Cricket

[Busaholic]

That is the essential problem with the Hundred for me; As a Northants follower, which Hundred team should I support? The only Northants player I can think of playing in this year's competition is David Willey, and that is not sufficient to get me interested in this artificial contest with its daftly named teams.

Saif Zaib as well, I believe, but I take your point. I'm not happy with Kent's captain Steve Billings captaining the Oval Invincibles and taking Jordan Cox with him: mind you, Kent always seem to do better when Billings is not playing, so maybe he might get the message!

 

[SuspectUsual]

Leicestershire beat Hampshire in the one day cup, so are now 4 from 5. Colin Ackermann has the impressive batting average of 146.50, after scores of 12, 78*, 8, 100* and 93*

 

[Busaholic]

Leicestershire beat Hampshire in the one day cup, so are now 4 from 5. Colin Ackermann has the impressive batting average of 146.50, after scores of 12, 78*, 8, 100* and 93*

Before he leaves for Durham, like so many of their players do!

 

[75A]

Where would you prefer to live?

 

[HST43257]

Durham looking absolutely stacked next year. Here are my predicted XIs for FC and T20

Alex Lees, Michael Jones, Scott Borthwick, Colin Ackermann, David Bedingham, Ollie Robinson, Brydon Carse, Ben Raine, Callum Parkinson, Matthew Potts, + Overseas Pacer

Alex Lees, Graham Clark, Colin Ackermann, David Bedingham, Ollie Robinson, Ashton Turner (if he stays), Brydon Carse, Ben Raine, Callum Parkinson, Nathan Sowter, Matthew Potts

That is a side not far off a good division 1 holding, rather than a lower division 2 spot like we have seen before

 

[Old Yard Dog]

Jer Lane 192/4 (31 ovs) Bradford & Bingley 176 (30.2 ovs - DLS target was 213)

The nostalgic return of Bradford CC's successors to Park Avenue sadly didn't excite the local public Just 5 spectators were in attendance (excluding officials, scorers and ground staff) when play got under way at 12.30. With the weather threatening, Avenue and City at home, and the RL cup final and England ladies on TV, perhaps it wasn't surprising. When I returned after the BPA vs Macclesfield game, the crowd had swelled to about 20, almost half of whom were kids playing impromptu cricket outside the boundary ropes.

While needless to say there were no scorecards on sale, an incredible amount of information was available online both as play progressed and also afterwards.

Bradford Premier League

Play-Cricket, Bradford Premier League,

bradfordcl.play-cricket.com

Bradford & Bingley won the prestigious Priestley Cup a day later by beating red hot favourites Woodlands at Pudsey Congs.

A lot of money has been spent on Park Avenue cricket ground in recent years. The pitch and outfield are in excellent condition, new dressing rooms have been built on the old football field and a new electronic scoreboard has been provided. Covered nets are now being built on what remains of the football ground. However spectator facilities are poor with just a few tip up seats in the old members' enclosure. The old terraces surrounding the rest of the ground have an air of dereliction. It is a long way off being fit to host the Priestley Cup final, let alone Yorkshire matches. The absence of a host club doesn't help. Jer Lane CC are based at Jer Lane, just up the hill from Horsfall, and only hire Park Avenue for first team matches.

It is amazing to see how the view from the pavilion end has changed over the years. The scene is now dominated by Al-Jamia Suffa-Tul-Islam Grand Mosque which is being built on the site of the old Horton Park railway station. This iconic vista has replaced the view of Archibald Leitch's fine slate roofed stand which was two-tiered on both the cricket and football sides. This was built to replace the former stand when Bradford were elected to the Southern League in 1907 and Football League in 1908.

 

[Busaholic]

What thoughts on England's choice of players for the imminent 50 over games against New Zealand etc and, beyond that, the World Cup which kicks off with a game between England and NZ on 5th October? Although the fifteen players for the WC ( plus three reserves) don't have to be named just yet, there's a good indication in the ones that have already appeared.

