Warwickshire CCC unofficial fans forum
bearsfans.org.uk
default profile picture

Bald_Reynard

Member
Last seen 2 weeks ago
Joined:
Posts:
331
Topics:
31

Streetly_Bear wrote:

It must be tough being Chris Woakes, travelling around the world to carry the drinks and not play much cricket. I’m not going to say his talent has been wasted by any stretch, his trophy cabinet and career stats testify against that, but it’s hard not to wonder what might have been had he been around in a different era.

Completely agree. It's nothing short of a travesty the way Woakesy is being treated. It's bad that many Centrally Contracted players don't get runouts for their Counties very often, but he seems to be singled out for the worst treatment - not even getting chance to play for his Country.

Bald_Reynard wrote:

13 man squad:-

Rhodes, Bresnan, Briggs, Henry B, Burgess, OHD, Hain, Lamb, Malan, Miles, Mousley, Norwell & Yates

I'm guessing, if Miles is fully fit again, Brookes will be the bowler left out and Lamb will be back in place of Sibley, rather than Mousley ?

13 man squad:-

Rhodes, Bresnan, Briggs, Henry B, Burgess, OHD, Hain, Lamb, Malan, Miles, Mousley, Norwell & Yates

GerryShedd wrote:

Bald_Reynard wrote:

Very interesting, we're opening the Second Innings with Briggs and Rhodes ! I wonder if there's a reason, like injury to Sibley, Yates or Malan, or it's an experiment with someone who might fill that bill. Briggs is a decent bat (though as far as I know, never been that high up the order !) - and perhaps management might feel he could do the job long term (and possibly thinking that he can't justify being in the side simply as a spinner at the moment, given how little wickets help him at this time of the season !) ?

I assumed that he was a nightwatchman, sent out to face the one over last night - but I could be wrong.

Of course, how silly of me, I forgot there we had to face 1 over last night ! I was getting all excited before then, that PERHAPS we might have found a possible solution to our opening batting problems ! Anyway, you never know (!?) - Briggs is doing OK this morning - 23 NO after 13 overs (better than the Captain - obviously !).

Very interesting, we're opening the Second Innings with Briggs and Rhodes ! I wonder if there's a reason, like injury to Sibley, Yates or Malan, or it's an experiment with someone who might fill that bill. Briggs is a decent bat (though as far as I know, never been that high up the order !) - and perhaps management might feel he could do the job long term (and possibly thinking that he can't justify being in the side simply as a spinner at the moment, given how little wickets help him at this time of the season !) ?

BristolBear wrote:

It’s bowling like this that makes me feel Rhodes should move down the order. Yates will have to open anyway when Sibley goes to England. If they bring Mousley in to open, have Malan at 3, Hain 4 and Rhodes 5. I think he’d be more likely to bowl himself, and also be more likely to score runs.

I'm not sure opening with Mousley is the answer. He's having a poor season with the Seconds. They've tried him at 4 & 3 and now opening in a couple of matches - and I think he's struggled to get much into double figures (and some ducks!). IMO, Malan will have to be tried as an opener (he hasn't been yet) and give Lamb a go at 3.
I have long argued that Rhodes should move to 5 - so agree with you on that BB.

Streetly_Bear wrote:

Rhodes out early again, at the moment he has a touch of the Ian Bell when he is at the crease. He looks comfortable and then gets out.

When is Management going to make that necessary decision - the Captain is NOT an opening batsman ! Indeed I'd go so far to say now, that he is not a specialist batsman any more - he's a genuine all rounder. He should move down the order, possibly well down the order - to at least 5. I'd agree with Andy, we should go with 6 batsman / all rounders, with Burgess at 7. Rhodes would be the fourth seamer, with Bresnan as backup (he is not good enough with the ball to justify being in as a bowler) - but his batting (and experience) does merit him coming in at 5 / 6. Yates and Malan open (when Sibley disappears) and Hain / Lamb at 3 / 4 (I think Lamb's technique and concentration makes him a better 3 than Hain)

BristolBear wrote:

How foolish we all were to think that we might see Woakes actually play for his county.
Got to assume Sibley comes in, so do they drop a batsman or a bowler? If it were me, I’d drop Miles, give yourself an extra batsman against Harmer. But I suspect it will be one of Hain or Lamb.

I'd agree with most of that, but I suspect the 2 left out of the 13, will be Henry B and Lamb. Both Sibley and Lamb were in the Seconds team against Northants (game just abandoned) - Dom presumably there to get batting practice before Essex - and Matty because he's about to dropped! Brookes is nowhere near the First team at the moment, his bowling is all over the place!

Andy wrote:

Squads up. The XI that drew with Worcestershire plus Brookes and Sibley.

Stone's still there then - and Woakes isn't! I guess the ECB aren't bothered about 'overplaying' Olly and 'underplaying' Chris!?

Andy wrote:

Moving on from the Worcester game.

Essex away. Essex need a response after we put them in a tail spin!

Sibley back?
Woakes in?

Possible. But which batsman to drop (I guess, Bresnan - he is a batsman now - or Hain / Lamb) ? But whoever it is, Rhodes must surely drop down the order !

