Solbear wrote:

First things first, it's great that the forum has been re-born - I have missed it since the previous version disappeared so many thanks to those responsible for bringing it back to life.

Moving onto Vihari's apparent signing, I'm very disappointed that Malan's arrival has been delayed and I just hope it is a temporary blip that can be overcome. I am afraid I'm not filled with confidence by a short-term signing such as this, especially given that his last five innings have produced scores of 2, 2, 1, 4 and 0! However, I hope I am proved wrong and that his obvious talent that has produced a highly impressive FC average of nearly 57 will re-emerge once he arrives.

I'm not entirely sure we'll actually sign Vihari. I think we might just have lined him up, with the possibility that Malan won't get sorted for a while. The post on the County website said they were working hard to get Malan in (get a Visa and arrange his quarantine), it was implied they were optimistic of sorting it out in 2/3 weeks. Also, Farbs said he was confident the current squad could absorb a short term loss of Malan - and that is demonstrated by how they used the batsmen in the pre-season matches (and the form of the batsmen). I would guess that Plan A is to get Malan playing by the end of April and they will only turn to Plan B (and Vihari), if PM can't be sorted until May.

As Bald Reynard and Bristol Bear have pointed out in the (4 day) Pre-season thread, the 'mystery leggie' that Farbs talked about in the Members Forum, is pretty likely to be Matt Lamb and not Adam Hose, as I assumed. Lamb bowled a few overs today in the Friendly against Leeds MCCU - and did indeed SEEM to be bowling spin, PROBABLY leg spin. Very different from his usual medium pace action and runup. We probably need to see more of him bowling, or get confirmation from the Club, but I would judge he could well be the "new Eric Hollies" that Adam Hose referred to on his Twitter page.

Matt L is much less the surprise seamer to turn to spin that the (very) part-time Hose. Lamb has always bowled with a lot of flight and speed variation in his seam duties and I have seen him try a few 'spins' for BG. IF it is him, I think it's a great idea - for him and the Club. For him, it helps cement his place as a batsman who bowls a bit and for the Club, it COULD (still to be proved) give us a genuine leg spin option we've been missing since Josh P left.

BristolBear wrote:

Whatever it is, it’s different. A few paces at a jog, then almost stops, walks a couple of paces and then I think it is indeed leg spin. Could be a very useful tool if he can refine it. Especially places where pitches do something’s take spin like Essex and Notts.

I agree with you Bristol. Matt's action and runup today is entirely different from his usual - and he does indeed seem to be bowling leg spin. I think my assumptions (in the Adam Hose thread) that Hose is the mystery 'letfie', Farbs talked about in the Members Forum, was wrong - and Lamb is that guy. Much less surprise that it's him rather than Hose, as he is a more regular bowler (for the Bears and Barnt Green) and his medium pace was always suitable to turn to spin. We'll need to see more to be sure - or get confirmation from someone at the Club.

Interesting that George has been called up for the 'First team' (Edgbaston) squad for Notts Friendlies starting tomorrow. I think that might imply him getting a chance ahead of other young seamers - George Garrett and Ethan Brookes especially. That could well be down to the fact that he is the only left arm seamer at the club now. I saw him play for Moseley in 2019 and he looked a real prospect - quickish, but with a nice left arm 'whippy' action, which moved the ball in the air and off the seam. From what I've seen, he could well jump ahead of those other guys waiting in the wings. The first 'leftie' since the (disastrous) loss of Keith Barker (for which Ash Giles needs to do serious penance!) and another 'Aussie' - lets hope a bowling equivalent of Sam H!

Highveld wrote:

Unlikely to be today, currently precipitating precipitously.

Yep! Shame, I was hoping to see some different bowlers having a stint today. Still, I think we've got a Notts Friendly next week and then a University game, so we might find out who the mystery leggie is then?!

Highveld wrote:

I was thinking it could be Matt Lamb. He has a decent action when bowling seam, so could be able to convert to bowling leg spin.

I thought that too, initially. I have always thought ML was a decent bowler, with lots of variation in speed and flight, I can imagine him turning to spin. But then I saw Hose's Twitter and I thought, he wouldn't talk about anyone else becoming the 'New Hollies', it would only be his 'announcement'. We might find out for definite soon though.

Has anyone else picked up on Farb's comment in the pre-season Supporters Forum, about a batsman (and currently part-time - very p/t - seamer!), who has been rapidly progressing some skills as leg spin bowler this winter? He didn't give a name away, but I see on AH's Twitter page, he talks about looking forward to an, "Eric Hollies return to Edgbaston" this season. Putting 2 and 2 together (perhaps making 5!), all I can think is that Hose himself is the mystery leggie. IF it is him, it is a big move from his old RMF, but I guess a spin bowling addition to his batting, only helps his ambitions in red ball, as well as white ball cricket.

Andy wrote:

He looked OK. Concern is that he gets out like that loads.

Like I said about Henry B, I think the jury is still out on Yates. He clearly has ability, but lacks that bit of concentration needed by an opener. I'd like to see him go down the order - perhaps 5 (if Lamb is 3 and Hain, 4) - though he'd be competing with a few for that - notably Dan Mousley, who (I think) has all the gifts to be a star of the future (and not just as a batsman, as shown in his bowling at the end of the Durham innings).

I thought (Barnt Greenie!) Lamb looked back to his old self. He was just getting in form again last season until he picked up an injury. He really is a talent. I'd love to see him go in regularly at 3, ahead of Hain - he certainly has the skill and application, but the luck hasn't been with him at times.

BristolBear wrote:

I think early in the season I might want to see 1 more batsman, someone like Lamb slotting in at 6.
I think with Rhodes ability to bowl, plus the bowler friendly nature of early season pitches, I’d back that side to get 20 wickets without 1 of Briggs, Brookes or Norwell.

I agree about Lamb coming in, but possibly at 5, ahead of Mousley, at least to start the season

BluenoseBear wrote:

Who's our back up keeper if Burgess ever gets injured? Ambrose now obviously gone too.

Although Vikai is official back up keeper, I think if Burgess is out for a short period of time, we'll see Malan behind the stumps. He has been playing as keeper in recent white ball games in South Africa and has performed well. I reckon that was partly Farb's thinking in bringing him to Edgbaston; a good opener (and proven in English conditions in a few seasons in the Lancs Leagues), a decent part time seamer, I've been told a good slip fielder and some keeping experience.

So glad the Forum is back. It is a shame that we lost all 'our history' on the old Forum though (I think I said some good things, but can't remember what!). And I'm so looking forward to this season, with Mark R and the new lads coming in. For me the best new player (full) contract announcement this Winter, was Jake Lintott. How good it is to have a left arm wrist spinner with us; he was a joy to watch in the T20 last year!