We bowled Northants out for 237. Yadvinder Singh (Moseley CC) took 4 for 40 (off 17.4), Johal, 3 for 46 (off 17) and a wicket apiece for Croom & Briggs (just in the bowling lineup).
Ethan Brookes & Lintott (not bowling) opening the batting. Remaining lineup:-
Kai Smith
Benjamin (Captain & Keeper)
Bethell
Daniyal Khan
Yusuf Khalil
Miles
Johal
Simmons
Josh Croom.
Ethan B on 48NO, when rain came (we're on 113 for 2). Jake and Kai both out in the 20's
Mainly the normal 2nds team out today at Portland Road, for Glamorgan, but with a couple of interesting (new and fairly new) additions:-
Rhodes
Ethan B
Shaikh
Zen Malik
Theo Wylie
Maddy
Simmons
Josh Croom
Johal
Garrett
Ali
Zen Malik is a batsman (and part time leggie) from Stoke, who has turned out for Staffs, Worcester 2nds (last season) and Leicester 2nds, this. No big scores in either Seconds team, but considered to be a good prospect.
Josh Croom, I've talked about before. A genuine all rounder / spinner, with good figures with bat and ball at Minor Counties level for Wiltshire and Hampshire 2nds. He's in the Brum League this season for Berkswell.
Theo Wylie, I've also mentioned before. Very young, but another good all round prospect.
A complete change of lineup for rhe second game today - and very likely to be our regular 2nds T20 team. Probably 9 of the 11 won't get near the Blast team for a while:-
Ethan B
Bethell
Benjamin
Rhodes
Shaikh
A Khan
Miles
Simmons
Johal
OHD
Theo Wylie (all rounder at Shrewsbury School, who plays for Shifnal and has turned out for Shropshire Students in the Bunbury Festival).
Of those, I would imagine only Bethell and Miles have much chance of an early appearance in the Blast. Perhaps Benjamin and Rhodes might later on, if batsmen get injured or don't show any form.
We lost the toss and were put in the field.
Team for the first T20 this morning:-
Stirling
Yates
Davies
Hain
Mousley
Barnard
Henry Brookes
Ali
Briggs
Garrett
Lintott
Pretty much a first team out there today - in preparation for the first Blast game on Saturday:-
Yates
Davies (Captain & Keeper!)
Mousley
Benjamin
Bethell
Burgess
Woakes
Barnard
Ali
Lintott
Miles
Rory Haydon and Callum Nicholls (ex-Glamorgan 2nd's & Wales NC all rounder) in for Che Simmons & Manraj Johal. George Garrett in the bowling side, Callum Nicholls in the batting.
We won the toss and put Surrey in. Henry B and Miles taking an early wicket apiece, but Surrey have recovered, now on 77 for 2.
We can't do much worse than against Somerset 2nd's ..... or can we?!
https://edgbaston.com/news/coaching-role-changes-ahead-of-23-campaign/
3 'Assistant' Coaches appointed, alongside First Team Coach (Robinson) and Senior Coach - Bowling (Barnes). In other words, what appears a demotion for Frost (who is now just designated 'Lead Batting Coach') and promotions for Westwood (now 'Assistant First Team Coach') & Sheikh ('Second Team Coach' - assisted by Frost for Batting & Andrew Sutton for Bowling).
No mention of Trotty's 'Batting Consultant' role.
https://edgbaston.com/news/warwickshire-return-from-south-africa-pre-season-tour/
Full report on the games played against Northants, Loughborough UCCE and Yorkshire on the South African tour
https://edgbaston.com/news/report-bears-v-loughborough-uni-pre-season-t20/
2 more T20 Friendly wins in South Africa.
https://edgbaston.com/news/warwickshire-agm-members-warm-welcome-for-new-club-president-amiss/
So, the club are soon to appoint a 'Performance Director', rather than a, "traditional Director of Cricket". From what's said, I don't know what the difference will be?!
In his first match for MI Emirates, Dan got 31 NO, going in at No 5. And took 1 for 10 in his 2 overs.
Although Highveld pointed out that we have a new Bowling Coach in the Farbrace thread, I think such an important appointment, needs it's own thread. However, I agree with him, that Barnes does appear to have a good pedigree and seems to be a positive acquisition.
Just got back from Barnt Green CC, watching Worcester Seconds take on Leicester. Vikai Kelley of course plays for Leics now. He never did anything with the bat for us - but he got 101 today !
Is it just me, or are others pi**ed off by all these 'dodgy' posters we seem to have inhabiting our site ?! All with very obvious 'troll' names. I hope Admin can do something about them.
The ramifications of Azeem Rafiq's testimony will flow over to us, in regard to what he says about TB. I see we're going to start an investigation into his involvement. I guess that COULD well lead to Tim's 'early retirement'?
I'd heard rumours that we had been talking to Shaheen Afridi, about an Overseas berth next season. Farbs and MR have identified a need for a Seam bowler - preferably left arm - and he fitted (and his Edgbaston links through the 100 helped). However, he couldn't commit to a full Championship season because of International requirements and so we pulled out. He's signed for Middlesex now - playing in the Championship and T20 until mid July.
Coming up to that time of year again. My thoughts:-
Not Retained - Ryan Sidebottom, Vikai Kelley, George Furrer and possibly George Garrett?
New Contracts - Jordan Bulpitt, Kiel van Vollenhoven, Karl Carver and possibly Michael Booth & Bradley Currie?
As speculated in the Ed Pollock thread, Hose really does have to watch out, he is getting dangerously close to serial failures - and the possibility of being released. I don't know how long he's got left on his contract, but if its up at the end of this season, he could be gone. He has done nothing in his time with us in the red ball game (including in the 2nd team - a duck again today) and has had a poor year or two in white ball. I know he has had injury problems, but that only compounds the doubts about his long term suitability for us. I think management will be seriously considering whether he should be kept.