My view is that even if he is playing at Lords (which I would expect but not guarantee) he still should be playing in this game, as still is potentially slightly undercooked through lack of cricket over past 12 months.

It's slightly different for other England seamers who have had other game time in that period, but I seem to think this all the time in that they rest him without accounting for the fact he's been inadvertently resting for a while before that.

Ali isn't a downgrade bowling wise but it does take something away from our batting and we have a big tail for this game now.

Forecast has improved slightly but still expecting delays today - can we win the toss finally?

Agree on Rhodes - and I think his form has been a slight concern for a while. I'm not sure I see a fix anytime soon either.

Re Yates and Davies, although they have both clearly had struggles, to take away their top score to calculate an average at this point in the season seems a little unfair/nonsensical. If you did it at the end of the season it would make more sense.

You also have to not just look at averages and the 80 odd for 0 they got us to at the end of day 1 was a crucial period in the game. It gave us a massive platform for day 2 and the match outcome could have been very different had they both been out early.

We can probably write today off as well based on the forecast and wet ground.

Potentially even no play beyond today.

Assuming Simmons must be injured as we wouldn't be picking up various players from elsewhere to fill the squad.

Forecast is a bit iffy for tomorrow and then Sunday looks like a potential wipe-out.

He's bowled well in the seconds, and obviously had great figures today, so that would all suggest he is improving at just about the right time. Hope he can remain fit and firing

Can't get the tail out again, this is going to be a real problem if it's a recurring theme

That's also now four matches and four lost tosses

I agree that he should be in the XI if fit, just not sure who you would drop.

If it's purely on bowling form based on the last couple of games, you would have to say Woakes drops out. But I can't see that with his batting and his pedigree.

Ali wouldn't be dropped which then means OHD or Rushworth, who have been the best two bowlers so far! Probably OHD drops out then?

Who would Norwell come in for if he was fit?

Just about keeping ourselves in it and getting a wicket each time they look like they might get away from us

And I don't think that is out. Evened itself out pretty quickly

That's a bit of a shocker from the umpire.

It's hit Pope in front of middle and off and was very low. Not sure on what basis the umpire is not giving that out.

That's a bit of a shocker from the umpire.

It's hit Pope in front of middle and off and was very low. Not sure on what basis the umpire is not giving that out.

Very much worried about Rhodes, Bristol. I can't remember the last time he had a good knock, and his average must be pretty low last couple of years.

If he wasn't captain and Bethell wasn't injured, I have no doubt Bethell would be in the team instead.

94-6. Could be staring down the barrel of a big defeat here, their batting lineup is very strong.

Need a partnership or a weather intervention!

Probably could've done with winning the toss. Only one team (Durham) in both divisions won toss and chose to bat.

Starting to spit in Bournville so I wouldn't be surprised if they don't come back out after lunch.

BristolBear wrote:

Looking at the forecast I don’t think we’ll find out the 11 tomorrow. It’s supposed to start raining around 10 and not stop until well into the afternoon.
It’s not that great any of the days really. Perhaps handy to take a draw off Surrey at this point and then play them without Foakes and Pope later in the year.

11 released - same team as Kent, so Briggs misses out

That's a real shame with Bethell because this year could, and probably would've been his breakthrough year.

I guess he can still bat but is he good enough to play as a specialist batsman?

I wouldn't have thought so Lickey but then they do have some decent players in their seconds! Players who will definitely feature in first XI when they lose some to England.

Somewhat surprised by the changes, I have to say. You would've thought Simmons and Johal need as much game time as possible.

Presumably referring to Miles, Garrett and Johal?

Miles is a major disappointment in that he had great red ball form two years ago but struggled last year and this game would suggest it could be a similar story this year.

Garrett - unfortunately I don't think I've ever been convinced he has enough.

Johal has had flashes and I'm hoping still can provide more.

Still not sure which way H Brookes is going, there is definitely talent there.

And Simmons has shown promise at least.