We won the toss and elected to bat. 105 for 1 at Lunch (off 28 overs). Pollock out (again - single figures !) for 4, Mousley (opening), on 42 NO from 79 balls, Hose, 54 NO from 75 balls.

The_Lickey_Banker wrote:

Highveld wrote:

A good 50 from Ethan Brookes

He is looking a better bat, year on year, but I think his bowling has gone correspondingly downhill. He reminds me of Aaron Thomason's progress - I see Sussex only employ him as a batsman in red ball and an occasional bowler in white ball, now.

Ethans's 112 NO and bowling figures of 4 overs for 21 runs and no wickets against Cardiff UCCE yesterday, only goes to reinforce my view that he is becoming the 'next Aaron Thomason' ! A promising batsman, but only a 'back up' bowler. His bowling record for the Seconds over the past 2 seasons has only been modest, but he is developing into decent batter.

Solbear wrote:

Thanks LB, that makes sense. I see that Dan Lincoln is keeping wicket in the current game - Playfair doesn't mention any wicket keeping abilities but it does say he was a goalkeeper for Reading and Arsenal junior teams so probably picked up some transferrable skills!

I noticed Play Live had Lincoln down as Keeper. I wonder if that is a typo - they either got the wrong 'newbie' (and it should be Wells), or (the usual) Kelley? Lincoln has never been listed as a (cricket) keeper - though, as you say Sol, goalies do have 'transferable skills'!

Solbear wrote:

Anyone know what's happened to Jake Lintott so far this year? I haven't seen his name mentioned in any squads or on any scorecards and wonder if he's got an injury.

I think part of the contract deal with Jake, was that he would be released for teaching duties at Queens College until the start of the T20 season in June. He'd then be available for that, the remaining 1st Round Championship games, the RLC and the Divisional Championship games.

The_Lickey_Banker wrote:

Dan Lincoln, a Batsman who has had a few T20 appearances for Middlesex and Ben Wells who has a great record batting for Somerset 2nd's, are both in our Seconds team playing today.

Interestingly, Ben Wells is also a wicket keeper. He's been a regular 2nd XI keeper at Somerset for 3 years, but it looks like they have just released him. Given Vikai Kelley's batting deficiences (he is a great keeper though), I wonder whether Wells might be seen as another reserve wicket keeper. The plan with Malan, was to also use him as a back up keeper to Burgess, though obviously that's now on hold.

We're on 245 for 3, with Ethan Brookes, 74 NO and Dan Lincoln, 52 NO.

Dan Lincoln, a Batsman who has had a few T20 appearances for Middlesex and Ben Wells who has a great record batting for Somerset 2nd's, are both in our Seconds team playing today.

Highveld wrote:

I think he played most of 2019 (?) as an opening batsman.
They'd have had an exception top 4 if all of Lamb, Pollock, Stone & Tom Banton played in the same game.

Ah, I didn't see many BG games in 2019. I saw his 50 in 2018 I think.

Tom B's move to Somerset was such a loss to the Bears !?

Highveld wrote:

Olly Stone actually opened the batting in the second innings, he has done so, with Pollock, several times for Barnt Green.
A good 50 from Ethan Brookes, plus Bethell and Roshan have got started.
Overall a disappointing game.

Of course ! I'd forgotten that Olly had occasionally opened for BG. I remember seeing him get a 50 at Cherry Hill, but can't recall if he opened then.

I saw a bit of Ethan's innings. He is looking a better bat, year on year, but I think his bowling has gone correspondingly downhill. He reminds me of Aaron Thomason's progress - I see Sussex only employ him as a batsman in red ball and an occasional bowler in white ball, now.

The_Lickey_Banker wrote:

57 all out - only Jacob Bethell getting into double figures (26) !

Robinson has got a hell a lot of work to do - with the whole squad ?!

Almost certainly the last day of the 2nds game against Somerset today - I guess we've done well to make it last 3 days ! We're on 105 for 4 in our second innings, chasing 448 ! Once again all the frontline batters (Pollock, Mousley & Hose) have failed - Olly Stone (going in at 3, as the 'Night Porter', prior to his likely call up for the 1sts on Thursday), currently top scorer on 27 ! Jacob Bethell (on another 20) and Ethan Brookes (on 25) are still there, so we MIGHT get to 200+ ! The bowlers had a bit of a mixed bag in the Somerset 2nd innings - Dan Mousley the pick (4 for 31 off 19), 2 wickets for Johal and 1 each for Henry B, Sidebottom, Balaji (probably, the 'best of the rest') and Garrett (really expensive at over 6 an over).

ajones1328 wrote:

I'd go for Sibley, Rhodes, Yates, Hain, Vihari, Lamb, Burgess, Bresnan, Norwell/Briggs, Stones, OHD

Ideally Norwell over Briggs, Vihari can actually bowl some decent off spin.

Just had a quick look and Notts streaming service is an improvement on ours. Follows the ball much better

I'd go with that !

57 all out - only Jacob Bethell getting into double figures (26) !

Robinson has got a hell a lot of work to do - with the whole squad ?!

A great start for the bowlers - 3 for 16 off 5 from Olly and 1 for 8 off 6 from Henry. Ryan S and George Garrett bowling now.

bobmac wrote:

Has anyone been able to find out if fans are allowed to attend games at Portland Road?

