The_Lickey_Banker wrote:

Bald_Reynard wrote:

GerryShedd wrote:

Preview here:
https://edgbaston.com/news/bears-v-notts-outlaws-at-trent-bridge-preview/
14 man squad, Dan Mousley and Richard Gleeson coming in, and Hamza Shaikh missing out.

Can't believe Mousley has been released by England for our two games this weekend, the first 2 Lions ODI's (isn't he Captain?!) are on the same time!

Yes, I thought he was continuing as Lions Captain for the ODI's - perhaps, after his performances against South Africa in the T20's, he's been dropped altogether!

He's not in the Lion's team today, so either been left out for the first 2 ODI's (and might play in the 3rd game), or dropped for all three!

Bald_Reynard wrote:

GerryShedd wrote:

Preview here:
https://edgbaston.com/news/bears-v-notts-outlaws-at-trent-bridge-preview/
14 man squad, Dan Mousley and Richard Gleeson coming in, and Hamza Shaikh missing out.

Can't believe Mousley has been released by England for our two games this weekend, the first 2 Lions ODI's (isn't he Captain?!) are on the same time!

Yes, I thought he was continuing as Lions Captain for the ODI's - perhaps, after his performances against South Africa in the T20's, he's been dropped altogether!

KingofSpain wrote:

From June 1st players out of contract this year can speak to other counties. Someone on twitter has put together a list of all the counties and the players who would be available. It may be an opportunity to add to our ranks.
There are some talented players who we should be looking at recruiting: Ben McKinney, Charlie Allison, Jordan Cox, Tom Banton are some of the batting names. Josh Bohannon would bolster any middle order. We should be interested in spinners such as Tom Hartley, Liam Patterson-White or Zafar Gohar, and replacing some of our ageing attack with young potential like Josh Hull, Mitch Stanley, Henry Crocombe or James Minto, who would surely benefit from working with Pop Welch.

In terms of the Bears staff, Rob Yates is the key player coming towards the end of his contract, and decisions will need to be made on Zen Malik, Hamza Sheikh, Che Simmons and Theo Wylie. Barker only signed for this season. Garton will be off the books too, I expect he will return to Sussex.

Lots for the management to consider.

For me, Tom Banton ('coming hom'ish' - I seem remember he had a few matches with the 2nds, before going to the Pears?), would be a no brainer and Bohannon would also be a good shout, but both of them will be attractive to other Counties. We really need a new batter or two.

And a new spinner is a necessity - any one of Gohar, Patterson-White or Hartley. If we go for a(nother!) new seamer, he has to be a left armer. We tried Trodd a few times in the 2nds and he did well, but looks to be either staying with Hampshire or going elsewhere (he has turned out for Derby 2nds, without great success) - of the names on your list, KoS, Hull or Minto come into that category - Josh Hull would be my choice, but there will be a few Counties circling him, Minto would be a decent shout.

As for our guys, yes, difficult decisions on Shaikh, Simmons & Wylie. Shaikh has never done it for the 1sts (and having a very average season as 2nds Captain), Wylie seems to have gone astray (and now turning out regularly at weekends, for Shropshire) and Simmons is always injured. Malik & Yates must get extensions. Garton will definitely be off. Barker?

Kai Smith, 68 from 35 balls, opening today. I really hope Westwood takes notice and gives him a chance up the order on Friday, either opening, or 3/4.

Andy wrote:

Taz in, surprised Davies isn't having a game.

Khan
Jani
Shaikh (Captain)
Dandy (Keeper)
Wylie
Nahal
Booth
Bamber
Taz Ali
Gilchrist
Miller

Northants won the toss and put us in - weather forecast the main reason, as the result is likely to be determined by run rates.

ITE7376 wrote:

The_Lickey_Banker wrote:

Bald_Reynard wrote:

Inside-edge wrote:

Meanwhile Lintott has 3 Surrey wickets for 19 off his 4 overs.

I just logged in to post that very same thought - you beat me to it!

And how our current spin bowlers doing in this T20 season?! Of course, its all to do with welcoming wickets in Kent's group?!

> Or the renewed enthusiasm of someone who feels he is being valued and used to his full potential by his new 1st Team Coach!!

sadly i think this is likely to be true. If the result of Lintott going is Taz Ali blossoms, though, I can still see why they did it.

Westwood is racking up quite a few minus points this season - not just with Lintott. A long way to go, but if our T20 campaign carries on like it has, I think he might need to be concerned about his long term future as 1st Team Coach? The club has long targeted a successful Blast, as a principal aim.

Bald_Reynard wrote:

Inside-edge wrote:

Meanwhile Lintott has 3 Surrey wickets for 19 off his 4 overs.

I just logged in to post that very same thought - you beat me to it!

And how our current spin bowlers doing in this T20 season?! Of course, its all to do with welcoming wickets in Kent's group?!

Or the renewed enthusiasm of someone who feels he is being valued and used to his full potential by his new 1st Team Coach!!

The_Lickey_Banker wrote:

Malik & Kai S in for Vansh .... and Davies (yay!).

Malik opening with Yates. Kai down at 11 on the scorecard, I guess he'll actually be at 6 (where Vansh was).

Malik & Kai S in for Vansh .... and Davies (yay!).

