Good to see that the MCC are upholding standards and insisting on ties being worn tomorrow:
https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/county-championship-2022-ecb-allow-counties-to-shift-championship-start-times-to-avoid-worst-of-heatwave-1325357
I wonder if any of the more reckless and rebellious members will secretly undo the top button of their shirt under the tie.

I seem to recall that Lamb got what many thought was a rough deal when Jim Troughton was Coach - Jim joked at a Members' Event that people thought he must be a vegetarian because he obviously didn't like Lamb.

Those braving the heat can hear Trotty and Neil Smith tomorrow lunchtime:
https://edgbaston.com/news/members-lunch-with-legends-trott-smith/

....and Northants have done the same.

Exiled Bear - you are right about Blast highlights.
There will also be a weekly Vitality Blast highlights show broadcast on FTA TV, as well as one game per round broadcast free on Sky’s YouTube channel.
With most if not all games available on-line anyway, I'm not sure about the value of being able to watch on the Sky YouTube channel.

It looks like Gloucestershire are the first county to change hours of play for tomorrow:
"The Club has acted in line with advice from the ECB to alter the hours of play for the match v Hampshire tomorrow, meaning the new hours of play are now as follows:
The start of play will remain at 11am and will be followed by three 90 minute sessions, with the lunch and tea intervals remaining as 40 minutes and 20 minutes respectively."
Will others follow?

The Kent preview:
https://www.kentcricket.co.uk/news/match-preview-warwickshire-vs-kent/

I see that Stirling scored a century for Ireland v New Zealand. Just such a pity that he largely under-performed for the Bears.

Confirmation that Saqib Mahmood is definitely not headed back home to Brum:
https://cricket.lancashirecricket.co.uk/news/2022-news/saqib-mahmood-signs-new-contract-with-lancashire-cricket/

Good to see Olly Stone playing a four day game and also that Norwell is at last back in action.
If he's been dropped, Matt Lamb can consider himself unlucky in that he averages almost 50 in the Championship this year - ahead of Sibley, Davies, Benjamin, Mousley and Rhodes.

There are two parts to the MCC defence of the umpires. One is that, according to the Laws of the game, the ball is dead once the umpire has signaled a bye and therefore, because the signal had been made, the second run couldn't count. That much is factually correct. The dodgy part is the suggestion that the timing of the signal for a bye was correct. It would surely have been better for the umpires to have made sure that no second run would be attempted - as the MCC says, the striker was still on the move so it would have been best to wait and see what happened next.
Anyway, it was the end of a long day and we all make mistakes. Most of us are lucky enough that our errors aren't shown on TV and mulled over by posters on this Forum and elsewhere.

I agree that, to date, Banton has under-delivered in red ball cricket and not quite lived up to his early reputation.
My "spy", who goes under the code name Philby, tells me that Surrey are also a possible destination.

The MCC has come to the aid of the umpires:
"The match concluded when the ball was deemed to be dead by the umpire, who signalled a bye. Under Law 2.12.3, the signal for a bye shall be made to the scorers only when the ball is dead. Analysis of the footage of the match showed that, when the umpire signalled the bye, the original non-striker was standing still, about four yards behind the striker’s wicket, while the striker was slowing down in his attempt to reach the other end."

"Therefore it was reasonable to consider that the ball was dead and consequently, it's not relevant that the wicket was not lawfully put down at the bowler's end.

"Once the umpire has made the decision that the ball is dead, that decision cannot be revoked."

Yes, too much excitement is not good for you!
I recall that when I used to go to Edgbaston as a kid, there was an old member (probably younger than I am now but he seemed ancient to me) who had a weak heart and had been told by his doctor to avoid excitement. He would watch a match for two and a half days; but if it was heading for a close finish, he would go home. That seemed pretty sad to me at the time and still does.

Answer - nobody broke the stumps with the batsman out of his ground but the umpires regarded the ball as dead, probably wrongly. Lancashire should have been allowed the second run and would have won. Also, Hampshire changed the field for the free hit - not allowed.
Overall, I don't think the umpires covered themselves in glory but they must feel the pressure along with everyone else.
At least the Bears can say they were beaten by the eventual winners. And Hampshire won their last seven games in the Blast so were certainly the form team.

I think the Club deserve a little praise for staging a magnificent Finals Day - especially Gary Barwell for yet another excellent pitch, a true surface with a bit of lift and carry plus a hint of spin.
Only negative - that wretched scoreboard that freezes at key moments. Maybe they should try a large blackboard with hooks and pieces of tin with numbers on.

I picked up a rumour yesterday that Tom Banton may be leaving Somerset and coming (back) to Warwickshire, though not to keep wicket. Well, you know me - not one to spread rumours but.....

It's not good news for most of our bowlers as Farbrace sets out plans for next year:
https://edgbaston.com/news/farbrace-we-lack-a-cutting-edge/

I don't think that the Bears trio did much to enhance their international credentials for England Lions against South Africa today - Jake Lintott 10 overs, 0-89; Sam Hain 0; Adam Hose 4.

Mark Robinson told the BBC:
"When you lose four wickets as quick as we did on day one you get nailed. They are a good team though and are relentless.
"The young lads have learned some lessons. George Garrett has seen the next level. And every game Dan Mousley or Chris Benjamin play adds to their experience.
"We have got to keep fronting up. For a day and a half, we were better. It wasn't enough to win but I don't want to sugarcoat or be misleading.
"We don't have the depth of last year. We have been depleted. That isn't an excuse it is a reality. We had Liam Norwell, Tim Bresnan, Olly Stone and Chris Woakes - and the club hasn't filled those shoes yet."