Team:-
Yates
Davies
Young
Hain
Mousley
Malik
Barnard
Booth
Bamber
Gilchrist
Taz Ali (in for OHD)

Notts won the toss and put us in.

Just seen that sad news. Crazily, I just posted on the New Local Derby thread, about my first trip to Edgbaston in 1965 - of course, one J Jameson was playing. I remember a wonderful, flowing, batsman who was capable of taking bowlers apart. For some reason, I only think of him hitting fours & sixes, EVERYWHERE, can't remember him running singles! I also remember him as a decent medium seam bowler - who like Webster, could switch to off spin - though again, it couldn't have been that regular an occurrence.

Growing up in Atherstone, always meant I was torn between 2 sporting Counties, but a trip to Edgbaston in 1965 and one to Filbert Street in 1966, sorted it - for a lifetime. It has been SO long to have chance for seeing 'proper' cricket between my favourite and second favourite teams, I for one will look forward to it. Well done, the CRICKETING Foxes!

MalmesburyBear wrote:

Danny has been an absolute joy in T20 cricket, turning many games in our favour with wickets and economy rate. At present I cannot see how we replace him, either through the current squad or by acquisition from another county. I think the only route is through an overseas acquisition. Many thanks Danny for some absolutely splendid performances!

I said on this thread a couple of days ago, that an overseas acquisition of a spinner is our No 1 priority this Autumn and he should be considered as a likely new Captain.

Terrible Captaincy (again) in the way he rotated his bowlers. Having considered our bowlers economy rates (over the whole Tournament, not just this match), Davies should never have left Barnard to bowl the last over. And why he didn't bowl Lintott more, was crazy, when the last time he played at Taunton, he took 5 wickets. Just one over (admittedly for 13 runs) clearly scared Davies, a Captain should never be put off a tactical plan, by just one over!

GerryShedd wrote:

Surprise- he’s in our squad for the quarter final.

Yeah, I guess just as backup, if one of the seamers gets an injury or niggle. In that case, his batting would probably put him ahead of OHD.

I think his last match for us, will be in the final 2nds Championship game with Notts, starting on Monday.

I guess Malik, Miles & OHD will miss out.

The_Lickey_Banker wrote:

The_Lickey_Banker wrote:

We've got a 2 day (red ball) Friendly against the South Asian team starting today at Portland Road. A pretty strong lineup:-
Mousley
Malik (Captain)
Shaikh
Jani
Wylie
Dandy
Booth
Bamber
Taz Ali
OHD
Sylvester
Toss uncontested, we're bowling first.

There are also two T20 games arranged against South Asia, at Portland Road, on Wednesday - presumably to get a few who haven't played for a while (Mousley etc) up to speed for possible selection in the QF against Somerset on Saturday.

Mousley bowled yesterday, but has been withdrawn from the batting lineup, to be replaced by Yates. I guess, management feel Yates needs more batting time, to be ready for Taunton on Saturday. If Mousley is to play in the QF, I guess it will be primarily as a bowler and he'll bat well down the order.

Selections for the two 2nds T20 games against South Asia tomorrow, will be very interesting. A good indicator of who might start in the QF?

Well, Yates got to 50 and then promptly got out, so not great preparation for the QF! I'd say its pretty certain, he'll be given at least one more go, in the 2nds T20 matches tomorrow.

GerryShedd wrote:

The reprieve that we gave them hasn’t done Middlesex much good - beaten by Hampshire today.

I was consoled over our losing out in the Metro Cup, by the fact that we would have almost certainly lost to Hampshire as well (as we always do in Cups).

OHD in for Jake L, the only change. I guess, a seamers wicket.
We won the toss and chose to bowl.

ITE7376 wrote:

Bamber at 10, Booth at 9, we are batting veeeeeery deep today. I like it.

The way Lancs are going (after losing an early wicket) - and the reliability of our opening 4/5, I think we're going to need a long batting lineup!

Bamber back in for OHD.
Lancs won the toss and chose to bat.

I can't see us getting anywhere near the 300+ required, given the current form (and application!) of our batsmen, but I'd love to proven wrong.

Why do we persist in giving so many overs to Yates, when he clearly can't get any wickets and continually gets thumped around the ground (7 an over at the moment!). He's had more overs than any other bowler - crazy!

Booth in for Sylvester.
We won the toss and chose to bowl.

Bamber & Sylvester in for Lintott & OHD.
Davies still at 4. Hamza and Malik are on 'probation' - IF (big if) we've got any backups, both have got to score today.

We won the toss and chose to bat.

Blimey, 291, couldn't have foreseen that when half down. 32 for 4 & 142 for 6, were meaning 200 would be a good score. Congrats to Davies though - he has come good (perhaps the lack of Captain's responsibility IS the answer!). Plaudits must also go to Smith, Lintott and Booth though.

UrsaMinor wrote:

Let's not forget that Davies was one of the leading run scorers in the country last year. I've seen him play some daft shots but I've also seen some mature innings. I guess it's a mental thing that probably isn't helped by him being captain. Perhaps Westwood could sell a change of captaincy to Davies on the grounds of it being good for his batting.

Good point, I agree. Of course, the affect of the extra responsibility on their form is usually the main reason players lose (or give up) the Captaincy. If Davies won't volunteer to go, we have to hope Westwood tells him (and it's accepted!), 'cos it sure needs doing.

Tayls79 wrote:

So between Miles and Taz for the final spot? I was looking for Sheikh to get a game to capitalise on his Eng u19s form.

Latham was always going ro miss this because of NZ tesrs in Zim. Reading from this I don't think Bethell will play red ball this season now, probably just plays 100 and Blast, maybe metro bank, to get ready for England white ball in September. I presume Hain is injured but one does worry now.

Two batsmen missing leaves a huge hole. Not sure the bowling is that weak but definitely lacks a bit of a change up.

Shaikh playing for the 'Professional County Club Select XI' today, against Pakistan Shaheens (the Pakistan A team), so obviously still in National Selectors minds.

Any news on his likely return from injury. If Hasan is on his way, an Overseas spot is vacant - though, as I posted on HA's thread, I'm not sure what's happening with Webster.