Somerset are poised to finish second again – and after 136 years it still hurts

County Championship is treated like sporting Victoriana by the authorities but it’s some of the hardest cricket around and still means plenty – especially in Taunton Every English cricket season starts with an Indian spring now but they say this one will end in an Indian summer too.

The forecast is warm and dry and this, at least, is one last late blessing for the County Championship. Warwickshire, 11 points clear at the top, host a dejected Leicestershire at Edgbaston. Somerset, second again, play Surrey…