With Sam Hain out for the whole competition, it is increasingly looking as if the focus will have to go on giving experience to young players rather than seeking to win the trophy.

Club update on Sam:
"Hain, who was named captain of the side for the One Day Cup campaign in the absence of Ed Barnard while he represents SunRisers Leeds in The Hundred, went for a scan earlier this week, with results confirming a knee injury which will see him miss the remainder of the 50-over campaign.
In Hain’s absence, Rob Yates will take over the captaincy of the Metro Bank One Day Cup team. The Club is not putting a timeframe on Hain’s return at this time."

Andy wrote:

God knows what the XI will be...

And even She’s not sure.

Congratulations to Hamza.

Sam Hain not replacing Bethell - it’s Joe Weatherley.

Another set of views on county finances here:
https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/new-county-report-warns-of-looming-realities-as-financial-gulfs-widen-1547079

From the Notts website:
Welbeck Cricket Club is situated at The John Fretwell Sporting Complex, Sookholme Road, Sookholme, Mansfield, Nottinghamshire, NG19 8LL.
Directions: Sookholme Road is the B6407 and, coming from the direction of Mansfield, is a left turning off the A60 between Mansfield Woodhouse and Spion Kop. The ground is opposite the Hostess Restaurant and 500 metres from the junction with the A60.
Car parking
The main entrance to the ground will be reserved for players, match officials and disabled parking. However, on-site car parking is available 100 yards past the main entrance on the right hand side, priced at £7 (£5 to Nottinghamshire Members). This will be signposted accordingly on the day.
Travelling By Train
A regular rail service runs between Nottingham and the nearest stations to the John Fretwell Sporting Complex – Mansfield (4.1 miles), Mansfield Woodhouse (2.8 miles) and Shirebrook (1.7 miles).
Local taxis will allow you to complete your journey, including ACE ABC (01623 654321) and Six Five Twos (01623 622222).
Up-to-date train times and service information can be found at https://www.nationalrail.co.uk/.

Exiled Bear wrote:

It’s a shame Garlick wasn’t playing at the same time as Onions and Mustard.

But there’s (Michael) Pepper and (Phil) Salt to join him on the menu.

LeicesterExile wrote:

GerryShedd wrote:

What Matt Walker didn't say:
"Having worked non-stop to transform Alex Davies' batting performances, I now feel the need for a lesser challenge."

I had to double check this wasn't posted by certain someone else - ha ha

Great minds think alike.

What Matt Walker didn't say:
"Having worked non-stop to transform Alex Davies' batting performances, I now feel the need for a lesser challenge."

Club says:
"Bears’ batting coach Matt Walker will leave the club at the end of the season after accepting the Head Coach position at Sussex County Cricket Club."

Yes, I see that they say that it is the sixth successive year that it has sold out.

I thought that the gaps in the crowd were because fans of the two beaten semi-finalists wouldn't necessarily stay for the Final. But the short gap between the quarters and Finals Day can't have helped.
It would be interesting to know what the Club has to say about ticket sales - how close was it to a sell-out?

Thanks for this.
Very interesting!

Another excellent Finals Day.
The Steelbacks were worthy winners.

Here's my own (Edgbaston related) anecdote about Sobers. It comes with a warning that it was told to me by my good friend, the late Bryan Curtiss, who was not averse to the odd tall tale.
We have to go back to 1970 and the Gillette Cup first round match between Warwickshire and Notts at Edgbaston (60 overs a side). There was no play because of rain on the first two of the allocated three days so, on one of those days, Bryan found himself in the bar with Garry and a few others. Garry was knocking back the gin and tonics at a great rate. Someone braver than I would have been asked him what he would do if he reached the point where he couldn't combine top level cricket performances with lots of alcohol. Garry's reply was that he would have to give up. When asked whether he thought he would find it easy to give up drinking, the great man said: "No, I would give up cricket."
And just for the record, when the match eventually started, Sobers took 1-19 off 12 overs and scored 70 not out to lead Notts to a five wicket victory. He was man of the match. And it wasn't a bad Bears side, with eight current or future internationals in it.

I hadn't picked up any of that about Sir Garry and it's disappointing to hear.
I see there is a new biography of Sobers by Duncan Hamilton. I'm not sure if he will be pleased that publicity around his death will improve sales or disappointed that the book is immediately out of date.

Gloucestershire have signed Henry Brookes from Middlesex on a three-year deal.

Now that Andy Flower has backed out, Justin Langer is tipped for the job.

And a friend to the Bethell family so an influence on young Jacob.