County Championship discussion thread 2015

[Arthur Crabtree]

Leicestershire's Aussies doing well. Ton for Cosgrove, six for McKay.

[hopeforthebest]

Somerset look a doomed team this year.

[andy]

pathetic result for us...losing against Glos, and our feeble batting line up captitulates again.... we need Ravi and Tendo..

[st_brendy]

My money was on Somerset and Worcs before a ball was bowled. Our bowling attack is hardly brilliant (and we will spend most, if not all, of the season struggling as a result), but I look at that Somerset team and I'd be very disappointed to finish below them. They've not really had the bowling attack for a few years now. But losing Compton and Kieswetter (and Buttler, 12 months ago) has meant that their batting doesn't really look up to it these days either.

As for Essex, I'm sorry but that's a contender for worst top order I've seen in county cricket. My mouth dropped when I saw it for the first time in the opening week. If Surrey can get the wickets, they and Lancs should walk D2.

[sussexpob]

See the CC predictions page, I had them 8th....

Lots of media bods predicted a title chase

[andy]

sadly brendy you are right about our top order Foster at 4 isn't good at all.. he's a number 7, always has been, always will be... IMO Ryder needs to bat higher, and we badly miss Ravi and Tendo in the batting department

[sussexpob]

I feel for Hampshire.... rather then play a Yorkshire B team like everyone else so far, Hampshire will get to face Yorkshire plus 6 internationals as England seem to have green lighted the return for the Hampshire match for all the internationals. By the time the next match comes, they will all be gone again.

The only time they return will be after the last ODI..... and who do they play..... Sussex!!!

Really happy once again that the internationals may spell the difference on where the title goes, just like when we got Durham and Yorkshire at the end of 2013, and were the only team to play them full strength!

[westoelad]

I feel for Hampshire.... rather then play a Yorkshire B team like everyone else so far, Hampshire will get to face Yorkshire plus 6 internationals as England seem to have green lighted the return for the Hampshire match for all the internationals. By the time the next match comes, they will all be gone again.

The only time they return will be after the last ODI..... and who do they play..... Sussex!!!

Really happy once again that the internationals may spell the difference on where the title goes, just like when we got Durham and Yorkshire at the end of 2013, and were the only team to play them full strength!

Just 4 of their internationals, Root and Ballance aren't available but you can hardly begrudie Yorkshire that.
Yorkshire are hiring a private jet to fly their players back earlier from the Ireland ODI. Seems a bit OTT to save a few hours.After all if one of their players was released from an England squad on the morning of a Test they'd have no hesitation in them rushing down the motorway and straight on the field of play for Yorkshire.

[sussexpob]

Just 4 of their internationals, Root and Ballance aren't available but you can hardly begrudie Yorkshire that.

I am not saying Yorkshire are doing anything untowards at all, merely that the lottery of international call ups artificially makes the title or relegation battle different for certain teams, and makes a mockery of the competition.

Its hypothetical, but say for instance Hampshire lose this game and are relegated by the difference of a few points over Warwickshire/Notts.... both of those teams drew with a Yorkshire B team, and would be expected to lose to a full strength Yorkshire side, so the international calls ups can have an effect.

I know, for instance, that Sussex will play against a full strength Yorkshire side last game of the season, after the internationals. Say we lose that match and Warwickshire won the title having played a vastly different team... is it fair, assuming that the points difference would be tight enough?

The internationals in 2013 ruined the title race.

[westoelad]

Just 4 of their internationals, Root and Ballance aren't available but you can hardly begrudie Yorkshire that.

I am not saying Yorkshire are doing anything untowards at all, merely that the lottery of international call ups artificially makes the title or relegation battle different for certain teams, and makes a mockery of the competition.

Its hypothetical, but say for instance Hampshire lose this game and are relegated by the difference of a few points over Warwickshire/Notts.... both of those teams drew with a Yorkshire B team, and would be expected to lose to a full strength Yorkshire side, so the international calls ups can have an effect.

I know, for instance, that Sussex will play against a full strength Yorkshire side last game of the season, after the internationals. Say we lose that match and Warwickshire won the title having played a vastly different team... is it fair, assuming that the points difference would be tight enough?

The internationals in 2013 ruined the title race.

A perfectly valid point but no more so than bad luck with injuries or the weather can cause unfair results.

[Alviro Patterson]

Last time Yorkshire saw Rashid and Bairstow was in Dubai for the MCC challenge match, can understand why a chartered flight has been arranged. Hopefully the ECB are footing the bill for all their inconveniences caused.

Even with Yorkshire at full strength (minus Ballance and Root), it would be tough work to beat a Notts side with plenty of batting and Warwickshire whose bowling attack is just as strong as Yorkshire's.

[sussexpob]

Even with Yorkshire at full strength (minus Ballance and Root), it would be tough work to beat a Notts side with plenty of batting and Warwickshire whose bowling attack is just as strong as Yorkshire's.

Just like last year....

When you beat Notts by an innings and 152 runs....

Or Warwickshire by an innings and 155....

[Arthur Crabtree]

Plunkett left out by Yorks after missing a training session. Lyth, Rashid and Bairstow return.

More wickets for Shahzad. Might be the top wicket taker so far this year. Or Rushworth.

[captaincolly]

Rob Key has dropped himself from the Kent team because of poor batting form.

[SaintPowelly]

can understand why a chartered flight has been arranged. Hopefully the ECB are footing the bill for all their inconveniences caused.

Not sure whos paying, but I know Vince was on the same flight, nice of Yorkshire to give him a lift if they are paying.