Inside-edge wrote:

Signed on a one year deal after impressing in the 2’s.

https://edgbaston.com/news/warwickshire-sign-seamer-sylvester-after-trial-success/

https://www.espncricinfo.com/cricketers/adam-sylvester-1258306

Great, he's had a cracking season. I've been very impressed in the three 2nd's matches I've seen him play. This is what I said out about him, after seeing him play in the first match (Yorkshire Friendly):-

"Adam Sylvester had a good season with Kent 2nd's last year and previously played for Worcestershire & Derbyshire 2nd's (turning out for Derby 1st's in one CC game against Glamorgan, in 2022 - strange he played against them, he's a Glamorgan lad !) ? A right arm seamer".

Inside-edge wrote:

Interesting to see Latham with the gloves.

And a VERY quick 55, won the match for us. Mind you, good bowling from Garton (3 wickets), 2 wickets (very cheaply) for Lintott and a wicket apiece for Sylvester, Yates & Miles.

Yep, pretty much a 1st team T20 lineup, just Sylvester unlikely to play on Friday (though he has been doing very well for the 2nds this season). I guess uncertainties about Smith, Shaikh and Miles, but they are possibles. As we play 2 spinners normally, I'd expect Briggs to be back (plus Lintott).

Dan might not have done much with the bat, but his bowling is making a difference. Very economical - 15 overs, 2 for 46 at the moment.

ajones1328 wrote:

Hoping the pitch offers a lot more than the previous game

Ideally there's something in the pitch for the spinners and Ali can play.

Out of the squad I'd probably have Smith and Rushworth missing out. I can imagine the bowlers will be feeling it still so an extra bowler will help.

Spot on - Smith & Rushworth do miss out. Simmons and Ali play.
Hampshire won the toss and chose to bat.

BosworthBear wrote:

Bald_Reynard wrote:

13 man squad:-

Taz Ali
Bamber
Barnard
Hain
OHD
Latham
Malik
Miles
Mousley
Simmons
Smith
Webster
Yates

You’ve missed out Davies

Be obliged if anybody can tell me which three miss out!

Hope to be WFP tomorrow!

Ooh, yes, sorry everybody. So a 14 man squad, 3 to miss out. Obviously, it'll be Hain or Malik, but as for the bowlers, 1 of Ali, Miles or Simmons - seam or spin and if seam, which?!

Bald_Reynard wrote:

13 man squad:-

Taz Ali
Bamber
Barnard
Hain
OHD
Latham
Malik
Miles
Mousley
Simmons
Smith
Webster
Yates

Pretty much as I guessed. Malik there, in case Hain fails a late fitness test and two of Taz, Miles & Simmons to play? My choice would be Taz & Miles.

Amazingly we won - by 2 wickets - despite being 49 for 6 and 101 for 7. The last 2 wickets put on 48 and 76. Honours go to Oliver Dandy who finished on 88 NO and Thilan Walallawita on 44 NO, who had that wonderful 9th wicket stand, when we looked done and dusted at 149. Honourable mention must also go to Jake Lintott, with 27 (the third highest score in our 2nd innings).
In the 1st innings, good batting again from Isaac Mohammed (84 from 67 balls) and Vaansh Jani (56), posted a decent score of 238.
As for bowling, the stand out performers in the 1st innings were Taz Ali (4 for 64 from 11.4 overs), Danny Briggs (2 for 50, from 20 overs) and Thilan Walallawita (2 for 40 from 12 overs). In Somerset's 2nd innings, the notable star was Danny Briggs, with 7 for 62 from 29 overs (possibly the best red ball bowling figures he's had for us?), but also Taz Ali again (2 for 47 off 18 overs). Obviously our 3 spinners had a great game - and the two youngsters promise much for the future. Adam Sylvester was the pick of the seamers - bowling very economically (13 overs, 1 for 29 in the match).

Shaikh & Sylvester batting in the second innings of the 2nds game at Portland Road, today. Miles & Simmons not appearing this innings. From that, I would deduce that both of them will be in the squad for the Surrey match - and Shaikh won't be.
So, will Latham be in for Shaikh, will Hain be back from his back injury (or Malik stays) and will Miles or Simmons replace Booth (I'd guess Miles is more likely, given Simmons poor form for the 2nds this season)?

The spinners making inroads. 2 wickets for Thilan Walallawita, 1 for Taz. Sylvester also bowling well, 1 wicket. Somerset were going strongly, but we pegged them back - 131 for 4.

