I’d phrase it as this is the option with the lowest odds of failure.
They know exactly what they’re getting. Whilst a longer shot might arguably be a better spinner; they know what to expect from Moeen, they know he knows what test and ashes cricket is about, and they’ve hedged their bet by knowing that he could come good with bat or ball.

Though I still can’t escape the feeling that if Dawson, Parkinson, Jacks, Ahmed or even someone like Briggs or Bess, was as good mates with Stokes as Moeen is, that they’d be in the side. And the test experience suddenly wouldn’t matter.

I get it from Moeens point of view. It’s hard to say no to.

But also, I don’t like the fact he basically decided to retire when it was clear he wasn’t going to be first choice anymore. Then just brings himself in when he’s guaranteed. Imagine if Woakes did that. I didn’t like it when Billings declared himself as the backup keeper in Pakistan but was going to play BBL instead of being on the tour. You either play and are willing to fight for your place or not. In which case someone goes ahead of you who is willing to dedicate their time to the squad etc.

And just in terms of pure selection, I mean it cries out as picking a mate. He was awful in 2019 I think it was. He hasn’t played red ball in years. There’s better spinners out there. Hell I’d argue Briggs would do a much better job. But if they’re insistent on wanting someone to bat (doesn’t make sense to me as Leach couldn’t), surely you go Wills Jacks or Liam Dawson.

Really sums up the state of English spin bowling if we do go back to Moeen though.

I always think in T20, you need a short memory, bad days happen simply because of the way the format is, and all it takes is one player to come off to win it.

What I will say is that, Madsen is a perfect example of why Yates should have stayed in the team. Form matters, stick with the hot hand, Madsen has scored 5 50’s in a row now, including a century. If something is working, don’t over think it, stick with it.

I could definitely see Barnard losing out but I also think he has added value because he’s a third seamer.
Definitely depends on the pitch, but only 2 seamers is a bit light for me. Could see Barnard going when Hassan Ali is fit again.

We will find out tomorrow, but the depth is very impressive. Considering Rhodes is scoring hundreds in the 2’s and can’t get close. Bethell can’t get in. Burgess is doing very well on loan at Sussex.
No Hassan Ali, no Norwell, no OHD, no Woakes for various reasons.

He’s in the squad named for Derbyshire. So I think we’re going to find out very soon.

I’ve been wondering if perhaps if it might be Lintott who unluckily misses out. The modern way seems to be preferring all rounders. Surrey being an excellent example. Briggs, Maxwell, Mousley, Ali and Yates means more than enough spin options.

He’s the new James Hildreth. For whatever reason, someone inside the ECB and the current set up just doesn’t fancy him.
I just don’t buy the talk about he’s too similar to Root in ODI’s, or that he’s not aggressive enough in red ball. I mean would you rather Lawrence or Vince scoring a quick 30 off 35 balls in a test or Hain scoring 100 off 150. I know which one is more likely to win a test match.

GerryShedd wrote:

BristolBear wrote:

I might just be a sceptic, but as fantastic as that was. It terrifies me for later in the competition.
Especially when they get Salt, Gleeson and Butler back in.

Just hope this isn’t a peak too early sort of season (again).

One of the great things about this site is the range of opinions expressed; and I realise that few people would mistake the average Bears fan for a ray of sunshine. But this is a very pessimistic view.

I’d simply say it’s realistic based on 3 indisputable facts.
1) You can’t win the blast in May, and we have proven recent history of starting well then blowing it when it counts multiple times.
2) Our first 2 matches were against the worst two sides in the group, so you don’t exactly want to get carried away based on that.
3) Lancashire were just never at the races, as well as we bowled and fielded, they also played atrociously. Batted badly, fielded badly, were captained poorly, didn’t looked bothered. And they’re missing 2 world class T20 players in Salt and Butler, an England T20 bowler in Gleeson and a domestic run machine in Jennings.

I’d rather be pessimistic now and win the whole thing. Than pat ourselves on the back based on 3 pretty easy matches first up, to only go and blow it again when it matters.

I might just be a sceptic, but as fantastic as that was. It terrifies me for later in the competition.
Especially when they get Salt, Gleeson and Butler back in.

Just hope this isn’t a peak too early sort of season (again).

I’ll admit if those 3 I mentioned, I’d be least surprised if it were us missing out. Especially as we have previous in screwing up.
But yet to get Moeen in.

But it does speak to our depth currently that we’ve had players like Brookes and Burgess go on loan in different formats and perform very well.

That’s a really impressive bowling attack to do it against too.
Think the top 3/4 sides are already starting to show.
Be amazed if at least 2 of Lancs, Surrey and ourselves weren’t at finals day.

I think Maxwell for Mousley. They’re just too similar, and unfortunately Maxwell is clearly the better player.

It’s one of those things where the rules are in place but so difficult to enforce. Clubs can’t ‘formally’ approach until that date, but everyone knows conversations occur. Comments to agents, casual chats at matches.

I think this will play out like Barker. The club has assumed Burgess will stay. They’ve prioritised elsewhere, and now the players wondering why he wasn’t given the same respect. He’s been discarded for T20, and I suspect he’d be very attractive to a lot of sides, you look round and you think there’s only a couple of sides that wouldn’t be better with him in it, and he’d play all formats. As Farbace said about his move today “he’s been the standout keeper in county cricket for the last few years”.

I’ve heard rumours he’s annoyed the club have messed about and delayed his contract offer. Not dissimilar to what happened to Keith Barker.
He’s seen plenty of extensions handed out, Warwickshire haven’t been fast enough with an offer and now he’s going to hit the open market.

Interesting that Barnard and Lintott are with the seconds today down in Taunton.
Suggests for Lintott that perhaps his place might be under threat for Friday. Especially as Mousley bowled well, plus long term Moeen coming in and can be a front line spinner.

Hains class the difference today. Which considering the batsmen out there today, says a lot about just how good he is.

Slightly concerned about Lintott. Got Malan but went at 15’s. Just wonder if teams have worked him out, as he went off the boil a bit the end of last year too.
Left arm leggies are very rare, so wonder if he benefitted from that for a couple of years but he’s been seen enough now to be less of a mystery. Without a hundred place too this year.

Shame he is seen as white ball only now, as in 2021 he bowled really well and was excellent in tandem with Norwell.
Not quite sure what’s changed for him to go from all formats and performing well, to white ball only and on the edge of selection.

Least the umpiring is working both ways. Doubt Essex will be thrilled by that Lawrence decision. Thought it was going down.

Watching us bowl now, and how they bowled this afternoon, this pitch seems to be very overhead condition dependent.

Sunny this morning and Rhodes and Hain were comfortable, the ball did very little in the air or off the pitch. Since it clouded over after lunch it’s been going off the pitch and in the air. And apart from the last wicket partnership, it’s looked very tough to bat on.

This reminds me a bit of Surrey last year.
Lose a couple of quick wickets, compounded by a couple of shocking decisions.

Both Briggs and Burgess didn’t look out. Burgess was clearly less than happy about it, and if you’re taking that long to give a cleanly caught catch behind, you probably shouldn’t be giving it. He’s bottled it under the pressure of the celebration.