The Kent preview:
https://www.kentcricket.co.uk/news/match-preview-warwickshire-vs-kent/

I see that Stirling scored a century for Ireland v New Zealand. Just such a pity that he largely under-performed for the Bears.

Confirmation that Saqib Mahmood is definitely not headed back home to Brum:
https://cricket.lancashirecricket.co.uk/news/2022-news/saqib-mahmood-signs-new-contract-with-lancashire-cricket/

Good to see Olly Stone playing a four day game and also that Norwell is at last back in action.
If he's been dropped, Matt Lamb can consider himself unlucky in that he averages almost 50 in the Championship this year - ahead of Sibley, Davies, Benjamin, Mousley and Rhodes.

There are two parts to the MCC defence of the umpires. One is that, according to the Laws of the game, the ball is dead once the umpire has signaled a bye and therefore, because the signal had been made, the second run couldn't count. That much is factually correct. The dodgy part is the suggestion that the timing of the signal for a bye was correct. It would surely have been better for the umpires to have made sure that no second run would be attempted - as the MCC says, the striker was still on the move so it would have been best to wait and see what happened next.
Anyway, it was the end of a long day and we all make mistakes. Most of us are lucky enough that our errors aren't shown on TV and mulled over by posters on this Forum and elsewhere.

I agree that, to date, Banton has under-delivered in red ball cricket and not quite lived up to his early reputation.
My "spy", who goes under the code name Philby, tells me that Surrey are also a possible destination.

The MCC has come to the aid of the umpires:
"The match concluded when the ball was deemed to be dead by the umpire, who signalled a bye. Under Law 2.12.3, the signal for a bye shall be made to the scorers only when the ball is dead. Analysis of the footage of the match showed that, when the umpire signalled the bye, the original non-striker was standing still, about four yards behind the striker’s wicket, while the striker was slowing down in his attempt to reach the other end."

"Therefore it was reasonable to consider that the ball was dead and consequently, it's not relevant that the wicket was not lawfully put down at the bowler's end.

"Once the umpire has made the decision that the ball is dead, that decision cannot be revoked."

Yes, too much excitement is not good for you!
I recall that when I used to go to Edgbaston as a kid, there was an old member (probably younger than I am now but he seemed ancient to me) who had a weak heart and had been told by his doctor to avoid excitement. He would watch a match for two and a half days; but if it was heading for a close finish, he would go home. That seemed pretty sad to me at the time and still does.

Answer - nobody broke the stumps with the batsman out of his ground but the umpires regarded the ball as dead, probably wrongly. Lancashire should have been allowed the second run and would have won. Also, Hampshire changed the field for the free hit - not allowed.
Overall, I don't think the umpires covered themselves in glory but they must feel the pressure along with everyone else.
At least the Bears can say they were beaten by the eventual winners. And Hampshire won their last seven games in the Blast so were certainly the form team.

I think the Club deserve a little praise for staging a magnificent Finals Day - especially Gary Barwell for yet another excellent pitch, a true surface with a bit of lift and carry plus a hint of spin.
Only negative - that wretched scoreboard that freezes at key moments. Maybe they should try a large blackboard with hooks and pieces of tin with numbers on.

I picked up a rumour yesterday that Tom Banton may be leaving Somerset and coming (back) to Warwickshire, though not to keep wicket. Well, you know me - not one to spread rumours but.....

It's not good news for most of our bowlers as Farbrace sets out plans for next year:
https://edgbaston.com/news/farbrace-we-lack-a-cutting-edge/

I don't think that the Bears trio did much to enhance their international credentials for England Lions against South Africa today - Jake Lintott 10 overs, 0-89; Sam Hain 0; Adam Hose 4.

Mark Robinson told the BBC:
"When you lose four wickets as quick as we did on day one you get nailed. They are a good team though and are relentless.
"The young lads have learned some lessons. George Garrett has seen the next level. And every game Dan Mousley or Chris Benjamin play adds to their experience.
"We have got to keep fronting up. For a day and a half, we were better. It wasn't enough to win but I don't want to sugarcoat or be misleading.
"We don't have the depth of last year. We have been depleted. That isn't an excuse it is a reality. We had Liam Norwell, Tim Bresnan, Olly Stone and Chris Woakes - and the club hasn't filled those shoes yet."

If Norwell, Stone and Woakes were fit and firing, that would make a huge difference; but I suspect that the chances of that happening for all three at the same time ever again are remote. We do have the prospect of Ed Barnard next year - 250 first class wickets at just under 30 so far in his career, plus a batting average of 34.

I agree about the bowling. Last year, I thought that Danny Briggs was at least a half-decent replacement for Jeetan but at the Aegeas Bowl on Tuesday, it seemed to me exactly the kind of day and pitch when Jeetan would have steadily worked his way through the Hampshire batting order and ended up with five for 60 or so, whereas Briggs had 1-87. What Jeetan would have done is just speculation, of course.

A good win and some excellent performances from Ethan Brookes and Jacob Bethell:
https://edgbaston.com/fixtures/second-xi/kent-second-xi-vs-warwickshire-second-xi-11-july-2022/#match-match-reports

I don't think it's true that there have been more bowler injuries since "Pop" Welch left - think about how we had to draft in temporary replacements a couple of years or so ago. Liam Norwell has been an injury worry since he arrived (and when he was at Gloucestershire); and Olly Stone came to us when he was injured.
One of my friends bumped into "Pop" at the Aegeas Bowl and said that he needed to come back, to which "Pop" laughed and said he was happy at Hampshire!
I agree that there were personal reasons for Keith Barker's move so there was no way that the Club could have hung on to him. But he is certainly still missed.
As Highveld says, Tom Rawlings was great in his job and was a good friend to Bearsfans, very keen to keep open the link to the members and supporters. It remains to be seen if/how that link will be maintained in the future.

If you thought that the Bears took a beating, just be grateful that you're not a Derbyshire supporter.
I'm annoyed that, because Somerset qualified and the Bears didn't, Exiled Bear's mate Harry Everett will get the nod to report for Deep Extra Cover on Finals Day. It's a great day to be in the Press Box - lots of excitement and non-stop food!

You have reflected my thoughts entirely, Highveld, especially the hope that he is able to make the decisions that will be right for him.