Liam Norwell - yes, disappointing. A friend of mine refers to him as "Sick Note", which is a bit unkind.
As for the ground at Taunton, I'm as frustrated as anyone because this as close to a home game as I will get. But as for some kind of points deduction, I have to listen to Rob Bailey, umpiring his 200th match, who says:
"The amount of rain that's come down, I can't actually believe that the ground's in such a good condition."

Reminds me of the all-purpose review: "For people who like that kind of thing, that is the kind of thing they like."

I know that the ground was partially under water last week and it's poured with rain today so Somerset are not going to get fined because the ground is wet.

It's just my luck that I named Norwell as my player to watch for my Deep Extra Cover preview! A bit of re-writing needed, not for the first time!

The Warwickshire section of this ECB review is worth a read:
https://www.ecb.co.uk/news/3134255/lv-insurance-county-championship-county-by-county-preview-division-one
Good to see that Brian Halford is still active as part of the ECB Reporters Network.

I agree that the Ramprakash article sums things up pretty well.
I used to have a low opinion of Ramprakash, having seen how he behaved when given out (correctly) for obstructing the field in a match at Cheltenham. But I heard him speak at an event, ironically also at Cheltenham, this past winter and he was very impressive - honest and thoughtful.

He hasn't played a match for a fortnight so I think it would be reasonable for him to arrive in decent shape to play, otherwise he is going to get paid for nothing this next week.
(Sorry to agree with you again, Highveld).
By the way, just about everyone except the Club seem to accept that he is Hasan rather than Hassan - but so longs as he doesn't mind, I suppose it doesn't matter too much.
I also do think that, almost regardless of which of the pace bowlers we pick, we are in danger of having a bit of a tail - that's unless OH-D decides to go for his maiden hundred.

Yes, a nice try!

Verdict of the ECB Disciplinary Committee in relation to Tim Bresnan:
"Charge Used the terms "fit P***" and/or "FP" referring to Amna Rafiq at Headingley in April 2014 and/or about an Asian woman at the Yorkshire team's hotel bar in Birmingham the evening before a T20 against Warwickshire in July 2018; and/or about Asian women on other occasions in the Yorkshire environment in 2014 and/or 2017 and/or 2018.

Verdict All proved"

Here's my season preview for Deep Extra Cover:
https://deepextracover.com/2023/03/warwickshire-ccc-season-preview-2023/
As usual, I am open to (constructive) criticism!

I see that Ryan is playing for Kent against Essex in their friendly fixture at Canterbury - though figures of three overs, 0-23 don't suggest that a contract is imminent.

I don't think that the move away from "Birmingham" has ever been stated - it just seems to have happened quietly over the last 12 months, not only on the website but also in press releases.

One change is that a draw will be worth five points rather than eight. Also, the first batting bonus point will require 250 runs inside 110 overs rather than 200 runs, rising in 50 run stages up to 450.

white-lightning wrote:

I read that Maxwell will likely miss the first couple of T20's anyway due to IPL commitments.

Yes, that's why Stirling is back.

I may be disappointed; but I expect Yates to return to the form he showed in 2021.

The ECB website says about the 2023 season: "There will be 10 counties in Division One and eight in Division Two with a two-up, two-down promotion-and-relegation system."

Thanks - some good information there.

I expect most Bearsfans have read this update on Maxwell's fitness in Hindustan Times but, for those who missed it, here it is:
https://www.hindustantimes.com/cricket/its-going-to-take-months-before-glenn-maxwell-s-major-update-on-leg-injury-before-ipl-2023-a-worrying-sign-for-rcb-101679729451966.html
It's a bit worrying; but it could be that Maxwell on one leg will be a better performer than one or two other overseas stars have been on two.

I gave up on this quiz question because nobody replied; but today the girl from Bentley Heath hit the headlines again:
https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/women-s-premier-league-2022-23-1348825/mumbai-indians-women-vs-up-warriorz-women-eliminator-1358949/match-report

No doubt you have all been avidly following The Hundred Player Draft (not).
As far as I can see, there will be seven Bears players in The Hundred and therefore not available for the Bears during August:
Chris Woakes, Moeen Ali, Chris Benjamin, Dan Mousley (Birminham Phoenix)
Danny Briggs (Oval invincibles)
Sam Hain (Trent Rockets)
Alex Davies (Southern Braves)
What will be frustrating will be if someone like Dan Mousley doesn't actually get picked to play and sits on the sidelines when he could be getting valuable experience and helping the Bears' cause. That's largely what happened to Sam Hain last season.