Meanwhile the predictions for the CC have been made by Wisden Cricket Monthly - Lancashire to be declared Champions and us to finish, well, there's no subtle way of saying this, bottom. Walker needs to pin the article to the dressing room door!
To be honest, our CC side looks weaker than the one which finished last season, considering Evison had already arrived
Certainly in the bowling department although I wonder if our early season strength in the batting is reflected by the fact that DBD isn't playing in this week's warm up game i.e. Compton, Crawley, Denly, Leaning, Cox, Billings and Evison looks a very strong top seven on paper. Although how it performs on green pitches in seamer friendly bowling conditions in early April remains to be seen!
Meanwhile the predictions for the CC have been made by Wisden Cricket Monthly - Lancashire to be declared Champions and us to finish, well, there's no subtle way of saying this, bottom. Walker needs to pin the article to the dressing room door!
To be honest, our CC side looks weaker than the one which finished last season, considering Evison had already arrived
Certainly in the bowling department although I wonder if our early season strength in the batting is reflected by the fact that DBD isn't playing in this week's warm up game i.e. Compton, Crawley, Denly, Leaning, Cox, Billings and Evison looks a very strong top seven on paper. Although how it performs on green pitches in seamer friendly bowling conditions in early April remains to be seen!
Good to see two Umpires with no connection whatsoever to either County appointed too - J C Tredwell & M J Saggers. That is offset by the fact that we appear to be playing with 12 but Essex have 15!!!
Having difficulty sharing the link for Browne's wicket but it is one where all he can do is nod in appreciation of the delivery from his former teammate Quinn.
Joking apart, how fantastic is it to see an icon of the game and former England captain, at the age of 38 and having achieved all that he could, still wanting to play cricket. Obviously he hasn't got the game to go chasing the money in franchise cricket but it does prove that some people just want to play and it really doesn't matter if it is on a freezing cold day in March. All credit to him and to have him in and around the Club must be fantastic for any young players coming through. He's probably still one of our best openers too.
Quinn and Hogan the pick of the bowlers with combined figures of 19-5-50-2. Stewart, Evison and trialist Sidebottom all struggling in the conditions in conceding 94 runs at 7 runs an over between them
Crawley out already - 5th ball for a duck, taking two steps down the track "a la Bazball" and is caught at second slip off the bowling of someone's nephew by the name of Porter! I really do not know what he was trying to achieve in doing so.
You get the feeling we are worryingly short of enough real match practice to start the season next week. predominately slow out the traps too so we may be in for a tough start one thinks
Match abandoned. So our pre season preparation amounts to 27 overs faced and 32.2 overs bowled. That isn't great but we have to make the most of it and accept that the priorities of the ECB are more important than enhancing the county game. Trouble is they are losing the international battle too when it comes to retaining players and in terms of where their franchise model sits against the various other ones around the world.
Match abandoned. So our pre season preparation amounts to 27 overs faced and 32.2 overs bowled. That isn't great but we have to make the most of it and accept that the priorities of the ECB are more important than enhancing the county game. Trouble is they are losing the international battle too when it comes to retaining players and in terms of where their franchise model sits against the various other ones around the world.
We chose (or couldn't afford) to go abroad though. A game last week in Sharjah would have been a real help.
Comments
https://www.kentcricket.co.uk/fixture/kent-vs-essex-4/
Edit - here it is
Welcome to cricket in March!
39-3
Cook 45* off 40
The rest 16-3 off 51
76-4
Cook 49* (42)
95-4 off 19
Cook 60* (52)
Critchley 8* (7)
144-4 off 32.2
Cook 84* (91)
Critchley 33* (48)
Quinn and Hogan the pick of the bowlers with combined figures of 19-5-50-2. Stewart, Evison and trialist Sidebottom all struggling in the conditions in conceding 94 runs at 7 runs an over between them
Compton and Denly out to the bowling of Cook (the other one)
Leaning 12* (18)
Cox 6* (6)
Cox opts to shoulder arms to one that comes back and bowls him
Leaning 52* (78)
Evison 16* (50)