whitelightning wrote:

I thought Thompson was supposed to be a strong T20 bowler?

I remember him being taken apart in a T20 game against us either last year or the year before so never had high hopes for him as a T20 bowler

Andy wrote:

Booth would only be able to play if Webster or Tariq don't?

I could be wrong but I thought last year was his last year as an overseas and this year he counts as a domestic player. My guess is he's still injured following limping off in the Yorkshire game.

ITE7376 wrote:

Mikkyk wrote:

I agree that this is our weakest team for a few years. Briggs is a huge loss and I can't see Tariq or Taz (yet) making the impact that he did. Also lost Moeen, who did contribute at times. As you say take out Mousley and Gleeson and that's four of the starting XI from last season gone. No Bethell either.

The two overseas are going to have to go very well for us to make an impact on the competition this year.

My guess at the XI - Yates, Davies, Hain, Barnard, Jani, Smith, Garton, Thompson, Woakes, Ali, Tariq.

If Garton isn't fit then I would expect OHD to be the seamer and everyone else shuffle up the order. Or perhaps OHD plays anyway and one of Smith/Jani drops out.

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No Bethell either. oh jeez I'd forgotten that.

Also lost Moeen, who did contribute at times.
as hit and miss as his batting was I feel like his contributions with the ball will be missed much more. having that genuine spin option batting in the top 5 and being able to bowl minimum 12 overs of 'proper' spin is an invaluable option.

I think Tariq will do pretty well, i imagine he'll be tight or even very tight but he won't offer the wicket-taking threat, breaking of key partnerships and taking key wickets, that Briggs did. His weird action and only short spells to work him out will keep him difficult for people to get used to. hopefully.

pretty much as you say I think Briggs will be the one who is most missed, though.

jani over (say) Shaikh or Malik is an interesting one- out of interest what's your reasoning there?

Jani has shown more in the 50 over stuff in terms of ability to score quickly/hit big and his form in the seconds has been better than Shaikh's. I don't see Malik as a T20 batsman.

whitelightning wrote:

You missed out Webster. Briggs will be a huge miss this season in the T20. Feels like the fast bowler attack looks stronger than it has, but we are a solid batter short. Really annoying some of the the pointless fixtures that always seem to rob us of key players. Surely, the players would benefit far more developing and playing with their counties.

Sorry yes I did. Webster over Smith probably

I agree that this is our weakest team for a few years. Briggs is a huge loss and I can't see Tariq or Taz (yet) making the impact that he did. Also lost Moeen, who did contribute at times. As you say take out Mousley and Gleeson and that's four of the starting XI from last season gone. No Bethell either.

The two overseas are going to have to go very well for us to make an impact on the competition this year.

My guess at the XI - Yates, Davies, Hain, Barnard, Jani, Smith, Garton, Thompson, Woakes, Ali, Tariq.

If Garton isn't fit then I would expect OHD to be the seamer and everyone else shuffle up the order. Or perhaps OHD plays anyway and one of Smith/Jani drops out.

Very much suggests they are 'managing' Woakes by not playing him in the CC with a view to him being in the T20 side.

Good to see Shaikh get a score as has been struggling for runs a little.

Andy wrote:

If RCB make the final he'll play that then line up for England in the 1st Test four days later.

Archer is being 'rested' for the first test due to playing in the IPL. That's a separate conversation but I'm surprised Bethell is a shoo-in given the scenario.

Andy wrote:

Mikkyk wrote:

Could Zak Crawley be a long term solution for us at the top of the order?

Seems to have lost his way at Kent after England and might want a change of scenery and/or division one cricket. That would solve the Davies problem and allow him to bat lower down the order.

Banter?

No. Hameed lost his form after being dropped by England, moved counties and is now flourishing

Could Zak Crawley be a long term solution for us at the top of the order?

Seems to have lost his way at Kent after England and might want a change of scenery and/or division one cricket. That would solve the Davies problem and allow him to bat lower down the order.

After the Essex game I (greedily) asked for an emphatic victory for once and boy did they deliver. I'm gonna greedily ask for me while the team must be high of confidence, and if a couple of batsmen can find form we'll be a complete outfit.

Notts will overtake us and Surrey will be just behind but this is a fantastic position to be in at this stage given we've already played both of them.

Let's hope the weather holds for next week's game and if we win that then we are serious title contenders.

No Booth in the field this morning. It did look concerning when he limped off so really hope it's nothing too serious.

It has just started to hammer it down. Let's hope the forecast is correct and it stops around 11. I doubt we'll start on time but hopefully should be able to start not too long after, and in very favourable bowling conditions!

GerryShedd wrote:

In his report, George Dobell points out that Warwickshire's highest margin of victory, in terms of runs, is 378 which they inflicted upon Northants at Edgbaston in 1927.

I googled this earlier when I was at the ground and the AI mode told me it was a game Vs Worcestershire in 2022, which I couldn't remember. I said I'd look it up when home.

Now the same Google AI mode is saying the Northamptonshire game, perhaps picking it up from George's report.

I've looked for the Worcestershire game from 2022 and Warwickshire didn't even play them in the CC that year!

I understand why the declaration was when it was. They obviously felt the wicket was very good while batting, we've seen how it can flatten out on day 4 and Brook/Bairstow have the potential to chase quickly. Quite close up until tea they would still have been chasing at less than 4 an over.

Also just watched the Revis edge delivery back and very much looks like a nick. Both these two should be out

What an all round disaster. Dropped Brook and two fielders off injured. Could be a crucial moment we look back on at the end of the game

Surely even with his ego he can accept that he's struggling big time right now and that dropping down the order is better than being dropped completely?

There has to be a question of why Yates & Mousley haven't developed as expected. Both, in their own distinct ways, clearly have talent.

Gilchrist bowled 20 overs in the seconds with figures of 0-102. Given he's not really pulled up any trees in the first XI it seems he's being left out on form. The other two you would suspect have to be fitness related omissions.

I expect Simmons to be the one to miss out.

Forecast is getting worse for tomorrow each time I look at it