I agree with all the above and we all talked about 'Variety' before the Essex game but looking at the scores elsewhere, all the scores were pretty big and the conditions were good for batting. Pitches in general, do not deteriorate any more so the whole scenario of 'Oh no we're batting last', does not appear to play as much of a part in CC games as it used to. It is good that we got maximum bonus points but no doubt the numpties on the BBC cricket website will say something stupid, so I am not going to look, especially if the idiot who was on during the Essex game, materialises - He appeared to be under the illusion that Warwickshire supporters referred to their team as Birmingham and a few of us said that having supported for decades, none of us had ever heard the word 'Birmingham' used to describe the team, ever in CC games and hardly ever in the days when the name was changed for the T20 Blast.

Overall i think things are going well, i'm especially looking forward to the Blast & one day cricket this season as i reckon with all the all-rounders in the squad we should give a good account of ourselves in those tournaments. As for the Championship, i do believe we could have a big say this season if we can get the balance of our bowling attack right. Davies' batting is obviously a worry of course but it looks as though things are going in the right direction. Hopefully it will be our best season since 2021.

I think it's been a pretty solid initial block of games, especially bearing in mind maximum points from the two draws. Second innings wickets is the obvious weakness. Hopefully Barker will come back against Yorkshire after the break, although Jordan Thompson played all of the first four games I'd leave him out although I'm sure he'd like a crack at Yorkshire. The Booth / Gilchrist job share seems to be working, I'd have Booth slightly ahead with bat and ball and so would play him against Yorkshire. I'd love to see them play Taz Ali but see value in having 4 front line seamers and allowing Barnard and especially Webster play as batters who bowl a bit. Perhaps leave Zen Malik out and Woakes and Booth 7&8? Anyway it's nice to have more than 11 players who deserve a game.