Cricket-Match-Special ... A forum for discussion

I'm really confident this year, worries me how excited and confident I am

Unless we're certain of picking Crane (which would be somewhat strange, for an early April game where we already have Dawson - albeit as the away side, we have the opportunity to bat first and thus, in theory, bowl last), it seems odd that we haven't picked cover for Fidel given that we're saying he faces an fitness test in the morning.

In my view it's a shoot-out between Wheal and Crane. If so, and if we go with Wheal, then there is no cover for Fidel in the squad.

I guess that either Fidel is 99% certain of playing, or we're not prepared to play Hart or Stevenson (which could be fair enough - it is away to Yorkshire, after all) and would rather play Wheal and Crane together in the event that Fidel misses out.

Just goes to show that we are a decent seamer short. Yes Abbott has come in, but we've lost Tommo and McLaren. We can't even say that Fidel and Topley are fit again! A lot of pressure on Wheal to take his game onto the next level.

Hart isn't on the scorecard for the 2nd xi game today so I would assume he's gone with the squad. Topley is playing though which is promising.

Before a ball is bowled, you probably take getting them out for 273 (especially given that on paper, their batting is stronger than their bowling in this game).

At 110-2, you definitely take getting them out for 273.

At 152-7, getting them out for 273 is a major disappointment.

Opening day prediction: like Tommo before him last season, Adams won't see out the season in our first team. He'll be moved aside after a few games, won't be seen again in the season, and will retire.

Oh, and now Vince is out too. Welcome back to the new season...

Carbs and Lyth hit early 6s, must be value for playing shots but still something for the bolwer

Bloody Durham.

If it wasn't for them, we might have won a few games this season!

budgetmeansbudget wrote:Bloody Durham.

If it wasn't for them, we might have won a few games this season!

It's still early days!

captaincolly wrote:

budgetmeansbudget wrote:Bloody Durham.

If it wasn't for them, we might have won a few games this season!

It's still early days!

But very predictable early days.

If Yorkshire want to, they'll easily win this within three days.

Whilst I would have been 100% against being in D2 rather than Kent, I'd have completely fine with being in D2 rather than you.

But who knows, maybe this is just an inspired bowling performance from Coad, and actually we'll win all of our other 13 matches...

Nice partnership for the ninth wicket.

A bit late but pleased McManus has made a few runs.

st_brendy wrote:

captaincolly wrote:

budgetmeansbudget wrote:Bloody Durham.

If it wasn't for them, we might have won a few games this season!

It's still early days!

But very predictable early days.

If Yorkshire want to, they'll easily win this within three days.

Whilst I would have been 100% against being in D2 rather than Kent, I'd have completely fine with being in D2 rather than you.

But who knows, maybe this is just an inspired bowling performance from Coad, and actually we'll win all of our other 13 matches...

That's the spirit - positive outlook.
As for the relegation sagas, I blame the ECB for it -even by their standards they have made a real mess of things!

Abbott bringing us back into this? Gotta clear up the rest very quickly.

Hampshire wrote:Abbott bringing us back into this? Gotta clear up the rest very quickly.

Probably not, but you never know.

Although even if we do lose as expected, at least Warks and Essex are both probably going to get thrashed too. I'd back us against either of those. (And against Lancs, when Jimmy isn't around)

I guess we also have to remember that we're without Bailey and Topley. Bring those guys in for Adams and Wheal (with Dawson opening?), and we should step up a level.

(Yes, yes Yorkshire are without a whole host of players. But Yorkshire shouldn't be our direct competition this season)

Just watched some highlights, not exactly impressed by Edwards clearing the front leg and going for a massive hack across the line when McManus was batting well at the other end... Could at least make an effort to stick around.

Game now moving away from us. Weatherley has just got out for 34 for Kent to go with his 38 in the first innings.