Yes, many players failed today, but over the last 3 seasons, Robinson has accepted consitantly poor performances from many players, in some cases rewarding the failing players with new improved contracts.

Questions need to be asked about the selection of the overseas players, are the club actually searching the entire market, or just getting what is offered by a small group of agents? Our neighbours down the M5 seem to be getting much higher quality, and better performing overseas players, that actually spend more time on the field and contribute more to the side.

There probably, also, needs to be a major rethink about the selection of the T20 side. Ed Barnard was a leading T20 player at Worcestershire for years, will Rhodes is a good all round player, who is a leader and knows how to win games, and, of course, there is the stupidity of not playing the clubs best wicketkeeper, who is also a leading batsman.

60 runs off five overs from our overseas players, plus zero runs from two balls faced. Combined with the top three failing to go on from a reasonable start, left a situation where Sam Hain and Jacob Bethell both needed to play a large innings to secure victory. while Jacob did his part, Sam was out early, leaving an impossible run chase, as there was no support for Jacob.

Also, good to see Sue Redfern umpiring the game today, she really is an excellent umpire.

Bedingham is playing a very high quality innings, which could be a match winning one.

It does seem illogical to deliberately make the side weaker, and reduce the chances of winning, by not using the best available player in a specialist position.

A dropped chance or missed stumping could cost the game, and have financial implications for the club.

however it does seem that under Robinson, mediocrity is preferred and rewarded.

On the positive side, good to see Sam and Jacob get good runs, contributing 55% of the total.

Perhaps it is now time to make changes to improve all aspects of the game, including playing our best wicketkeeper.

The competition has been runnung for a few days, but the highlight so far, and a significant result for the growth of the game was the victory for the USA over Pakistan tonight.

Let us hope we don't find out that the result was influenced by the criminal bookmakers who have influenced Pakistans results and performances before.

Would he even last one day of a championship game?

BristolBear wrote:

Wonder what pictures Benjamin has of Robinson.

It's quite possible several members of the squad have pictures :-)

We will see!

Of course I'd like him to be available for every game for the rest of the season, but that is unlikely.

He'll probably have a reaction, and be off for a few more weeks!

The group stage is, effectively, a qualifyin g competition for the play off games, so the ideal situation is a team goes into the quarter final, and finals day, with a squad that is fit, in good form and knows their strongest team. Therefore, a well coached side, would be trying various combinations of players to be able to play the best side in the knock out stage of the competition.

Part of having the strongest side is ensuring you have the best player in each position, which is why having the best wicket keeper available is important. a dropped catch, or missed stumping, could cost a game and eliminate the side from the competition, which has a financial effect on the entire business.

Perhaps some tickets were sent to Derby and Lancs on a sale or return basis, so they would not be showing as available on the clubs ticketing site?

By leaving out our best wicket keeper we risk losing matches from dropped chances.

If Barnard and Bethell are not selected, we are dependent on Sam Hain succeeding every game, I wouldn't want to put that pressure on any player, especially one who has missed part of the season.

If he's available, I'd keep Rae for the rest of the season. He performed well, on a wicket not suited for his bowling, and he contributed in the field.

Very pleased to see Jacob Bethell have a good game, making a big contribution with both bat and ball. He is a player we need to persevere with and allow to develop to his full potential.

The loss of form from Danny Briggs is concerning, hopefully he is given the support and coaching needed to return to his previous performance levels.

They didn't!

142 all out, of the specialist batsmen, only Kai Smith and Sinel Gunarathne got into double figures.

It is interesting that over the past weekend both Andy Umeed and Tom Banton made good scores for Somerset, and Ed Pollock and Ethan Brookes have been doing well for Worcestershire 2nds.

Perhaps the issue isn't the coaching, but the choose of players that are kept and released. There are too many examples of players with mediocre, at best, performances been given extended contracts that their performances did not deserve.

It could be argued that Sam is a specialist short leg fielder, but after this injury, you have to wonder if he still wants to field there.

I hope he does have the full cap, it is totally deserved, a good person and an excellent signing.

He was wearing a yellow bear on his cap when interviewed by the club about his vice captaincy, and there are no stories about him getting his cap.