13 man squad

Davies (c)
Taz Ali
Bamber
Barnard
Hain
Hannon-Dalby
Latham
Malik
Rushworth
Simmons
Smith
Webster
Yates

Not sure who drops out - probably Ali (which I think is misguided) and a seam bowler. Depends how fit Rushworth is?

Might need to bowl first to get 20 wickets?

If Smith isn't gonna keep he'll be missing out you'd think.

If it's Ali and Simmons that miss out (which is likely) then our attack will be very same-y

Hoping the pitch offers a lot more than the previous game

Ideally there's something in the pitch for the spinners and Ali can play.

Out of the squad I'd probably have Smith and Rushworth missing out. I can imagine the bowlers will be feeling it still so an extra bowler will help.

Andy wrote:

If Smith isn't gonna keep he'll be missing out you'd think.

Agreed as last game he was a number 8 batsman that never batted, bowled or kept wicket! I'd say him and Simmons to miss out.

ExiledBrummie wrote:

Andy wrote:

If Smith isn't gonna keep he'll be missing out you'd think.

Agreed as last game he was a number 8 batsman that never batted, bowled or kept wicket! I'd say him and Simmons to miss out.

Yes, that would be my take on it.
Good to see Rushworth back, I've forgotten what he looks like!

Bald_Reynard wrote:

ExiledBrummie wrote:

Andy wrote:

If Smith isn't gonna keep he'll be missing out you'd think.

Agreed as last game he was a number 8 batsman that never batted, bowled or kept wicket! I'd say him and Simmons to miss out.

Yes, that would be my take on it.
Good to see Rushworth back, I've forgotten what he looks like!

Bald Reynard - meet bald Rushworth.

ajones1328 wrote:

Hoping the pitch offers a lot more than the previous game

Ideally there's something in the pitch for the spinners and Ali can play.

Out of the squad I'd probably have Smith and Rushworth missing out. I can imagine the bowlers will be feeling it still so an extra bowler will help.

Spot on - Smith & Rushworth do miss out. Simmons and Ali play.
Hampshire won the toss and chose to bat.

GerryShedd wrote:

Bald_Reynard wrote:

ExiledBrummie wrote:

Andy wrote:

If Smith isn't gonna keep he'll be missing out you'd think.

Agreed as last game he was a number 8 batsman that never batted, bowled or kept wicket! I'd say him and Simmons to miss out.

Yes, that would be my take on it.
Good to see Rushworth back, I've forgotten what he looks like!

Bald Reynard - meet bald Rushworth.

He was always the more talented of us twins!

I see I was half right, Ali in, but Simmons stays. Obviously my twin is unlucky this time - perhaps not quite fit (he was always prone to 'little niggles'!) - or Simmons pace just won the day?

I think Simmons pace won the day. I'm assuming Westwood sees him as the Booth replacement and wants one pace merchant in every game.

Rushworth perhaps to get some overs in for the seconds

Still not sure why a keeper who wasn't 1st choice at Lancashire is now keeper, opener and captain. Does Davies bowl?

Makes sense for Davies to have the gloves so that we can play Ali. Simmons extra pace offers something different to the lesser spotted Rushworth's medium swing bowling.

Yates bowling before lunch? dear lord.

Another flat slow pitch it seems...

Off topic, but interesting to see Josh Davey opening the batting for Somerset today. Not so much a night watchman as a morning watcher.

Good effort from the bowlers so far, although surprised to see Yates bowling ahead of Simmons - what's that all about? Surely your quickest bowler should either open the bowling or at least be first change bowler?

Went on the square at lunch time and ground staff were telling me how dry the wicket was. Said something like 200k litres of water put on it but the drainage is so good it just takes it away.

Said they tried to prepare this wicket differently to make it more lively and left it until late.
A good effort by our bowlers but I guess spin more and more vital as game goes on.

BosworthBear wrote:

Went on the square at lunch time and ground staff were telling me how dry the wicket was. Said something like 200k litres of water put on it but the drainage is so good it just takes it away.

Said they tried to prepare this wicket differently to make it more lively and left it until late.
A good effort by our bowlers but I guess spin more and more vital as game goes on.

Yeah tbf there does seem some carry for the taller bowlers. Like to see bit of pace with Simmons shortly

132/5 now. Good effort on this wicket. Surprised that Simmons hasn't bowled, hopefully there's no injury issue?

What is it about Liam Dawson and us?! We can never get him out cheaply and he always scores a hatful against us!