I’m frightened for Sibley towards Hassan Ali. Al Davies nailed on for a speedy 37 – besides as I write that, he’s bowled for one, opting to not play a shot.
And we’re off…
Essex win the race for worst begin of the spherical: 0-1 after three balls. Browne the gone man, caught within the slips off Thompson.
Ben Stokes watch
Ali Martin
Greetings from Worcester, the place it’s a stunning sunny spring morning and the mercury might hit 21C this afternoon if the forecast is appropriate. Durham have travelled down from Winterfell, with the brand new England Take a look at captain amongst them as they warm-up in entrance of the rickety outdated press field. This shall be a primary County Championship look for Ben Stokes since he performed two days final summer time after which answered England’s SOS name to captain the ODI workforce towards Pakistan. Earlier than that he made solitary outings in 2018 and 2017. It seems like a day-night match personally, having been woken up on the first light by the toddler in what has grow to be an everyday incidence of late. Any tricks to get her again to 7am begins welcome. Aha, toss time … Scott Borthwick has received it and Durham are batting.
Poor Ollie Pope is lacking as we speak’s Surrey sport with sickness.
Who received the toss as we speak?
DIVISION ONE
Chelmsford: Yorkshire and can bowl.
The Rose Bowl: Hampshire and can bat.
Previous Trafford: Warwickshire and can bowl. Keaton Jennings, Luke Wooden and Matt Parkinson are in for Lancs, no Jimmy or Saqib.
The Oval: Northants and can bowl. Gus Atkinson, Ben Foakes and Jamie Oveton substitute Ollie Pope, Jamie Smith (after a double ton!) and Reece Topley.
DIVISION TWO
Sophia Gardens: Glamorgan and can subject. Andy Gorvin makes his first-class debut for Glamorgan.
Hove: Sussex and can bat. Ollie Robinson returns for his first run-out since West Indies, in addition to George Garton and Sean Hunt.
New Street: Durham and can bat
I do know I’ve written about cricket and excessive heat earlier than, however the present lethal heatwave over south Asia is unprecedented in its depth and period, even because the IPL goes forward. Good to talk to somebody on the bottom, Disha Shetty, a science journalist based mostly in south Asia, and a reporter for The Fuller Challenge.
One thing for Ben Stokes to mull over whereas he gazes at Worcester cathedral:
And I forgot to say, Joe Root will get his first hit of the season since resigning the England captaincy.
Division Two desk
Notts (4) 73
Derby (4) 65
Middlesex (3) 59
Glamorgan (4) 51
Durham (4) 42
Worcestershire (3) 40
Sussex (4) 31
Leicestershire (4) 29
Division One desk
Surrey (4) 67
Hampshire (4) 59
Lancashire (3) 58
Yorkshire (3) 51
Essex (4) 43
Northants (3) 38
Warwicks (3) 37
Somerset (4) 33
Gloucestershire (4) 33
Kent (4) 30
Spherical 5
DIVISION ONE
Chelmsford: Essex v Yorkshire
The Rose Bowl: Hampshire v Gloucestershire
Previous Trafford: Lancashire v Warwickshire
The Oval: Surrey v Northants
DIVISION TWO
Sophia Gardens: Glamorgan v Leicestershire
Hove: Sussex v Middlesex
New Street: Worcestershire v Durham
Preamble
Good morning! Could is flourishing, the hawthorn is in bursting out its britches, and I’d prefer it to remain like this eternally. 5 matches into an 18-round season, we’re already practically a 3rd of the best way by way of.
Because the unveiling of Ben Stokes as England captain final week, he’s been busy. A press convention at The Riverside on Monday, and now he’s taking part in his first Championship sport of the 12 months for Durham, towards Worcestershire. Ali has simply arrived at New Street and shall be sending us common updates (received’t you Ali).
Elsewhere in Division Two, Glamorgan, recent from their valiant run-chase, tackle bottom-of-the-table Leicestershire; and it seems to be at fairly uneven contest at Hove the place mighty Middlesex cost down minnows Sussex.
It’s champions elect towards the reigning champions at Previous Trafford, prime of the desk Surrey v battling Northants at The Oval, Essex host Yorkshire, carried out out of a possible win by unhealthy gentle on Sunday, and struggling Gloucestershire on the Rose Bowl.
There are simply seven video games this week, with Kent, Somerset, Notts and Derby lacking out.
