Great article on the 100, from George D, in this months Cricketer. He points out (as lucidly as ever), how clever it was of the ECB, to spend £50m on promoting the competition, to get £40m back in from it!

Pollock opening in his last game for us. Michael Booth is in again, but Bradley Currie is playing for Gloucestershire!

Last Seconds game of the season, at Rockhampton.

We're batting first.

Bald_Reynard wrote:

I agree
The_Lickey_Banker wrote:

Coming up to that time of year again. My thoughts:-

Not Retained - Ryan Sidebottom, Vikai Kelley, George Furrer and possibly George Garrett?

New Contracts - Jordan Bulpitt, Kiel van Vollenhoven, Karl Carver and possibly Michael Booth & Bradley Currie?

I agree about the players likely to be released. There is a chance George Garrett might have do enough, but I'm not sure about him. As far as new contracts go, yes, Jordan Bulpitt, but I'm not sure KvV and Karl Carver have done enough - yet. Michael Booth and Bradley Currie will probably play again in the last Seconds game (Gloucester, away, on Monday), so a decent performance (again - they did well against Hampshire) might help.

Bradley Currie is playing AGAINST us at Rock Hampton today, so I guess he is unlikely to get a contract! Booth is in again and if he does well, I wouldn't be surprised if he gets something for next season.

Perhaps the earlier pessimism was a bit unfounded. Yorkshire 65 for 5 now, with only Ballance holding us up (so far!). Woakes & Norwell doing what Patterson & Coad did earlier.

Tayls79 wrote:

Some changes to that team from the squad with some coming from outside the squad. Few covid changes perhaps?

Yep, Woakes is in for Holder. Bethell is in for Briggs - perhaps a late Covid change, as Jacob wasn't in the squad. Bresnan is in for Yates - I don't know if that's tactical or enforced. Both bowling changes do really lengthen the batting and I guess Bresnan does help as a fourth seamer.

Yorkshire won the toss and put us in.

Weather is pretty crap for Leeds over the next couple of days. Today should be OK, though rain is coming in this evening (so probably a 'bad light' finish). Tomorrow and Tuesday is dark cloud and showers all day according to the BBC Weather (don't know what the Met say). Of course, one of the problems of mid to late September cricket - and not helped by Northern climes.

I agree
The_Lickey_Banker wrote:

Coming up to that time of year again. My thoughts:-

Not Retained - Ryan Sidebottom, Vikai Kelley, George Furrer and possibly George Garrett?

New Contracts - Jordan Bulpitt, Kiel van Vollenhoven, Karl Carver and possibly Michael Booth & Bradley Currie?

I agree about the players likely to be released. There is a chance George Garrett might have do enough, but I'm not sure about him. As far as new contracts go, yes, Jordan Bulpitt, but I'm not sure KvV and Karl Carver have done enough - yet. Michael Booth and Bradley Currie will probably play again in the last Seconds game (Gloucester, away, on Monday), so a decent performance (again - they did well against Hampshire) might help.

BristolBear wrote:

Exiled Bear wrote:

What a joke. Yates, Briggs and Norwell all got shocking decisions that have cost us that game, and probably any chance of the title.

Hain and Burgess also both seemed to be very unhappy about caught behind decisions in this match.

I’d definitely say that Bresnan would have been significantly more helpful than Holder in that match too.
Someone mentioned passengers above, it’s considerably alarming that all season in the championship, that our overseas players have been passengers. That is the exact opposite of their purpose. Farbrace needs to have a serious look at himself and his ability to attract top overseas talent.

I agree with all that BB. The Championship Overseas signings have been a complete shambles this season. Either no ability (Holder), no form (Vihari), or only found form at the end of his stay (Malan). And we desperately needed some quality, to help a very inexperienced squad, especially with the batting - the likes of Lamb, Mousley and Yates need help.

The way the bowlers have been handled hasn't been good either. We know injuries have been significant, but the constant tinkling with the lineup of fit players, hasn't helped. How many times has Bresnan been in and then dropped again (notably in the last 2 games)?

I'm at a total loss - I think Farb is too!

Andy wrote:

Think Hose could also be struggling at some point. He's 29 in October and nowhere near the 4day side.

