IF (perhaps a big if ?), the Royal London Cup goes ahead, the first match is Glamorgan at Cardiff next Thursday (22/7). Our squad would be dramatically reduced anyway, because of the dreaded 100, but now we'll be 3 more first teamers down:-

https://edgbaston.com/news/three-bears-in-county-select-xi-to-face-india/

Rhodes, Yates and Miles are playing in the 3 day First Class Friendly against India at Chester-le-Street starting on Tuesday 20th - so they won't be available until the second RLC game, home to Notts on Sunday 25th.

The selection, along with all the other 1st class players taken out of the first round RLC games, once again shows the ECB commitment to the 50 over competition. It also clearly shows, our 50 over competition team will be staffed by many second teamers (and trial players from the Universities) ?!

I hear what you say, but I’m actually quite excited by the thought that I might witness an emerging gem in these games. I remember going to a game at Portland Road a few years ago and watching a young lad called Rob Yates! Already got tickets for York and Derby!

I suspect some players will be rested for the first few or rotated round. Just because of the amount of cricket they’ve played without a rest since April/May. The likes of Burgess, Lamb, Rhodes, Yates and Miles (when the latter 3 return).
OHD was in a protective boot on Friday night, so don’t expect him, doubt they’d play Bresnan until they need him in shape for the T20 and first class in September.
It sounds from what Robinson said we’re going to see the real youngsters, unknowns or players who haven’t played much, Mousley, Brookes, Bethell, Garrett, Benjamin, Kelley, Khan, Sidebottom, Johal, Van Vollonhoven. Be interesting how they go about it, as just throwing the youngsters in the deep end is no good. But equally, you don’t want senior first team players taking up too much of the work. Guessing a good mix and rotation of the first team players.

Yeah there is a case for getting Miles a rest though I still think he'll play quite a bit. Possibly Burgess too. Think we'll see Lamb, Pollock, Yates and Mousley (if fit). Bethell will play. Benjamin is gonna get a chance you'd think. Norwell, Sidebottom, Garrett, Johal, good opportunity for them. Ethan Brookes too. Throw in Rhodes, though he may need a rest at some stage, and a couple of others and we've still got enough to be more than competitive I'd say.

Malc wrote:

I hear what you say, but I’m actually quite excited by the thought that I might witness an emerging gem in these games. I remember going to a game at Portland Road a few years ago and watching a young lad called Rob Yates! Already got tickets for York and Derby!

Hi Malc, how did you pick up a ticket for York? When I looked on Yorkshire website I couldn't find anything about it.

Maybe they've sold out!

Don't quote me on this, but I think the entire competition is designed as a development competition and every team will be using youth and second team regulars. How this is policed and how England are expected to do well internationally with this format are the real points, in my view. I think it will work well for us and good to blend in and rotate the likes of Rhodes, OHD and Bresnan as we go into August.

Tayls79 wrote:

Don't quote me on this, but I think the entire competition is designed as a development competition and every team will be using youth and second team regulars. How this is policed and how England are expected to do well internationally with this format are the real points, in my view. I think it will work well for us and good to blend in and rotate the likes of Rhodes, OHD and Bresnan as we go into August.

I agree with you. I think the status of the RLC in ECB minds, is shown by having the First Class Counties game against India, overlapping with the first match in the RLC. They chose an XI, with little regard for many Counties team needs for the RLC. Presumably, as they thought some Counties would be well provided for, by having large Seconds squads (us being one - hence 3 players, one our Captain!).

The ECB had to ask the counties for the players. And only players who agreed to play and who’s clubs agreed were released.
A number of notable players said no, in order to rest or prioritise the 50 over competition.

Andy wrote:

Malc wrote:

I hear what you say, but I’m actually quite excited by the thought that I might witness an emerging gem in these games. I remember going to a game at Portland Road a few years ago and watching a young lad called Rob Yates! Already got tickets for York and Derby!

Hi Malc, how did you pick up a ticket for York? When I looked on Yorkshire website I couldn't find anything about it.

I phoned Yorkshire ticket office last week. Tickets were available on line, but the site kept throwing me out when I got to payment 🤷‍♂️

Maybe they've sold out!

BristolBear wrote:

The ECB had to ask the counties for the players. And only players who agreed to play and who’s clubs agreed were released.
A number of notable players said no, in order to rest or prioritise the 50 over competition.

We must have been very happy with our cover from the Seconds, to release 3 key First Teamers (including the Captain), then?!

BristolBear wrote:

The ECB had to ask the counties for the players. And only players who agreed to play and who’s clubs agreed were released.
A number of notable players said no, in order to rest or prioritise the 50 over competition.

If there was any doubt to the approach we were going to take, I think it's clear now.

It does also suggest some other counties will not be taking the same approach as us and will use as many first teamers as possible.

Hose has withdrawn from the 100 - a foot injury. I don't know how bad, but I guess there might be a chance he'll be fit for the latter stages of the RLC. He's been replaced by Chris Benjamin for Phoenix - talk about a rapid rise for CB, he didn't even have a County contract 4 weeks ago !

Mikkyk wrote:

BristolBear wrote:

The ECB had to ask the counties for the players. And only players who agreed to play and who’s clubs agreed were released.
A number of notable players said no, in order to rest or prioritise the 50 over competition.

If there was any doubt to the approach we were going to take, I think it's clear now.

It does also suggest some other counties will not be taking the same approach as us and will use as many first teamers as possible.

Looking at yesterday's round of warm up games I was struck by the blend of first teamers and academy lads in the XI's.

Sounds like we could be having a few triallists and ringers in our side though...

Official preview from the club https://edgbaston.com/news/preview-glamorgan-v-warwickshire-royal-london-cup/?fbclid=IwAR3E_RSEOPmTwmCQTtWSqp762oiQ3ZN3HxlLjpMLfkgeaVda4udkE3UvH9M

A very young squad with only 4 players having had much first team experience.

Pollock
Benjamin
Lamb
Bethell
Chakrapani
Burgess
Brookes
KvV
Garrett
Johal
Sidey

???

Andy wrote:

Pollock
Benjamin
Lamb
Bethell
Chakrapani
Burgess
Brookes
KvV
Garrett
Johal
Sidebottom
Bulpitt

From that 12, I guess Chakrapani will be left out.

Bald_Reynard wrote:

Andy wrote:

Pollock
Benjamin
Lamb
Bethell
Chakrapani
Burgess
Brookes
KvV
Garrett
Johal
Sidebottom
Bulpitt

In fact it is Bulpitt who is left out. I guess they decided to go with Chakrapani as the extra batsman, rather than a seamer (with 4 in anyway - Brookes, Garrett, Sidebottom & Johal). 3 spinners (Lamb, Bethell & KvV).

Team (batting order):-

Pollock, Benjamin, Lamb, Burgess, Bethell, E Brookes, Chakrapani, van Vollenhoven, Garrett, Sidebottom & Johal

We won the toss and decided to bat.

Not a great start, Pollock flashing to point and Lamb playing totally down the wrong line to a straight one.

Glamorgan have certainly put a more experienced side out than we have.

Looking around the country in fact it appears we are approaching the competition differently to most.

I think this is our strongest available XI all things considered factoring in the Hundred and injuries.

We do have an unusual amount of injuries.