Interesting to see Glamorgan lost in what looked like a great finish in their game too. After what seems like weeks looking at the table and wondering what's what there's still an awful lot TBD. I'm not even sure if we play the third team in our group or the other if, as seems likey, we finish second. Could be a home quarter against Leicester?

Benjamin, Kai Smith and now Duke have all looked OK though, I don't think it's universally hard to bat on. Just saw one a few moments ago where Duke waited on one then still hit it for four, I'm guessing there is a method that can work.

Is that revenue or profit for Kent Reabank? I guess overall it's a market. I've watched a lot on YouTube recently and I would pay for it. But not much (as Kent kind of shows) . I think Somerset have had massive numbers now and again so I thinknthe market is there, just that it's a market who won't pay that much when most of the games are work days. An integrated product that does more stuff might be a go-er.

Is that revenue or profit for Kent Reabank? I guess overall it's a market. I've watched a lot on YouTube recently and I would pay for it. But not much (as Kent kind of shows) . I think Somerset have had massive numbers now and again so I thinknthe market is there, just that it's a market who won't pay that much when most of the games are work days. An integrated product that does more stuff might be a go-er.

Yup. It's all in on Sunday against the Yorkists then. It's good for Hamza to get this shot, shows he's being invested in. Interesting point that Notts have two players in the squad also. I think Wylie comes in for Yates up top but no idea who bats for Hamza in the middle order.

GerryShedd wrote:

It becomes increasingly important to finish top of the Group and thus avoid having to play a quarter final.

There's loads still to happen here. Looks very much like Warks, Glam and Notts though I have a feeling Yorkshire and Leics will have a say somewhere. Not that it did us much good last year, but I think we need to win our group. Worryingly Hampshire aren't top in theirs and therefore a likely opponent. They've got the hoodoo over us in knockouts.

With all this chopping and changing think the best thing that could happen now is shake hands with one point each. Feel it in my waters that a several-times adjusted target with high RPO isn't going to go well for us.

I didn't know it would be the last over but did think another over of Taz Ali would be a mistake.

Inside-edge wrote:

After an over that went for 18 the rain returns.

135/4 after 17

What happens here? Presumably Glamorgan's target gets boosted a little on DLS. If Warwicks were then to only get, say, 12 overs to chase that previously inflated target is them pro-rated down again? Very complicated.

That's a useful preview. Interesting about the spin bowling, it seems a real area of comparative advantage this year. Took a look at the table after today's results and it's definitely taken shape. But I still can't work out what guarantees home semi and knockout. I think winning this plus one of the two remaining Rugby games should get the home semi. Would be ideal to get it done with a game to spare, like to see Wylie and Simmons get a chance before the group is up, might need them later.

Was me and Sibley wad masterful at it today. Another one of those things you don't notice unless you're at the ground was how effortless he made it look. Just nudged the ball into gaps and ran slowly. I can see how he has the energy for those mega long knocks.

WRT Rugby, was a great venue. Awesome looking trees and building everywhere, I dat in the shade of an oak tree. I remember we debated it last year but it couldn't be too much or too expensive to organise. Burger vans, beer van, portaloos bring your own chair. Perfect until you get a rainy day.

BristolBear wrote:

Sibleys innings really goes to show that in 50 over cricket, if you have someone to bat around, who stays near 100 strike rate, you always stand a chance.
He was let down by the likes of Foakes, Steel, Burns who didn’t deliver.
We’ve seen Barnard do that for us previously. Burgess did it for Benjamin today.
But as someone mentioned earlier, it does require an ability to manipulate the field and pick up 1’s and 2’s without getting bogged down.

I think we're a touch behind. It's playing quite slow, spinners are doing well as are the more medium seamers. It was Surrey's quicker bowlers that went for runs, only time the ball came onto the bat well. We didn't work the ball into the gaps all that well, no idea how good Surrey are at this with their line up.

KingofSpain wrote:

Chris Benjamin where have you been!? A score at lomg last.
What do we think is the par score on this ground?

Slightly frustrating progress. It's not a terror pitch but slightly stodgy. Outfield is a touch slow and lost three batsmen when set. Some things you don't notice on the stream is the difference between the batsmen at nurdling the ball into space. Yates couldn't really do it at all, Hamza started well but got a bit bogged down while Burgess seems to do it well. Guess it's the point of this competition...

Looking forward to my first (and probably only) game live this season. First time been to a home out ground, relatively easy to get to from London.

Given our problems with knockout games it was good to guts out a tight one. To reply to an earlier post, the last time we won by one wicket was the same game last year. Interesting to see run rate go down in the game, of course we take the win. Also good that there were solid contributions from all the young lads (with Hamza from the last game). Hopefully Simmons and Wylie get a chance soon as well.

That makes more sense. Must have been a cricinfo glitch

Odd looking side with Michael Rae in for Miles. Theo Wylie doesn't appear in the team either. So is that:

Yates
Barnard
Rhodes
Hamza
Burgess
Benjamin
Kai Smith
Lintott
Taz Ali
Rae
OHD

I think we need the extra bat in Kai Smith and Benjamin play, shame we couldn't get Wylie in somehow.

Yup. This is the point of the competition for me. The young lads showing what they can do. It seemed stupid to moan about it after the Essex game, but none of the academy players scored any runs or took any wickets. So nice to see this change.

Andy wrote:

Outstanding performance. Incredible effort to roll a side on their own patch who only 2 days ago made 360 odd.

Good to see Hamza get a few.

Concur with the sentiment of all the posts so far. One thing I think has definitely happened this third year is the transience of it all has become clear. Manchester team this evening was just journeyman county team, I think Bears T20 team would beat them easily. But it was hard to see them as a team. Maybe this is what purpose it will have. A massively saccharine billboard and if the kids like it, then sign up to your local county. But you won't support a 100 team long term. I live in London north of the Thames. I'm not sure if I'm supposed to support Birmingham or the Lords team. But I definitely don't care.

Was Kai Smith in the squad for Essex? I know he didn't play. Hope he does here alongside Benjamin. Seems a bizarre thing to say after the Essex chase but would prefer one more batsman. I think seven bowled against Essex and that doesn't include Theo Wylie.

Andy wrote:

Different kind of test for us tomorrow, Leicestershire haven't lost many players to the other comp and have two decent overseas players in there line up so can put out some strong XI's. Chris Wright is back.

Just read the preview, really hope Yates and Burgess pass their fitness tests.