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.