County Championship Division 1 Thread 2016

[Arthur Crabtree]

Surrey's top order struggling like their bowlers. Cold and overcast in Nottingham; sunny yesterday.

Roy out and five down. Early days, but it was hard to see how this season would go for Surrey. A worrying start for them, although at a tricky venue. For another side, you might say there could be initial problems bridging the division gap, but this is a side with Sanga, Roy and Rampaul in it.

[The Professor]

There appears to be an element of shock emanating from Surrey about the gulf in class between Divisions 1 and 2. Fakes is highlighting the bowling as being particularly different,

[Arthur Crabtree]

Foakes has been coached from his school days to be an elite player. He has been fast tracked into development and Lions squads (despite doing little in CC). He's been extensively prepared for international cricket. It's a bit of a surprise to hear him comment on CC1 being a such a big jump in quality.

[Durhamfootman]

I was at Trent Bridge in 2011. Notts batted first with the sun shining and Hales in particular put Durham to the sword. During lunch on the first day the sun went in, the clouds rolled across the ground, and wickets tumbled as the ball started to hoop around all over the place.

Everyone knows that TB has swing, but I was completely unprepared for the dramatic change in bowling fortunes between TB minus cloud cover and TB plus cloud cover

startling really.

[Arthur Crabtree]

It's wet in Nottingham. This won't start in time, but it looks like bowlers' day when it starts.

[Aidan11]

Century for Ian Bell.

[budgetmeansbudget]

Century for Ian Bell.

Not surprised, its gorgeous weather down here, pitch as flat as a pancake.

After the news about Taylor this morning, he's putting himself right back in the frame for the test side.

[hopeforthebest]

Century for Ian Bell.

Not surprised, its gorgeous weather down here, pitch as flat as a pancake.

After the news about Taylor this morning, he's putting himself right back in the frame for the test side.

The pitch is flat but very slow and often the ball keeps low. very much an LBW wicket.

[KipperJohn]

Hants made 202 and both Warks openers went cheaply. Rather puts Bell's unbeaten knock into perspective.

If Warks can add a reasonable amount in the morning it could be an interesting last two sessions.

[Alviro Patterson]

Century for Ian Bell.

Not surprised, its gorgeous weather down here, pitch as flat as a pancake.

After the news about Taylor this morning, he's putting himself right back in the frame for the test side.

I'm sure Gary Ballance or Scott Borthwick will have something to say about that! I'd rather if England stick to giving youth a chance, which has served the current era well. Selecting Ian Bell would be a backwards step and a short term solution at best.

[westoelad]

Century for Ian Bell.

Not surprised, its gorgeous weather down here, pitch as flat as a pancake.

After the news about Taylor this morning, he's putting himself right back in the frame for the test side.

I'm sure Gary Ballance or Scott Borthwick will have something to say about that! I'd rather if England stick to giving youth a chance, which has served the current era well. Selecting Ian Bell would be a backwards step and a short term solution at best.

It would be a backward step but if Bell outscores the other pretenders in the run up to the 1st test then he deserves the recall imo. After all,most of the other contenders have had test chances and been found wanting.

[SaintPowelly]

Vince hasn't been given a test chance

[budgetmeansbudget]

Vince hasn't been given a test chance

If he scores heavily in the next few weeks, he's got a chance.

[westoelad]

Vince hasn't been given a test chance

That's why I posted most of the other contenders. I do find it difficult to understand how a player who averages 28 in the 1st division is a serious contenderbut if he scores the volume of runs in the next month then he becomes one.

[Arthur Crabtree]

A five-fer for Jake Ball gives Notts a chance against a fighting Surrey rearguard. 160+ to win with a wicket to take.