I think Bethell has had enough opportunities opening now - time to give someone else a go

I definitely think a home quarter final would be a big help this year. With the obvious that you play a 'weaker' team but we also seem to have been pretty strong at home in this comp last few years - I think our batters play the wicket/ground better generally than oppo? Had some big scores last few seasons, which were a rarity before that.

That has to be Davies's last chance at opening. Another terrible shot to get out to - not learning from previous mistakes this season at all.

It's a fair point on the bowling. I've not double checked this so may be wrong, but I think in every game we've played so far, the other team has scored at a faster rate than us.

Brookes in for Miles then - hopefully a change in our fortunes with our bowling attack comes with it.

We've chosen to bat finally, but Davies out early again.

McCullum appointed, so that means he's staying with us for now!

coolerking wrote:

Okay, anyone can have a bad day at the office but that's two in a row now. Davies needs to learn that 20 off 29 is not what is required at the top of the order. All that said, no doubt someone will perform miracles with the bat in our next dig.

However getting to lunch would seem a tad optimistic at this stage

Interesting that McAndrew is coming in below Briggs. All-rounder would seem a bit generous?

Think we do have to write this one off. I understand why Rhodes chose to bowl so can't criticise too much but in hindsight clearly the wrong decision.

Firstly, a great win.

Was a pretty even contest on the whole I think, but decided by two things, the Essex collapse, and the Burgess innings. He has to be MOM purely for that knock.

I do also think though that he probably won't get a look in for England just yet due to the number of options available. Foakes is surely a shoe in when fit as hasn't let the team down really when picked, and hasn't even been tried in England yet, and I agree that Bairstow would be an automatic pick for when Foakes is injured. And even Buttler may come in based on IPL form - rightly or wrongly.

Norwell off for concussion still. Can anyone inform me how the concussion subs work, can Norwell come back on tomorrow?

Ah fair enough, should really have read the full preview from your link shouldn't I!

I don't recall him being injured in last game, so must have been training?

Two changes from the last game then.

Davies in for Mousley, and Norwell in for Miles. Seems slightly harsh on Mousley,

I thought the same thing re Woakes, but having him at the back end of last season was very much the exception rather than the norm. And based on prior years there is often no official wording on why he isn't available for us.

It's why i'm really hoping this is Brookes's breakthrough year (second time round), and not another one blighted by injury. And hoping the above message about him being slightly unlucky with his bowling is true, as I didn't watch much of the game but when I did watch he got smacked for four 4's in an over!

Late to the party but hey ho:

Where will we finish in championship? 5th - got a feeling we're in for a season of bad luck with bowler injuries
Where will we finish in Blast/Royal London? Semi's of Blast, won't get out of group in RL
Who will be player of the season? Batsman - Yates, Bowler - Briggs
Who will be breakthrough player of the season? Mousley (although we have a number of potentially exciting young players)

Not overly surprised we're struggling with the ball. When the XI was announced my immediate thought was only one seamer from the team that played in the post split Div 1 last season. Norwell really is key to the attack.

Very possibly.

It would be a shame and disappointing for us, but cannot begrudge him his opportunity if he does land it.

BBC article today re Bresnan https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/59310948

Notable to me that Bresnan denies 'frequently using racist language' but doesn't actually deny using it.

Think you could well be right Lickey and we've seen the last of TB in a Warwickshire shirt and indeed any county team.

Championship player of the year - Norwell
Young player of the year - Yates
T20 player of the year - Hain
Overall player of the year - Norwell (made all the difference in championship compared to seasons of injury)

Batsman of the year - Yates
Bowler of the year - Norwell
Fielder of the year - Bresnan
Moment of the year - Briggs batting over for the bonus point that ultimately didn't mean a thing!
Clanger of the year - Would be Hampshire loss as described above but didn't ultimately matter so agree with T20 QF batting second
“Turning point” of the year - Burgess innings against Yorkshire. Title was gone until that.

A smidgen of rain in the air and very overcast at the moment. The first hour is going to be crucial.

Not sure I've ever seen a batsman refuse to walk after edging to first slip like Thompson just did!