Without trawling through the pages I don't know if this has been mentioned already so apologies if it has. 2nd Ashes Test: I think the need for a full time wicket keeper was articulately demonstrated in the first test. Maybe leave out Duckett and have Bairstow open to make room for Fowkes?
100%. Bairstow is a decent WK but he dropped a few and missed at least one stumping that I can recall, all of which Foakes would have snapped up. Could be argued that it cost us the match.
I'm a bit torn on this one: It's great for Dawson that England selectors have finally noticed what Hampshire supporters have known for a long time, but who do we have as a genuine replacement spinner?
I'm afraid we don't have a suitable replacement at the moment. Prest bowls a bit of off-spin but is injured and whilst Crane is the obvious replacement with the ball he doesn't bat anywhere near as well. Organ is the closest we have but he's not showing any form with the bat this year and, personally, I don't think he would deserve to be above number 8 in the order. From the last Championship line-up, I guess you'd be looking at Holland and Fuller to come back in for Dawson (if he did play for England) and one of Organ or Crane, leaving the other as your spin option. Weatherley bowls off-spin as well, but that's even more part-time than Prest. Donald or Albert as a full batter would be the other option and then only one of Holland/Fuller would be needed.
What's going on at Leicestershire?! They've started the season in much better shape than previous years (although the T20 hasn't gone as well) and now, all of a sudden, they're releasing 3 of their better players, Nixon has been put on gardening leave and there's rumours of more people leaving.
Organ v Crane is a weird one. Right now, I'd say that Organ is a better bet with the ball and Crane is the better bet with the bat. The wrong way round! Forget not deserving to be higher than no.8. When you're averaging 7 from 9 innings, you don't deserve to be higher than no.10.
Hameed making his t20 debut at the age of 26. I'm guessing Notts have a few injuries, to have to turn to him. 15 off 14 so far.
I'm still not convinced at all that they'll do this, but this is very impressive by Middlesex so far. Fair play.
The greatest t20 run chase ever? Incredible. Of all the matches for Middlesex to win, they win that one
5th win in a row for Kent. Started with 5 defeats from 6. It's very much like us from the past two seasons. All of a sudden, Essex are in real danger if they lose again tomorrow night at the Bowl. You take Cook out of their attack (they rested him tonight and tomorrow, ahead of their Championship match vs Warks), and it looks pretty weak on paper.
