The Cricket Thread

Hampshire and Saints winning on the same day. Doesn't happen often. Slept well last night, might have been aided by the liquid supper.....

 

Turner has got a back issue and is out for the season. There's Baker of course but isn't there an England series that conflicts with this - would that not affect Dawson as well?

 

Ah. Think Dawson will be available for the QF but not Finals Day if we get there as he's only in the T20 squad. Baker is unavailable as he's also in the ODI squad. Wheal or Jack in for Turner then.

 

Weather radar for tomorrow suggests localised showers rather than a band of rain in the London area but I don't suppose the ground has good drainage so hopefully any showers that hit won't be too heavy.

 

The Middlesex squad announcement (with Gohar and Higgins available, as predicted) states that Friday can be used as a reserve day if required. I'm not sure if they'd have to start the match again from scratch or if they'd be able to carry on where they left off on Thursday if play had to be abandoned.

 

Hampshire squad has been announced. No Albert, Fuller or Barker but Wheal, Abbott and Dawson back.

My team: Orr, Gubbins (c), Middleton, Brown (wk), Dawson, Mayes, Organ, Neal, Abbott, Jack, Wheal

So leaving out Lumsden, Kelly and Prest. I know that would give us 3 frontline spinners, but Organ (in this format) is probably worth a place as a lower order batter and he may not be bowling his full 10 this time. I can see a case for putting Prest in for one of Organ or Neal - it would look a little stronger on paper but not with Tom's current form.

 

With that top 6 I would go with Felix over Presty, that looks a really solid team.

 

Well, our spin bowling options have drastically improved.

 

If we win it then Gubbins will have to be player of the tournament.

 

For me it's a straight shoot-out between Prest and Organ. The other 10 pick themselves (unless anyone is made available at the last minute).

Prest's poor form, coupled with Organ's bowling, heavily tilts things in Organ's direction. But I wouldn't be surprised if they go with Prest.