Bald_Reynard

Apr 17, 2026, 10:04:58 AM UTC

Essex have won the toss and elected to bowl.

Davies+
Yates
Mousley
Hain
Malik
Barnard*
Webster
Thompson
Barker
Bamber
Gilchrist

VERY interesting, that Smith & Woakes have made way for Malik & Barker (it was always likely that Gilchist would rotate with Booth). That implies a 'new broom' (James Thomas finally stamping his mark?!) in team selection, the awareness that we need something different from extensive right arm seam, with Barker coming in (and possibly, we'll see, Webster with his off spin 'hat' on?) and another specialist batsmen, in place of Kai. I think it was no surprise that CW would be 'rested' (or replaced, given his lack of success in the first 2 games) and perhaps the 'advantage' (uncertain?!) of Davies' hand injury clearing up enough for him to take the gloves again?

2nd XI Championship v Northants

Apr 15, 2026, 7:49:59 AM UTC

Another century for Malik yesterday - that's his second in a week, together with a couple of 50's in other pre-season Friendlies. Putting pressure on First team regulars.

Sussex away

Apr 10, 2026, 11:34:20 AM UTC

Mikkyk wrote:

We were the only team in Div 1 to elect to bat

I spotted that. It seems an absolutely crazy decision, no idea why we chose that, at this stage of the season, with so much damp in the ground and humidity in the air. Barnard or Westwood must have seen something in the state of the wicket, perhaps likely to break up later?

Corey Rocchiccioli

Apr 9, 2026, 11:55:17 AM UTC

Andy wrote:

I wouldn't be surprised to see him back at some point.

The fact that it's on the Club website, makes me think, you could be right, Andy. We know Beau W (our first choice spinner?), is on his bike at the end of July and there will be an Overseas slot (indeed, 2), so CR is the obvious replacement. With a decent record in red and white ball, no likely International call ups this Summer, I am quite hopeful we'll get him back.

4 day Friendly v Worcestershire 2nd XI

Apr 8, 2026, 10:40:57 AM UTC

The_Lickey_Banker wrote:

A great couple of days cricket at Portland Road:-

Worcester put us in, good scores yesterday from Arjun Nahal, opening (52), another ton from Zen Malik, (107), a ton from Taz Ali (104), 66 from Che Simmons and 30's from Vansh Jani & Olly Dandy. We got to 458.

Bowling today, the stand out performers have been Che (10-2-48-2), Michael Booth (13-3-37-2), spin from Thilan Walallawita (8-2-17-2) & Taz (19-2-63-2) and a decent bit of left arm seam from 23 year old, James Trodd (9-2-39-1). We've picked him up, after a couple of pretty successful seasons with Hampshire & Gloucester 2nd's, following a serious elbow injury in 2021. Worcester, nearly at the end of the day, are 258 for 9, with Gibbon holding us up on 62NO.

Thanks LB, nicely set up for the remaining 2 days.
Trodd is an interesting addition, we need a decent left arm seamer in reserve. Presumably, at Hampshire, he would have been under Pop Welch's tutelage (and perhaps learned a thing or two about left arm bowling from Keith B). No doubt, Pop's knowledge of his potential, is why we've given him a chance to prove himself, now.
And I'm pleased Walallawita is back this season. His left arm spin showed great promise last year and with Middlesex cutting their staff in 2024, he came to us and did well. His First team experience at Lords could prove valuable.

Olly Hannon-Dalby

Apr 2, 2026, 3:16:02 PM UTC

GerryShedd wrote:

Perhaps a good move for him.

Yes, given the number of seamers we've signed and the (quite rapid) dip in form for Olly in the second half of last season, it is probably the best option for him. For me (!), I would rather it not be the Pears though - I get such grief from Worcester 'friends', when an ex-Bear performs for them (Brookes last season was hard!).

Surrey at home

Apr 2, 2026, 3:10:45 PM UTC

Andy wrote:

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.

As I said in my earlier post, I'd expect Booth & Lintott to definitely miss out. And 1 of Webster (simply because he hasn't had any pre-season in England), Thompson, Malik or Mousley - that's assuming Smith keeps wicket. If Davies picks up the gloves, we could go with Andy's lineup, IF Webster is seen to be ready (though I'm sure Gilchrist will be picked ahead of Booth)

Pre-season tour to South Africa

Apr 2, 2026, 3:08:28 PM UTC

Inside-edge wrote:

Squad for first game v Surrey

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

As I said in my earlier post, I'd expect Booth & Lintott to definitely miss out. And 1 of Webster (simply because he hasn't had any pre-season in England), Thompson, Malik or Mousley - that's assuming Smith keeps wicket.

