Warwickshire Season Thread

[Fists of Fury]

Gents

May I direct you to my ESPNcricinfo debut where I preview Warwickshire's defence of their County Championship title?

http://www.espncricinfo.com/blogs/content/story/628136.html

Your thoughts would be much appreciated, even more so if you could leave them on the cricinfo page itself.

I thought I'd create this thread for me and Hoggy to talk to ourselves as the season progresses, anyway, and maybe Guildford will feel obliged to join in given that he is, deep down, a Bear

Thanks

[Carrotdude]

I see you guys just about avoided embarrassment today

[guildfordbat]

Fists - excellent preview. Not just saying that because I was born a Bear!

As discussed recently, it'll be interesting to see how Evans gets on.

Couple of other quick points -

1. I'm not on Facebook. Am I right in believing that prevents me signing in and commenting on ESPNcricinfo.

2. Pleased to note you've been chatting online with Josh Green. He's a highly impressive contributor (under the nom de plume Rampsismyhero) to the Surrey Supporters website OvalWorldOnTheNet. As you know, he has a Surrey preview on cricinfo.

[Fists of Fury]

Carrot - Yes, the bowlers got us out of a lot of trouble there. Young Milnes was terrific. Hopefully that will serve as a wake up call ahead of the curtain raiser with Derbyshire. We do miss the likes of Clarke and Woakes in terms of lower order batting depth, though.

Guildford - many thanks, glad you enjoyed it. You are able to comment via cricinfo if you register on the site - being a Facebook user just means that you can login via that medium which is perhaps a little quicker and more convenient. Comments are now closed on the article, rather disappointingly, as I was hoping to engage with a few people there. Overall, though, I was very pleased with the feedback received for my preview, it seemed to go down well. Sure I'll live and die by it if Warks fail to fulfil my prophecies, though!

Yes Josh is the voice of all things Surrey on Twitter, it'd seem. Nice chap, and as you say plenty knowledgeable.

[Corporalhumblebucket]

Good article Fists. I will look in on this page from time to time - as I always keep an eye on Rikki Clarke, and now also want to see whether the burst of pre season predictions of success for Evans (never given a chance in Surrey first XI) will come to fruition.

My prediction is that Warks will retain Div 1 title, with length of batting order again playing pivotal role.

[Fists of Fury]

Tough day for batting at Edgbaston today.

Very damp conditions, ridiculously low thick cloud - swing should be there in abundance for the Derbyshire bowlers.

I get the feeling our top order need to set a decent base, see the shine off the new ball at the very least. It'll not be easy.

[Corporalhumblebucket]

Shine still remains on the new ball.....

[Fists of Fury]

Just an update, gents. Not much to speak of in terms of this match as it was utterly ruined by rain, but going back to Laurie Evans he made 19 not out today and look very impressive in doing so.

Brimming with confidence from ball one he timed it nicely, looked exceptional on his feet in getting forward or back to the spinners, and had more than an air of Kevin Pietersen about him.

Only a small sample size, but a good start.

[guildfordbat]

Fists - thanks for that about Evans.

Many Surrey supporters tend to regard players who moved on after falling out with Adams as only being on loan to other clubs. We'll be watching him with interest ....

[Guest]

2 seasons ago, no one cared about Evans, now everyone seems to have an eye on him lol!

On a side note, warks very lucky to have Jeetan Patel aviaable for the whole season again!!

[Fists of Fury]

Laurie Evans watch:

Made 40-something yesterday. Looked very busy and played some wonderful straight drives, I'm told. Then nicked off chasing a slightly wide one...the youthful rashness of a middle order batsman, or an area of his game that he needs to work on? Too early to say as yet, but it was another highly promising knock.

[Fists of Fury]

Morning, gentlemen.

Hopefully a few of you managed to keep up with the live blogging at the weekend (thanks to Shelsey for providing a link to that at the time).

Here's my day four match report for Deep Extra Cover, if you'd like a read:

http://deepextracover.com/home/warwickshire-quicks-wright-on-the-money/

A very impressive display from Warks in the field, though you do feel that Durham might struggle to consistently make runs this season.

[guildfordbat]

Good match report, Fists.

Warks really have got a splendid county attack. The coaching staff at Essex need a rocket for allowing Chris Wright to join your boys!

