2014 Hampshire Thread

[budgetmeansbudget]

Crumb of comfort is that we played pretty badly overall and still nearly won.

What a phenomenal batting line up. Shah and Ervine should never have been messing around in the middle overs with Coles at number 11.

[SaintPowelly]

When was the last time we didn't have a tight contest with Somerset ??

[SaintPowelly]

Got a big game of proper cricket on Sunday...wonder if Abbott or Maxwell is playing.

[st_brendy]

For three or four years now (maybe even longer), Ervine hasn't generally been able to get going early on in his innings. More often than not his big(ish) limited overs scores down in the lower-middle order seem to come in losing causes.

I accept that dropping him in t20 sounds a bit ludicrous, and I don't really want to. But with the top order already packed with Carberry, Vince and Maxwell - and Adams simply not suited for a role lower down, he either bats in the top four, or doesn't get selected - there isn't space for Ervine up there. And with me being so desperate to accommodate Abbott, Wood, Briggs and Coles, maybe a lower-middle order of Shah, Ervine, Wheater and Smith is too much of a luxury. And Wheater can't be dropped because he's the keeper, and Smith can't be dropped because of his bowling (and besides, today is the second time now where he has showed that he can come in and score boundaries straight away).

So it's Shah vs Ervine (or Adams). And for me, Shah's t20 experience wins out. He's the closest thing we have to that wise old head in the latter stages of the innings that Macca has provided us with in recent years. Twice already Shah has suddenly clicked into gear towards the latter stages, having started slowly - a trait which Macca also offered.

[Centuryclub]

Someone told me just now that Shah scored his 5000th T20 run this evening. If that's true it's a remarkable performance as T20 has only been going about 10 years. I suppose he's played in a lot of tournaments around the world.

[budgetmeansbudget]

Clearly an embarrassment of riches Brendy. I guess it beats struggling to fill a side.

[st_brendy]

Crumb of comfort is that we played pretty badly overall and still nearly won.

What a phenomenal batting line up. Shah and Ervine should never have been messing around in the middle overs with Coles at number 11.

Not to mention we were without our best t20 bowler. We missed Briggs so badly in those middle overs.

[budgetmeansbudget]

Crumb of comfort is that we played pretty badly overall and still nearly won.

What a phenomenal batting line up. Shah and Ervine should never have been messing around in the middle overs with Coles at number 11.

Not to mention we were without our best t20 bowler. We missed Briggs so badly in those middle overs.

I thought he was available tonight or has his baby not been born yet?

[SaintPowelly]

Crumb of comfort is that we played pretty badly overall and still nearly won.

What a phenomenal batting line up. Shah and Ervine should never have been messing around in the middle overs with Coles at number 11.

Not to mention we were without our best t20 bowler. We missed Briggs so badly in those middle overs.

I thought he was available tonight or has his baby not been born yet?

I said yesterday I didn't think he'd play, don't think he will Sunday either, probably get some paternity leave of a week or so.

[st_brendy]

Crumb of comfort is that we played pretty badly overall and still nearly won.

What a phenomenal batting line up. Shah and Ervine should never have been messing around in the middle overs with Coles at number 11.

Not to mention we were without our best t20 bowler. We missed Briggs so badly in those middle overs.

I thought he was available tonight or has his baby not been born yet?

Baby is now 24 hours over due.

[budgetmeansbudget]

Crumb of comfort is that we played pretty badly overall and still nearly won.

What a phenomenal batting line up. Shah and Ervine should never have been messing around in the middle overs with Coles at number 11.

Not to mention we were without our best t20 bowler. We missed Briggs so badly in those middle overs.

I thought he was available tonight or has his baby not been born yet?

Baby is now 24 hours over due.

Our first was 10 days overdue, I can't remember taking time of work until my wife went into labour. Mind you if it was down to me I would have stayed at work during the birth!

[st_brendy]

Abbott returns for Maxwell. Despite Maxwell's batting vs Worcs, it's the right decision for me. Wickets win matches; wickets get you promoted.

Crane keeps his place, so will presumably make his debut if Briggs again has to miss out. With Wheater back from illness, he will presumably take the gloves for the first time in while....or actually, maybe Balcombe or Coles will make way, not Bates?

Carberry, Adams, Smith, Vince, Ervine, Wheater, Coles, Abbott, Balcombe, Briggs/Crane, Tommo

Or

Carberry, Adams, Smith, Vince, Ervine, Wheater, Bates, Coles/Balcombe, Abbott, Briggs/Crane, Tommo

[SaintPowelly]

I'm hoping its Team A, as harsh as it is on Bates,I'd rather have the extra seamer.

Of Course we could go for neither Briggs/Crane and keep Bates and use Smith as a main bowler.

[SaintPowelly]

James Foster (7),Nick Browne (10),Tom Westley (21),Ravi Bopara (25),Jesse Ryder (76),Ryan ten Doeschate (27),Ben Foakes (4),David Masters (9),Monty Panesar (77),Tymal Mills (15)Reece Topley (6),Tom Moore (33)

Presumably Moore will miss out.

[BringBackJesty]

Don't stand under the Essex balcony when Monty is up there......