Lancashire v Essex, Yorkshire v Warwickshire: county cricket – live!

A fifty partnership in three-four time at OT, Snater getting stuck in. The diggers are rolling about in best Richard Scarry style where the old Red Rose Suite stood, and Hassan Ali is stretching in front of happy children. Essex 334-7 – no make that eight, Lawrence gone, furious with himself after chipping Wood to Jimmy at midwicket, for 120.

Here comes Matt Critchley as Lawrence’s runner. After yesterday’s incident with Rossington, I predict chaos. Bailey and Anderson watch the whole thing unfold with folded arms from a distance. Fast bowlers’ prerogative.

A break in play here, ah no, it is Lawrence, he’s pointing at the back of his leg. Hope that’s not the hamstring, he’s only just recovered from the last injury. He’s calling for a runner.

Raining at Headingley now too, but, like a weather house, they’re back on again at Trent Bridge.

Some more news from Surrey, they have signed West Indies all rounder Kieron Pollard for the 2022 Blast season.

Hassan Ali is fielding down on the rope in front of the damp excited/bored kids, who are baying for attention. Bailey toiling in.

Lanky et al will be taking part in a mascot race at Old Trafford at one o’clock. The cricket starts in seven minutes. Still only two games in play round the grounds – at Headingley, where Yorkshire have crawled to 54-1, and at Trent Bridge where – no, cancel that, the rain has arrived in Nottingham too. Notts 98-2, Duckett not out a quick-fire 23.

Play will start at 12.20 at OT, if no more rain falls. The drying rope is being driven round and round in circles.

The groundstaff are inspecting at Old Trafford, pulling the tent-pegs out of the ground. There’s been a second wicket at Derby, Slater a second for Conners, Notts 82-2. And an email, which arrived too late last night. Hello Tone White!

“I was especially pleased to see the snap of Greg and Ava with Greg wearing a real pair of trousers that go all the way up to his waist, something impossible to find for us chaps unless we want to fork out a grand for a customised number.
The hipster and semi-hip have become ubiquitous, along with the button cross fastening above the flies. Obviously we hear nothing of these lapses in traditional men’s wear from the brexiters, and where are the sovereign dress controls?”

Tony, I can’t really comment on gents’ trousers, but us women of a certain age have long migrated to the high-waisted trouser department.

Has is looking good, I was going to type. No longer. Hass is out. Caught by a flying Wayne Madsen, holding back the years. Notts 67-1, Slater an-almost-run- a-ball 38.

Surrey, what an impressive outfit they are.

An early wicket at Headingley, as George Hill is snaffled for 25 off Henry Brookes. Yorks 37-1, trail Warwicks by 207.

A quiet little earthquake will happen on Wednesday June 1 in a Blast double-header at Old Trafford – where the men will play first and the women take the prestige evening slot. We think that’s the first time that has happened, in the UK at least.

Here comes the hover cover.

A delayed start also at Taunton, due to a wet outfield. It’s spitting at Old Trafford but they’re ploughing on – crowd pressure don’t you know.

Rain round the grounds, there is a delay at Lord’s, New Road, Northampton – but I think we will start on time everywhere else.

Keaton Jennings is getting an ecstatic reception.

It’s schools day today at Old Trafford, 1700 kids are running around having the best time – remote control cars, hula hooping, bowling, meeting Lanky. It’s raining, of course, but only a little, and we’re hoping to start on time

More bad news for Mark Wood – the recovery from his elbow surgery is going slower than expected:

and Ellyse Perry has been included in a powerful looking Australian squad for the Commonwealth Games, but may only bat as she too recovers from a stress fracture.

Thursday’s round-up

Scores on the doors

Preamble