See my reports on the two 2nd's T20 games v Northants, for suggestions on how performances today might affect Blast selection.

On the batting front, Yates, Davies and Hain more than justified their Blast places. Mousley probably did enough to support his claim (with bat and ball actually). If Bethell was already 'pencilled in', he did enough today to confirm his place. Benjamin probably helped his cause a bit with his characteristic bash (42 from 17 balls), though that's the first decent performance from him in the 2nds this season.

As regards the bowlers today, the stand out performance (and one that will pretty much have guaranteed him playing most of the Blast) was Hassan Ali's 5 wickets for 14 runs off 4 overs. However, today raised some questions over others. Miles' being hit for 10 an over and Henry B, 9 an over (both for 1 wicket), raised concerns - and I thought Miles was a shoo in for the Blast this weekend (Brookes for when Woakes leaves). And OHD - despite his distinct Number 11 batting - would 3 for 26 (off 3 overs) be enough to bring him in as the extra seamer (assuming Barnard's place is safe)?

Whatever - I'm sure the three 2nds T20 games this week, will be of some help in Blast selection.

We got home - by 3 wickets in the end - reaching 152 in 13 overs! That was mainly down to Benjamin (at last!) getting 42 off 17 balls. Ably abetted by Ethan Brookes (25 off 13), Bethell (28 off 16) and the Captain (23 off 17).

I doubt those scores will make much difference to the selection for the Blast though. If Bethell was already 'pencilled in', he'd still be there, if not, he wont! And the same applies for Benjamin.

We bowled them out for 151, which is pretty good, considering they were 67 for 2 off 6 overs and 92 for 3 off 9.

Pick of the bowlers were Simmons (4 for 35 off his 4 overs), OHD (3 for 26 off 4) and Johal (2 for 20 off 3). Miles took the other wicket, but he was expensive (3 overs for 30 runs).

Young Theo Wylie got caned a bit (2 overs for 24) and the Captain didn't do much (2 overs for 15). Benjamin and Bethell took a couple of catches.

On the basis of that, I'd say Miles is not a shoo in for the Blast. We'll have to find out how Jacob Bethell does with the bat, to see if he might get an early Blast game. He is opening now with Ethan B.

Bethell and Miles are in the 2nds team for this afternoon's T20 game against Northants at Portland Road. Rhodes, Benjamin and OHD also in - but the remainder are 'regular' 2nds players.

It will be interesting to see how those 5 perform - with a place or two up for grabs in early Blast matches (eg Woakes will be disappearing soon).

A complete change of lineup for rhe second game today - and very likely to be our regular 2nds T20 team. Probably 9 of the 11 won't get near the Blast team for a while:-
Ethan B
Bethell
Benjamin
Rhodes
Shaikh
A Khan
Miles
Simmons
Johal
OHD
Theo Wylie (all rounder at Shrewsbury School, who plays for Shifnal and has turned out for Shropshire Students in the Bunbury Festival).

Of those, I would imagine only Bethell and Miles have much chance of an early appearance in the Blast. Perhaps Benjamin and Rhodes might later on, if batsmen get injured or don't show any form.

We lost the toss and were put in the field.

Northants finished on 154 for 8. Inevitably, their only likely Blast player - Willey - was top scorer on 79 off 48 balls.

Ali was our standout performer - 3.3 overs, 5 for 14! Also wickets for Henry B (but very expensive - 1 for 39 off his 4 overs - getting blown away a bit, by Willey) and Garrett (1 for 16, off 2.3). Mousley was first change again - and bowled fairly economically (4 overs for 21), but Briggs was thumped (by Willey again) - 3 overs for 37 (12.33 an over - with 4 wides!), Jake L (just) went for 9 an over off his 3!

We won the toss and got a huge 232 for 4 in our 20. Against another 'proper' 2nds Northants team though.

Stirling failed (again) with 1, but another big score from Davies (95 off 44 balls) and Hain (72 off 32), Yates was also good (39 off 34), with Mousley (13) and Barnard (4) unbeaten.

The_Lickey_Banker wrote:

Team for the first T20 this morning:-
Stirling
Yates
Davies
Hain
Mousley
Barnard
Henry Brookes
Ali
Briggs
Garrett
Lintott

I think that lineup gives a few more indications for the initial Blast team. From that XI, I'd suggest Brookes, Briggs & Garrett will be replaced by Bethell, Miles & Woakes on Saturday? With Brookes being brought back when CW is called up by England.

