Least the umpiring is working both ways. Doubt Essex will be thrilled by that Lawrence decision. Thought it was going down.

Watching us bowl now, and how they bowled this afternoon, this pitch seems to be very overhead condition dependent.

Sunny this morning and Rhodes and Hain were comfortable, the ball did very little in the air or off the pitch. Since it clouded over after lunch it’s been going off the pitch and in the air. And apart from the last wicket partnership, it’s looked very tough to bat on.

This reminds me a bit of Surrey last year.
Lose a couple of quick wickets, compounded by a couple of shocking decisions.

Both Briggs and Burgess didn’t look out. Burgess was clearly less than happy about it, and if you’re taking that long to give a cleanly caught catch behind, you probably shouldn’t be giving it. He’s bottled it under the pressure of the celebration.

Deeply disappointed there are no comments about the openers.

Though I will say, that catch by Burgess was spectacular. That would be hard enough off side, but down the leg side that’s simply stunning.

What has to be considered too is that we’ve only batted 5 times in 4 matches. So naturally taking out a batsman’s highest score at this stage of the season will do that.
What’s important is that as a lineup they are currently able to put scores together. That might change, then questions might need to be asked. But currently, it’s early season, the ball has moved and seamed, batting has been hard and the bears have by far the most batting points of any side in Div 1. So there’s room for improvement, but needs to be in perspective too.

Think the best thing for me is that unlike last year where after the first loss we spiralled, this year we’ve seen it as a wake up and reacted to it.

Also this side is probably the most balanced side we’ve had in quite some time. Not just in terms of batting and bowling but also youth vs experience. I’d definitely say a more well rounded squad than 2021.

Plenty of bowling options, plenty of different ways to take wickets, lots of options that could be brought in.
In the batting we haven’t quite got the same depth in the squad, but we’ve got a lot more players in form than we’ve had for some time. I mean, we’ve only batted twice in one of our 4 matches so far.

Rushworth is doing a Norwell.

In a situation like this let’s be honest, if the bears have to bat again by bowling them out, Hampshire haven’t scored 300+. If they’re 3 or 4 down early, they’ll remove all risk, try take time out the game. So the awkward chase at the end is more likely to be a case of, do you have the overs left to score 60-70.
Whereas declaring overnight, means even if you bowl them out cheaply, you give Hampshire something to defend. So less brave, more stupid.

Looks like today is a total washout. Shame, as I suspect that robs us of a chance to get a win unless something very dramatic happens.

Excellent work by Hain, Barnard and Burgess.

Hain seems to be batting much slower this year. But Burgess and Barnard really upped the rate, got the 2nd and 3rd batting bonus points. Hopefully we get some play tomorrow, these 2 continue, get a 200-250 lead and we’ll see what happens.

Either way this is a great response from last week against a decent team and one of the best attacks on the league.

With Rhodes at 3, we’re basically 2 down every time we lose the first wicket.
I get he’s a championship winning captain etc but he hasn’t scored good runs for 2-3 years now. He’s being carried, and you can’t win anything carrying a player like that.

A great day. Think that last session shows that it’s a good batting pitch, and the bowlers did really well to get Hampshire out cheaply.

Considering Abbott and Abbas are two of the best bowlers in the league, and there was plenty of cloud cover, it’s an even better outcome.

I think for me it’s a perspective thing from the toss. The pitch looks pretty true, decent pace, good for batting. They chose to bat, and if we get them out for under 250, we’d have definitely taken that at the start of the day.

white-lightning wrote:

BosworthBear wrote:

Meanwhile Henry Brookes has 5-8

Not a good decision to let him go on loan?
I know it's a Division lower, but 10 overs and 13/5 is some going!

I suspect it says more about the division and how rare speed like his is in Div 2. Henry has been given chances the last couple of years and has been wayward and not always that threatening. But good to see him doing well. Maybe it’s a confidence thing.

Wicket for Coolerking

Thought Woakes and Rushworth were good first up. OHD and Barnard have released the pressure a bit.

As we’ve discussed on here before, it definitely says something that Burgess comes straight up to OHD. It’ll be interesting to see how Briggs goes now, but I think we also have to remember that Hants won the toss and chose to bat, so you’ve got to think it’s good batting conditions and a decent wicket.

Yes I do find it odd the comments about bringing in Benjamin to “strengthen” the batting.
A bloke that averages 25 in FC cricket, has shown he struggles unless it’s a placid pitch and who has been pretty poor at seconds.
Considering the batting has been good this season until last week, I think you give them the chance to make it right.

Doesn’t say just that he and Bethell are still out.

13 man squad announced.
Ali rested.
Benjamin, Briggs and Miles in from the other 10 who played last week.
Norwell and Bethell still injured.

I imagine it’ll depend on the pitch as to whether they pick Briggs or Miles. But from Robinsons comments about the bowling line up saying it’s usually it’s 4 seamers plus a spinner, I wonder if he’d like Briggs back in.

coolerking wrote:

I'd say so. Norwell is quicker and a better bat. Also, as metronomic and nagging and skilful as OHD is, Norwell is more likely to run through a side. I must say it doesn't sit right with me that our keeper stands up to several members of our pace attack. Burgess is doing all he can to disadvantage the batter and increase the chances of getting a wicket but it should be done once in a while, not routinely, as it's becoming. If I was facing a seamer and the keeper came up then I'd immediately feel like I didn't have much to worry about from the bowler.

I think part of it is that Burgess as a gloveman is similar in mindset to Piper and Russell. He sees it as his job to pose a threat, not just stand back and stop the ball. Which I must admit I love to watch, and he’s kept superbly so far.

But also our seam attack is very samey, so little to make a batsman have to adjust their stance etc and players seem to have started coming down to bowlers more to negate swing, so keepers have to help prevent that when the bowler isn’t fast enough to push the batsman back.

Norwell is definitely a point of difference but still seems to be not ready yet. I wonder if Woakes is rested, do we bring in Briggs and put men round the bat. Or I wonder if Miles might be considered, decent bat, and has a yard of pace on OHD and Rushworth.