Looks like Hassan for Woakes as only change.
Benjamin and Miles as squad fillers.
Looks like Hassan for Woakes as only change.
Benjamin and Miles as squad fillers.
Sort of didn't mind Hassan being rested for a game as he'd been a little bit looser than the others. Not that he'd been bowling poorly by any stretch.
Woakes has been bowling well though and you had the feeling he might be on the verge of getting a big haul of wickets. And we don't play again til Blast Off after this game.
It's probably not a huge deal in the grand scheme of things, just an observation.
Fingers crossed for better weather as this could be a great game.
Surely Woakes can't be fatigued after the thrashing of Hampshire? He's not likely to be a first choice selection for England in the Ashes series.
Was probably the edict all the way along from on high for him to play a certain number of first class matches. Remember the 2021 title win having to beg ECB to allow him to play that second game versus Somerset. I'm guessing we haven't felt the need to invoke that option this time with Hassan having had his rest week and with us having Barnard to bowl Woakes-lite spells and maybe even Rhodes is fit enough to turn his arm over if a partnership is needed to be broken and maybe wanting to utilise ohd to open the bowling with Rushworth
Woakes will almost certainly be in the squad for that test v Ireland and they'll have him ready to step in in case Jimmy Broad or Robinson aren't available for Edgbaston and as a rotation option for rest of the series
Do we think Woakes play at Lords no matter what due to his exceptional Test record on that ground?
My view is that even if he is playing at Lords (which I would expect but not guarantee) he still should be playing in this game, as still is potentially slightly undercooked through lack of cricket over past 12 months.
It's slightly different for other England seamers who have had other game time in that period, but I seem to think this all the time in that they rest him without accounting for the fact he's been inadvertently resting for a while before that.
Ali isn't a downgrade bowling wise but it does take something away from our batting and we have a big tail for this game now.
Forecast has improved slightly but still expecting delays today - can we win the toss finally?
Andy wrote:
Do we think Woakes play at Lords no matter what due to his exceptional Test record on that ground?
Possibly but I think it'll be more to do with availability of others and the conditions in the week leading up to the game. Stokes will want Lord's to be the harder and flatter than normal as he's said he want those wickets. Big gamble that I think but it's bold. Chances of that type of wicket being able to be produced at Lord's if the weather played ball they've got the resources to produce such a pitch.
Rainy week and Broad needing a rest perhaps it is when Woakes comes in but not if conditions dictate we need to bring Wood in or extra bounce of Potts say.
We don't really know the state of Chris Woakes' dodgy knee. I suspect he'll never again be 100% fit for bowling.
Re Woakes, I agree he's earned a rest week though with no 4 day game after this for a while it is a little unfortunate. I can recall last year or the year before it was said he struggled with back-to-back games of any format with his chronic knee: we've had good availability from him already. He's the ECBs employee so they decide, though I don't think he'll play against Ireland as that will be either a possible for the Ashes or a loosener for those expected to play. I do think he'll be in the wider squad though, there are lots of fast / medium bowlers near England first team with injuries and I think he will play some part in the summer.
With the rain delay, it might not matter who plays if we cannot get on the pitch. Would hate England to pick Woakes and then not play him, that has happened many times. I still think he should play, Broad has not done much so far,11 wickets in 3 games.
Think they won't play Jimmy against Ireland. He's had a decent run of games in the CC now looked primed this morning with 2 for 5 off his 8 over spell. Possibly only one of Broad and Robinson will play too. So Woakes probably will play against Ireland along with anyone else who's short of bowling time returning from the IPL maybe even Sam Curran or one of the Overton's
If Curran plays then it is a backward step for England, cannot see how someone who can't win games in the CC can be considered a Test standard allrounder.
That catch was as good as anything by Piper - real top draw. 24/2 and we actually won the toss.!
Rushworth brilliance again....2 wickets in 3 balls to reduce Essex to 76/4.
Correction....Essex 76/5......Rushworth's 3rd wicket in this last over before tea. The guy is amazing!
So far this season, we are running out of things to say about Rushworth and I cannot think of any more words to describe what has become an incredible signing.
Fantastic piece of business. Durham fans must be as incredulous as we were when we inexplicably allowed Keith Barker to walk away.
Essex 112/8. Hannon-Dalby has stepped up with 3 wickets now......
From 76/2 to 126 all out - well done - let's hope we can build a good first innings lead