Whether it's injury or resting, I don't know. But good to see that Siddle, having been named in Essex's squad, doesn't make their final XI.
A combination of a slight niggle and a heavy Championship schedule apparently. Same as what we did with Abbott.
Presumably though more the former than the latter. Otherwise why even go to the effort of naming him in the squad. Interesting decision from us to bat, given the rain this morning. Losing Weatherly early hardly indicates that we made the wrong decision, because it is only Weatherley. But if we find ourselves 23-4...
I didn't understand it one iota at the time, and I still don't now. I know it wasn't raining at the precise time the toss was taking place (obviously not, because they would have delayed the toss!), but the weather before hand coupled with the forecast for afterwards....it's as if we just ignored it. Although it doesn't change the fact that these three Essex bowlers are excellent, in any conditions.
Even of the 12 boundaries we have scored so far, four of them (maybe five?) have been edges past the slips/keeper.
Alsop and Rilee gave their wickets away, but apart from that Essex's excellent bowling trio - coupled with the conditions - have well and truly bowled us out.
If we didn't have the option to bowl first and we had lost the toss I could have lived with this. However we chose to bat first so not amused.
Just as I normally use the ½ Italian card in football tournaments (except the last world cup....), I am fully using my ½ Indian heritage in this game
I thought I was neutral in England v Italy matches, until the 2014 WC...Italy scored and I was pissed off England edge it against Italy in football for me, just as England edge it in cricket against India. Though as I am half Italian & half Indian, I may change sides at half time, back myself into a corner and build a shop on it
Funnily enough, when they used to play each other years back in the past I was very much on England's side. Then one match England scored and I was super pissed off. That's the day the Italian genes properly kicked in. I just enjoy whoever wins. Definitely a win-win for me. Tbh, I don't want them to play each other unless one gets knocked out. Then I wish it was the other one that did it. Complicated eh?