Sensational run chase by Surrey. Just too good. That's our title hopes over for another season. We maybe have one more chance next season before the age of the squad becomes a big problem. So we need to sort out an opening batter over the winter. Surrey were already strong, but adding Sibley for that role this season has just made them stronger.
It's ridiculous how many players they keep signing. I guess Lawrence wouldn't have helped solve our top order problems but would probably have been more consistent than Dawson at 5. Having Lawrence at 5, Brown at 6 and Dawson at 7 would have seemed quite handy. Anyway, you never know, someone like Ryan Patel might get pushed out of Surrey and he couldn't do any worse than our current options, surely?!
Are there any rules preventing counties from simply 'buying' any/all good players, from other counties? In football, there are FFP rules (not actually applied, but that's a different issue). In other words, could Surrey tempt any player to sign for them, or are contracts with counties fairly tight? I'm aware that there are limits on overseas players, but I've never looked at the way that 'home grown' players move between counties. I'm also aware that there are some players with 'Central' contracts, but could these players play for different counties, if they are offered enticements to move?
It will be interesting to see who he comes in for (assuming he plays tomorrow). Turner has got himself ahead of Currie for me with his performances. I suspect Whiteley will be given more time. So that leaves Crane, Fuller and Albert. A real left field thing to do would be to promote Dawson to 3 and bring in Howell for Albert. Or they could simply bump Weatherley up to 3 and Whiteley to 4. It would be a bit harsh on Albert but it would give Vince more flexibility with his bowling options.
My vote would be Howell for Whiteley, might give him a kick up the backside to refocus and get his form back. It's getting a bit like the Maguire situation at Manchester Utd, feeling that we have to keep picking him because we signed him for T20s (only) and just hoping he'll come good. My second choice to be replaced would be Turner.
It is good to see Middlesex and Yorkshire struggling yet again. It is very hard to forget the way they contrived a result on the very last afternoon of the Championship season back in 2016 that deprived Somerset of the County Championship. Throw in the historical rascism issues at Yorkshire and Middlesex ignoring the talents of the Afro-Carribean and Asian community, I am quite happy to see them both struggle.
It's interesting to see that they sent Donald, Whiteley, Currie and Turner off to play for the 2nd XI T20s today, where we were thrashed by Glamorgan. Currie was expensive, conceding 55 off his 4 overs whilst Donald & Whiteley failed with scores of 8 and 12 respectively. Turner did OK with 2-37 from his 4 overs.
You're probably right, I would actually be tempted to leave out Mason, particularly on the smaller grounds. However, I do realise that he can take key wickets for us, with good balls and even long-hops caught on the boundary as the batsmen have to keep attacking.
Just plonked myself down on the sofa. Aside from tips to the kitchen and bathroom, I might not be moving until about 10pm.
Better news - the Aussies have wasted their first DRS review, by asking for the coin toss to be checked...
