Fancy batting badly against this pile of ****, how many of their team would you say were better than most of ours.

Embarrassing
Davies out, Kai in
Thompson out Bamber in
Booth in for either Taz or OHD depending on the wicket

Dan M, Gleeson, Booth, Kai Smith and even Garton would make a difference but fear its too late. The selections Im afraid are on Westwood, its more of a longer format line up currently than a T20 one. No power hitters, no real pace. Dreadful all round unfortunately.

ExiledBrummie wrote:

Dan M, Gleeson, Booth, Kai Smith and even Garton would make a difference but fear its too late. The selections Im afraid are on Westwood, its more of a longer format line up currently than a T20 one. No power hitters, no real pace. Dreadful all round unfortunately.

I agree, it's all down to Westwood. Terrible squad selection, terrible team choice. At least 3 of that XI should be nowhere near a start - Davies, Vansh & Thompson. 2 others should be seriously doubted - OHD & a spinner (we can't go with two again). And Webster is, currently, a big let down.

Bamber, Kai Smith & Malik HAVE to come in. Booth, as well, probably. How can a team that hasn't lost in all six of its T20 games (our Seconds) not show the First team the way?!

Bald_Reynard wrote:

ExiledBrummie wrote:

Dan M, Gleeson, Booth, Kai Smith and even Garton would make a difference but fear its too late. The selections Im afraid are on Westwood, its more of a longer format line up currently than a T20 one. No power hitters, no real pace. Dreadful all round unfortunately.

I agree, it's all down to Westwood. Terrible squad selection, terrible team choice. At least 3 of that XI should be nowhere near a start - Davies, Vansh & Thompson. 2 others should be seriously doubted - OHD & a spinner (we can't go with two again). And Webster is, currently, a big let down.

Bamber, Kai Smith & Malik HAVE to come in. Booth, as well, probably. How can a team that hasn't lost in all six of its T20 games (our Seconds) not show the First team the way?!

Agree about Webster, he's much more a four day player than a T20 one. Really can't understand the thought processes when picking the current team.

Can’t disagree with any of the previous comments, bitterly disappointing; I think we can pretty much write off this year’s campaign already. Also question some of the thinking around bowling changes, Ali and Thompson were the most expensive and yet bowled at the end of the innings when we needed tight control as well as wickets. Webster was economical in his two overs so why was he not given a third? Why didn’t the captain bowl himself - is he carrying an injury?

The team looks seriously lacking in bite, energy and confidence and as others have said, the tail is far too long. A serious rethink is urgently needed if a total capitulation in this year’s T20 is to be avoided.

Not really sure what the answer is.

There's 2 or 3 or so guys in the XI right who probably shouldn't be. We all know more or less who they are.

Not having Mousley, Gleeson and even Garton is hurting is. Westwoods hands are tied here to be fair.

Not sure any of the others who are not in the side but currently available make a huge difference to be honest.

I like Ethan Bamber but he only played 7 t20 games for Middlesex who are historically the worst team ever in the comp so im genuinely curious as to why people think he'd turn our fortunes around. What are they seeing?

Booth is still registered as overseas right?

If Mousley was available he'd be batting 3 and Webster would be at 6 which I think would suit him much better.

Should we put Hain or Barney up to open in order to get Kai Smith (not pulling up many trees in the 2nd XI? Could be wrong?) into the side? Davies a much better keeper but can't buy a run right now. Or do you back our highest runscorer in the comp last season to rediscover his form?

We are probably missing Garton. And ive been critical of him in the past, id never have signed him I admit. However he could get us a wicket in the PP, make a difference in the field (bullet arm) and get us some runs down the order. In Usman and OHD we've got 2 complete statues in the field here and neither of them bat. GG is actually an upgrade on OHD here. OHD has been credible though with the ball though in fairness.

I sometimes think Gleeson gets a little underrated by our fanbase. Genuine pace and can bowl at any stage of the innings, always gets wickets. Such a miss right now.

Yeah you could probably put Zen in for Jani, but you'd rather Mousley. Could stick Bamber in there, but you'd rather Gleeson.

I really do think Westwood’s hands are tied right now. That's not to say the odd tweak couldnt be tried though.

There's these 2 blokes called Hasan Ali and Moeen Ali doing pretty well for Yorkshire...

Andy wrote:

Not really sure what the answer is.

There's 2 or 3 or so guys in the XI right who probably shouldn't be. We all know more or less who they are.

