Well played to Somerset and Hampshire, gutted to have missed out but had a really poor start to the tournament. Makes it worse missing out to ****ing Essex
I'm not sure exactly when this month the 100 wildcard get announced. But based on their Blast form, the most likely candidates I would suggest are: Bowlers - Pat Brown, John Turner, Michael Hogan, Zak Chappell, Calvin Harrison, Ben Sanderson All-rounders - Ben Green, Matt Critchley, Brett D'Oliveira, Ryan Higgins Batters - Daniel Bell-Drummond, Rob Yates, Max Holden, Chris Cooke, Ollie Robinson, Graham Clark, Tom Moores Lintott and Parkinson were the two big names to miss out in the draft. But neither have done much in the Blast. Lintott has 9 wickets from 12 matches (economy of 9.0); Parkinson has 2 wickets from 8 matches (economy of 8.2). I also wonder if Santner might get picked up as a replacement overseas by someone, because he's having a great Blast with Worcs with bat and ball. He probably poses our biggest hurdle for getting to finals day.
Interesting QF stats, which arguably indicates the strength of the south group. Hants have won 9 out of 11 QFs Somerset have won 8 out of 10 QFs Surrey have won 7 out of 9 QFs Essex have won 7 out of 11 QFs Whereas: Lancs have won 9 out of 15 QFs Notts have won 6 out of 13 QFs Warks have won 4 out of 12 QFs Worcs have won 2 out of 7 QFs So Lancs, Notts and Warks all find it easier to get through the group stages. But then when it comes to QFs, their win-ratios are far worse than their southern counterparts.
Presumably a straight swap with Lawrence (unlucky Essex). Another option would be to recall Foakes (and presumably reshuffle the order). But I don't think they'll be keen on such a reshuffle. And Lawrence has looked good this season (red and white ball).
Has Vince's ship sailed. His stats this season in both forms are up there at the top. Perhaps he is just outstanding at County level, but not at test, ala Ramprakash and Hick, but those guys seem to got longer runs to prove themselves
Brave have picked up Chohan and Fisher. So Chohan will be Ahmed's spin back-up, and Fisher provides decent enough pace bowling cover. We were somewhat screwed by having the last pick of the first round. Turner, unsurprisingly, was the very first pick of the draft (by Rockets). Rockets - Turner & Moores Manchester - Holden & Klaasen Oval - Muyeye & Chappell Spirit - Critchley & Bell-Drummond Fire - Wells & Cooke Supercharges - Robinson & Zaib Phoenix - Bethell & Brookes Brace - Chohan & Fisher
Really pleased for Turner. He's been outstanding and did well in the one CC match he played which is important as Mo, Barks and Abbott aren't getting any younger.
At the moment this leaves our 50 over team with Donald, Gubbins, Albert, Prest, Middleton, Brown, Holland, Organ, Currie and Campbell. Plus potentially Barker (or Abbott), if he's up for playing again. And with 100 reserve players in theory allowed to play where possible, we might well see Turner, Wood, Weatherley and/or Whiteley play a few games. Maybe even Crane and Fuller, but less likely. And if McDermott fancies hanging around, in the hope of getting a call-up as a replacement player during the 100, maybe he might feature a little bit too. Should hopefully be a stronger 50 over competition this year (albeit still a weak one) if the ECB do stick go their commitment of allowing reserve 100 players to play. Weatherley spent a month last year, in mid summer, just carrying drinks. Ridiculous.
I see Bopara has left Sussex. Now call me greedy, but he would be a great addition to our T20 team....
We might see Dom Kelly play a few games as well, especially if Turner is missing. Joseph Eckland probably isn't far off being ready to have a go at first team level, but he's a batter (plus keeper) rather than a seam bowling option.
I see that the Telegraph are saying that we are open to a reshuffle, by putting Brook up to no.3, and pushing Stokes and Bairstow once place higher each. But rather than bringing in Foakes at no.7, it will be Moeen. Personally, I'd be picking Foakes over Moeen at no.7 all day long. And I'm not even a fan of Foakes. Also sounds like Wood and Woakes for Tongue and Jimmy.
If you think that this Ashes is contoversial it ain't nothing on 1932/33 "Bodyline" series down under when England captain Douglas Jardine became the most hated man in Aus because of his leg theory tactic which involved fast short pitched bowing at the man and all the slips positioned on the leg side to wait for the fended off ball. England won the Ashes and the great Sir Don Bradman had a poor series by his exalted standards. I remember watching this series back in the 80s which documents the whole tour before and after and it's a cracker if you love the history of cricket, very recommended...
Just as an aside. Jardine's next tour was to India 1933/34. India's first test match series. If my memory is correct I watched some of the series with my dad. Wherein there was some news footage film of the test at Eden Gardens in early 1934 he said 'I was there'. As I picked my jaw off the floor he explained he had played trumpet in the Royal Marine band that paraded around the ground. He was 19. He died in 2016 at the age of 102. We took him to Saint Mary's to watch Saints demolish Newcastle 2 days after his hundreth birthday in 2014. When it fell to me to do the organising following his death, I found his birth certificate in a plastic wallet and behind the certificate was his 1976 cup final ticket..
Really enjoyed the series. I wonder if it has stood the test of time if I watched it again. Loved the smug arrogant Jardine
Geoff Thomson comes to mind. Doesn't his quote go something like "nothing gives me greater pleasure than the wack of leather on the batsman's skull'?
