlesex Glamorgan? My incredible wife is letting me pop into the pavilion on the last day so if you are around do come say hello.

Yours

James

[John Assirati]

Thanks for the reminder but I'm planning to be there in two weeks not one !

[John Assirati]

My incredible wife is letting me pop into the pavilion on the last day

Is that day 4, or 3. or even 2 ? :). However, there's probably enough rain around to prolong the match.

[John Hegarty]

I'll be there for the first day of the season

[James Cohen]

I'll be there for the first day of the season

If weather forecast isn’t dreadful, I’ll be there!

[James Jacob]

Sorry of course I meant in two weeks

I'll be going to day 4 and also the mcc vs Scotland
An advantage of the Easter holidays.

James

[John (Fingers) Fingleton]

I'll be there for the first day of the season

I suspect, force majeure, I shall not be, more's the pity, but at least it will presumably be streamed ...

[John Assirati]

The weather forecast has worsened :mad:

[Andrew]

The weather forecast has worsened :mad:


The match now to be replaced by an on field performance of Thomas Adès ‘The Tempest’.

[VipinKhanna]

Not great news for the test hopeful's who need all the practice for the Summer test's. England are bottom of the table of WTC today so lot of hard work ahead to finish mid table

[John (Fingers) Fingleton]

The match now to be replaced by an on field performance of Thomas Adès ‘The Tempest’.

Or Mussorgsky's "Night on a Bare [/?Bald] Mountain"

[Andrew]

Or Mussorgsky's "Night on a Bare [/?Bald] Mountain"

I’m not quite sure what description of a normal Middlesex season is the most appropriate nowadays but a tempestuous night on a bare mountain seems like a good place to start!

[John Assirati]

The match now to be replaced by an on field performance of Thomas Adès ‘The Tempest’.

Or an appearance by the Scottish Band WET WET WET !

[Andrew]

Or an appearance by the Scottish Band WET WET WET !

Good one!

[John Assirati]

The weather forecast has improved - perhaps it won't rain all day every day ! ;)

[John Assirati]

Friday now looking the only bad day.

[John Hegarty]

Friday now looking the only bad day.

Bugger, that was my best day!

[Max Sawyer]

From today's MCC email: "...a Full Member need only show their red Membership Pass to gain entry to the Ground and Pavilion on any match day."
And on a non-match day? Haven't we just been here?

[John Assirati]

From today's MCC email: "...a Full Member need only show their red Membership Pass to gain entry to the Ground and Pavilion on any match day."
And on a non-match day? Haven't we just been here?

Max, this thread is primarily for Middlesex members so better posted elsewhere.

[Max Sawyer]

Will do, John.

[John (Fingers) Fingleton]

Any ideas why (some) Middlesex players are wearing black armbands today? Perhaps some player's grannie's dog has headed up to the kennel in the sky.

Beautiful sunshine here down the road, at least at the moment, and I am still confined to barracks and missing the first ball of the season for the first time for about 50+ years. Mind you, at Nelson for 1, perhaps I should be relieved. I don't even recognise half our players today - clearly I've grown far too old!

[John (Fingers) Fingleton]

Plus ca change ... Middlesex seem determined to go on as they finished last year ... 118/1 against them at lunch on Day 1 ... not a perfect start!

I just hope to be given cause to eat my words ...

[MIDDLE EXILE]

[QUOTE=John (Fingers) Fingleton;108325][B]
Any ideas why (some) Middlesex players are wearing black armbands today? Perhaps some player's grannie's dog has headed up to the kennel in the sk

I would have thought all Middlesex members and supporters would be aware of the recent passing of outstanding club servants Charlie Robins and Mike Murray, or perhaps some are happier to broadcast their ignorance. Shame on you Fingers.

[John (Fingers) Fingleton]

[QUOTE=John (Fingers) Fingleton;108325][B]
Any ideas why (some) Middlesex players are wearing black armbands today? Perhaps some player's grannie's dog has headed up to the kennel in the sk

I would have thought all Middlesex members and supporters would be aware of the recent passing of outstanding club servants Charlie Robins and Mike Murray, or perhaps some are happier to broadcast their ignorance. Shame on you Fingers.


