I can understand Garton not being brought on to bowl the final over. He has been hammered in earlier games coming on near the death. If that had happened again last night his confidence would really have been demolished. No, he should have been used in the early overs - 6 off the first was not a bad return - and in doing so would have left a couple of other bowlers with a spare over available. That would have given the captain a choice depending on what was needed. Another alternative it would have given and that would be not to have used Hassan for 4 overs when he was clearly not on form. Is that the problem with Davies, totally inflexible when it comes to a game plan?

It all came down to a partnership we couldn't break until it was too late and then it took a run out. We had a couple of attempts for a six falling just short of the ropes. Can't criticise a defeat off the last ball.

It all came down to a partnership we couldn't break until it was too late and then it took a run out. We had a couple of attempts for a six falling just short of the ropes. Can't criticise a defeat off the last ball.

Well after that slow start that was some partnership that really up the run rate. Then 67 in the final 5 overs with Moeen getting a good knock. But why did he refuse a single in the final over as if his partner was a tail ender.

With some decent bowling we should win this.

37/1 off first 6 - slow start.

Another Starmer "success" story.

I do not think this win was down to poor opposition. Excellent batting by our tailenders created a decent score to defend. The bowling in the main was excellent with what looked like good fielding (dropped catches excepted!). Being one of Moeen's critics I will say his bowling was probably the turning point in the game. His first 2 overs slowed the batsmen down and they never really recovered.

It was such a good win Gerry said it twice!!!!!!!

Agree about Moeen. But Smith has annoyed me. 7 overs for him to show what he can do and yet like the others has simply thrown his wicket away

ITE7376 wrote:

Mo is a concern though, and I'm not sure if his heart is really still in it.

that has been a concern for me ever since his return.

Ever since his return he has looked to me as someone playing out the few years before retirement. I might be wrong but it's how his body language appears to me.
'
s how i

Those extra 3 weeks are when the weather is usually much colder being early April (or is it March) and well in to September. I joined in 1994 and the format then was very spectator friendly in its set up. I resigned a few years ago because of the combination of the changing format and parking problems.

When the 100 novelty wears off, as it will, and viewing figures reduce the TV companies will drop it like a stone. What annoys me is BBC have 4 TV channels so why do they need a game they can slot in between other programmes? BBC4 is not used until 7pm so why don't they have cricket at the week end - the Blast on a Sunday afternoon finishing before 7pm would fit a treat. In the week they could have the 4 day game with limited commentary costing very little. That way the 16.4 could be confined to the WPB allowing more room for the format that has lasted over 100 years.

Administrator - can we please have an up/down tick facility? Posts 17 and 18 made me laugh.

About the game - that hat trick celebration was so great to see - as was said what would he have done if it became 4 in a row.

Not bad in the power play - Bears 60-0 Falcons 41-4.

I eventually made contact at the end of 6th over. Good to see Garton succeed at the end of the innings. A pretty decent score in the end.

Is there a live stream for this game?

Didn't know Airfix made models that had to be on the top shelf - damn another missed opportunity.

GerryShedd wrote:

paulbear wrote:

Nothing I hear from administrators and rule-makers, make me feel any better than I did 10 years ago when some numpty at the ECB was saying that only 50+ people watch the CC then said that we shouldn't have CC at weekends because he wanted to see young people playing cricket not watching - So he said that the youngsters were not watching the CC but we should not have it at weekends because they should be playing in cricket clubs, probably the most stupid contradiction I have ever heard in my life. From then on, I lost face in the ECB. All they are interested in is the same old line about money. Money won't buy success in any sport or else Brazil and Argentina would never win 8 world cup in football, between them. The old line about "Investing in grass roots cricket is what we need...", well, you can have as much money as you like but you need youngsters to WANT to play and not playing it in schools is a massive problem so why not employ ex-players to take it into schools with free equipment paid for by all this money that is made from The Hundread that they say is being made. Also, get more of it on TV, one of the things that got me interested was one day switching on the TV and gradually becoming interested in what was in front of me. You cannot get a young person to become interested in something that they cannot see.

I seem to remember that when I was young, there were several things that I couldn't see that I was interested in - but that's a whole other story and nothing to do with cricket.

Gerry - that's the naughtiest contribution you have ever made - or is that just my naughty mind? Forbidden Fruits was always an attraction!!

Paul - A very interesting view. My interest came from watching test matches in black and white with the camera only at one end of the ground! And of course TMS with the likes of Arlott and Blowers feeding your imagination. What a great idea the ECB funding taking cricket into the state schools using services of ex-cricketers.
If the sport is not played at school, is not advertised extensively and is not seen at home (on TV) then how are youngsters going to get interested in the sport?

On the subject of low crowds it will be interesting to see how the double header affects the gate. Is it increased because Leics and Derbys supporters turn up or is it reduced due to having to pay the increased price. I am assuming Bears supporters can't pay a reduced price by turning up for the 7pm start.

Paul about our discipline - this proves the players read and take notice of the postings here !!!!

It appears it bacame difficult to get the ball away after around14 /15 overs. But at least we got over the line.