The list of sponsors withdrawing has grown:
Nike, Anchor Butter' Yorkshire Tea, Tetley’s Beer, Harrogate Spring Water, David Lloyd Clubs, Bagnalls, Leeds Beckett University
It's rumoured that Lord Patel is to be the new/interim Chair of Yorkshire CCC.

George has taken an expanded role with The Cricketer which should make it required reading from now on:
https://www.thecricketer.com/Topics/news/george_dobell_to_join_the_cricketer_staff_across_print_and_digital.html

I agree that, sadly, there is much more to come.
As for Jacob Bethell being from an ethnic minority, he is as white as I am. When he signed his first contract, George Dobell described him as being "so fresh-faced Ollie Pope could be his dad". If having him in the Warwickshire squad improves its ethnic diversity, Yorkshire could argue that having Gary Ballance who was born in Zimbabwe does the same for them. Technically, they could both describe themselves, in the categories used in the 2011 census, as "White, other" so I suppose that is a minority of sorts.

It is not a good time to be a Yorkshire CCC supporter:
https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/cricket/azeem-rafiq-yorkshire-julian-knight-sajid-javid-england-b1951278.html
I guess before we gloat too much at the plight of the Yorkies, we should at least register that two of the current Bears squad were at Yorkshire during the time when Azeem Rafiq was being racially abused. Hopefully, they will not be in any way incriminated by any further revelations that are bound to happen in the coming weeks.
Those running our Club will also be aware that, until the late season emergence of Manraj Johal, the first team squad was notably lacking in players from an ethnic minority background.

A month on, this is worth a look:
https://edgbaston.com/news/behind-the-scenes-film-as-warwickshire-win-county-championship/

I'm not sure if it was reported anywhere else; but when Will Rhodes was asked after the match if he had the ball which he caught to win the Championship, he said: "I've given it to Briggsy's kid!" I think that, at about 47 minutes and 30 seconds into the video, you can see the young lad with the ball.

Depending on what you think of South Africa and India as opposition, it's a bit like agreeing a date with a beautiful young lady and then discovering that she has sent her ugly and grumpy cousin instead.
Not that I bear any grudges, so many years later, for this having happened to me!

I agree that what was presented by the Club as good news is at best a mixed blessing.

Indeed so, Monsieur Highveld.
I should have listened to my mother when she told me that "Procrastination is the thief of time" and "The early bird catches the worm".
Fortunately, I have you to point me towards the paths of righteousness.
I am writing this sat on the naughty step, wearing a hair shirt and bowing my head in deep penitence for my wayward behaviour.

Pleased for the Club but sorry personally that this is sold out because I left it too late to get a ticket!

Interesting decision:
https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/england-in-australia-2021-22-dom-sibley-withdraws-from-lions-tour-harry-brook-steps-up-1284177
If (say) Rob Yates makes lots of runs for the Lions, Sibley could drop down the pecking order for England selection next year.

Ian Bell has been made an honorary MCC member:
https://www.lords.org/lords/news-stories/mcc-announces-new-honorary-life-members
Shiv Chanderpaul honoured too.

I'm not sure exactly what he will do or what he will bring to the party but I guess this seems like good news:
https://edgbaston.com/news/warwickshire-ccc-recruit-dan-ashworth-to-cricket-audit-committee-to-support-high-performance-development/

Thanks for getting us back on track and for keeping the Board going through the season.

Yes, congratulations to them - Norwell and Yates in particular for getting their first recognition at this level.

Not sure about the uneven split between Divisions One and Two but otherwise I think it looks ok. I am doing my best to feel sorry for Notts but haven't quite succeeded yet.

Not sure about the uneven split between Divisions One and Two but otherwise I think it looks ok. I am doing my best to feel sorry for Notts but haven't quite succeeded yet.

I see that the Club is offering partial refunds to Members:
https://edgbaston.com/news/partial-refunds-available-for-2021-members/
No doubt the Club is hoping that, like 2020 subs, most Members will not ask for money back.

He's now signed a contract extension:
https://edgbaston.com/news/briggs-signs-contract-extension-with-champions-warwickshire/

I agree with most of that, though I don't see why Chris Woakes can't be successful in Australia where there is a long tradition of fast-medium bowlers doing well, from Maurice Tate through to Glenn McGrath
Of course, we could be wrong and the team may return in triumph. I recall the late Martin Johnson saying of the 1986/87 England team in Australia: “There are only three things wrong with this England team: they can’t bat, they can’t bowl and they can’t field.” They came home with the Ashes as well as two one-day trophies, as Gladstone Small would no doubt tell you.

Squad announced - Chris Woakes in, Dom Sibley out:
https://wisden.com/stories/ashes/england-name-17-strong-squad-for-mens-ashes-tour
As the only all-rounder, there is a lot of weight on Chris Woakes's shoulders.