The Cricket Thread

There's a three match ODI series vs Holland in between the 2nd and 3rd tests vs NZ. So there's no chance that the likes of Stokes and Root will play in those ODIs, hence opening the door for the likes of Vince and Dawson.

It annoyingly clashes with a reasonable chunk of our t20s.

 

Whilst I am happy to see Lancs heading to defeat vs Essex, there is an element of "be careful what you wish for". There's still enough time for Essex to mount a charge.

He might have only taken three wickets in this match, but Porter's recall has coincided with this Essex performance. Maybe not a coincidence.

 

Cricketers -

I'm off to Greece in a week's time, so have a couple of spare tickets for day 2 of the test match at Lords. In the Mound Stand, £110 each (face value). Anyone fancy them?

 

Nice job, Warwickshire, or to be more exact, Hain and Rhodes.

 

It might just be me, but it feels like the t20s are extra-crammed together this season: 27th, 30th, 31st, 2nd, 4th, 7th, 9th, 10th is our block, prior to the next four day match.

I'm still not sure what our first XI will look like. If Weatherley is fit, then I imagine there are eight certainties: Donald, McDermott, Vince, Weatherley, Dawson, Wood, Crane and Ellis. But the other three slots? Probably Fuller. Probably Wheal or Currie, but unlikely to be both. And maybe one of Brown, McManus, Gubbins or Prest?

 

Whiteley is a certainty!

 

Oh of course!

Bye then Fuller (maybe?)

 

Assuming Joe isn't ready for Friday I would go with:

Donald
Vince
McDermott
Prest
Dawson
Brown
Whiteley
Wood
Crane
Wheal/Currie
Ellis

Obviously Whiteley's position in the batting order will vary depending on how many wickets we lose.

 

My team selection would have been:

McDermott (wk)
Donald
Vince (c)
Gubbins
Whiteley
Dawson
Fuller
Currie
Wood
Crane
Ellis

However, just seen that Gubbins has been selected for a County XI vs New Zealand warm-up game, starting on Thurs. So that would rule him out of our T20 opener, so his place can go to Weatherley, if fit, or Prest (Brown would be the final option, haven't checked his one-day stats but not sure is that much of a 'dasher' in the shorter form and McDermott does do some keeping).

I wouldn't trust Fuller with more than 2 overs in a T20 but he's my back-up sixth bowler anyway. I've put him in there for an extra bonus push at the end, whacking it around in (hopefully) the last 3-5 overs.

Come on Hampshire, whoever ends up playing!

 

Averages 15 at a strike rate of 112 in t20s. Only one 50 is his career.

15 off 13 balls is hardly anything to shout about. It's Brown's weakest format. And with all due respect, at 33 years old his t20 game is hardly going to go to another level.

Even McManus can better those stats, which is saying something. (Averages 17 at a strike rate of 130, with two career 50s.)

 

TBH I'm not expecting much from our keeper runs wise. We just need whoever it is to be very good behind the stumps.

 

And to be honest, I can't recall ever seeing McDermott keep, so have no idea what he's like with the gloves. I don't know if he's a natural keeper (in which case he takes the gloves for me), or more of a Phil Salt/Tom Alsop type stand-in (in which case I would be considering Brown or McManus).

 

Weatherley is playing a second XI t20 at the moment, so looks like he's fine for Friday. Scored 32 from 22, including 6s off Mills and Garton.

(I say 2nd XI, but it's more a warm-up 1st XI. Sussex are almost at full strength, and we've got Weatherley, Donald, Dawson, Whiteley and Prest.)

 

Looking forward to watching Smeed tonight. For someone so young, he's already one of my favourite (non-Hampshire) cricketers.

 

Watch him get out first ball now.

 

Bound to be, he's in my fantasy team....

 

Odd to see Alex Blake carrying the drinks. I'd presumed him not starting meant he was injured.

Surely he's a better option than Denly?

 

I'm presuming Kent will use Denly as a bowler.

 

They already have five frontline bowlers. Now, sure, Denly is a perfectly adequate 6th bowler - but he needs to justify his place with the bat to make that worthwhile.

 

Agreed, but I do think I would drop Linde ahead of Denly (yes I know, 29 off 15 balls is a lot more than what Denly contributed).