The 11th game of the championahip season, and the last with the Kokaburra ball, so also the last game for Rocci'

Hopefully Sam Hain will have returned from dealing with nappies and should be returned to the side, there is also the, small, chance that Jacob Bethell will be allowed to play. Meaning at least one change to the side.

After their performances against worcestershire both Zen Malik and Kai Smith deserve to remain in the side, with Kai retaining the keeper role. Both of these payyers are only going tto gain confidence, improve and become full time team members by being given the opportunity to play.

Looking at the situation logically, and based on recent performances, the player/s to be omitted seems obvious, but sadly unlikely to happen.

No way should Malik and Smith be dropped. The opening pair had a shocker of a game but I don't know who you would pick to open the innings and, of course, they could possibly come good and get a good start for the team.

The Einstein quote about the insanity of expecting differing results from repeating the same actions comes to mind.

If Hain is back then Taz Ali will miss out, i'm fairly sure of that. If Bethell is available, then Yates could miss out with maybe Barnard being pushed up to opener?

How long do we have Webster for? Hope whatever that he's back in 2026.

Why are people talking as though there might be a chance Zen Malik or Kai Smith might be getting dropped? Since each player made their respective first class debuts this season they've missed 1 game each. They're both regularly part of our first XI even prior to last weeks exploits. Mousley was yer fill in guy for Hain. Wonder if he gets dropped? Like I said in the Worcestershire thread, the selection headache comes if Hain AND Bethell become available.

As i said in my previous post, if Hain & Bethell are available then i think Taz Ali & Yates will miss out. Super Ed opened for us in the one day cup last season, and it wouldn't surprise me if he was asked to do the same against Essex next week IF we have to play Bethell.

Possible Team:

Davies
Barnard
Mousley
Hain
Malik
Webster
Bethell
Smith
Rocchiccioli
Bamber
OHD

Gus Atkinson was made available for Surrey last week Surrey but opted to put him in the 2's reasoning that as he'd not really played for much red ball cricket he'd be undercooked for County Championship level competition. Maybe we do the same with Bethell, he's hardly set the world alight in his Blast appearances nor when he played for us v Somerset this season?

ExiledBrummie wrote:

How long do we have Webster for? Hope whatever that he's back in 2026.

Indeed, and I am sure someone has probably answered this already but it would really be great if he was around for the T20 in Sept, his game looks ideal for the format

The question though is would Jacob Bethell, an international all rounder, be likely to contribute more to the team than the alternatives?

I remember that in the "Badbatch" era We lost a one day semi final when we omitted Ian Bell, who was a key member of the England test and ODI teams at the time.

Last game for the Rock star for how good or bad he plays v Essex ,I salute you well played ,hope to see you again

Well yes that is indeed the question, that's how discussions around team selections work id imagine.

Ah yes Greatbatch, who thought Ian Westwood had the greater potential than Ian Bell. Bad times.

Yes, a very poor coach, with no motivational skills and strange selections.

It was a very frustating time to support the team.

Probably the worst time wasn't it. You look back, the things you'd hear about him etc, he was a very flawed and unpleasant man. We had some exceptional cricketers too around that time, all very frustrating.

Like any workplace, coaches &/or managers like that lead to good people chosing to seek employment elsewhere.

Sadly, we've had a similar situation the last couple of years, and further changes, to remove toxic chaaracters are still needed.

I remember the talk was that Greatbatch told Dougie Brown that he should look to play a bit of club cricket as he wasn't an automatic choice. Did he even take a look at DB's contribution to the team, I hope we never employ someone like him again. Bethell has no form behind him so would weaken the side if he came in.

It is unlikely that adding an all formats international player would actually weaken the side. Someone does not become a successful international player at Jacob's age, Just 21 remember, withoutout having an exceptional level of ability, and being able to perform even when he hasn't played a lot recently.

Do we really want to repeat the mistakes of "Badbatch"? or continue the rewarding of mediocrity of the Robinson era?

If Bethell is available he should play.

Who drops out for Bethell then. Whether or not he has played international cricket, he hasn't batted for ages, since Somerset in the CC so it will weaken a side who have a bit of momentum after a T20 quarter-final and now a brilliant win with a run chase. If you dropped Yates, then who would open and you cannot drop Malik (2 first class 100's. Bethell 0) or Mousley who batted really well, reeled himself in not to go too attacking too early.

I think it's unlikely Bethell will be back this season now. Don't think it makes sense for him to play one red ball game only (whether it be the England test or at Essex) then its 100 and then September is white ball England games. Its all set for him to play 100 then a major part in the England games. I don't mind this. We've just had a game when Mousley and Malik have done alright and should go again.

In any case, I'd really prefer Mouse and Jacob to just concentrate on something. They've been playing 4 formats and both have oscillated between bowling and batting roles. If Mouse just looks to tighten up his batting and Jacob concentrates on white ball, I think we're in a better place. They're both still young enough to add bits to their game later.

Highveld wrote:

It is unlikely that adding an all formats international player would actually weaken the side. Someone does not become a successful international player at Jacob's age, Just 21 remember, withoutout having an exceptional level of ability, and being able to perform even when he hasn't played a lot recently.

Do we really want to repeat the mistakes of "Badbatch"? or continue the rewarding of mediocrity of the Robinson era?

If Bethell is available he should play.

Still no Hain or Bethell in the squad. Jani has been added as cover I assume. Likely to be an unchanged team.