I never bother with the commentary - but I do like your descriptions on here - ghastly and commentary by numbers - classic

BosworthBear wrote:

Very impressed with Taz’s bowling at what seemed like the key stage of the innings. He could be v useful in the 3 games on this pitch!

He does look good and he has broken the 5th wicket partnership with a cracker.

Highveld wrote:

One day cup averages after game 1

https://countycrickethub.net/team-averages.html?teamid=16&comp=2&year=2025

So your favourite opening batsman is second in the averages!!!!!!!

12-4! Has anyone told them we are supposed to bat for 50 overs?!! As Yorks elected to field it can't be a good batting track.

Should have gone back to sleep to find out.!!

another 9 quick wickets before tea and we could win this game !!!!

May be an awakening at the ECB but I won't hold my breath. To attract people to other formats of the game there needs to be a structured fixture programme and the game needs to be played in the leisure time of those supporters you are trying to attract.

When you look at the Hundread people see a fixed slot in August played at a time when parent and child can go and watch.
That same principle should apply to Blast and County Cricket. The game needs to be played when Parent and child are able to attend. Clubs will know what times suits there crowd but it could be the Blast is played on a Friday evening and/or over the weekend. The c/c should have at least one day played at the weekend. In addition cricket should always be played on public holidays. Add in to the mix publicity on the same scale as the Hundread and I am sure numbers will rise.

Only need 452 to avoid the follow on. Easy really!

Be interesting to read Highveld's take on the first day especially from 10.30am!!!!

I remember many years ago some test captain 9can't remember name) saying if you win the toss and it looks like a good track to bowl on think about doing just that and then bat first!! This looks like one of those moments unless Davies is looking ahead to day 4 !

Won toss and elected to bowl.

I missed the afternoon session but watching after the tea interval I agree,Paulbear, Malik was playing a very mature innings quite happy to just take the runs available and keeping the ball on the ground. In fact in facing 222 balls only 18 boundaries were scored.

No way should Malik and Smith be dropped. The opening pair had a shocker of a game but I don't know who you would pick to open the innings and, of course, they could possibly come good and get a good start for the team.

Yet another example of the attraction of the four day format. At tea on the final day all results were possible.

Exiled Bear wrote:

To be fair I can see the advantage of trying to get as many runs as possible before the new ball.

Good point - although as it turned out not needed - some excellent batting.

Excellent innings and excellent partnership but why not simply carry on getting ones and twos. Hopefully all is not lost and we can still get over the line.

ITE7376 wrote:

I'm in the minority, I actually like Finals Day being somewhat later as I hate being in the sun all day and actually quite like watching cricket in cool weather.

It seems to produce relatively low-scoring games, too (again I am probably in the minority, I really enjoy nip and tuck T20 where the bowlers have a fair chance and batters need to think and work hard for their runs)

Seems to me you should give up cricket and watch rugby instead!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I do agree though with your second paragraph.

In fairness to Yates how much does taking a break mid season affect your form? The T20 block with Latham opening effectively retired Yates for a few weeks. Batting right down the order in a 20 over innings is no way to keep the form required of an opener. Herein lies the problem of playing cricket in blocks.
I am not going to join in the criticism of Davies I'll leave that to those who see the game from the ground rather than a laptop.

Well that didn't take long - 9 left to save the match.

I'd like to think the batting conditions are perfect - it's the bowling that's brilliant!!!!!