Travelling back from London on the train late yesterday afternoon, with the sky darkening and the wind getting up after a truly sublime weekend's weather, it was hard to avoid the feeling that autumn was setting in. Of course, another sign that time's moving on is the fact that the English first-class season's over (and congratulations to Durham, by the way) and tour parties are being announced.

There were few surprises in the England squads; I was pleased to see Shah selected ahead of Bopara (and Swann of Rashid), and it had already been leaked to the media that Vaughan, despite his renewed central contract, was set to be 'rested'. James Foster was, of course, completely ignored. This was predictable, but still hugely disappointing. While, on balance, it looks fair enough to give Matt Prior (much the best batsman of the available keepers) another chance, should we not be looking beyond Ambrose for an alternative?  read more »

Chris Read bemoaned Nottinghamshire's home conditions after the 203-run defeat against Hampshire finally ended their Championship hopes. They entered the match knowing a win would give them a second title in four years, but lost control after a first-innings collapse.

Wicketkeeper Chris Read missed crucial catches to prevent Nottinghamshire pressing forward. Photograph: Tom Shaw/Getty It is difficult for a captain to concentrate on the task in hand when a Champio...

Most teams have three games left and eight teams could still win the Championship, while in Division 2, Worcestershire have a very good week off. Division 1 Ahh, the great British summer. Evocative of such wonderful resorts including the home of the British seaside holiday. Unfortunately, this great British summer has been a bit damp, and the Surrey and Lancashire players could only manage four days on the beach as the Blackpool pitch wasnt fit for cricket. Surrey now look doomed while Lancs are being drawn into the relegation dogfight. On the other side of the Pennines, Yorkshire were also by the seaside entertaining Kent at Scarborough.  read more »

Wickets galore before the weather plays havoc with only two positive results. And controversy abounds in Durham. Division 1 One way to avoid the awful weather was to have a pitch that would guarantee a two day game. Kent were furious at the state of the Durham pitch, having bowled the hosts out for 146 and then going on to make just 78 themselves in the first innings, with Mark Davies taking five wickets. Second time round, Durham managed 108, with Robert Joseph taking six wickets. Needing 177 to win, Kent fell 43 runs short, with Davies taking five more wickets and Martin van Jaarsveld making the only fifty of the match. However, the ECB pitch inspectors found nothing wrong with the pitch, prompting Rob Key to label them as Muppets.  read more »

Aug 12 2008 Western Mail NOTTINGHAMSHIRE wicketkeeper Chris Read has been passed fit to captain his side in their top-of-the-table LV County Championship Division One clash with Durham. The forme...

Somerset openers Justin Langer and Marcus Trescothick made an unbeaten 114 to haul their side back into contention on day two against Notts at Taunton. Chris Read finished 74 not out as the visitor...