I understand they’ve come out and been aggressive this morning. But we have not used the new ball well.
After all the hard work yesterday, we’ve really let them get away here. They polished us off very quickly; we’ve let them build a significant lead.

I’ll be honest, I think the difference between the 2 sides was the toss. Surrey spent much of today batting in the sun, on an improving pitch.
The bears batted under lights, in damp, tough conditions. I think they bowled very well, but don’t think they bowled better than us. I think Robinson is right, if we played yesterday, there’s no reason we couldn’t have played the first hour today, and Surrey had to bat in the gloom and damp for a bit. I agree the fact Burgess and Woakes got out in a period where we’ve gone off for similar light before is really frustrating.
The key now is take the last 2, bat well and see if we can get a draw because I don’t think the weather forecast as it is now will allow us enough time to build a big enough lead to force a win.

Got involved in a great debate with a couple of friends of mine. In county cricket is there a keeper that affects the game from behind the stumps more than burgess?
Not saying just the number of catches or stumpings. But how a keeper affects batsmen by coming up when others wouldn’t. Makes stops and catches others wouldn’t. As a keeper he seems more involved in the game. Whereas Foakes might be technically better, but does he effect games as consistently as Burgess.

The one thing that I think the ECB never acknowledged regarding franchises was that in the other big competitions of the BBL & IPL, they actually increased the number of sides. They grew the game, and have fans a greater ability to see cricket. Whereas it’s the opposite for the Hundred. They removed the premier short format tournament in this country from large swathes.

Have always thought the inclusion of minor counties would be positive, potentially even Scotland, the Netherlands and Ireland. Create some variety, some new grounds, raise the profile of the sport. You can still pump money in, insist on family friendly atmospheres, ensure that games are short enough to be on free to air telly.

I saw someone say that getting out like that was exactly what 2022 Davies would have done. But to me, it was the shot of someone not up for the fight, who got bored of being patient and decided it was easier to start swinging despite it being obvious what would happen.
It’s the sort of thing you’d hope Robinson gets on top of immediately as, it’s hardly the attitude of a vice captain. Definitely not a droppable offence, but one where he probably needs a reminder of his responsibilities.

Is anyone else starting to worry about Rhodes place in the side? Not for the first time in the last couple of years, I’m getting the impression he’s only in the side because he’s captain, especially as he’s barely bowling now.

Looking at the forecast I don’t think we’ll find out the 11 tomorrow. It’s supposed to start raining around 10 and not stop until well into the afternoon.
It’s not that great any of the days really. Perhaps handy to take a draw off Surrey at this point and then play them without Foakes and Pope later in the year.

I think from memory of an interview he did, he wanted to play red ball, but as much as anything he didn’t want a white ball only deal which is what he was being offered. He said it was too early to specialise like that, and he didn’t know in the next year or 2 if he’d still have the franchise gigs he has now.
Whereas at least at Worcestershire he still has the ability to play red ball, he seems next in line, and he’s getting paid as a player that plays all formats.

Walker made a really interesting point about the bowling. “You can’t bowl like that on test match pitches. We bowled like at Canterbury, but on these pitches they just hammered the same spot again and again and got wickets, whilst we leaked both sides of the pitch”. Just a very interesting point. And it’s true, we struggled when we stopped doing that and started searching for wickets, bowling bouncers, going too straight.

A lot of chat from sour Kent fans complaining about the Bears celebrations. Rather pathetic in all honesty, they’d be the same group who would take the first chance to complain that people don’t care enough about the championship.

None of them noticing either than Burgess and Davies went straight up to the batsmen, before celebrating.

It did seem odd to come off for light with blue skies overhead. What I hope is that they haven’t jumped the gun and that affects tomorrow as they have to go by todays reading, and it’s supposed to be dry but overcast tomorrow.

But other than that perfect day. Don’t think anything went wrong apart from Mousley not getting his 100. Took every chance, bowled well, not too many overs in the bowlers legs. 9 wickets needed.

The software on the stream is better. But if you look around, some counties are realising that this is a great way to reach fans and even advertisers.
The commentary teams some counties have put together like Surrey have just announced, Lancashire have something similar with more elaborate production are very impressive. Other counties have brought in ex pro’s, journalists or even some bloggers specifically for stream commentary.
I think Lancashire do a beyond the boundary segment during lunch where they do interviews live or that they’ve filmed throughout the year.

An injury update would be good. And to be honest the communication and social media work from the club could improve across the board. If you look what other clubs produce weekly, we definitely seem to be lagging behind.

I think I’d still drop Mousley, because of the depth with Bethell potentially at 8, and Woakes a genuine all-rounder at this level I don’t think we’d miss the batting. Plus with the forecast predicting significant time lost again, I wonder if being able to take wickets quickly might be useful considering how the lower order held us up last week after a strong start in both innings.

I think it’ll be Mousley out for Woakes.
Lowest scorer with the bat. Plus even in the very short time he was at the crease he didn’t look comfortable. Everything looked a bit frenetic.
He didn’t bowl either.

I must admit I thought this season the club might send Mousley out on loan as they did with Bethell. He hasn’t taken his few opportunities to nail down a place in the side in the last 2/3 seasons. Meaning he hasn’t been able to kick on as hoped in red ball.

The obvious drop out for Woakes if its like for like would be Barnard, but I don’t see that. It’s either got to be a bowler, so OHD, Bethell or Rushworth, or a batsman which probably means based on scores Mousley or Yates.
I don't see the bowlers being dropped, and with no opening replacement other than Rhodes, I suspect Mousley.

I haven’t been following the stream today. Who’d he drop?

From what I’ve read from Somerset fans, it appears that the club knew they had a drainage issue. But instead of dealing with it immediately after last season, they waited until this year. The heavy rain and lack of sunlight stopped the grass growing on the dug up part of the outfield. It also meant the ground staff weren’t able to pay due attention to other areas of the outfield.
It’s been wet everywhere, if they can get a game on at Cardiff, there’s no reason they shouldn’t be able to at Taunton. And if they’re able to be playing at Worcester this month, considering it is literally feet under water for much of the winter, Taunton has no excuse.
But if some of the rumours I’ve seen from Somerset fans are true, that the whole match is going to be called off, despite bright sunshine all 4 days, that’s a serious failure by Somerset and definitely fine worthy.

UrsaMinor I’ve just seen the interview you’re talking about. Deeply disappointing. Has the feel of a club trying to make their case of why they shouldn’t get fined for an unfit outfield. And despite their forced optimism, I can’t help but come away thinking that the morning session will be a write off no matter what tomorrow.

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.

Some useful runs for Davies, Mousley and Bethell.
You can tell it’s pre-season, some real rustiness on both sides.
Not sure the 45 overs a side is a big help, but it’s better than nothing. And looking around the country, I’m glad the Bears went on tour. I know other teams stayed at home, I’ve seen Sussex have had all practice matches rained off so far and their only full warm up match looks likely to be against a university side.

2 openers whose form last year was pretty atrocious is definitely the most worrying aspect of this side. You need top order runs to win. It’s a strong middle order in theory. But if 1-3 aren’t contributing, it starts becoming a lot harder.