If John Bracewell, the new head coach, wasn't fully aware of the size of the task that lies ahead, then successive defeats to Scotland will have highlighted the challenge he faces.

There was frustration for all involved as Ireland's second Twenty20 international against Scotland was washed out without a ball being bowled on Friday

Scotland gained a consolation victory thanks to an unbeaten hundred from Calum MacLeod after John Mooney had almost secured a memorable, emotional maiden century

Ireland secured the one-day series but they were made to work for their three-wicket win, firstly by a fine hundred from Richie Berrington and then a late push by Scotland in the field

Craig Young, the fast bowler released by Sussex twelve months ago, chose a good moment to become just the ninth player to take a five-wicket haul on ODI debut as he stole a march in the race to make the plane for Australia and New Zealand

When the ECB's top table formulated their plans for the recast T20 Blast, it was doubtlessly evenings such as this that headed their blueprint as a record crowd filled Lord's on a balmy night.

A spell in the Second XI seems to have been just the fillip for Sam Northeast judging by his 91 for Kent against Surrey

An unproductive start to the season has left Essex playing catch-up with little margin for error and they missed a golden opportunity to put Hampshire under significant pressure at Colchester

Reece Topley, the Essex left-arm pace bowler, faces another debilitating period on the sidelines after he suffered a recurrence of the lower back injury that beset his winter away with the England Performance Programme

Luke Wright is maturing as a Championship batsman since getting more opportunities to play the longer form of the game

Essex moved one step closer to a home quarter-final with a sixth consecutive victory in the South Group

Northamptonshire are doing their darnedest to not let go of the crown they won so spectacularly last year, securing a first win in seven against Birmingham Bears

Twelve months ago, Jason Roy's career was in danger of going stale. Now, the case for his inclusion in the England limited-overs side is reaching persuasive levels

Gloucestershire are a side that, judging by recent evidence, relish a rescue mission, having dropped anchor twice in as many weeks to stymie ascendant opposition

Essex demonstrated the benefits of attritional batting as they amassed a considerable lead over Gloucestershire

After subsiding to 56 for 6 in the face of an early Essex onslaught, Gloucestershire provided a late-order rally to keep themselves afloat

If this had been a bout - and it would have been a heavyweight one at that - the referee would have intervened well before Jason Roy clubbed 63 off 25 balls

Zafar Ansari and Gareth Batty spun Surrey to a convincing 10-wicket victory against Leicestershire at The Oval

Leicestershire's torment has been so acute that the gloom over Grace Road shows no sign of lifting but in Angus Robson there is a flicker of light amidst the despondency.

The supplementary responsibilities captaincy brings can often deflect away from a foremost discipline but for Gary Wilson, the recently appointed Surrey skipper, his term in office may just be the making of him.