I think the first 6 batsmen in today's 2nds (first) T20 lineup against Northants could be indicative for the Blast:-
Stirling
Yates
Davies
Hain
Mousley
Barnard

I reckon Bethell will be added to that (with Barnard at 7) and the other 4 bowlers will be Woakes & Miles - with Lintott & Ali (who are also playing today)? No Burgess, with Davies keeping wicket again. Henry B will probably come in for CW, when he's called up by England.

Team for the first T20 this morning:-
Stirling
Yates
Davies
Hain
Mousley
Barnard
Henry Brookes
Ali
Briggs
Garrett
Lintott

We won by 72 runs - Gloucs were 129 for 8. No surprise, given how many likely First teamers we had playing - and Gloucs were a 'proper' 2nds lineup.

Bowlers did well. Miles probably best, with 2 for 13 off 3 overs. CW, 1 for 28, Ali, 2 for 43 and Jake L, 2 for 25 (2 stumpings by Davies!); all off their allotted 4 overs. Mousley was first change with his off spin (3 overs for 14 runs) and Barnard, 2 overs for 6 runs. Oh and Davies did a very smart run out, taking a good throw from Burgess (at mid on, I think!)

Our best bowler in the 2nds T20 v Gloucs today - 3 overs, 2 for 13. I think he is seen as mainly a white ball guy now.

As Gerry says, there are a few pointers I think in today's 2nd's T20 team:-
Yates
Davies (Captain & Keeper!)
Mousley
Benjamin
Bethell
Burgess
Woakes
Barnard
Ali
Lintott
Miles.

I'd guess that a good number of those will be in be First team on Saturday. Certainly Woakes won't be there (England duty) and Hain will probably be in for Benjamin (who's form this season for the 2nds is atrocious). Stirling could come in for Burgess (given Davies having the gloves today). Miles will probably stay in and if Henry B is available, he might come in for CW. I'm not sure whether Briggs would come in, Lintott may stay (with Mousley & Bethell, we probably only need 1 front line spinner?).

And we did pretty well, batting first (Gloucs won the toss and put us in) - 201 for 8 in our 20.
Bethell, probably the star of the innings - 47 in 29 balls (4x6's), but good knocks from Yates (37 off 25), Davies (43 off 24) and Mousley (34 off 17). Only Benjamin (a duck again - the third this season for the 2nds) and Burgess (2) failed to score, amongst the batsmen.

Pretty much a first team out there today - in preparation for the first Blast game on Saturday:-
Yates
Davies (Captain & Keeper!)
Mousley
Benjamin
Bethell
Burgess
Woakes
Barnard
Ali
Lintott
Miles

I see Savin Perera is in the team. Left handed opening bat and off spin bowler. Played for Middlesex Seconds, Berkshire and England Under 19's.

Also, Josh Croom is back playing (he played a couple of matches for us last season - and did OK with the ball). An all-rounder and left arm seamer, who has played for Hampshire Seconds and Wiltshire.

Blimey, Henry finished with 6 for 20, off 12 overs. He's never got anywhere near that in red ball cricket - in his whole First class, or even, 2nds career. What has happened to him, in just a couple of days in Derby - some inspirational coaching advice, or just a VERY helpful wicket?!

Another defeat - by 103 runs - but at least we put up a better show than against Somerset.

Our stand out bowler was Briggs, with 8 wickets in the game. Henry B & Rory Haydon bowled well in the 2nd innings, Garrett & Miles did OK in the 1st, but Miles was very disappointing in the 2nd - getting clouted for nearly 5 an over and only 1 wicket.

Best batsman throughout, was Amir Khan (83 & 48), though Ethan B and (Captain/Keeper) Benjamin both got 50's.

Mikkyk wrote:

I wouldn't have thought so Lickey but then they do have some decent players in their seconds! Players who will definitely feature in first XI when they lose some to England.

Somewhat surprised by the changes, I have to say. You would've thought Simmons and Johal need as much game time as possible.

I wouldn't be surprised if Simmons is injured (again!) - as he did OK against Somerset (unlike most bowlers, with the exception of Brookes), but I reckon Johal was dropped. Haydon is a decent medium pacer and Nicholls, a very promising all rounder, with a good batting record for Glamorgan 2nd's & Wales NC and some useful off spin.

Rory Haydon and Callum Nicholls (ex-Glamorgan 2nd's & Wales NC all rounder) in for Che Simmons & Manraj Johal. George Garrett in the bowling side, Callum Nicholls in the batting.

We won the toss and put Surrey in. Henry B and Miles taking an early wicket apiece, but Surrey have recovered, now on 77 for 2.

We can't do much worse than against Somerset 2nd's ..... or can we?!