The_Lickey_Banker wrote:
So, the Worcester game finished as an inevitable draw (given almost a day missing and the aim of the match to give bowing and batting practice to both sides).
Stand out performances for us:-
1st innings bowling - Bamber (10-6-24-3), Gilchrist (10-3-41-2) & Woakes (10-3-27-1). Booth & Thompson were the other wicket takers (1 apiece, but pretty expensive at around 6 an over) and the skipper bowled fairly economically (4 an over).
Batting - Yates (45 & 37), Malik (46), Mousley (22 & 23RO), Barnard (28RO) & Barker (25NO). Of the other batsmen, only Hain got into double figures (22 & a duck).
2nd innings bowling - Yates' was the only wicket taker, with his off spin (6-0-20-2). Other spinners were tried - Taz Ali, Lintott & Mousley - but with no great impact (Jake L being the most economical, at 4 an over). OHD & Barker got chance to turn their arm over, economical (4 an over), but with no great effect. Simmons also had 6 overs (at 5 an over).
Thanks LB, that gives us a useful guide as who might be in the starting lineup for Friday.
It looks like Bamber, Gilchrist & Woakes will be guaranteed a start, with 2 of Booth, Thompson & Barker also playing. I think OHD's days as a first choice seamer, are gone now? No front line spinner, as Webster (who I guess will have to be that man, eventually) will be needing some practice in English conditions. Yates & Mousley will be handling all spin duties for the moment. Yates & Davies to open, Barnard & Hain, with 1 of Mousley or Malik, joining them. If they decide to stick with Davies as keeper, there could be a place for Thompson or Barker as an all rounder, or Mousley / Malik as an extra batsman, but they may opt for Smith (who has kept in every pre-season game).
_"You can take the boy out of Atherstone, but you can never take Atherstone out of the boy !"
"The Bears and the (footballing) Foxes for ever !" _