County Championship 2023

[Arthur Crabtree]

No cricket for a month now, so no one is going to play too much cricket.

[sussexpob]

I think it demonstrates how vital he is to England's plans, that any suggestion of a minor niggle brings with it an immediate intervention

The intervention was not immediate. Fabrace has said that he apparently had discomfort in his ankle leaving the field on Day 3, and that after discussion with the ECB medical team, it was decided that he would be pulled from the game on Day 4, but that Sussex would be allowed to bowl him for one spell before he was retired for the game. He then sent down a mammoth 9 over spell at full pace with no signs of discomfort, was called to the dressing room, jogged off with no signs of problems, and didn't return.

I mean, call me dumb, but do you really expect me to believe that a player would be removed from a game due to an injury concern, but only after he bowled a mammoth 85 minute spell? Its funny, because when Sussex fans pointed out on social media that there was nothing apparently wrong with him, the club came out to say that he had no problems with running or bowling, but that the pain was uniquely while walking slowly He then leaves the ground with a full moon boot cast and crutches, only to miraculously recover at his apparent scan minutes later.

Not buying it.... why can they not just admit the ECB clearly must have said if Sussex don't take wickets in the morning, and the game result looks increasingly like a draw, then he's pulled so as not to further bowl on a doormat of a pitch?

Of course, its not the first time either.

Last year the ECB made us remove him from a squad on the basis he had toothache a week before, and they didnt believe he would be fit enough to bowl.
He then disappeared before a test match at Leicester, apparently because he had a stomach bug, but was wandering around the ground singing autographs all day
He takes 14 wickets, and they make us pull him out of the game the other wicket because of a mystery back problem that they claim was an issue before he took his best haul ever in cricket...

Not buying any of them.

[sussexpob]

Of course, it was unlikely to change the result, but it still annoys me that the ECB have so little respect for the county game, that they would intervene during a live match to insist a team can't bowl someone. And if they do, then there should be adequate compensation for it - like being allowed a substitute! I think Glamorgan only had a lead of 100 and about 5 wickets left at the time, so it certainly wasnt a dead match at that point if a few wickets had rattled away.

And why on earth would Sussex be removing players from their side as a precaution anyway? Robbo isnt slated to be available for us again in 2023, so what are you saving him for? Matches in April 2024?

Just imagine if Man City whipped off Haaland at half-time during a live game they could win, because they wanted to make sure he was available for Norway v San Marino the following week. Of course it wouldnt happen, because football isnt a complete joke of a sport

[Slipstream]

I think it demonstrates how vital he is to England's plans, that any suggestion of a minor niggle brings with it an immediate intervention

The intervention was not immediate. Fabrace has said that he apparently had discomfort in his ankle leaving the field on Day 3, and that after discussion with the ECB medical team, it was decided that he would be pulled from the game on Day 4, but that Sussex would be allowed to bowl him for one spell before he was retired for the game. He then sent down a mammoth 9 over spell at full pace with no signs of discomfort, was called to the dressing room, jogged off with no signs of problems, and didn't return.

I mean, call me dumb, but do you really expect me to believe that a player would be removed from a game due to an injury concern, but only after he bowled a mammoth 85 minute spell? Its funny, because when Sussex fans pointed out on social media that there was nothing apparently wrong with him, the club came out to say that he had no problems with running or bowling, but that the pain was uniquely while walking slowly He then leaves the ground with a full moon boot cast and crutches, only to miraculously recover at his apparent scan minutes later.

Not buying it.... why can they not just admit the ECB clearly must have said if Sussex don't take wickets in the morning, and the game result looks increasingly like a draw, then he's pulled so as not to further bowl on a doormat of a pitch?

Of course, its not the first time either.

Last year the ECB made us remove him from a squad on the basis he had toothache a week before, and they didnt believe he would be fit enough to bowl.
He then disappeared before a test match at Leicester, apparently because he had a stomach bug, but was wandering around the ground singing autographs all day
He takes 14 wickets, and they make us pull him out of the game the other wicket because of a mystery back problem that they claim was an issue before he took his best haul ever in cricket...

Not buying any of them.

I read that in Pakistan for the 3rd Test he was sick and was not going to be selected but he said he still wanted to play.

[Durhamfootman]

Worcester are jammy sods, btw

[Durhamfootman]

I'm feeling sorry for Gloucestershire atm. They'd already lost 800 overs in 4 matches to the weather, which is roughly 8 days and a session of play and now they go to Derby and guess what............. no play today because of rain

they just can't catch a break this season

And guess what...... first CC match back after the hit and giggle and in middle of a heat wave.... only 14 overs bowled before tea, because of rain

[Arthur Crabtree]

Wow. The T20 is finished. And Coad is fit.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Maybe surprising England haven't withdrawn him.

[Durhamfootman]

Yorks rollicking along with their new found winning mentality

[Arthur Crabtree]

Hmm. They haven't won yet this season.

[Durhamfootman]

5 on the spin in the hit and giggle. It does filter through, I think

[Durhamfootman]

big fightback from Derby, recovering from 17-4 and in dead trouble miles behind, to finish the day on 248-4 and a lead of 6 runs. It's nice to know that du Plooy doesn't only do this to Durham

Essex in charge at fortress Chelmsford after Harmer skittled Somerset for not many

Surrey slump against Kent and are in a whole deal of trouble

Hants drag themselves back into their match, first through Organ's 6fer and then finishing the day 119-1

Notts are dead in the water. I have no idea why Warks kept batting on and on and on and then only declared after Notts had got all 3 bowling points. Why wouldn't you declare on 525-8?

Gloucester got a full day's play, I think

Worcs slump from 366-3 to 395-9 against the Sussex B attack

[Durhamfootman]

Essex setting up their final innings assault

Kent have set theirs up, with Surrey needing 500 to win

Hants are starting to subside now, 4 down still 45 behind

Notts all out and still 400 behind. Will Warks bat this aftie and give their bowlers a breather?

Derbys have built a 94 run lead still with 5 wickets in hand

Durham's lead is now 120 still with 3 wickets in the bank. What is the declaration target, I wonder? (edit: 2 wickets now)

Not a lot happening in Gloucs/Leics, but at least it isn't raining for once

Sussex start to try and set up a victory push. 46 ahead for no loss

[Durhamfootman]

Notts are dead in the water. I have no idea why Warks kept batting on and on and on and then only declared after Notts had got all 3 bowling points. Why wouldn't you declare on 525-8?

because they are less dim than me. They had already denied them the 3rd bowling point once they'd batted past 110 overs


anyway.... Surrey are already 1 down

[Durhamfootman]

Fightback from Surrey, but there's still an awful lot to do

Essex closing in

An early wobble for Lancs, but they ought to polish off their match in the morning

Notts really under the pump

Yorks are faffing about and doing their best to throw it away. Lose an early wicket and it could be curtains with 65 still required. Imagine bowling a side out for 111, scoring 350, getting them 4 down for nothing second up..... and then losing! Eek...... surely that can't happen..... can it?

Durham pressing for the win. Glamorgan with work to do to save the game, let alone win it

Gloucs/Leics meandering

Feels like Sussex hold most of the cards in the last match. A good recovery from them