I'm not a fan of play-offs as a means of determining end of season positions. Presumably the ECB looked at the crowds drawn to Wembley finals in the EFL and thought "Ooh, money!" but I'm not sure that it would translate to cricket well. Whilst the last few Septembers feel like they've had good weather (any thoughts, Exiled Bear?), it is not unknown for the early autumn to be wet leading to drawn games and the need for some artificial way of deciding who "won". A league is a league and the team that has the best record over the year should win it.

Brookes was coming through at the same time as Bethell and Mousley. If you need to ration salaries, you could understand focusing on the latter pair. Only then do you find that they'll hardly ever play for you because England/IPL/Undead keep pinching them. Perhaps we shouldn't be developing the best players?!

I watched the Zimbabwe Test on TV and, for the first time, thought I could see what Stokes and Co see in him. His variation of flight was good and, when he put some action on the ball, it turned sharply.
The problem is that he's raw. Control is lacking so his wickets have tended to be expensive. He's still got a lot to learn and doing that at Test level isn't ideal. So he's in a bit of a bind - any county that takes him on will know that he'll leak runs in limited overs and be whisked off by England at the drop of a hat. Not a great proposition right now.

I doubt if it was the original intention for Latham to play T20 but when hordes of players become unavailable, what do you do? He may not be gung ho but he's quality and we could probably do with some of that amongst the headless chickens now.

GerryShedd wrote:

"No longer available:
Webster
Booth"
Does that mean that Anne Ziegler is unavailable too?
(PS - a less than topical joke!)

Made me laugh, Terry. Thank you.

100 for Mousley in the second innings. Well done, young man.
I'm not sure if this game qualifies as "first class" but, if so, that's a maiden century.

GerryShedd wrote:

Off topic, but interesting to see Josh Davey opening the batting for Somerset today. Not so much a night watchman as a morning watcher.

Yes, Gregory and Davey taking first knock. One can only assume that there was some SNAFU like half the team being late to arrive. I've heard of that happening in away games but Somerset are at home!

My thoughts too, Tayls. Interesting squad that appears to be players of promise that aren't quite making it with their counties. If Mousley can get his head down and play an innings there will presumably be some influential people watching.
It'll have to be second innings now, though. Out cheaply.

GerryShedd wrote:

Here's my report on the day.
If Gary Barwell reads it, he probably won't forgive me for likening his pitch to a dead parrot:
https://deepextracover.com/2025/05/rothesay-cc-match-report-day-two-warwickshire-v-surrey/

That photo of Ed Barnard is becoming rather familiar! Doesn't he deserve an up to date one?

I believe Jacob Bethell may be coming home early with the IPL suspended. Can't see how he would get in the team at present!

100 for Latham but Webster out. Let's hope we can keep this "god" position!

Really bad news for a young man who is just starting to get noticed.
Life as a seam bowler can lead to a lot of injuries but we do appear to get more than our fair share. I don't remember Chris Rushworth spending half the time in the treatment room at Durham. It could be age in his case but then there's OHD who seems to just keep going.
So it might be just random. Does anybody have any stats as to whether we do worse than other counties for bowling injuries?

If Latham does play then only one out of Webster and Booth would be allowed. Decision made.

You've been watching Warwickshire cricket long enough, Mr Shedd, to know that you should always worry!
And to correct my earlier post, the Tykes had SIX Tesr players in their side. I didn't realise that Sears had been capped by New Zealand. An even better result.

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.

Was Fernando available for this game? If so, preferring Booth as an overseas pick (and I can understand why) doesn't reflect well on our recruitment.

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.

And Barnard. That's five, which does seem a bit excessive.

Well that should shut us all up - our bang average side are top of the table. Yes, the batting needs more consistency. Yes, the bowling isn't incisive. But we won one. Well done.

Or, contrariwise, another half century opening partnership. Well done lads!