Just checked the scoreboard at Taunton. Somerset have deflated like a whoppee cushion under a gentleman farmer. From 95-5 to 128 all out. Five wickets each for Porter and Cook.

Somerset now five down. Time for a James Rew special? Cook 3-21.

Please excuse me while I disappear to write up for the paper. I believe they’re about to restart at Headingley.

They posted on social media: “We are both broken. Achieved so many of his dreams before reaching 21. Take every opportunity to hug your parents and children. We’ve taken great comfort from the many messages received so far – keep sharing and posting your memories please.”

Raining again at OT, and at Derby and Headingley.

Andy Umeed’s boundary or bust strategy has come to an end at Taunton, caught poking at Sam Cook by Simon Harmer at slip. Somerset 61-3, Lammonby still there on 14.

A phone call on Monday, by Tuesday a candidate for the Worker’s Party for Britain. A story of a lost soul.

A third fifty of the season for Evison, off 114 balls – and then he loses his partner, after a partnership of 69. Stewart a second wicket for Lyon, stretching forward and pushing ineffectively to slip. Kent 199-7.

They’re on at OT, but I suspect not for long. The umpires make the walk of doom to converse about the light. They stay on, indeed Stewart dispatches two Balderson deliveries to the rope.

Wet, wet, wet in the big smoke. In fact raining everywhere except at Taunton, where Somerset are 30-2: if Porter don’t get you, Cook must.

Essex are all out for 156 before you can say Sam Cook. Four wickets to Pretorius, two for Coverton and Ball. Somerset can make merry after tea – which is occurring round the grounds.

Wickets a-tumbling at Derby, Derbyshire 157-7: two for Ollie Robinson, two for Hudson-Prentice. Reece (50) and Donald (44 off 46) the only men to pass 14.

Still raining at Lord’s; rain at Headingley, where Billy Root was out just before lunch for 51, a sixth wicket of the season for Dan Moriarty.

A hundred years ago, the 1924 season was a day old – Harry Makepeace holding Lancashire together against Derbyshire. Thank you Ken.

Essex slumping most unexpectedly. Now 35-3, two to Coverton – Jordan Cox the last man out after one dreamy drive for four.

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.

West 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.

But 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.”