Bears/Pears/Domestic Cricket Thread 2016

[ADVILLAFAN]

Time for Bell to deliver a decent score! Another 130 runs and put them in?

Think we're safe with a draw, so no point in declaring?

[paul_e]

No it doesn't - letting England down would mean he didn't perform to his ability, or doing daft stuff.

Not really, letting England down can be just not being good enough and therefore being the difference between winning and losing games and that's what i disagree with, I don't think there was ever a time where he wasn't good enough but when he was in the team there were plenty of times where the team as a whole wasn't right.  He's not good enough to get into the England team now but he was the 3rd best seamer we had for a while and his record is more than good enough for that role with him average about 3 wickets a match.

That said I'm not trying to have a go I just think he was a player that some were never happy to see in the England team and your post read a little like the same which I've always thought was unfair, he got into the team ahead of Finn for a year or 2 because he was a better bowler than Finn at time and he earned his place and did nothing wrong as an england all-rounder.  I really rated him and it used to annoy me when his place was constantly questioned.

[aev]

I guess if Durham avoid the follow on we are arguably now in the better position to win our game with 5 sessions left.

[aev]

No it doesn't - letting England down would mean he didn't perform to his ability, or doing daft stuff.

Not really, letting England down can be just not being good enough and therefore being the difference between winning and losing games and that's what i disagree with, I don't think there was ever a time where he wasn't good enough but when he was in the team there were plenty of times where the team as a whole wasn't right.  He's not good enough to get into the England team now but he was the 3rd best seamer we had for a while and his record is more than good enough for that role with him average about 3 wickets a match.

That said I'm not trying to have a go I just think he was a player that some were never happy to see in the England team and your post read a little like the same which I've always thought was unfair, he got into the team ahead of Finn for a year or 2 because he was a better bowler than Finn at time and he earned his place and did nothing wrong as an england all-rounder.  I really rated him and it used to annoy me when his place was constantly questioned.

The post wasn't intended as such, and I wouldn't use the term letting England down in the way you suggested.

I would argue, for example that Pietersen let England down on occasions. Anyway a discussion for another thread or time.

[aev]

Durham avoid the follow on, and Yorkshire need another 15 runs with one wicket left to be in with a shout for the championship.

[cdbearsfan]

Time for Bell to deliver a decent score! Another 130 runs and put them in?

Think we're safe with a draw, so no point in declaring?

We are only safe with a draw if Hampshire lose or draw.

Need to aim for a win as Hants will still probably win, even though Durham avoiding the follow on has helped on that front a bit.

[paul_e]

I guess if Durham avoid the follow on we are arguably now in the better position to win our game with 5 sessions left.

I think Lancashire are the ones most in trouble right now.

Hampshire look likely to have a lead of 100+ at halfway and we're currently pushing towards a lead of 200 with an attack that's just skittled them for 150.  If we can add another 100-150 and then put them in with 10-15 overs left in the day they'll be in real trouble.  Hampshire should be considered our insurance right now.  If Durham can get another 40-50 and get close to tea then the biggest issue Hampshire will have is getting the runs to be safe without taking up too many overs because you suspect they'll need a full day to get Durham out again and I can't imagine they'll be happy with a lead much under 300 on that pitch.

[paul_e]

Interesting one for Bresnan here, does he just go for it and try to get them to 350 or does he take it easy and trust Sidebottom to face a few and accumulate?  They've got plenty of overs so that won't be a concern but to get this close and miss out because he makes the wrong choice would be galling.

[aev]

I guess if Durham avoid the follow on we are arguably now in the better position to win our game with 5 sessions left.

I think Lancashire are the ones most in trouble right now.

Hampshire look likely to have a lead of 100+ at halfway and we're currently pushing towards a lead of 200 with an attack that's just skittled them for 150.  If we can add another 100-150 and then put them in with 10-15 overs left in the day they'll be in real trouble.  Hampshire should be considered our insurance right now.  If Durham can get another 40-50 and get close to tea then the biggest issue Hampshire will have is getting the runs to be safe without taking up too many overs because you suspect they'll need a full day to get Durham out again and I can't imagine they'll be happy with a lead much under 300 on that pitch.

Yep time is potentially an issue for Hants - although as they have to win I guess they will throw caution to the wind.

I hope we focus on getting the win, and not worrying about what is happening down south.

[aev]

Interesting one for Bresnan here, does he just go for it and try to get them to 350 or does he take it easy and trust Sidebottom to face a few and accumulate?  They've got plenty of overs so that won't be a concern but to get this close and miss out because he makes the wrong choice would be galling.

Well he obviously trusts him a she has taken a single off the first ball of the over!

[Richard E]

I guess if Durham avoid the follow on we are arguably now in the better position to win our game with 5 sessions left.

I think Lancashire are the ones most in trouble right now.

Hampshire look likely to have a lead of 100+ at halfway and we're currently pushing towards a lead of 200 with an attack that's just skittled them for 150.  If we can add another 100-150 and then put them in with 10-15 overs left in the day they'll be in real trouble.  Hampshire should be considered our insurance right now.  If Durham can get another 40-50 and get close to tea then the biggest issue Hampshire will have is getting the runs to be safe without taking up too many overs because you suspect they'll need a full day to get Durham out again and I can't imagine they'll be happy with a lead much under 300 on that pitch.

Do we want a winner in the Wigan-QPR game or does a draw suit us better?

[paul_e]

Looks like Hain has the same thinking as me, operating in boundaries now.  Lead up to 210.

[paul_e]

Interesting one for Bresnan here, does he just go for it and try to get them to 350 or does he take it easy and trust Sidebottom to face a few and accumulate?  They've got plenty of overs so that won't be a concern but to get this close and miss out because he makes the wrong choice would be galling.

Well he obviously trusts him a she has taken a single off the first ball of the over!

I know, that surprised me, Sidebottom isn't the worst batsman ever but I'm not sure I'd want to let him face 5 when you're a handful of runs away from a shot at the title. I think someone might need to check on Chris, the tension is getting a bit much for me and I don't particularly care about this one.  Making for brilliant watching though.

[paul_e]

I guess if Durham avoid the follow on we are arguably now in the better position to win our game with 5 sessions left.

I think Lancashire are the ones most in trouble right now.

Hampshire look likely to have a lead of 100+ at halfway and we're currently pushing towards a lead of 200 with an attack that's just skittled them for 150.  If we can add another 100-150 and then put them in with 10-15 overs left in the day they'll be in real trouble.  Hampshire should be considered our insurance right now.  If Durham can get another 40-50 and get close to tea then the biggest issue Hampshire will have is getting the runs to be safe without taking up too many overs because you suspect they'll need a full day to get Durham out again and I can't imagine they'll be happy with a lead much under 300 on that pitch.

Do we want a winner in the Wigan-QPR game or does a draw suit us better?

In football you always say a draw, takes points out of the league.

[aev]

One lusty blow would do it now. Bresnan on strike.