The Cricket Thread

Shoot-out between Currie and Wheal to fill in for Barker tomorrow.

Really tough group, so Leicester first-up is almost must-win already.

 

What's the latest on Barker, is he likely to play any time soon?

 

Hamstring strain. Not a full tear as I understand, but playing him would risk it turning into that. He was in the nets last week, but I think batting only.

Next week is a possibility, depending on things go.

Less clear with Donald. He's had a set back with his recovery (he was pretty much ready to go), but no details revealed as far as I know.

 

I would go with Wheal personally.

Looks like they don't want Holland opening so I would guess our line up will look like:

Weatherley
Alsop
Vince
Northeast
Holland
Dawson
McManus
Abbott
Wheal
Crane
Abbas

Decent looking line up. Bit of a tail - Abbott batting one too high for me. But that will be sorted when Barker returns. Win the toss, bowl first please Vince. Unless the pitch is an absolute road of course.

Glad we've got 4 rainless days forecast against Leicestershire.

 

I very much got the impression from Vince last week that Holland will open. For the simple reason that he wants to do it.

Stick Barker and Donald in for Wheal and McManus, and suddenly our XI looks quite tasty if Weatherley can kick on this season. But a bit like Saints, when we have a few injuries our lack of depth gets immediately shown up.

 

Helpful that Somerset start on -8 points for this season.

 

I think last season was our big chance, and once again we blew it. We’ve lost Bess and Jamie Overton, but then we have a couple of great batting prospects with Lammonby and Banton, and people are talking about Kasey Aldridge, who apparently has real pace. Will be interesting to see what pitches are produced at Taunton for Jack Leach until he goes off to England duty.

 

Interesting decision to bat first. I do see the merits in it with having 2 spinners in the line up but still a bit surprised. Surely Vince isn't batting at 5?

 

I don’t really follow cricket until the weather gets a lot warmer or England are on tour, but are you seriously telling me that the county championship has started? Feck me - it’s freezing!!

 

Weatherley batting like Vince at the moment!

 

And gets out when well set like Vince!

 

Very good start with a strong middle order still intact, must be looking for max batting points at this stage.

 

How do you go about watching Hampshire during lockdown? Surely there must be streams of those stuff.

 

Here ya go mate...

https://www.ageasbowl.com/cricket/n...-hampshire,-lv-insurance-county-championship/

 

I must admit I'm surprised to see Vince batting at 5 but it could be a masterstroke. It protects him from the new ball and more often than not he'll come in when the bowlers are fatigued.

 

Excellent 50 from Alsop to start the season. I noticed Kevan James said the pitch was dry and cracked - hence why we batted first. I bet Crane and Dawson will be looking forward to bowling on it.

 

Phew, Vincey nearly out for a golden duck...

 

Vincey's got his start, he doesn't need to play an attacking shot to every ball, he should be looking for at least a ton now.