When discussing this season, I have said that if we can come away from the first three Championship games unbeaten, then that would be a good foundation for the season. Clearly we would like to win every game we play but after one match, a tricky away game at a very slow and low Kia Oval, we have a decent number of points and shown some real “steelbacking”. Especially in the first innings when a deficit seemed a probability, and to turn this into a first innings lead with James Middlebrook’s century was a top effort, one that was perhaps missing last year. The partnership with Andrew Hall was a record for the eighth wicket against Surrey, beating the 1999 effort of Paul Taylor and Rob Bailey.   

So we go into the first home game on Thursday vs. Kent, who themselves have had a good start to the season, so once again a real challenge for the lads. Both Jack Brooks and Luke Evans would be hopeful of playing after resting minor injuries but with Rob White regaining his bowling boots perhaps a spin based attack is the order of the day!?!

If you are thinking of coming down to the County Ground and you are not already a member don’t forget that your admission ticket will be credited in full against any membership category for this year, so if you are still not sure about whether you want to take advantage of a membership, simply pay on the gate, enjoy the day and you can decide later as we will honour the full credit against membership offer until you are ready to commit.

One area where I know members will be pleased is with the 2011 arrangements for televised games and the agreement with SKY that the towers will only be up for the shortest possible time to cover the actual 2 games and not either between the games or for weeks afterwards as was the case last year. This is a significant improvement and will provide excellent views from the member’s enclosure for the summer.

I am sure that many of you will have read the news about Riki Wessels joining Notts, to say I was annoyed is an understatement. Nothing against Riki, good luck to him, but after spending time and money previously to try and get Riki eligible and to be turned down on a technicality and to be told that the criteria that stipulates how one becomes eligible must be satisfied, only to find that now there was a route (which has subsequently been closed) which the ECB have accepted is a little frustrating! 

I also want to pass my congratulations to M S Dhoni and the Indian team for becoming 50 over World Champions after a comprehensive victory against Sri Lanka.

This is especially exciting for us as we welcome the World Champions to the County Ground this August. We are also hosting Sri Lankan cricket with an intriguing match between the England Lions and Sri Lanka A on Tuesday 16^th August.  

If you want to be a part of this we are still selling match day tickets on line, and by buying in advance of match day there are some significant discounts to be gained against turnstile prices.

On the first day of every Championship game for the first half of the season I will also be conducting a “behind the scenes” tour of the county ground during the lunch interval starting from reception where you can sign up for the limited places of the tour either by phoning 01604 514455 or by registering on the day.

Once again this season we are also offering supporters and members the opportunity to be match ball sponsors for all the LV and CB40 games. The actual match balls will be presented, signed by both captains as part of a variety of packages starting at just £40. Please contact Dawn on 01604 609277 for further details.