It’s alright, Bresnan and Briggs are our most in form batsmen.

It looks a really tough pitch to bat on. Getting 100 from here looks a challenge. We can I to hope we can skittle them out cheaply too.

Let’s hope we can post some sort of score and then when we get on to bowl we can ask some questions.

It’s always difficult to judge a pitch on the first session. I may be mistaken but I believe Essex were in a similar position against Durham but still managed a victory!

George Dobell has written a good little report, it’s easy to forget that Yates is only 21 and still studying at university. There is hopefully a lot of potential still to come.

Also mentioned was the way in which Essex escorted Yates back to the pavilion even though their dressing rooms were at the opposite side of the ground. A touch of class there which they are to be commended for.

Such a shame we were not able to be in the ground to show our appreciation to the lads.

Who says the county championship isn’t exciting!?

Great effort, tremendous knock by Yates but well supported by Vihari and Hain.

coolerking wrote:

I know we chased down Notts in the last round but Essex have a much better attack so, assuming we ever take this last wicket, it's going to be tough to bat out time, let alone win.

Whilst I agree it will be tougher, Notts did have a certain Stuart Broad steaming in. It was captivating viewing watching the tussle between him and Hain!

Will we win? Probably not, but if we can get a couple of partnerships going then anything is possible.

These are the sort of challenges that we want to see in county cricket.

There are positives to take though I feel, we do seem to be making progress in certain areas.

If we look at Essex they find a way to win, even when having a bad day. We have demonstrated that recently and there is fight in the squad, hopefully that will show tomorrow too.

I’m pleased that Miles has taken some wickets and Briggs has shown some control too.

Even if we don’t get over the line I feel like we have competed with one of the best teams in the country which is not something to be taken lightly.

I don’t think we are bowling badly, but it does seem to be hard work for them. Commentators are saying after the new ball softens it seems to be getting tougher for the bowlers.

So we really need our openers to see off the new ball and then build (once we take the last wicket).

Well Durham have started the season quite well (even if they blew it against Essex) but Alex has yet to feature.

By all accounts the counties have been on at the government to try and get spectators in, it’s just they are not budging. If Lords and the Oval can’t then us in the provinces stand little chance.

I’m sure we will be paying something, even if the Indian board were to subsidise (which I doubt). He has been unfortunate as it could have been very different had Sibley not been injured.

The ideal scenario would have been Sibley and Rhodes both make good starts, seeing off the new ball and getting a decent score on the board. Yates may have been able to get some runs and then Vihari able to come in and take the scoreboard on further.

However, as an overseas the pressure is on and expectations are higher. I guess it was a gamble hoping he could contribute straight away. For three games it was probably not worth the risk.

A good afternoon session there I would say. It will be incredibly tough to chase over 300 but the aim should be to bat out the remaining sessions (once we remove the last wicket obviously).

Pleased to see Briggs take some wickets, hopefully bring about some confidence.

This is why it’s such a big season for Hain as he is actually the longest serving batsman for us despite his relatively young age. He is no longer the young buck in the squad, time to step up.

I liken him to Critchley at Derbyshire, long touted within the club as a player with potential but only showing glimpses, the last two seasons he has stepped up and started to deliver.

Good points Bristol Bear and when you look at it like that you are completely right. Our top order didn’t do enough and the bowlers were not able to keep the score lower.

When I first became a member we had Tim Ambrose, Rikki Clarke, Jeets, Keith Barker and Chris Wright. All of those could (and did) contribute to runs. We miss that so much.

Our batsmen need all the help they can get. But let’s face it, JT has been involved in the team for a lot of our recent history and our batting has consistently been flakey.

An interesting concept, I would be intrigued to see how it was sold to the general public as well as to members and supporters.

If it’s a T20 festival then the branding for our team is Birmingham Bears so I wouldn’t expect that to change. If I’m honest I don’t really care what we are called. I don’t see it as being about representing people from Warwickshire as opposed to Birmingham. I’m not from either but it’s still my local club in the county championship. I would prefer us to just be Warwickshire across all formats but I don’t lose any sleep over being the Birmingham Bears.

The ECB seems to think that to attract new crowds cricket needs to simplify and meddle so imagine they would not be too supportive...especially as Edgbaston is not in the Home Counties.

It’s going to be another long season.

It’s very frustrating.

Another good start, let’s hope we can finish the job and get through the tail.