My initial thought was that it was a very conservative collection, and quite aged, even before Stokes was added to the mix, as batsman only, It is in fact basically the same side that won the 2019 World Cup so narrowly, minus the retired Morgan and Plunkett (remember him?!). Archer's name is only missing because of his enduring injury, but there's talk he might be added as a reserve in the hope-against-hope that he might be fit to play later in the tournament, despite no match practice.

On the subject of age, the oldest team to have won the competition had an average age of 31 years and 4 months, whereas the likely England XI has one of 32 years and 10 months. Given how much more important speed and dexterity of fielding is now, this cannot help England. Stokes, Bairstow (a boundary racer-round before his injury almost a year ago) and Ali, by no means the only ones, don't inspire too much confidence in me in saving runs.

As for the batting, like so many I can't comprehend Brook's omission. I'd have him in place of Livingstone, who's a T20 show pony as far as I'm concerned. Brook proved the other night at Headingley he could hit the ball as far as Livingstone, and with less effort and more style as well. As for Livingstone's bowling, my other replacement (Jacks for Roy) more than makes up, with Jacks's proven in test cricket in India to boot. I saw a statistic regarding the number of 70 plus innings by Roy, as opening bat, in his last 60 odd appearances for all teams, and it was either one or two! Not nearly good enough. The Hundred also revealed in two or three innings at least his apparent befuddlement at the start of an innings. Salt must also be given consideration, and his wicketkeeping might just be needed too.

Willey, Topley, Sam Curran = wow! Are so many teams susceptible to not especially fast left arm bowling in 50 over, not 20 over, cricket? Sam Curran, with his variations plus his batting and fielding, should certainly be there, but Willey couldn't get into the team last time. India, I remember, had a left arm seam obsession at a previous World Cup, which they failed to win by a long margin. Woakes is a great bowler in English conditions, but...Wood, I guess, is there because Archer may not be, and I wish him well, not least on the injury front. Atkinson is an unknown quantity. but I've have given Tongue a chance.

Buttler's a great guy though, without a huge ego, and he deserves to lead a winning side imo much as Stokes does with the test team.

 

[Mikey C]

I agree that the team selection is too faithful to the 2019 team. Either Duckett or Brook should be there to replace Roy for a start.

 

[Busaholic]

I agree that the team selection is too faithful to the 2019 team. Either Duckett or Brook should be there to replace Roy for a start.

It'd be good to see a left hander other than Malan in consideration for opening. No slur on Malan, but his strength is at number 3 to build an innings very effectively. I think he's the most under-rated member of the squad.

 

[HST43257]

They’ve been faithful to the 2019 team for good reason. Bairstow, Root and Buttler are obvious picks. For all of Roy’s general poor form, he has scored multiple centuries in that time and his partnership with Bairstow blossomed for many years.

The important thing for me is the balance of the team. I think that’s been so much simpler in the past with Stokes’ ability to bowl, but that’s annoyingly not the case. I think I’ve heard Mott say 3 pacers and 3 spinners in the XI. But that doesn’t quite answer the question, because Joe Root’s spin has come on massively. As far as pacers go, I don’t think 6 should’ve been picked for 3 spots. I would’ve picked Curran, Woakes, Wood, Archer and Topley (first 3 in my XI for batting depth and overall bowling quality). Then for spin (let’s take Root out of the equation for now) I’d have picked 4 for 3 spots, so Rashid, Moeen, Livingstone and Jacks in all probability. I’d have been tempted by Dawson but I wanted Livingstone as someone who could bat 6/7 and be more explosive (as much as I don’t think he’s a good batter). For batters we know it’s fairly self explanatory mainly, but I can understand the Brook situation given Stokes’ return. However, he could’ve been included given Root’s improvement in bowling, and maybe even Brook’s medium pacers can be an economical bowling option. So my batting-heavy side would’ve probably been Roy, Bairstow, Root, Brook, Stokes, Buttler, Moeen, Curran, Woakes, Rashid, Wood. If we don’t include the part timers as important, I’d have picked Jacks over Roy. More than most things, I want Buttler at 6 rather than 5 given the impact it has on the depth of the lineup, so Jacks would have a more important batting role opening.

