Hampshire 2017 thread

[Hampshireboi]

Poor end to the innings again. Should have been 200+ with the platform we set.

[st_brendy]

Berg ahead of Ervine? Not sure I've ever known Slug to be so low.

[st_brendy]

Poor end to the innings again. Should have been 200+ with the platform we set.

Yeah. Second game running that you'd have been very happy with that score at the start, but not too happy after 15 overs. Again though, quality bowling - this time Southee and Roland Jones.

[budgetmeansbudget]

Our middle order isn't exactly the most potent bunch so when the top three fail we're gonna struggle to make a decent score.

Think that knock from McManus the other day was a one off.

[st_brendy]

Our middle order isn't exactly the most potent bunch so when the top three fail we're gonna struggle to make a decent score.

Think that knock from McManus the other day was a one off.

Depends. Bailey and Ervine are more than capable of doing a rebuilding job, for example. The problem for the middle/lower order this game and Wednesday, is that the top order have done so well that they're coming to the crease needing to hit out immediately. Tough to do against anyone, let alone international bowlers like Southee and Jordan.

[st_brendy]

Rilee has pulled off a one handed stunner. And to get rid of McCullum too.

[budgetmeansbudget]

Cracking start for the bowlers.

Must admit I thought we were one of the weaker teams in this south Division, what do I know!

[st_brendy]

Cracking start for the bowlers.

Must admit I thought we were one of the weaker teams in this south Division, what do I know!

Oh no chance. Bailey, Abbott and Rilee all being signed, Topley back from injury, Vince no longer on international duty, a further year of experience for Crane and McManus. OK we are without Dawson, and Afridi and Ervine are maybe now a year past it. But as with Carberry and Berg, we're not needing these older guys to perform on a regular basis. If they can share the performances around between them (Carberry today, Afridi last week), then that should supplement the likes of Abbott, Vince and Rilee very nicely.

I still think we're slightly below Surrey and Essex in the group, but not by much.

[st_brendy]

This game isn't over though. Still need another couple yet fairly soon to walk this.

[captaincolly]

This game isn't over though. Still need another couple yet fairly soon to walk this.

Morgan gone now that might do it. Seems odd to me that he's not captain, for all the talk about McCullum as a tactical genius it has not gone according to plan so far! Not getting any runs and the 'funky' captaincy last night almost snatched defeat from the jaws of victory by altering the batting order for no good reason.

[Hampshireboi]

Be nice to win this by as big a margin as possible to increase the NRR

Although we have started fantastically, there will be games where the top order fail and that's when I think we may struggle.

[budgetmeansbudget]

Cracking start for the bowlers.

Must admit I thought we were one of the weaker teams in this south Division, what do I know!

I still think we're slightly below Surrey and Essex in the group, but not by much.

Just looking at this Middx side, it's loaded with top players.

Can't believe we're winning the game so easily.

[st_brendy]

Cracking start for the bowlers.

Must admit I thought we were one of the weaker teams in this south Division, what do I know!

I still think we're slightly below Surrey and Essex in the group, but not by much.

Just looking at this Middx side, it's loaded with top players.

Can't believe we're winning the game so easily.

Agree on that sense. I did just go with Middlesex as my fourth qualifier from this group.

If you can get past the top four, then there are wickets to be had against Middlesex. But that is a serious top four. We've done amazingly well to get all of them for so little. But that's the level we have with Abbott and Topley opening now.

[budgetmeansbudget]

Although Topley is proving a tad expensive again.

Must admit I thought Carberry would struggle in the competition, but he has done well so far.

[st_brendy]

Although Topley is proving a tad expensive again.

Must admit I thought Carberry would struggle in the competition, but he has done well so far.

Yeah I'm not too sure about Topley as a death bowler. Another reason why I'd have Wood in ahead of Berg. Topley can bowl up top and in the middle. Wood can finish off the power, and partner Abbott at the death.

I'm more than happy for Berg to rest his body up for the Championship.