Well, that's our games against the division winners (for so shall they be) Lancashire out of the way for the summer. Now, in game six of the championship summer, we play the return against Gloucestershire. It is hard to get away from the opinion that these fixtures weren't drawn up by a computer that was close to having a duvet day...
Tillakaratne Dilshan makes his championship debut and will slot in at four. His presence also gives us an additional spin option, so David Wainwright drops out of the squad. The decision on the day is whether one of the main seamers drops out or Matt Critchley does so, in this squad:
Ben Slater
Billy Godleman
Chesney Hughes
Tillakaratne Dilshan
Scott Elstone
Shiv Thakor
Harvey Hosein
Matt Critchley
Tony Palladino
Tom Taylor
Ben Cotton
Mark Footitt
My guess is that one of the seamers makes way. With Shiv Thakor as a fine option, we don't really need five and Critchley has done little wrong. Indeed, he seems to have become lead spinner at the age of eighteen, which is both exciting and worrying in equal measure. David Wainwright seems to have lost his 'oomph' while Tom Knight would appear to be considered a work in progress, so far as his bowling is concerned. Talented a cricketer as young Master Critchley is, I wonder if he is ready for such a role at his age. Mind you, his current average of 93 with the bat is a strong argument for inclusion anyway and we are hardly awash with viable alternatives...
As for Gloucestershire, they show several changes from Bristol, with Michael Klinger back instead of fellow Aussie Peter Handscomb, while Kiwi Kieron Noema-Barnett is also dropped.
Their squad:
Chris Dent, Will Tavaré, Michael Klinger, Gareth Roderick
(wkt), Hamish Marshall, Geraint Jones (wkt), Benny
Howell, Jack Taylor, David Payne, Matt Taylor, Liam
Norwell, Craig Miles.
They are a decent batting side but we have already shown that they are beatable, albeit down to a remarkable Kiwi effort. The Derby wickets appear to be good cricket tracks and there is always early morning help for the bowlers.
We can win this.
What is wrong with White and Durston?
ReplyDeleteSerious selection issues.
Both have had injuries..Wes his knee and Wayne a side strain. I assume that neither are yet deemed fit enough for four day cricket but are fine for 20 overs.
ReplyDeleteWelch isnt daft mate. If both were fully fit I am sure they would be in his team. That they arent is probably frustrating for him too!
We can,t afford to leave it much longer before we start winning. As it stands now it would take us three matches to overtake Surrey and that,s if they fail to win any themselves. The gap can be bridged at this stage of proceedings but unless we start to make some inroads fairly soon,the odds on promotion will become ever longer.
ReplyDeleteThis is one of those matches most folks would tick off as a match to win,though in reality,Gloucestershire are not a bad side and will fancy their own chances. It is difficult to ignore the problems we are experiencing in the middle order batting. All those occupying these positions have had at least one good innings but not many runs have been forthcoming in more recent times. Perhaps the tide will turn in this instance though I always have some doubts as to whether that is likely to occur without a spell out of the limelight. With Madsen,Durston and Alex Hughes sidelined,Welch has little choice but to stick with those who are fit. I hope Critchley plays as he offers something rather different and those wickets in the last match have removed a monkey from his back.
Must win game for me if we are to have any inclination of being involved in the promotion race, unlikely as that may seem now.
ReplyDeleteGloucestershire are definitely a side we are capable of beating.