Same squad as Wednesday.
Some of the batsmen still have not contributed to an acceptable level.
Average from first two games https://countycrickethub.net/team-averages.html?teamid=16&comp=2&year=2025
https://live.nvplay.com/ecb/?tab=m_summary#mf36e1a2f-fcf3-46f1-97b2-c5341254f8fe
Time for Hamza Shaikh and Zen Malik to come to the party.
GerryShedd wrote:
Time for Hamza Shaikh and Zan Malik to come to the party.
Yep, I think Hamza was in 'last chance saloon' on Wednesday and his 5 runs could well have led to 'the swinging door being shut'. My solution would be to bring Jake L back. As pointed out above, he's had a great run of batting form for the 2nds recently, even opening (with a 122). That and the option of his (intermittent, admittedly) 'cunning' left arm spin, could bring more weight to the team, than Hamza's batting form for us this year (though he did do well in red ball for England U19's).
I think Zen's 21 and the fact that he has had a good record in the Championship this season (together with the option of his decent leg spin), gives him the right for at least one more Metro outing.
'The only good banker, is the Lickey Banker!'
Yeah Zen's got a bit of credit in the bank. Anyway, Lintott and OHD for Booth and Bamber. As indicated by Westwood after Wednesday we are rotating the bowlers.
Middlesex won the toss and chose to bat.
'The only good banker, is the Lickey Banker!'
Andy wrote:
Yeah Zen's got a bit of credit in the bank.
agreed, i want to see him given a good run in this 'development' competition
Zen is 27, almost 28, remember he was rejected by 12 counties, they can not all have been wrong when they decided not to sign him.
Zen Malik is averaging 44 in the Championship this season so maybe those counties were wrong, just like all those people who didn’t want to buy Van Gogh’s useless daubs. All those stars and sunflowers.
Highveld wrote:
Zen is 27, almost 28, remember he was rejected by 12 counties, they can not all have been wrong when they decided not to sign him.
Can't they? Really? First class centuries (and match winning 4th innings ones, at that) just don't count now? If someone saw the match-winning innings against Worcester and denied there was any potential there, I'd have to suspect they were beyond help as some kind of wanton miserabilist. There are doubtless players at some or all of those counties as we speak, whom have played more first class games than Malik, and still not got a first class century. Until players actually get a first class chance its all speculation and there is always a leap of faith in picking them to debut. But the very fact they were given contracts and he wasn't now undermines his actual, concrete record? Now he has been given his chance he has basically been a success, but, what? Deny or reject an actual first class record because clubs some way back didn't rate him? what an utterly bizarre attitude.
Perhaps the other counties were wrong? but they had their own reasons for deciding not to offer a contract, based on the evidence before them at the time.
Yes he has played some good innings this season, hopefully he can continue to do so on a regular basis, we need reliable players in the team.
If someone had mentioned to me during the 1990's, that Warwickshire would be using 4 spinners in a game of one-day cricket (Remember when we called it that), I would have asked where it was that we got them all from.
Well it certainly looks like we’ve got to know this pitch! Good effort this. Captaincy, bowling and fielding.
Another big crowd. Three in a row. Must be all the Middlesex supporters!
Triple-wicket maiden.
Spinners, 32-2-138-7, that'll do.
Well done to Jake Lintott.
Wow, Jake has certainly paid back for his recall. He does have it in him - and on his day (which, given his inherent skill, doesn't happen enough), he can be unplayable. At 157 for 3 after just 32 overs, Middlesex were all set for getting near 300 - until the 'Taunton Teaser' got to work!
'The only good banker, is the Lickey Banker!'
GerryShedd wrote:
Well done to Jake Lintott.
A great reminder that economy rate isn't the be-all and end-all for wrist spinners, and that having the confidence to pick them pays dividends, especially when they are proven wicket takers
i still fondly recall that one season Tahir had with us (tbf his economy was generally excellent as well), ripping out middle orders like some crazed steroidal giant pulling up weak shrubs by the root, left and right.
And interestingly, he looked a bit out of sorts early in the blast, and wickets taken were all catches in the deep, after his spell captaining the seconds in red ball and getting some wickets, and runs, he seems to be bowling straighter and more attacking and most of the wickets are now bowled or lbw. Interesting
FarmerPalmer wrote:
And interestingly, he looked a bit out of sorts early in the blast, and wickets taken were all catches in the deep, after his spell captaining the seconds in red ball and getting some wickets, and runs, he seems to be bowling straighter and more attacking and most of the wickets are now bowled or lbw. Interesting
absolutely
with Lintott it seemed to me you could tell his confidence level (and certainly his likely effectiveness) just on how the ball is coming out of his hand. when he's 'on' it really fizzes out, you can see the action/revs on the ball from the trajectory and its relative violence. when he's low in confidence it kind of limps out of his hand and the trajectory is totally different like a dying bird all floppy and limp. most of the T20 it was definitely the latter.
we are in great danger of losing this game, after some very poor shots by experienced players.