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)

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.

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).

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.

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?

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?

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?

Inside-edge wrote:

First ton of the season to Alex Davies.

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

Highveld wrote:

Live scorecard https://www.clubcricket.co.za/latestnews/scorecard-one/

VERY interesting that Ed B is Captain - and Davies is playing? A red ball game as well - a portent for this season?

GerryShedd wrote:

Andy wrote:

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

I'm sure that Mr Davies will be happy to step in.

Cheeky!

https://edgbaston.com/news/bears-to-tour-stellenbosch-and-cape-town/

A mixed white and red ball tour to Stellenbosch & Cape Town, coming up. Better preparation than the Abu Dhabi stuff last year?

ExiledBrummie wrote:

Congrats Dan - named as captain for the Lions 50 over side next month.

https://edgbaston.com/news/dan-mousley-to-lead-england-lions-in-five-odis/

https://edgbaston.com/news/webster-brings-all-around-excellence-to-bears-across-formats/

Going to be with us for the first 3 months of the season - 8 Championship games and 7 Blast.

Exiled Bear wrote:

I’ve started getting emails from the club again, so maybe some of these vacancies have now been filled.

They have:-
https://edgbaston.com/news/bears-bolster-workforce-with-three-key-positions/

I don't know if the new 'Digital Content' & 'Media' Managers have already started, but there has been a dramatic improvement in News coverage in the last couple of days. Good articles on the website, on Dan Mousley with the Lions and Beau Webster being with us for the first 3 months of the season.

The_Lickey_Banker wrote:

With the signing of Gilchrist, its quite likely that our Championship new ball bowlers, will both be Zimbabwe born.

I think there's a good chance of that. Probably the two quickest bowlers in our squad now.
Very interesting, that both were born in Harare, just 6 months apart and went to South Africa for schooling.

bobmac wrote:

Announced as signed for Somerset.

Good, we don't want another seamer (left or right arm). What we want is a top quality spinner - and given the dearth of home grown, that means the second Overseas slot. And hopefully one that will give us a complete season.

GerryShedd wrote:

The_Lickey_Banker wrote:

I've heard from a journalist friend, that Jonathan Trott is in discussions to take over from Vettori as Phoenix Head Coach.

I would think that this is quite likely. He is leaving the Afghanistan post having never been to the country; and he still lives in Birmingham.

I think JT could do a good job for Phoenix. His experience (and record) in getting Afghanistan as one of the better white ball international teams, is noteworthy. Vettori did OK, but never managed to get any Trophy and Phoenix always seemed to do a 'Warwickshire' in getting close to success, but never achieving anything.

It will be good to see Jonathan back in his old stomping ground, just sad that it's not with 'proper cricket' at Edgbaston.

GerryShedd wrote:

Apparently, Jonathan Trott will not renew his contract with Afghanistan when it runs out in March next year. It seems that a new contract would require him to live in Afghanistan, which he is not willing to do. I was surprised to read that, although he has coached the team successfully for three years, he has never actually set foot in the country. I was forgetting that Afghanistan haven't played a proper "home" match since 2017.

I wonder whether this news will mean Westwood's position might be looked at?!

GerryShedd wrote:

The return of!
https://edgbaston.com/news/graeme-welch-to-join-warwickshire-as-new-bowling-coach/

Brilliant! Our best bowling seasons recently, have been when he's at the helm.