It was a fantastic game of cricket, and would've been even had we lost, and a fantastic win.

Also fair play to Durham/Alex Lees for the declaration which led to the excitement (take note Sussex).

However we shouldn't be going over the top with where we will end up this season. We still have some glaring deficiencies, being an inexperienced batting lineup and a middling bowling unit that struggle to bowl teams out (we won without taking 20 wickets). I'm not sure that Durham bowling unit was that great and they didn't have one of their four seamers available for most the second innings. Also perhaps a mistake on their part to not pick a spinner.

Clearly we have exciting times ahead with such a young team and in 3-4 years could have a fantastic team but I think there will be a lot of ups and downs before then and this season should still be aiming for mid table consolation and getting experience into the young lads.

On par with Kent at home a couple of years ago for an exciting win

I've not managed to watch any of today - is the pitch deteriorating or is a decent total chaseable?

Highveld wrote:

The big question for today is will we avoid the follow on?

Both dismissals so far were poor shots. Yet again it is down to Sam Hain and Ed Barnard to rescue the team.

Yates is still in??

paulbear wrote:

From 174-2, we will take 249-7, well done bowlers, now lets get rid of this tail which has been a problem for a few seasons.

Yep - at 234-7 we're in a potential winning position. If that slips away then the win disappears and this is why we haven't won many CC games in the last couple of years

Is Fernando a dud?

Simmons didn't bowl in the second innings on the second XI game - perhaps he comes in for Booth?

Well we're gonna be heavily reliant on homegrown seamers as Rushworth, Woakes, Miles and possibly OHD don't have many games left between them!

I think there is an even bigger Burgess shaped hole in the batting lineup. For someone so inexperienced Smith has a lot to do to fill that hole.

Dry weather recently could mean a bat friendly wicket.

Good news - hopefully he becomes a regular in the 4 day side this year

Josh Cobb to become our academy batting coach:

Cobb quits playing to become Bears academy coach
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/articles/clyjp1p8wq8o

Josh Cobb to become our academy batting coach:

Cobb quits playing to become Bears academy coach
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/articles/clyjp1p8wq8o

Making the most of our overseas slots this season!

GerryShedd wrote:

According to Cricinfo::
"Warwickshire's head coach, Mark Robinson, said they had been in contact with the PCB about securing the player, who is no longer centrally contracted, for an unbroken spell.
Robinson said: "His call-up last May came out of the blue and took Hasan away from our County Championship start. We've had reassurances this year from the PCB that Hasan will be able to focus on the Bears which is great news."

That would be great if it came from anyone other than the PCB! Change their mind more than a weather vane!

In theory having him until the end of the season is a bonus.

In reality he will probably be injured or messed around by Pakistan. I wouldn't say he's on the slide, we just didn't get good value out of him.

That's a massive blow. He's saved/won aot of games in his time here

All we can do now is thank him for his service.

34 overs in and Miles hasn't bowled, any reason? Or just lack of faith from management and captain

Surely the end of the road for Robinson and probably others in the coaching staff

Oh dear

What a fabulous innings from Smith