They clearly think the pace bowling is our weaker suit as that's now Thompson, Gilchrist and Barker in for 2026.

To be fair we do have very talented young batsmen on the books at present.

Exiled Bear wrote:

We only need four runs per over, why are we trying to smash it around?!

Bazball effect, going to lose this when we really shouldn't.

It was all going so well.....

Can't see that we have any batting back ups so have to stick with those picked.

Hopefully Sylvester has improved since the T20!!

He's really out of form but not sure who else could open (other than Davies, a backward step), and maybe its better to see if he can use this comp to get back into nick.

Highveld wrote:

Interesting that new team names are possible.
The Birmingham City Knights sounds pretty good to me, playing in a Royal Blue and White kit, maybe even the traditional "Penquin" broad white stripe.

With the new Sports Quarter stadium, it would not be a surprise to see some the the games played at the new stadium, especially as Knighthead Capital are part owners of the team.

There's as much chance of that new stadium appearing as there is of Alex Davies captaining England!

Devon_Bear wrote:

Well played young Jani, that is a brilliant 50 in the circumstances

He looks some player!

Not great this. Interesting that 8 of the starting line up played in the last Championship game so hardly a weakened side.

Well done Ethan. Amazingly no mention on the BBC live feed online, probably because they need to mention Surrey every 5 minutes!

I had to look up the answer! Was surprised as he was a great bowler, didn't think he'd scored that many runs. Comes across well on tv by the way.

So we've packed the batting. No Harmer for them is good news.

How long do we have Webster for? Hope whatever that he's back in 2026.

Maybe they want Brookes to get his second century of the match. Anyway, Davies should be relieved of his captaincy duties as soon as this horror show is done with.

Here we go again with the killer 9th wicket partnership.

white-lightning wrote:

How pathetic has today been? Possibly the weakest opponents in the Division and the Bears collapse like a deck of cards. Oh, of course, a great move to get rid of Ethan Brookes! He seems to be getting better and better for the Pears. Personally, I don't think either Westwood or Davies are good enough for a County the size of Warwickshire. We need winners at the top to take the club forward.

Agree on all points but at least we saved the follow on. Well done Kai Smith.

Highveld wrote:

Thank you, good to know I'm not the only person who can see who our main negative factor is.

I agree with you again Highveld. Never a captain in a million years though I think there's a batsman in there once he's removed (hopefully) from the role.

ajones1328 wrote:

What Corey and OHD must think when he's gone to Mousley who just been smacked for two sixes..

We trying to throw the game away here

Beyond a joke now. Dan hasn't bowled well for ages (Blast games). If we don't get the third bowling point its not acceptable.

Mikkyk wrote:

Yet again the game is slipping away from us as we can't get the tail out

We lack any real pace to blow tail enders away, nor imaginative captaincy.

KingofSpain wrote:

Brookes went off injured in a second eleven game a couple of weeks ago but he is not making the first team on form anyway.
A good ton from Gekis got us up to a decent score in the end.

Yes think it's important to remember that for every Ethan Brookes I'd say there's more we've released who aren't up to much at their new counties. Johal, Garrett, H Brookes to name just some.

Andy wrote:

Bethell situation is crazy to me, since that Test series in NZ he's barely played any cricket.

Totally agree and perhaps it explains why when he's parachuted into any of our Blast games he looks so undercooked.