The Bears / Pears 2010 Cricket Thread

[Villan For Life]

Although I consider myself a Bear, I have never really followed domestic cricket that closely, just kept an eye out for the scores and what have you.

I think back to the time we were winning trophies left right and centre, attracting players like Lara.

So where has it all gone wrong, and why?

The money that would have been used to fund showcase signings for the 20/20 must have been diverted to pay for the pavilion redevelopment.

[hilts_coolerking]

Although I consider myself a Bear, I have never really followed domestic cricket that closely, just kept an eye out for the scores and what have you.

I think back to the time we were winning trophies left right and centre, attracting players like Lara.

So where has it all gone wrong, and why?

Appointing Mark Greatbatch as coach was a mistake.  Under him the dressing room fragmented, good players were let go and some retired but, more importantly, they were not replaced adequately.  

Edgbaston became a very lifeless track which discouraged the development of good young spin bowlers (who was our last home-produced spinner of any note?  Neil Smith?).  Some supporters believe the coaching set-up needs looking at, particularly Neil Abberley, who pre-dates Noah.

Relations between the club and supporters dipped because of the Chief Exec, Colin Povey, who is perceived as a man concerned with balance sheets above all else.

The appointment of Ashley Giles gave the club a lift and we got promoted out of Div 2 but he appears to be quite a cautious man and, under him, we have become the draw specialists of the county championship (see 'lifeless pitches' above).  This season he has asked for more adventurous tracks which has led to our top order being found out.

[hilts_coolerking]

An utter thrashing of Northants in the 20/20 this evening.  Won by eight wickets with 35 balls to spare.

Northants 147/5
Warwicks 151/2 off 14.1 overs

Darren Maddy got 88 off 42 balls, and Jim Troughton 41 off 26.

I imagine Dave had a good time!

[Dave Cooper please]

An utter thrashing of Northants in the 20/20 this evening.  Won by eight wickets with 35 balls to spare.

Northants 147/5
Warwicks 151/2 off 14.1 overs

Darren Maddy got 88 off 42 balls, and Jim Troughton 41 off 26.

I imagine Dave had a good time!

Certainly did.

Maddy's innings was superb, all controlled aggression, barely a bad shot in it. But before that Imran Tahir bowled brilliantly to make sure Northants' good start didn't develop into something unchaseable.

And what a lovely evening to be sitting watching cricket.

[hilts_coolerking]

Bears going well against Somerset, who are 161/5.

3 wickets for Rikki Clarke so far.

[hilts_coolerking]

Somerset all out for 268.  Great effort from the Bears after losing the toss.

Have to wait and see how our first innings goes to tell if that's a par score.

[hilts_coolerking]

Westwood-watch #4192

Only time for 16 deliveries of Warwickshire's reply before stumps.

Time enough, however, for Westwood to be dismissed for 2.

[TopDeck113]

Bears all out 140; Somerset currently 8 down for 120.

This is heading the way of the defeat to Lancs: a great fight-back ultimately undermined by a crap 1st innings.

[hilts_coolerking]

From what I hear, the pitch is doing all sorts so Somerset's first innings of 268 was, in this context, a very good effort.

We've given ourselves a chance (if we can finish Somerset off quickly) but we'll probably have to make the highest score of the game to win.  And on this pitch, with our current batting form, that's highly unlikely.

[hilts_coolerking]

Were 61/1.

Now 94/6.  Only Chopra and Westwood have made it into double figures so far.

At least Bangladesh can say they have limited experience of English conditions.  I'm not sure what Warwickshire's excuse will be.  We prepared the pitch, for pity's sake.

[hilts_coolerking]

Found this on cricinfo: this season's County Championship batting averages for those playing in the current match.

(Matches-Innings-Not Outs-Runs-Highest Score-Average)

IW'wood    8   16    3    388    86*    29.84
CWoakes    7    12    2    275    136* 27.50
RJohnson    2    4    2    51    20*    25.50
JTro'ton    8   15    0    355    78    23.66            
V Chopra    5    10    0    212    46    21.20        
AS Miller    5    8    5    51    35    17.00      
R Clarke    7    13    0    218    66    16.76
DL Maddy    6    12    0    200    61    16.66        
I Tahir    8    13    2    157    40    14.27       
AG Botha     4    6     0     65     20     10.83
B Rankin    3    5    1    19    12    04.75

Massive, massive problems.

[Chris Smith]

The rain is set for the day now so we only need it to keep going for another 24 hours and we'll escape with another undeserved draw.

Something is very, very wrong.

I'm going to the 20/20 next Sunday with a mate from Lancashire, I'm expecting a humiliating afternoon.

[Karl Bridges]

Pathetic really.

[Richard]

The rain is set for the day now so we only need it to keep going for another 24 hours and we'll escape with another undeserved draw.

Something is very, very wrong.
I'm going to the 20/20 next Sunday with a mate from Lancashire, I'm expecting a humiliating afternoon.

It is but not in the one day game Chris if you check the results so far - however major changes are needed at the club starting with the coach and captain.

[steffo]

All out for 130 (groan)

Any chance of signing a batsman for the next LV match on 28th June???