Middlesex

During a round of interviews as he embarked on a stint at Middlesex, former New Zealand captain Kane Williamson recently said red-ball cricket was the "soul" of the game while Virat Kohli chose the IPL final to declare his deep love for the format.

In South Group, leg-spinner Mason Crane claimed 4-28 as Glamorgan beat Middlesex by five wickets in their first game, and Somerset also won, beating Essex by eight wickets, but holders Gloucestershire were bowled out for 93 as they lost to Sussex by 80 runs.

Glamorgan made a winning start in this summer's competition as figures of 4-28 by leg-spinner Mason Crane set up a five-wicket victory over Middlesex at Merchant Taylors' School.

Izzy Westbury, who would become Middlesex captain, then a cricket writer and commentator, was two years above Sciver-Brunt at The British School just outside The Hague.

Westminster is embroiled in another row over flags – this time over whether Downing Street should fly the county colours of Middlesex.