LeicesterExile wrote:

Personally I was hoping Moeen would not be available. I'm a great believer in the saying "If it ain't broke etc" both from a captaincy and performance viewpoint.

Fair point but is he not contracted to us for one day games or is he paid by England still?

Highveld wrote:

What "due dilligence" procedures are followed with overseas signings? We seem to have two players, from the same source, who have spent significantly more time unavailable that on the field. In the case of Jamal, it seems he arrived with an injury that was not disclosed or indeed discovered in a pre signing medical.

The last few years of overseas recruitment do appear to be based on what ever "bargain basement" players were on offer from a favoured agent.

There is also the problem of Robinson rewarding mediocrity, giving full county caps, contracts and positions of responsibility to his favoured players. long term contracts have been awarded to players whose performance did not justify a contract extension.

Booth and Bethell both have a lot of potential, but need to be given the time to deveop and grow as players, for sustainable success, in all forms of the fgame we have to deveop our own players.

The overseas thing is very frustrating when you see the quality and reliability of other sides signings - Harmer, Lyon, Elgar, Roach, Abbott, Abbass to name some.

I love Woakes but he's lucky to get picked for England nowadays. As for Davies, promoted well above his ability to be a championship captain although I do think he's decent enought for the one dayers. My choice would be Barnard.

The whole cosy coaching set up needs a complete re boot too, hopefully not starting in Div 2 although that looks very possible.

Will be as embarrassing as the Essex game if we lose. Questions will need to be asked again of the management and captaincy. No wins yet this season is desperate stuff, even Worcester have won a game!

Will be shocked if we bat on in the morning.

Let's hope it's not a disastrous second innings as per Essex!

If he's replacing Benjamin that's fine by me.

Davies is a good one day captain only in my opinion.

100% a defeat from here on in sadly. Barker will swing the ball all over the place when we bat again.

Nice one Bears, especially the spinners and inevitably Hain and Bethell. However, please drop Benjamin for his own good.

Difficult to predict who drops out from that - Benjamin, Miles and a spinner perhaps?

Devon_Bear wrote:

England could be out of the World Cup this time next week if we don't pip Scotland on run rate. For the next two matches we need to drop old timers Bairstow, Ali, Jordan & Wood, and bring in Duckett, Curran, Hartley & Topley.

I think the team for the next game should be: Salt, Buttler, Duckett, Brook, Livingstone, Jacks, Curran, Hartley, Archer, Rashid & Topley.

They won't drop Moeen but completely agree on your other suggestions.

Streetly_Bear wrote:

We really lack a powerful batsman to clear the ropes in these middle overs. We just invite pressure on ourselves without the ability to pressurise the opposition.

This was mentioned earlier in the competition, particularly an issue when the bowling misfires for the second game running.

The_Lickey_Banker wrote:

Jamal in for Gleeson - the only change.

Durham won the toss and chose to bat first.

Benjamin and Mousley extremely lucky! Got to be the very last chance saloon.

Andy wrote:

Has there been any moments this Blast campaign, or the last, where Alex Davies inferior keeping has cost us?

And I ask this as a massive Michael Burgess fan.

Not at all, it's just a certain posters current obsession. Do think Burgess should be strongly considered as a batsman though.

Theo Wylie looks some player though.

Good win! I'd say we have one of the strongest bowling attacks in the comp and perhaps just one power hitter short in the batting, but very early days. Encouraging.

I'd guess at this team, especially with the continuing mystery of Chris Woakes! Moeen will be available for the second half of the schedule too.

Davies
Yates
Hain
Benjamin
Mousley
Bethell/Barnard
Garton
Lintott
Briggs
Hasan Ali
Gleeson

Yes clearly the better team. Frustrating that no wins in the first half of the season despite racking up more bonus points than anyone else.

GerryShedd wrote:

Good news about Hasan Ali.

Yes, but is Woakes not also available now or is he only going to play in the Blast?