Regarding Norwell, what the Club said a week ago was:
“Liam’s had a setback and he’s still probably some weeks away. We’ve got to keep being patient with him because he’s got a bulging disc in his back."

GerryShedd wrote:

Regarding Norwell, what the Club said a week ago was:
“....he’s got a bulging disc in his back."

I've got one of these - lower facet joint - started with me around 2010. It's a chronic condition that's excabertated by any kind of impact - so bowling fast with it must be nigh on impossible. I had 2 cortisone injections to relieve the pain and eventually had to have a denervation procedure which stopped a lot of the pain being transmitted. Liam has my utmost sympathy if this is what he's battling against. Suspect it may well be career ending.

Why hasn’t Bethall bowled ??

I believe that Jacob Bethell has a back problem which means that he is currently unable to bowl but can (obviously) bat and field.

It was previously reported he has a stress fracture, so will be unable to bowl again this season.

Bad start to the reply, hopefully we can make a similar recovery!

Interesting listening to Essex’s bowling coach on the commentary talking about how bounce on a pitch like this, with this ball, becomes much more important with less swing and grip.

Bess didn’t get that bounce particularly. Lintott does as a “leggy” but was a bit inconsistent. Then Ali is quite short so he didn’t. Rushworth is tall, but doesn’t have the pace anymore. Then both Barnard and Rhodes are quite skiddy.

Whereas Harmer, Cook, and Bracewell do get good lift off the pitch. Did we miss a trick not playing OHD, as he does get a lot of bounce due to his height?

Four down now, and not looking good.

I didn't manage to watch much yesterday but the pitch doesn't look that easy to bat on from what i've seen today!

Hundreds from Rhodes, Barnard and Burgess incoming?

I think we will lose this!

That one from Harmer to bowl Burgess turned a mile. The Bess one went a bit and bounced too. That’s not a good sign.

I wouldn't want a ticket for day four.

It’s ok, this is all a tactic so that we’ll be able to bowl last on this pitch - get bowled out cheaply, follow on, get a lead and then skittle them…..

Pretty rubbish 1st innings batting display. Missing Sam Hain to steady things!

Exiled Bear wrote:

It’s ok, this is all a tactic so that we’ll be able to bowl last on this pitch - get bowled out cheaply, follow on, get a lead and then skittle them…..

Is this known as Bearball?

Again showing how indispensable Sam Hain is to us.

Missing Hain is obviously a huge blow. But watching their bowling compared to ours, they’ve definitely posed more threat.

Harmer is miles ahead of Bess and Lintott. He’s really getting the ball to grip and bounce now. Porter and Cook have looked much more dangerous for longer by being more consistent. And we’ve chucked away a couple of really cheap wickets to their seamers. Rhodes was careless, Davies was sloppy.

Looks as though this one is now dead and buried along with my Harmer comments. I should have just shut up, can't win them all really.

He's putting on a clinic here.

Harmer showing Bess and Lintott how it’s done.
It’s a pitch made for him, and he’s using it.

Am still curious as to how the ECB think it’s fair to hold Woakes out completely knowing he won’t play at all. But let Lawrence play Essex’s first innings score a huge hundred and then substitute him, even though again they know he won’t be playing.

You've absolutely sawed us off here paul.