Yeah true. But seemed his batting dropped off with that higher profile. Definitely true overall that 100 was a hindrance. I guess the shortness of the format makes it hard for any below top 4.

Andy wrote:

He was already doing that for us though in the Blast. Just everybody knows about it now because he did it in the Hundred.

Agree with you Andy that the 100 has hindered him though I think in a different way. He has bowled in that with some success, with death 75mph seam-up darts. And it's that which has damaged his batting.

Andy wrote:

To echo what's been previously said, he looks like a bit of a 'bits and pieces' cricketer in red ball at the moment, he can give you some ok overs, he's probably not good enough to bat in the top 5 but he's a nice player to have coming in at 6 or 7 so...

Feel like the Hundred hinders him, feel like he'd benefit hugely from batting in the top 4 for us in the ODC and building an innings. Instead he goes the Hundred, faces a few balls and barely bowls...

Having said this he has huge potential and he he does strike me as the sort of player who once he does get that first ton might get on a bit of a roll.

Seems to get out bowled or LBW a lot which suggests that if you just bowl straight at him he'll miss one.

He's down the pecking order for our 4day side for now though...

Hope this works out well for him. Obviously means he doesn't play the next CC game yet still exposed to a level higher than 2ndXI (I presume). Interesting to see what Mouse concentrates in most this year. Was a bit of a mixed picture last season. Love to see him kick on in CC but looks like he may end up being a white ball specialist.

Indeed, saw that Wisden had him down for both the England white ball teams. In days gone by you would just assume the international games take priority - these days still not sure if the IPL takes precedence or not...

GerryShedd wrote:

The Club seem confident that he will be playing for England at Edgbaston:
https://edgbaston.com/news/bethell-set-to-play-for-england-at-edgbaston/

I notice the IPL is back on again and Jacob's team are top of the table. I guess that means he's going back. Any thoughts in when he gets back what he's going to focus on? I presume a lot of Blast with a view to England white ball seeing as he's barely played in the IPL. Is there a run of red ball ahead of the England v India test series?

The bowlers may beg to differ but that was a decent result in my opinion. We had the better of the game, had we lost it would have been at a bad time. Bamber I think needs to rest for the next game - anyone know how far away Rushworth or Woakes are to replace him? I hear the former wad playing league cricket at the weekend but perhaps too soon for a CC on Friday.

Yeah, looks like it's been dealt with quite sympathetically. He could also be in need of a rest. Quite tough work to go straight into four day keeping and he hasn't always had the gloves in top flight white ball either. For sure though, we need him and hope he's back keeping soon.

Andy wrote:

I do think he has a bit of a way to go with the gloves...I'm not for one second saying he's looked bad but he has looked a bit untidy at times. Burgess looked the same when he first arrived and he ended being terrific though...

Zen Malik has presented an interesting problem. Mousley and Sheikh have sit this one out, Malik gets a ton to go with his 49 breaking the back of the Yorkshire win. Presumably the last batsman is his now - wouldn't have expected that.

Agree, good start, annoying Davies got out (anyone see it? bowled against a part-time spinner?) but if that's the only loss so be it. A dead pitch and seven batsmen each might suit us for a draw actually. Surrey are a better team than us and we have picked up enough wins outside this game.

Personally think would weaken us for this to happen - keeping, captaining and opening is a tough combination and as certain members of this forum have reminded us, he could be getting more runs and wouldn't want to imperil this. I also think Kai has been OK so far, especially with the bat, so tough to drop him. If he's at eight with Webster or Barnard at 7 think the batting is strong enough. I'm with you on Miles, I think he's had enough of a chance at FC cricket, only way I'd play him is if he's had a stellar time with the seconds. Which I don't think he has.

KingofSpain wrote:

Is it possible for Davies to take the gloves and enable us to play an extra batsman? I would like either Ali or Simmons to play, depending on conditions. Miles has never been good enough for division one cricket.

