Vithushan Ehantharajah has done a nice write up on us on Cricinfo, by the way. Don't know how to link things, sorry.

As has been said though, should have played more ODI's, they should have just found a way to get him in. I always imagined he'd have been excellent in the sub continent.

And even with his List A cricket, the advent of the Hundread fucked him up. Hes hardly played any One Day cricket in 5 or so years.

In between 2016 and 2018 the likes of James Vince, Tom Westley, Dawid Malan and Nick Compton all got opportunity in the Test side at varying positions from no.3 to no.5 with varying degrees of success but not really nailing down the spot (you could argue Malan did a bit). I may have missed somebody too.

This was Hain's opportunity with the spots available and coming off the back of a strong 2014 and 2015.

He averaged something in the 20's in 2016, 15 or so in 2017 (imagine the stick he'd have got in here these days..) and about 30 in 2018 in div 2 (I remember he never made a ton that year.).

He missed the moment I think.

Since then, particularly since 2022, he's been absolutely elite. Totally phenomenal. Unfortunately Jonny Baitstow had a renaissance of sorts in 2022 then some bloke called Harry Brook became a superstar whilst Joe Root went from good strength to incredible strength.

LeicesterExile wrote:

Andy wrote:

Not really sure what else they could have done in the limited overs comps considering the injuries and call ups etc.

Besides I can look away from the white ball stuff as long as we're doing well and progressing in the County Championship, personally.

Absolutely - red ball is the original - like in Rugby 15 a side is always preferable to Sevens which in itself is a great format. I just wish there were more games in the 4 day format.

I'd love to go back to 2 divisions of 9 and 16 games. Great times. It was 'proper'.

mad wrote:

runner up on a dismal dank day at Lords against Durham in 2014

Yes I acknowledged that one. When Jeets nearly single handedly pulled it out the fire and Ben Stokes inside edged his way to a march winning fifty. Honestly he was so lucky.

paulbear wrote:

I was only including only what I regard as 'Top' medals which won't include 2nd division wins or runners-up.

That's fair

In the 2008 promotion I think he was our highest wicket taker. Him or Neil Carter I think.

mad wrote:

Brilliant. I tend not to count these but was Woakes involved in either of the promotion winning seasons? - I assume he played in 2008 but perhaps not 2018? and did he get any Div 2 medals?

In 2018 he played twice, Middlesex away and Leicestershire away.

Chris Woakes has, by my reckoning:

3 x Championships 2012, 2021, 2026
2 x 2nd division champions 2008, 2018
2 x ODC 2010, 2016
1 x Blast 2014
1 x 1 day league 2009 (this might need checking, div 2?)

And a slew of runners up medals 2014 Championship and ODC, 2012 ODC, 2017 Blast off the top of my head.

Anybody who played for us County Championship this season got their name read out. All contracted squad members get a medal.

Not really sure what else they could have done in the limited overs comps considering the injuries and call ups etc.

Besides I can look away from the white ball stuff as long as we're doing well and progressing in the County Championship, personally.

cjav1874 wrote:

Times like this make me wish we still had some iteration of the Champion Couty game. That win against the MCC in Abu Dhabi was absolute vibes.

Championship winners vs Shield winners would be so fun.

This, so much this.

Random but who was it on here that referred to us as title contenders in name only or some such nonsense after the Notts game?

LOL

I just keep looking at the league table every so often and having a smile to myself :)

mad wrote:

One thing I hope is and I know the commercial difficulties etc... and I do think the club chair, board, and CEO already do have the best interests of the club at heart but that they now realise even more how important it is not to allow the county championship to in any way be further undermined or reduced at any point in the short to medium future.

At ECB meetings Warwickshire should now (if they weren't already) be on similar page to Surrey, Somerset who voiced opposition to any more cuts over the last 3 or 4 seasons

We've landed on a structure that seems to fit okayish. Sure I personally would prefer more CC matches to watch that's natural but we can't have everything. And next year 2 of these final 6 fixtures are being moved into June/July so that's welcome I don't think folks mind alterations of this nature so much

Should be going the other way, bring back 2 divisions of 9 and let's play 16 games.

I still can't get my head around yesterday, probably hasn't sunk in yet. Im so proud of them for doing such a professional job in the pressure of suddenly being top.

Word on Woakes, it would be such a blow if he did retire, I appreciate he's found it hard going, but he's still so, so, so good and when the best opposition batters are at the crease he's still the bowler you want with the ball in his hand. That ball that got Budinger yesterday was an absolute seed. He's been phenomenal in this run in. Like I say, still so good.

And fair play to Ian Westwood, since he's took over the reigns he's been fantastic and we've improved so much. Not just this season just look at some of those 4day wins we had last season. Hopefully people back off him now. Nobody can take this away from him. County Champion as player and then Head coach. Richly deserved.

Roll on 2027 fixture announcement!

BosworthBear wrote:

I wonder how George’s relationship with WCCC is now. He doesn’t seem to like the current hierarchy and write that scathing piece which ironically may have sparked our amazing recent form. Noticeable he’s been at Taunton this week!

His done some nice pieces about us in the past, but ive said before if he ever gets the chance to put the boot in on us he really goes for it. That piece earlier in the season was way over the top and frankly a bit mean spirited.

GerryShedd wrote:

On the Hain debate, I get that he hasn’t always done full justice to his talents; but I still think he’s been unlucky.
A decade ago, I thought that the future of England’s batting lay with the (almost biblical) pairing of Hain and Abell. I was wrong in both respects (though I’m told that Abell has knocked up a decent score this weekend).

2016 and 2017 Hain was way out of form and was even dropped at one point during the relegation season. His emergence as a white ball player for us affected his 4day form for a couple of years, he wasn't leaving the ball as well. Obviously this has since been addressed, think his career average is over 43 now which in this era of result pitches etc is extremely good.

Edit to add, 2018 aside all his CC runs have come in the top division. Levels.

Booth

I love the lad, but like he said in his interview after play yesterday he probably hasn't made enough hundreds in comparison to some of the other contenders.

His game looks in a good place right now though and he seems well mentally they could do worse...

He definitely should have got more of a go in ODI's.