Warwickshire CCC unofficial fans forum
bearsfans.org.uk
Member
Joined:
Posts: 1345

Looking back through the thread yes it was a bleak situation at one point but people really are quick to get stuck in to us on here sometimes.

One of the great one day wins! What a day.

Incredible knock from Kai Smith, ton from no. 7. What I loved most about watching that innings was the situations and phases that he encountered at different times and the way he overcame them all. You looked up at the scoreboard and he had 25 without seeming to do very much, you couldn't really recall a shot, quiet accumulation, like Hain does or Bell used to. When he got to about 36 he got stuck, 10 dot balls to him in a row at one point, but he kept his composure and worked through it all of a sudden 4 then 6 off Fateh Singh. Rhodes couldn't time anything for the majority of his innings, hitting full tosses at fielders and all sorts, yet Kai was able to detach from that struggle and even picked up the slack, he seemed to go from 50 odd to 90 quite quickly. After he got his ton he lost a bit of timing himself as the finish line was in sight and you could see him losing his shape and tensing up so he knocked it around picking up what he could until all of a sudden Worcs bowlers got desperate and would go searching, then he picked them off for boundaries and the win and saw us home.

Kai Smith, The Problem Solver.

Just an outstanding knock showing game management and maturity beyond his years. Love how brave he is, unafraid to hit over the top.

Big picture there is no way we should be looking to recruit batters from elsewhere whilst Kai Smith and Hamza are developing the way they are. Theo Wylie missed out this tournament maybe but he's good too. Cannot block their development. Next season when Rhodes is gone Hamza should be starting at 3 in the CC and Kai Smith should be at 6 in the Blast side performing the role Benjamin should have been doing.

Great to be back at our home Edgbaston after being away and great to get back to winning ways in front of a good and enthusiastic crowd at short notice. Lovely weather too.

That was a good cricket wicket, did a bit for the new ball, good pace and carry and turned a little as the game wore on. Something for everyone. Refreshing after what was becoming a bit of a pudding pitch at Rugby School.

The outfield looked immaculate today which was remarkable after yesterday's prolonged deluge and a Hundread game only hours before. Edgbaston looked beautiful today.

Roll on Sunday, not been Sophia Gardens for ages myself, come on you Bears.

One of the great days.

Member
Joined:
Posts: 450

Good report Andy. What stood out for me was when Kai got to 100. You could see the frustration on his face being only able to pick up singles in the approach but the look on his face when he got 100 was an absolute joy with the camera able to get a super close up. As you say - one of the great days.

Member
Joined:
Posts: 225

A future middle order of Shaikh, Mousley, Bethell and Smith is something to be genuinely excited about!

Fantastic win today when like others I thought we were dead and buried at 5 down.

Member
Joined:
Posts: 314

Watched as much of it as I could with laptop on knees while working today, as everyone says one of the great long burn chases, possibly as much fun to see the win as the Natwest final in '93.

I'm not too surprised about Smith as I've seen this season he's played very, very well. Only saw Surrey live, but he moved the ball around well there. Perhaps only him and Benjamin did in that game, and he's got a contribution in every game he's batted in this year. One of the commentators mentioned today that Rhodes had calmed him down a lot, indeed, a lot of those contributions this year were ended by an unwise shot. In other words, looked great until he got out. It's a good challenge for him to cut out and hopefully is easily fixed.

Yates and Hamza are at the crease in Worcester with 75 to get to beat SL. Knock them off early, buy some undies en route and they could be at Cardiff nice and easy for Sunday. Be good to see Kai at five or six on Sunday. Who moves to accommodate that?

Member
Joined:
Posts: 263

Excellent summary Andy. What a win.

Top knock from Smith. I sincerely hope Kai is given time to develop in this format and not be whisked away next season to sit on the sidelines for a franchise. He has definitely overtaken Benjamin this season.

We could do with Yates and Shaikh being available for Sunday. Straight swap for Malik and Wylie. Depending on conditions, Taz Ali or Booth for the remaining spot.

Member
Joined:
Posts: 1345

I'm still high as a kite.

Member
Joined:
Posts: 258

Yates and Shaikh return to the squad from Lions duty.

https://edgbaston.com/fixtures/first-xi/glamorgan-vs-warwickshire-sunday-18-august-2024/