Bears/Pears/Domestic Cricket Thread 2018

[JD]

Hasn't rained the last two days but complete washout at Headingley. At least the weather will be good for the countless whack it as hard and as far as you can matches no doubt.

That's one less game we would have won to retain our title (smiley face). 

[Steve67]

You have to persuade players to sign though & that takes £’s - it was obvious that Worcester need at least one more ‘proper’ batsman but the likes of Northeast who we were supposed to have been chasing in the winter are always going to go to the counties with the money.

Magoffin is a steady player if he stays fit, don’t think bowling will be the issue, getting 400 on the board will be.

Selfishly, I am hoping that Moeen will be dropped from the England set up as we stand a better chance with him in the side.  You're totally right about a batsman.  Head is a start and I also wanted them to look for another opener. 

[Gareth]

You have to persuade players to sign though & that takes £’s - it was obvious that Worcester need at least one more ‘proper’ batsman but the likes of Northeast who we were supposed to have been chasing in the winter are always going to go to the counties with the money.

Magoffin is a steady player if he stays fit, don’t think bowling will be the issue, getting 400 on the board will be.

Selfishly, I am hoping that Moeen will be dropped from the England set up as we stand a better chance with him in the side.  You're totally right about a batsman.  Head is a start and I also wanted them to look for another opener.

I’ve always thought that was part of the reason we’ve never got the batsman on big money, you have to get them on 2-3 year contracts and if Mo falls off England radar he’ll lose his central contract at end of year and we will be left having to pay both next year.

I also would have liked an opener, D’Olivera would make a good number 6 for me in the mold of Leatherdale back in day but I think he might be a little lost opening in div 1 with Fell also a walking wicket last year with a lot to prove there is a lot of uncertainty in that batting order.

[tomd2103]

Brilliant bowling from Oli Stone! Sussex 170-6. Looks like the weather will save them! Typical Bears luck! I have a feeling England will come knocking for Oli if he keeps this up....a genuine 90mph+ bowler.

Really let Sussex off the hook there as they went on to make 374.  Attack looks a seam bowler short to me, if only we had an international quality one who could bat quite high up the order as well!!

Chris Woakes?

Oh yeah, him.  Can't blame professional sportsmen for taking the big money on offer I suppose, but after the winter he had with the ball and with the first test of the summer only just over a month away, I think he might have benefited from being at Edgbaston and playing red ball cricket. 

Still got a lot of time for him though and it is easy to judge when it's not you having a hefty contract shoved under your nose.

[UK Redsox]

100 ball format for the new city based competition

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/43824037

[Woofles The Wonder Dog]

This seems like tweaking for tweaking’s sake. 20 fewer balls and it’s going to excite a whole new audience?

Bollocks to it. And I like the short form too.

[paul_e]

This seems like tweaking for tweaking’s sake. 20 fewer balls and it’s going to excite a whole new audience?

Bollocks to it. And I like the short form too.

I agree, I don't really see what change that brings other than to skew things further still in favour of the batsmen.

[Lastfootstamper]

If they were to introduce it, surely the way to go would be 5-ball overs?

[paul_e]

Bears away at Northants this weekend, attack looks a bit light with Stone and Barker both missing.

Northants battings and currently 58-3

Sidebottom and Wright with the first 2 wickets before Henry Brookes got his first ever senior wicket.  Sounds like he's bowling really well.

[Villafirst]

Why is Stone out? Hopefully not injured?

[paul_e]

Why is Stone out? Hopefully not injured?

Unfortunately he is, from the bears facebook page:

"NEWS: Olly Stone has sustained a hamstring injury and is ruled out of the County Championship fixture at Northamptonshire that starts this morning."

I hope it's a precaution as much as anything.

[paul_e]

moved on to 118-6 one for Jeets and 2 more for sidebottom.

[paul_e]

147-9

sidebottom has his 5fer and Jeets got a 2nd.  Sounds like a mix of good bowling and suicidal batting.

[paul_e]

and all over with another for sidebottom.  They finished on 147.

[Villafirst]

Why is Stone out? Hopefully not injured?

Unfortunately he is, from the bears facebook page:

"NEWS: Olly Stone has sustained a hamstring injury and is ruled out of the County Championship fixture at Northamptonshire that starts this morning."

I hope it's a precaution as much as anything.

I thought it was a knee problem - thankfully not!