Key events

A little shout out to Hove and Away, the independent website covering Sussex cricket. The site is a treasure-trove of all things Sussex written by Bruce Talbot and Paul Weaver, two wise sages, and great journalists, who’ve covered Sussex forever (and very helpful to me for a piece on Ollie Robinson yesterday). I’ve just read there today that the Sussex chief exec Mark West is leaving at the end of the season.

Meanwhile Hughes and Tear have survived a couple more overs and Sussex have moved on to 17-2.

Sam Cook is taking large chunks of Sussex for breakfast – Haines and Clark both out almost identically, nibbling into the gloves of Pepper. Sussex 7-2.

Kent’s start is on the crunchy side of autumn. Compton (8) and Crawley (6) both gone. Kent 18-2.

Rain at The Oval too, where my daughter is looking after my nephews and a couple of their friends. If you see an auburn haired young woman looking harassed, placate her with a mini roll. Auqib Nabi is Surrey’s latest recruit.

11am start at Taunton

Weather permitting.

Hampshire statement - "Kuggeleijn will not represent the club"

“Having reflected and listened to feedback from our staff and supporters. Hampshire Cricket can confirm that Scott Kuggeleijn will not represent the Club.

“We value the passion of our fanbase and thank everyone who took the time to share their views.

“Our focus now turns to supporting the team through the final four County Championship fixtures of the season.

“We encourage everyone to unite behind the team as we enter a crucial stage of the campaign.”

See the statement here on Hampshire’s website.

Rain

And delayed starts everywhere except Chelmsford (Sussex won the toss and will bat) and Canterbury (Worcestershire won the toss and will field).

Hampshire sign Scott Kuggeleijn

Amongst a sack of September signings, Hampshire’s announcement yesterday that they had called on Scott Kuggeleijn is the most eye raising. Kuggelijn, a fast bowling allrounder who has played 23 times for New Zealand, was put on trial for rape in 2016 and, after a hung jury, again in 2017. He was found not guilty, but some of his own evidence in court was very disturbing. You can read a little about it here.

Kuggelijn has also played for Dubai Capitals, who are owned by the same GMR group who own Hampshire.

Division Two table

1 Durham 191

2 Kent 151

3 Northants 151

4 Worcestershire 127

5 Middlesex 113

6 Derbyshire 110

7 Lancashire 94

8 Gloucestershire 44

Division One table

1 Notts 148

2 Somerset 144

3 Warwickshire 140

4 Glamorgan 121

5 Sussex 120

6 Essex 119

7 Yorkshire 117

8 Surrey 105

9 Leicestershire 102

10 Hampshire 86

Fixtures

Division One

Chelmsford: Essex v Sussex

Southampton: Hampshire v Warwickshire

Trent Bridge: Notts v Leicestershire

Taunton: Somerset v Glamorgan

The Oval: Surrey v Yorkshire

Division Two

Bristol: Gloucestershire v Derbyshire

Canterbury: Kent v Worcestershire

Merchant Taylors School: Middlesex v Lancashire

Wantage Road: Northamptonshire v Durham

Preamble

Good morning! A little late this morning after forgetting my own missive that play starts at 10.30am, September rolling in and landing, at least in Manchester, damp and grey. There are four games left of the season, things hotting up as the temperature drops.