mad wrote:

realcounties.org.uk

I'm sure you'll be aware of this campaign bosworth. It is interesting the way county identity has slipped in the much of the UK in a way that hasn't been the case in for example Ireland. Ireland has done a better job of retaining county identities in the contemporary age where in Britain people are far more likely to identify with their city or town. Britain being more of an urban metropolitan country these days with vast suburbs housing two thirds of the population. Similar to the USA and Australia post 1950's prior to which even in America there was far clearer distinction between town and country

Interesting point of view. However, the problem is we have a cricket club called Warwickshire putting out a team called Birmingham. Perhaps what is needed is for one or two teams to change their name. Warwickshire becomes Greater Birmingham and likewise Lancashire becomes Greater Manchester. Surrey could become South London, Middlesex North London.

BosworthBear wrote:

LeicesterExile wrote:

Wasn't it done to satisfy the city council being as they provided a large sum for the ground improvements. They wanted WCCC to promote the name of Birmingham.

Publicly the city council stated they weren’t pressuring the Club. In the days when Brian Halford could speak his mind in the Evening Mail.

But even if privately it was true they now have the Birmingham Phoenix.

This is such an easy PR and marketing win for WCCC to revert back to playing as Warwickshire Bears!

Totally agree - When you look down the fixture list Birmingham amongst all the counties looks a little daft. And you never hear the young 'uns chanting Birmingham la lal la !!

Wasn't it done to satisfy the city council being as they provided a large sum for the ground improvements. They wanted WCCC to promote the name of Birmingham.

Hain again. Steadied the ship and then led the way

Sad news but let's hope he can beat it.

I thought we were never going to break their 8th wicket partnership and then for a brief moment could see us failing to get the 100 runs. I agree about Davies' shot - it was the type you play last ball of a T20 needing 6 to win. But let's not be too critical as a team we have had a great start to the season. When you look back at the comments made before the start of the season on this forum I am not sure anyone predicted this. In fact without looking back I am sure avoiding relegation was an aim mentioned!!!

More than fun it's taken us to a lead of over 100 - so important. And as bowlers they avoided getting tired by scoring boundaries instead of running too many singles!!

Briggs dimissal looks a shocker - replay seems to show the ball would have gone 2 feet above the stumps. Burgess before didn't look happy either

paulbear wrote:

Could have done without losing 2 wickets overnight but a chance for the skipper to get a few. 300 would be nice but I would be happy with 250.

It would be great if the skipper was that successful - if Hain is as successful we will declare at 500 before close of play!!!

From 76/2 to 126 all out - well done - let's hope we can build a good first innings lead

That catch was as good as anything by Piper - real top draw. 24/2 and we actually won the toss.!

Highveld wrote:

Good poinys from both @BristolBears & @Coolerking.

If I have time I'll look at other counties players. The main point hower is the neither of our openers are really doing any better than last season and are the main area of the team that needs improvement. The side has a great middle order, an excellent keeper and one of the best bowling attacks, it would be a shame to miss out on success due to the consistant failures of the openers.

An average of 30 is, in most places, considered to be the minimum acceptable for a specialist batsman, to be perfroming c30% below hat ism't acceptable. so to be over 60% below is totally unacceptable and should be raising questions about the players place in the side.

My recollection of last season is that match after match Sam Hain was effectively an opening batsman as 2 and 3 wickets fell very early on. This season we have seen at least one of the openers getting a decent score apart from the Surrey game

An excellent win especially considering the amount of time lost due to weather.Increasingly the Surrey game is looking like a blip, just one of those games when it all goes wrong.

I said we should have declared overnight - as a result of batting on the wicket has gone dead when the 9th wicket went down!!!! Well that's my theory anyway!!!!!

As you say only a matter of time surely

I can only see Hants batting out a draw as worst case scenario. To win we have to get 10 wickets and I would start doing that at 11.

I think they should declare overnight and get them on a possibly damp wicket. If we take 10 wickets we should win.

paulbear wrote:

Saturday, from what I have just seen, is the dodgy day and Sunday might see more play. Important tomorrow that we bat long and score at a good lick and get a good lead. If we could bat all day tomorrow, it might be that only Sunday gives us a chance to win.

From the weather forecast I saw I think it will be simple to bat all day tomorrow - I don't think there will be many overs bowled. I just hope the forecasters are wrong.

paulbear wrote:

That's the way Gerry, give it some of that Viking spirit.

Gerry I'd take my own if I was you. Have you seen the price of Norweigen spirit?

paulbear wrote:

Why is this awful competition still referred to as 'The Hundred' and not 'The-elephant-in-the-room-that-has-to-have-free-tickets-given-away-to-get-people-to-watch-and-has-lost-almost-£60M-in-2-seasons-with-games-that-no-one-remembers-balls-up'. It does just roll off the tongue.

That has to be the best and most accurate title for that competition. Now,Paul, perhaps you could tell us how you really feel !!!!

paulbear wrote:

Why is this awful competition still referred to as 'The Hundred' and not 'The-elephant-in-the-room-that-has-to-have-free-tickets-given-away-to-get-people-to-watch-and-has-lost-almost-£60M-in-2-seasons-with-games-that-no-one-remembers-balls-up'. It does just roll off the tongue.

That has to be the best and most accurate title for that competition. Now,Paul, perhaps you could tell us how you really feel !!!!