Yorkshire have a propensity to find ways to lose games. Gives me a touch of hope.

Think we've bowled decently enough in this second innings, but we just can't seem to get that bang bang that gets everyone up and creates a bit of drama. Still seems to be enough in the surface.

Two pathetic and unnecessary dismissals in quick succession from our two best bats. Lovely.

classic Dan Mousley dismissal.

Ben McKinney out of contract and so is Zak Crawley. Two I can see us being interested in but not sure either would be the solution, particularly with Crawley's ongoing break from the first class game. Perhaps an overseas opener for next year a la Latham. We seem to have a number of middle order options (Shaikh, Malik, Jani, even at a push Dandy, Wylie, Nahal, Gekis) but not many openers. It's clearly something that needs to be addressed pretty urgently.

We're in dire need of an opening bat to allow Smith or even Davies to bat 6 or 7. He just simply cannot keep opening.

We're now in the "transfer window". Anyone to mind?

For what it’s worth, I feel pretty sorry for Taz Ali who bowled immensely in that first game at Glos and has been asked to do a relatively thankless and almost experimental job thereafter.

Bowled three balls with no one behind square today, all of which went to the boundary and two from false shots. Extremely talented and full of potential, but not being given the surroundings to demonstrate his ability enough for me.

Fine margins and momentum it feels like currently. Finding ways to lose games.

Our last over goes for four with three wickets off the last three balls. Find the way we approach the middle overs tedious, lots of swinging and missing at Scrimshaw who was executing a simple short at the big boundary plan.

Barnard looks a little off the pace as a T20 captain. The loss of Briggs, Lintott, and Hassan Ali as three incredibly experienced T20 players and bloody good bowlers has hurt immeasurably it seems. Desperate for Gleeson to come back in to at least offer some threat first up.

Hotels look a bit pricey but would love to get up for this one.

Is there a possibility of anyone driving up from Birmingham on the Friday with space spare in a lift?

Title credentials. A team trending in the right direction and resilient against whatever match situation or availability issue presents itself. Ethan Bamber goes from strength to strength in a Warwickshire shirt, OHD back at his rhythmical and consistent best, Sam Hain being Sam Hain and Yates gobbling it all up in the cordon.

Back it up against Glamorgan and we’ll be sitting very smartly going into the T20 block.

Still looks to be something out there too despite it flattening out somewhat. Tough to know what’s a good score as we’ll be fearful of Brook and Bairstow chasing if the pitch continues to flatten but a remarkable fightback championed by OHD coming back and bowling what has felt a really fired up spell to me. More verve in his celebrations, more on the ball. That in-dipper to get Bairstow was pretty special.

Shame to see Dan throw it away in what is becoming signature style for him. Another 100 waiting for him there. Really impressive knock and catching from Yates.

Important first hour tomorrow against a new ball, but will be good to see just what the pitch is still offering with a hard ball.

Will need to see the rulebook on that one, but we've just ran three before the ball went for four overthrows and we've only been given six?

Andy wrote:

Are we really having a shocker this season up to today? I don't think we are?

Not having any indication that we are. Winning draws against the top two from last season, a win against Essex and a close loss to Sussex. We're playing a lot of good cricket and, as usual, agenda is crowding people's views of the season. OHD was miles off it last season and we're now reaping the reward of good management this season, allowing him to play cricket and remain in rhythm on loan.

We're in a very good spot, playing in a difficult match on a result wicket against a decent quality seam attack bowling well. We've just bowled them out for the same as what we made. Context is so important when discussing players.

The stuff on Malik's average being less than that of Smith's is a one-sided argument. He's played on two result wickets against Essex and in this match. I'd argue he's in the side as he has more stickability than Smith who tends to be a freer, more languidly styled late innings scorer. Smith has played on flatter pitches. The decision making is sound, the fact its not bearing result isn't hugely surprising when taking into account the context.

Absolute seed from OHD.

Of course yeah. Imagine that'll be the spot that Ali misses out on. Extremely long batting lineup this year by the looks of things. Gleeson and Woakes handy new ball partners and should hopefully avoid having to rely on Barnard to bowl at the death.

Really happy with this one, suspect he’ll do very well and hoping it isn’t at the cost of Taz.

Yates Davies Webster Hain Mousley Barnard Thompson Garton Ali Gleeson Tariq?

On the topic of strange social media usage, the club clearly teased a new signing to be announced on April 30th, but nothing has been posted on any channel or the club site.

Frankly bizarre considering the post is still up.

https://x.com/WarwickshireCCC/status/2049194435200663890?s=20

Played last week too. Still contracted I believe, think he’s been doing some 12th man in the CC and has a headshot on the club site.

https://live.nvplay.com/ecb/?tab=m_scorecard#m43ddcbee-9b5c-42e2-a907-5c82882de12e

A comprehensive win by 105 runs over Worcestershire in the U18 County T20 Cup after our boys racked up the ridiculous 279/8 from their 20 overs.

Omaris Khan made 117 off 39 opening the batting with 15(!) sixes while there were three wickets for James Pidgeon and two each for Joseph Walley and Eddie Miller.

Get in Mikey! Now then...