12 man squad:-

Rhodes, Bethell, E Brookes, Bulpitt, Burgess, Carver, Garrett, Johal, Lamb, Pollock, van Vollenhoven and Yates.

Sidebottom injured and Chaprakani got exams!

I guess we'll see Bulpitt & Carver in and KvV might get another chance, with Garrett as 12th man - though that will depend on a view on whether the wicket will be better for spin or seam (and of course Kiel is a far better batsman than George).

GerryShedd wrote:

Bearing in mind that Sidebottom went off part way through the Notts innings and then batted with a runner, I fear that we may need to add him to the walking wounded list. The situation with quick bowlers is almost as bad as it was two years ago. I know that Paul Farbrace said that he was changing the training routines to avoid the same problems arising but it doesn't seem to have worked too well.
As for the weather, the pessimist in me thinks that the main worry is that the predicted storms will hold off and won't save the Bears from another defeat. But let's hope that the sun and the Bears both shine tomorrow.

So, if Sidey is out, then it's Miles, if fit, or Bulpitt? I don't think Ryan is really cut out for white ball, so I'd be happy with CM or Bulpitt. The former is predictable, but uninspiring, the latter COULD be a game changer. I am so looking forward to seeing a left arm seamer again turn out for us. I keep saying it, Giles's willingness to let Keith Barker go, was one of the biggest tragedies for us in recent times!

Even though losing 2 matches out of 8 is likely to mean we'll miss out on a top 4 in the RLC, I do think a win tomorrow or Friday is vital, if the teams confidence is to be regained - and particularly needed for the youngsters, who have been thrown in at the deep end. I really hope the likes of Johal, KvV, Bethell and Brookes, who have shown such promise in many Seconds games this season, won't be judged too quickly on their performances in these RLC matches, which are as much a disaster for older and wiser heads in the squad (with a couple of honourable exceptions, like Rob Yates).

I agree, the weather could be a big downer for tomorrow, not a good forecast.

Pretty much a trouncing by Notts - 86 runs. Yates, the pick of the batsmen with a ton and decent 30's from Rhodes and Lamb, but the lack of experience in the youngsters shone through, with only Bethell showing anything (20). Brookes, Chakrapani and van Vollenhoven, all out in single figures.

Chris B now the star man for Phoenix. That's only his third professional game, yet in every match, he's been a key man. Whether we unearthed this gem, by luck or judgement, I don't know (apparently Westwood saw him at an ECB Trials Tournament at Loughborough Uni), but he certainly is hitting the headlines now.

Chris Benjamin, the star of the match - again! All the commentators can't believe this was only his third professional game. We've really unearthed a gem - by luck or judgement I don't know.

From what the BBC said, he's found shots that nobody has seen before. He could be a reason for me to tune into the 100 - I couldn't face that prospect a week ago. I saw the Oval v Manchester game yesterday - and quite enjoyed it. Phoenix are not my beloved Warwickshire, but might be worth following?!

Highveld wrote:

The video interview with Mark Robinson last night suggest that Rhodes and Yates were certain to play. Miles will depend on his fitness after the game at Durham.

Who will drop out from Cardiff? Obviously, Benjamin, replaced by Yates. Who for Rhodes - Chaprakani? If Miles is fit, I'd definitely drop Garrett - he's done nothing this season. If Miles is out, I'd give Bulpitt a go.

Only 1 Bear in the team for our first 'Home' game (Benjamin) - and he's only been a Bear for 4 weeks! Not a Birmingham team at all (though the Captain is a Brummie) ?!

paulbear wrote:

So the priority seems to be to not try and win this game then if we are allowing 3 in-form players to miss the game to play in a tour game. I agree that it is nice to see new faces in a side and hope they do well but this is stupid. I am glad I am not watching. If it looks as though a similar team will be out for Sunday's game then I might give it a miss. If you consider that I am a member like many others and didn't sign up for us to send out a 2nd XI, this would be nothing short of "taking the p***".

Well, the Captain, Miles and Yates should be back at least. I guess 3 of the youngsters will drop out for them. To be honest, with them back, we won't be far short of a reasonably strong XI. That's not to say we'll do any better than today though - 221 is not great and Glamorgan are cruising along with the run rate, only 3 wickets down.

