First week availability

[Tom Maston]

Hi all,

Only two weeks to go now until the start of the new campaign and things are looking really good ahead of the first round of fixtures. Thanks to those who have sent over their predictions and county previews over the last few weeks. Just a reminder the previews are due tomorrow (Thursday) for those that are yet to upload theirs to the portal.

As Ryan has previously outlined, we are going to be running a live blog throughout the season, with the first of these being run through the first week of the campaign. We will also have match reports from every day of Championship action, and we need to organise the roster for the opening matches.

First of all, we are launching a new Live Match Centre (http://deepextracover.com/livematchcentre/) which will look after our live coverage. We would love feedback, both positive and negative, so we can get it just right for the start of the campaign.

I know a couple of you have put your names down on the Match Rota on the portal (James- Lancs, D3; Harry- Essex, D1), but it would be great if we could get more of you out to grounds. I am planning on spreading my time between Lancashire, Yorkshire and Warwickshire but want to give you guys the opportunity to get out as well if you can get to those grounds, as well as the others.

If you are unable to get to a ground this week, you can still contribute to the live coverage from home. The new BBC radio deal is great for us as our writers will still be able to describe the action from the commentary if they can't get to the game itself.

The final aspect of the coverage is hosting the live blogs. I will be looking after the first and last day of the first round of fixtures, but it would be great if others were available on the Thursday and Friday. You can still cover a match while you host too so don't feel like you have to choose between the two. Also, if you are only available for certain periods in the day, we may still need you.

In terms of match reports, ideally we would like the same people who covered the matches on the live blog to write the reports. If you are at the ground this will be part of your responsibility but if you are reporting from elsewhere it is less imperative. Therefore, if you can't contribute to the live coverage but can write a report in the early evening let me know as we may need you.

In terms of the reports, a short style guide will be sent out soon. If you are going to be reporting on matches, please take the time to read the reports from the MCC-Warwickshire match on the site. They should give you an idea of the style we are looking for, though they are far from perfect. I know some of you are more experienced than others but it still wouldn't hurt to take a look.

Also, a final reminder that anyone who is wanting to contribute to the live coverage will need a Skype account. If you don't have one, it costs nothing and is just so we can keep in touch during the season.

So, to get to the crux of this message, I need to know your availability for the first week of the campaign. Whether you can get to a ground, are available for live coverage, hosting, or just writing a report, I need to know so we can get a roster drawn up with plenty of time before the 10th.

I will update the portal as I get replies so you know which matches are potentially taken.

I hope this is all clear but if you have any questions fire them over and I'll do my best to answer them.

Cheers,

Tom

[Kirby Meehan]

Hi Tom,

The only day I am available that week is Wednesday 10th itself. I'd be happy to cover Derbys v Warwickshire from home that day, if no one can get to Edgbaston.

Kirby

[Jack Sheldon]

Hi Tom,

Can do a couple of days of Notts-Middx from home if nobody can get to the ground.

Jack

[Ryan Bailey]

Hi Jack,

That would be great, what days can you do? Stick your name down on the match roster for that game and the days you're free.

Ryan

[Bradley Adams]

I can do the fourth day of any of the games from home, I don't really mind which one.

On Wednesday, 27 March 2013 16:26:02 UTC, Tom Maston wrote:

[Ryan Bailey]

Ok great, thanks Bradley