We've had some doings down at Southampton is recent times...

Any changes?

Poor weather forecast again?

Looks like there could be interruptions on Fri/Sat but long range forecasts have been known to change as the time gets nearer. Hampshire will be ready for us after last season saw them going for the title and thanks to our last-gasp victory, they didn't even get runners-up and finished 4th. They looked totally lost and shocked by the whole saga.

I'm not sure there's anyone we can bring in who is going to alter the balance of the side or outperform whoever they replace. I don't suppose spin is going to play much, if any, part so the most we could o is rotate a seamer out if Norwell is fit. Frankly we have limited options. What we really need is the first choice batters to play better.

Who would Norwell come in for if he was fit?

If it's rotation, any of them. Fully fit, he's in the first XI for me.

I agree that he should be in the XI if fit, just not sure who you would drop.

If it's purely on bowling form based on the last couple of games, you would have to say Woakes drops out. But I can't see that with his batting and his pedigree.

Ali wouldn't be dropped which then means OHD or Rushworth, who have been the best two bowlers so far! Probably OHD drops out then?

I'd say so. Norwell is quicker and a better bat. Also, as metronomic and nagging and skilful as OHD is, Norwell is more likely to run through a side. I must say it doesn't sit right with me that our keeper stands up to several members of our pace attack. Burgess is doing all he can to disadvantage the batter and increase the chances of getting a wicket but it should be done once in a while, not routinely, as it's becoming. If I was facing a seamer and the keeper came up then I'd immediately feel like I didn't have much to worry about from the bowler.

Mikkyk wrote:

I agree that he should be in the XI if fit, just not sure who you would drop.

If it's purely on bowling form based on the last couple of games, you would have to say Woakes drops out. But I can't see that with his batting and his pedigree.

Ali wouldn't be dropped which then means OHD or Rushworth, who have been the best two bowlers so far! Probably OHD drops out then?

Woakes was good on Day 2 v Surrey, very unlucky to go wicketless. No way was he the worst bowler.

However he may well be rested v Hants. ECB might not want him playing back to back 4 day games.

Agree Woakes bowled well on day 2. Probably ought to have bowled first thing on the Saturday. I can't see Norwell being ready. That being the case if rotation is needed I think (bit risky) but a time for Henry Brookes to step up for either of OHD or Rushworth. Worth seeing what the Rose Bowl surface is like too. I doubt there'll be many surprises although Barker is out injured and if they've had a few days of sunshine down there it could be a harder bouncier wicket than we've played on during April so Brookes added height could be effective

Scratch that he's just joined Derbyshire on loan for the next 2 championship rounds

coolerking wrote:

I'd say so. Norwell is quicker and a better bat. Also, as metronomic and nagging and skilful as OHD is, Norwell is more likely to run through a side. I must say it doesn't sit right with me that our keeper stands up to several members of our pace attack. Burgess is doing all he can to disadvantage the batter and increase the chances of getting a wicket but it should be done once in a while, not routinely, as it's becoming. If I was facing a seamer and the keeper came up then I'd immediately feel like I didn't have much to worry about from the bowler.

I think part of it is that Burgess as a gloveman is similar in mindset to Piper and Russell. He sees it as his job to pose a threat, not just stand back and stop the ball. Which I must admit I love to watch, and he’s kept superbly so far.

But also our seam attack is very samey, so little to make a batsman have to adjust their stance etc and players seem to have started coming down to bowlers more to negate swing, so keepers have to help prevent that when the bowler isn’t fast enough to push the batsman back.

Norwell is definitely a point of difference but still seems to be not ready yet. I wonder if Woakes is rested, do we bring in Briggs and put men round the bat. Or I wonder if Miles might be considered, decent bat, and has a yard of pace on OHD and Rushworth.

13 man squad announced.
Ali rested.
Benjamin, Briggs and Miles in from the other 10 who played last week.
Norwell and Bethell still injured.

I imagine it’ll depend on the pitch as to whether they pick Briggs or Miles. But from Robinsons comments about the bowling line up saying it’s usually it’s 4 seamers plus a spinner, I wonder if he’d like Briggs back in.

Norwell still injured? That's a big worry. Is it a back problem?

Doesn’t say just that he and Bethell are still out.

It does say: " Jacob Bethell and Liam Norwell (both back)".

white-lightning wrote:

Norwell still injured? That's a big worry. Is it a back problem?

Yes it's a back problem. Different area of the back to his well documented back issue last season. Probability is he's only just back bowling again after fully resting. Possibility for Essex?

Bethell also a back problem out for a wee while yet probably won't be fit for start of the Blast

Here's my preview:
https://deepextracover.com/2023/05/lv-county-championship-division-one-hampshire-v-warwickshire-at-the-ageas-bowl/

BristolBear wrote:

13 man squad announced.
Ali rested.
Benjamin, Briggs and Miles in from the other 10 who played last week.
Norwell and Bethell still injured.

I imagine it’ll depend on the pitch as to whether they pick Briggs or Miles. But from Robinsons comments about the bowling line up saying it’s usually it’s 4 seamers plus a spinner, I wonder if he’d like Briggs back in.

Given how rubbish Miles has been for the 2nds this season, I can't see there's any way he'll be in - and the same for Benjamin. My guess is that Briggs will come in. The Rose Bowl does usually take a bit of spin, even at this point of the season.

Yes I do find it odd the comments about bringing in Benjamin to “strengthen” the batting.
A bloke that averages 25 in FC cricket, has shown he struggles unless it’s a placid pitch and who has been pretty poor at seconds.
Considering the batting has been good this season until last week, I think you give them the chance to make it right.

Hope I am wrong but this squad doesn't look great at all.

Resting Ali suggests we aren't confident at all.