Key events
Lancashire to charge for Lancs TV
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.
Wisden Cricketer’s Almanack No 163
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.
Weatherwatch
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.
Fixtures
DIVISION ONE
Southampton: Hampshire v Somerset
Edgbaston: Warwickshire v Essex
DIVISION TWO
Bristol: Gloucestershire v Lancashire
Northampton: Northants v Middlesex
Preamble
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.