Andy, yes I think he's kept more than occasionally and fairly recently too. Don't think he (or Davies) should be doing it in the cc though, top three is a job in itself.

I presume Latham goes in at three as a straight swap for Rhodes, which I think should be good.

It's irrelevant now, but I had noodled a month or so ago that seeing as Mo Ali isn't going to play for England anymore he could use his "play and pay" clause to bat three in cc and bowl spin. As it stands, however, think it's more likely he retires from.cricket than does this.

I was in Hong Kong at the time of this and was well up for it - it was advertised on buses, trams and online. Would have gone (£60) and was aware of Barney and Davies being there but England had been knocked out by Oman by the time I could do it. Oman celebrating well at the airport on the way home.

GerryShedd wrote:

This tournament went (perhaps rightly) under the radar; but from this report, it would appear that, as well as Ethan Brookes, Ed Barnard and Alex Davies also played for the England team:
https://wccc.co.uk/brookes-part-of-england-squad-for-hong-kong-sixes/
Losing to Nepal and Oman doesn't suggest that it was a very successful venture.

I'm relatively happy with his involvement in the England teams. I think Warks will lose him for white ball internationals but I don't think he'll have a lot of Test involvement which is about fine for his experience. Looks like he's going to get these games in NZ, from which I think the best that can happen is he finds he had a lot to learn. In a good way. Then he sets about trying to actually make that up.

I'm annoyed generally when we (Warks or England) lose any player to IPL. Don't see any developemt gain from it with the conditions so different.

I mentioned Marco Janssen in a game feed earlier in the season, he would tick a number if boxes. I'm not sure it's the priority right now though, or not the sole priority. Also heard a rumour that Ben Compton was linked with the Rhodes replacement, that would just leave a spinner. Not sure how far away/if at all Taz Ali is but it might be the plan.

To the overall question about the season, it all hinged on that Gloucs T20 quarter. That changed everything and new players aren't really going to fix that collective mindset. I suppose it all depends on this review and that might change things fundamentally, but with some new players starting to bed in I'm hopeful this season is the worst one before a recovery...

No way will Yates be replaced but interesting to see what happens to Davies post review. Are we safe from relegation? I don't think so yet eh? I mentioned it last game but I don't think we'll go down but could go below Notts this game which would be a pretty shameful end to the season.

Good paywall breaching Terry. I think George has it in the cricketer too. Before that broke though, I think I saw on BBC that the sale might well be beyond 2025. A delay seems the best route for us as opposition to get organised.

Lintott, Walker and Mouse to miss out?

We can advocate fantasy cricket teams all we like, freedom of speech and all that. But no way will Davies be dropped or dropped as captain for the last game. Neither will Rob Yates. Speaking of free speech, I can see Dobell acknowledges dressing room disharmony in his article in the cricketer. Still think it's pointless to discuss it here, but would seem to be a strong focus of the review.

Thanks Terry. Was anyone at this forum and get a sense of the mood? This write up seems very defensive on the overseas player sitn. Seems the message of the last few days has been "Everything that could have gone wrong has gone wrong (and it's not our fault)".

Agree with your point that Barnard would be a great captaincy pick, he leads by experience and he's talismanic. He typifies the spirit and the style in which Warks play (or want to play).

Don't think Robinson or Davies will go as soon as that though, or even in the off season, however the club do seem to be taking this review seriously.

Highveld wrote:

It would be better if Robinson and Davies resigned today.

Appoint Ed Barnard as captain and make Ian Westwood interim head coach.

Davies should not be involved at Trent Bridge, to allow the new captain and coach the maximum opportunity to make a fresh start.

3 for 4 is actually hilariously bad, especially with Snater biffing it around first thing.

Up to each individual. Personally I'd say if you're talking about whether x doesn't get on with y and you don't 100% know the truth (none of us can be on top of every dressing room discussion) then I'd call it gossip.

Tragically that's probably more entertaining than what happened today, couldn't even get Somerset to put away Lancashire. Paul mentioned that the end of the season couldn't come soon enough, I kind of agree with a slight exception - they can still finish by playing a bit better. Robinson's "Take momentum into the off season" was pure bad management speak but I know what he's getting at. Let's not approach off season business on the back foot.

Rayb wrote:

Tayls79 wrote:

I'd honestly give speculating about relationships in the squad a miss. We'll never know the true situation. We don't know whether it is disharmonious, toxic or anything else. In any other working environment it would be and should be here, confidential. All we do here by speculating on it is gossip.

I thought that is what sports forums are for? In addition there seems to be sufficient evidence to suggest that it’s way beyond gossip. It’s not gossip that’s doing for Hain, Yates, etc

I'd honestly give speculating about relationships in the squad a miss. We'll never know the true situation. We don't know whether it is disharmonious, toxic or anything else. In any other working environment it would be and should be here, confidential. All we do here by speculating on it is gossip.

Porter/Cook plus an early start this was probably predictable. Is it Dukes or Kook ball this round? Rhodes and Hamza stopped the rot at Worcester so let's see if they can do the same here and show some of that resilience ai mentioned.

Presably only one spinner and says no Mousley so that must mean:

Yates
Davies
Rhodes
Hain
Hamza
Barnard
Burgess
Briggs
Miles
Rushworth
OHD.

Lost to the eventual champions. I call that fifth place...

Interesting point re comparison with Troughton. England are definitely better at selection than they were so I don't think Jacob and Dan will do a Troughton. It's definitely worth pointing out that their selection wasn't based on output though, more on potential. Both fizzled out a bit in the Crisp tournament. Don't know if that helps them or not.

Forgot about Ethan Bamber. I think Rushworth must be close to retirement so to replace him...

ExiledBrummie wrote:

paulbear wrote:

Well done Will, again. The fact that he does not need to play an innings like that, speaks volumes. He could have easily played a pretty 60 and sat in the pavilion with his feet up but he got stuck in and got the draw which looked unlikely after yesterday mornings debacle. The management should hang their heads for letting him go. Great not to lose to our neighbours and keep our 'Unbeaten v Worcs in CC since 2000', going. I think Shaikh will get a good run in the side but as we have said on here, a good overseas player is needed but who? Batsman or bowler? Retired from Tests or not? Would love a big, nasty fast bowler who could play a whole season.

Yes me too, or a spinner like Harmer!! I take it Ethan Bamber is more a successor to OHD and Rushworth?

Always had my eye on Marco Janssen. Fast, left arm, bounce, can bat at eight. South African so probably not too expensive and could normally play the whole season (not all 2025 as SAf tour). It's fantasy cricket though, I think if he was a CC possibility he would have done it by now.

paulbear wrote:

Well done Will, again. The fact that he does not need to play an innings like that, speaks volumes. He could have easily played a pretty 60 and sat in the pavilion with his feet up but he got stuck in and got the draw which looked unlikely after yesterday mornings debacle. The management should hang their heads for letting him go. Great not to lose to our neighbours and keep our 'Unbeaten v Worcs in CC since 2000', going. I think Shaikh will get a good run in the side but as we have said on here, a good overseas player is needed but who? Batsman or bowler? Retired from Tests or not? Would love a big, nasty fast bowler who could play a whole season.

Yup. Raining now as well so I think that just about wraps up a draw. Hope Hamza gets the chance to bat on a bit further. I've seen plenty of good 30s from him, a fifty when under pressure would do him a lot of good I think.

Despite the obvious downer feel at the moment, there have been a few occasions this year when they've rallied after a setback and shown resilience. More of this!