Bit of a shambolic second innings from the Bears, who collectively only mustered 3 more runs than Jani scored in his second innings. Sign him up, pronto!

Wow, that was a nail biter! Fantastic win, which will give a lot of confidence to the team. Still clear issues to address but with the likes of Barnard, Smith, Booth and Bamber showing such spirit and fight, the future doesn't look so bad.

Really impressed also with the quality of streaming and the young Durham commentators too - really enjoyed listening to them.

Be interesting to see how Jani does against us, given that he's playing for the SACA - as is Amir Khan. Good to see OHD back on the field, hope he's fit to return to first team duties soon.

Agreed Lickey, he looks a real talent and I’m sure another county will snap him up if we don’t, let’s hope we move quickly!

Be nice if we could replicate 504-0 in a ‘real’ game, might even get a nod of approval from Highveld!

Going pretty well in Abu Dhabi, Notts currently 166-11, replying to the Bears 356-9!

https://edgbaston.com/fixtures/first-xi/warwickshire-v-nottinghamshire-pre-season-friendly/

Interesting article in the following Times link, suggesting amongst other things that Jim Troughton is on the shortlist to replace Robinson, that Ian Westwood is only interim head coach and that Moeen Ali is set to move into coaching after the Blast. https://www.thetimes.com/sport/cricket/article/warwickshire-dan-ashworth-cricket-man-united-moeen-ali-coach-mchsnfn9c

Contract extended again with Afghanistan:

https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/afghanistan-cricket-news-jonathan-trott-to-continue-as-mens-head-coach-through-2025-1464328

Very happy with this news, should add some much needed substance and experience to the top order, and the fact that he's available for the full season across all formats is even better news.

Don't anticipate any change in captaincy, but the outcome of the review should be made known very soon indeed, if the end of November deadline is going to be met!

KingofSpain wrote:

Players have reported back to Edgbaston. No sign of Robinson...

Not so sure about that - looks like he's supervising training in a video posted on the Bears Facebook page on Monday 11th November....

Two recent old Bears contributed to a somewhat one-sided match in NZ yesterday:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/scorecard/e-223730#OVolts

A very fair and balanced assessment of the season, as ever, GS - Kylie notwithstanding!

In terms of an OSP next year, I heard good things about Anderson Phillip, who played a couple games for Lancs at the end of the season, with some success (..though obviously not enough for them to stave off relegation!). Essentially a quickish bowler, he can bat a bit too, apparently had a great attitude and would hopefully be available for the entire, or at least the majority of the season.

Inspection at midday at Trent Bridge; and no play before lunch at New Road. Be surprised if there are too many results in this rather soggy round of matches!

Totally agree GS, Robinson should hang his head in shame if the primary reason for Will’s departure is his unwillingness to at least give him a chance in the T20 side. Mentioning no names, there was a seemingly pig headed insistence on giving certain others an extended run, with little or no success. Will, by contrast, had the potential to contribute with bat and ball, so why he wasn’t given a chance beggars belief.

Sadly, it’s too late now but we need to be careful that Ed Barnard doesn’t lose heart and follow suit.

Very interesting article in the Cricketer online today written by George Dobell. It confirms that a review of the playing and coaching staff will commence very soon - earlier than the usual end of season review - with Robinson’s position said to be ‘under threat’. Suggests that there are issues between him and some players, as many have alluded to, and goes onto say that Larsen’s position may also be under question, albeit he will be leading the initial review.
Could be an interesting few weeks and months ahead!

Agree with all of the above- abysmal and depressing. I hope this proves to be the catalyst for much change, starting of course with our so called leadership team.

We deserve to be relegated but Lancs look as if they’re even worse so look likely to go down with Kent.

Totally agree GS, absolutely gutted that Will’s leaving for pastures new. Big boots to fill.

Congratulations to Rob and Hamza for their selection, but not only does it mean they will be missing for the Notts match but also the QF. In addition, the semi final, if we get there, is the day after the four day SL match ends.

Meanwhile, those involved in the 16.4 are, I believe, exempt from selection. Great work once again by the ECB...

According to Cricinfo, Gay is destined for Durham rather than Edgbaston:

https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/emilio-gay-depart-northants-set-for-durham-1445649

The performance of Ed Barnard makes his consistent ommission from the T20 team all the more unfathamable. I can only assume that Benjamin kept his place as back-up wicketkeeper to Davies, who was carrying an injury towards the end of the group matches, but otherwise it would have made no sense at all to select him over Barnard.

Going off-piste slightly, I have read a couple of articles suggesting that Will Rhodes is moving back to Yorkshire next season. I do hope that doesn't happen - he always strikes me as someone who gives 100% and is someone else I don't feel he's been particularly well treated by Mark Robinson, particularly since he resigned as Captain.