Andy wrote:

Looks like he's been forced out, shame as he's a lovely gloveman and still young.

Trying to make it as a keeper is tough. I see that Alex Milton isn’t being offered a new contract at Worcestershire.

Surely it is better for him to try to fill the opportunity for a back up keeper at Worcestershire than to be 4th string at Warwickshire, where he's unlikely to get a full time contract.

Warwickshire have tried a number of young keepers over recent years, including Ben Griffin and Jack Holloway, but none of them were able to score the runs needed to go with their keeping ability.

If Warwickshire are wanting to press on to get into a position to declare, it's maybe about time that Dom Sibley got out of first gear.

I suspect Warwickshire know the only way they win this is by playing T20 style, which on this pitch is also the only way they can lose it.
Even if they smashed 200 in 25 overs. I don’t think the pitch would allow them to get 10 wickets quickly enough.
More valuable and realistic to get Sibley back in form, maybe if the chance presents itself give Rhodes some time to bat, then call it at tea and give themselves an extra sessions rest and get ready for the next one.

I don't think they were ever going to go for it and I think that is fine. A loss is worse than a draw. At some point in this teams evolution I think they need to be a bit more positive than this though. Lancs have scored a little quicker and that might have made a difference had Warwickshire done the same over both innings. For now I'm just happy they have played better than in 2020, a full winter with a more settled set up they should get better still.

I also think that Somerset losing made us less likely to go for the win. No point risking a defeat to go for a win with three games still to go.

I guess it's easy for me to be a dashing captain making daring declarations from the comfort of my armchair.

It's been a hard fought, attritional week. I think we can be satisfied with the teams efforts. Norwell bagging wickets, Briggs bowling long spells, Holder getting some overs in. Benjamin ton and positive intent, Hain spending good time at the crease, Lamb ticking over with time at the crease, Sibley getting back in the groove.

We move.

A balanced report here:
https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/county-championship-2021-1244186/lancashire-vs-warwickshire-division-1-1271382/match-report-4
By the way, the mention in the report of Samuel Beckett has reminded me of a quiz question which I will post on another thread.