Highveld
Member
He was a free agent at the end of the season, Worcestershire made a better offer.
He'll be working under coaches that he worked with as a junior, so they will beleive in his ability.
Outground cricket can be wonderful, but the question is will the income generated from playing at an outground even cover the costs of staging the game.
Remember we have one of the best grounds in the country, that has fixed operating costs even if it is not used. Is it financially sensible to use a ground elsewhere, with all the additional costs involved, if that involves the club making a significant financial loss?
It was a game in the U18's chmpionship, the Worcestershire report is here
ECB regulations state that games should be played within the county, or at a venue with established links.
Kidderminster and Stourbridge are both in Worcestershire, so are not viable options, likewise I can't see Derbyshire agreeing to Warwickshire use their ground in Derby.
The only ground in Worcestershire that Warwickshire could legitimately use would be Barnt Green, which is a wonderful club ground, one of my favourites, and has an excellent wicket, however it does not have the facilities needed to host a first class or list A game.
It is a decision based on the financial realities of hosting a game at a club ground. It costs a lot more to host a game on an outground, as addiditional temporary facilities and equipment will need to be hired.
It would be totally illogical to host a game elsewhere when the result would be a significant financial loss.
For the record, the last first class game at Grif and Coton was 35 years ago, and the last multi day 2nd team game 25 years ago.
Nuneaton CC is barely adequate in terms of facilities for club cricket, so is not sutable for first class or list A games.
The outfield at Stratford is very rutted and undulating so is not suitable. Also where do the spectators park?
The groundsman has changed at Cov & Nw and the pitches are currently very slow and have variable bounce.
Rugby School has no spectator facilities and the ground at Kenilworth CC is too small and they do not even hold county age group games.
The ECB have recently introduced new regulations about the quality of grounds and the facilies on the ground, including the size of changing and media areas,
Sadly, without massive costs, and local authority agreement, there is not currently a suitable club, or school, ground in the county.
I enjoy outground cricket, and have been to about 15 grounds over the years, however times and requirements change.
Continuing the discussion from the Middlesex game thread.
Which grounds in the county to people suggest would be viable for a first team ground away from edgbaston? Remember that the ground needs to have a high quality wicket and outfield, hav space for spectators, catering and parking, plus meet the ECB regulations for facilities.
for various reasons the outgrounds used most recently fail to meet the criteria in at least one way, eg Stratford the outfield is too badly undulating after several flodings to be acceptable for First team cricket.
Michael has been at Durham Uni for the last few years, so wasn't available to play domestic cricket in South Africa.
I'd expect Kai Smith to be in the side for the first few games, he did pretty well last season and had a good score for the second team last week.
A lot of the problems this season have been caused by the poor starts from the opening batsmen, with very very few exceptions.
However their mediocraty was rewarded by giving them full county caps when they were not deserved.
I think the exceptionally good international umpire was not being 100% serious.
I feel it was out, but appreciate that alternative views also have merit.
There was a lot of dicussion in an online umpires group, which contains several national panel and interntional umpires. there was a slight concencus towards out, however a lot depends on the actual timing of the contact etc, and remember the umpires have one view of any incident, at full speed. It's easy to make decisions with multiple replays and angles.
Unfortunately there isn't a suitable ground in the county that would be financially viable without a comercial backer to cover the costs.
There are some very good club cricket grounds in the county, but they do not have the space needed for the number of spectators, the catering and other facilities and parking needed for a First class or list A game.
If anyone wants to sample outground cricket, Warwickshire are playing a game, v Shopshire, at Shrewsbury CC on Saturday July 30th.
I remember there were very few facilities or seats, apart from the pavillion from when I umpired there, & even for a club game the car parking was very limited.
How many cricketing I Mohammed's are there?
This is the scorecard for the U18's game in Wales, which started on Monday https://live.nvplay.com/ecb/?tab=m_scorecard#m3eaa125a-4399-4d49-ac28-79b2a84c5949
"Academy All Rounder, Isaac Mohammed, who scored a double century earlier in the week, for Warwickshire Under 18's, is in the SACA team."
That may not be the case as he bowled 6 overs for the U18's in Abergavenny this morning.
There would be almost zero return on the investment.
I'd be surpised if any county was making significant investment in developing outgrounds,
One the subject of outgrounds, Rugby School has zero facilities for spectators, Nuneaton has even less facilities, the outfield at Stratford is not fit for first class or list a cricket and facilities and Cov & NW are not good.
Sadly there isn't a club, or school ground in the county that would be suitable to host a first class or list a game.
Live scores link https://live.nvplay.com/ecb/?tab=m_summary#m04e0bf5c-5e44-4050-8b00-6fb93a3c68eb
Sam has a significant hamstring injury, it's possible that he was able to play a 20 over game, but is still not fit enough to be risked over 4 days.
The obvious selection would be to leave Lintott, who is not a good red ball bowler out from the 12, which will give us a very strong batting line up.