Team for the first T20:-

Ed Pollock, Adam Hose (Capt), Dan Mousley, Chris Benjamin (Keeper), Alex Thomson, Roshan Balaji, Henry Brookes, Jake Lintott (!), Che Simmons, Manraj Johal & Ryan Sidebottom.

Glamorgan won the toss and elected to bowl.

Ed already out - though did get double figures (11) ! Also out, after 5 overs, are Dan Mousley (just 9) and Adam Hose (18).

Day 3 called off at 3.00 ! We wait to see if they do what they did against Derby - and turn the 4 day Championship game into a 1 day Friendly tomorrow.

Che Simmons is also playing in the Northants game. An 18 year old Barbadian seamer, who is in the West Indies Rising Stars squad.

Highveld wrote:

Yes, I'd expect both to travel to Chelmsford tomorrow with Pollock coming into the side.
The fact we are trying another wicketkeeper does suggest that Kelly is not seen as a long term solution for the position.

Yep, I think it's clear that Kelley is not seen as a future 1st teamer. By all accounts (I've not seen him), very decent behind the stumps, but no batting pedigree or potential - regularly going in at anything between 7 and 10 !

BristolBear wrote:

Interesting no Pollock this time, but Alex Thomson is back. The new keeper, seems to have not scored runs anywhere. Suggests the end for Dan Lincolns trial I suspect.

Yeah, Dan Lincoln seems to have blown his chance with us. Some runs in his first game, but I don't think he has taken any catches (or stumpings) in 4 matches for us.

The new guy - Chris Benjamin is another young (22 year old) South African (I don't know his nationality status, whether he has a UK passport like van Vollenhoven). He's over here at University (Durham) and has played a couple of times for Durham MCCU (top score - 18 !) and Derby 2nd's once this season (top score - 29) - but has not kept wicket in those games ! Before this season, he has played as a Keeper for Cambridge Cricket Club for a couple of years (without much batting distinction). He also played for Essex 2nd's in 2019 - but again, not as a Wicket Keeper ! Seems a strange choice for a trial, especially as we had another Wicket Keeper / Batsman on trial for a couple of 2nd's games in April - Ben Wells (from Somerset, who was a regular keeper in their 2nd's) - who didn't keep wicket for us, but did quite well with the bat !

Jacob Bethell and George Furrer are in the 13 man squad, along with van Vollenhoven and Shaikh. Dan Lincoln is still there (and again listed as Keeper - so he must now be taking on that role) and Amir Khan is given another chance. No sign of George Garrett (?!) and Ben Wells is also missing - I hope he hasn't been let go, he looked promising. Other than that, pretty much the same people as the Notts game.

Kiel van Vollenhoven is a 22 year old South African leg spinner (and a decent middle order bat, by the sound of it), who has played for Titans & Northerns in SA and MCC Young Cricketers (took 5 wickets for 12 runs for them against Durham 2nd's a couple of years ago !). He is a UK passport holder, who has been looking for a County side to give him a trial this season, after no chance last year - sounds like we have taken that up. He's played Club cricket for Bilton CC in Rugby and Nottingham.

In KvV's only first class game (for Northerns, a couple of months ago, against Western Province), he took 1 for 18 in 8 overs and scored 23. Pieter Malan's brother, Andre, played in that - I wonder whether a recommendation from brother to brother, might have helped secure a trial for us ?!

The_Lickey_Banker wrote:

An amazing win for us ! Derby set a total of 291 (for 7) off their 50 overs. We were 137 for 7 off 30 overs, but van Vollenhoven and Henry Brookes put on 162 runs off 19 overs to win ! Van Vollenhoven made 82 NO off 88 balls and Henry B made 87 NO off 56 balls (with 3 x 6's) ! Incredible !

Young Kiel vV must be close to Henry B in being MotM. Obviously, Henry hit an amazing 87 off 56, but he was incredidly way off with his bowling (10 for 71 runs and no wickets), but Kiel also had a decent return of 2 for 48 off his 8 overs of leg spin. If this was a trial match for him, I really hope we extend it - there could be a decent all rounder there - and we don't want to let him disappear off to another County lightly !?
Apart from Kiel, Ryan S (2 for 40 off 10) and Dan Mousley (1 for 42 off his 10) had decent returns with the ball. Jacob Bethell was the other wicket taker, but he was expensive (at over 8 an over). On the batting front, it's just as well our 8th wicket partnership lasted so well, 'cos only two other batsmen got over 20 (Ethan B with 30 - he's doing OK as a batter now - and Dan Lincoln with 22). They experimented with Hose opening, but it didn't work (he got 4) and the Captain only just made it into double figures - again !

