I think it's fair to say Vince is the best T20 batsman in the country now and has been going back to last season. He's very unfortunate England have such a good T20 team. Having said that, they surely can't ignore his current form.
The Cricket Thread
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It's been 30 years since Shane Warne’s bowled Mike Hatting at Old Trafford on 4 June 1993.
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I'm still a bit concerned about the form of both Whiteley and Crane but you can't really complain after two big wins on the bounce, including our first ever 10 wicket win! Well played lads.
Thankfully though, our squad is just that little bit deeper this season. Prest and Howell could easily come in for both of them, when fit again. And Currie, as you would hope from a young bowler, looks to have come on further this season, meaning that we're not missing Wheal.
One thing which I think is lacking is a top right-arm opening bowler. Somerset, for example, have three of them (Overton, Henry, Davey). To be fair to Fuller, he's done a decent job over the past two days, but I'm not yet convinced that it's a long-term solution. Ellis and Howell (when fit) are both excellent at what they do, but that isn't opening the bowling. But this is nit-picking; no side will have absolutely every base covered.
I noticed last night Whiteley was taking painkillers and added strapping to his left arm so he's obviously having a bit of trouble with it.
Satisfactory set of results today.
It was always asking a lot for Gloucs to lose to Middlesex. But Sussex, Kent and Essex all losing is good. It's almost a case now of being able to discount Sussex and Kent.
Glamorgan have stepped it up this season, so fair play to them. Their bowling still isn't too much to shout about, but their batting has really lifted. That said, they haven't had the hardest set of fixtures so far - their one defeat, away to Somerset, has been their only match against Somerset, Surrey, Essex or us.
It was always asking a lot for Gloucs to lose to Middlesex. But Sussex, Kent and Essex all losing is good. It's almost a case now of being able to discount Sussex and Kent.
Glamorgan have stepped it up this season, so fair play to them. Their bowling still isn't too much to shout about, but their batting has really lifted. That said, they haven't had the hardest set of fixtures so far - their one defeat, away to Somerset, has been their only match against Somerset, Surrey, Essex or us.
Jack Leach out of the Ashes with injury. Interesting decision for England to make now. Assuming they pick another spinner there's not a huge amount of options. Ahmed (or leg spin in general) is probably too big of a risk, they need someone who can do a containing job. I just wonder if Dawson has an outside chance here. He's bowled well so far this season and can bat.
I wouldn't be going anywhere near a replacement spinner. (If there was a world class replacement, it would be different. But there isn't.)
Previously we were faced with a problem of trying to make five go into three (Anderson, Broad, Robinson, Woakes, Wood). Now it can be a slightly easier decision of five into four.
I disagree with an all seam attack. It's been hot and dry lately, so pitches will likely take spin in days 3-5 (although day 5 may not be needed at all). Root is a decent option but he's a good part-time spinner and nothing more. I would at the very least name a spinner in the squad so if the conditions indicate a spinner would be handy, they can name one in the team.
Why is there such a dearth of high quality spinners in the County Championship? Is it the way the 4-day Game is set up with over 50 pero cent of the games played at the start and end of the season.when conditions are not exactly ideal? Having said that a good spinner should get responsive conditions in.the autumn after the wear and tear of summer.
I would love Middlesex to.end up.with Zero points when the T20.group.phase ends. Unlikely, as they will get a point due to a rained off fixture and get a couple of wins when the outcome does not really matter. I feel it is a County that is still.very lukewarm.to T20 despite having won it in 2008, I think!
Surely once you've shaken off a virus it's gone? You can't catch the same virus twice as far as I know. Probably just being rested or just favouring a more out and out bowler like Turner.
Good shot Ben. I've never rated Helm, always seems very expensive to me. Perhaps it's going to be the match that Donald has some fun at the end of the innings, given that Vince has missed out for once.