Exiled Bear wrote:

Really sad to see Woakes head off the field with what looks like a dislocated shoulder just now. Really hope that isn’t the end of his test career.

It's been confirmed that he will play no further part in the Test.

A disappointing result:
https://live.nvplay.com/ecb/?tab=m_scorecard#maaf759a7-331f-4368-bd2b-7ddb250c3311

This is a bit of an admission from the ECB:
https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2025/jul/31/ecb-admits-no-evidence-the-hundred-attracted-new-fans-cricket
When The Hundred was launched, much was made of it being a way into other forms of cricket.

Let's hope that Ed doesn't let OH-D down by getting out in the morning.

Congratulations to Ethan Bamber on a maiden hundred.

The latest edition of The Cricketer suggests that when Chris Rushworth's contract ends in September, he won't be offered another. It also suggests that OH-D "may be phased out." I hope that, if OH-D does go, he will be given the kind of send-off appropriate for one who has done so much for the Club - "phased out" doesn't seem right.

Devon_Bear wrote:

I wonder what the odds are on Bamber making a century this afternoon?

Better than Mousley's chances.

What the list shows is how much more Test cricket is played now. All the great all-rounders of the 20th century and earlier such as Trevor Bailey, Tony Greig, Wilfred Rhodes, Wally Hammond etc. never played enough matches to achieve the feat.

This might just be Chris Woakes's last chance to reach the landmark - I can't see him being picked for the Australia tour.
As to the answer to the question, there is one other Bear plus Stokes, Flintoff, Botham and one other!

Highveld wrote:

It is impossible to decide a stumping decision from the angle of the camera used for thr live stream, Essex do not appear to have side on cameras. Therefore you have to accept the decision of the professional umpire, who was in the best, side on, position.

Even in recreational cricket, the umpires get things right most of the time, and usually make less mistakes in the game than the players,

As has been said to me when I may (perhaps) have questioned a decision against me: "Look in the scorebook".

I thought we might see Davies dancing down the pitch at the very end of the day and being stumped by a mile, which would have incurred the wrath of at least one poster on here. It wasn't like that and looked maybe like a poor umpiring decision.
When it comes to outrageous stumpings, I am reminded of the late Robin Marlar who played in a match against Surrey and was sent in as nightwatchman. The result - stumped second ball for six! The Times described him as "the least watchful of watchmen."

My main take, looking at the averages, was what a poor season OH-D is having. Are his PCA duties taking their toll or is age (36 now) creeping up on him - or, hopefully, is this just a blip?

Highveld wrote:

Also Charlie Taylor, and they are continuing with the experiemnt of Lintott as an opening batsman!

Lintott as opening batter and captain -surely he couldn't replace another opening batter and captain?!

I see that Booth is in the team - that's good news.

Came second in the Final but a good effort.

Inside-edge wrote:

Bears women are in the Women’s Blast final having just won their semi-final.

They play Surrey women at 4:30pm at the Oval.

Being shown on Sky Sports Mix.

Yes, well done to them for the semi-finalwin and especially to Issy Wong - a half century and four wickets.

The Cricketer says:
A two-thirds consensus has been reached on a reduction of games in the Men's T20 Blast for next season and beyond. The expectation is that by shrinking the group stage from 14 to 12 games per county, losing one home match each, the competition will become more wedded to certain days, with the hope of creating a product that is easier for spectators to follow.
A return to the regionalised groups, which existed for the Blast's first seven years until 2010, would see Northamptonshire, Warwickshire and Worcestershire from the existing North Group, and Somerset, Gloucestershire and Glamorgan from the existing South Group merge to form what was formerly known as the Midlands/Wales/West Division.
it is likely that T20 Blast Finals Day, which has flitted through the competition's lifespan between mid-season and the end of the campaign, is set to revert to mid-July, so as to play out the entire tournament before The Hundred.
The future shape of the County Championship, though, remains less certain. There are 10 counties that are believed to have agreed to a 12-game model, with a 12-team top division, split across two pools. At least 12, though, are required in order to affect change. One county are understood to be considering abstaining; it is very possible that the Championship will remain in its current structure.

Has there been any confirmation of this from the Club or elsewhere? Not doubting Andy's post but it's something the Club should be telling us.

He should be fine for the One Day Cup he's bowling again in the Birmingham League.

A great result and good to read all the positive comments on here.