An amazing win for us ! Derby set a total of 291 (for 7) off their 50 overs. We were 137 for 7 off 30 overs, but van Vollenhoven and Henry Brookes put on 162 runs off 19 overs to win ! Van Vollenhoven made 82 NO off 88 balls and Henry B made 87 NO off 56 balls (with 3 x 6's) ! Incredible !

Team:-
Rhodes, Yates, Malan, Hain, Lamb, Burgess, Bresnan, Stone, Briggs, Norwell & OHD.

We lost the toss and will bat.

Should be the 11.00 start.

We have used the last day planned for the 2nd's Championship match, for a One Day Friendly (50 over) game at Derby today. 11.00 start - good forecast this morning, rain showers possible this afternoon. Match details will be on the Play Cricket site. The 12 named players are:-
Pollock (Capt), Mousley, Hose, Bethell, Ethan B, Lincoln (listed as Keeper again), van Vollenhoven, Henry B, Johal, Sidebottom, Furrer & Kelley.

We won the toss and elected to bowl.

The_Lickey_Banker wrote:

The_Lickey_Banker wrote:

Andy wrote:

Not happy with the 2's then?...

How do you come to that conclusion ?!!

But yes, you are right. As one who probably follows the Seconds more than the First team (simply because I can see more cricket, at more grounds) over the last few years, I have seen the team go from boom to bust and back again (repeatedly !). I'd say this COULD be start of a bust again. It's such a shame, because there is talent there. I just think too much has been put on certain players before they're ready (the Brookes brothers particularly), there are square pegs in round holes (Ed Pollock in the red ball game), we've stuck with some players too long (George Garrett and Ryan Sidebottom stand out) and not given chances to others who deserve it (George Furrer and Jacob Bethell come to mind). I just hope Westwood and Farbs realise this before it's too late and make the necessary changes / introductions soon.

They do seem to have realised there's a need for changes and introduced some 'new blood' (along the lines I've suggested !):-

Jacob Bethell and George Furrer are in the 13 man squad, along with van Vollenhoven and Shaikh. Dan Lincoln is still there (and again listed as Keeper - so he must now be taking on that role) and Amir Khan is given another chance. No sign of George Garrett (?!) and Ben Wells is also missing - I hope he hasn't been let go, he looked promising. Other than that, pretty much the same people as the Notts game.

No start at 11.00 - as expected, its raining - and the forecast indictaes we probably won't get any play today.

Kiel van Vollenhoven is a 22 year old South African leg spinner (and a decent middle order bat, by the sound of it), who has played for Titans in SA
and MCC Young Cricketers (took 5 wickets for 12 runs for them against Durham 2nd's a couple of years ago !). He is a UK passport holder, who has been looking for a County side to give him a trial this season, after no chance last year - sounds like we have taken that up. He's played Club cricket for Bilton CC in Rugby and Nottingham.

The_Lickey_Banker wrote:

Andy wrote:

Not happy with the 2's then?...

How do you come to that conclusion ?!!

But yes, you are right. As one who probably follows the Seconds more than the First team (simply because I can see more cricket, at more grounds) over the last few years, I have seen the team go from boom to bust and back again (repeatedly !). I'd say this COULD be start of a bust again. It's such a shame, because there is talent there. I just think too much has been put on certain players before they're ready (the Brookes brothers particularly), there are square pegs in round holes (Ed Pollock in the red ball game), we've stuck with some players too long (George Garrett and Ryan Sidebottom stand out) and not given chances to others who deserve it (George Furrer and Jacob Bethell come to mind). I just hope Westwood and Farbs realise this before it's too late and make the necessary changes / introductions soon.

They do seem to have realised there's a need for changes and introduced some 'new blood' (along the lines I've suggested !):-

Jacob Bethell and George Furrer are in the 13 man squad, along with van Vollenhoven and Shaikh. Dan Lincoln is still there (and again listed as Keeper - so he must now be taking on that role) and Amir Khan is given another chance. No sign of George Garrett (?!) and Ben Wells is also missing - I hope he hasn't been let go, he looked promising. Other than that, pretty much the same people as the Notts game.

No start at 11.00 - as expected, its raining - and the forecast indictaes we probably won't get any play today.

Andy wrote:

Not happy with the 2's then?...

How do you come to that conclusion ?!!