Bald_Reynard wrote:

UrsaMinor wrote:

Actually five players with Test experience in that Yorkshire side so to beat them in their own back yard is probably our best result since Liam Norwell's nine wickets kept us in Division 1. Good things are happening.

SO FAR, the decision to replace Robinson, with Westie, is paying off. I'm so pleased, that the changes most of us felt were needed in the Coaching set up, are showing dividends. Levels of application, attitude and ability seem to be way up on that seen in recent years.

I was talking to a couple of the players at Portland Road last week (no names!), they said the Coaching changes have already started to have a big impact - on them and the squad as a whole. Westwood is a breath of fresh air, so positive, inspirational and always willing to help players out, with technique and attitude. Kerrigan has also transformed the Second team in his approach to games. Although still part time (building up his involvement), Walker has already had a big impact on the batsmen in the nets and both players said they are hugely benefiting from his input - though neither wanted to put down Frostie ("he was always such a nice guy and a 'helpful' Coach!").

12 man team (1 dedicated bowler):-

Isaac Mohammed (Captain)
Wylie
Jack Redshaw (regular batsman for Yorkshire 2nds & Academy last season)
Jani
Gekis
Dandy (Keeper)
Briggs
Miles
Simmons
Taz Ali
Walallawita
Sylvester (bowling only)

We lost the toss and Somerset chose to bat.

Mikkyk wrote:

13 man squad announced:

Davies
T Ali
Bamber
Barnard
Booth
Hain
OHD
Malik
Mousley
Shaikh
Smith
Webster
Yates

Malik and who else to be left out ? The fact that Malik is in, must mean a (injury ?) doubt about a batsman.

A great win here at Portland Road (in gorgeous weather, a treat to be here). Never thought we'd bowl anyone out here this season - it is the ultimate batting wicket. It really was all down to spin, though an honourable mention must go to Adam Sylvester's seam up (11 overs, 2 for 39). The real star was young (15/16?) Eddie Miller (King Edward's, Edgbaston and Harborne CC) - a late introduction to the game. He could be a valuable spinner for us in years to come (15 overs, 4 for 74). Ably assisted by Captain Lintott (8 overs, 2 for 43).
It's always nice to beat the Pears!

Solbear wrote:

An unbeaten hundred this afternoon for Jani, at more than a run a ball. To be fair, there have been shed loads of runs and very few wickets in this match but nevertheless, he looks like a rare talent.
Do hope the powers that be take note before another county show an interest!

Yep, completely agree with you, Sol. He looks a real find.

The_Lickey_Banker wrote:

The_Lickey_Banker wrote:

Team:-
Isaac Mohammed
Jani
Shaikh
Mousley
Malik (Captain)
Dandy (Keeper)
Wylie
Briggs
Miles
Simmons
Blakemore
Sylvester

Interesting in the additions and deletions from the last 2nds game. With the additions, the inclusion of Shaikh & Mousley, makes me think thst they might be missing from the 1st team squad on Friday (though this game will finish before then, so it could be they're in to improve their form). With the deletions, the omission of Lintott, makes me think that he will be in the squad for Yorkshire (probably along with Taz Ali, as spin options). Thilan Walallawita goes back to the South Asian team, who are playing Somerset 2nds today - I hope he gets another chance for us, the wicket at Colchester obviously didn't help spin (for him or Jake L). However, I am pleased that Jani continues to be given a run, I do believe he has great potential.

We won the toss and chose to bat.

With a great forecast of 4 days sun, I'm looking forward to getting down to Portland Road and seeing the lads.

PS I've just noticed that George Maddy is in the Leicestershire 2nds team today, playing against Northants - and found out he's played a couple of times for Leicester 2nds this season. He's clearly been released, but I didn't know that. I guess with Oliver Dandy now getting regular call ups as our 2nds Keeper (and doing really well), there was no place for George?

Jake Lintott has been drafted in to the 2nds game against Worcester at Portland Road. He's in as the 12th man in the team - only bowling. So, he probably won't be in 1st team squad at Headingley on Friday - neither will Danny Briggs, who's also playing in this match. If they need a spin option for the Yorkshire game, I guess it will be Taz Ali, or they might just play Webster in his dual seam/spin role. Obviously, they'll also have Yates - and Mousley, who will almost certainly be back on Friday, given his 186 here (off 210 balls, with 20 x 4's & 4 x 6's)!

Lintott, Captain today, in place of Malik - and probably will bat.