So overall I would’ve replaced Willey with Jacks, and maybe Brook with Malan (Malan would be a reserve).

 

[Busaholic]

They’ve been faithful to the 2019 team for good reason. Bairstow, Root and Buttler are obvious picks. For all of Roy’s general poor form, he has scored multiple centuries in that time and his partnership with Bairstow blossomed for many years.

The important thing for me is the balance of the team. I think that’s been so much simpler in the past with Stokes’ ability to bowl, but that’s annoyingly not the case. I think I’ve heard Mott say 3 pacers and 3 spinners in the XI. But that doesn’t quite answer the question, because Joe Root’s spin has come on massively. As far as pacers go, I don’t think 6 should’ve been picked for 3 spots. I would’ve picked Curran, Woakes, Wood, Archer and Topley (first 3 in my XI for batting depth and overall bowling quality). Then for spin (let’s take Root out of the equation for now) I’d have picked 4 for 3 spots, so Rashid, Moeen, Livingstone and Jacks in all probability. I’d have been tempted by Dawson but I wanted Livingstone as someone who could bat 6/7 and be more explosive (as much as I don’t think he’s a good batter). For batters we know it’s fairly self explanatory mainly, but I can understand the Brook situation given Stokes’ return. However, he could’ve been included given Root’s improvement in bowling, and maybe even Brook’s medium pacers can be an economical bowling option. So my batting-heavy side would’ve probably been Roy, Bairstow, Root, Brook, Stokes, Buttler, Moeen, Curran, Woakes, Rashid, Wood. If we don’t include the part timers as important, I’d have picked Jacks over Roy. More than most things, I want Buttler at 6 rather than 5 given the impact it has on the depth of the lineup, so Jacks would have a more important batting role opening.

So overall I would’ve replaced Willey with Jacks, and maybe Brook with Malan (Malan would be a reserve).

I understand where you're coming from, but I'm very concerned that the Roy and Bairstow opening partnership is past its sell-by date, particularly if batting first. I'm afraid Bairstow's batting with Welsh Fire has inspired little confidence with me, on each occasion I've seen it, and I'm not sure he's the player he was before his freak accident. Self-confidence is so important with him, and I see a confused, even angry man. Buttler is a great guy and vg captain, but Bairstow probably needs the sort of advice etc provided by Stokes's captaincy. At least the latter's presence might help Bairstow. I really do think he could prove to be either our best or worst performer, sincerely hope the former. I agree Topley rather than Willey: the latter's theoretically better batting should be discounted.

 

[SuspectUsual]

Leicestershire reach their first one day final for 22 years.

Gloucestershire bowled out for 125, but then reduced Leicestershire to 7/2, then 13/3, then 37/4. A gradual rebuilding job by the ever-reliable Handscomb (49*) and Mulder (54*) take county to their target with about 22 overs to spare

Unfortunately the final is at Trent Bridge not Lord's, as part of the ECB's ongoing campaign to completely devalue the 50 over cup

 

[DelW]

Both One Day Cup semi finals were strangely low scoring. In the other semi, Warwickshire batted first but collapsed to 93 all out, losing their last five wickets for two runs in 2.3 overs. Unsurprisingly Hampshire chased that down in under 20 overs for the loss of one wicket.

Warwickshire's ODC campaign repeated Birmingham Bears' run in the T20, topping their group but losing their first knockout match.

 

[Mikey C]

Leicestershire reach their first one day final for 22 years.

Gloucestershire bowled out for 125, but then reduced Leicestershire to 7/2, then 13/3, then 37/4. A gradual rebuilding job by the ever-reliable Handscomb (49*) and Mulder (54*) take county to their target with about 22 overs to spare

Unfortunately the final is at Trent Bridge not Lord's, as part of the ECB's ongoing campaign to completely devalue the 50 over cup

It does devalue it, but having seen Kent lose 3 times in Lord's finals, maybe it was a good thing to play at Trent Bridge last season

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

I understand where you're coming from, but I'm very concerned that the Roy and Bairstow opening partnership is past its sell-by date, particularly if batting first. I'm afraid Bairstow's batting with Welsh Fire has inspired little confidence with me, on each occasion I've seen it, and I'm not sure he's the player he was before his freak accident. Self-confidence is so important with him, and I see a confused, even angry man. Buttler is a great guy and vg captain, but Bairstow probably needs the sort of advice etc provided by Stokes's captaincy. At least the latter's presence might help Bairstow. I really do think he could prove to be either our best or worst performer, sincerely hope the former. I agree Topley rather than Willey: the latter's theoretically better batting should be discounted.

