Porter already has three. Wonderful batting from.Middlesex!! This will be good for Kent and means there will be fine margins between the two sides. Hope Kent stay up!
Malan is in shocking form. Looks very shaky so far. Edit: he hit the next two balls for 4! And two more!
It would be so harsh on Mo Abbas and nobody can argue that he hasn't done a great job for us as an overseas player, but a large part of me feels that Devon Conway might be a better fit for 2024, simply for cricketing balance for the side. I'm sure Vince could use his Southern Brave links to get him and New Zealand's calendar seems fairly clear next summer from what I can see. That's assuming that Abbott is already locked in, I'm not sure on the contract details for them. If we had him solidifying the opening spot with Middleton and then the usual Gubbins, Vince, Dawson, Prest (say) and Brown back at 7 - that might churn out enough runs to make us really competitive in the Championship. It would then be up to Turner to support Abbott and Barker with the seam bowling. It's just a passing thought. Don't get me wrong, I'd be very happy if we announce that Abbas is returning for 2024 at some point. Perhaps Albert & Middleton will turn out to be the magic partnership we've been searching for, they've got another 2 very tough games this season to show what they can do together. Ticket and coach already booked for next weekend, looking forward to it despite the early start!
NZ might not have a packed calendar, but Conway most likely will. His March to October potentially could look like: IPL followed by t20 WC followed by MLC followed by the 100 followed by NZ test matches. The t20 WC runs from 4 June to 30 June. I don't think the schedule for the IPL has yet been confirmed, but this year it ran from 31 March to 29 May. For the MLC in America meanwhile, the schedule was July 13 to July 25, which then immediately led into a month of the 100.
Was rather taken aback when saw the BBC cricket headline about Leics signing Scott Currie. However, it turns out that it's only on loan for their last 3 Championship matches of the season. Not sure he'll play in the final (for either team? - is there such a thing in cricket as being cup tied?).
The three point deduction has little impact. But the suspended 20 point deduction next season could be massive if we're punished again. England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) - The Official Website of the ECB
Funny that it should involve Essex, again! Didn't they complain about the pitch at Taunton a few years back and Somerset were deducted some points that nearly cost them their status in the First Division? I can't help but cheer on Surrey to win the Championship again even if it means Hampshire losing to them.
Wonderful start by Middlesex in the match against Lancashire - at one stage 19-5 in their first innings. I feel not only are they the worst batting side in the First Division, they are the worst overall. And Ramprakash is the batting coach!!!! Some heads need to roll. In contrast, Kent doing quite nicely thus far. Good luck RAWMOK