Exiled Bear
Administrator
Woakes spoke about being available for the first couple of games, so I guess that he’ll be available, unless the ECB have changed their mind
Apparently, yes
Ali, Bethell and Barnard miss out. I don’t think any of us saw that coming.
I know form for the seconds will be taken into account, but will we really leave out the Blast all time leading wicket taker? He's one of the most experienced members of the squad, too. How similar are pitches used for the second XI games compared to the Edgbaston ones? We do have a wealth of spin bowling options though, with Yates and even Stirling as well, though I can't see them bowling more than the odd over here and there.
14 man squad:
Davies (c)
Benjamin
Briggs
Ali
Brookes
Bethell
Barnard
Hain
Lintott
Miles
Mousley
Woakes
Yates
Stirling
Brookes, Bethell and Mousley to miss out? Or do we Brookes to be a fifth seamer, or the fourth in place of Miles?
Confirmed on social media that Woakes will be available for the “first couple of games” of the blast
I’m not sure, he got a long way across. Could easily have been hitting leg I think.
BristolBear wrote:
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.
I actually don’t think it was that, I think he was waiting to see if Burgess would walk. Clearly Burgess didn’t think he’d hit it but his bat was away from his body when he played the shot
Well that was fun. That’s a huge partnership in the context of the match. Never thought I’d see OHD hit back-to-back sixes!
You seem to be glossing over the fact that the opening partnership between Yates and Davies was the third highest in this match and laid the foundation for our win.
MalmesburyBear wrote:
Fantastic win at Hampshire with virtually everyone making significant contributions.
It’s somewhat disappointing that some posters continually talk down the efforts and achievements of certain players, notably Rob Yates and Alex Davies.
The foundation for our win at Hampshire was their first innings partnership in the final session of day 1 in difficult conditions against one of the best new ball opening bowlers in the country. Both were unlucky to bat in very tricky conditions on the morning of day 2 when they fell with little addition to their overnight scores. Sam and in particular Ed will be at the head of the queue to thank them both for seeing off the new ball, giving them the opportunity to score heavily later in the game in much better conditions.
Both Rob and Alex had poor seasons last year, but will be more likely to succeed with support rather than unwarranted criticism.
Agreed. The criticism is a bit bizarre and not really necessary after such a thumping win (especially given both players contributed, as you say)
I certainly wasn’t expecting us to have won before I woke up today! Superb
The weather tomorrow could go either way - there will be heavy showers around so if one or more of those pass over the ground there could be lengthy delays, but there’s also a chance it could stay dry all day.
Would definitely have taken that at 82/1
I still think we lost this game 15 minutes before the start of play on day 1.
I worry that running an extra competition alongside the county one will devalue the county game. Where are all the extra players going to come from?
It’s a step in the right direction though.
Good finish to the day, if we can take the last two wickets quickly tomorrow then we’ve got a chance. From what I saw I think Woakes is particularly unlucky to end wicketless
This looks a bit ominous
Good interview with Chris here:
Surely with his record at home he must be in with a decent shout of making the squad, though you’d imagine that a lot will depend on how he does for Warwickshire over the next few matches.
We’ve certainly got the right bowlers for overcast conditions.