Hardly an upbeat preview here:
https://edgbaston.com/fixtures/first-xi/warwickshire-vs-essex-tuesday-17th-september-2024/#match-match-previews

I agree with pretty well all of the above.
It was very moving when James Bracey placed the trophy in the hands of David 'Syd' Lawrence, their ex-fast bowler, who is sadly suffering from motor neurone disease:
https://cricket.one/match-hub/watch-james-bracey-honours-david-lawrence-in-tearful-eyes-as-gloucestershire-win-t20-blast/66e68cf8ac94d32b0f021a08

He's only played six games out of 12; but I do think his credentials as a red ball bowler are extremely dubious.

Gloucestershire were very worthy winners. They peaked at the right time, winning their last five matches in the competition.

It's a bit of a worry that Rhodes is going and we may see less of Bethell and Mousley because of England commitments. Hopefully this will offer more opportunities for the likes of Hamza Shaikh and Kai Smith.

Match drawn.

Notts and Lancashire have both lost so if we can hold on for a draw, it will be a good result.

Not much joy for Jacob on his England debut - 0-28 off three overs and out for 2. Things can only get better (hopefully).

We can take a little comfort from the fact that Lancashire, Notts and Kent look unlikely to get much from their current matches.

I agree about what we ideally need. Letting Olly Stone go was a tricky decision. I've always had a soft spot for him because I interviewed him when he first joined and he came across as a lovely guy, grateful to be signed even though he was injured. But he had such a track record of injuries thereafter that I could understand why he was let go.
As for the Parkinson brothers, I don't think either of them would solve our problems. Matt is averaging over 50 per wicket this season and Callum has a career bowling average of over 40. If only we could find another Jeetan Patel!

BristolBear wrote:

Yesterday summed up our bowling season in a single day.
Let them off the hook massively. Going to end up getting at least 100 runs more than they should.
Just as in the rest of the season, it was obvious we needed someone with that extra yard of pace to be the point of difference as a partnership breaker and for mopping up the tail. Or a more attacking spinner who can bowl teams out in the 4th innings but also has the flight and guile to get early innings wickets even when the pitch isn’t offering much.

If there's anyone out there who can wave a wand and deliver this, can they also make me six inches taller and fifty years younger - thanks.

Mark Robinson says on the Bears website:
“Moeen has still got a lot to give the game and a lot to give the Bears in white ball cricket. He’s been a great influence in the Bears camp since his return to Edgbaston. There’s no better player for our young guys to learn from. As a Club we congratulate him on everything he’s achieved and hope he can have the best of his remaining playing years with the Bears.”

So Booth and Lintott miss out.

Not being able to see into his mind, I have no idea how personally committed and engaged he has been. He did finish second in both the batting and bowling averages for the Bears in the Blast this year.
I, too, wish him well.

Moeen has announced his retirement from England. But it doesn't seem likely that he'll be playing for the Bears. In hias retirement interview, he says about the future:
"A bit of franchise cricket, because I still love playing. But coaching is something I want to do — I want to be one of the best. "

Looks like he's had an operation in this country and is receiving physio at Edgbaston:
https://edgbaston.com/news/hassan-ali-ill-be-cheering-with-bears-fans-on-quarter-final-night/

I see that Jacob is in the Melbourne Renegades squad for the Big Bash in December/January.

Graham Smith sums up this round of matches:
https://deepextracover.com/2024/09/week-12-vitality-county-championship-review/

Unexpected win for Worcestershire today - but the table looks a lot better than it did before this round of matches:
https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/county-championship-division-one-2024-1410191/points-table-standings

Good news that, in the profile on the Club website, Olly says:
“I’m by no means thinking of retiring in the next year or two. Hopefully there are lots more wickets to come. I’m loving playing, loving running in at Edgbaston so want to do it for many more years.”