Who would have thought that after three games of the season (almost a quarter of the season) our top three would all be averaging over 100!

Malc wrote:

Have you seen recent photos of him?

Stocky build as described but now has very short hair- you mentioned he was wearing a cap.

Although he has played for a number of teams in Australia a Google search does show him playing for Melbourne Renegades Academy Team

Barnt Green have signed Lloyd Pope for the season- he plays for Melbourne Renegades.

He once took 7-30ish in an Under 19 World Cup game against England- victims included Tom Banton, Will Jacks and Harry Brook (1st ball)

Mikkyk wrote:

Game 3, at Neath.

Can we keep our 100% record going? Or will Glamorgan or the rain end it?

The forecast looks ok but then it's looked okay other days recently, and turned out not to be. Glamorgan's game at Neath today was abandoned without a ball bowled.

I think if Bethell is available having not played the last two Hundred games, I would bring him in to replace Brookes, with the news he is going to Worcestershire.

He didn't play the last game but game before was abandoned without ball being bowled- so not certain if that classifies as 'not playing the last two games?' He did play in the first match

ExiledBrummie wrote:

Mikkyk wrote:

Ah I didn't realise that was a rule but makes sense.

Also worth noting that Lawrence, who got 58 off 33 in their final group game win, is in the England squad for Thursday. Don't think him or Woakes will be in England line up so presumably him and Woakes play on Thursday, or neither?

Hmmm, you just know Lawrence will be released but not our man!

I can't see Pope being fit for England- is there any other batting cover in the squad other than Lawrence?

I think it is time he retired from test cricket- always poorly handled. Time to come back and enjoy the remainder of his career with Warwickshire

196 good effort- Whether it's enough remains to be seen but I really believe Mousley & Bethell are the future. I can't believe that we have been picking Chris Benjamin ahead of Jacob Bethell all season

GerryShedd wrote:

Matt isn't making much of an impact at Derbyshire so far - a shame!
Hoping things pick up for him- he's just coming back from a spell out with a back injury. I saw him bat for Barnt Green (49) in Birmingham League on Saturday and he still looked in a bit of discomfort to me- was surprised to see him playing in Championship game.

Another very good day. Pleasing that all the batters in the team, with the exception of Rhodes have now scored strongly at some stage this season. Shame about the forecast for tomorrow.

Excellent day hopefully the openers can carry on where they left off this evening. That is weather permitting, I haven't seen the forecast for down south.

This is good news!

Apologies it was the Blast not the Royal London- 7 wickets with 2 overs to spare

We do seem a bit disparaging of Derbyshire as a team (I recall several comments during the members HPR forum in October)- did they not beat us fairly comfortably in last seasons 50 over comp?

Regardless of whatever blame we wish to lay on Royal Mail- they are still too late sending them out in the first place

BristolBear wrote:

I haven’t been following the stream today. Who’d he drop?

Sorry just back on site after 3 days- I can't recall who now but very straightforward. Good to see him get some runs though, I just hope we don't lose him.

Don't recall seeing Michael Burgess drop one like that before

Highveld wrote:

Surely if a player is signed as the main overseas player he should be expected to arrive fully fit and ready to play.
The club is investing a lot of money into Hassan Ali, with wages, flights, visa and accomodation, it is not unreasonable to expect him to b e fit and ready to play.

With regard to Hassan I was just going by what the club have said this week. Yes I sincerely hope he is ready.

GerryShedd wrote:

Here's my season preview for Deep Extra Cover:
https://deepextracover.com/2023/03/warwickshire-ccc-season-preview-2023/
As usual, I am open to (constructive) criticism!

Seems fairly spot on to me. According to the weekly e-mail today they are looking to the second game for Chris Woakes to return. Agreed Bethell in his place. Otherwise that looks a long tail, given we now have Ed Barnard I think we would have to leave one of the seamers out for Dan Mousley. Maybe be Hasan Ali depending on level of readiness or otherwise Chris Rushworth?

GerryShedd wrote:

I don't think that the move away from "Birmingham" has ever been stated - it just seems to have happened quietly over the last 12 months, not only on the website but also in press releases.

I seem to recall at the last members forum (Strauss high performance review) Stuart Cain mentioned that it was quietly and intentionally being dropped now that Birmingham Phoenix are on the scene.

As well as watching Warwickshire I try to get to Barnt Green as much as possible. Andy Sutton was exceptional for them last year and I think this could be an excellent appointment. Already well known to a number of our younger players and I can't see anything but a positive impact on our pathway system.