Mikkyk wrote:

The lack of pace in our attack could be exposed today...

Maybe not! Win by spin apparently.

Although I do think a draw is still pretty heavily the favourite result, especially with the weather.

Interesting that Yates has been given so many more overs than Bethell but so far he has done a very good job with the ball.

Incredible effort to give us a sniff, Yates outbowling Briggs.

Andy wrote:

Incredible effort to give us a sniff, Yates outbowling Briggs.

I'm also impressed we used 9 bowlers.

Odd thought popped into my head, but I feel really sorry for Bethell and Burgess. At least the other batters got to bat on this pitch.
They didn’t even get a chance to bat. And now they’re pretty much specialist fielders. Bethell seems to end up under the lid a fair bit. And Burgess’ thighs must be on fire. Keeping for 2 and a half days, lots of it up to the wicket, no thanks.

ExiledBrummie wrote:

Andy wrote:

Incredible effort to give us a sniff, Yates outbowling Briggs.

I'm also impressed we used 9 bowlers.

Yeah I like that, if you have the resources use them, particularly with the spinners, you just never know.

Is Rushworth injured?

Ye ,side strain according to Cricinfo.

Definitely feel a bit for Burgess but Bethell I wonder about ... I was always under the impression he was a batting all-rounder but is seems the club have the view he's a batman that bowls and behind Yates with the ball. Do we think he's a long term option as a specialist number 5? I'm not sure I do.

Maybe he's still finding his way after injury? Don't think he's a top 5 batter at the moment.

Going forward how would people feel about leaving Briggs out of the side in 4day cricket whilst using Yates and Mousley/Bethell to bowl the spin overs? For sure they'd still be times we'd pick Briggs on certain pitches against certain opponents but we could also have the option of leaving him out and playing an extra seamer or batter.

Andy wrote:

Maybe he's still finding his way after injury? Don't think he's a top 5 batter at the moment.

Going forward how would people feel about leaving Briggs out of the side in 4day cricket whilst using Yates and Mousley/Bethell to bowl the spin overs? For sure they'd still be times we'd pick Briggs on certain pitches against certain opponents but we could also have the option of leaving him out and playing an extra seamer or batter.

I definitely would leave Briggs out. Its not just how effective he's been in this match - he had a poor (red ball) season last year - only 9 wickets for 346 runs (in 135 overs). Yates, Bethell and Mousley can all cover spin needs (and with Briggs out, we can play all 3 as batsmen, or have an extra seamer).

Though, having said that, I do feel Lintott should be given more red ball opportunities - 193 overs in all the time he's been with us, is not really a fair crack of the whip. Last season, in the one CC game he played, he took 3 for 90, in 18 overs (as well as getting a 78).

I agree that Briggs ought to be left out of the red ball team. Sadly, I don't think his place can be justified and the fact that Yates is bowling far more than he is suggests that Davies doesn't have much confidence either. Perhaps he has a future still in white ball, but I'm not convinced by his red ball credentials and I'd suggest we focus on the likes of Yates, Bethell and Mousley, although I too would like to see Lintott given a chance too.

One other option might be to see if either Hartley or Bashir could come on loan; neither are getting a game at Lancs or Somerset at the moment, despite their efforts in the Indian Tests.

Seems like it was a pretty good effort to take 16 wickets on that pitch with the Kookaburra ball?

We’re 2nd in the table after that round of matches, despite all the doom and gloom around our squad I’d say that’s a pretty solid start and with Hassan and Hain to come in for the next game as well. Hopefully Rushworth will be ok as it’s back to the Dukes ball (I think?), didn’t he skittle Hampshire last season at the Rose Bowl?

Yes, I think we're back to the Dukes ball next time up.
Rushworth would be a loss if he's unfit; but Hasan was on the ground at the weekend and ready to go - and Liam Norwell was doing some running exercises on the outfield, so he might be fit (though whether he would last a full game or even survive to the coin toss on the morning of the game is less certain).

Matthew Potts' 149 not out must be one of the highest scores ever by a nightwatchman. I know that Jason Gillespie scored a double hundred for Australia but I can't think of any others as high as 149.