Totally agree, that whole 'que sera' style interview from McCullum post game today really grated.

Just had a bit of a gander (slow day), we didn't reach the quarters of the T20 in 2011, we only won 4 out of 16 group games!

paulbear wrote:

The 2010 was the semi-final where we beat Yorkshire, played Somerset in the final when Bell made that superb ton. I remember it because I looked around at the sparse crowd and realised that a Lord's final had stopped being an event like it used to be. It also started in the afternoon and went on till 8.30pm which was when the last train to Taunton left from what a Somerset fan told me, which he said put people off, especially older members who didn't fancy sitting there in the September cold.

Yeah proper nervy run chase and very cold during the 2nd innings.

I'm still absolutely flabbergasted he's in the Test squad to be honest.

paulbear wrote:

It had no relevance on this series but lots of other things India did were pathetic and it just shows that the once genial players from that part of the world appear to be 'Play Acting' too much due to the power they have in world cricket since the ICC now bend over backwards to accommodate them in every way, a prime example, Jadeja insisting someone change their top on Saturday as it was putting him off despite the bloke sitting there all day. I always thought the sightscreen was what a batsman saw when a bowler was running in.

Its happened before. Bairstow did it twice in one series a couple of years back. I even remember Dermot Reeve doing it he'd go as far as to make people move seats!

Don't disagree with any of that regarding the the recent World Cup and venues etc. Don't really see the relevance it has on this series either though to be honest. Like I say, India embarrassing behaviour at times, England not 'whiter than white' either, both sides have shown themselves up.

You may well be right mate, I'm trying hard to think. 2010 was a definite, i was there. That was the one Imran Tahir played.

Both sides have their fair share of idiots in my opinion Paul. England at times have also acted incredibly entitled in this series, particularly Stokes, great player though he is. Woakes, heartbreaking to see him in pain like that. Like has been said previously, may well be the end for him in an England shirt, just hope it's not the end of him in a Bears shirt. Been an amazing, inspiring cricketer.

Yeah agreed

I remember the 40 over semi in 2010 at Scarborough. I have zero recall of us playing a T20 up there? Think 2009 we played up there in the CC.

Absolutely, I've been very consistent that. Not three out of the four home games though. 1 or 2 would have been agreeable.

Can't wait for tomorrow to watch us in a format I still really enjoy at one of my favourite away grounds to watch cricket, Scarborough.

Is to join Gloucestershire on loan for the One Day Cup.

If this the end of his Test career I desperately hope this isn't the end of him in a Bears shirt too.

Yep no more 4day cricket til September and like I said in the Worcestershire thread we'll have had no cricket at Edgbaston from July 25th til August 26th. That's just a disgrace.

This game. I've felt all season we've had different batters putting there hands up and contributing in different games at different times. Starting to show a bit of bench strength too with the the likes of Mousley and Jani coming in. Feels like we've got a decent bit of batting depth for the first time in a while.

Bizarre tactics from Essex on day 3 I thought, got us 7 down and then just let the game drift with the likes of Thain and Westley bowling. I was impressed with Jani's composure but goodness me there was a 30-45min period when he and Barnard were able to pick up some soft/easy runs and get us into safer waters. Was like Essex didn't truly believe they could win even if they got us following on.

Mousley, when you think back to when he did number 3 last season v Hampshire he did OK and now these last 2 games you'd say he's doing well and has responded well to the challenge. He should have atleast 1 ton to his name from the past 2 games though. When he hit Porter for them 2 straight drives when in the 60's you thought the ton was definitely on, i was aghast when he got out. But he has done well. If he continues to bat 3, he will get more opportunities naturally. What a shame he now goes to the Hundred as he always comes back looking totally out of sorts for the last month of the season.

Barnard an extremely solid, thoughtful and reliable cricketer who just doesn't make mistakes. Temptation to give him the captaincy next season must be huge. With the bat you just never feel like he's ever gonna be out of form for any kind of spell of more than 1 or 2 matches. Webster strikes as being the same.

Fair play to Bamber, struck me as a bit of a lower order hitter, i didn't think he had that sort of innings in him. That was a proper knock. Is batting coach Matt Walker starting to have a positive effect? Hmm maybe too early to tell.

The area to strengthen is very clearly the bowling. It's absolute cannon fodder. Said during the Sussex game that OHD is quietly having a pretty poor season, he's lost that bit of nip off the pitch that he used to get. Seems in his PCA role he's lobbying for less games, wouldn't mind seeing him lobby himself to get a few more wickets...

ODC time.

Yeah Davies didn't do too badly this afternoon. Is everyone OK?

Dan Mousley, please ton up tomorrow.

Jani is in

There's been a mistake, these averages include people's highest scores.

The younger lads here like Dandy, Nahal, Gekis and Taylor played for their clubs Saturday, for our u18's v Worcs yesterday and now this. Graft.