paulbear wrote:

Moeen Ali seems to be in Grant Elliott mode, "Oo, pitch looks good, nice blue sky and ideal for batting. Aaaah, we'll have a bowl". Madness. If we don't end up in a great state in this group, the management need to come up with a better plan. We have made 200+ on so many occasions whilst batting first last season and this and yet you wonder if Moeen has actually done any homework on this and looked at stats. Stats do not tell the whole story of a team but some stats stare you in the face and I am afraid this whole T20 group could get out of hand if we do not realise our strengths and the captain must know this or is not much use as a captain.

Spot on!

Don't understand the team selection or the decision to bowl first. Moeen needs to get out of IPL mode quickly.

Also we were never going to keep winning it just doesn't happen in T20. Derbyshire seem a bit of a bogey team as well.

Brookes doesn't seem to have progressed at all.

Yates somewhat surprisingly!

Guess a lot will depend on the pitch. Mo for Brookes or Barnard also a good option. Think he will play as then the batting is even stronger and we will simply outscore most teams.

Seems a little harsh to pick someone ahead of him who was not even in the original squad. My concern is he ends up neither playing for us or England much more this summer.

Eoin Morgan?

Exiled Bear wrote:

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.

Stirling playing in the Ireland friendly today, what was the point of his deal exactly!? Maxwell for him then I guess.

Same team on Friday I'd suggest with Maxwell and Barnard perhaps replacing Stirling and Woakes for Lancs on Mon 29th.

Is Hassan injured then?

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.