County Championship 2026

[sussexpob]

Another guy to keep an eye out for this round is Calvin Harrison at Northants. I am not sure if he's played on a few sandpits recently and its made him look good, but the established criticism of him in the past was the fact he doesn't spin the ball at all, but watching highlights of him bowling this year and the end of last year as far as I can see he is turning the ball miles. He did a Shane Warne trademark "bowled round the legs" to someone last week.

With a successful year last year, a bare cupboard and the fact he can also bat with a 100 first game, I'd imagine England will be watching

[sussexpob]

Just like twice v Sussex last week, Warwickshire's top order has been blown away for nowt again.

Turning on to see Simon Cook swinging one about 4 meters, 60/4 might feel closer to 600/4. Half the pitch is bright green....

[Durhamfootman]

Essex have Warwickshire 2 down early...not convinced about the team selection though with Harmer looking likely to bat 7 to squeeze Zaman Akhter into the side ...the batting lacks depth again this week

Mulder has had to go home, I believe

[Durhamfootman]

Feels like Harry Conway has made a good start to the season in div 2

[sussexpob]

Mulder has had to go home, I believe

Yes, said on comms that he returned to South Africa for personal reasons, but only temporarily.

[sussexpob]

I am not sure of the exact new rules on player substitutes, but if a player misses the start of a game for personal "life events", can they be subbed back into the game for this reason, or only subbed out for incidents that occur before?

[andy]

Porter in the wickets at warks reach 115-7 before the rain arrives

[sussexpob]

Not many runs around today

[Durhamfootman]

I am not sure of the exact new rules on player substitutes, but if a player misses the start of a game for personal "life events", can they be subbed back into the game for this reason, or only subbed out for incidents that occur before?

I assume that if it occurred before the game, they would just be left out of the side, so they can subbed out if they are in the side, is the way I understand it. I doubt they'd be allowed to leave and then return, because it's just intended to let the player leave, without leaving the team a player short

But then, who knows........ Somerset or Yorkshire might find a new interpretation for us all to consider

[Arthur Crabtree]

Somerset v Hants bubbling up nicely with Hants fighting back. Got a hunch J.Rew will get called up this summer, at least to a squad.

[sussexpob]

Watching Northants this afternoon. Sales Jnr getting the prize for the least footwork I think I have ever seen a top 6 batter have in the CC. Those feet may as well be encased in concrete, consistently flashing at the ball.

Averages mid 20s. Almost like the only reason he has a contract is because his dad is a club legend?

[sussexpob]

Somerset v Hants bubbling up nicely with Hants fighting back. Got a hunch J.Rew will get called up this summer, at least to a squad.

Going to have to be a sub, Toby Albert's knee has blown up..... hobbled off.

[sussexpob]

Averages mid 20s. Almost like the only reason he has a contract is because his dad is a club legend?

Think it might be his dad commentating too. Just proper edged one wide of third slip and comms is saying what a shot

Toby RJ all over these two, two edges in 4 balls, nothing sticking. Old Toby bowls in slow motion now, but he's got the ball swinging all over.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Somerset v Hants bubbling up nicely with Hants fighting back. Got a hunch J.Rew will get called up this summer, at least to a squad.

Going to have to be a sub, Toby Albert's knee has blown up..... hobbled off.

Only just got in the side. I know this because he's in my FL XI

[Durhamfootman]

Somerset v Hants bubbling up nicely with Hants fighting back. Got a hunch J.Rew will get called up this summer, at least to a squad.

It's an interesting one, because the assumption is that Bethell, currently not playing at all in the IPL, is nailed on for number 3, yet England wk Jamie Smith, who doesn't keep for Surrey is absolutely filling his boots on featherbeds at 3. Rew, who does keep, is also scoring runs for fun. If we take the 'reconnect with county cricket' soundbites at face value instead of assuming they are the meaningless platitudes that they really are, then Bethell doesn't play in the first test, because he won't have played any cricket for weeks and any red ball cricket for months, Smith bats 3 and Rew takes the gloves at 7. Bethell waits in the wings for one of those two to cock it up..... unless he opens with Duckett