Thank you for the update. No shame felt at all - apart from the fact that they were both friends of mine over 50 or so years, I could not understand why only some players were mourning their loss - and albeit some weeks after the relevant events. Surely if it was a team and club mark of respect then all players should have been so adorned?

Black armbands are worn so often by so many sports players these days that it can be hard to keep up - and often for seemingly fairly unlikely reasons.

PS: No comment, I note, on Middlesex's customary start to the season ...

[MIDDLE EXILE]

Not good enough Fingers, all were wearing armbands, though not all visibly, and of course it was the very first time they had the opportunity to show their respect.I believe players and officials also observed a period of silence before the start of play. I'm always happy to keep you better informed.

[MIDDLE EXILE]

I'd not be over critical of today's performance. The new Kookaburra ball, a flat pitch, together with a cloudless sky and a high wind plus a short boundary made things especially difficult for our bowlers, who stuck manfully to their task all day and maintained a healthy over rate,

[John (Fingers) Fingleton]

Not good enough Fingers, all were wearing armbands, though not all visibly, and of course it was the very first time they had the opportunity to show their respect.I believe players and officials also observed a period of silence before the start of play. I'm always happy to keep you better informed.

You really do have the skillset to spew out a load of bollocks on a regular basis! Presumably the ones wearing them 'not visibly' were adorning their boxes/jock straps with their black bands. But I just wonder how you would know that ...

Perhaps the 'period of silence' might have sufficed? Respectful, dignified and .. sufficient (and not just in this case).

[John (Fingers) Fingleton]

I'd not be over critical of today's performance. The new Kookaburra ball, a flat pitch, together with a cloudless sky and a high wind plus a short boundary made things especially difficult for our bowlers, who stuck manfully to their task all day and maintained a healthy over rate,



Five rather feeble but conventional excuses for a regular display of ineptitude, entirely in keeping with the type that sent us straight back to the 2nd division after the briefest of forays in the sunny uplands.

[MIDDLE EXILE]

Five rather feeble but conventional excuses for a regular display of ineptitude, entirely in keeping with the type that sent us straight back to the 2nd division after the briefest of forays in the sunny uplands.

Not excuses, but my take on what I was watching and some reasons for the disappointing scoreline. Your knowledge and understanding of the game as you constantly demonstrate is next to nil and your comments, criticism, and bluster only tend to emphasize your ignorance. Why not try and tell us what exactly was inept in today's performance, and give credit to an outstanding batting perfect by Glamorgan in favorable conditions.(and try to avoid bad language)All wore black armbands on their shirts, some under their sweaters as explained to me by those who were there.

[John (Fingers) Fingleton]

Not excuses, but my take on what I was watching and some reasons for the disappointing scoreline. Your knowledge and understanding of the game as you constantly demonstrate is next to nil and your comments, criticism, and bluster only tend to emphasize your ignorance. Why not try and tell us what exactly was inept in today's performance, and give credit to an outstanding batting perfect by Glamorgan in favorable conditions.(and try to avoid bad language)All wore black armbands on their shirts, some under their sweaters as explained to me by those who were there.


Mea Culpa. You are, of course, as ever, absolutely correct - after all, what the hell do I know about the game? I only played it at various levels, from league to village to nomadic club and everything in between, probably around 500 times, for any number of clubs, and am still a member of around 12-15 (and President of one). And, of course, I had forgotten, silly me, what a deleterious effect a cloudless sky could have upon the game (you and Dicky Bird, in his renowned incident when "Good Light Stopped Play" - July 1995!). Oh - and membership of MCC and Middlesex for well over 50 years, and attendance at Lord's and around the counties and the world for probably several thousand days of cricket, count for zilch.

No wonder you live in exile - 'nuff said.

PS: I still find the constant wearing of black armbands these days for the slightest reason decidedly mawkish ... especially when other tributes are paid to the departed.

PPS: Well batted Glamorgan - after all, it always takes two to tango.

