Does this mean that he’ll be able to play for us a bit more?

I see your point about not wanting to get too excited too early, but it’s been three whopping wins so far. Our team is also much stronger than it was last season, with three recruits (Maxwell, Moeen and Hassan Ali) who would make it into pretty much any T20 team anywhere in the world, so I think it’s reasonable to be optimistic at this point. I also think that Lancashire were never at the races because we played so well, so I think it’s a bit unfair to say that they were all easy matches. They had won their first three matches, after all.

I would say that this is the best T20 team we have had for many years, particularly in terms of squad depth.

Brookes is so frustrating. Brilliant one game, awful the next.

ajones1328 wrote:

Hoping to watch tha game on YouTube. Doesn't seem to be any audio at the moment, same for others ?

The audio is working for me

Maxwell for Yates the only change. I guess Stirling must be travelling to Chelmsford tomorrow!

Pretty sure that we’ll keep Stirling in as we’ve presumably paid for him already. I think Maxwell for Yates is the only change I’d make.

I feel like we’ve heard similar rumours about players in the past but never with any actual evidence. Let’s hope that this is also just one of those rumours and that there’s no truth in it

Woakes spoke about being available for the first couple of games, so I guess that he’ll be available, unless the ECB have changed their mind

Apparently, yes

Ali, Bethell and Barnard miss out. I don’t think any of us saw that coming.

I know form for the seconds will be taken into account, but will we really leave out the Blast all time leading wicket taker? He's one of the most experienced members of the squad, too. How similar are pitches used for the second XI games compared to the Edgbaston ones? We do have a wealth of spin bowling options though, with Yates and even Stirling as well, though I can't see them bowling more than the odd over here and there.

14 man squad:

Davies (c)
Benjamin
Briggs
Ali
Brookes
Bethell
Barnard
Hain
Lintott
Miles
Mousley
Woakes
Yates
Stirling

Brookes, Bethell and Mousley to miss out? Or do we Brookes to be a fifth seamer, or the fourth in place of Miles?

Confirmed on social media that Woakes will be available for the “first couple of games” of the blast

I’m not sure, he got a long way across. Could easily have been hitting leg I think.

BristolBear wrote:

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.

I actually don’t think it was that, I think he was waiting to see if Burgess would walk. Clearly Burgess didn’t think he’d hit it but his bat was away from his body when he played the shot

Well that was fun. That’s a huge partnership in the context of the match. Never thought I’d see OHD hit back-to-back sixes!

You seem to be glossing over the fact that the opening partnership between Yates and Davies was the third highest in this match and laid the foundation for our win.

MalmesburyBear wrote:

Fantastic win at Hampshire with virtually everyone making significant contributions.
It’s somewhat disappointing that some posters continually talk down the efforts and achievements of certain players, notably Rob Yates and Alex Davies.
The foundation for our win at Hampshire was their first innings partnership in the final session of day 1 in difficult conditions against one of the best new ball opening bowlers in the country. Both were unlucky to bat in very tricky conditions on the morning of day 2 when they fell with little addition to their overnight scores. Sam and in particular Ed will be at the head of the queue to thank them both for seeing off the new ball, giving them the opportunity to score heavily later in the game in much better conditions.
Both Rob and Alex had poor seasons last year, but will be more likely to succeed with support rather than unwarranted criticism.

Agreed. The criticism is a bit bizarre and not really necessary after such a thumping win (especially given both players contributed, as you say)

I certainly wasn’t expecting us to have won before I woke up today! Superb