Pre-season tour to South Africa

Mar 30, 2026, 4:54:51 PM UTC

The_Lickey_Banker wrote:

So, the Worcester game finished as an inevitable draw (given almost a day missing and the aim of the match to give bowing and batting practice to both sides).

Stand out performances for us:-
1st innings bowling - Bamber (10-6-24-3), Gilchrist (10-3-41-2) & Woakes (10-3-27-1). Booth & Thompson were the other wicket takers (1 apiece, but pretty expensive at around 6 an over) and the skipper bowled fairly economically (4 an over).
Batting - Yates (45 & 37), Malik (46), Mousley (22 & 23RO), Barnard (28RO) & Barker (25NO). Of the other batsmen, only Hain got into double figures (22 & a duck).
2nd innings bowling - Yates' was the only wicket taker, with his off spin (6-0-20-2). Other spinners were tried - Taz Ali, Lintott & Mousley - but with no great impact (Jake L being the most economical, at 4 an over). OHD & Barker got chance to turn their arm over, economical (4 an over), but with no great effect. Simmons also had 6 overs (at 5 an over).

Thanks LB, that gives us a useful guide as who might be in the starting lineup for Friday.

It looks like Bamber, Gilchrist & Woakes will be guaranteed a start, with 2 of Booth, Thompson & Barker also playing. I think OHD's days as a first choice seamer, are gone now? No front line spinner, as Webster (who I guess will have to be that man, eventually) will be needing some practice in English conditions. Yates & Mousley will be handling all spin duties for the moment. Yates & Davies to open, Barnard & Hain, with 1 of Mousley or Malik, joining them. If they decide to stick with Davies as keeper, there could be a place for Thompson or Barker as an all rounder, or Mousley / Malik as an extra batsman, but they may opt for Smith (who has kept in every pre-season game).

Pre-season tour to South Africa

Mar 23, 2026, 8:21:25 PM UTC

cjav1874 wrote:

Wolfy wrote:

The_Lickey_Banker wrote:

The_Lickey_Banker wrote:

Highveld wrote:

Live scores link for today

https://live.nvplay.com/ecb/?tab=m_summary#m8691eb1a-0786-4fac-915c-539010b1c121

Team:-
Davies
Shaikh
Mousley
Malik
Barnard (Captain)
Kai Smith (Keeper)
Woakes
Thompson
Barker
Booth
Bamber

I guess that will be fairly close to our opening CC lineup (just Shaikh & Malik to drop out).
Ed B is Captain and Kai is Keeper (there is a good chance he'll be first choice for this season as well). Davies got another high score, opening (88) - being relieved of two other roles, has got to be good for him?!

Its actually a 13 man squad, so I guess that will be the batting lineup, Gilchrist & OHD are also there, so they'll probably feature in the bowling lineup.

Is there any news about Hain and Yates?

Brian Halford reporting a minor hamstring niggle for Hain and Che Simmons nursing a minor knee problem. Nothing on Yates from what I can see.

Yates played in a couple of games on the South African tour (and did quite well), so I guess he might also have a niggle.

Ed Barnard

Mar 23, 2026, 8:17:16 PM UTC

white-lightning wrote:

Ed named captain in all formats. Davies has stepped down. Good decision I feel.

Can't be in all formats - Ed won't be around for the 50 over, as he's with the Undead. I guess Davies might be back for that?

Pre-season tour to South Africa

Mar 16, 2026, 2:38:29 PM UTC

Inside-edge wrote:

Bald_Reynard wrote:

Inside-edge wrote:

First ton of the season to Alex Davies.

Perhaps 'cos he doesn't have Captaincy responsibilities?!

He’s not keeping either…

That's true, I hadn't picked up on that. I wonder if KS will get the gig this season?

Ed Barnard

Mar 16, 2026, 1:09:38 PM UTC

Andy wrote:

Is in the Hundread for this season. New captain required for ODC.

Ed is Captain for the 2 day red ball Tour game against Essex in South Africa today, Davies is also playing. I wonder if that's a portent for our CC Captain, this season?

Pre-season tour to South Africa

Mar 16, 2026, 12:51:23 PM UTC

Inside-edge wrote: