Feels like we're going down a well trodden path here, against Surrey in the past and other teams this season. Expose the tail with the opposition on a low score, only to let them off the hook and lose a potentially match winning position.

GerryShedd wrote:

A bit of a rant by George Dobell in The Cricketer, arguing that Jacob should be back with Warwickshire scoring runs in county matches which at the moment would benefit his career much more than playing one-day cricket for England.

He's referred to England as seeing themselves as the '19th county', i.e. their players are their players, which he uses in a derogatory way and I think that's fair.

I like that from Kai at the end, he went up to Booth and presumably told him he was gonna run no matter what if he hit it. That meant even if Booth was run out, Kai was on strike for the last balls. Clear thinking from a young cricketer.

I think you're giving them too much credit Exiled, I didn't see any management in that run chase!

The 'experienced' players played poor shots and in the inexperienced players seemed inexperienced/pressured.

9 overs, 0-86 for Middlesex today

What was Simmons' injury? Because he's on the pitch fielding

Positives: Jani, Booth aaand that's it

white-lightning wrote:

Once again Mousley scored well, but he seems to have a mental block in trying to reach his first century. Perhaps a bit of sports psychology might help?

Definitely. Mental block, brain fade, whatever you wanna call it, something is happening.

It was really noticeable against Worcester the two balls before he got out he was berating himself and then still played a silly shot the next ball!

You get the feeling it he gets one they could start coming a lot more regularly, the talent is obvious for all to see.

paulbear wrote:

3 hundreds and an 86, so surely that means it's good for batting but scoreboard pressure, etc. We aren't going to win this one so no need for Davies to try and score off every ball, just try and bat and bat and bat......

Definitely opportunities for those who've struggled for runs to get hundreds if they bat sensibly. I'm looking at Davies (out of form) and Mousley (no Warwickshire century) in particular

Is playing for the PCC Select XI today against Pakistan Shaheens. Same game that Hamza Shaikh is playing in

Initial thoughts when seeing the team were I was disappointed that Taz Ali has been dropped, as it's historically been a ground that takes spin.

But having seen the wicket it looks very green!

It's highly unlikely given our general form in the CC this season but we could still win the title!

18 points behind first and still have to play the top two (Surrey and Notts).

We've played some poor cricket at times this year but we've also played some gritty, determined cricket - a la today

Exiled Bear wrote:

Embarrassing celebration from Taylor.

Think someone shouted something from the crowd before he bowled but couldn't hear what was said?

Awful shot from Barnard there - wide, outside off stump with the new ball and he chased it, even though he was hitting to the big boundary

Exiled Bear wrote:

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

I agree. The new ball is their one chance of turning this game back around.

Have to say I'm not sure Worcestershire's captain has had a great game either! Strange to win the toss and bat in gloomy conditions and the forecast was always to have best day of weather on day 4.

And then today the field placings have seemingly all been about stopping runs rather than taking wickets.

New ball has brought about two slips though.

That's a real shame as he's at a key part of his development age-wise, on top of the fact he's just started breaking into the first team.

Is it bad luck all the fast bowler injuries we have or are we doing something wrong?

paulbear wrote:

I love the 'Player Welfare' angle, I do wonder how many of these players who are worried about playing too much, are going to have a good rest when The Hundread is on or are they going to earn good money playing it and then hope to play in many franchise leagues throughout the Winter. A lot of these players also seem to forget that there are so many players who are not considered good enough by their counties, to play an limited-overs cricket and they only get limited chances to play and probably feel like spare parts for much of the season and might feel as though they could get knocked out of form by not playing for long periods.

There are a lot of players are on the English professional circuit who want more games as they want more playing time. That seems to be conveniently not reported when these changes are proposed.

I'm not so sure Measham.

If we lose this game, clearly Worcester catch us up. Essex look like they're on course for a win. Yorkshire and Hampshire look set for draws.

Of course the above is assuming we can't salvage a draw here, but if we do lose we will be within one win of both the bottom two!!

This has gone from poor to embarrassing. The team looks so short of confidence