UrsaMinor wrote:

Let's not forget that Davies was one of the leading run scorers in the country last year. I've seen him play some daft shots but I've also seen some mature innings. I guess it's a mental thing that probably isn't helped by him being captain. Perhaps Westwood could sell a change of captaincy to Davies on the grounds of it being good for his batting.

Good point, I agree. Of course, the affect of the extra responsibility on their form is usually the main reason players lose (or give up) the Captaincy. If Davies won't volunteer to go, we have to hope Westwood tells him (and it's accepted!), 'cos it sure needs doing.

Tayls79 wrote:

So between Miles and Taz for the final spot? I was looking for Sheikh to get a game to capitalise on his Eng u19s form.

Latham was always going ro miss this because of NZ tesrs in Zim. Reading from this I don't think Bethell will play red ball this season now, probably just plays 100 and Blast, maybe metro bank, to get ready for England white ball in September. I presume Hain is injured but one does worry now.

Two batsmen missing leaves a huge hole. Not sure the bowling is that weak but definitely lacks a bit of a change up.

Shaikh playing for the 'Professional County Club Select XI' today, against Pakistan Shaheens (the Pakistan A team), so obviously still in National Selectors minds.

Any news on his likely return from injury. If Hasan is on his way, an Overseas spot is vacant - though, as I posted on HA's thread, I'm not sure what's happening with Webster.

LeicesterExile wrote:

It would have been good to have had him for the quarter,semi and final matches.

Is Beau Webster expected back - and if so, when? I guess Rocky will be finishing after the next two CC games?

Bald_Reynard wrote:

A comprehensive win tonight. We'll finish 3rd in the group and play 2nd in the South group in the QF's - Surrey or Somerset away - but either are a big ask for the Semi's.

So, I'm pretty sure we've got Somerset, at Taunton. Not easy.

A comprehensive win tonight. We'll finish 3rd in the group and play 2nd in the South group in the QF's - Surrey or Somerset away - but either are a big ask for the Semi's.

Yates & Lintott in (for Hain & Miles), after our great 2nds T20 Trophy win. I guess Hain must have an injury.

Davies
Latham
Mousley
Bethell
Barnard
Yates
Garton
Briggs
Hasan Ali
Lintott
Gleeson

We won the toss and chose to bat first.

Andy wrote:

Terrific knock from Ethan Brookes

More than half of Worcester's runs were scored by (recent) ex-Bears - 117 out of 206! Oh and 3 wickets for Brookes & 2 catches for Hose. We've got wise management haven't we?!

Exiled Bear wrote:

I’m trying to figure out what the best result is for us in the Worcs v Notts game today. If Worcs win they’d go level on points with us and could go above us if they win by enough, but have no games left. That would leave Notts a win behind us still with a much worse NRR. If Notts win, they’d be level on points with us with a worse NRR, but one game still to go. I think either way it leaves us needing a win to guarantee we go through!

(Unfortunately, given my 'love' for our southern neighbours), I think I'd have to go with a close win by Worcester, but not enough to overtake us on NRR.

Bald_Reynard wrote:

4th place in the group is looking decidedly 'iffy' now. I think it will be difficult to get into the QF's. Leics & Notts have got games in hand and Worcester, a similar run rate. Mind you they either to play each other, or one of the top 3. A big win for us, is essential.

Leics play Durham at Chester-le-Street tomorrow - (heavy) rain expected all afternoon and showers all evening, so it's odds on that it will be a NR. 2 points for Leics, will still keep them below us, with 1 game for both left.

Will need to keep an eye on the Worcester/Notts game on Thursday. Both teams are on 24 points, so whoever wins will join us on 28. We don't want Worcester to win easily (their NRR is close'ish to ours and a lot would then depend on final games). I think a Notts win would be better (their NRR is quite a bit worse).

