I don't disagree about the need for more consistency but for context it would be useful to know how the 'minus highest score' calculation works for other players in Div 1. It won't just be our batters whose average drops in this way.

Totally outplayed them in every department. Rushworth was outstasnding of course. In conditions like that the bowlers have to be backed up by the fielders and I thought our catching was magnificent all match; has been all season really.

Davies is vice-captain right?

This is great stuff! Dawson a little unlucky there I fancy.

Ha! Sawed him off good and proper!

In the hope of jixing them, Hampshire are looking comfortable.

I'd say so. Norwell is quicker and a better bat. Also, as metronomic and nagging and skilful as OHD is, Norwell is more likely to run through a side. I must say it doesn't sit right with me that our keeper stands up to several members of our pace attack. Burgess is doing all he can to disadvantage the batter and increase the chances of getting a wicket but it should be done once in a while, not routinely, as it's becoming. If I was facing a seamer and the keeper came up then I'd immediately feel like I didn't have much to worry about from the bowler.

If it's rotation, any of them. Fully fit, he's in the first XI for me.

I'm not sure there's anyone we can bring in who is going to alter the balance of the side or outperform whoever they replace. I don't suppose spin is going to play much, if any, part so the most we could o is rotate a seamer out if Norwell is fit. Frankly we have limited options. What we really need is the first choice batters to play better.

Such a poor performance overall. The only time we really had Surrey in trouble was when they were 143 for 5 but of course they ended up virtually doubling that and our top order capitulated again. A lack of pace could be a problem this summer.

Still six wickets to go but we've been outplayed by a better side so far.

Poor from us this morning. Surrey doing to us what we should have done to them yesterday morning.

From a crap start first thing this morning I think we've done pretty well to keep ourselves in it.

BristolBear wrote:

Not saying just the number of catches or stumpings. But how a keeper affects batsmen by coming up when others wouldn’t. Makes stops and catches others wouldn’t. As a keeper he seems more involved in the game. Whereas Foakes might be technically better, but does he effect games as consistently as Burgess.

It's a good point: shows he's thinking and planning and looking to see what he can do to help the bowlers. I'd rather we had more pace in the attack though. Maybe that's why he's doing it.

Highveld wrote:

The shot from Davies was totally unacceptable in the context of the score and the position in the game. He is not worth a place in the side, and the consitant poor dismissals shows he should be be trusted as vice captain.
The current opening partnership is not working, and ids putting pressure on Hains and Rhodes to rescue the side from bad starts every innings, the currents situation is not acceptable.

It is time for Robinson to make changes for the good of the entire team.

This is silly. Davies got a hundred not two games ago.

KingofSpain wrote:

Sounds like tough batting conditions on the radio commentary. Though I wish they would take Clive Eakin off air, his heavy breathing is getting worse. It's like listening to Darth Vadar having an asthma attack at times.

Yes, I've noticed that. I hope it's not a health problem. It is off-putting though.

Another superb day. Whereas in the last match on a nothing pitch our attack looked very samey, today with the pitch doing a bit and the overhead conidtions very helpful, our attack looked perfectly suited and Kent struggled as a consequence. We batted well again too. I'm more confident for the season than I was a week or so ago.

Superb effort yesterday. A couple more sessions and we can bat them out of the game. Forecast is crap for today so whenever we do get some play we need to step on the gas.

Rob Yates has batted well this morning. As they all have to be honest, except for two poor strokes that cost wickets.

Any team news yet? Forecast looks a bit crap for Thursday and Friday.