My book is slightly bigger than I was expecting. Pre order your copy today from the Carter USM Store, all good bookshops, and from cherryred.co.uk/jim-bob-where-…

In Batts we trust. And a great bloke.

In which 'street smart & annoyingly cheerful' Kieran Maguire & 'doesn't give a toss' Kevin Hunter Day talk of: Channel 5 & the 4th emergency service; chutzpah & caviar; correlation & causality; sausages & Whoppers; divorce lawyers & sharks; bananas & ice-cream; Hitler & lizards.

NLS; Torquay United 3 Chippenham Town FC 0 (HT 3-0 - actually, 10 mins 2-0); att. 3087. Well, at least we drew the second half. First half completely outrun & swarmed by the fitter, full-time side. Torquay will be promoted if they keep playing like this. Good to meet Neil Warnock.

In which 'chipper spreadsheet-sharpener' Kieran Maguire & 'annoyed by Oasis puns' Kevin Hunter Day talk of: Slow Horses & Christmas jumpers; meat & cheese; foresight & radar; irrational hatred & pitchforks; animus & self-interest; cigars & batteries.

Wonderful.

England v Sri Lanka, day 1. In the end we were grateful to see 44.1 overs, given the downpour this morning and general murkiness. And a century from the Pontiff as he became the 4th Surrey player to captain the England team in an Oval Test. And biffing fron Duckett. Good company

Seen in Camberwell New Road earlier. Not going to argue 😀

England v Sri Lanka, day 2. 55 overs managed , Ollie got past 150, 2 terrible dropped catches bur other great ones. More bad light fun. Wonderful company, a good lunch at the Kennington, and good to sit so near Liam Brennan.

Graham Thorpe’s wife, Amanda, and daughter, Kitty, were invited to ring the bell this morning before the start of play. 🤎 | #SurreyCricket

England v Sri Lanka, day 3. Hosting in the Prince of Wales Room. Best weather so far. Wasn't expecting to see an entire England innings in 34 overs. Some pretty rash strokes (and continued terrible use of DRS) though a gem of an innings of 67 [in 50 balls] from Jamie Smith.

In which 'ice bath runner' Kieran Maguire & 'cheesy selfies' Kevin Hunter Day talk of: Polish & disinfectant; Willy Wonka & jack off; Seven Sisters & nuns; pub lawyers & loopholes; prawns & coke.

Halfway through day 2, I am putting something up from day 1. A day which ended very well for Surrey after having seemed very much in Somerset's favour. Banton was dropped on his way to 132 before the last 5 Somerset wickets fell for 56 runs, the last 4 of which fell for 12 runs.

Oh dear. The Plough

Tom Banton, one of the batters 'not out' at Taunton overnight.....

In which 'two old blokes having a moan' Kieran Maguire & Kevin Hunter Day talk of: Homer & Cleopatra; Taylor Swift & Nigel Farage; blinking & laughing; Italian restaurants & launderettes; Canary & racehorses; pantomime & divorce.

Day 4 of Somerset v Surrey. Ouch. But what a finish and what a game. Still all to play for. Can Surrey win 3 titles in a row, can Somerset win one for the first time ever? How good is the County Championship? And why the hell is it under such threat to its continued existence?

My favourite band of the moment.