BristolBear wrote:

Seemed a very weird decision to bowl first. But the bigger issue for me is how can the club have not planned for this and had an overseas here for the Quarter Finals.
The overseas selection in the last couple of years has been very odd. Surely finding a player to be here all season isn’t impossible?

Agree, very poor planning with Brathwaite. Kent had Adam Milne available. These things make a difference.
I thought the fielding was poor, the batting from the top order was shameful. The batting has been brittle for years. Some of the dismissals were plain embarrassing. Only Lintott, Bresnan and Woakes showed any fight.

Bald_Reynard wrote:

14 man squad:-

Rhodes, Benjamin, Bresnan, Briggs, E. Brookes, Burgess, Hain, Hose, Lamb, Lintott, Miles, Pollock, Woakes and Yates.

I would think Brookes and Lamb will miss out, but can't guess the other. Bresnan perhaps (though that only gives us 3 seamers), or Yates?

No Carlos Brathwaite? I thought he'd signed for the T20 for the Bears?

GerryShedd wrote:

Looks like he is becoming a short-format man for hire:
https://edgbaston.com/news/jake-lintott-to-play-in-cpl/

More disruption to the squad....

Unfortunately Central Contracts are the key. The ECB can dictate everything they want and the County have no say. Nonetheless Woakes has been messed around badly.

He's had awful treatment this year from England's management. They constantly prevent him playing for the Bears deeming protection and not overloading his schedule. To me this is detrimental as he's so short of match fitness and picks up injuries on the back of this lack of involvement.

Solbear wrote:

As I understand it, Chris is still on a rookie contract until the end of the summer. His performances are bound to start attracting interest from other counties - I hope we swiftly move to sign him up to a full time contract before he's lured elsewhere!

Yes, the Warwickshire management need to tie him down to a proper contract asap! Don't let the grass grow!

Chris Woakes absences are never really clear.

Well done to the guys for showing true grit and determination. However, what's happened to all our first choice bowlers? I know Olly is out for a long spell, Chris Woakes? Still injured?

Still a terrible collapse - last 6 wickets for 11 runs?

I presume the Bears have first option on Chris Benjamin? If so, a permanent contract is a certainly! Terrific innings tonight for Birmingham Phoenix!

Good win again today. I noticed Woakes was missing again? Not sure of the reason, Covid isolation? It seems the ECB have done their utmost this season to keep Woakes from playing for the Bears!

Too many senior players missing, especially bowlers and made worse with Carlos Brathwaite isolating. But, the batting is a real concern. About time the club went after at least two top class players, especially the overseas signing.

Terrible performance by the Bears. I went to watch last night, but it was painful to watch; not what you'd call 'entertainment'! Too many poor shot selections by our batsmen.

Yes, really pleased that Henry has signed for another 3 years. Still young with huge potential. He probably needs to bulk up a bit more in the gym. With a bit more added power he could easily be a consistent 90mph + bowler, hopefully for England one day.

Key could be getting Hales out cheaply. His ton the other night virtually won it for them.

Another poor display. This T20 Blast campaign is fizzling out. The batting is abysmal. Surely the innings needs to be better paced?

Henry should be offered a new contract. Huge ability and potential. It'd be criminal to let him go. I was never happy when Moeen Ali left to go to Worcestershire.

A bit worrying that this is not the first time it's happened to Olly. Fast bowler with a dodgy back doesn't look good longterm. Hopefully he can overcome the problem, but it's a big dent in our pace attack as he's out for the rest of the season.

Good win, Malan finally in the runs! Slightly annoying their last wicket stand having been 80/9.

Highveld wrote:

I'm sure Malan will prove to be a good signing. what we don't know is the size of the positive effect he has on the squad, with Bell, Trott, Ambrose and Patel retirng over the last few seasons, there's not a lot of experience in the changing room. something Malan was signed to provide.

He was surely signed to score runs? His scores have been abysmal. Vihari did better.