The_Lickey_Banker wrote:

Exiled Bear wrote:

14 man squad:

Davies (c)
Benjamin
Briggs
Ali
Brookes
Bethell
Barnard
Hain
Lintott
Miles
Mousley
Woakes
Yates
Stirling

Brookes, Bethell and Mousley to miss out? Or do we Brookes to be a fifth seamer, or the fourth in place of Miles?

Given the performances in the 3 Seconds T20 games this week, I think Briggs, Brookes & Benjamin will miss out.

We'll go with one frontline spinner (Lintott), with backup from Mousley (who has been used as the first change bowler) - Briggs did nothing in his two 2nds games. Bethell has done more than Benjamin in all the 2nds games this season (red & white ball). Brookes will only come in when Woakes goes off to England.

I'd pretty much go with TLB, certainly re Briggs and Brookes. I think it will be a toss up between Bethell and Benjamin. Benjamin has the experience, but has had a poor Seconds season, with the exception of a trademark quickfire 42 from 17 balls on Wednesday. Bethell is still learning, but fast and he has had a great season for the 2nds already.

From your report on the 2nds T20 against Northants, TLB, it sounds like Miles didn't do himself any favours today? Though I think he did enough against Gloucs yesterday and he would still be the man selectors would choose - at least in the first few Blast games.

The_Lickey_Banker wrote:

As Gerry says, there are a few pointers I think in today's 2nd's T20 team:-
Yates
Davies (Captain & Keeper!)
Mousley
Benjamin
Bethell
Burgess
Woakes
Barnard
Ali
Lintott
Miles.

I'd guess that a good number of those will be in be First team on Saturday. Certainly Woakes won't be there (England duty) and Hain will probably be in for Benjamin (who's form this season for the 2nds is atrocious). Stirling could come in for Burgess (given Davies having the gloves today). Miles will probably stay in and if Henry B is available, he might come in for CW. I'm not sure whether Briggs would come in, Lintott may stay (with Mousley & Bethell, we probably only need 1 front line spinner?).

2 wickets for Lintott (with 2 stumpings for Davies) this afternoon, probably might indicate that Jake will be preferred over Briggs and with no need for Burgess, Stirling could well be in for him (is he available now?).
Mousley has bowled 3 overs (for 14 runs) this afternoon - as first change bowler - so I agree with TLB, Lintott, supported by Dan and Bethell, would probably give enough spin options and Briggs would miss out.
Is Henry B available for us in the Blast?

BristolBear wrote:

13 man squad announced.
Ali rested.
Benjamin, Briggs and Miles in from the other 10 who played last week.
Norwell and Bethell still injured.

I imagine it’ll depend on the pitch as to whether they pick Briggs or Miles. But from Robinsons comments about the bowling line up saying it’s usually it’s 4 seamers plus a spinner, I wonder if he’d like Briggs back in.

Given how rubbish Miles has been for the 2nds this season, I can't see there's any way he'll be in - and the same for Benjamin. My guess is that Briggs will come in. The Rose Bowl does usually take a bit of spin, even at this point of the season.

Going to be interesting to see if Briggs comes in - and if so who for. My guess is he won't, a home fixture is not a place for a spinner, at this stage of the season. I reckon we'll be unchanged. Mind you he had a good first day for the 2nd's - 5 for 53 off 24 overs.

13 man squad - Woakesy in for Brookes:-
Yates
Davies
Hain
Rhodes
Barnard
Woakes
Burgess
Bethell
Rushworth
Ali
OHD
Mousley
Benjamin

I guess Mousley and Benjamin will be missing out?

BristolBear wrote:

13 man squad announced
Rhodes
Ali
Barnard
Benjamin
Bethell
Brookes
Burgess
Davies
Hain
OHD
Mousley
Rushworth
Yates

Norwell has a back issue apparently. Briggs still has a dodgy knee. No centrally contracted England seamers for any team round 1, so no Woakes.

I reckon Benjamin and Brookes to miss out from that 13.

I agree with you BB. And that would be a decent lineup - considering injuries / availability / the fact that Management don't feel the need to strengthen our batting squad !

GerryShedd wrote:

I don't think that the move away from "Birmingham" has ever been stated - it just seems to have happened quietly over the last 12 months, not only on the website but also in press releases.

https://edgbaston.com/news/birmingham-bears-to-be-named-birmingham-polar-bears/

It actually is even worse this season - we're now the BIRMINGHAM POLAR Bears!

https://www.thecricketer.com/Topics/countycricket/warwickshire_gavin_larsen_new_performance_director.html

New Zealand's Chief Selector and ex-Chief Exec of Wellington. A decent Medium Pacer for NZ, if I recall?

Of course, Jeets was a 'Wellington man', I wouldn't be surprised if that connection, was the 'door in'?

GerryShedd wrote:

England Lions took a bit of a beating today; but Jacob top scored and, although he didn't take a wicket, was the most economical bowler:
https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/england-lions-in-sri-lanka-2022-23-1355654/sri-lanka-a-vs-england-lions-3rd-unofficial-odi-1355662/full-scorecard

And opened, with another 50 - he's got to be in the mix to start for us there, in red and white ball, this season?

Sam did return in Tuesdays game, but only got 3. Jacob got another 50 though, opening - no wickets, but the most economical bowler.

kevandmac wrote:

Sam's not playing in the latest Lions one day game- anyone know why?

Apparently, in the last game, he picked up, "a knock, likely to keep him out for this match".
Jacob took 2 for 55 and got 19, opening again. Lions lost by 86 runs.

Jacob took 2 for 50 in the SL Innings and scored 50, opening. Sam got 53. They were the top scorers for the Lions, who won by 4 wickets.

https://www.thecricketer.com/Topics/countycricket/warwickshire_sign_glenn_maxwell_2023_t20_blast.html

Maxwell signed as the second Overseas player for the T20. A great signing.

Thanks for sorting this EB, I was panicking the site would be down for a while!

Sam and Jacob Bethell playing today in the 1st England Lions ODI match against Sri Lanka A

Despite 21 NO (from 16 balls) and a contribution to 70 runs in the last 7 overs (giving 175 for Perth to chase), Sam couldn't help Brisbane win in the BB Final today. However, without his efforts, after debuting in the latter half of the competition, Brisbane would almost certainly have got nowhere near this game.

Those performances must be a great boost for his T20 season with us.

Brisbane won the BB Semi Final against Sydney Sixers - scraping home in a low scoring game to win by 4 wickets. Sam (going in at 4, in place of Labuschagne) only managed to get 8. But he will be playing in the Final, against Perth on Saturday.

Brisbane won the game by 7 wickets. Sam was part of a 4th partnership that put on 35 in 3 overs, to win the game (he got 8).
Now, Sydney Sixers in the final Play Off game on Thursday, to decide the team to play Perth in the Final.
Sam has helped Brisbane to go from bottom but one, to get into (what is, in effect) a Semi Final. And his scores and partnership contributions have made a crucial difference.

Brisbane Heat actually got through to the Play Offs. Beat Sydney Thunder by 8 runs (by D/L) in the first match on Friday. Sam came in on the last over and finished undefeated on 1!
Second PO today against Melbourne Renegades, Heat won the toss and chose to bowl. Sam batting at 5 again.