Getting tetchy at Lords

Do you really think that Yorkshire should cancel his contract?

 

Sorry, bit busy on the beach this afternoon so, to answer your question, my answer is yes.

He has made good scores in his career, no doubt, and maybe he will make a few more (one day). The fact is though that he is part of a very hit and miss top order and, in this game of all games, he has missed a simple catch and scored no runs. He needs a change of environment. He's unreliable. He might have all the shots in his locker but he has failed too many times. England have tossed him to one side and I think Yorkshire will do the same.

If he stays and proves me wrong I will applaud him loudly when I next see him at Headingley but I don't think he will come back to where he once was.

Thank goodness for Timothy Bresnan (again).

 

Sorry mate, but it would be utter madness to get rid of someone with 29 first-class centuries. He's has a dodgy couple of games, but since coming back from England he's got scores of 100 not out, and two scores in the 70s. England haven't cast him to one side and he's likely to play in the winter. Hopefully he does well but regardless he's a class player and will not be going anywhere anytime soon

 

Run rate needed to get to 350 in 110 overs is just over 2.8. With Rafiq and Bresnan going well we've got an excellent chance of doing it. The key will be how we play the 2nd new ball which has got wickets every time in this game

If we do get to 350 I think we'll have an excellent chance of winning the title. The lead will be at least 80 at Middlesex will have no choice but to bat aggressively to get runs needed, and set an aggressive declaration which could play into our hands as they can't let the game peter out into a draw, otherwise neither of us will win and it will be heading down to Taunton

 

Well, same as our beloved BFC, it's all about opinions. Players you like and will forgive them any kind of fault; players you don't who can do nothing right. I just can't take to Ballance - he never fills me with any confidence. Perhaps I'm being hard on him but it just seems like he has too many failures, especially when it really matters. Lees and Gale got ducks as well today. We could be well on the way to that magic 350 score if at least two of those three had got starts (even 30 apiece).

Too often this season our batsmen have had cause to thank the middle and lower orders. That's not title winning stuff. Obviously I hope we get it but I wouldn't put any money on it!

 

Averages 48. Yes let's get rid. It's a game of opinions and you are entitled to yours, I think it's wrong however and you watch too much T20 cricket he's in the England squad too so has hardly been "tossed aside"

 

Ok, ok - wrong expression! He's not an established England player though, is he. He should have nailed that number three slot when Trott lost it, but he's not good enough.

As for too much T20 - not strictly true. I watch red ball cricket as well and usually enjoy it more.

 

Well we need less than 3 an over to get there so we've still got a decent chance.

Of course our top order should be doing better but the fact that our lower order is so capable is a credit to them and the team spirit in the camp

 

In theory, yes - we can get them. In practice though once they take the new ball the tail could be blown away. I'd love these two to stick around though, and for Tim to get a hundred. The other three are no mugs with the bat either so there's a chance. It looks like Somerset are certs for a 23-points win so the pressure is on.

 

Should have batted 1st, they used to say "win the toss study abart it then bat" having said that it's not over ti'll fat lady sing's.

 

Yeah there's no way Notts will get anything out of that one, but that's not necessarily a bad thing as it means Middlesex have to win too so will take more risks

Yes it's a worry but this team has such good togetherness it wouldn't surprise me if Siddy got us over the line! Hopefully we won't need him though

I'm very impressed with how the team have performed in this game despite distractions, and whatever happens I'm proud of the team. If we had Bairstow or Lehmann we'd be looking more comfortable now, no doubt. Yet Steven Finn gets to play