Bald_Reynard wrote:

KingofSpain wrote:

Malik 73 off 40. He has made a case for selection in the first

Also, Bamber, 4 for 23 off his 4 overs, including great 'at the death' bowling, with Coleman's & Vukusic's wickets, when they were cruising at 155 for 5 off 17 overs.

And don't forget Malik's 80 off 33 balls in yesterday's game at Cheltenham.

Him and Bamber must be in for the Blast game!

Yes, for Vansh & Thompson I would expect.

An amazing 264 from Vansh Jani today! Another one pushing for a first team place?

A good win, by 8 wickets, in our first Championship game.

Stand out players:-
1st Innings Bowling - Che Simmons (16-2-66-5), Charlie Taylor (11-2-37-3), James Trodd (7-0-21-1) & Thilan W (8-1-29-1)
2nd Innings Bowling - Che S (8-1-15-3), James T (11-2-34-3), Taz Ali (13-2-67-3) & Keith Barker (5- 0-17-1). Barker was withdrawn on day 3 , to join the 1st team squad. Simmons' match return of 24-3-81-8 and Trodd's 18-2-55-4, were notable.
1st Innings Batting - Zen Malik (147NO off 219 balls), Arjun Nahal (41), Vansh Jani (41) & James Trodd (40, going in at 9). Malik was also withdrawn early, to join the 1st team, his recent form (2 centuries in a week) means he is pushing for a CC place.
2nd Innings Batting - Hamza Shaikh (32 off 19 balls), Vansh J (29NO) & Levi Gekis (13NO). Pushing to get the win, before the rain returned.

Mikkyk wrote:

Barker back bowling in the second innings, which is good news.

I would bring Malik in on Friday - he's got a bit of a swagger about him and if he's in the runs you would assume he's confident.

Barker and Malik have been withdrawn from the 2nds game, to join the 1st team squad for Friday.

Same 12 as for the Worcester Friendly:-

Nahal
Shaikh (Captain)
Malik
Jani
Barker
Gekis
Dandy (Keeper)
Taz Ali
Simmons
Trodd
Walallawita
Taylor

Northants won the toss and chose to bat.

https://live.nvplay.com/ecb/?tab=m_summary#m3211617e-f59f-44b0-b4ce-48a846c379c9

The first 4 day Championship game at Portland Road begins today, at 11. Northants are the visitors.

Andy wrote:

Trodd is contracted? I missed this.

No, I don't think he's contracted, there's been no announcement (I could be wrong, it might be a Summer contract); I guess, just on Trial.

A great couple of days cricket at Portland Road:-

Worcester put us in, and there were good scores yesterday from Arjun Nahal, opening (52), another ton from Zen Malik (107), a ton from Taz Ali, going in at 8 (104), 66 from Che Simmons and 30's from Vansh Jani & Olly Dandy. We got to 458.

Bowling today, the stand out performers have been Che (10-2-48-2), Michael Booth (13-3-37-2), spin from Thilan Walallawita (8-2-17-2) & Taz (19-2-63-2) and a decent bit of left arm seam from 23 year old, James Trodd (9-2-39-1). We've picked him up, after a couple of pretty successful seasons with Hampshire & Gloucester 2nd's, following a serious elbow injury in 2021. Worcester, nearly at the end of the day, are 258 for 9, with Gibbon holding us up on 62NO.

So, the Worcester game finished as an inevitable draw (given almost a day missing and the aim of the match to give bowing and batting practice to both sides).

Stand out performances for us:-
1st innings bowling - Bamber (10-6-24-3), Gilchrist (10-3-41-2) & Woakes (10-3-27-1). Booth & Thompson were the other wicket takers (1 apiece, but pretty expensive at around 6 an over) and the skipper bowled fairly economically (4 an over).
Batting - Yates (45 & 37), Malik (46), Mousley (22 & 23RO), Barnard (28RO) & Barker (25NO). Of the other batsmen, only Hain got into double figures (22 & a duck).
2nd innings bowling - Yates' was the only wicket taker, with his off spin (6-0-20-2). Other spinners were tried - Taz Ali, Lintott & Mousley - but with no great impact (Jake L being the most economical, at 4 an over). OHD & Barker got chance to turn their arm over, economical (4 an over), but with no great effect. Simmons also had 6 overs (at 5 an over).

The_Lickey_Banker wrote:

19 man squad (pretty much the whole first team squad - just Shaikh & Webster missing?) for the Worcester 3 day game:-

Davies
Yates
Mousley
Hain
Malik
Barnard (Captain)
Smith (Keeper)
Woakes
Thompson
Booth
Bamber
Gilchrist
Wylie
Barker
Simmons
Lintott
Taz Ali
OHD
Garton

The Pears have gone for the 'traditional' 12 man squad!

Toss will be uncontested.

Worcester bat first. Woakesy opening the bowling.

19 man squad (pretty much the whole first team squad - just Shaikh & Webster missing?) for the Worcester 3 day game:-

Davies
Yates
Mousley
Hain
Malik
Barnard (Captain)
Smith (Keeper)
Woakes
Thompson
Booth
Bamber
Gilchrist
Wylie
Barker
Simmons
Lintott
Taz Ali
OHD
Garton

The Pears have gone for the 'traditional' 12 man squad!

Toss will be uncontested.