But yes, you are right. As one who probably follows the Seconds more than the First team (simply because I can see more cricket, at more grounds) over the last few years, I have seen the team go from boom to bust and back again (repeatedly !). I'd say this COULD be start of a bust again. It's such a shame, because there is talent there. I just think too much has been put on certain players before they're ready (the Brookes brothers particularly), there are square pegs in round holes (Ed Pollock in the red ball game), we've stuck with some players too long (George Garrett and Ryan Sidebottom stand out) and not given chances to others who deserve it (George Furrer and Jacob Bethell come to mind). I just hope Westwood and Farbs realise this before it's too late and make the necessary changes / introductions soon.

See the full post below !

11.00 start at Derby tomorrow for the 4 day 2nd's Championship game.

Lots of questionmarks after a humiliating defeat by Notts last week:-
Will they persevere with (Captain) Pollock opening - though he did get 62 in our 2nd innings (his first double figures this season !) ?
Will Mousley continue to open ?
Will Lincoln and Wells be given more chances - Wells did look a decent batsman in our 2nd innings (with an unbeaten 47) ?
Who will keep wicket ? Play Cricket did list the keeper as Lincoln, but as far as I can see, he has never kept wicket in his career before (though as a goalkeeper he has some useful skills in that department). Kelley is a decent keeper, but a poor bat. Wells was a regular keeper for Somerset Seconds (and I did think the Lincoln listing was a typo - and it actually was Wells, but the scorer got the newbies mixed up !)
What an earth are they going to do with a demoralised (from last week) bowling lineup ? NOBODY came out with any glory - and some were blown away. Garrett and Sidebottom are struggling to justify contract extensions. Henry Brookes is a shadow of the promising (red ball) opening bowler he once seemed to be - and nowhere near justifying 1st team selection. His brother now seems to be a batsman who bowls a bit, not the all rounder he once was. Johal and Ali are still only early on in their development. And Dan Mousley, who seemed to be a promising off spinner, was tanked by the Notts batsman at 7 an over off 18 overs.

All very interesting. Rain will probably stop much play tomorrow - though at least we might get a start and find out the team.

The_Lickey_Banker wrote:

Highveld wrote:

Lost by Innings & 93 runs.

Poor batting on our part - with the honourable exceptions of Mousley, Hose & Ethan Brookes in the 1st innings and to a lesser extent, Pollock & Wells in the 2nd - and poor Bears bowling all round. Notts were a class above in both departments - 4 centurions and notable bowling displays - particularly 6 wickets in the match for Harrison (26-8-48-6) & 5 wickets for Hayes in the 2nd innings (12-7-20-5) !

Westwood has got a lot to do, to sort the Seconds out. Particularly, the bowling, there was no one at Portland Road who is anywhere near First team standard at the moment (and that includes Henry Brookes) - and some who seriously must be giving rise to doubts a contract extension (I'm especially thinking of George Garrett & Ryan Sidebottom). Some of the batsmen also need attention - mostly with regard to concentration - but also technically (I'm particularly thinking of Ed Pollock, who still can't seem to get the hang of red ball cricket - despite Robinson telling him, he starts with a clean sheet in that regard !). Trotty has work to do with the WHOLE squad I think !

Highveld wrote:

Lost by Innings & 93 runs.

Poor batting on our part - with the honourable exceptions of Mousley, Hose & Ethan Brookes in the 1st innings and to a lesser extent, Pollock & Wells in the 2nd - and poor Bears bowling all round. Notts were a class above in both departments - 4 centurions and notable bowling displays - particularly 6 wickets in the match for Harrison (26-8-48-6) & 5 wickets for Hayes in the 2nd innings (12-7-20-5) !

22 for 4 ! Yates, Vihari, Rhodes and Lamb all out. Winning the toss seems to have given Durham all the momentum ?

135 for 6 after 36 overs. Khan, (E) Brookes, Lincoln and Kelley all out. So, other than seeing how Ben Wells gets on, it looks like all we can look forward to, is a quickish defeat.

Highveld wrote:

50 for Ed Pollock.
Amir Khan is replacing Dan Mousley.

We're now on 108 for 2 after 26 overs. Pollock finished on 62, Mousley obviously Retired NO on 24, Hose was bowled for 6. Amir Khan and Ethan B are both 5 NO. Should be an interesting days play - will we get to the 300 target, capitulate, or hang on in for the draw ?!

Update: Ah, off for rain - and I guess that could be coming and going all day ! The weather might help us bat out for a draw, but any lengthy play is likely to help their (better - see above) bowlers get the win ?