Key events<\/p>\n
Show key events only<\/p>\n
Please turn on JavaScript to use this feature<\/p>\n
Lunchtime scores<\/p>\n
DIVISION ONE<\/p>\n
Southampton: Hampshire<\/a> 112-4 v Somerset<\/p>\n Edgbaston: Warwickshire<\/a> 78-5 v Essex<\/p>\n DIVISION TWO<\/p>\n Bristol: Gloucestershire<\/a> 80-2 v Lancashire<\/p>\n Northampton: Northants v Middlesex<\/a> 106-4<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n A couple of notes about Lancashire\u2019s decision to put CC games behind a paywall have landed with a thud of disgust.<\/p>\n \u201cLancashire, as everyone is increasingly aware, is the worst run club in the country, in my opinion,\u201d writes Will Unwin. \u201cThe constant desperate cash grab is depressing to see. The viewing figures for games on YouTube are not exactly spectacular but it provides a fine service for hardcore supporters and makes it easily accessible for others. The platform will be more difficult to access; currently I can flick it on my television, not something I can say about LancsTV.<\/p>\n I have not spoken to a fan who has praised the move nor does it inspire confidence that the link the club points to is something that cannot be found.Anyway, good to have Jennings back and looking forward to seeing how Shetty does.\u201d<\/p>\n And Tim Maitland: \u201cLooking at Lancashire\u2019s figures for Blast and other limited overs fixtures on their Youtube channel (over 100,000 views for Blast matches against Yorkshire last year) I can understand that they might think going behind a paywall could work, but why include County Championship<\/a> games?<\/p>\n \u201dA quick and unscientific scan of their archive would suggest a day\u2019s play gets around 40,000 views per, which, if we\u2019re being generous might mean 10,000 people watching at some point each day. A proportion of those would be supporters of the visiting county, who of course now won\u2019t be able to watch their team going on and off for the interminable breaks for rain that, from my experience, is always falling somewhere in Manchester. Let\u2019s say 8,000 Lancashire sympathisers per day.<\/p>\n \u201dI wonder what the conversion rate would be of those 8,000 faced with paying the 20 quid. As many as 1,000? I swear, it seems some of the counties are doing their darndest to kill off the long-form game.\u201d<\/p>\n I’\u2019m a big fan of the free streams, for the same reasons as free-to air TV, and hope they will be able to sustain themselves with advertising and good will. But if this really isn\u2019t possible, the suggestion BTL of a cross-county subscription for the season is an excellent one.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n And a debut Essex<\/a> wicket for Zaman Akhter! The umpire\u2019s finger loops upwards and Ed Barnard is not happy to be given out lbw, but must shuffle away. The commentators aren\u2019t sure if he got an edge onto pad \u2013 to be honest, I can\u2019t tell. He\u2019s out anyway and Akhter gets mobbed by his teammates. Warwicks 65-5.<\/p>\n Also, I take it back, Akhter\u2019s run-up isn\u2019t dinky at all. Quite a solid acceleration.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Nice to see Zaman Akhter, a SACA graduate, bowling for Essex<\/a> after moving across from Glos in the great winter raid on Bristol\u2019s bowling stocks. He\u2019s got a woodchopper\u2019s build and gets good pace from quite a dinky run up. Warwicks 65-4.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Another wicket at Southampton \u2013 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<\/a> and young talent:<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a007.21 EDT<\/p>\n Interesting that a couple of the states \u2013 Queesland and New South Wales – are resistant to selling stakes in the BBL franchises.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Alfie Ogborne of Somerset celebrates the wicket of Nick Gubbins. Photograph: Dave Vokes\/ShutterstockShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a007.36 EDT<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Warwicks 26-3, Webster and Hain with the toolbelts.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n This is a great interview by Phil Walker with the idiosyncratic and brilliant Sarah Taylor.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Mighty Northants, flayers of Kent, have Middlesex<\/a> 22-3, two wickets to Australia\u2019s Harry Conway who has had a fabulous start to the season \u2013 15 wickets and counting.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Good morning Em Jackson!<\/p>\n \u201cClearly, 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. <\/p>\n “More generally, it\u2019s\u2019 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.<\/p>\n \u201dAnyway, hoping Glos. are at the very least still in the game on Day 4 this week!\u201d<\/p>\n Good point on the holidays. I do have sympathy for those in charge of the schedule, it\u2019s not easy, and counties can make various requests that we are not aware of. I\u2019m not totally convinced Glos will be still going on Monday \u2013 their banker Cameron Bancroft has just been run-out going for a dopey single \u2013 Glos 22 for one.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 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. <\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a006.33 EDT<\/p>\n A fascinating piece by Emma John, with a mention of Benny Howell of Hants, Glos and more.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a006.30 EDT<\/p>\n No mistake this time for third slip Walter, as the ball nestles in his midrift. A second wicket for Porter \u2013 Rob Yates gone for 8. Warwicks 12-2. Looks a bit dank out there at Edgbaston.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n A slippery drop at third slip, saves Warwickshire<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>Lancashire to charge for Lancs TV<\/p>\n A big announcement from Lancs between rounds \u2013 they are going to start charging punters to watch TV coverage of all men\u2019s matches, starting with the CC match against Middlesex<\/a> at Old Trafford on Friday 8 May. This will be via LancsTV+.<\/p>\n All women\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n Members get access to the stream for free, otherwise it costs \u00a320 for the season.<\/p>\n It follows fast on the heels of the decision to end the agreement with production company Badger and Combes.<\/p>\n Gloucestershire\u2019s Cameron Bancroft and James Anderson of Lancashire at the toss in Bristol. Photograph: Jacob Hurry\/ShutterstockShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a006.57 EDT<\/p>\n Wisden Cricketer’s Almanack No 163<\/p>\n The latest issue of the fat yellow book is out, the launch dinner at Lord\u2019s on Tuesday.<\/p>\n The Five Cricketers of the Year are: Haseeb Hameed, Shubman Gill, Ravindra Jajeja, Rishabh Pant and Mohammed Siraj<\/p>\n Lawrence Booth, the original Spin<\/a> correspondent, who was once my work experience kid and has been annoyingly brilliant ever since, is unsparing in his Editor\u2019s notes.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>Weatherwatch<\/p>\n Brrrr. Damp and chilly here in Manchester. The Met Office says:<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Gary Naylor\u2019s talking points.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>Fixtures<\/p>\n DIVISION ONE<\/p>\n Southampton: Hampshire<\/a> v Somerset<\/p>\n Edgbaston: Warwickshire<\/a> v Essex<\/p>\n DIVISION TWO<\/p>\n Bristol: Gloucestershire<\/a> v Lancashire<\/p>\n Northampton: Northants v Middlesex<\/p>\n