Can think of at least 3 LBWs other than Rhodes’ in this match where the umpires seem much keener to raise the finger than I would like. 2 of these are Notts wickets. Seems the benefit of the doubt is going to the bowler whereas I was always taught the other way round.

Let's give Vihari the benefit of the doubt, he's only just turned up, in a side that's been struggling with the bat for years. He's been capped in the strongest India side in decades so he can't be that bad.

Robinson really needs to sort the batting out though.

We also need to stop bowling so well in the first 20 overs and then lacking any killer instinct to kill the opposition off afterwards.

Good to see Danny Briggs getting four wickets yesterday. Based on his bowling at Edgbaston last week, I wouldn't have backed him to get four wickets in the whole of the Championship season.

On the Vihari matter, I do feel that he’s in an impossible situation regarding succeeding for the team. He was never going to do well this match. He’s not going to determine the long term success of the side. Overall whatever he does it’ll only be 3 games.
From a personal and Indian standpoint however, this is a great success no matter what. He’s going to get 6 innings, obviously he’d prefer to score runs, but it’s more about getting used to English conditions. Facing Broad is a bonus so he has some exposure in English conditions.
Do I blame him, not at all, but I get the feeling the club were so desperate they’ve allowed themselves to be used.

BristolBear wrote:

On the Vihari matter, I do feel that he’s in an impossible situation regarding succeeding for the team. He was never going to do well this match. He’s not going to determine the long term success of the side. Overall whatever he does it’ll only be 3 games.
From a personal and Indian standpoint however, this is a great success no matter what. He’s going to get 6 innings, obviously he’d prefer to score runs, but it’s more about getting used to English conditions. Facing Broad is a bonus so he has some exposure in English conditions.
Do I blame him, not at all, but I get the feeling the club were so desperate they’ve allowed themselves to be used.

If the Indian cricket board have similar contract with their players, do you reckon we're even paying him to play?

Would make sense for India cricket board to cover the costs to allow one of their contracted players to play in England and get uses to the conditions.

I honestly don’t know anything about the Indian central contracting system. But English centrally contracted players get paid when in the Big Bash or IPL by their franchise. So I’d expect the same for an Indian playing over here for a county.

I’m sure we will be paying something, even if the Indian board were to subsidise (which I doubt). He has been unfortunate as it could have been very different had Sibley not been injured.

The ideal scenario would have been Sibley and Rhodes both make good starts, seeing off the new ball and getting a decent score on the board. Yates may have been able to get some runs and then Vihari able to come in and take the scoreboard on further.

However, as an overseas the pressure is on and expectations are higher. I guess it was a gamble hoping he could contribute straight away. For three games it was probably not worth the risk.

A good stand between Hain & lamb....can we pull off an unlikely win? Still a tall order to get another 168.....if only Sibley could bat!

I don't want to sound like I'm getting my excuses in early but the Sibley situation has really done us here.

Anyway, Hain and Lamb played well there.

The Bears are really hamstrung by not having Sibley in both innings. Daft rule in cricket not to be allowed a sub for any injuries.

Hain and Lamb gone now. It's not looking good from here. Both played well (as did Rhodes) but one of them has to go on and make a ton.

Burgess bowled. Let's just say it would be a miraculous win from here.

Couple of points re batting here. One thing not mentioned about Vihari is he club were unsure if Malan would ever get his visa. So I wonder if at the time if signing they anticipated it was going to be for half a season. I think the finances of it are irrelevant. That budget was set aside for wages and there would have been some sort of rebate on Malan being delayed.

Techniques of players I have had chance to take a good look at with youtube. Hain seems to get his leg side set-up out of the way once he's set. So that comment someone made about there being a mental problem I agree is part of the malaise - especially these two knocks when he's been well set. I also had no idea before today how awkward looking Matt Lamb was at the crease. Both these two just skittled by Paterson I reckon could have been avoided with a better off side technique.

Having said all that, I think we might be more on the way up than the way down. Most of the batting order are in the right position, they've done it all at least once before and everyone knows their jobs. A bit more experience I think things could change. Might even get a score above 250 soon.

Unlikely, but can the lower order put up a fight?

They're doing fine so far.

The shame of this, no matter how it does turn out, if we’d had Sibley, and Vihari or Yates had stuck around in some way, I most definitely believe we would have won this comfortably. Just like 2019 build a platform let Burgess and Lamb go finish it.

Absolutely brilliant.

Absolutely amazing result. Could never have predicted that this morning. Bresnan is the man, but great contributions from Hain, Lamb and Briggs. Who needs Sibley!

Yes, what a brilliant run chase. Well done to Tim Bresnan! I'm happy to be proved wrong! This should give the team massive confidence now!

Amazing fight-back win! What a chase! Briggs got wickets, Hain runs in both innings and Bresnan is still class with excellent support from Stone and Briggs. We can forgive Vihari he just needs time to adjust. Real confidence giving win!