Maybe let’s see how he gets on in div. 1

There’s a lad tearing up trees with the ball in div. 2 this season. Plays for Lancs. 21 wickets averaging 12.1. Good shout for the first test?

I think I did manage that eventually, with help from someone too young to get verified themselves.

As the sun goes down on Tuesday 7th April at @HomeOfCricket who will triumph in the @CricketSociety / @MCCOfficial Book of The Year for 2026? All authors will be present so good luck @timwig @RWhitehead61 @swildecricket @deanbwilson #maxbonnell #vicmarks -fine books by all.

It’s everything. It’s the sweeping, faux grandiose soundtrack, the mirthless obsession with ‘traditions’ that began yesterday, the handover of the green jacket and that fucking cabin. The whole kit and caboodle renders me rageful.

Don’t. We’re about to endure the enervating pomposity of The Masters. I want the next four days to be golf free.

It’s frustratingly asymmetrical when you look at both Compton and Edrich from the pavilion with the press box (not quite) in the middle. But mercifully I spend the bulk of my days at the far more beautiful ground in Kennington.

Matt Critchley currently averages 173 with the bat and 1.5 with the ball this season. Keep that up and he may get to carry the drinks for the Lions.

Looked quite a flat pitch when the ball got older and the bowlers got tired. I’m just hoping they stay in it at this stage, but yes, this feels like it’s their time to shine.

Well, precisely. And he only has to have an ‘impact’ if Crawley’s selection is a guide.

He’ll be opening next week.

Meanwhile, Jack Leach is batting at 8 for Somerset.

Ben Foakes finally dismissed at Edgbaston, 302 runs after he was last dismissed there.

It wouldn’t be the same without the requirement for a rug and a thermos of brandy infused tea.

Err. OK. I mean, Pinter did once say that cricket was better than sex.

Here we go.

I think Lyds isn’t commentating on women’s cricket for Sky anymore. I say ‘think’. I read it somewhere. But I read a lot and I can’t remember where.

September is tricky, but as we established last year thanks to great statistical work from Andrew Samson, April is weirdly the best time to bat. Not for bowling spin, however.

Where MEN’s cricket? The lamestream WOKE BBC CRICKET MEDIA, have been systematically DESTROYING CRICKET by WHINING that there is too much cricket. Under my ICC Presidencery THERE WOUKD BE CRICKET EVERY DAY. It’s been weeks? They MUST play MORE CRICKET.Thank you for your attention to this matter

Yes. That was when job titles were properly macho, instead of the mealy-mouthed, crypto-woke, technocratic, neoliberal nonsense we get now.

Grace is indeed the word that always springs to mind when I think of you.

Genuine proof of the absence of karma

It’s blossom. And has me in mind of Dr. Strangelove’s subtitle.

Oh, it’s the Vernal Equinoxe today. Which means Hitler will die around 11am tomorrow and VE Day will follow just before midnight.

Meanwhile, one of the truly great pleasures of being home at last is to watch Bunting’s walk on live, on my sofa. With wine. And a fag. Pure joy. #titanium

Not quite. His ODI hundred was in September. But within six months. He still doesn’t have a non-international hundred. Surely a first.

Hot on the heels of Harry Brook, from nowhere, Bethell becomes just the fourth English man to score international hundreds in all three formats. And at 22 by far the youngest.

We’re way past D-Day, baby. We’re approaching the end of October 1944.

It certainly isn’t unlikely, as long as the people bowling spin are good enough to take wickets.

Can’t say I blame him. They were defending 70 something in 40 overs on what looks like a cold, drafty day.