Bears & Pears Cricket Thread 2011

[Villan For Life]

The domestic season starts in just 16 days, Friday 6th April.

What are your hopes for the coming season or will county cricket be an afterthought until the Villa's fate is known?

For me, all forms of cricket are a welcome distraction and I'm looking forward to getting back to Edgbaston.

As Younis Khan is back in the Pakistani test side, we should cut our losses and go after Ricky Ponting. He's rumoured to be quitting international cricket before he is pushed and would be a great signing for the Bears if we have the cash!

Porterfield is a good signing but Tahir will be missed in all forms of the game.

Mid table for the Bears in the longer format, but we will be difficult to beat on the one dayers so I'm looking for a good limited overs season.

[Gareth]

As far as the Pears go I'm intrigued as to whether an essentially young side will be able to step up and consolidate in Div 1 or whether it'll be the same as 2 years ago when we were useless.

Be nice to actually compete to get to 20/20 finals day for the first time too

[Simon Ward]

Four out of four wins on tour for the bears! Including two wins over the Yorkies!

[Chris Jameson]

Slightly concerned about how Yorkshire will cope with the loss of Jacques Rudolph's runs and losing the likes of Bresnan, Shahzad and possibly Rashid to England but there are plenty of good young bowlers at the club.

[The Left Side]

Come on you Bears, how is Edgbaston looking?

[spangley1812]

Come on you Bears, how is Edgbaston looking?

looking very good........click on the link

http://www.edgbaston.com/venue/ground-development/FebruaryUpdate/

[peter w]

We definitely need some experience in the batting line-up as its unlikely we'll see much of Bell or trott. If Younis Khan is going to be missing also then its imperative that we get someone else in. how about Sammy?

[cdbearsfan]

Bears need to get a batsman in desperately. Pakistan's test series in the West Indies finishes in May so can't we have Khan after that? Australia, New Zealand and South Africa don't play at all this Summer. Would like Graeme Smith, AB de Villiers, Mike Hussey or Brendon McCullum but not Ponting... he's a cock.

[peter w]

Ponting is a cock, yes. But a cock who scores plenty of runs.

[The Left Side]

Oooh the ground is coming on well, excellent work from daa bears

[Villan For Life]

Ponting is a cock, yes. But a cock who scores plenty of runs.

I agree Peter. He's the sort of player that you hate if he plays for the opposition but love if he's playing for your team. I've never had a problem with Ponting. He's a winner. He's not there to be liked, he's there to win cricket matches.

If the Bears get the chance to snap up the second highest test run scorer of all time then they should break the bank to get him.

[The Left Side]

Agreed!

[Simon Ward]

http://www.ecb.co.uk/ecb/about-ecb/media-releases/player-availability,313602,EN.html

Availability of England contracted players or those who have just returned from CWC 2011, for the first few matches of the season. Bears get Bell and Trott for 3 county championship matches in May. Can't see them playing much for them after that!

[Rotterdam]

Agreed!

Thirded.

[Villan For Life]

The sun is shining on the first day of the new season. Pity the Bears aren't playing, Edgbaston is a great place to sink a few beers in the sunshine!