Always far too expensive a bowler to my mind. A lot of long hops and boundary balls. I'd prefer Brookes myself who has also played more cricket this season so far.

The Ireland test isn't until June 1st surely Woakes will be available but this is the ECB so who knows.

Highveld wrote:

I am saying nothing!

Fair play especially with the other opener out last ball of the day haha

Mikkyk wrote:

0-1. Yates for a diamond

I expect a certain poster to be commenting on this very soon!

Looks like Hassan for Woakes as only change.

Benjamin and Miles as squad fillers.

Agree about Rhodes. This game will very much depend on whether Hants have any decent bowlers beyond their opening pair.

Strutters indeed, sending out bowlers to knock off the runs......but we were well beaten sadly.

Exiled Bear wrote:

I think a result is still possible, but it will involve making Kent follow on

Very likely now, some impressive and aggressive cricket today.

Good to see 3 different centurions in first 2 games this season.

Bald_Reynard wrote:

13 man squad - Woakesy in for Brookes:-
Yates
Davies
Hain
Rhodes
Barnard
Woakes
Burgess
Bethell
Rushworth
Ali
OHD
Mousley
Benjamin

I guess Mousley and Benjamin will be missing out?

I'm not so sure.....how many right arm medium pacers does one side need !? Woakes for Rushworth I'd guess.

coolerking wrote:

An excellent day yesterday. Polished off Somerset quickly and very solid with the bat. Davies batted beautifully for his ton although got out to a terrible shot. Theoretically we could bomb on this morning and set Somerset a tempter this afternoon but I just don't see that happening. Let the batters get some time in the middle and then a gentle-ish workout for the bowlers later on.

Tempting them to do what? We have another innings to spare.

I think the following potential line up has a lot of bowling options (8 at a push) and bat down to 8 so fairly optimistic:

Yates
Davies
Rhodes
Hain
Mousley
Bethell
Burgess
Barnard
Rushworth
Ali
OHD

LeicesterExile wrote:

Not sure I agree with awarding points for 450 runs - will it encourage more "slog" batting when we could do with batsmen being encourage to "build" an innings for the benefit of the test match team

Don't think England are into innings building any longer!

For perspective the Robinson who was also there when we won the title 12 months ago. Guess we all need to ask why the change from then, is it the other coaching staff, bad luck with injuries or the poor overseas and domestic recruitment.

Weather is fine for tomorrow its Friday that's the wash out.

Is it not 2 bonus points and a win as that would put us level but we'd have won one more game than them?

Yep I expect both Somerset and Glos to roll over comfortably, not that I can see us winning anyway.

Big if but to stay up we need to score much quicker than normal and try and get over 400 in our first innings, maybe Hants will be less motivated now they can't win the titie. Straw clutching I know!

I haven't rated Davies much this season but surely his 60 in second innings was a worthwhile contribution or have you conveniently forgotten that?

This is all going to be about whether its us or Kent who are the least bad I think.