I agree - he hasn't been the signing we anticipated. He's never going to be anywhere near the red ball team - and even in white ball, he hasn't pulled up any daisies ! Injuries have also impacted - much more so than other batsmen. I would guess management might give him 1 more season, to prove he can perform regularly - depending on the length of his contract (does anyone know ?) - but if he is out of contract, I would release him.

Andy wrote:

Positive test within the Hampshire playing squad

Ah, it must have upset them, cos they're 74 for 8! 4 wickets for the Captain (again), 2 for Liam and 1 apiece for Miles & Holder (expensively).

No idea why Covid held it up, but the team has been announced, the toss has happened and play starts at 11.30. As expected, Bresnan and Johal left out. Lineup:-

Yates, Sibley, Benjamin, Hain, Rhodes, Lamb, Burgess, Briggs, Miles, Norwell & Holder.

We won the toss and chose to bowl.

Same 13 man squad as Lancs:-

Rhodes, Benjamin, Bresnan, Briggs, Burgess, Hain, Holder, Johal, Lamb, Miles, Norwell, Sibley & Yates

I guess it will be the same 11 - ie no Bresnan or Johal ?

6 wickets (again) for Liam. He's been an incredible acquisition for us - if only he could stay fit for a whole season!

So pleased Benjamin made his ton. Can't believe we found this jewel - and no other County spotted his potential. Clearly a latish developer, but still years ahead of him - in red as well as white ball?!

Bald_Reynard wrote:

13 man squad:-

Rhodes, Benjamin, Bresnan, Briggs, Burgess, Hain, Holder, Johal, Lamb, Miles, Norwell, Sibley and Yates

I would guess Benjamin and Johal will miss out?

Bresnan and Johal in the end. I'm pleased they've given Benjamin go in red ball, we'll see his adaptability. We won the toss and batted.

Sibley (again) and Yates fell very cheaply. Benjamin and Hain stabilising things at the moment.

13 man squad:-

Rhodes, Benjamin, Bresnan, Briggs, Burgess, Hain, Holder, Johal, Lamb, Miles, Norwell, Sibley and Yates

I would guess Benjamin and Johal will miss out?

14 man squad:-

Rhodes, Benjamin, Bresnan, Briggs, E. Brookes, Burgess, Hain, Hose, Lamb, Lintott, Miles, Pollock, Woakes and Yates.

I would think Brookes and Lamb will miss out, but can't guess the other. Bresnan perhaps (though that only gives us 3 seamers), or Yates?

We've signed West Indies fast bowler, Chemar Holder, for the remaining 6 County Championship games.

PS Sorry about the typo in the thread title - I couldn't change it!

paulbear wrote:

Bresnan seems to be a spent force as far as his bowling goes in all formats and cannot see why a bloke who has 2 Test scores in the 90's would bat so low in the order. Was there a reason why Rhodes didn't bowl? This whole tournament has been topsy-turvy and strange to see Glamorgan actually qualify, perhaps they have had fewer injuries or Hundred call-ups.

I agree with all that Paul.

I think Bresnan is a spent force, full stop. A great bloke with a great pedigree, but one season past his sell by date (we got the - final - best, out of him last year). His bowling has gone, but his batting hasn't been great. A couple of Championship 50's (averaging 27) and a top score of 34 in the T20, is no where near what he did last season. And the injuries are starting to pile up. Obviously that's why Yorks let him go (or didn't give him a long contract). He's done his bit for us, but I would let him go at the end of the season.

As regards the Captain, for the life of me, I can not see how he uses himself for bowling - in red ball, as well as white. Top of the averages in the Championship (18.5, with 21 wickets, but only bowled 146 overs in 10 matches - that's less overs than any other seamer, even the injured ones !), top of the averages by a mile in the RLC (18, with 8 wickets, but again only 26 overs in 6 matches) and way top in T20 (11.7, with 14 wickets, but only 18 overs in 13 matches !). Anybody would think he is keeping himself back, to maintain his average (I know a few Captains in Club cricket who have always done that !). I wonder how Robinson feels about it - he must either be happy, or doesn't want an argument !

As you sum it all up Paul, it IS a very strange Tournament !