[MIDDLE EXILE]

I am intrigued.I am sure your revelation of an extensive playing career comes as a surprise to many.I can find no record of you playing anywhere at all at any level, so a few more details would be most welcome. Yet despite your lifelong involvement with the game, you appear to have learned nothing, although you are desperate to express an opinion on all things cricket,I find your comments and opinions worthless, together with your failure to answer my simple questions, only further proof of a total misunderstanding of 'what's going on out there'.I'm sure all on here have no interest in us continuing to trade insults, and I realize it's remiss of me to pick on such an easy target as yourself for which I apologize. Carry on talking rubbish, your posts are always good for a laugh.

[adelaide]

First day of the season and you two are at each other's throats already. Just like Middlesex's first day, no change from last year. It makes unpleasant reading and doesn't make others inclined sot stick around.

We'll see whether it is a featherbed when we get to bat, after Northeast gets his quadruple century. My take, watching the stream before lunch, was that too many four balls were being bowled. Northeast looked superb dispatching them but there seemed to be a lack of intensity and he never seemed to be put under any pressure. Maybe the bowling tightened up later, despite the scoreboard.

[John (Fingers) Fingleton]

I am intrigued.I am sure your revelation of an extensive playing career comes as a surprise to many.I can find no record of you playing anywhere at all at any level, so a few more details would be most welcome. Yet despite your lifelong involvement with the game, you appear to have learned nothing, although you are desperate to express an opinion on all things cricket,I find your comments and opinions worthless, together with your failure to answer my simple questions, only further proof of a total misunderstanding of 'what's going on out there'.I'm sure all on here have no interest in us continuing to trade insults, and I realize it's remiss of me to pick on such an easy target as yourself for which I apologize. Carry on talking rubbish, your posts are always good for a laugh.

Until you make an even greater fool of yourself I shall try and observe Miss Adelaide's aspirations.

PS: Maybe you are looking in the wrong places ... you are unlikely to find me in the columns of ESPN Cricinfo, but then many thousands of such committed participants do so 'below the parapet' of public record.

[MIDDLE EXILE]

I'd agree that the bowling lacked accuracy, too short or too wide on occasions, but hardly amounted to ineptitude as described by Fingers, and certainly not reminiscent of last season when it was certainly the batting rather than the bowling that could be so described. Fingers constantly displays his ignorance and I feel compelled to correct him when I consider it necessary. His failure to acknowledge his shortcomings or ever admit he's got it wrong only tends to increase the problem and lead to unpleasantness.I disagree that any are put off from participating due to our little spats, but will endeavor to desist in the future.

[John (Fingers) Fingleton]

I'd agree that the bowling lacked accuracy, too short or too wide on occasions, but hardly amounted to ineptitude as described by Fingers, and certainly not reminiscent of last season when it was certainly the batting rather than the bowling that could be so described. Fingers constantly displays his ignorance and I feel compelled to correct him when I consider it necessary. His failure to acknowledge his shortcomings or ever admit he's got it wrong only tends to increase the problem and lead to unpleasantness.I disagree that any are put off from participating due to our little spats, but will endeavor to desist in the future.

HMV!!!

[MIDDLE EXILE]

PS: Maybe you are looking in the wrong places ... you are unlikely to find me in the columns of ESPN Cricinfo, but then many thousands of such committed participants do so 'below the parapet' of public record.[/B][/QUOTE]
One could never accuse you of behaving 'below the parapet'! 500 games of cricket, yet I can find no one or no place who recalls any, forgive me if I take that claim with a large pinch of salt.

[John (Fingers) Fingleton]

Got'em on the run this morning - kept them back to 461/3 ... so far. And Northeast double century .. hey ho.

Clever insertion on a bright sunny day yesterday. But then, what the heck do I know?

