Highveld wrote:

I feel some of the comments above are mean and classless. Moeen has made a great contribution to English cricket, not just on the field, but as a hero to a large part of the local population.

While his return was not the success we'd all have liked, we should be respectful to him as a person and for his contribution to our sport.

There are several players who have done less, and made less effort for the club over the last 3 seasons.

I partly agree with what Highveld says about the rather 'sharp' criticism of Moeen's attitude to playing for us, but the awful manner of his leaving can not be dismissed. The fact that the official announcement of him going took place after the occasion, is probably the fault of club, given the terrible situation with the website at the moment, but there should have been some news of it before the game, if only as a matter of respect to supporters.

Devon_Bear wrote:

paulbear wrote:

Looks like another strip for batsmen but the bowling didn't look inspiring when one of the openers is a tailender who they are persevering with who averages 20. Our bowling looked samey apart form Simmons' pace and the idea of Bethell bowling first change is laughable. Is this a directive form the ECB, if it is, then it is none of their ******* business as they cannot dictate who we bowl and when, it's bad enough that they can take players out of selection but I cannot think of any other reason for such a strange bowling change unless Davies is a fan of 'Funky Stokes' captaincy plans which sometimes leave me cold and confused.

Didn't Davies recently use Yates as our first change bowler? Seriously, it's getting past a joke that he is still our captain in county cricket when we have a test match skipper out there on the pitch.

I agree about Davies, I think we have now DEFINITELY come to the point when he is past his sell by date as Captain. And the reality is, for the first time in many years, we actually have a ready made replacement. It IS time for Tom Latham!

Very true. Amazingly, the club didn't even post a preview of the Somerset game today. No squad news, no publicity, nothing! Ah, just remembered, it was a County Championship game - I think they consider that something like a Second team Friendly!

Team:-

Davies (Captain)
Yates
Latham
Hain
Bethell
Barnard
Smith (Keeper - great, mainly in the sense that's its one less thing that Davies has to think about, rather than doubts about Kai's keeping skills!)
Bamber
Rocchiccioli
Simmons
OHD

Somerset won the toss and chose to bat.

Unchanged side from the last few games. Issac Mohammed playing for the Pears - bound to get a good score!

We won the toss and chose to bowl.

GerryShedd wrote:

I think Hasan Ali is available in all formats.

So that's potentially, 3 Overseas players competing for the 2 spots?!

Unchanged team (again):-

Davies
Latham
Mousley
Moeen Ali
Hain
Barnard
Smith
Garton
Hasan Ali
Briggs
Lintott

We won the toss and chose to bat.

We lost by just 3 runs.

Theo Wylie and Taz A are back. Both made a good contribution - Theo with bat, Taz with ball (3 wickets).

Unchanged team:-
Davies (Captain & Keeper)
Latham
Moeen Ali
Hain
Mousley
Barnard
Smith
Garton
Hasan Ali
Briggs
Lintott

Derby won the toss and chose to bowl

Team:-
Davies (Captain & Keeper)
Latham
Moeen Ali
Hain
Mousley
Barnard
Smith
Garton
Briggs
Hasan Ali
Lintott

We won the toss and chose to bowl.

Yes, a great article. I remember seeing a (very) young Bethell turn out in a Bunbury Festival about 7 years ago. He was playing with guys a year older than him and yet, still got named as the 'Player of the Festival'. All there, thought he was destined for greater things, but that has been said about others, who eventually fell short. It seems he hasn't yet - and I can't see him disappointing anyone!

Team:-

Davies (Keeper)
Latham
Moeen Ali
Hain
Smith
Barnard
Garton
Briggs
Miles
Lintott
Sylvester

Durham won the toss and chose to bowl.

LeicesterExile wrote:

Restarting at 5.45 with 10.4 overs remaining. Another 4 day knife edge. Let's hope the rain stays away.

No, it didnt!
Well, we blew it, didn't we?! No declaration yesterday, when the forecast was so much rain today, was crazy. And I'm not just saying that in hindsight, I would posted that view, if I could have got online yesterday (no signal).
Another bad mark against Davies?!

ExiledBrummie wrote:

Devon_Bear wrote:

I think the team selection tomorrow will be:

Yates
Davies
Latham
Hain
Webster
Barnard
Malik
Woakes
Bamber
Rushworth
OHD

After last week's defeat I think Westwood will pick a more experienced team and leave the younger players out. Taz Ali & Simmons were hardly used so it's seems more than likely they will both be replaced tomorrow. I guess there's a possibility Kai Smith could take the gloves, if so then he would come in at 7 for Malik.

As above but Smith for OHD, is the latter injured? Surely Kai will be the keeper otherwise he's going to bat at 8 which seems odd. Very strong batting line up, so good we've won the toss.

Live Scores are still showing Davies as Keeper. I can't believe, that when were actually in the field, Smith won't be behind the stumps - it's just too ridiculous, to have him in simply as a batsman, going in so far down, when an extra bowler would be much more valuable (especially a spinner).

What is it about Liam Dawson and us?! We can never get him out cheaply and he always scores a hatful against us!

GerryShedd wrote:

Bald_Reynard wrote:

ExiledBrummie wrote:

Andy wrote:

If Smith isn't gonna keep he'll be missing out you'd think.

Agreed as last game he was a number 8 batsman that never batted, bowled or kept wicket! I'd say him and Simmons to miss out.

Yes, that would be my take on it.
Good to see Rushworth back, I've forgotten what he looks like!

Bald Reynard - meet bald Rushworth.

He was always the more talented of us twins!

I see I was half right, Ali in, but Simmons stays. Obviously my twin is unlucky this time - perhaps not quite fit (he was always prone to 'little niggles'!) - or Simmons pace just won the day?

ExiledBrummie wrote:

Andy wrote:

If Smith isn't gonna keep he'll be missing out you'd think.

Agreed as last game he was a number 8 batsman that never batted, bowled or kept wicket! I'd say him and Simmons to miss out.

Yes, that would be my take on it.
Good to see Rushworth back, I've forgotten what he looks like!

13 man squad:-

Taz Ali
Bamber
Barnard
Hain
OHD
Latham
Malik
Miles
Mousley
Simmons
Smith
Webster
Yates

Andy wrote:

Dandy is doing really well, particularly so when you consider his relative inexperience at the level.

Yes. I guess his potential, was the reason George Maddy was released. A shame, I always thought George would make it. He's with Leicestershire now (no surprise, given his antecedents), I hope he fulfills his promise there. I think we must have his younger brother in the Academy - I see there's an I. Maddy there.

UrsaMinor wrote:

Actually five players with Test experience in that Yorkshire side so to beat them in their own back yard is probably our best result since Liam Norwell's nine wickets kept us in Division 1. Good things are happening.

SO FAR, the decision to replace Robinson, with Westie, is paying off. I'm so pleased, that the changes most of us felt were needed in the Coaching set up, are showing dividends. Levels of application, attitude and ability seem to be way up on that seen in recent years.