Bald_Reynard wrote:

Andy wrote:

Pollock
Benjamin
Lamb
Bethell
Chakrapani
Burgess
Brookes
KvV
Garrett
Johal
Sidebottom
Bulpitt

In fact it is Bulpitt who is left out. I guess they decided to go with Chakrapani as the extra batsman, rather than a seamer (with 4 in anyway - Brookes, Garrett, Sidebottom & Johal). 3 spinners (Lamb, Bethell & KvV).

Team (batting order):-

Pollock, Benjamin, Lamb, Burgess, Bethell, E Brookes, Chakrapani, van Vollenhoven, Garrett, Sidebottom & Johal

We won the toss and decided to bat.

Andy wrote:

Pollock
Benjamin
Lamb
Bethell
Chakrapani
Burgess
Brookes
KvV
Garrett
Johal
Sidebottom
Bulpitt

From that 12, I guess Chakrapani will be left out.

Hose has withdrawn from the 100 - a foot injury. I don't know how bad, but I guess there might be a chance he'll be fit for the latter stages of the RLC. He's been replaced by Chris Benjamin for Phoenix - talk about a rapid rise for CB, he didn't even have a County contract 4 weeks ago !

Chris Benjamin repaces an injured Hose (foot - I don't know how bad - he might be OK for the latter stages of the RLC) in the Phoenix team. Talk about a rapid rise for CB, he didn't even have a County contract 4 weeks ago ! Probably also good Phoenix have a backup keeper - they only had Cooke in the squad before.

And Ian Bell has been added to the Phoenix Coaching team.

BristolBear wrote:

The ECB had to ask the counties for the players. And only players who agreed to play and who’s clubs agreed were released.
A number of notable players said no, in order to rest or prioritise the 50 over competition.

We must have been very happy with our cover from the Seconds, to release 3 key First Teamers (including the Captain), then?!

Tayls79 wrote:

Don't quote me on this, but I think the entire competition is designed as a development competition and every team will be using youth and second team regulars. How this is policed and how England are expected to do well internationally with this format are the real points, in my view. I think it will work well for us and good to blend in and rotate the likes of Rhodes, OHD and Bresnan as we go into August.

I agree with you. I think the status of the RLC in ECB minds, is shown by having the First Class Counties game against India, overlapping with the first match in the RLC. They chose an XI, with little regard for many Counties team needs for the RLC. Presumably, as they thought some Counties would be well provided for, by having large Seconds squads (us being one - hence 3 players, one our Captain!).

Andy wrote:

Sidebottom then a toss up between Lamb and Yates.

Yep, Sidebottom and Lamb out.

We won the toss and chose to bat.

13 man Squad:-

Rhodes, Brathwaite, Briggs, Burgess, Hain, Hose, Lamb, Lintott, Mayers, Miles, Pollock, Sidebottom and Yates.

I guess Sidebottom will be one to miss out, but can't predict the other ?

IF (perhaps a big if ?), the Royal London Cup goes ahead, the first match is Glamorgan at Cardiff next Thursday (22/7). Our squad would be dramatically reduced anyway, because of the dreaded 100, but now we'll be 3 more first teamers down:-

https://edgbaston.com/news/three-bears-in-county-select-xi-to-face-india/

Rhodes, Yates and Miles are playing in the 3 day First Class Friendly against India at Chester-le-Street starting on Tuesday 20th - so they won't be available until the second RLC game, home to Notts on Sunday 25th.

The selection, along with all the other 1st class players taken out of the first round RLC games, once again shows the ECB commitment to the 50 over competition. It also clearly shows, our 50 over competition team will be staffed by many second teamers (and trial players from the Universities) ?!

Highveld wrote:

A good days play, in warm and humid conditions.

Malan, finally, showed why the club signed him, he was excellent today. Sibley found it harder, but he battled through and played some good shots.

Rhodes and Lamb have a good foundation to build on in the morning.

In the afternoon. Looking at the forecast, doubt we'll see any morning play, even the early afternoon looks a bit dodgy.

A Maiden Bears century for Malan - 101 NO. Sibley 53 NO. Ssscchh!

Bald_Reynard wrote:

Team:-

Yates, Sibley, Malan, Hain, Rhodes, Lamb, Burgess, Lintott, Miles, Norwell & Sidebottom.

As expected, Johal left out, but they've gone for Sidebottom as the extra seamer, instead of Bethell. And all the failing batsman have another chance !

We won the toss and chose to bat.

Hasn't it started well again for us - Yates out for a quack after 5 balls ?! There are a lot of nervous Bears batsman at New Road today - at the wicket and in the Clubhouse - this is the last red ball game for 6 weeks and many have a lot to prove !