[John (Fingers) Fingleton]

PS: Maybe you are looking in the wrong places ... you are unlikely to find me in the columns of ESPN Cricinfo, but then many thousands of such committed participants do so 'below the parapet' of public record.[/B]
One could never accuse you of behaving 'below the parapet'! 500 games of cricket, yet I can find no one or no place who recalls any, forgive me if I take that claim with a large pinch of salt.[/QUOTE]

213 appearances for Heartaches CC, 1976 -?2005 and around 100/150 for Penywern Taverners, 3 seasons for Bix CC - and many other guest turnouts - including, eg, The Bushmen (when, on one occasion I shared a century stand with Eric Russell - mind you, he dominated the partnership, just, with around 80+ of them!). Umpired just a few score as well, and was 1st XI Scorer at school for 3-4 years.

And you?

Can't wait to see your justification for Middlesex's continued skill at c-o-p today.

[MIDDLE EXILE]

Congratulations to Sam Northeast on passing the previous highest score by a Glamorgan batter against Middlesex, and incidentally mentioning he would certainly have bowled if he had won the toss, and now the highest-ever individual score in a championship match at Lord's.

[Sillypoint]

Not great reading this. Is a shame as I'm sure beneath the blistering personal attacks there are grounds for a pleasant discussion about Middx fortunes in this match. I'm quite shocked at the lack of intensity, application and planning. Surely you've seen the wicket ahead of time and planned for eventualities if inserting

A long season ahead. I do wonder if the coaches and skipper and just not being heard anymore.... Auto pilot defeats as per our whiteball....

[Sillypoint]

Congratulations to Sam Northeast on passing the previous highest score by a Glamorgan batter against Middlesex,and incidentally mentioning he would certainly have bowled if he had won the toss.

They mightve bowled first but doubt they'd have bowled as badly

[MIDDLE EXILE]

Worth recalling Glamorgan v Middlesex 1993, Glammy 562-3 Dec,The Middle won by 10 wickets!

[Sillypoint]

Fair. Don't until both sides had a go

[Max Sawyer]

Max, this thread is primarily for Middlesex members...

On reflection, the thread title doesn't make this clear, so I will post that it is good to see the ECB live stream of the current matches up and running - basic commentary and no music or other distractions.

[John (Fingers) Fingleton]

Worth recalling Glamorgan v Middlesex 1993, Glammy 562-3 Dec,The Middle won by 10 wickets!

A drift of Gloucester Old Spots just seen flying past my window, heading south from HQ! Lightning etc ... (despite 138/1 at the close ... credit where it's due ... but what do I know?)

Bravo, Northeast; ta-ta Goochie!

[John Assirati]

On reflection, the thread title doesn't make this clear, so I will post that it is good to see the ECB live stream of the current matches up and running - basic commentary and no music or other distractions.

I meant that your post relating to MCC member access to the ground was listed in the Middlesex 'Til We Die section, sub-section Middlesex Fixtures and Match Discussion. References to MCC matters should be posted elsewhere, not least because many MCC members won't bother to read threads relating to Middlesex. You plainly posted in the wrong place in the first instance.

[MIDDLE EXILE]

Control your paranoia Fingers.I never suggested a repeat of that extraordinary result was likely, just thought it worth a mention, However, I still think there is a distinct possibility of us chasing a fourth innings target on Monday, and then who knows what may occur, might even see a drove of The Welsh variety drifting over W1.

[James Jacob]

Well Middlesex are now rebuilding. I will certainly be there tomorrow with a collection of Middlesex members and friends - if anyone else is there please come say hello. Should start up top then head to the Bowlers.

Always magical one's first day of the season at Lord's and hope that others had a great time these past few days. Delighted for Northeast who I remember as teenager when he played against my school. (I'm slightly older and nowhere near as good). Wish I'd been there yesterday and now hope that one of our batsmen will start the season in the same style.

Take care and hope you are all well.

James

[Max Sawyer]

Congratulations to Sam Northeast on passing the previous highest score by a Glamorgan batter against Middlesex, and incidentally mentioning he would certainly have bowled if he had won the toss, and now the highest-ever individual score in a championship match at Lord's.

