I have wondered that. I wouldn't be keen on flogging him too much on unresponsive surfaces. At the same time though you like to pick yer strongest XI and he is undoubtedly part of that.

When you think of how long he hasn't played for and the injury he had last year, he bowled remarkably well the weekend and could have had a few more poles with better catching/umpiring.

Its crazy to think two leggies (Crane and Critchley) got 5fers in round 1.

Think there's a chance Booth comes in down the hill at Hove. Was impressed with Bamber, Woakes and Thompson. Thompson looks pretty sharp and has an action which suggests he could get it reversing. Barnard bowled a good spell after lunch yesterday.

Honestly last weekend could have been all so different had we held our catches.

My only criticism of us thus far in this game, the catching. Smith x2, Hain x2, Barnard and Lintott (sub) off the top of my head.

We'll bowl worse and get wickets...Lawrence 2 lives already today, frustrating.

Woakes on Lawrence with about 20mins to go looked plumb, cant understand what umpires see, or don't see, sometimes. Could be significant. We bowled well again in that final session, there is a hint of up and down too, must bowl very straight.

I just don't get it

BosworthBear wrote:

LeicesterExile wrote:

Should we aim to declare at Tea with a 200+ lead or bat on until last hour of the day? All assuming we stay in command,of course.

I would definitely declare at tea because of the weather but suspect I'm in a minority!

Yeah declare at Tea

Need to push on here...

Pitch doesn't seem to have much pace in it, less live grass than yesterday, the odd one is misbehaving, think there's still a touch in it. Its abundantly easier after lunch against the older ball.

Excellent opening partnership (Is Highveld ok with this?!) scoring at a fair lick. Thought Fisher initially started well before he seemed to go searching. Surrey's seamers were generally poor actually thought the spinners posed a bigger (slightly bigger) threat and our guys played them very well, Albert looks to have a nice action and Lawrence seemed to hold length well initially but agreed he shouldn't have bowled as much as he did as his lack of guile got exposed.

Brilliant from batters, outstanding from Mousley, his celebration was a lovely moment, he played so well. Still there is a headless in him v spin but he looked so much more assured outside his off stump today. Swept so well, manipulating the field.

Dan Mousley ton!

Excellent session, good to see us cash in to an extent as i don't think Surrey's seamers will bowl that badly again. 25 boundaries!

Surrey do this year in year out, they seem to 90-5 most games before the tail drag them up to 300+. Someone from no's 8-11 always puts their hand up. They never get rolled over.

Gonna be tough this morning, just gotta see where we are at lunch then hopefully press on in the afternoon when conditions will have improved.

BosworthBear wrote:

I think the pitch has dried out but there will be the same problems tomorrow morning.

Yep, Edgbaston is a good place to bat after lunch. And agreed that it will be tough again tomorrow morning, fair amount of live grass.

Kai Smith 2nd drop of the day, why not go with two hands there?!

Think we've bowled well in fairly helpful conditions. Pope wicket was a massive moment, especially as it was so soon after Smith's drop. He probably looked like the best batter. Incredible Sibley is still there, Woakes was all over him first hour. Bamber terrific. Over rate good considering all seam. Absolutely freezing!

Oh Kai...

Yates
Davies
Mousley
Hain
Webster
Barnard
Malik
Woakes
Thompson
Bamber
Booth/Gilchrist

???

A specialist batter at 7 and you still have 6 front line bowling options.

Webster will bat in the top 5 id have thought?

Surprised to see Lintott named, cant see him playing? Feel like Davies might get the gloves over Kai?

I ain't got a clue how we line up here. Be a couple of disappointed people and maybe a shock or 2.