4th place in the group is looking decidedly 'iffy' now. I think it will be difficult to get into the QF's. Leics & Notts have got games in hand and Worcester, a similar run rate. Mind you they either to play each other, or one of the top 3. A big win for us, is essential.

Northants going at 12 an over (74 off 6) for the loss of no wickets. Not our best start?!

Team unchanged:-
Davies
Latham
Mousley
Hain
Bethell
Barnard
Garton
Briggs
Hasan Ali
Miles
Gleeson

Northants won the toss and chose to bat.

So Bethell is in for Yates. Only change.

Isaac Mohammed opening for them. What are the odds on him getting a few?! Him, Hose & Brookes!

Worcester won the toss and put us in.

Devon_Bear wrote:

I think Bethell will come in for Miles or Gleeson (if he needs a rest again) - possible team:

Davies
Latham
Mousley
Hain
Bethell
Barnard
Yates
Garton
H Ali
Briggs
Gleeson/Miles

I think he'll come in for Miles. Gleeson, Yates & Latham will stay. 4 seamers, Yates, Mousley & Bethell, spin back up for Briggs.

Inside-edge wrote:

Devon_Bear wrote:

Our next 3 games are against teams directly above us in the table - Leicestershire, Durham & Lancs. I reckon we need to win at least two of these matches to stay in touch with the top 4., a couple of defeats and we could be out of it. As for the team, i think we'll stick with the 11 who beat Worcs a couple of weeks ago.

I think we’ll add Gleeson and maybe Moeen?

Gleeson, yes, Moeen has departed 'our shores'.

Highveld wrote:

Rushworth needs to be added to the list taking a paid holiday at the clubs expense.

Unchanged test team announced, but non selected players are not being released.
Makes the decision to omit Mousely even more of a mistake.

So true about Mousley. Given the effects of the Kookaburra, its crazy that we haven't got a 2nd/3rd spinner playing (Yates being the other - though he's hardly been given a go). Rocky can't do it on his own!

I think I'd leave out Che and bring Rushworth back - I don't think the (pace) experiment has worked significantly enough. Rushworth had a decent performance in the 1st innings of the Seconds game against Glamorgan.
Ideally, I'd also leave out Kai, give the Captaincy to Latham and let Davies just think about opening and keeping wicket, but I can't see that happening. If they did it though, I'd love to see a second spinner (not just rely on Yates) - and bring in Mousley (now an all rounder, these days).

Highveld wrote:

I feel some of the comments above are mean and classless. Moeen has made a great contribution to English cricket, not just on the field, but as a hero to a large part of the local population.

While his return was not the success we'd all have liked, we should be respectful to him as a person and for his contribution to our sport.

There are several players who have done less, and made less effort for the club over the last 3 seasons.

I partly agree with what Highveld says about the rather 'sharp' criticism of Moeen's attitude to playing for us, but the awful manner of his leaving can not be dismissed. The fact that the official announcement of him going took place after the occasion, is probably the fault of club, given the terrible situation with the website at the moment, but there should have been some news of it before the game, if only as a matter of respect to supporters.

Devon_Bear wrote:

paulbear wrote:

Looks like another strip for batsmen but the bowling didn't look inspiring when one of the openers is a tailender who they are persevering with who averages 20. Our bowling looked samey apart form Simmons' pace and the idea of Bethell bowling first change is laughable. Is this a directive form the ECB, if it is, then it is none of their *** business as they cannot dictate who we bowl and when, it's bad enough that they can take players out of selection but I cannot think of any other reason for such a strange bowling change unless Davies is a fan of 'Funky Stokes' captaincy plans which sometimes leave me cold and confused.

Didn't Davies recently use Yates as our first change bowler? Seriously, it's getting past a joke that he is still our captain in county cricket when we have a test match skipper out there on the pitch.

I agree about Davies, I think we have now DEFINITELY come to the point when he is past his sell by date as Captain. And the reality is, for the first time in many years, we actually have a ready made replacement. It IS time for Tom Latham!