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Rain currently at Lord’s.
And good morning Tim Maitland! “Hi Tanya, it is possible that Hell has officially frozen over. Yorkshire have picked two spinners at Headingley! Apparently they’re playing on the same track that was used against Derbyshire last week.”
Great spot – Daniel Moriarty and Dom Bess the spin twins. We should see them in action today, if the weather holds, Glamorgan won the toss and are having a bat. Currently 9-0.
FixturesDIVISION ONE
Old Trafford: Lancashire v Kent
Taunton: Somerset v Essex
DIVISION TWO
Derby: Derbysire v Sussex
Lord’s: Middlesex v Leicestershire
Headingley: Yorkshire v Glamorgan
Around the grounds, a minute’s silence. At Old Trafford, Lancashire have won the toss and Zak Crawley and Ben Compton get to face Tom Bailey under cloud cover. At Taunton, Essex have got off to a flier against Somerset – or at least they had, Elgar has now been lbw for five. Essex 14-1.
Around the country, players are wearing black armbands in memory of Josh Baker and flags are flying at half mast. At New Road, they have opened up the Severn Suite for anyone who would like to stop by for a moment of rememberence or to sign a book of condolence.
After Josh Baker’s distressingly sudden death – I saw him play a fortnight ago – I can but recommend, for some small solace, reading Cardus’s essay on another left-arm spinner who died in early season Roy Kilner. And I saw Ben Stokes hit Josh for 34 in an over and he did not hide
— Scyld Berry (@scyldberry) May 3, 2024 The weather is looking a bit ropey here in Manchester – clouds heavy with the wet stuff. But it isn’t coming down – yet. Elsewhere, the Met office promise: “Rather cloudy for many with showery rain. The rain perhaps thundery, especially across southern Scotland, and the north and east of England. Fine and warm, though breezy in the far north. Bright spells across the far south of England too.”
From Gloucestershire earlier this week came the announcement that 23 year old Ben Wells was retiring from cricket after being diagnosed with a heart complaint. An extract from his letter here:
Ben Wells: forced to retire from cricket. Photograph: David Davies/PA“I’m very thankful for everything that cricket has given me throughout my life, from the friends I’ve made, the places I’ve been able to visit, and the many memories that I’ve made along the way. Cricket has been a massive part of my life for as long as I can remember, it’s been all I’ve ever wanted to do. From playing in the garden as a child with my brother, every break time at school, going to Bath Cricket Club summer camps, playing throughout age group sides, Exeter University, and throughout my time at Gloucestershire, playing cricket has always been my dream and driven everything I’ve done. I could never have imagined that this is the path that cricket would have taken me down. I’ve loved every moment and am very grateful to have had the chance to live out a part of this dream, even if it was only for a few years.
“It’s been a journey full of ups and downs, from not gaining a contract at 18, to being offered the chance with Gloucestershire at 21, dealing with a number of major injuries, and ending my career with my first and only professional hundred on a torn hamstring in what is now my final innings; but I will always look back on everything with fond memories.”
Devon Thomas banned for five yearsWest Indies all rounder Devon Thomas, 34, has been banned from cricket for five years after admitting to seven breaches of the anti-corruption code.
The charges included being involved in attempted match-fixing in Sri Lanka’s domestic T20 competition in 2021, as well as not reporting illegal approaches at the Abu Dhabi T10 and Caribbean Premier League
He played 21 ODIs for the West Indies, 12 T20s and one Test.
Hello and welcome to day one of round five of the 2024 Championship. Just five games this round – with top of the table Essex visiting Somerset, and Lancashire entertaining Kent; while in Division Two, Sussex travel to Derby, Leicestershire to Lord’s in a top-ish of the table clash, and Glamorgan to Headingley.
Josh Baker, Worcestershire and Engand U-19. Photograph: Gareth Copley/Getty ImagesBut overshadowing all that, the news yesterday of the death of Worcestershire’s talented 20 year old spinner Josh Baker. Baker came through the ranks at New Road, a young allrounder of great potential, who last year hit the winning runs to secure Worcestershire’s promotion to Division One .
Worcestershire said in a statement, “It was his vibrant spirit and infectious enthusiasm that endeared him to everyone he met. His warmth, kindness, and professionalism were remarkable, making him a true credit to his family and a loved member of our team.”