Also possible. But which bowler to drop? I guess Stone would be rested (or that would be enforced by the ECB) ?

Anyway, it is a week and a half away !

BristolBear wrote:

This is how to build an innings. Don’t lose lots of wickets early. Stay in, take the shine off the ball, put overs in the bowlers legs and build a platform.
Apart from the 4th innings against Essex that must be our best start to an innings all year.
Just do the same after lunch. They can’t let this turn from 95-1 to 150-5. Because of the weather, looks like we’ll lose a whole day, you’ve got to think the best chance of forcing a win is batting once, put up a huge score and try to force the follow on.

Surely the Captain has to drop down the order now. He's had a poor start to the season with his batting (great with his bowling) and simply doesn't look like he'll get a score at the moment, opening. With Malan here now and Yates doing so well, they should be the opening partnership - and obviously the ideal left / right hand combination. I'd try Rhodes at 4 or 5 - move Lamb to 3 (he's better technically than Hain - and has better concentration), with Hain at 4 or 5, competing with Rhodes. Burgess has cemented his No. 6 position now and so Bresnan becomes the 'sixth batsman' - who can 'bowl a bit' (ie he's not the front line bowler he was) and share duties with Rhodes ?

Highveld wrote:

Priview from the club
https://edgbaston.com/fixtures/first-xi/warwickshire-v-worcestershire-6-may-2021/#match-match-previews

Squad
Rhodes (c), Bresnan, Briggs, Burgess (wk), Hannon-Dalby, Hain, Lamb, Malan, Miles, Mousley, Nowell, Stone, Yates.

Malan and Stone replace Henry Brookes and Vihari in the squad.

I guess two M's will be the squad members left out (Miles and Mousley), with Malan and Stone coming in?

The weather forecast is not great for tomorrow morning, so an 11 start is doubtful.

Bald_Reynard wrote:

Our 13 man squad:-

Rhodes, Bresnan, Briggs, Henry Brookes, Burgess, OHD, Hain, Lamb, Miles, Mousley, Norwell, Vihari & Yates.

As expected, (a now fit) Norwell, in for the 'called up' Stone. Probably Vihari's last game - Malan is likely to be here next week.

Given the punishment Henry B has been getting by Notts 2nd team, I guess he will be one left out again - and Dan M, despite getting a ton on Monday, is probably the other. So, the only change is likely to be Norwell for Stone ?

Our 13 man squad:-

Rhodes, Bresnan, Briggs, Henry Brookes, Burgess, OHD, Hain, Lamb, Miles, Mousley, Norwell, Vihari & Yates.

As expected, (a now fit) Norwell, in for the 'called up' Stone. Probably Vihari's last game - Malan is likley to be here next week.

13 man Squad:-

Rhodes, Bresnan, Briggs, Henry Brookes, Burgess, OHD, Hain, Lamb, Miles, Mousley, Stone, Vihari & Yates.

Norwell must be injured.

I'd guess Henry B would miss out, but I can't guess who would be the other ? I suppose, one question would be, who would open with Rhodes - (the usual) Yates or (the gamble) Mousley - and one of them could be out ? Alternatively, they could both play and Miles might be out ?

Andy wrote:

Any scorecard for this?

It looks like it will be on Play-Cricket Live Scores (live.nvplay.com/ecb/), cos the match is listed as an upcoming fixture - Thursday (22nd) 11.00 start at Moseley CC (50 over game). The First team start at exactly the same time, a mile or two away of course !

Absolutely amazing result. Could never have predicted that this morning. Bresnan is the man, but great contributions from Hain, Lamb and Briggs. Who needs Sibley!

BristolBear wrote:

I think what we’ve seen so far in both matches is that, we get starts but don’t go on. That’s mental, and I’d hope Trott will help with that.
In tough conditions, Derbyshire batsmen were getting 60/70 when in. We got 20 odd and only Lamb got 50.
Today Hain should have gone on to 100. Can’t expect more from Briggs. But Yates, Vihari and Lamb all out for low scores and average shots. Rhodes the only one who can say he’s unlucky starting again the next day and got a good one from Broad.

Has JT now got a Coaching role at Edgbaston ? I'm not doubting you, but I haven't seen it announced anywhere. I mean, great, if its happened. Long overdue - (poor old) Frosty has struggled with the Batting Coaching needs for far too long now. Great bloke, but a better Groundsman imo. The standard of batting technique of so many players over the the last couple of seasons, clearly needs a beefed up Coaching set up in that area, as far as I can see. JT has both the technical knowledge and the mental discipline skills that could be invaluable to the team.

BristolBear wrote:

Stone for Miles, and Vihari for Briggs?

That would be my choice as well.

Streetly_Bear wrote:

This feels similar to matches last year, we get ourselves into a good position but are not able to capitalise. Something to work on for the rest of the season, we need to develop a ruthlessness.

Yep, same old, same old! I hope Robinson sorts them out - both in this afternoon's tactical plan and in the teams long term strategic and mental outlook.