I'd like to see Rob Yates and Ed Barnard given another opportunity. Hain could be rested.

A well executed victory. Briggs once again our talisman with the ball.

A real shame we didn't get to see much of him. Michael Rae had a bigger impact in a short time. I hope Jamal comes back stronger from the injuries.
Regardless, our recruitment of overseas players needs to be spot on. We need to find committed, quality players of the calibre of Donald and Patel.

This came out of the blue and is a sure sign that the management recognise the need to refresh our ageing and injury prone bowling attack.
I know Bamber is well regarded at Middlesex and has his best year ahead, so I'm really happy with this signing. Hopefully players of similar profile will be recruited for both the bowling and batting departments.

That was as comprehensive as it gets. It's amazing how much confidence is gained by winning a tight game, as they did on Friday night.
Notts are extremely poor this year. Powerpoint Peter will do well to stay in his post.

Listening to Robinson's post match interviews are like Groundhog Day. A new one, though, is him saying we tried to entertain. Has he forgotten how Hain and Rhodes ground the game to a halt yesterday and we lost all momentum? The bloke is deluded.

We cannot take 20 wickets and haven't batted well enough under pressure.

Frost is still the batting coach and has failed to improve a single player. The bowling coach who's name I can't recall, hasn't exactly had a positive impact either.

Larsen the sporting director needs to stop hiding and start making the necessary tough decisions with the coaching and playing staff because this decline is terminal.

Anyway, back to the white ball and we go again on Friday!

Yates is back. Booth comes in. Miles and Lintott miss out.

Literally never heard of him. Perhaps Gleeson is yet another long term injured bowler.
A genuine bowling all rounder would have been a good addition but our Kiwi "director of cricket" has decided to bring jn another of his countrymen. Let's see if it pays off.

Spot on Andy. I heard from within the club that Norwell's issues are as much mental as physical. He just doesn't trust his body to get through a game. For me, he has to go at the end of the season along with Miles and Rushworth. Let's get some young fit bowlers in.

A couple of the new faces recently played against the second eleven for the South Asian Cricket Academy.

Decent day all told. I'm not the biggest fan of Miles, he is a second division bowler. He got some crucial wickets but at a cost. I would have given Rae another go in this match if Norwell wasn't considered to be ready to play.
We need a big score from one of the middle order tomorrow.

Devon_Bear wrote:

KingofSpain wrote:

Its a shame about Rae. I thought he did well as cover and could be an option for the One Day Cup.
Let's see how Norwell holds up. What happened to Jamal? Another overseas recruit that hasn't worked out.
I would think from the squad that Benjamin, Booth and Miles miss out and it is between Mousley and Briggs for the remaining spot.

Ha- I see what you did there, nice Lemonheads reference! I am wondering if Yates is fit then could they possibly have Davies keep wicket and leave Burgess out? Also is it too risky to play both Norwell & Woakes given their lack of game time?

Possible team: Yates, Davies, Rhodes, Hain, Barnard, Mousley, Bethell, Woakes, Briggs, OHD, Miles.
I'm glad someone spotted the indie music reference!
So Yates is still not well and Norwell is not risked. Still a strong team.

Its a shame about Rae. I thought he did well as cover and could be an option for the One Day Cup.
Let's see how Norwell holds up. What happened to Jamal? Another overseas recruit that hasn't worked out.
I would think from the squad that Benjamin, Booth and Miles miss out and it is between Mousley and Briggs for the remaining spot.

Fantastic from the bowlers again and our fielding has been on point.
I'm running out of superlatives for Jake Bethell. That partnership with Hain from 7/3 must be up there with the very best in T20 for the Bears.
Poor Benjamin really needs a break from this situation. Burgess must be wondering if he will ever be given an opportunity.
Still, can't complain at being on top of the group but we have to be on top of every facet of our game for the knockout stages.

Bethell is a superstar in the making. If we can continue in this vein then I'll hold my hands up and say fair play to Robinson for having the courage of his convictions and giving the younger talent the opportunity to thrive.
Having said that, Barnard has shown why it was folly to leave him out of the side for six games. He is a class act. Nice to see Benjamin time one or two, maybe a big contribution is around the corner.
Only negative was the injury to Gleeson but we have plenty of options, although Hassan is out too now. Bring on the Pears.

Good to see Wylie brought in for experience. If Yates isn't fit that is a big loss to a light batting unit. Having said that, he has only made one big contribution in six matches.
Robinson's comments on our form is baffling. He is delusional by failing to acknowledge the fact that the bowlers have bailed us out each time. We will be found out.
There's a lot of pressure now on the younger stars. I get the feeling they are desperately hoping one of Mousley, Bethell or Benjamin have a stellar season and win us some big games.
Anyway, I would bring in Barnard for Benjamin and Hassan for Woakes if fit to play.

Bowlers won it again for us. I wouldn't have fancied our chances at chasing down 170.

Benjamin is just a walking wicket now. He is shot. What good does Robinson thinks he's doing by sending the poor guy out there? For his own sake he needs to be taken out of the firing line. Hopefully he come in again back on form for the One Day Cup.

Hopefully Woakes in for Jamal and Barnard for Benjamin. Then it's between Gleeson, Garton and Hassan for two spots.

Interesting comments from the head coach in the preview defending using the competition to develop young batsmen, which is fine, but you have to get the balance right. One senior overseas middle order batsman would have addressed that balance and taken the pressure off the likes of Yates, Benjamin, Mousley and Bethell.

When Robinson talks about having the best bowling options in the competition it is deflecting from deficiencies we have seen in the batting. Hopefully Barnard can contribute and help to give us a platform to bigger totals.

Wylie might even be worth ago in the T20!
Hopefully Woakesy is ready to be back in the first team fold this weekend. A great addition to our bloated white ball bowling unit.