Yeah its a decent article that, quite revealing.

It's all a great shame, seeing an excellent prospect leave our own academy like this. A top order batter who can bowl seam, they don't come along often. We have no problem offering contracts to players from outside the Warwickshire pathway. But when it's 'one of own' we seem so reluctant.

We don't always fully commit to backing locally produced homegrown talent anywhere near as much as we like to think.

I like Farrel.

The_Lickey_Banker wrote:

Andy wrote:

Some of the individual performances from younger players in the 2's have been encouraging this season.

Yes, Jani looks a real find - I wonder whether signing him on a 1 year contract, might have precipitated Isaac to look elsewhere. Though, more likely, it was only us offering 1 year contracts to our youngsters (Worcester gave IM a 3 year).
Similarly, Sylvester has done well for the SECONDS, obviously way short of 1st team quality at the moment. On the other side of the coin, Simmons has had a poor year for the 2nds, but seems to turn it on when playing for the First team.
One to look out for, if he gets more opportunities for us, is Thilan Walallawita. An off spinner, ex-Middlesex 1st team, who has shown a fair bit of potential. He also turns out for the South Asian team.
We all know Dandy & Blakemore have shown a lot of promise and are quite likely to join last year's recruits from the 2nds - Shaikh, Booth, Malik, Kai Smith & Taz Ali, but Theo Wylie hasn't done much this season.

There is something in this from what I'm hearing. People from outside the pathway are been given pro deals off the back of a good month or so in the 2's whereas lads from the pathway feel as though they're having a good couple of seasons (or more) but not necessarily getting the same encouragement/incentive.

Is Theo Wylie injured?

Mikkyk wrote:

I would say he could've reasonably expected to have had Ali, which with Gleeson and Mousley takes away three bowlers and potentially the opening bowling partnership

Agreed

I'm conflicted on this one. He has some attributes and his availability might actually be ok as he won't be part of the white ball sides or the Blundred. But his record in the county championship is pretty poor, not a noted fielder or batter, so I just don't know. Would imagine we'd be producing turning wickets if we signed him.

Did he play for Worcestershire on loan?

Some of the individual performances from younger players in the 2's have been encouraging this season.

Omaris Khan from the u18's I think. Don't forget Dandy's knock either, that got us going.

There maybe a reason why Bamber only played 7 t20 games for the worst county the comp has seen...

Genuinely the bowling line up here is probably better than what we sent out the weekend just gone.

The game v Zim was a 13 v 13 job

Both cricinfo and live stream commentary are calling it first class.

Yep captained out u18's as recently as Thursday. We've been robbed here.

Has brought up his maiden first class century batting for England Lions versus India A. Congratulations, Dan.

Hasan Ali back Friday I've heard?

Agree on last night, not sure on this afternoon, the late wickets made it look closer than it was.

Garton, strike bowler deemed 'unbowlable'? Deary me.

Sylvester, it's not just being over weight he looks generally in poor physical condition. Like poor body composition. And as Terry pointed out he's technically all over the shop, no use of the front arm and a long stuttering run up which does absolutely nothing for him. Apparently Matt Walker recommended him? I'm a bit disturbed we've signed this lad, no disrespect. If Walker rates him so highly why didn't he contract him at Kent especially with all their injury problems to seamers? Hmm. Are you telling me there's nobody in the academy or even the Birmingham League better than him? Do me a favour...

Latham, not really a T20 player is he, looks like a passenger out there.

Davies looks genuinely flustered stood with his gloves and helmet off trying to set fields and talk to bowlers. He's doing himself a disservice.

Why, even factoring all the absentees, are we not picking our best side?!

OHD is playing for Harborne today...

Will Rhodes and Zak Foulkes are named in the Durham squad.

Fingers crossed for a fightback.

What was Jack Haynes on when Latham dropped him at cover? It weren't many, single figures?