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!

7 home grown, I think, with Davies, Barnard, Bamber and Fernando having played elsewhere. Still a lot better than we are used to, and good to see.

As the first side to capture a bowling bonus point we were, for a short time, top of the table today.
It might be a while before we can celebrate anything like that again ...

Wow! Taz Ali is a big call. I hope it works out (and that someone has got him a supply of hand-warmers).

Hardly Westwood's dream start as coach. Whoever we pick as bowlers, the tail looks horrible. With no OHD and no Rushworth, the seam bowling is in the hands of debutants and Booth (plus Barnard of course) which doesn't fill me full of confidence. Thank goodness we're playing one of the promoted sides.

Very welcome. Experienced; capable; really helps to balance the side. Excellent news.

Whilst scraping the ice off the car this morning, I realised that it is only a little over two weeks before we play our first County Championship match of the season. Time to consider our prospects. I think we will finish much the same as in 2024, safe from relegation but nowhere near the title. Here's my reasoning:
A top order of Yates, Davies, Latham and Hain, with Barnard to come, is very decent for today's first division. (Yes it is, Highveld.) That's our strength. The middle order is questionable: I guess we won't see Bethell or Woakes; how often will we be able to play Webster; can Mousley develop the temperament to play an innings rather than swiping at everything? There won't be many runs from the tail.
The seam bowling is ok - they won't frighten anybody but there is plenty of experience if we can keep them fit. The lack of a wicket-taking spinner remains an issue. The weather would have to improve considerably before Taz Ali comes into consideration. We may need to play Danny Briggs for his batting but without expecting him to bowl sides out.
Will Davies keep wicket now? Keeping, captaining and opening the batting is a big ask. Whilst he doesn't come across as lacking in self-confidence, if one aspect of his game comes unstuck, the rest could follow. He'll need help on-field from the senior pros and off it from the coaches. I assume Latham's contract won't include keeping but perhaps Smith could take the gloves and add some batting in the lower order.
I don't know what availability our various overseas players have or what educational commitments apply to the kids but my suggestion for the start of the season would be: Yates, Davies, Latham, Hain, Sheikh, Barnard, Smith, Briggs, Bamber, Fernando, OHD. Hand-warmers and sweaters at the ready, guys.

I'd welcome Garton in the CC squad if he wants to play. With Burgess gone, the length of our tail is looking horrible.

Some time ago, I joked that the search for shorter boundaries and greater capacity would inevitably lead to the Competition-that-shall-not-be-named finding a home at St Andrews. Now we discover that the minority stake in the current Birmingham franchise has been bought by Tom Brady's consortium. Is the franchise about to become Birmingham City (to the immediate disgust of half the potential audience)?

Our seam bowling needs all the help it can get.

JW had a spectacular debut, scoring a big hundred against one of the Universities. I recall it being said that the umpire that day (Bill Alley?) was moved to remind him that he was allowed to score in singles and not just boundaries.
Good county player who did a lot for Warwickshire but, I agree, not really England class.

Ditto.

I'm still not convinced that Stokes and McCullum are geniuses in selection but one area where they seem to be exceptional is in instilling self belief in the players they choose. That, clearly, goes a long way.

paulbear wrote:

A Test average of 60, can't complain there can we.
Great start. Now go on and beat Ian Bell who was averaging 297 after his first three Test matches.

First rate signing that fills one of the batting holes. Reliable seamer required next and we could be competitive. But then I guess Rob Yates is going to be doing a lot of the spin bowling next year.

Yes Scarborough is about the only hint of excitement in the rest of the fixtures, even if it is only a one day game.
For those of us who live south of Bristol, there are no CC visits to Southampton or Taunton. Just a one dayer against Somerset. So the closest the Bears will come to me is, er, Edgbaston.

Exiled Bear wrote:

Really hope it goes well for him. But picking him to bat at 3 when he hasn’t made a century in professional cricket and has never batted higher than 4 in first class cricket is quite a bold move.

Has he ever batted through an entire 2 hour session of first class cricket?