The_Lickey_Banker wrote:

Team:-
Isaac Mohammed
Jani
Shaikh
Mousley
Malik (Captain)
Dandy (Keeper)
Wylie
Briggs
Miles
Simmons
Blakemore
Sylvester

Interesting in the additions and deletions from the last 2nds game. With the additions, the inclusion of Shaikh & Mousley, makes me think thst they might be missing from the 1st team squad on Friday (though this game will finish before then, so it could be they're in to improve their form). With the deletions, the omission of Lintott, makes me think that he will be in the squad for Yorkshire (probably along with Taz Ali, as spin options). Thilan Walallawita goes back to the South Asian team, who are playing Somerset 2nds today - I hope he gets another chance for us, the wicket at Colchester obviously didn't help spin (for him or Jake L). However, I am pleased that Jani continues to be given a run, I do believe he has great potential.

We won the toss and chose to bat.

With a great forecast of 4 days sun, I'm looking forward to getting down to Portland Road and seeing the lads.

PS I've just noticed that George Maddy is in the Leicestershire 2nds team today, playing against Northants - and found out he's played a couple of times for Leicester 2nds this season. He's clearly been released, but I didn't know that. I guess with Oliver Dandy now getting regular call ups as our 2nds Keeper (and doing really well), there was no place for George?

Jake Lintott has been drafted in to the 2nds game against Worcester at Portland Road. He's in as the 12th man in the team - only bowling. So, he probably won't be in 1st team squad at Headingley on Friday - neither will Danny Briggs, who's also playing in this match. If they need a spin option for the Yorkshire game, I guess it will be Taz Ali, or they might just play Webster in his dual seam/spin role. Obviously, they'll also have Yates - and Mousley, who will almost certainly be back on Friday, given his 186 here (off 210 balls, with 20 x 4's & 4 x 6's)!

Team:-
Isaac Mohammed
Jani
Shaikh
Mousley
Malik (Captain)
Dandy (Keeper)
Wylie
Briggs
Miles
Simmons
Blakemore
Sylvester

Interesting in the additions and deletions from the last 2nds game. With the additions, the inclusion of Shaikh & Mousley, makes me think thst they might be missing from the 1st team squad on Friday (though this game will finish before then, so it could be they're in to improve their form). With the deletions, the omission of Lintott, makes me think that he will be in the squad for Yorkshire (probably along with Taz Ali, as spin options). Thilan Walallawita goes back to the South Asian team, who are playing Somerset 2nds today - I hope he gets another chance for us, the wicket at Colchester obviously didn't help spin (for him or Jake L). However, I am pleased that Jani continues to be given a run, I do believe he has great potential.

We won the toss and chose to bat.

With a great forecast of 4 days sun, I'm looking forward to getting down to Portland Road and seeing the lads.

PS I've just noticed that George Maddy is in the Leicestershire 2nds team today, playing against Northants - and found out he's played a couple of times for Leicester 2nds this season. He's clearly been released, but I didn't know that. I guess with Oliver Dandy now getting regular call ups as our 2nds Keeper (and doing really well), there was no place for George?

Andy wrote:

I'd rather back Taz Ali who has shown promise in his 2 appearances this season.

I don't disagree with you, Andy, just that, being our sole frontline red ball spin bowler, is a lot to put on that young man's shoulders. Briggs & Lintott haven't (yet - Jake hasn't had much chance), 'pulled up any daisies' and we need another option. TW's left arm spin, complements TA's leg breaks and I think Thilan MIGHT (still early days) prove his worth for a contract.

Playing for our 2nds against Essex today. A 26 year old Sri Lankan born (but British citizen & English qualified) , left hand bat & spinner. He was released by Middlesex last summer, after being at Lords since 2012. An Academy graduate there, he made his 2nd team debut in 2015 (playing 120 appearances for them) and went on to a First team debut in 2020. He made 11 1st class appearances (with a best bowling figure of 3 for 28) and 24 Limited overs games (a T20 best of 3 for 18 - averaging 28).
When released, Middlesex said he, "had great talent, but future First team opportunities are likely to be limited". I would guess, Second Division cricket and the notoriously bad financial situation at Middlesex, probably meant they had to significantly trim the squad.
After being released, he joined the South Asian team and already has proved his worth for them. He took 10 wickets (for 130 in 48 overs) against our 2nds at Portland Road last week!

I really hope he gets a good run out for our Second team in the next couple of months and proves his potential (even at 26, spinners can still develop) - and gets a contract with us. We are desperately short of spin back up - and although not extensive experience, he does have more than the likes of Taz Ali, who had to be drafted in recently.