The toss is going to be absolutely crucial.

I don’t think Highveld is wrong at all.
We keep trying this formula for the last 3 years, it’s achieved nothing.
Until this year Davies hasn’t been good enough. He got a boost (as did Yates) with the early season Kookaburra nonsense, but he’s backed it up throughout the season. Now he needs to do it again next year. Though his captaincy hasn’t been up to the mark this year.
We’re a bit blind to Mousley and Yates performances because they are home grown and they have the peaks that show their undoubted potential but no consistency, so those peaks are too infrequent. And rarely when needed most.
I think next year they’re heading into crucial years for them as red ball players at this club. Yates will massively have to step up because Rhodes steady hand at 3 will be gone, and Mousley needs to find a way to score match defining 100’s not attractive 50’s.
The need for a top order overseas is hard to ignore for next season.

Delayed start - pitch inspection at 12.00.

Live scores link https://live.nvplay.com/ecb/?tab=m_summary#m4d74daaf-edce-4578-8379-7821e95625b6

Also link to live div 1 table https://live.nvplay.com/ecb/?tab=c_points-table#cb7a621e3-796f-4186-bb0c-c3738c01bc75

Also Thank You Bristol Bear :-)

BristolBear wrote:

I don’t think Highveld is wrong at all.
We keep trying this formula for the last 3 years, it’s achieved nothing.
Until this year Davies hasn’t been good enough. He got a boost (as did Yates) with the early season Kookaburra nonsense, but he’s backed it up throughout the season. Now he needs to do it again next year. Though his captaincy hasn’t been up to the mark this year.
We’re a bit blind to Mousley and Yates performances because they are home grown and they have the peaks that show their undoubted potential but no consistency, so those peaks are too infrequent. And rarely when needed most.
I think next year they’re heading into crucial years for them as red ball players at this club. Yates will massively have to step up because Rhodes steady hand at 3 will be gone, and Mousley needs to find a way to score match defining 100’s not attractive 50’s.
The need for a top order overseas is hard to ignore for next season.

He's wrong about Davies the batsman, correct about him as the 4 day captain.

We won the toss!
Thankfully we didn't have to use our bowler of last resort, Roman Walker.
In true Robinson fashion he has packed the batting ranks.

Team:-
Yates
Davies
Rhodes
Hain
Mousley
Barnard
Burgess
Briggs
Miles
Booth
OHD

As KoS said, Robinson has done his usual 'cunning plan' in packing the batting ranks. So, a lot on the shoulders of the 3 seamers (and some aspiring 'CC spinner' called Briggs !). I think Barnard & Rhodes will be called upon a fair bit.

I was right about Mousley and Booth.

Let us see if we manage to get the five points needed!

Need to focus on getting these 3 bowling points. That will surely be enough, as there's no way lancs are getting 400+ at new road

Worcestershire are batting first at New Road, so a good team effort with the bat, denying Lancs full bonus points would be very helpful.

Effectively we need to score points or Lancs drop points to total of 5 to ensure Warwickshire stay in D1.

The_Lickey_Banker wrote:

Team:-
Yates
Davies
Rhodes
Hain
Mousley
Barnard
Burgess
Briggs
Miles
Booth
OHD

As KoS said, Robinson has done his usual 'cunning plan' in packing the batting ranks. So, a lot on the shoulders of the 3 seamers (and some aspiring 'CC spinner' called Briggs !). I think Barnard & Rhodes will be called upon a fair bit.

I can’t understand why Robinson has this approach. When we won the championship, Burgess spent most of the season at 6. Bresnan at 7. Then Briggs, Miles, Norwell, OHD.
So now when our bowling is weakest, he keeps strengthening the batting. Part of it is a comment on our consistency with the bat, partly to do with low bowling reserves. But it seems counter intuitive. And I suspect a lot to do with Robinson’s preference not to drop his favourites, as typically they’ve been the ones most vulnerable.

Lancs look on course for a win already!

Our 'mates' at Worcester are doing a grand job at the minute - 5 down in 15 overs!

Lancashire should get full bowling points this afternoon.

There is no issue with the balance of the side here. I mean at times this season we've had Burgess at 8 with Bethell at 7.

5 batters, 1 keeper, 1 genuine all-rounder, 4 bowlers. I know this forum loves a pile on but we cant criticise that can we?

BristolBear wrote:

The_Lickey_Banker wrote:

Team:-
Yates
Davies
Rhodes
Hain
Mousley
Barnard
Burgess
Briggs
Miles
Booth
OHD

As KoS said, Robinson has done his usual 'cunning plan' in packing the batting ranks. So, a lot on the shoulders of the 3 seamers (and some aspiring 'CC spinner' called Briggs !). I think Barnard & Rhodes will be called upon a fair bit.

I can’t understand why Robinson has this approach. When we won the championship, Burgess spent most of the season at 6. Bresnan at 7. Then Briggs, Miles, Norwell, OHD.
So now when our bowling is weakest, he keeps strengthening the batting. Part of it is a comment on our consistency with the bat, partly to do with low bowling reserves. But it seems counter intuitive. And I suspect a lot to do with Robinson’s preference not to drop his favourites, as typically they’ve been the ones most vulnerable.

How is Burg at 6, Bresnan at 7 followed by Briggs, Miles, Norwell, OHD, any different to Burg at 7, Barnard at 6 (or 5) followed by Briggs, Miles, Booth, OHD?

BristolBear wrote:

The_Lickey_Banker wrote:

Team:-
Yates
Davies
Rhodes
Hain
Mousley
Barnard
Burgess
Briggs
Miles
Booth
OHD

As KoS said, Robinson has done his usual 'cunning plan' in packing the batting ranks. So, a lot on the shoulders of the 3 seamers (and some aspiring 'CC spinner' called Briggs !). I think Barnard & Rhodes will be called upon a fair bit.

I can’t understand why Robinson has this approach. When we won the championship, Burgess spent most of the season at 6. Bresnan at 7. Then Briggs, Miles, Norwell, OHD.
So now when our bowling is weakest, he keeps strengthening the batting. Part of it is a comment on our consistency with the bat, partly to do with low bowling reserves. But it seems counter intuitive. And I suspect a lot to do with Robinson’s preference not to drop his favourites, as typically they’ve been the ones most vulnerable.

Well OHD didn't play after July that season so we changed it up a bit. Benjamin came in and Lamb went 6 sometimes, Bresnan sat out v Lancs and Hampshire at home. Then Benjamin sat and Brez came back. Rhodes bowled a lot more. Chemar Holder was signed. Completely different set of circumstances. We won some close games, nobody averaged above 40 but we had about 7 lads average in the 30's.

Who playing in this XI shouldn't be playing? Considering the injuries and unavailability of other players.

I think this looks like the best team that the Club could put out in the (injury-hit) circumstances.
There are eight players in the team who have taken Championship wickets this season and eight who have registered a score of 50 or more - and that's not counting OH-D who would have scored several 50s if his partners didn't keep getting out.

Yes, OHD's potential is there but he hasn't had the partners to stick with him when he needs them most, they let him down and leave him stranded when a ton is there for the taking, something else to put right for next season.