Aitchison contract a fine way to start the day!

On a day that will later see me interviewing Mickey Arthur, a fine way to start is the announcement of a two-year extension for Ben Aitchison. The new deal will see him stay with us until the end of 2024.

It is excellent news. 'Big Ben' has looked the real deal since he first played for the senior side and is already a canny bowler.

On his debut he tried to bowl too quickly, but he has since slipped into a lovely rhythm and always looks a threat. 

His wickets so far have come at a very respectable 25 runs each and he is a bowler in the finest county tradition, sitting neatly between medium and fast. 

He, Sam Conners, George Scrimshaw and Mikey Cohen make up a seriously talented young quartet, all of who will learn from the soon to arrive Suranga Lakmal. 

It's another reason to be optimistic about the summer ahead and, like all of you I cannot wait for the action to start!