Not surprisingly, it's the PCA that are pushing for a commitment to Champions League participation - a nice little jolly and a chance to make some cash for 22 of their members come the end of the season.

Changing the structure of the Championship completely devalues the integrity of the competition. How can you have a league table decide the winners of the title when all sides have different fixture lists?

Circus cricket.

Yes indeed, but circus cricket that we're involved in.

Gary Keedy leaves Lancs to go to Surrey. I cry.

I've always rated Keedy over the years - best uncapped English player of his generation etc.

After my initial surprise I'm very happy with this signing. We're clearly looking for a top order batsman as our main overseas player, so Keedy seems like an ideal replacement for Murali Kartik (the best spinner I saw in the Championship last season) who is only one year younger, and a good foil for Gareth Batty. Furthermore it can surely only benefit our two young left arm spinners Zafar Ansari and Freddie van den Bergh to have someone like Keedy to mentor them.

Ricky Ponting will retire after this test match against SA.

Great player, but he's one of those that you just don't like. Gilchrist was always the same.