GerryShedd
Super Moderator
Lots of interesting stuff in this thread.
The decline of cricket in state schools makes initiatives like Chance to Shine and the South Asian Cricket Academy (SACA) all the more important - ask the Warwickshire bowlers what they think of SACA graduate Kashif Ali.
As for Afro-Caribbean players in UK first class cricket, Sky Sports say that the numbers have declined by 75% in the last 25 years. That is partially down to the disgraceful fact that the Haringey Cricket Academy was allowed to die - see this article:
https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/remembering-haringey-cricket-college-the-charity-behind-a-generation-of-black-cricketers-1285205
Maybe amongst the mourning for the Bears' performance, we should at least give a shout-out to Kashif Ali for two magnificent innings. The Bears' bowling may have been a bit off at times but he took full advantage.
A pretty good day; but could have been even better if it hadn't been for a very poor lbw decision against Ed Barnard and a dozy run out for Jacob Bethell.
Report here:
https://edgbaston.com/fixtures/first-xi/warwickshire-vs-worcestershire-friday-5th-april-2024/#match-match-reports
It says that Liam Norwell is injured - surely not?
The reference to Bob Wyatt and his 900 wickets reminds me that I interviewed him years ago just after his 90th birthday. For some reason, I said to him; "Do you wish you had bowled more?" to which he replied: "I did take over 900 wickets!"
He didn't suffer fools (especially this one) gladly.
Sam Hain not playing "for personal reasons".
Let's hope he's back soon - the batting line-up needs him!
I didn't get the Bears squad quite right in my preview in advance of the announcement but not too far out:
https://deepextracover.com/2024/04/lv-county-championship-division-one-match-preview-warwickshire-v-worcestershire/
A new look for the Museum:
https://edgbaston.com/news/new-2024-displays-unveiled-at-warwickshire-museum/
I feel a bit sad that the ashes of one of the greatest cricketers to play for Warwickshire - Sydney Barnes - have been stuffed into the bell tower outside the museum rather than being part of a proper memorial. But, if it hadn't been for Phil Britt, the curator, they would have been totally lost. They were previously in the pillar of the old Barnes Gate that was demolished in 2010 when the ground development took place. Phil rescued them on the morning when the old boundary wall and the gate were about to be knocked down.
It would seem that Richard Gould doesn't see things in the same way that the Durham Chief Executive does:
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/cricket/2024/04/02/richard-gould-ecb-luddite-members-county-cricket-durham-ceo/
The Chief Executive of Durham labels county members as Luddites:
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/cricket/2024/03/25/luddite-members-killing-county-cricket-durham-ceo/
By my count, there will be nine Bears players involved in the men's version of The Hundred this year and therefore not available to play for Warwickshire for a chunk of July/August.
Andy wrote:
Some absolute gibberish in that article. Sounds like he's completely lost the run of himself in the last couple or so paragraphs.
I agree. Difficult to know if it is Mr Cain or the journalist who is probably transcribing his words from a recorded interview. It certainly doesn't make the best sense.
Just my luck that, on the day that I publish saying that the Club haven't been able to get a loan to build a hotel, they announce that they've got one!
Oh, well, it's an on-line article so I can edit it and no-one will know except Bearsfans.
Here's my preview of the season:
https://deepextracover.com/2024/03/warwickshire-ccc-season-preview-2024/
As usual, (constructive) feedback is welcome!
looking at the videos, there was some dreadful batting by Notts but all credit to the Bears. Also, good to see two young guns (Bethell and Benjamin) putting the Notts bowlers to the sword.
(Bit of a mixed metaphor there, with guns and swords!)
A great start to the season.
....and Liam Norwell is bowling again at last.
Good news.
Thanks for going to so much trouble to put this fixture list together.