It had to be Booth rested for overseas player quota. Simmonds, OHD and Bamber would be my pick of bowlers. Miles very similar to the others. Guess Taz there to cover spinning pitch.

Too many moving parts to really guess at this stage. If Latham is fit then they have said he bats three and replaces Sheikh which does make sense. Think Hamza needs to get some fluency in his game for the 2s. I'll bet the club wanted Simmons in there to replace Booth but have seen his form in the 2s as well and agree would be a risk. I don't think we really want to have to pick Miles against Surrey. Personally would go Simmons on potential but who knows what the club will do. I think Bamber should be able to get one more game in before rest. Yorks weren't huge innings and he had a break of over a week before that.

Right. I support Spurs and this is all eerily familar with injuries. If it's a mechanical physical injury would be easy to say just that. Anything brewing they would keep quiet I guess.

GerryShedd wrote:

I hope the problem with Sam Hain is a short-term injury. I have felt that he has been out of sorts all season so I hope that it isn't a problem that has been brewing in the background.

Thanks Andy. I couldn't find the reference easily. Might be quite elegant that way around if he is surplus to quota then Che can step in. That is if he is fully qualified as well...

Booth is English qualified now. I think he's got an English parent and has done over five years residency, which happened over the off season. And jolly good too.

Reabank wrote:

Don't know much about Brummie Beau. Just looking at the cricinfo page he could bat 5 and be a genuine all - rounder at cc division 1 level? If so then with him and Ed Barnard in the top 6 we will have lots of options. Also am I right in thinking we won't be able to play Michael Booth alongside Webster& Latham as all are overseas players?

Yeah this is utterly aggravating with Bethell. I could take him going to the IPL and playing, massive opportunity. But I don't think he's played a single game. For this reason, I think he'll get something with us when he gets back though. He's got an England contract and they need him to play. I'm pretty sure he can't just go off to another franchise comp, ie the American one, because he wants to.

UrsaMinor wrote:

Highveld wrote:

Adding Latham, Webster and Bethell to the side would massively strengthen the top five of the order, as well as adding two good bowlers.

Changes to the top of the batting order are needed, and it would be a good idea for the club to see what top order batsmen are available on loan, as apart from Bethell we do not have any other batsmen on the staff that are ready for first team cricket.

Latham at 3 would make a massive difference. Yes, one of the top two are likely to go cheaply - that's what happens to opening batsmen. A solid number 3 is then really important.
I think we have to forget about Bethell. He's too embedded with England and franchise cricket now, even if he can't get a game in the IPL.

Looks ugly but it isn't anything new and it is where we are. Failed to get a crucial wicket or two in the field then familar failings with the bat. He's still young and gets a pass, but Hamza has had a whole load of 20s this season. Starts off OK but gets bogged down then gets out. Is that a mental or technical thing? Think it's been the same with his List A appearances too. Like I said last match - hope he gets the chance to work on it.

I don't think there will be a stage when he's over injuries and he'll be able to play a whole season of county cricket. It's permanent injuries he's got now and he's 36. Love him, but I think he either goes T20 / franchise only from this winter or he retires in full. I'm guessing he wants to go to Australia but don't see it unless he gets on the field for May and before the internationals start.

white-lightning wrote:

Andy wrote:

Blimey he only played about 4 games in that comp and that was way back in January.

I love the lad but he's made of glass.

Age and several injuries of late are catching up. England still see him as an important cog in the bowling attack and a useful batsman. I'd still like to see him play a couple of seasons for the Bears, fitness permitting.

Good fun to watch those runs come in. Doubly satisfying that so many of the academy players and new arrivals did the work as well which suggests there's more to come. I think it's only Hamza who hasn't contributed so far. He has got a few starts which suggest he's got it in him. Tends to get bogged down then gets out. I hope he's given the time to rectify it though. With four test players to come in though, plus OHD, I'm looking forward to going beyond last season's one CC win.

Good to see a contribution from Kai and Taz this game, considering FC debut for both this season.