How confident are we of Hasan Ali's availability for the first 2 games? Pakistan have a series against NZ coming up. I think?

We'll be about 6th or 7th in the County Championship, we'll flirt with relegation but it will be nothing like last season. We won't threaten the top 2 or 3.

Anything less than Finals Day, even winning it, should be considered a failure for the T20. Ridiculous amount of firepower in the side. The club is clearly prioritising this comp too.

One Day Cup. Really enjoyed this comp the last couple of years, hope to see young players continuing to get opportunity.

XI for Taunton, difficult to say. Think one or two of the seamers are going to be very disappointed. Especially if Woakes and Hasan are available. Does Davies still get in? Yates and Rhodes to open? Who goes 3? Not sure about Woakes batting 5, I think his batting has regressed a bit. I've got this weird feeling that Davies plays and keeps, no Burgess. I don't endorse that though. Hope Dan Mousley gets a go, it's time. Will Bethell usurp Briggs at some point? Briggs was poor last season and has been injured this winter. We could potentially bat very deep with Bethell in and I feel as though his bowling has improved. Seamers OHD, Hasan, Woakes, Norwell, Barnard, Rushworth. They can't all get in? Can they?!

Rambling now...

One thing is for sure, if it don't work out this season, it's on Robinson. He's got his way on coaching staff and playing squad now. Some good players who didn't wanna leave got let go in Lamb and Stone. Team selection got increasingly weird as the 2022 season went on. Don't think Gavin Larsen will be as hands on or as involved as Farby was on the playing side. This is Robbo now. And he didn't impress last season.

So what is Gavin Larsen's remit?

I always got the impression Farbrace was pretty 'hands on' with the playing squad, having a big say on contracts and recruitment (he's recruitment was poor). He took the Pathway seriously too I feel, we may not see the benefit of that for a few years though.

Will Larsen be similar? Or is it more of a commercial role now?

I wish him well.

And im just relieved its not Ashley Giles!

Hmm, would prefer to see one of the younger guys get a chance.

Brian is a terrific bloke.

I don't think it's unreasonable to be excited by this signing. Clearly a brilliant cricketer who can play shots we'll have never seen anyone in a Bears shirt play before. If it doesn't work out it will just be one of those things. We've signed one of the best T20 players available.

A clear upgrade on Carlos Brathwaite (semi retired) and Paul Stirling (rubbish). I don't remember people championing either of those signings at the time of them being announced. I could be wrong.

He's ended up playing quite a bit, it's been terrific experience for him.

Good stuff, thanks for that.

Has signed for MI Cape Town in the SA20 league.

Unreal knock, innings was going nowhere until he came in and got going. Lots of ramp/paddle type shots and used his feet to shuffle across and access vacant areas behind square on the legside.

Good to see him do well against Zampa and Joe Clarke. During the previous game against Melbourne Stars Hain got out stumped, was poor cricket admittedly, but Zampa and Clarke appeared to be taking the piss out of him. Was unnecessary, no need. Glad Hain got them back today.

Brisbane Heat have now won 4 straight with Hain in the side. They haven't missed Billings and Munro at all.

Run out at the non strikers end when Marnus Labuschagne nailed a drive back at the bowler who deflected the ball onto the stumps.

Still can't get a game for Brisbane Heat even after the departures of Billings and Munro...

Has left his position as academy coach to take up the role of assistant coach at Worcestershire. This is a blow as I know he was well thought of at Edgbaston.

It is stepson.

Has signed as a replacement player for Brisbane Heat in the BBL. He grew up on the Gold Coast in QLD so its something of a homecoming for him.

I thought Yorkshire had way more members than that. And didn't Notts have over 8000 a few years back?

Why have they given up a home game? I'd be livid if I was a Derbyshire member.

I can't believe Derbyshire have agreed to this.

Won the 40 over comp in 2010 too.

All good info, thanks for this.

Re. Bulpitt, I was a little disappointed he wasn't offered a somekind of deal after his RLODC appearances in 2021, he didn't tear it up but he looked like he had something to work with and could swing the ball. It would be great if we could see a guy make it to getting a full time contract off the back of a few years toil in the Birmingham League.

Craig Miles has had his contract extended till end of 2025.

I like him but he's done well to get that...