It will be interesting to see what the squad will be. There were (quite) a few disappointments last night - but particularly, Hose (who hasn't really done it this season - yet) and Norwell. I can't see them dropping Hose, but I would - and bring in Malan, who looked good in his second T20 (and he does give an extra bowling option - untried yet). I would defo drop Norwell - he just doesn't look the part in T20 - this season or last. The back up bowling options are not good though. OHD & Sidebottom have never bowled well in T20 (and their batting doesn't help !). Given what George Garrett did for the Seconds in their T20 Final yesterday (5 for 19 in 3.2 overs), I'd certainly bring him into the squad - and seriously consider him to start. He also has done well batting in the Seconds T20 this season - and played OK for the First's in his two T20 games last year.

Hose back in (for Malan) and Bethell (making his 1st team debut) for Lintott.

Durham won the toss and chose to bat first.

Andy wrote:

Can we keep the run going?

Woakes in?
Stone in?

Lancashire top 5 looks tasty, Finn Allen, Davies, Livingstone, Buttler, Vilas.

Wickets up top important tomorrow I'd say.

Woakesy is back, but Stone is out (with a slight back strain). I guess CW will be in for Bresnan, as the only change from Leicester.

Tim B in for Woakes, only change. No surprise.
Foxes won the toss and put us in.

GerryShedd wrote:

A possible signing:
ps://www.espncricinfo.com/story/warwickshire-close-to-signing-che-simmons-17-year-old-dubbed-new-jofra-archer-1266631?ex_cid=OTC-RSS

If so, Simmons would be the third Barbadian we've signed this year. Mind you we've always had close links with Barbados, I remember the regular pre-season trips we had there - a wonderful country, great cricketers and friendly people.

We won the toss and chose to bat first.

Team:-

Rhodes, Pollock, Malan, Hain, Mousley, Burgess, Brathwaite, Woakes, Miles, Briggs and Lintott

Bald_Reynard wrote:

Highveld wrote:

14 man squad, Hose drops out through injury, Malan and Woakes added to the squad for the first two games.

I guess Malan will be in for Hose and Woakes for Miles today.

Malan did come in for Hose, but CW came in for Bresnan - Miles stays.

We lost the toss and Derby elected to bat. Mousley & Woakes opening the bowling - not very successfully, Derby hit 17 off the first 2 overs.

Highveld wrote:

14 man squad, Hose drops out through injury, Malan and Woakes added to the squad for the first two games.

I guess Malan will be in for Hose and Woakes for Miles today.

farmerbob wrote:

Squad: Will Rhodes (C), Carlos Brathwaite, Tim Bresnan, Danny Briggs, Ethan Brookes, Michael Burgess, Sam Hain, Olly Hannon-Dalby, Adam Hose, Jake Lintott, Craig Miles, Dan Mousley, Ed Pollock

So no Woakes, Malan or Norwell.

I imagine it will be Ethan Brookes and Dan Mousley who won't make the cut.

Streetly_Bear wrote:

It must be tough being Chris Woakes, travelling around the world to carry the drinks and not play much cricket. I’m not going to say his talent has been wasted by any stretch, his trophy cabinet and career stats testify against that, but it’s hard not to wonder what might have been had he been around in a different era.

Completely agree. It's nothing short of a travesty the way Woakesy is being treated. It's bad that many Centrally Contracted players don't get runouts for their Counties very often, but he seems to be singled out for the worst treatment - not even getting chance to play for his Country.

Bald_Reynard wrote:

13 man squad:-

Rhodes, Bresnan, Briggs, Henry B, Burgess, OHD, Hain, Lamb, Malan, Miles, Mousley, Norwell & Yates

I'm guessing, if Miles is fully fit again, Brookes will be the bowler left out and Lamb will be back in place of Sibley, rather than Mousley ?

