Yet another example of the attraction of the four day format. At tea on the final day all results were possible.

Exiled Bear wrote:

To be fair I can see the advantage of trying to get as many runs as possible before the new ball.

Good point - although as it turned out not needed - some excellent batting.

Excellent innings and excellent partnership but why not simply carry on getting ones and twos. Hopefully all is not lost and we can still get over the line.

ITE7376 wrote:

I'm in the minority, I actually like Finals Day being somewhat later as I hate being in the sun all day and actually quite like watching cricket in cool weather.

It seems to produce relatively low-scoring games, too (again I am probably in the minority, I really enjoy nip and tuck T20 where the bowlers have a fair chance and batters need to think and work hard for their runs)

Seems to me you should give up cricket and watch rugby instead!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I do agree though with your second paragraph.

In fairness to Yates how much does taking a break mid season affect your form? The T20 block with Latham opening effectively retired Yates for a few weeks. Batting right down the order in a 20 over innings is no way to keep the form required of an opener. Herein lies the problem of playing cricket in blocks.
I am not going to join in the criticism of Davies I'll leave that to those who see the game from the ground rather than a laptop.

Well that didn't take long - 9 left to save the match.

I'd like to think the batting conditions are perfect - it's the bowling that's brilliant!!!!!

OK own up who's been doing the rain dance over lunch?

Yes I agree however to do that you would remove a 4 day game eg this year it would be this game against Worcs. Althoughn the quarter finals could have been played last week end, next weeks county game could start on Monday and the Blast Final day could be the following weekend 2nd August. It's quite simple when there is a will to actually give spectators what they want.

Isn't the best way to get to a true average batting average is to remove the highest and lowest score and work on what is left.

Just received email from Edgbaston (not WCCC!) regarding major fixrtures next year. With a test against Pakistand scheduled for 9th-13th September Finals day is likely to be pushed back to virtually the end of September. If it wasn't for the Hundread the Finals could be held in August like it used to be when the weather is warmer. Such a shame.

Their tailenders spend nearly 2 hours at the crease. Our top three can't manage half an hour!!

Mattmike66 wrote:

About 500 in ground for morning session ,hardly any kids ,first week of school holiday as well .

I am not surprised. Where was it advertised? Wondering through Facebook I keep seeing adverts for the Hundread but nothing from Warwickshire County Cricket Club , or Edgbaston as it prefers to be called, for anything. It is as if the club along with the ECB are doing everything they can to justify relegating real cricket to history.

Mattmike66 wrote:

About 500 in ground for morning session ,hardly any kids ,first week of school holiday as well .

I am not surprised. Where was it advertised? Wondering through Facebook I keep seeing adverts for the Hundread but nothing from Warwickshire County Cricket Club , or Edgbaston as it prefers to be called, for anything. It is as if the club along with the ECB are doing everything they can to justify relegating real cricket to history.

Just to add to SC Bear's 3rd paragraph - the T20 Final will end around 10pm on 13th September. Not like when the final was held in August with the chance of a warm evening it will now be quite cold but then who cares about the paying public.

Just to add to SC Bear's 3rd paragraph - the T20 Final will end around 10pm on 13th September. Not like when the final was held in August with the chance of a warm evening it will now be quite cold but then who cares about the paying public.

Gerry when people like you write what you have just written then this sport really does have a serious chance of dying.

What we can hope for is that support for the Hundread drops off quickly to the point that sponsors reduce the money they are prepared to pay and TV likewise or even give up allocating time for it. At the same time if "climate change" gives us a few warm springs and autumns resulting in an increase in attendance then perhaps all is not lost. Above all it needs someone at the ECB to see that change and for the players to realise that without spectators their employment is at risk. All that is an enormous ask but if sports writers, especially in the nationals, write about the demise of the game and start telling the ECB and the PCA they have to change their attitude then all may not be lost.

It would have been good to have had him for the quarter,semi and final matches.

I see that Warwickshire return to 4-day Real Cricket on Tuesday and the same again next week down at Essex. Like this week end next weekend is the same - no cricket at a time when the average supporter is off work and able to attend.

Further proof, if proof was ever needed, that those running the game are doing what they can to kill the 4 day format. As for the players they seem to do whatever they can to avoid "unsociable" hours. In 5 years time I can see cricket facing serious questions. The 4 day game killed off by those in the game and the one day stuff killed off by spectators getting bored with its repetitive format.

mad wrote:

GerryShedd wrote:

To be fair, I don't think that OH-D is doing favours for his county bosses. As Chair of the PCA, he is expressing the views of his members, with which he may or may not agree.

But not representing them fully and with the requisite nuance that is required and that is a decision he's made for whatever reason

Players need to remember cricket is a game to be enjoyed when it is on. It is not about PB's it isn't golf or the 100 yards dash it is a tactical game best enjoyed when it is just played played played. All this fitness work in November they do and they can't manage 75 days (many of them just 3 hours duration) on the field in a six month span is ridiculous. I agree about the blast driving back overnight stuff maybe the groups need to be smaller and more localised no-one aside from Lancs or Yorkshire should be sent to Durham unless they're up there for a tour of the northern counties

Re your last sentence - if the c/c and Blast were played throughout the season then there would not need for over night driving. The Blast could be played on the 5th Day of a long distance trip. Simple if only there was a will.