GerryShedd
Super Moderator
In the end, a convincing win.
Table here:
https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/royal-london-one-day-cup-2022-1297661/points-table-standings
Am I right in thinking that, because the top two have to play each other on Tuesday and Gloucestershire have already finished their group matches, if the Bears win against Somerset who have yet to win a match, they will qualify for the quarter finals?
I can only agree with Exiled Bear and Highveld.
The Bears have still won more games in this competition than they have lost and, if they win the last two games, could still (just about) qualify for the quarter finals. Losing the overseas all-rounder and then, in this game , having the wicket-keeper dislocating a thumb have hardly helped.
As for the Vitality Blast, has everyone forgotten that the Bears finished top in their group before going out at the quarter final stage? They had the highest net run rate of any team in the two divisions.
I agree that the Championship has been pretty disappointing, especially after last year's win. The bowling, in particular, hasn't been up to scratch and the overseas player (McAndrew) tried hard but was slightly more successful with the bat than the ball. Injuries to Norwell Stone and Woakes didn't help - Woakes if fit would undoubtedly have played some early season games and Stone would have been trying to get himself back into England contention.
As well as getting the overseas signing(s) right next year, it will be key that several of the undoubtedly talented young players need to step up to the next level and establish themselves. Although he had a bad start to the year, I have no doubts about Rob Yates. Dan Mousley has been held back by injuries. I am thinking of players like the Brookes brothers, Jacob Bethell and George Garrett plus one or two of those who have featured in the Royal London tournament.
There were years when the supply of young players seemed to have dried up but that's certainly not the case now.
Anyone want to buy a ticket for day four at Lord's?
(Only joking about England's performance, not ticket touting!)
Pieter Malan has scored three fifties and one hundred in five knocks so far in the RLODC. That's alongside a career FC average of 46. So he's really no slouch with the bat.
Not sure about the decision to bat first. If being without Pandya means that bowling is our weaker suit, then I can see the argument that it's a good idea to be doing what you're best at in the second half of the game. But if the opposition score 374 then it's a bit like a boxer saying "I'll save my strength and attack in the second half of the bout" and getting knocked out in the first round.
paulbear wrote:
Any bowler from South Africa would be coming in after a 3 Test series v England whereas Siraj does not appear to be playing at the moment which means he will be fresher and unlikely to be jaded.
Not to mention the fact that, a fortnight after the end of the Test series in England, South Africa start a tour of India so the chances of any of their bowlers being released to play county cricket are either slim or none; and as Don King once said, Slim just left town.
....and news from the Middlesex camp:
https://www.middlesexccc.com/news/2022/08/squad-preview-middlesex-v-warwickshire-royal-london-cup
Preview here:
https://edgbaston.com/fixtures/first-xi/middlesex-vs-warwickshire-19-august-2022/#match-match-previews
No Pandya in the squad but I haven't seen any updates about the extent/nature of his injury.
Signed for the Championship run-in.
https://edgbaston.com/news/warwickshire-sign-india-bowler-mohammed-siraj-for-county-championship-run-in/
Table looking a bit tight:
https://www.ecb.co.uk/matches/one-day-cup/tables
You couldn't quite say that we outbatted or outbowled Notts but we certainly outfielded them and that made all the difference.
Bears' squad:
https://edgbaston.com/fixtures/first-xi/warwickshire-vs-nottinghamshire-17-august-2022/#match-match-previews
Place your bets as to which of Hamza Shaikh or Kai Smith plays.
I respect what coolerking is saying.
Whilst I have done my best to avoid reading anything positive about The Hundred, I did glance at this:
https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/the-hundred-2022-birmingham-embraces-the-hundred-as-new-tournament-finds-its-poise-1329383
If you want to get depressed about the future of cricket whilst having a wry smile, read this:
https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/the-light-roller-death-by-t20-league-its-real-its-coming-1329215
It's the weekend so maybe time for a not too difficult quiz question.
I was born in Bentley Heath; and there is one international cricketer who went to the primary school there. Who was/is it?
A clue: it wasn't me, partly because I didn't actually go to that school and, well, you know the other reason.
I agree about Kai Smith. If the coaching staff believe he has the ability to play as a batter, he needs to be in the top 6 (or just maybe at 7). Hiding him away at 8 or 9 does him and the team no favours. Hamza Shaikh, aged 16, was thrown in to open and did well until Yates ran him out. It would be a shame if he goes to make way for Sibley and Kai Smith stays but continues to bat at 8 or 9.
Sibley returns to the squad:
https://edgbaston.com/fixtures/first-xi/leicestershire-vs-warwickshire-14-august-2022/#match-match-previews
I hope the bowlers are suitably rested after their efforts in the heat.
I agree about Hildreth.
If the Bears want to sign a promising young player, it looks as though Darren Stevens will be available next year.
Here's my take on the game:
https://deepextracover.com/2022/08/warwickshire-vs-sussex-match-report/
I had two different reports in my head and didn't know which one to write until after the last ball.
Yes, I hope Simmons gets a game. He could shake up a few batters.