We are only going to be saved here by the even greater ineptitude of Kent Notts and Lancs.

Exiled Bear wrote:

Also worth mentioning that Alex Davies passed 1000 championship runs for the season and is only the second player to do so in Division 1. He's had a lot of stick since joining us but has definitely been a lot more consistent this season.

I read he was the first to do so in our division. Hopefully his captaincy will improve too, it is his first season so I'm sure we will persist with him.

Not a lot to add to the above comments. Hugely disappointing again. On that wicket with the short boundary we should have won comfortably. Brainless batting once more has undone us.

meashambear wrote:

Terrible start!

Looks a good surface to bat first.....

As Davies keeping wicket there was no need for Benjamin, we shall see. COYB!

Devon_Bear wrote:

I think they will go with the extra batter at 7, and i think they will stick with Benjamin. He played in all 14 of the group stage matches, and seems to be favoured over others in this format. Predicted team:

Davies
Moeen
Mousley
Hain
Bethell
Barnard
Benjamin
Garton
Briggs
Lintott
Gleeson

Come on you Bears!

Yeah and he's averaged 9!!! Give his place to someone more deserving.

Noticed that IF we win tonight we have avoided Surrey/Somerset and play Sussex in the second SF next Saturday - fingers crossed.

Have seen or heard nothing to say that any of Benjamin, Foulkes, Miles deserve to play. If it's a slowish wicket as often is the case I'd play the 3 seamers inc Barnard with the 6 slower bowlers.

Inside-edge wrote:

I believe Zac Foulkes is still here so will almost definitely play.

Is he any good, I can't remember!?

No team news obviously yet but this is what I'd like to see:

Davies
Moeen
Hain
Mousley
Bethell
Barnard
Smith
Garton
Briggs
Lintott
Gleeson

Tayls79 wrote:

Seems like an eventful morning. I notice from cricinfo there have been two fives hit as well. Scoring rate has been high. Have Kent been getting out while trying to sustain a quick pace?

A very short boundary towards the Hollies is one factor.

BristolBear wrote:

The lack of a top quality spinner is my biggest take away from this match. We’ve known the lack of resources and a point of difference in the seam attack since before the season began.
But seeing what Leach did this morning, we could have really put the pressure on them chasing this target with someone similar.
Yates, Bethell and Mousley aren’t good enough to be relied upon solely. They are handy party timers in 4 day cricket, not all rounders. They might have a really good day once a year, but they can't do it consistently.

Agreed. We have 4 or 5 decent one day spinners but unless Taz Ali is ready to step up we will need to recruit for next seasons four day side.

Three of our last 4 are against our fellow strugglers so it's in our hands except I can't see how we will ever bowl the opposition out twice. Think we have to play a front line spinner going forward.

Malc wrote:

Suggestions they will miss the T20 QF to be involved with an England squad.

Will Robinson and Cain comment on this I wonder! Ridiculous.

Surely not as QF 6th and England don't play until the 11th.

LeicesterExile wrote:

Have Warks settled for a draw before the day started?

Looks like it I'd have expected the declaration after OHD was out. Obviously spooked still by what happened at Taunton.

Any reasons for this collapse?

Yep bad finish but less than 5 an over is not too tough a target.

paulbear wrote:

I hope if Barnard has bowled a good tidy spell, he doesn't take himself off. New bowlers can often get carted as the pressure is off to a certain extent, if you are tidy, carry on and finish your spell.

He obliged!

A future middle order of Shaikh, Mousley, Bethell and Smith is something to be genuinely excited about!

Fantastic win today when like others I thought we were dead and buried at 5 down.

The Worcs bowling attack is extremely inexperienced though?