Strange he has never been deemed good enough for a test place - or did he upset someone at the ECB and has been paying the price ever since?
He is someting of a modern-day C.B. Fry.
Wikipedia - "In 2005 Northeast won seven national cricket awards, including the BBC Test Match Special young cricketer of the year and the Gray-Nicolls best schools cricketer awards. He won a Bunbury scholarship and played for England under–15s. An allround sportsman, Northeast was a national schools rackets champion, a county squash player and cross-country runner, and was offered county trials in football and rugby union. He turned down trials with the England Independent Schools football team and held Kent age-group records in the 400 metres and long-jump."
No offer of a throne, but that story may be apocryphal.

[MIDDLE EXILE]

A highly successful day on which all batted sensibly and responsibly and made significant contributions Most unlikely that Glamorgan will set us a target but eight draw points seem assured.A predictable silence from the doomsayers, too churlish to give credit where it is due.

[adelaide]

A highly successful day on which all batted sensibly and responsibly and made significant contributions Most unlikely that Glamorgan will set us a target but eight draw points seem assured.A predictable silence from the doomsayers, too churlish to give credit where it is due.

Yes, good batting performance, Missing out on the third batting point was a bit annoying but the priority was still to avoid the follow on. Glamorgan bowled much more tightly than we did, probably because of what they saw of the pitch while batting. I don't think I'd go for "highly successful" as it is pretty obvious from the two innings how dead the pitch is for the bowlers. If we exceeded expectations/fears today it's a consequence of last season's struggles.

If all the Lord's pitches are going to be like this, it ain't going to be much fun watching. More of an even contest please (yes, I know it's not in Middlesex's control).

[John (Fingers) Fingleton]

A highly successful day on which all batted sensibly and responsibly and made significant contributions Most unlikely that Glamorgan will set us a target but eight draw points seem assured.A predictable silence from the doomsayers, too churlish to give credit where it is due.

If that slur was meant to include me, as I imagine is the case, wrong again ... (although I have had other, even more important, matters to attend to during the day today).

I give full credit to our batsMEN for a very competent performance on what appears to be a thoroughly unsatisfactory strip. along with the seeming inadequacies of the Kookaburra ball. But to have had almost 1100 runs scored for a mere 8 wickets taken, over 3 full, uninterrupted, days (when did that last happen in April?!) is a terrible slight on the game of cricket generally.

This sort of performance is not very likely to attract more bums on seats or more umbrella handles being gnawed in nervous excitement.

[MIDDLE EXILE]

Well on reflection Adelaide, I'd probably agree I may have been a bit over the top with my lavish praise of our brave lads. Forgive my over-enthusiasm which was rather tinged with relief that we managed to extract ourselves from a potentially losing position.I think the occupation of the crease was the main requirement and the loss of a batting point was a minor consideration in the circumstances. I believe the two we did manage were little less than we gathered all last season.I think the system of bonus points is somewhat flawed and needs a rethink anyway. The poor recent weather has affected pitch preparation and I'm hopeful things will improve should it remain comparatively dry in the coming weeks.

[MIDDLE EXILE]

Ha, Ha Fingers, it appears your imagination has fun away with you once more. Not a slur, but merely a mild rebuke to some, and certainly not directed at your good self whom I acknowledge to be fair and generous at all times. Our Batters certainly did all that could have been asked of them yesterday. and yes the pitch and the ball did contribute to their success even though you were so dismissive of their influence on the first day, glad to see you're learning something all the time. When was the last time you gnawed your umbrella handle?

[Sillypoint]

Good they fought through but decent batting grind doesn't abdicate responsibility for the indifferent bowling plans and poor execution. Perhaps the green tent wickets at MTS were great for getting batters in form but gave false perspective to our seamers. Agree bonus system isn't working at intended.

[Sillypoint]

Thought the Davies dismissal was disappointing. A nothing delivery and lost concentration. He must be gutted

[MIDDLE EXILE]

I'd tend to question the selection policy.By picking five right-arm seam bowlers of similar style and pace,it lent a certain sameness to the attack which was to the advantage of the Glamorgan batters.I expect a bit more variation next week.

