BristolBear wrote:

13 man squad announced
Rhodes
Ali
Barnard
Benjamin
Bethell
Brookes
Burgess
Davies
Hain
OHD
Mousley
Rushworth
Yates

Norwell has a back issue apparently. Briggs still has a dodgy knee. No centrally contracted England seamers for any team round 1, so no Woakes.

I reckon Benjamin and Brookes to miss out from that 13.

I agree with you BB. And that would be a decent lineup - considering injuries / availability / the fact that Management don't feel the need to strengthen our batting squad !

GerryShedd wrote:

I don't think that the move away from "Birmingham" has ever been stated - it just seems to have happened quietly over the last 12 months, not only on the website but also in press releases.

https://edgbaston.com/news/birmingham-bears-to-be-named-birmingham-polar-bears/

It actually is even worse this season - we're now the BIRMINGHAM POLAR Bears!

https://www.thecricketer.com/Topics/countycricket/warwickshire_gavin_larsen_new_performance_director.html

New Zealand's Chief Selector and ex-Chief Exec of Wellington. A decent Medium Pacer for NZ, if I recall?

Of course, Jeets was a 'Wellington man', I wouldn't be surprised if that connection, was the 'door in'?

GerryShedd wrote:

England Lions took a bit of a beating today; but Jacob top scored and, although he didn't take a wicket, was the most economical bowler:
https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/england-lions-in-sri-lanka-2022-23-1355654/sri-lanka-a-vs-england-lions-3rd-unofficial-odi-1355662/full-scorecard

And opened, with another 50 - he's got to be in the mix to start for us there, in red and white ball, this season?

Sam did return in Tuesdays game, but only got 3. Jacob got another 50 though, opening - no wickets, but the most economical bowler.

kevandmac wrote:

Sam's not playing in the latest Lions one day game- anyone know why?

Apparently, in the last game, he picked up, "a knock, likely to keep him out for this match".
Jacob took 2 for 55 and got 19, opening again. Lions lost by 86 runs.

Jacob took 2 for 50 in the SL Innings and scored 50, opening. Sam got 53. They were the top scorers for the Lions, who won by 4 wickets.

https://www.thecricketer.com/Topics/countycricket/warwickshire_sign_glenn_maxwell_2023_t20_blast.html

Maxwell signed as the second Overseas player for the T20. A great signing.

Thanks for sorting this EB, I was panicking the site would be down for a while!

Sam and Jacob Bethell playing today in the 1st England Lions ODI match against Sri Lanka A

Despite 21 NO (from 16 balls) and a contribution to 70 runs in the last 7 overs (giving 175 for Perth to chase), Sam couldn't help Brisbane win in the BB Final today. However, without his efforts, after debuting in the latter half of the competition, Brisbane would almost certainly have got nowhere near this game.

Those performances must be a great boost for his T20 season with us.

Brisbane won the BB Semi Final against Sydney Sixers - scraping home in a low scoring game to win by 4 wickets. Sam (going in at 4, in place of Labuschagne) only managed to get 8. But he will be playing in the Final, against Perth on Saturday.

Brisbane won the game by 7 wickets. Sam was part of a 4th partnership that put on 35 in 3 overs, to win the game (he got 8).
Now, Sydney Sixers in the final Play Off game on Thursday, to decide the team to play Perth in the Final.
Sam has helped Brisbane to go from bottom but one, to get into (what is, in effect) a Semi Final. And his scores and partnership contributions have made a crucial difference.

Brisbane Heat actually got through to the Play Offs. Beat Sydney Thunder by 8 runs (by D/L) in the first match on Friday. Sam came in on the last over and finished undefeated on 1!
Second PO today against Melbourne Renegades, Heat won the toss and chose to bowl. Sam batting at 5 again.

Sam again a 'main man' for Heat, with 26 (second top scorer) and ALMOST helping them to a final win. But he was out after 16 overs (with them only needing 18 to win). They lost by 2 runs and look like they might miss out on the Play Offs.
Can't say he let them down though since starting. Good for us - and England Lions.

Sam, top scorer with 73 NO, as Brisbane beat Melbourne by 4 runs. And part of an unbeaten 133 partnership (off 13 overs) for the 5th wicket. Brisbane now 3rd, largely down to his batting in the last 2 matches.

33 NO for Brisbane yesterday, helping them them to a win that actually takes them near the Play Offs (after being near the bottom the whole Tournament so far).
He helped the team put on nearly 100 in the last 10 overs (second top scorer to Renshaw).

Woakesy must be MotM today for Sharjah. Although they lost, he took 2 wickets (for 23 off his 4 overs) and scored 62 off 29 balls ! Mo Ali less effective !

Andy wrote:

Run out at the non strikers end when Marnus Labuschagne nailed a drive back at the bowler who deflected the ball onto the stumps.

Ah, nothing you can do about that. Good, hopefully, they'll stick with him for at least 2 more games then.

Sam finally got to play a game for Brisbane. A small contribution - going in at number 5, he was run out for 6 (don't know if it was his error), but took one catch. At least Brisbane won.