GerryShedd
Super Moderator
Considering his heroism in batting with his shoulder dislocated and his arm in a sling plus his overall record for England, I think that Chris Woakes deserved better than to be on the receiving end of Rob Key's dismissive remarks. As I understand it, he really needed an operation on his shoulder in order to have a permanent solution; but he opted for physio and other treatment specifically to try to be fit for the Ashes. If he hasn't recovered enough to be fit for the Ashes, that's a shame. But I don't think Rob Key needed to say publicly that he wasn't in England's future plans. He could have said it privately and Chris might then have opted to announce his retirement from international cricket and gone with dignity.
By the way, George Dobell says that Chris might go back to county cricket or go down the franchise route; but he says that: "it is, perhaps, more likely that he moves into coaching and the media."
Andy wrote:
OHD so broken by it all he can't even bring himself to play today!
I don't want to pile in on OHD too strongly because I know he has to represent the views of his members. But his own season's workload has hardly been burdensome. He has played ten four day games plus six one dayers and one t20 (max 47 days). He has bowled 334 overs in the season. Taking a year from the past at random - say, 1951 when Warwickshire won the Championship - Derek Shackleton of Hampshire, a bowler of fairly similar pace to OH-D, played 31 three day matches (max 93 days) and bowled 1171 overs.
Quite a difference!
Yes, Stuart Cain says:
"One positive to come out of this is the desire of those on the Committee to further strengthen links with the Members they serve, and they’ve already discussed a number of initiatives for next season that will hopefully help achieve this.”
Northwalesbear wrote:
Highveld wrote:
Live scores link
https://live.nvplay.com/ecb/?tab=m_summary#m6a91ef02-15b3-4141-b3d7-6febd3d2bc21
If Kai isn't given time in the team, how is he going to improve his keeping? He should be the first choice keeper in all forms of the game.
I agree. I would also point out that Kai has a higher batting average that Davies in the CC this season, but that would be churlish.
Almost as churlish as Alex Davies' comments about Kai's keeping.
Congratulations and thanks to those counties who stood firm and resisted all the pressures from the ECB and the PCA.
No place for Chris Woakes in the Ashes squad.
Preview here:
https://edgbaston.com/fixtures/first-xi/nottinghamshire-vs-warwickshire-24th-september-2025/#match-match-previews
Not much really about the match or the team, mainly Alex Davies talking about Kai Smith. The gist, in relation to his keeping, is that he's been rubbish but he may get better.
For those planning to go to Trent Bridge:
https://www.trentbridge.co.uk/news/2025/september/matchday-guide-2025-county-championship.html
I see the Club are advertising next year's membership by saying: "Prices are frozen, benefits are bigger, and you can be part of it. Be a Bear."
They don't mention that with the reduction in the number of Blast games and the possibility of reduced County Championship matches, there will be actually fewer days of watching the Bears.
If you went to buy a car and the salesman said "we don't know quite what next year's model will be like because the design boys are still working on it. It won't be quite as good as this year's but the price will be the same," you probably wouldn't buy.
Just a mention for our rivals and neighbours Worcestershire - relegated but winner of the One Day Cup with a star performance from Ethan Brookes.
This is obviously a bigger match for Notts than it is for Warwickshire.
In order to be sure of the Championship title, Notts need to score 11 points. So if the match is drawn, they would need at least three bonus points. They would therefore need to score over 350, or bowl Warwickshire) out inside 110 overs.
If they do this, it doesn't matter if Surrey win and get maximum bonus points.
ITE7376 wrote:
Andy wrote:
Can't say much more about the collapse than has already been said, can't defend that. Such a shame as we've batted so well lately in run chases. Thought Lenham bowled pretty well to be fair to the lad.
agreed, he varied his flight nicely, i though at least one of the wickets was as much due to that as it sticking in the pitch
Just looking back on this - announced today that Lenham's contract will not be renewed so we were dumped out of the One Day Cup by a discard.
And today Keith doing his OH-D impersonation by batting for 26 balls for 0 not out to ensure a draw.
Andy wrote:
Frisky eh?!
Interesting, he was never the most mobile or the best in the field, glad to see him still getting a few poles though in the first division.
I had tongue in cheek when I said "frisky".
I spent a couple of hours at Taunton yesterday and, aside from seeing a classy century from Tom Abell, was interested to see Keith Barker in action. He was pretty accurate and economical; but he looked as if he was carrying a fair bit of extra weight and there were some singles taken to him at mid-on without too much risk.
No doubt a winter's training will result in his being his old trim and frisky self come next April.
Play finally called off for the day.
Brian Halford says:
"So sorry to hear of the passing of the great John Jameson.
J.A.Jameson, D.L.Amiss, A.I.Kallicharran, R.B.Kanhai, M.J.K.Smith. Has a better quintet ever played together in county cricket?"
Ex-Bear Chris Wright to retire:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/articles/c5y568vegzvo