Positive change is needed, having a demotivated ex captain is likely to be a negative towards the teams performance, therefore it is logical to leave him out for this one game.
It gives the new leader a clean sheet to influence and guide the team.

There will be at least one change to the team with Chris Rushworth, probably, having played his final game against Essex. I'd also expect Dan Mousley to return. I'd also like to see Kai Smith and Chris Benjamin been given a chance, with Rhodes and Mousley opening the batting and Ed Barnard leading the side.
A batting order of

Rhodes/Mousley/Hain/Barnard/Smith/Benjamin & Burgess is probably the strongest top 7 we can field right now. Obvious if Chris Woakes was available, hed drop in the order at 6 or 7.
For Bowlers, OHD/ Briggs plus 2 others

Change is needed, the above change to the team would be a small step in the right direction.

Surrey win by 7 wickets about 30 minutes before lunch on day 3.

Can Essex claim the extra half hour to finish the game before lunch?

I must remember

"Our opening partnerships have improved vastly."

Strangely Michael Booth bowled 5 overs in the Surrey second innings.

Surrey need 146 to win in just over two days!

@Rayb asked if Davies was on the pitch at the time of the injury, the comentators hadn't mentioned him going off, or a sub coming on, before the injury.
Therefore it was a valid point to raise about the lack of concern shown.
You would expect a, good captain (leader) to show some concern when a key member of his team became injured.
That applies to any workplace, not just the cricket field.

@Rayb, a very good observation.

You would expect a, good captain (leader) to show some concern when a key member of his team became injured.
That applies to any workplace, not just the cricket field.

Must add it to the list of "Forbidden" topics!

Looks like Rushworth is injured.

I'd suggest that Sam takes a total break from cricket for a few months, so his body and mind can be fully rested and repaired for next season.

Perhaps he has reached the stage where he needs a new challenge elsewhere. Going into the same toxic work enviroment everyday would get anyone down.

You sure they will get that many? :-)

I must remember

"Our opening partnerships have improved vastly."

Presumably he had a return flight booked and wasn't able to extend his stay in the uk.

Interestingly both Booth & Lintott played in the second team game today.

Live scores etc link

https://live.nvplay.com/ecb/?tab=m_summary#m96b51fc8-d424-48d5-904e-508ddae1182c

Somerset completed a 7 wicket victory this morning with Will Smeed and Josh Thomas batting through.

Some of the fielding when he was bowling wasn't great, at least two of the fours should have been cut off.

Somerset need another 52 to win, with 7 wickets left, on the final day.
It looks like booth has an injury as he pnly bowled 4 overs in the first innings, and not at all in the second. He did get a good 50 when he batted.

Thought i'd be enviromentally friendly and recycle this thread from last year.

It looks like Amir Khan, who is currently playing with the SACA rather than our 2nd team will not be offered a new contract. He's the only member of the staff not to be included in the first team squad at any stage this season.

I'm not syre who else is out of contract, but hard decisions need to be made about many of the squad.

Like any workplace with toxic leadership people wouldn't want to be there, the current leadership is toxic.