Sam and Jacob Bethell playing today in the 1st England Lions ODI match against Sri Lanka A
Despite 21 NO (from 16 balls) and a contribution to 70 runs in the last 7 overs (giving 175 for Perth to chase), Sam couldn't help Brisbane win in the BB Final today. However, without his efforts, after debuting in the latter half of the competition, Brisbane would almost certainly have got nowhere near this game.
Those performances must be a great boost for his T20 season with us.
Brisbane won the BB Semi Final against Sydney Sixers - scraping home in a low scoring game to win by 4 wickets. Sam (going in at 4, in place of Labuschagne) only managed to get 8. But he will be playing in the Final, against Perth on Saturday.
Brisbane won the game by 7 wickets. Sam was part of a 4th partnership that put on 35 in 3 overs, to win the game (he got 8).
Now, Sydney Sixers in the final Play Off game on Thursday, to decide the team to play Perth in the Final.
Sam has helped Brisbane to go from bottom but one, to get into (what is, in effect) a Semi Final. And his scores and partnership contributions have made a crucial difference.
Brisbane Heat actually got through to the Play Offs. Beat Sydney Thunder by 8 runs (by D/L) in the first match on Friday. Sam came in on the last over and finished undefeated on 1!
Second PO today against Melbourne Renegades, Heat won the toss and chose to bowl. Sam batting at 5 again.
Sam again a 'main man' for Heat, with 26 (second top scorer) and ALMOST helping them to a final win. But he was out after 16 overs (with them only needing 18 to win). They lost by 2 runs and look like they might miss out on the Play Offs.
Can't say he let them down though since starting. Good for us - and England Lions.
Sam, top scorer with 73 NO, as Brisbane beat Melbourne by 4 runs. And part of an unbeaten 133 partnership (off 13 overs) for the 5th wicket. Brisbane now 3rd, largely down to his batting in the last 2 matches.
33 NO for Brisbane yesterday, helping them them to a win that actually takes them near the Play Offs (after being near the bottom the whole Tournament so far).
He helped the team put on nearly 100 in the last 10 overs (second top scorer to Renshaw).
Woakesy must be MotM today for Sharjah. Although they lost, he took 2 wickets (for 23 off his 4 overs) and scored 62 off 29 balls ! Mo Ali less effective !
Andy wrote:
Run out at the non strikers end when Marnus Labuschagne nailed a drive back at the bowler who deflected the ball onto the stumps.
Ah, nothing you can do about that. Good, hopefully, they'll stick with him for at least 2 more games then.
Sam finally got to play a game for Brisbane. A small contribution - going in at number 5, he was run out for 6 (don't know if it was his error), but took one catch. At least Brisbane won.
GerryShedd wrote:
Some recognition for Sam Hain:
https://edgbaston.com/news/bethell-and-hain-selected-for-england-lions/
I guess he'll head straight for Sri Lanka, when he's finished with the Big Bash. He hasn't played for Brisbane yet, as he's a replacement for Billings or Munro, when they leave for other Leagues this week. Mind you, Brisbane are currently bottom, so it's likely he'll be finished in Australia at the end of Group games in January - plenty of time before the ODI commitments.
BristolBear wrote:
Both strike me as odd candidates, especially considering the club has approached them.
I wonder if the role isn’t as popular as the club expected.
Silverwood did well as a coach, but hasn’t been a DoC as far as I’m aware. Plus I imagine Sri Lanka would want some compensation which is never ideal.
Irani wasn’t just unpopular over the alcohol accusations if memory serves me right. Plus whilst Essex did well during his reign, I’m not sure how much he contributed, and how much was good timing, considering they had a great crop of home grown youngsters on the squad when he took up his position, plus they had a lot of Alastair Cook after he stepped down from England.
https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/cricket/essex-ronnie-irani-alastair-cook-25189227
You're right BB, Irani fell out with a few at Essex, not just Cook. He's obviously a fairly abrasive character and one who perhaps finds it difficult to delegate, or let go of day to day 'hands on' control. I'm not sure how that would go down at Edgbaston - and particularly how he'd get on with Robinson.
BristolBear wrote:
Not sure what others have seen or heard, but seen some interesting rumours floating round on this.
Seems it’s right back to headhunting and applicants again. Lots of names getting chucked about by journo’s, pundits, podcasters etc. 2 of the most commonly mentioned are Steve Rhodes and Chris Adams, both have had success but a whiff of scandal around both.
As usual some old boy names are raised with Dougie Brown seemingly the only realistic contender. Though I wonder with the turning down of Giles there’s been a decision to stay away from the old boy club.
I would think the decision to steer clear of Giles, is more to do with the fact that he's come back twice and left again, going in not the best or most professional way. I wouldn't have thought there is an overall 'no old boys policy. Dougie left 'properly', not letting us down and moving for entirely understandable reasons. He's moved up in his career and while not having experience in a DoC role, has gained a useful CV, including his current role in Admin with the Pakistan Super League.
