What is happening?

I believe Worcs are in a pretty hopeless situation financially.

Sussex, Chris Wright.

Lawrence Booth, Paul Newman, Bumble and Nasser Hussain all slating the pitch in today's Daily Mail, Newman even described Gary Barwell as "the most sensitive man in cricket".

The pitch was a shocker no doubt but is Newman being a bit harsh on GB here?

I suspect he doesn't have the requisite quality. Buy I also don't think l he's been given a fair shake. We sometimes give up on players too early.

Hope he does well whatever happens as he seems a really nice kid who always says hi.

Careers suffered due to covid maybe? He finished 2019 in a really good place then covid hit and those who he'd moved in front of seemed to automatically jump back in front of him after restarting.

Jacob Bethell showed remarkable maturity last night. And Lintott boundary fielding proved to be absolutely massive.

SC_Bear wrote:

Edgbaston pitches have been like this for a long time now - plenty of CC games in recent years have gone the full distance either with successful big run chases or handshakes at 5pm on the last day. A cursory reading of recent stats would easily prove that and I suspect Ben and Baz are fully aware of that hence the declaration decision on Friday night. I've watched every ball so far and I think it's been a compelling spectacle.

Absolutely. Full credit to the quality of the players for producing such a watchable spectacle in spite of the pitch. There hasn't been a bad session yet.

Hopefully this bit of rain and cloud can juice it up.

It's a poor cricket wicket though. Atherton called it a "pudding pitch" this morning, Dobell was critical of it last night too.

Have to be very careful when commenting on Edgbaston pitches though, people get emotional...

Stokes wanted something flat and flat this indeed is but its also painfully low and slow.

Mikkyk wrote:

Yeah, Bethell has to play going forward even when Hain returns. On current form you would say Benjamin drops out.

Even though Woakes should be available to play for us if he isn't playing for England, I'm not expecting him to be available at any point.

I said before a loss may help us find a better formula that gives us more chance of winning the competition and we are starting to get closer to finding our best formula, but the seamers are still an issue. Not sure Barnard offers a fat lot in this format, and then we still have the conundrum of Brookes/Miles.

But a good win with some tricky fixtures ahead. I would say 3 wins from the last 5 gets us through, and 4 wins gets us a home QF.

Id have thought Barnard misses out when Hain comes back. Brookes is still ahead of Miles for me.

Mikkyk wrote:

Was a slightly strange declaration, I get the idea but surely we wanted to amass as many runs as possible.

I also noticed that Ethan Brookes was 12th man, there was another lad with him as well who I didn't recognise, anyone know if he's also one of ours?

Think Garrett and Hamza Sheikh were on duty too.

Really good win on a tricky ground. Field placement is absolutely crucial at New Road, that place has funny angles and if the Pears get on a roll with the bat they can take some stopping.

Bethell played an absolute gem of an innings. Just think of the games, in all formats, him and Mousley have missed out on playing in over the past 2 or 3 years due to the dodgy overseas players and other signings we've had. We don't properly back our own and we really should.

Anyway, brilliant from Bethell such clean hitting, transformed our innings and by playing the way he did he really got Mousley going too. Dan is so good to watch, he's gonna frustrate at times but when he's on he's unplayable.

Bethell, Brookes and Lintott IN

Hain, Ali, Miles OUT

Yeah ita getting a bit much now. Certain clubs like Surrey, and us to be fair, are relentless 'poachers'.

We've had a decent week at it. Can't fault the effort, sometimes things just don't happen for you in cricket.

It's definitely not over but Surrey will take some stopping.

I wouldn't risk Hain on Friday at all, give him a little rest.

Gotta give the bowlers credit there. That over Rhodes bowled at Moores was excellent and there was clearly a plan to go short at Harrison.

Is that him playing for Gloucestershire 2's?

We scored well today on a pretty fast scoring ground.

Hain, brilliant again, doesn't always look pretty, can look ropey at times, but he always finds a way. So solid. He's the boss out there.

Mousley was excellent I thought, his footwork frightens me at times, he likes to dance down the track, and he does take risks but he's so good to watch. So many frustrating dismissals from him though.

Grind em down now.

Yeah it just didn't look right did it.

We go again.

No Woakes.

Moeen bowled well tonight, he bowls well at left handers. These past 3 games we've given seamers, or a seamer, 2 each at the death and that 2nd over has been pumped every time whether its been Woakes, Miles or Brookes. Think back to the previous games. We're getting that wrong. Was convinced we we're going Woakes, Miles, Brookes, Woakes for the last 4 overs. Davies gave seamers 1 each at the death and it worked. Moeen is getting that wrong.

It's a tough gig on that pitch with such a short boundary towards to Hollies and the outfield seems quicker the other side. The ball seems to plug towards the wide long on area but from the other end it kicks on and races away.

Are we trying to be a bit too funky with the bat? Lots of missed paddles, switch hit type shots and sweeps. Just stay still and hit the ball like Derby did tonight and Munro did Saturday. Look at Mousley, twice in a row now he's been going well and then got himself out attempting something mad. So frustrating.

Davies has kept poorly these past 2 games, missed out on a couple of half chances and he's incredibly slow in getting up to the stumps. He runs du Plooy out tonight on the 3rd ball of the last over if he's at the stumps quicker. He's been a bit slow on run out chances a few times. Fine lines.

I thought the team selection was probably correct to be honest. Lintott has dropped off a bit and Barnard does look hittable. May well see one of them back in on Friday though.

Fair play Derbyshire, kept on going, kept on believing. Stunning heist. Great game.