The Cricket Thread 2015-16

I guess there's also the option of combining the two selection issues together, and replacing Crane with Ervine. I'm not sure it's a particularly likely option, given that Ervine and Dawson would be batting 7 and 8, and Berg and McLaren at 9 and 10. Not that batting depth like that is a bad thing of course, especially at the Riverside where just an extra 20 runs can make all the difference, but it's just not at all common - and probably not necessary. I wouldn't be advocating it.

I wouldn't be at all surprised if Crane does keep his place, but you certainly wont be finding Durham play an out and out spinner. Onions, Rushworth, Hastings, a fourth seamer of their choosing (often Harrison this season, but I think he might be injured), and Collingwood. Borthwick (and Pringle if he plays) will probably hardly get a bowl.

 

Although I'm a big fan of Billings, he didn't do enough in the t20s for Kent this summer to warrant selection ahead of Vince.

My much bigger gripe than Vince not playing though, is Willey down at 9 on the scorecard. Just open with him, and let him hit out. We have so much batting, it wouldn't matter if he got out first ball.

Interesting to see how Topley goes. Sounds like he's 90% signed by Hants, and might even move to us before the end of the season (although I'm personally doubting this).

 

Really? That would be a cracking signing.

 

Moeen Ali is an absolutely pure class batsman.

 

Where did you hear that SB?

 

The Echo reported on it a few days ago:
http://www.dailyecho.co.uk/sport/cr....Hants_linked_with_Essex_star_Topley/?ref=mac

Although I had been made aware of our interest a good two weeks before that article. Part of me wonders if Topley is waiting to see if we'll be in D1 or D2 next season though.

 

Would be a very good signing

 

England 182-5. Could have been more, but for late cluster of wickets. Good knocks from Ali and Morgan.

 

England finish on 182-5, with a superb 72 from 46 by Moeen. Morgan got 74 from 39. Over to the bowlers...

 

Shane Watson

 

It was all in slow motion, you could see what he was trying to do, but he just couldn't!

 

Great footwork sign him for Strictly

 

Shane Watson's thoughts: Ball gone past me, just have to kick it away, anywhere, anywhere on the whole pitch...except the stumps

 

Great catch by Stokes

 

Smith on fire!

 

Wow!

 

What an unbelievable last over from Stokes!

 

How exciting. Aussies needing 12 from 6 balls, but lost 3 wickets in last over.

 

T20 may not have the classical style of Test cricket, but by God it's exciting!

 

Durham won toss and elected to bat. I wanted Hants to field first anyway.

Hampshire team: Carberry, Adams, Vince, Ervine, Smith, Dawson, Wheater, Stevenson, Berg, McLaren, Edwards.