Have the ECB been taking advice from the FA?

Aye, there's nothing the impoverished English counties would love more than to lose a couple of games worth of revenue while incurring extra costs of exporting their whole operation to the Gulf for a fortnight...

Alex Lees then, eh? So long JJ Sayers?

Essex 69-4 on a track that's apparently poor for batting on. Anyone know anything good to do in Chelmsford on a Saturday?

A day of contrasts for Alex Lees.

100* at Lords yesterday, out to the first ball this morning.

Closely followed by Joe Sayers, who must have surely done enough to convince Yorkshire he's not worth keeping by now.

What is he now, 28? If he ain't got it now, he's unlikely ever to have it.

Problem was, prior to being hit with Post Viral Fatigue Syndrome in 2010, he did have it. Played for the Lions against Australia before his illness.

Yorkshire stood by him, got him back to health but his form since then has been pretty poor at first team level.

There's maybe a space for him as old head and captain in the seconds or Academy, but his first team days have to be numbered.

Top of the league.....

Meanwhile at Essex.....!!!

Giving Australia a run for their money