Adams, was 'on the shelf' for a long time, until he took the Dutch job, but that was only in a Coaching role. Now he's just doing some school coaching, consultancy and acting as batting scout for England. He has extensive County Cricket Manager experience - but he did leave Sussex under a pretty 'bigish' cloud. Rhodes also has Management experience and his recent work as Coach at Bangladesh was commendable (to begin with at least). However, I think his departure from New Road was because of more culpable reasons than Adams going (it was a real s**t storm!). Adams situation was one many Counties faced and he didn't deal with it well, but I reckon he's 'served his time' (and fellow 'conspirator', Salisbury, has been rehabilitated). I think his main negative, is his lack of work for many years.
While none of the three are wonderful options, I would put Dougie top of my shortlist.
The_Lickey_Banker wrote:
GerryShedd wrote:
The Club currently turning over stones to discover the missing Director of Cricket:
'Warwickshire’s search for a Director of Cricket continues, with the Club committed to finding the right person to bring long-term success to Edgbaston, after the candidate offered the job unexpectedly turned it down for personal reasons.Chief Executive Stuart Cain, said: “It’s incredibly frustrating, but after two months of conversation, the individual concerned decided not to accept the role.
"So we continue to speak to candidates who match the profile and will appoint as quickly as possible, but this appointment is for the long term and if it takes us a few months longer than we would have hoped then so be it.
“The delay won’t hinder plans for next season.
“Mark Robinson is a highly experienced Head Coach, supported by long standing Bears, Ian Westwood, and Tony Frost, as well as the new bowling coach, Stuart Barnes. They have put together a plan to address the issues we faced last year and make sure we challenge for honours across red and white ball cricket next season which the players support.
"They’re ready to hit the indoor nets hard in January, with the new signings already bringing a fresh edge to things.
“There is then the wider team who are also cracking on with their jobs. Gary Barwell is one of the best Groundsmen in the game, Paul Greetham runs an excellent talent pathway, Gerhard Mostert is one of the county circuit’s best Heads of Medicine and Keith Cook is running things behind the scenes in the same way as he has done for more than 20 years.
“We know that the team is in good hands and shaping up well for the season ahead. We will keep Members updated on developments regarding the Director of Cricket.”'
So who was it that turned the job down? And what happened to the other two who were supposedly on the short-list?
Could it be Giles, having second thoughts on ANOTHER return?
Simon Insley (?) was the one who turned us down apparently and Giles is one of the two who have been told they won't be in the final shortlist.
Andy wrote:
If he's coming as a player/bowling coach then fair enough. He has been doing his badges and I think there's a lot to admire about his career and the way he made it in the professional game.
If it's as a player only though I think it's a really odd move. We'll see.
I read all the reports as indicating he will be coming as a Player / Coach. I know he has finished most of his Coaching badges and the statement that he is leaving Durham to, "further a career outside playing", implies Coaching. Perhaps not as our main Bowling Coach to begin with, but I have a sneaking feeling that he will be working with Robinson on the bowling training, as well as playing, with a view to moving up full time, later.
I would put (a little !) money on his title as Player / Coach (or Assistant Coach). Of course, Trotty is Assistant Coach (Batting), perhaps they might get rid of a specific Bowling and Batting Coach - and save a bit of money be deleting those 2 posts (bye bye Frosty !). A lot of Counties have gone down the route of Assistant Coaches.
Berkshire-Bear wrote:
I saw it on Twitter from BBC Newcastle cricket commentator Martin Emerson. “CR has left Durham for personal reasons and is free to move elsewhere. I believe Edgbaston is his likely destination” or words to that effect.
I wonder if he has done his Coaching badges and will be coming to us as the new Bowling Coach ? Reading what it says on the Cricketer News page, he is moving to a, "new challenge", but Durham will always be, "his club". Reading between the lines, that sounds to me, to say he is retiring from playing. At 36 (and if he has his badges) he could be starting his Coaching career ?
For us, Bears fans, this is so sad, but for Matt, this is a great move. Mickey Arthur knows what he is doing, Derby are on the up and I'm sure Matt will be a huge success there - in all forms of the game. - he might even get to bowl more!
My only hope, is future Edgbaston Management (it can't be long before Robinson resigns, or is booted), will realise what talent they've let go and a return is on the cards. Matt is only 28 and on a 2 year contract. I'm sure he would look at 'coming home', if the offer was made, even if Derby make it to Division 1 (and given the likelihood of an even more skew-wiff CC structure that will be difficult). Test Match ground status will always give Edgbaston a few more bucks and a bit more pull (even if we go down!).
The_Lickey_Banker wrote:
It was an amazing result and one of the best bowling performances in recent history (LN deserves every plaudit), but I sincerely hope Management don’t hold this up as a triumph for their selections (in this and other games). We got out of jail, by the skin of our teeth and without that one man, we'd be well and truly bu**ered.
The powers that be MUST learn from the huge mistakes they've made. They must listen to Members and hold their hands up for major changes to Coaching structure, selection policy, contract negotiations and Captaincy choice. Only then will Norwell's efforts be properly rewarded.
So well said TLB. This must be a wake up call for Management and not (just) a celebration.