Briggs wasn't selected again today. Fortunately it doesn't look like his absence will cost us a place in Division 1, but it could cost us a place in the T20 quarter finals. Hopefully he'll be available on Friday.

With the points that we have now accrued, I think it is mathematically certain that we will qualify for Division 1, assuming we draw.

My friend Annie is the editor of County Cricket Matters magazine, which aims to champion, promote and help protect county cricket. This season they've been doing a podcast for each round of the county championship which consists of a summary of the matches in each group, and they also have a guest or two from a featured county. This week was Warwickshire's turn, and the guests were Gladstone Small and Paul Smith.

You can listen to the podcast here: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1673419

I'd also recommend subscribing to County Cricket Matters magazine as well - details here: https://www.countycricketmatters.com/

Highveld wrote:

Leg stump wasn't visable at anytime on the clip of Sidebottoms dismissal.
He took a middle stump guard and the leg stump was not isable at any time. Te ball would probably have hit t both middle and leg stumps.

If given an identical ball in the games i'm due to umpire this week, the batsman would be given out.

The Worcester wicket is slow and low, but the entire square looked very damp indeed both on Friday and yesterday.

The absense of Briggs could hurt us in this game, we are missing his ability to bowl long tight spells.

Cricinfo report on the day https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/county-championship-2021-1244186/worcestershire-vs-warwickshire-group-1-1244298/match-report-2

I've drawn on the location of the stumps here:

https://photos.app.goo.gl/sJw1Dkhi8rCtGzUWA

I suspect that you'll have a lot of disgruntled batsmen if you give those out! The fact that only the bowler appealed says it all really.

Highveld wrote:

Exiled Bear wrote:

Shocker of a decision for the last LBW with the ball hitting outside leg stump and also going down, but fortunately it shouldn't matter.
Having watched the replay at actual speed and frame by Frame, It looks a sound decision.
Pitching on leg and turning enough to take leg.

I also watched it frame by frame and if you line up a piece of paper along leg stump (which you can see a few seconds before) then you can see that it hit Sidebottom comfortably outside the leg stump

Shocker of a decision for the last LBW with the ball hitting outside leg stump and also going down, but fortunately it shouldn't matter.

The forecast doesn't seem to be too bad now actually. There's not much rain on the radar either, but I guess there could be a bit of drizzle around.

Derbyshire v Essex has been abandoned due to a positive Covid case - I assume this means that Essex now can't qualify for Division 1?

This would be a great time for Malan and Sibley to find some form...

Whatever happened to Lamb's legspin?

Is he definitely just a replacement for Carlos? I would have thought that Carlos would be available for the last two group games as that'll be at least two weeks since he tested positive.

OldTimer wrote:

While Sam Hain can be relied upon to get a decent score,his strike rate is too low.Just 86 in the one day games and 127 in t20.He needs to step up a gear,take it up a level.It needs to be 100 and 140 respectively,simple as that really.

That’s the same strike rate as Joe Root!

GerryShedd wrote:

Looks like Danny Briggs may be in for England and out for the Bears, maybe Carse and definitely Stokes for Durham. But Hain misses out.

If that's the case, what does Hain have to do to get an England call-up?!

Will those substitutes have to be from the original 13-man squad? If so we're a bit stuck as OHD and Bresnan are both injured!

This is the problem with scoring so slowly, the opposition are in the game for a lot longer. Even scoring at just 3 an over would have got us to nearly 300 today. I don’t mind scoring slowly if it means we bat the other side out of the game (a bit like we did when we won the second division a couple of years ago) but at the moment we’re not batting for long enough to make it a good tactic. Of course, there is the chance that if we tried to score faster we’d get out faster as well, but I still think we need to try and keep the score ticking over better.

That was very very bad.

That is all.

In fairness, Brathwaite’s bowling has been pretty good but he’s only had one decent innings so far. I think the run out of Rhodes was the turning point as he was looking good.

We look a lot stronger with Lintott in the side.

Yes, I took advantage of this when we played there in 2018, a real treat.

Bald_Reynard wrote:

It will be interesting to see what the squad will be. There were (quite) a few disappointments last night - but particularly, Hose (who hasn't really done it this season - yet) and Norwell. I can't see them dropping Hose, but I would - and bring in Malan, who looked good in his second T20 (and he does give an extra bowling option - untried yet). I would defo drop Norwell - he just doesn't look the part in T20 - this season or last. The back up bowling options are not good though. OHD & Sidebottom have never bowled well in T20 (and their batting doesn't help !). Given what George Garrett did for the Seconds in their T20 Final yesterday (5 for 19 in 3.2 overs), I'd certainly bring him into the squad - and seriously consider him to start. He also has done well batting in the Seconds T20 this season - and played OK for the First's in his two T20 games last year.

I think it's harsh to say that OHD has never bowled well in T20 - he was a key part of the team that won it in 2014!

He hasn’t been playing because he’s injured.