Has anyone any thought on the result of the first T20 match today. Bairstow did himself no favours being dismissed so soon when opening.

 

[HST43257]

Has anyone any thought on the result of the first T20 match today.

Big fan of the XI, I’m all for a batting heavy side and never want Moeen anywhere other than 7. Jacks is promising, but with work to do. Surely higher than Salt in pecking order. Malan and Brook executed their jobs perfectly given Malan’s accumulation combined with Brook’s calculated power. Also great to see good bowling from Carse on debut as well as the rest of the bowling unit (minus Wood’s first over). A good showing all round.

NZ‘s issues came as soon as Conway departed because Allen was forced to slow down with Williamson not also there to accumulate. The dynamic of the team changes and Seifert cannot bat through the innings. Phillips was forced into his shell and Chapman/Mitchell were both disappointing. I’m less of a fan of Santner now, as his batting isn’t aggressive enough and his bowling felt painful to watch at times, though I’m aware it’s often very useful. I‘d be looking to bring M Bracewell straight back as an aggressive no.7 ASAP post injury.

Bairstow did himself no favours being dismissed so soon when opening.

I disagree with Bairstow opening in T20Is just to prep for ODIWC when we have a T20WC around the corner. I don’t think he’s best used as an opener, and I don’t think he should be opening to accommodate stokes at the T20WC. He should be in at 4 in reality with Buttler opening for proper practice, Jacks or Stokes opening followed by Malan, Bairstow, Brook, Livingstone, Moeen for a top 7.

 

[Busaholic]

Has anyone any thought on the result of the first T20 match today. Bairstow did himself no favours being dismissed so soon when opening.

Finn Allen has an average of 22 in T20 matches and an average life of 14 balls. Great entertainment while he lasts, but no replacement for Martin Guptill. NZ need Williamson back asap, and Jimmy Neesham. Matt Henry too, though not sure how he'd do in India. And never discount Trent Boult, if available.

 

[HST43257]

Finn Allen has an average of 22 in T20 matches and an average life of 14 balls. Great entertainment while he lasts, but no replacement for Martin Guptill.

They got rid of Guptill too early (should’ve retired him from ODI after this World Cup, and T20I after T20WC 2024. Same probably applies for likes of Malan, Moeen and Rashid (and basically anyone else who’s about 35). They went with Finn Allen and will stick with him for a long time (Crawley style) and I just hope that (Crawley style) he refines his play to the benefit of the team. He cannot continue lasting 14 balls forever, since NZ will struggle to find accumulators in the future of the quality of Conway and Williamson.

Matt Henry too, though not sure how he'd do in India.

A wonderful T20 Blast, I’m loving the return of fast-mediums hitting the top of off for all the first 6-7 overs as we saw with Craig Overton and Matt Henry. Agreed about india though.

And never discount Trent Boult, if available.

Boult never fails to show his class, always proves himself in IPL spectacularly.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

The second match in the series saw both teams level on the 70 run mark, but New Zealand fell away disasterously from that point onwards.


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THIS POSTING BELOW WAS MADE NEARLY AFTER A WEEK LATER THAN THE ONE ABOVE, BUT AS NO THER POSTING HAD BEEN MADE ON THREAD IN THAT TIME, THE FORUM SYSTEM JOINED THE TWO POSTINGS TOGETHER, EVEN THOUGH THEY ARE TWO TOTALLY UNRELATED POSTINGS.

