Lancashire to put matches behind paywall; Hampshire v Somerset, and more: county cricket – live | County Championship

Another wicket at Southampton – this time for Lewis Gregory, fit and firing again. Hampshire 83-3. Another catch for James Rew, who gets a mention in this piece about Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and young talent:

A delay at Bristol, where wicketkeeper Matty Hurst has hurt himself, but seems to be fit to continue after a bit of physio patchwork. No news yet on ASD or possible replacement.

Mmmm, curious choice by Beau Webster to open his shoulders and tee off against Shane Snater. Stumps splattered, though he does play an excellent forward-defensive as he walks off. Warwicks 48-4.

Interesting that a couple of the states – Queesland and New South Wales – are resistant to selling stakes in the BBL franchises.

Hampshire had the best of the first hour in Southampton, with Tom Prest tucking into Jack Leach. But Craig Overton has just sent him on his way, caught by James Rew for 17. A wicket too for the impressive young quick Alfie Ogborne. Hampshire, who won the toss and chose to bat, 51-2.

Not a huge surprise that Jamie Porter and Sam Cook are proving tricky April customers. Porter now has 3-16 from his five overs, Mousley the latest to be sent on his way, lbw for 10. Cook has had a catch dropped.

Warwicks 26-3, Webster and Hain with the toolbelts.

This is a great interview by Phil Walker with the idiosyncratic and brilliant Sarah Taylor.

Mighty Northants, flayers of Kent, have Middlesex 22-3, two wickets to Australia’s Harry Conway who has had a fabulous start to the season – 15 wickets and counting.

Good morning Em Jackson!

“Clearly, as an ex-Glos player, hoping that Ajeet Singh-Dale is OK after what looked like a horrible injury & what the subs rule was actually designed for.

“More generally, it’s’ the third week of three that schools around the country have had Easter holidays. So when the 4-day game is desperate for new fans, how have we only got 4 matches this weekend? Seems madness.

”Anyway, hoping Glos. are at the very least still in the game on Day 4 this week!”

Good point on the holidays. I do have sympathy for those in charge of the schedule, it’s not easy, and counties can make various requests that we are not aware of. I’m not totally convinced Glos will be still going on Monday – their banker Cameron Bancroft has just been run-out going for a dopey single – Glos 22 for one.

Bad news for Lancs at Bristol, where Ajeet Singh Dale seems to have done something nasty to his hamstring and has limped off. A real shame on his return to his old club. Glos 8-0.

A fascinating piece by Emma John, with a mention of Benny Howell of Hants, Glos and more.

No mistake this time for third slip Walter, as the ball nestles in his midrift. A second wicket for Porter – Rob Yates gone for 8. Warwicks 12-2. Looks a bit dank out there at Edgbaston.

A slippery drop at third slip, saves Warwickshire from the doldrums of 12-2. Sam Cook the bowler, Dan Mousley the lucky batter. Alex Davies, keeping wicket for the first time this season, was out first ball to Jamie Porter. Warwickshire 12-1.

A big announcement from Lancs between rounds – they are going to start charging punters to watch TV coverage of all men’s matches, starting with the CC match against Middlesex at Old Trafford on Friday 8 May. This will be via LancsTV+.

All women’s games will remain free via Lancs TV. For CC games, the first ten mins will be streamed and then viewers will be able to access radio commentary/scorecards.

Members get access to the stream for free, otherwise it costs £20 for the season.

It follows fast on the heels of the decision to end the agreement with production company Badger and Combes.

The latest issue of the fat yellow book is out, the launch dinner at Lord’s on Tuesday.

The Five Cricketers of the Year are: Haseeb Hameed, Shubman Gill, Ravindra Jajeja, Rishabh Pant and Mohammed Siraj

Lawrence Booth, the original Spin correspondent, who was once my work experience kid and has been annoyingly brilliant ever since, is unsparing in his Editor’s notes.

Brrrr. Damp and chilly here in Manchester. The Met Office says:

A band of rain will gradually move eastwards across the UK today, although not reaching the southeast until evening. Largely dry, bright and warm ahead of the rain, with blustery and occasionally heavy showers following.

Gary Naylor’s talking points.

DIVISION ONE

Southampton: Hampshire v Somerset

Edgbaston: Warwickshire v Essex

DIVISION TWO

Bristol: Gloucestershire v Lancashire

Northampton: Northants v Middlesex

Good morning! We’re already rolling through the the weeks, picking up pace as the spring starts to blossom. Just four rounds this week – for reasons I can’t explain – but we’ll be able to keep a close eye on events at the RoseBowl, Edgbaston, Bristol and Northampton. Pull up a chair and join us, play starts at 11am BST.