13 man squad:-

Rhodes, Bresnan, Briggs, Henry B, Burgess, OHD, Hain, Lamb, Malan, Miles, Mousley, Norwell & Yates

GerryShedd wrote:

Bald_Reynard wrote:

Very interesting, we're opening the Second Innings with Briggs and Rhodes ! I wonder if there's a reason, like injury to Sibley, Yates or Malan, or it's an experiment with someone who might fill that bill. Briggs is a decent bat (though as far as I know, never been that high up the order !) - and perhaps management might feel he could do the job long term (and possibly thinking that he can't justify being in the side simply as a spinner at the moment, given how little wickets help him at this time of the season !) ?

I assumed that he was a nightwatchman, sent out to face the one over last night - but I could be wrong.

Of course, how silly of me, I forgot there we had to face 1 over last night ! I was getting all excited before then, that PERHAPS we might have found a possible solution to our opening batting problems ! Anyway, you never know (!?) - Briggs is doing OK this morning - 23 NO after 13 overs (better than the Captain - obviously !).

Very interesting, we're opening the Second Innings with Briggs and Rhodes ! I wonder if there's a reason, like injury to Sibley, Yates or Malan, or it's an experiment with someone who might fill that bill. Briggs is a decent bat (though as far as I know, never been that high up the order !) - and perhaps management might feel he could do the job long term (and possibly thinking that he can't justify being in the side simply as a spinner at the moment, given how little wickets help him at this time of the season !) ?

BristolBear wrote:

It’s bowling like this that makes me feel Rhodes should move down the order. Yates will have to open anyway when Sibley goes to England. If they bring Mousley in to open, have Malan at 3, Hain 4 and Rhodes 5. I think he’d be more likely to bowl himself, and also be more likely to score runs.

I'm not sure opening with Mousley is the answer. He's having a poor season with the Seconds. They've tried him at 4 & 3 and now opening in a couple of matches - and I think he's struggled to get much into double figures (and some ducks!). IMO, Malan will have to be tried as an opener (he hasn't been yet) and give Lamb a go at 3.
I have long argued that Rhodes should move to 5 - so agree with you on that BB.

Streetly_Bear wrote:

Rhodes out early again, at the moment he has a touch of the Ian Bell when he is at the crease. He looks comfortable and then gets out.

When is Management going to make that necessary decision - the Captain is NOT an opening batsman ! Indeed I'd go so far to say now, that he is not a specialist batsman any more - he's a genuine all rounder. He should move down the order, possibly well down the order - to at least 5. I'd agree with Andy, we should go with 6 batsman / all rounders, with Burgess at 7. Rhodes would be the fourth seamer, with Bresnan as backup (he is not good enough with the ball to justify being in as a bowler) - but his batting (and experience) does merit him coming in at 5 / 6. Yates and Malan open (when Sibley disappears) and Hain / Lamb at 3 / 4 (I think Lamb's technique and concentration makes him a better 3 than Hain)

BristolBear wrote:

How foolish we all were to think that we might see Woakes actually play for his county.
Got to assume Sibley comes in, so do they drop a batsman or a bowler? If it were me, I’d drop Miles, give yourself an extra batsman against Harmer. But I suspect it will be one of Hain or Lamb.

I'd agree with most of that, but I suspect the 2 left out of the 13, will be Henry B and Lamb. Both Sibley and Lamb were in the Seconds team against Northants (game just abandoned) - Dom presumably there to get batting practice before Essex - and Matty because he's about to dropped! Brookes is nowhere near the First team at the moment, his bowling is all over the place!

Andy wrote:

Squads up. The XI that drew with Worcestershire plus Brookes and Sibley.

Stone's still there then - and Woakes isn't! I guess the ECB aren't bothered about 'overplaying' Olly and 'underplaying' Chris!?

Andy wrote:

Moving on from the Worcester game.

Essex away. Essex need a response after we put them in a tail spin!

Sibley back?
Woakes in?

Possible. But which batsman to drop (I guess, Bresnan - he is a batsman now - or Hain / Lamb) ? But whoever it is, Rhodes must surely drop down the order !

Also possible. But which bowler to drop? I guess Stone would be rested (or that would be enforced by the ECB) ?

Anyway, it is a week and a half away !