(11-05-2022 12:34 )Boomerangutangangbang Wrote:  Round 5 Review
Surrey & Hampshire were the sole victors in Div 1, as the overcame weaker opposition in Northamptonshire & Gloucestershire, to make it 3 wins from 5, & emerge as early season contenders. I would add Lancashire, who lie behind these 2 in 3rd spot, having played a gam less, & visit Yorkshire this week, are lacking firepower in their bowling, with 4 key bowlers unavailable.
In Div 2 Glamorgan were too strong for Leicestershire, & Middlesex record their 3rd win in 3, to top the Division.

One point that I've failed to mention, which may well go some way to explaining the dominance of bat over ball, it that they are using a Dukes ball with a less pronounced seam this year.
Although the dry start to the season has played it's part, I thought it was somewhat ironic, that all the talk was about easy wickets on offer with medium-pace dominating, yet we have seen an avalanche of runs.

I watched Hussain interview Key, & he was quite positive about the Championship, & that it has always provided Test Match players, despite it's failings. His view seemed to be that a few tweaks were required, rather than a massive overhaul.
It has often been the case that our 4 day comp has been praised, when England have had success, but very quickly pulled apart the minute defeats start to mount up.
It is, some but not all of the problem.

(11-05-2022 14:04 )hornball Wrote:  

(11-05-2022 12:34 )Boomerangutangangbang Wrote:  I watched Hussain interview Key, & he was quite positive about the Championship, & that it has always provided Test Match players, despite it's failings. His view seemed to be that a few tweaks were required, rather than a massive overhaul.
It has often been the case that our 4 day comp has been praised, when England have had success, but very quickly pulled apart the minute defeats start to mount up.
It is, some but not all of the problem.

Quite positive is ambivalence in my language!! What exactly are its' failings?? Maybe one of them is the fact that a lack of overseas talent now (for England sake it was said) is actually harming (England). Fewer opportunities to test potential candidates for the test arena against the very best! A few tweaks is it?? Not to the money grabber that apparently is the T20 and Hundred taking a large chunk of the calendar, but to the Championship itself?? Interesting!!

It has always been the case that the County Championship received praise (reluctant) when England won (except when they reached world #1 nothing to do with the counties then), and then, after all that, despite the system being the same one that brought such success, facing all the criticism when England fall on their ass (most particularly after an ashes defeat) when those that barely watch any cricket - if at all - jump up and down with faux dismay and manufactured anger - blaming the CC for everything. Lets call it wanting your cake and eat it too!

(11-05-2022 15:56 )Boomerangutangangbang Wrote:  

(11-05-2022 14:04 )hornball Wrote:  

(11-05-2022 12:34 )Boomerangutangangbang Wrote:  I watched Hussain interview Key, & he was quite positive about the Championship, & that it has always provided Test Match players, despite it's failings. His view seemed to be that a few tweaks were required, rather than a massive overhaul.
It has often been the case that our 4 day comp has been praised, when England have had success, but very quickly pulled apart the minute defeats start to mount up.
It is, some but not all of the problem.

Quite positive is ambivalence in my language!! What exactly are its' failings?? Maybe one of them is the fact that a lack of overseas talent now (for England sake it was said) is actually harming (England). Fewer opportunities to test potential candidates for the test arena against the very best! A few tweaks is it?? Not to the money grabber that apparently is the T20 and Hundred taking a large chunk of the calendar, but to the Championship itself?? Interesting!!

It has always been the case that the County Championship received praise (reluctant) when England won (except when they reached world #1 nothing to do with the counties then), and then, after all that, despite the system being the same one that brought such success, facing all the criticism when England fall on their ass (most particularly after an ashes defeat) when those that barely watch any cricket - if at all - jump up and down with faux dismay and manufactured anger - blaming the CC for everything. Lets call it wanting your cake and eat it too!

Sorry if I misled, the words "despite it's failings" were not a direct quote by Key, just my on view.

(11-05-2022 18:06 )Boomerangutangangbang Wrote:  We've so far seen a good quality crop of overseas players, improving the standard, particularly those from Pakistan, especially the pace bowlers.

(13-05-2022 18:09 )Boomerangutangangbang Wrote:  

(11-05-2022 18:06 )Boomerangutangangbang Wrote:  We've so far seen a good quality crop of overseas players, improving the standard, particularly those from Pakistan, especially the pace bowlers.

It seems that I spoke too soon. Shaheen Shah Afridi, Mohammad Riwan, Mohammad Amir, & Hasan Ali, are all unavailabe for the latest round of matches.
However, Haris Rauf returns for Yorkshire's Roses match.

(13-05-2022 18:54 )andyjb Wrote:  https://www.espn.co.uk/cricket/story/_/id/33897978/shaheen-afridi-mohammad-rizwan-mohammad-amir-miss-latest-round-county-championship

(13-05-2022 20:58 )Boomerangutangangbang Wrote:  Heads-up for tomorrows Roses match, with Yorkshire 2 down, replying to Lancashire's first innings 566. When the next wicket falls, there's a potential contest between Root & Anderson, which should be a rare treat.