We were just waiting to get the main man out to the crease. Taylor's batting is certainly better than a no.10 by all accounts, so still scope to continue to take this innings deeper. Probably get max bonus points if we're not bowled out - for us, that's like three Xmas' at once, so I won't get excited just yet. And Jimmy has a new ball in his hand. Big week next up for Carberry (and the second innings here first). Given Jimmy's big 100 last match, Carberry's place is hanging by a thread. Same absolutely could be said of Rilee, but at least with Rilee there's also that possibility that he might hit a 60 ball 100. And he massively has age on his side, unlike Carbs. Dawson has to replace someone once he's back.
Stumps 351/8. Good grief we picked up 4 batting points in one day! A 5th would be great but a good score on the board already. Kyle Abbott is immense.
And at the COP it remains the case that RR is of little concern in relation to max bonus points. 49 runs from 14 overs shouldn't be too difficult. It all comes down to whether we get bowled out first. Hopefully Kyle can get these 24 remaining runs.
Unfortunately, even without any bowlers falling down injured mid-match, we still find ourselves effectively with a two man attack. Denied the services of our top two spinners (though can't complain - Lancs are missing two of the main batsmen, for the same reason), and fielding a seamer who - though very good last match - has been out of professional cricket for nearly two years. (And the opposition in that one match was only Warks). That said, as long as we don't mess up our second innings, we'll still come away with a solid draw as a minimum, regardless of how many Lancs score. Not that a victory is yet beyond us; a couple of wickets tonight, and we'll go out tomorrow with the new ball on the horizon, and an end opened to bowl at.
Livingstone and Hameed will play for the Lions - will be annoyed if Crane and Dawson play no part in the T20's. Actually Livingstone is in the T20 squad isn't he?
Yeah, Livingstone is in the t20 squad. Morgan has confirmed that Crane will play tomorrow, taking Rashid's vacated place. And surely Dawson will be taking Moeen's vacated place. Whether Crane plays beyond tomorrow though, is another question.
For purely selfish reasons, I wouldn't mind him missing out the final t20. Might allow him to be released to play against Somerset next week (although being a pink ball day-night four day match, it might transpire that it's heaven for the seamers and a spinner is rather redundant - if results from other countries is anything to go by).
Essex win tomorrow, I feel they are halfway to the Championship and will take some stopping. They knew for quite a few seasons they were too good for Division 2 and are now making up for lost time. (PS: I am not an Essex fan but just looking at things with an open mind.) I would like Middlesex to win it again but feel they lack a world class spinner which is so important in the second half of the season. As to the teams that go down, it won't be Warwickshire!!
Just caught up on t20 v South Africa....England batted well and won easily by 9 wickets. Also helped that South Africa was poor in the field.