[MIDDLE EXILE]

Records continue to tumble at Lords, career bests for Helm and Higgins. Higgo highest ever individual score for Middlesex against Glamorgan, Middlesex's total is the highest ever in a championship match at Lords, and Middlesex's highest ever in a home match on all grounds. Sam Northeast passes Sam Robson's record of the most runs by an individual in a county match at Lords.

[John (Fingers) Fingleton]

Ref #42 and 45 ... much humble pie being consumed ... funny game, cricket ... !!!

Chapeau!

[adelaide]

I'd tend to question the selection policy.By picking five right-arm seam bowlers of similar style and pace,it lent a certain sameness to the attack which was to the advantage of the Glamorgan batters.I expect a bit more variation next week.

Trouble is, all our seam bowlers are variations on the same theme and it is hardly news that our attack does not look threatening when there is little help. I suppose we could bring back Tom Barber; there was no sameness when he was bowling!

Ul Hassan must have kicked a black cat before the match.

It's easy to play down the records because the pitch was so flat but the likelihood is that the records that were broken were set in equally benign conditions. Though with six wickets going down today so far the pitch has clearly become a minefield.

[MIDDLE EXILE]

But why the necessity to play five of them when surely four would have been sufficient and include an extra batter such as White or Crackers,or a spinning all-rounder such as Fernando or Hollman? And why was Robbo not thought worthy of turning his arm over? Cornwall is a left-armer,so yet another option.

[Sillypoint]

Can I ask those with more historical knowhow.... How many matches are lords trying to get out of their square? I assume centre pitches are test, odi, hundred? Have midx always played out on the margins? The boundary was a bit of a joke so no wonder records fell.... Reminds me of ali brown at oval getting his 260 in limited over game but the boundary was fifty yards

[Sillypoint]

But why the necessity to play five of them when surely four would have been sufficient and include an extra batter such as White or Crackers,or a spinning all-rounder such as Fernando or Hollman? And why was Robbo not thought worthy of turning his arm over?

Robbo off field. Finger maybe when fielding?

[MIDDLE EXILE]

Not in their first innings.

[adelaide]

But why the necessity to play five of them when surely four would have been sufficient and include an extra batter such as White or Crackers,or a spinning all-rounder such as Fernando or Hollman? And why was Robbo not thought worthy of turning his arm over? Cornwall is a left-armer,so yet another option.

Glamorgan also had five seamers, two of whom were left armers, but that didn't help much. They bowled better lines but they were essentially defensive lines. We had a front line spinner, plus a part-timer. They had two part time spinners (Carlson doesn't bowl much though you would not have known it) and I'm not sure I would have wanted Hollman or Fernandes exposed to full on Northeast! The most likely outcome of fielding just four seamers on this pitch would have been four totally exhausted seamers. The idea that an extra batsman would have been useful seems a bit odd given how the match went. I take the point about Cornwall being a leftie but is he anywhere near ready?

The man I felt most for was Chris Cooke, keeping wicket for more than 200 overs. The keeper is the fulcrum of the team in the field and cannot switch off. He deserves a good few beers tonight.

[MIDDLE EXILE]

It's only my opinion Adelaide and merely a suggestion for an alternative way of going about things.Glammy's varied attack certainly did bowl better than we did and restricted our run rate but facing such a daunting total we needed to proceed with caution.I welcome your efforts to contradict me at every opportunity and I respect your opinion unlike some others but I'd not get too carried away as it may cloud your judgment.I certainly wouldn't call Josh a front-line spinner, still learning his trade.Toby with little variety to call on seemed bereft of ideas and none of the others seemed keen to offer advice.

[adelaide]

It's only my opinion Adelaide and merely a suggestion for an alternative way of going about things.Glammy's varied attack certainly did bowl better than we did and restricted our run rate but facing such a daunting total we needed to proceed with caution.I welcome your efforts to contradict me at every opportunity and I respect your opinion unlike some others but I'd not get too carried away as it may cloud your judgment.I certainly wouldn't call Josh a front-line spinner, still learning his trade.Toby with little variety to call on seemed bereft of ideas and none of the others seemed keen to offer advice.