Not having Mousley, Gleeson and even Garton is hurting is. Westwoods hands are tied here to be fair.

Not sure any of the others who are not in the side but currently available make a huge difference to be honest.

I like Ethan Bamber but he only played 7 t20 games for Middlesex who are historically the worst team ever in the comp so im genuinely curious as to why people think he'd turn our fortunes around. What are they seeing?

Booth is still registered as overseas right?

If Mousley was available he'd be batting 3 and Webster would be at 6 which I think would suit him much better.

Should we put Hain or Barney up to open in order to get Kai Smith (not pulling up many trees in the 2nd XI? Could be wrong?) into the side? Davies a much better keeper but can't buy a run right now. Or do you back our highest runscorer in the comp last season to rediscover his form?

We are probably missing Garton. And ive been critical of him in the past, id never have signed him I admit. However he could get us a wicket in the PP, make a difference in the field (bullet arm) and get us some runs down the order. In Usman and OHD we've got 2 complete statues in the field here and neither of them bat. GG is actually an upgrade on OHD here. OHD has been credible though with the ball though in fairness.

I sometimes think Gleeson gets a little underrated by our fanbase. Genuine pace and can bowl at any stage of the innings, always gets wickets. Such a miss right now.

Yeah you could probably put Zen in for Jani, but you'd rather Mousley. Could stick Bamber in there, but you'd rather Gleeson.

I really do think Westwood’s hands are tied right now. That's not to say the odd tweak couldnt be tried though.

My call for Bamber, was simply because he is having a big impact in 2nds T20 games. In his last match for them against Somerset (just a day before the 1sts Pears game) he bowled his 4 overs for 23 runs and took 4 wickets, including great 'at the death' bowling, getting the wickets of Coleman & Vukusic (who were cruising, putting on 60 in 5 overs and looking to easily win the game). In that match, he also hit 16 NO off 7 balls. In the previous day's game v Gloucester, he took 3 wickets and scored 23 NO off 10 balls.

Booth became a home registered player in 2025.

I agree about Mousley & Gleeson, but they were not available for the Worcester game and will not be for the Northants game tomorrow, so why mention them? Given the HUGE impact Malik (73 off 40 balls & 80 off 33 balls) & Bamber had in those 2nd's matches, just days before the 1st team game, Westwood is culpable for leaving them out.

Averages after 3 games

https://countycrickethub.net/team-averages.html?teamid=16&comp=3&year=2026

Also latest SET20 figures

https://countycrickethub.net/team-averages.html?teamid=16&comp=5&year=2026

Bald_Reynard wrote:

Andy wrote:

Not really sure what the answer is.

There's 2 or 3 or so guys in the XI right who probably shouldn't be. We all know more or less who they are.

Not having Mousley, Gleeson and even Garton is hurting is. Westwoods hands are tied here to be fair.

Not sure any of the others who are not in the side but currently available make a huge difference to be honest.

I like Ethan Bamber but he only played 7 t20 games for Middlesex who are historically the worst team ever in the comp so im genuinely curious as to why people think he'd turn our fortunes around. What are they seeing?

Booth is still registered as overseas right?

If Mousley was available he'd be batting 3 and Webster would be at 6 which I think would suit him much better.

Should we put Hain or Barney up to open in order to get Kai Smith (not pulling up many trees in the 2nd XI? Could be wrong?) into the side? Davies a much better keeper but can't buy a run right now. Or do you back our highest runscorer in the comp last season to rediscover his form?

We are probably missing Garton. And ive been critical of him in the past, id never have signed him I admit. However he could get us a wicket in the PP, make a difference in the field (bullet arm) and get us some runs down the order. In Usman and OHD we've got 2 complete statues in the field here and neither of them bat. GG is actually an upgrade on OHD here. OHD has been credible though with the ball though in fairness.

I sometimes think Gleeson gets a little underrated by our fanbase. Genuine pace and can bowl at any stage of the innings, always gets wickets. Such a miss right now.

Yeah you could probably put Zen in for Jani, but you'd rather Mousley. Could stick Bamber in there, but you'd rather Gleeson.

I really do think Westwood’s hands are tied right now. That's not to say the odd tweak couldnt be tried though.

My call for Bamber, was simply because he is having a big impact in 2nds T20 games. In his last match for them against Somerset (just a day before the 1sts Pears game) he bowled his 4 overs for 23 runs and took 4 wickets, including great 'at the death' bowling, getting the wickets of Coleman & Vukusic (who were cruising, putting on 60 in 5 overs and looking to easily win the game). In that match, he also hit 16 NO off 7 balls. In the previous day's game v Gloucester, he took 3 wickets and scored 23 NO off 10 balls.

