MaidstoneFox

Is Sheridon Gumbs on trial for us? He was on Surrey's books.

There's a good interview in The Cricketer with CH. I'm pasting it here as it's behind a paywall: Leicestershire director of cricket Claude Henderson has praised the virtues of county cricket's loan system, calling it "really good for the game". Henderson was speaking to The Cricketer from Bristol, where allrounder Ben Green – hired from Somerset for County Championship cricket through the early stages of the season – claimed a maiden first-class five-wicket haul. Green's signing – he will return to Somerset for T20 Blast fixtures – comes after Hampshire seamer Scott Currie enjoyed a successful stint at Grace Road in 2024. Currie, 23, took 54 wickets for Leicestershire across the Championship and the Blast, returning to the south coast this summer with his reputation reinforced. "It was really good for both Scott and for Leicestershire," explained Henderson. "The loan system is really good for the game. It is very sad to see quality players not playing first-team cricket. That is a challenge; clubs want depth, and I get that. But that is my vision for it." Green has taken 12 wickets at 21.25 apiece for the early Division Two pacesetters, who have also signed Ian Holland permanently from this summer onwards after initially taking him on loan last year. "My view on it is that if we get someone in on loan, then they're playing first-team cricket," added Henderson. "Ben Green has given us very good depth this year. Somerset are happy because he's playing first-team cricket. "Has he blocked anyone? No. If somebody else is a better option, they'll play. My view is that he is a Leicestershire player for that pocket. He might not play every game; if you get somebody on loan, you don't have to play them in every game. He is a squad player. He strengthens my squad and gives me the option of a quality player for two months. It is financially viable. It's about how you link him in, how you communicate with the rest that there is no agenda – and there isn't." Few counties, though, have utilised the temporary-signing market in the same way, instead relying on the option for short-term injury fixes rather than as season-long recruits, as in football. Conor McKerr, for example, joined Nottinghamshire permanently from Surrey over the winter, having been shipped out on loan on seven different occasions. "It could be very difficult at times," he told The Cricketer in pre-season. "The goal for everyone is to play for their club. But I'm trying to get the best out of my career. So, when I got opportunities to play, that's what I had to do. So, yes, it was tough, going out on loan – but sometimes that's just what you've got to do." Leicestershire, who missed Ben Mike and Tom Scriven to injuries for their nail-biting two-wicket victory over Gloucestershire, will welcome Shan Masood as a third overseas option from May 20. Masood and Logan van Beek are expected to begin the Blast, with Championship captain Peter Handscomb resting.

Great win and hopefully Middlesex can hang on for a draw tomorrow. 74 points already, which is only one less than we achieved in the whole of the 2017 season.

They've taken tea. Who says Championship cricket is boring!

Only three more teams to play and nobody has got the better of us yet.

Yeh and to be honest I'd prefer to see youth rewarded if they do well in the seconds. As you say, injuries and if we need that bit of quality to get over the line for promotion at the end of the season. Currie, Green and Goldsworthy have all been excellent loan choices - all with something to prove.

I think only a loan would be possible, given finances.

Kent could yet lose to Gloucestershire

If only they had declared earlier.... "He who dares wins, Rodney."

Tomorrow looks like a virtual washout, maybe a bit of play after 4pm

I think most of us try to do a good job of 'educating', but the point that the Unions are making is that social media is making things harder and they want more support from government and parents etc. Schools need to confront it and not all will be as good at that as others unfortunately. It does make boys feel a little empowered and they are pushing boundaries and being rebellious the way that teenagers always have - there's a certain thrill in that for them. Responsible adults need to push back against that and get them to question what they are doing to their mothers, sisters, grannies, friends etc. when you do that they tend to wither and have no argument.

The tipping point that's coming very soon is that the new state pension (11,973) will exceed the personal allowance (12570). This might happen next year but will definitely happen in 2027. Something will have to change as there's no point having pension increases if you are going to get taxed on it. Or...maybe it will just be left and that's how the issue of the triple lock will be dealt with. However, that would surely be a political own goal that Farage would seize: "Labour are now taking your hard-earned pensions, giving with one hand and taking with the other"

As a teacher who is nearing the end of my career and who has taught in all sectors and all types of educational environments, I don't think it's new that female members of staff can be treated appallingly by boys. The issue is to what extent they are allowed to get away with it and how strong the leadership team is and how consistent policies are implemented. In lots of ways education is much better 'then when I were at school', and there is much better surveillance, procedures and accountability than there was in the past. My personal take is that overall it is a minority and that the young people I teach are generally very enlightened and liberal in their overall views. That's not to diminish the experiences of some teachers, but i think it needs a strong, united response, along with support and training and whenever I've encountered prejudice in my classroom I've been fairly uncompromising and clear that it was unacceptable.

50 for Rehan. He might become a better batter than bowler. On another note, I can think of worst things than sharing the commentary box with the lovely Phoebe Graham. I hope Richard Rae appreciates this and does not keep delving into his Wisdens.

We are missing Wright's consistency. Van Beek wasted the new ball yesterday