On the Club website yesterday, it said 2nd (and Women's) home games at Portland Road will be behind closed doors for the time being (I guess, mid-May).

The_Lickey_Banker wrote:

Solbear wrote:

First things first, it's great that the forum has been re-born - I have missed it since the previous version disappeared so many thanks to those responsible for bringing it back to life.

Moving onto Vihari's apparent signing, I'm very disappointed that Malan's arrival has been delayed and I just hope it is a temporary blip that can be overcome. I am afraid I'm not filled with confidence by a short-term signing such as this, especially given that his last five innings have produced scores of 2, 2, 1, 4 and 0! However, I hope I am proved wrong and that his obvious talent that has produced a highly impressive FC average of nearly 57 will re-emerge once he arrives.

I'm not entirely sure we'll actually sign Vihari. I think we might just have lined him up, with the possibility that Malan won't get sorted for a while. The post on the County website said they were working hard to get Malan in (get a Visa and arrange his quarantine), it was implied they were optimistic of sorting it out in 2/3 weeks. Also, Farbs said he was confident the current squad could absorb a short term loss of Malan - and that is demonstrated by how they used the batsmen in the pre-season matches (and the form of the batsmen). I would guess that Plan A is to get Malan playing by the end of April and they will only turn to Plan B (and Vihari), if PM can't be sorted until May.

Plan B has kicked in then. Vihari signed on month long contract. He's in the UK now, but quarantining. That might be finished in time for Notts next week. Malan now expected to be available some time in May.

Solbear wrote:

First things first, it's great that the forum has been re-born - I have missed it since the previous version disappeared so many thanks to those responsible for bringing it back to life.

Moving onto Vihari's apparent signing, I'm very disappointed that Malan's arrival has been delayed and I just hope it is a temporary blip that can be overcome. I am afraid I'm not filled with confidence by a short-term signing such as this, especially given that his last five innings have produced scores of 2, 2, 1, 4 and 0! However, I hope I am proved wrong and that his obvious talent that has produced a highly impressive FC average of nearly 57 will re-emerge once he arrives.

I'm not entirely sure we'll actually sign Vihari. I think we might just have lined him up, with the possibility that Malan won't get sorted for a while. The post on the County website said they were working hard to get Malan in (get a Visa and arrange his quarantine), it was implied they were optimistic of sorting it out in 2/3 weeks. Also, Farbs said he was confident the current squad could absorb a short term loss of Malan - and that is demonstrated by how they used the batsmen in the pre-season matches (and the form of the batsmen). I would guess that Plan A is to get Malan playing by the end of April and they will only turn to Plan B (and Vihari), if PM can't be sorted until May.

As Bald Reynard and Bristol Bear have pointed out in the (4 day) Pre-season thread, the 'mystery leggie' that Farbs talked about in the Members Forum, is pretty likely to be Matt Lamb and not Adam Hose, as I assumed. Lamb bowled a few overs today in the Friendly against Leeds MCCU - and did indeed SEEM to be bowling spin, PROBABLY leg spin. Very different from his usual medium pace action and runup. We probably need to see more of him bowling, or get confirmation from the Club, but I would judge he could well be the "new Eric Hollies" that Adam Hose referred to on his Twitter page.

Matt L is much less the surprise seamer to turn to spin that the (very) part-time Hose. Lamb has always bowled with a lot of flight and speed variation in his seam duties and I have seen him try a few 'spins' for BG. IF it is him, I think it's a great idea - for him and the Club. For him, it helps cement his place as a batsman who bowls a bit and for the Club, it COULD (still to be proved) give us a genuine leg spin option we've been missing since Josh P left.

BristolBear wrote:

Whatever it is, it’s different. A few paces at a jog, then almost stops, walks a couple of paces and then I think it is indeed leg spin. Could be a very useful tool if he can refine it. Especially places where pitches do something’s take spin like Essex and Notts.

I agree with you Bristol. Matt's action and runup today is entirely different from his usual - and he does indeed seem to be bowling leg spin. I think my assumptions (in the Adam Hose thread) that Hose is the mystery 'letfie', Farbs talked about in the Members Forum, was wrong - and Lamb is that guy. Much less surprise that it's him rather than Hose, as he is a more regular bowler (for the Bears and Barnt Green) and his medium pace was always suitable to turn to spin. We'll need to see more to be sure - or get confirmation from someone at the Club.

Interesting that George has been called up for the 'First team' (Edgbaston) squad for Notts Friendlies starting tomorrow. I think that might imply him getting a chance ahead of other young seamers - George Garrett and Ethan Brookes especially. That could well be down to the fact that he is the only left arm seamer at the club now. I saw him play for Moseley in 2019 and he looked a real prospect - quickish, but with a nice left arm 'whippy' action, which moved the ball in the air and off the seam. From what I've seen, he could well jump ahead of those other guys waiting in the wings. The first 'leftie' since the (disastrous) loss of Keith Barker (for which Ash Giles needs to do serious penance!) and another 'Aussie' - lets hope a bowling equivalent of Sam H!

Highveld wrote:

Unlikely to be today, currently precipitating precipitously.

Yep! Shame, I was hoping to see some different bowlers having a stint today. Still, I think we've got a Notts Friendly next week and then a University game, so we might find out who the mystery leggie is then?!