Solbear
Member
A very fair and balanced assessment of the season, as ever, GS - Kylie notwithstanding!
In terms of an OSP next year, I heard good things about Anderson Phillip, who played a couple games for Lancs at the end of the season, with some success (..though obviously not enough for them to stave off relegation!). Essentially a quickish bowler, he can bat a bit too, apparently had a great attitude and would hopefully be available for the entire, or at least the majority of the season.
Inspection at midday at Trent Bridge; and no play before lunch at New Road. Be surprised if there are too many results in this rather soggy round of matches!
Totally agree GS, Robinson should hang his head in shame if the primary reason for Will’s departure is his unwillingness to at least give him a chance in the T20 side. Mentioning no names, there was a seemingly pig headed insistence on giving certain others an extended run, with little or no success. Will, by contrast, had the potential to contribute with bat and ball, so why he wasn’t given a chance beggars belief.
Sadly, it’s too late now but we need to be careful that Ed Barnard doesn’t lose heart and follow suit.
Very interesting article in the Cricketer online today written by George Dobell. It confirms that a review of the playing and coaching staff will commence very soon - earlier than the usual end of season review - with Robinson’s position said to be ‘under threat’. Suggests that there are issues between him and some players, as many have alluded to, and goes onto say that Larsen’s position may also be under question, albeit he will be leading the initial review.
Could be an interesting few weeks and months ahead!
Agree with all of the above- abysmal and depressing. I hope this proves to be the catalyst for much change, starting of course with our so called leadership team.
We deserve to be relegated but Lancs look as if they’re even worse so look likely to go down with Kent.
Totally agree GS, absolutely gutted that Will’s leaving for pastures new. Big boots to fill.
Congratulations to Rob and Hamza for their selection, but not only does it mean they will be missing for the Notts match but also the QF. In addition, the semi final, if we get there, is the day after the four day SL match ends.
Meanwhile, those involved in the 16.4 are, I believe, exempt from selection. Great work once again by the ECB...
According to Cricinfo, Gay is destined for Durham rather than Edgbaston:
https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/emilio-gay-depart-northants-set-for-durham-1445649
The performance of Ed Barnard makes his consistent ommission from the T20 team all the more unfathamable. I can only assume that Benjamin kept his place as back-up wicketkeeper to Davies, who was carrying an injury towards the end of the group matches, but otherwise it would have made no sense at all to select him over Barnard.
Going off-piste slightly, I have read a couple of articles suggesting that Will Rhodes is moving back to Yorkshire next season. I do hope that doesn't happen - he always strikes me as someone who gives 100% and is someone else I don't feel he's been particularly well treated by Mark Robinson, particularly since he resigned as Captain.
Apparently, Moeen will be making his first appearance for the Bears against the Pears....
Fabulous innings by Sam Hain - he looked in the groove from the word go. Briggs and Garton impressive with the ball but conversely, I thought some of our bowling and fielding was sloppy at times. Benjamin's wicket keeping was pretty unimpressive too; hopefully we won't have to rely on him tomorrow.
Suspect we didn't fancy the risk of chasing a target on a wearing pitch against Harmer so not surprised we didn't enforce the follow-on.
Great effort today - like the look of both Simmons (what a debut!) and Rae, who seems to have a good attitude as much as anything else.
Thanks for that Lickey, quite a few names I wasn't familiar with in the Bears team, although hardly surprising given our injury list I suppose! Interesting also to note that George Maddy appears to be keeping wicket for Notts.
Well, Hassan did get a game today but with figures of 3-0-42-0, perhaps he'll be back in our ranks fairly soon!
Highveld wrote:
Link for live scores etc https://live.nvplay.com/ecb/?tab=m_summary#m0796bd99-4803-485f-bad9-37ab9ec70506
Anyone else find it concerning that Sam Hain is missing the fourth game in a row?
Agreed Highveld, Sam Hain's continued absence is a real worry. I'd assumed he would be playing in this game given that he turned out for the seconds earlier in the week but clearly not. Wishing him well, whatever the issue is.
Great to see that Sam Hain is in the team for the delayed match against Lancs; hopefully a positive sign that he may be back in action for the first team soon ... although if the top three keep going the way they are his presence may not be necessary! Interesting too to see that two Flintoffs are playing for Lancs:
https://live.nvplay.com/ecb/?tab=m_summary#m95fcca02-3916-4fad-bd22-aa9c50cf3edf
Don't think Pope played for Renegades so perhaps not him anyway!
Kane Richardson played for the Renegades and I don't think is involved in the IPL - could it be him? There was talk of a second bowler being lined up, subject to clearance.
I agree that Briggs ought to be left out of the red ball team. Sadly, I don't think his place can be justified and the fact that Yates is bowling far more than he is suggests that Davies doesn't have much confidence either. Perhaps he has a future still in white ball, but I'm not convinced by his red ball credentials and I'd suggest we focus on the likes of Yates, Bethell and Mousley, although I too would like to see Lintott given a chance too.
One other option might be to see if either Hartley or Bashir could come on loan; neither are getting a game at Lancs or Somerset at the moment, despite their efforts in the Indian Tests.
We were lucky to come out of that with a draw - definitely second best in every department I'm afraid. Our bowling looked largely toothless and Briggs in particular bowled poorly yesterday; I know he would have been rusty buy bowling 7 wides didn't help.
Not for the first time, we seemingly have no plan B when it comes to an OSP, and although I know the IPL and T20 merry go round does restrict options, Worcs seem to have pulled off two excellent signings so why have we been left wanting? I don't think Michael Booth is classified as overseas, or at least Playfair doesn't have him listed as an overseas player.
Don't know what the issue is with Sam Hain but whatever it is, I am sure we all wish him well and hope he can return to the ranks at the very earliest opportunity.