NO, I have not yet been discovered dangling from the end of a rope, nor have I jumped off the Tyne Bridge. Given the dual frustration of breaking down unexpected barriers to selling a book, plus having to wait until the sun is going down on a glorious day for Twenty20 matches to start, I might at least have had a good case for going canoeing off Seaton Carew beach.

The saga of Cotton Traders’ resistance to selling the book rumbles on. My learned friend Stephen Brenkley, formerly of this parish, questioned in the Independent on Sunday why a book celebrating Durham’s success should not be available in the club shop.

He had spoken during the Riverside Test to a Mr Hamblin, of Cotton Traders, who run the shop. He seemed to indicate that the problem would shortly be overcome. Via another friend-of-a-friend route the boss himself, Fran Cotton, was spoken to and apparently said the problem should not exist. It was suggested that I should ring Mr Hamblin. I have spoken to his secretary, who said he would ring me back. As with the emails I sent to Cotton Traders, I am still waiting.

I also recently rang Waterstones, who told me they now take books only through a company called Gardners. I had the same response when I tried to get the book into the shop at Lord’s, when further enquiries revealed that Gardners would take 50 per cent. Given the amount of work which goes into producing, and marketing, a book, I am not prepared to give half the proceeds to a delivery company. The book remains available by contacting me on 01325 718212 or timwellock@aol.com.

As for Twenty20, the evidence of dwindling crowds all over the country in the last week suggests that the ECB are mad to be putting a second domestic tournament in place next season. It will replace the 40-over event and they want it to rival the Indian Premier League, with international stars involved. They should forget it instantly as the evidence of T20 overkill is all too clear.

Or perhaps all the doom-mongering about skin cancer has convinced the ECB that the only cricket which will comply with health and safety in future is Twenty20 under floodlights.

If it weren’t for such poppycock we could have witnessed some proper cricket this week, starting in sunshine at 11am.

WHAT’S the betting that Freddie Flintoff makes his comeback in the championship match at Riverside starting on June 11 as he begins his bid to prove his fitness for the Ashes?

One of his few four-day games last season was against Durham at Old Trafford and he did an impressive job – at least with the ball – of proving his fitness following injury. His match analysis was seven for 42, but he bagged a pair with the bat. Mark Davies removed him first ball in the first innings, then he lost his off stump to Garry Park in the second.

Park didn’t bowl again for Durham, but is certainly proving a useful all-round acquisition for Derbyshire.