Best wishes to Boyd in his retirement:
https://edgbaston.com/news/boyd-rankin-retires-from-cricket/

Contract extension for Craig Miles:
https://edgbaston.com/news/fast-bowler-miles-signs-two-year-contract-extension/
He must have made some good progress because the season before last, his signing looked like a big mistake.

An interesting interview with Rikki Clarke here:
https://www.ecb.co.uk/video/2137296/county-conversations-episode-4-rikki-clarke?tagNames=LV=
He discusses his time at Warwickshire in the middle section of the interview and is generally very positive, especially about Jim Troughton, who he describes as the best captain he has played under, plus Ashley Giles and Graeme Welch. Also, he says that, before he went to Derbyshire, he was on the brink of joining Warwickshire but then Mark Greatbatch who had recruited him got sacked.

Whatever next? Who would be a bowler?
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/cricket-bat-bamboo-willow-b1844718.html

Apparently he's out of quarantine - but also out of practice! Even so, he is likely to be in the squad for this week's match v Worcestershire.

Interesting that Andy Umeed is getting a chance with Worcestershire:
https://wccc.co.uk/andy-umeed-named-in-seconds-squad-for-barnt-green-encounter/
He undoubtedly has some talent though that hundred against Lancashire during the ill-fated day-night match was exceptionally boring. Anyway, good luck to him, though it looks like he may be spending a fair time waiting for play to begin.

Spectators are to be allowed back for the Notts game at the end of May:
https://edgbaston.com/news/crowds-to-return-to-edgbaston-for-red-ball-fixture-against-nottinghamshire/

Confirmation that Jonathan Trott is back in the coaching set up at Edgbaston:
https://edgbaston.com/news/warwickshire-confirm-trotts-return-to-edgbaston-in-consultant-role/

My devotion to Peaky Blinders is well known. So I am particularly sad today to hear of the death of Helen McCrory who so brilliantly played Polly Gray:
https://www.tyla.com/news/news-breaking-helen-mccrory-dies-aged-52-20210416

Good to see that Dom Sibley is one of Wisden's Five Cricketers of the Year.

I don't want to generate too much excitement but I thought I should let everyone know that, for the outlay of a mere £45, your children/grandchildren/nephews/nieces can advertise a leading brand of popcorn:
https://edgbastonshop.com/product/birmingham-phoenix-junior-shirt/

Here is my preview of the season for Deep Extra Cover:
https://deepextracover.com/2021/03/season-preview-2021-warwickshire/
I did have a starting sentence saying: "Change is the new normal at Edgbaston" but that somehow got chopped!

Off to Durham on loan - probably a good move if Danny Briggs is going to be the number one spinner:
https://edgbaston.com/news/thomson-to-join-durham-on-loan/

The Hundred is bottom of my list of watching priorities; but I have to confess that I might be tempted to view the Birmingham Phoenix women's matches for the chance to see Ellyse Perry, who I think is a fabulous cricketer:
https://edgbaston.com/news/australia-superstar-ellyse-perry-joins-birmingham-phoenix-in-the-hundred/

Well, it's three day rather than four and without spectators - but it's red ball cricket - and this month!!!!
https://edgbaston.com/news/bears-confirm-friendlies-ahead-of-championship-start/

This is sad news about an ex-Bear:
https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2021/mar/09/cricket-joey-benjamin-former-england-surrey-bowler-dies-aged-60
Apparently, he had a heart attack.

Good news that four players have signed new contracts:
https://www.thecricketer.com/Topics/testing/warwickshire_quartet_new_contracts.html
Let's hope that Liam Norwell can stay fit.

I enjoyed the Members' Forum yesterday evening with Paul Farbrace and Mark Robinson. I get the impression that they will work well together as a team.