Booth became a home registered player in 2025.

I agree about Mousley & Gleeson, but they were not available for the Worcester game and will not be for the Northants game tomorrow, so why mention them? Given the HUGE impact Malik (73 off 40 balls & 80 off 33 balls) & Bamber had in those 2nd's matches, just days before the 1st team game, Westwood is culpable for leaving them out.

Think Mousley and Gleeson would have a far, far bigger positive impact on the team than totally untested options in Malik and Bamber. Its an odd flex to be slating Westwood over team selection after 3 out of the 12 games when you factor in that some players who would definitely be starting are unavailable through no fault of his own. Pretty relevant to the debate id have thought.

Andy wrote:

Bald_Reynard wrote:

Andy wrote:

Not really sure what the answer is.

There's 2 or 3 or so guys in the XI right who probably shouldn't be. We all know more or less who they are.

Not having Mousley, Gleeson and even Garton is hurting is. Westwoods hands are tied here to be fair.

Not sure any of the others who are not in the side but currently available make a huge difference to be honest.

I like Ethan Bamber but he only played 7 t20 games for Middlesex who are historically the worst team ever in the comp so im genuinely curious as to why people think he'd turn our fortunes around. What are they seeing?

Booth is still registered as overseas right?

If Mousley was available he'd be batting 3 and Webster would be at 6 which I think would suit him much better.

Should we put Hain or Barney up to open in order to get Kai Smith (not pulling up many trees in the 2nd XI? Could be wrong?) into the side? Davies a much better keeper but can't buy a run right now. Or do you back our highest runscorer in the comp last season to rediscover his form?

We are probably missing Garton. And ive been critical of him in the past, id never have signed him I admit. However he could get us a wicket in the PP, make a difference in the field (bullet arm) and get us some runs down the order. In Usman and OHD we've got 2 complete statues in the field here and neither of them bat. GG is actually an upgrade on OHD here. OHD has been credible though with the ball though in fairness.

I sometimes think Gleeson gets a little underrated by our fanbase. Genuine pace and can bowl at any stage of the innings, always gets wickets. Such a miss right now.

Yeah you could probably put Zen in for Jani, but you'd rather Mousley. Could stick Bamber in there, but you'd rather Gleeson.

I really do think Westwood’s hands are tied right now. That's not to say the odd tweak couldnt be tried though.

My call for Bamber, was simply because he is having a big impact in 2nds T20 games. In his last match for them against Somerset (just a day before the 1sts Pears game) he bowled his 4 overs for 23 runs and took 4 wickets, including great 'at the death' bowling, getting the wickets of Coleman & Vukusic (who were cruising, putting on 60 in 5 overs and looking to easily win the game). In that match, he also hit 16 NO off 7 balls. In the previous day's game v Gloucester, he took 3 wickets and scored 23 NO off 10 balls.

Booth became a home registered player in 2025.

I agree about Mousley & Gleeson, but they were not available for the Worcester game and will not be for the Northants game tomorrow, so why mention them? Given the HUGE impact Malik (73 off 40 balls & 80 off 33 balls) & Bamber had in those 2nd's matches, just days before the 1st team game, Westwood is culpable for leaving them out.

Think Mousley and Gleeson would have a far, far bigger positive impact on the team than totally untested options in Malik and Bamber. Its an odd flex to be slating Westwood over team selection after 3 out of the 12 games when you factor in that some players who would definitely be starting are unavailable through no fault of his own. Pretty relevant to the debate id have thought.

Andy, I think we're at cross purposes here. My support for Malik & Bamber, was aimed at their inclusion in the two weekend matches on now - just days after their success in two 2nds T20 games - as Bears in form. I'm not denying Mousley & Gleeson would (probably) be more effective and should play when they're available - ie in the latter stages of the competition. Though of course, if Malik & Bamber played now (which clearly, Westwood would have to wear sackcloth and ashes to agree to!) and were successful, DM & RG might have to come in for others!

No I hear you mate. I agree Malik is probably worth a look instead of Jani, less sure on Bamber.

Just checked the notes from the members committee meeting from April 7th, Michael Booth is not English qualified til 2027.

Awful start to our T20 campaign. It won't be easy tomorrow against Northants. Unthinkable if it ends in a 4th straight defeat.