In the current Northamptonshire (Northants) v Lancashire Division One County Championship game, Lancashire looked to be in trouble at 97-4 in reply to the Northamptonshire (Northants) first innings total of 232 all out, but Bohannon in at number three scored 175 and had a stabilising stand around the 150 mark with Balderson at number 8 who scored 115 and a late flourish of 77 from number 10 from Bailey saw Lancashire finally dismissed for 524. There are still quite a few overs on day three and all of day four remaining, with good weather forecast for the remainder of the game.

 

[Purple Train]

I don't know whether Finn Allen read this thread or not, but he certainly responded well in the third T20.

On a happier note (for England fans) - Gus Atkinson looks like a gem.

 

[HST43257]

On a happier note (for England fans) - Gus Atkinson looks like a gem.

As much as I love seeing this new(ish) group of fast bowling talent (ie B Carse, L Wood, G Atkinson, J Turner, J Tongue) I don’t like the idea of throwing guys like Atkinson into the World Cup squad. These are players we need to build on building the time of the 2026 T20WC, 2027 ODIWC and 2027 Ashes

 

[Busaholic]

As much as I love seeing this new(ish) group of fast bowling talent (ie B Carse, L Wood, G Atkinson, J Turner, J Tongue) I don’t like the idea of throwing guys like Atkinson into the World Cup squad. These are players we need to build on building the time of the 2026 T20WC, 2027 ODIWC and 2027 Ashes

I remember Jofra Archer being 'thrown into' the World Cup squad in 2019 - recollect it ended okay. Seriously, I very much hope both Atkinson and Ahmed are given chances to showcase their talent, though I'd be amazed if England reached the final this time. Buttler is not the captain Morgan was, not that he claims to be.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

In the current Northamptonshire (Northants) v Lancashire Division One County Championship game, Lancashire looked to be in trouble at 97-4 in reply to the Northamptonshire (Northants) first innings total of 232 all out, but Bohannon in at number three scored 175 and had a stabilising stand around the 150 mark with Balderson at number 8 who scored 115 and a late flourish of 77 from number 10 from Bailey saw Lancashire finally dismissed for 524. There are still quite a few overs on day three and all of day four remaining, with good weather forecast for the remainder of the game.

In a surprising turn of events, on day four with Northants still five second innings wickets standing at the start of play. Lancashire turned to opening bat Luke Wells as part of the bowing attack and he took the remaining five wickets and Northants went from 221-5 to 266 all out, Lancashire winning by an innings and 26 runs.

Luke Wells ... 7.2 - 0 - 25 - 5.

 

[HST43257]

I remember Jofra Archer being 'thrown into' the World Cup squad in 2019 - recollect it ended okay.

The difference being that Archer should’ve been playing for multiple years already on merit had it not been for residency rules but I feel some of these guys I mentioned aren’t quite ready to be thrown in (take Atkinson, he’s hardly first name on the Surrey teamsheet thanks to their absurd depth. I just think we should stick mainly with our core until the natural end of cycle with this ODIWC and June 2024 T20WC.

In a surprising turn of events, on day four with Northants still five second innings wickets standing at the start of play. Lancashire turned to opening bat Luke Wells as part of the bowing attack and he took the remaining five wickets and Northants went from 221-5 to 266 all out, Lancashire winning by an innings and 26 runs.

Luke Wells ... 7.2 - 0 - 25 - 5.

A throughly confusing cricketer. I don’t want to like him as a Yorkshireman myself but he’s so intriguing. His batting is ever improving and good on Lancs for giving top order opportunities this year, and his bowling sometimes feels more like luck than judgement but it seems to be producing results so no complaints.

 

[Bald Rick]

No one has mentioned Atherton’s lad, a batsman, taking a 10fer for Middx against Essex (one of which was the Chef), albeit Essex won by a distance.

 

[HST43257]

No one has mentioned Atherton’s lad, a batsman, taking a 10fer for Middx against Essex (one of which was the Chef), albeit Essex won by a distance.

I must say I don’t think too much of him despite this achievement, he’s done extremely little of note this year in T20 and FC until this. I don’t know how he’s preferred to Luke Hollman (poor leggie but still decent imo). Middlesex were looking at a really decent year with the excellent signings of Higgins and Maharaj but Maharaj got injured without replacement and Pieter Malan played shockingly.