Agree Josh is work in development but I'd say he is closer to front line than Carlson and Ingram. I'm not sure it was the left/right variation that helped Glamorgan bowl better (though arguably with no greater threat) or using the experience of their innings to work out a plan. I'd agree that we sometimes look rudderless in the field when things aren't going well and Toby doesn't give the impression of changing things on the field but the Glammy plan presumably had input from the coach. It's not a new thing for Middlesex either; it's been apparent for several years.

So we probably agree more than disagree. I think our team selection is mainly right arm seamers because the bowlers on our playing staff other than tyros are right arm seamers. We can't afford to have as many options on the staff as some (most?) of our rivals either, nor can we recruit an overseas like Afridi (or anyone) to balance the attack. We are where the issues of the last few years have left us.

[MIDDLE EXILE]

I appreciate our limited resources and understand the reasons for it, but I do question if we are making the best use of what we have. Toby seems to be captain more by default rather than by ability and lacks imagination, whilst Johnno is another with fixed ideas and a somewhat dogmatic attitude. Where Fraser, Coleman, Mark Lane, and others are happy to go on comms and communicate with us, Johnno appears strangely reluctant to do so and only seems happy when answering non-probing questions from his mate Fletch. I am firmly of the view that five seamers were not required for this match and expect at least one change on Friday. I'd appreciate a bit more information as to who is unfit or unavailable for any other reason, that is lacking at present.

[Sillypoint]

Agree TRJ seems to skipper on autopilot rather than feel. Will be interesting for jdc this season. Batters will know him a lot more. Got a lot of wickets with arm balls so let's see how he's developed on less flat tracks. I do think he got out bowled but it wasn't the same tempo to score against spin when we were batting

[adelaide]

I'd appreciate a bit more information as to who is unfit or unavailable for any other reason, that is lacking at present.

Ah, the good old days when any injured player was "two weeks from fitness"!

[David Dodd]

When will the ECB get real about the English weather?. The central heating is still on and my county - Hampshire did not see a ball bowled in any of the four days!

[Philip Banham]

David,

Re #71

Perhaps they should move the unmentionable from August to April - children on Easter break could go and watch the rain fall, listen to loud music and watch the firework display.

[Alan Malby]

When will the ECB get real about the English weather?. The central heating is still on and my county - Hampshire did not see a ball bowled in any of the four days!

The ECB must be delighted to have got the a Championship match out the way......... one result, six draws and two abandoned, when the weather could have been much worse, except for the cold.

Presumably the next few matches will include players on short-term contracts appearing and disappearing..... important to keep up-to-date with who actually plays for your team.

[James While]

On the subject of 'first game a week away' - not the case for club cricketers.

Bham league have pushed back start by 2 weeks as have others.

At the time of writing, I am skippering the MCC v Eng Over50s Sec's match on 21 April at the wonderful Stourport on Severn CC but the ground is under threat and that's almost 2 weeks away. Stourport is 200m away from the river, but dries amazingly well- but the water table underneath is so high it simply cannot drain.

Bluntly it's bloody depressing. Especially as I'm hitting it well at the moment and I am sure by the time I get outside I'll be seeing it the size of a full stop....

[adelaide]

Looking at the MCCC website, all four end-of-day player interviews are introduced by "We caught up with..."

Either our players need to run faster so as not to be caught, or the copy-and-paste AI that writes the articles needs to execute its skills and come up with new cliches.

[Sillypoint]

Not in their first innings.

Really

[Alan Malby]

The ECB must be delighted to have got the a Championship match out the way......... one result, six draws and two abandoned, when the weather could have been much worse, except for the cold.

Presumably the next few matches will include players on short-term contracts appearing and disappearing..... important to keep up-to-date with who actually plays for your team.

Every match drawn in the second round of the Championship during the first half of April - plays into the undermining of the counties and progresses the ECB's narrative against their viability and the necessity for The Hundred or equivalent with 8-10 teams, despite far smaller geographic coverage.