Have the ECB been taking advice from the FA?

Aye, there's nothing the impoverished English counties would love more than to lose a couple of games worth of revenue while incurring extra costs of exporting their whole operation to the Gulf for a fortnight...

Alex Lees then, eh? So long JJ Sayers?

Essex 69-4 on a track that's apparently poor for batting on. Anyone know anything good to do in Chelmsford on a Saturday?

A day of contrasts for Alex Lees.

100* at Lords yesterday, out to the first ball this morning.

Closely followed by Joe Sayers, who must have surely done enough to convince Yorkshire he's not worth keeping by now.

What is he now, 28? If he ain't got it now, he's unlikely ever to have it.

Problem was, prior to being hit with Post Viral Fatigue Syndrome in 2010, he did have it. Played for the Lions against Australia before his illness.

Yorkshire stood by him, got him back to health but his form since then has been pretty poor at first team level.

There's maybe a space for him as old head and captain in the seconds or Academy, but his first team days have to be numbered.

Top of the league.....

Meanwhile at Essex.....!!!

Giving Australia a run for their money

Surrey clear out their coaching team and bring in Alec Stewart.

Typical of Lancs to do that 24 hours before I was meant to arrive... Superb stuff.



Good day out yesterday mind, thought we had nowhere near enough, particularly when Essex started like a train. Great performance and we've got half a chance of qualifying for the semis now.

Lancs win a home game against Scotland for the first time since 1994, their first ever home win against them in 40 over cricket. And in their last season in the competition, too.

As for new pavilion... Meh. Underwhelming.

Only 19 over possible at OT this morning. Lancs won the toss, invited Northants to field and currently have them 40-6 at the interval. Erm... Why didn't we bowl like this last season?!

Was just going to say... alright Lancs, pack it in now eh?

Are you playing on uncovered wickets over there these days?

18 wickets in the day at OT? I smell a points deduction

I hope Yorkshire take the T20 a bit more seriously than they are doing the YB40 this year. I can understand wanting to rotate players, but fielding virtual second team line-ups in the 40-over format is disrespectful to the competition IMO.

Inspector was apparently happy yesterday that it was a combination of good bowling and crap batting. I believe he's there again, today, though...

As another nine have fallen already

Another century for the skipper and a nice 90 from Barry.

Weather tomorrow could eat into there being much chance of a natural result though.

Superb win and no points deduction. Some sour grapes from Northants, mind.

Can I swap a few of England's wickets this morning for Lancs wickets, please? Ta.

Got to say, I've heard bad things about Wantage Road. I found it to be pleasant and welcoming.

Never mind that, have Lancs offered to replay the T20 game from Friday where Yorkshire were diddled out of a delivery when batting?

We'll call it even for the no-ball that never was.

Lancs go top of division 2 with a game in hand.