In truth none of Hollman, de Caires or Walallawita are fit to be a div 1 first class spinner so Middlesex chose the wrong time to experiment and should’ve got a spinner (Ajaz Patel was available in the same period until Durham snapped him up after the excellent Kuhnemann got injured).

I’m optimistic for next year though. I assume we’ll see Tim Murtagh play even less so I foresee Middlesex getting 1 seamer and 1 spinner as overseas players, given Leus du Plooy is coming to the county and will replace Malan at 4.

In terms of other counties looking good next year:

Durham are looking absolutely stacked with a potential FC XI of Lees, Jones, Borthwick, Ackermann, Bedingham, Robinson, Carse, Raine, C Parkinson and Potts plus an overseas seamer. That looks like a team well ready to move up to Division 1. So many of those players have oozed class for a long time and the rest are the next big talents (plus Callum Parkinson, they should’ve taken his twin permanently).

Nottinghamshire are looking excellent as usual, even more so if anything given their recent signings. I can’t seem to find any space for overseas signings in their XIs but I expect they’ll fit Dane Paterson in there plus hopefully a keeper to ensure Tom Moores is out of the side.

Surrey speak for themselves, but Dan Lawrence’s signing ensures they are literally overflowing in class. Lawrence will replace Patel at 4 with Smith in at 6 and Jacks at 7 hopefully in First Class, whilst in T20 I expect Pope, S Curran, Evans and J Overton will see themselves moved down the order with the development of J Smith and Lawrence.

 

[Mikey C]

Talking of Surrey...good news on all fronts!

https://www.kiaoval.com/rory-burns-to-cut-hair-for-charity/

The Surrey opener’s hair is now 14 inches long and, once cut, will be made into a natural wig by the Little Princess Trust. The charity provides real hair wigs, free of charge, to children and young people who have lost their own hair through cancer treatment or to other conditions such as Alopecia.

In addition to donating his hair, Burns raised the £743 for the charity to cover the cost of making a wig for a young person. The Club Captain raised the amount within 24 hours of opening the fundraiser thanks to the generous support of the cricket family.

Having reached that amount, Burns is asking for any Surrey fans or Members who would like to support him to donate Dravet Syndrome UK in memory of Florence Dunn.

 

[75A]

Well done the Black Caps, I thought England had scored enough but you proved me seriously wrong.
England 291-6 in 50 overs. New Zealand 297-2 in 45.4 overs. Opener & Man of the Match Devon Conway 111 not out, Daryl Mitchell 118 not out.

 

[Purple Train]

Well played Ben Stokes, magnificent innings of 182 - a record for an Englishman in an ODI. Malan deserves an honourable mention for 96, as does Trent Boult with 5-51. England piled up 368 in 48.1 overs, with New Zealand skittled for 187 in 39 overs (Phillips 72, Ravindra 28; Woakes 3-31, Livingstone 3-16).

What worries me slightly is that, except Buttler, none of the other England players managed a score above 12 - but at least we didn't need it!

 

[Busaholic]

Well played Ben Stokes, magnificent innings of 182 - a record for an Englishman in an ODI. Malan deserves an honourable mention for 96, as does Trent Boult with 5-51. England piled up 368 in 48.1 overs, with New Zealand skittled for 187 in 39 overs (Phillips 72, Ravindra 28; Woakes 3-31, Livingstone 3-16).

What worries me slightly is that, except Buttler, none of the other England players managed a score above 12 - but at least we didn't need it!

It was the failure of Root, in particular, and Bairstow again that was the most cause for concern on the field. Off the field, the continued absence of Roy and Wood (with those names they could form a band) needs to be addressed urgently. Archer is training again and will almost certainly go as a reserve. I think Roy and one of Topley/Willey should be jettisoned and replaced by Jacks and Brook, and if Wood is not 'match fit' by Friday's game he shouldn't be in the squad either. Wood is worse than Chris Old, another very talented fast bowler let down by weakness of temperament.