As you suggested in your report, I still thought a Collingwood led Durham would have put up more of a fight. It'll be interesting to see how they react next time out.

The only thing missing from your report was reference to the increased pressure clearly put on the batmen by Laurie Evans' maiden over!

[Fists of Fury]

Ha! Glad to see your attention to detail on the Evans front!

A failure for him in the 2nd innings, but he wasn't the only one. Ben Stokes was reversing the ball beautifully, and at not insignificant pace.

The Chris Wright story is an incredible one. They, surely, must have noticed the potential? I was in attendance at the post match interviews and, though I'd heard of it before, was intrigued by Wright speaking of his time playing first class cricket out in Sri Lanka. He said that, in hindsight, it was perhaps a couple of years too early in his development, but it shows the mettle of the man to head out to what is not much more than a fast bowlers graveyard to ply his trade.

He is a thoroughly nice bloke, and spoke very well.

[Corporalhumblebucket]

Rikki Clarke signed for four more years. All going according to plan.

And Warks with a batting line up with depth not dissimilar to the Mariana Trench.

Look forward to teams with fragile batting line ups and long tails having all the depth of the Aral Sea!

[Fists of Fury]

Yep, excellent news that.

Glad you liked it, corporal, and yours is a fine suggestion!

[Shelsey93]

Another article on Laurie Evans, who must have the best PR agent of any county cricketer! http://www.ecb.co.uk/news/domestic/counties/warwickshire/evans,321297,EN.html

[guildfordbat]

Just read that Laurie Evans had his left hand broken yesterday by a lifter from Steven Finn. He was on 59 at the time.

A great shame as he's had to bide his time so long. Hope he makes a full and speedy recovery.

[Fists of Fury]

Not posted for a while in here - mainly because I've been in Australia for a month, and partly because we've been infuriatingly poor!

Anyway, here's my latest piece for Cricinfo, highlighting a few of my frustrations. As always it'd be good to get your thoughts, chaps.

http://www.espncricinfo.com/blogs/content/story/642893.html

[Corporalhumblebucket]

Hi Fists.  One thought about the Guildford match and the timing of the declaration.  Warks were a bit unlucky in that the morning session following the late afternoon declaration was lost to rain - wholly against expectations of a settled weather forecast.

[Fists of Fury]

That's true, Corporal, but I find it difficult to overlook the fact that they scored 80-100 too many in any case. Far too cautious.

[Fists of Fury]

Good to see our favourite subject of discussion Laurie Evans doing well. Currently 150* against Notts.

His injury earlier in the season came at a bad time, just as he had established himself and looked in good nick. In a way it was handy that the T20's (a format in which he usually excels) came about at the right time to introduce him back in to the side, as it let him find his feet among some poor showings.

As I've said before, just a hint of KP about him, and I'm thrilled for him that he has notched up his first Championship century for the Bears. May there be many more.

[guildfordbat]

Fists - that's a fine achievement by Evans. Particularly impressive that having scored his maiden Championship century, he has retained his composure and so far added another fifty.

Would have been another nail in Adams' coffin if he wasn't already six feet under (Surrey cricketwise speaking).

I was told recently that Evans and Hamilton-Brown never got on well as youngsters which did Evans no favours when H-B came back to the Club as captain. Apparently, Evans was very upset when shown the door by Adams.

[Fists of Fury]

I've heard that too, Guildford.

Evans eventually out for 178 - accelerated fantastically well after grinding out the century (and more importantly rescuing Warks from what looked like being a sub-par total). Averaging in excess of 50 this season - it is my only prediction that is coming off thus far. Let's hope he can keep it up.

[Corporalhumblebucket]

It seemed strange at the time that Evans was released by Surrey.  Now looks stranger still!

[Corporalhumblebucket]

That's true, Corporal, but I find it difficult to overlook the fact that they scored 80-100 too many in any case. Far too cautious.

Fists - looks like they have taken your advice to heart in the current match.  Declared in time to have a go (unsuccessful as it happens) at Notts tonight, leaving the E Mids side with "only" 389 to get tomorrow - a challenging but by no means impossible target.

[guildfordbat]

Great win by the Bears today, Fists. Seems like a fine team performance. All five bowlers amongst the wickets with Jeetan Patel leading the way with a fourfer.

Going back to the Surrey game at Guildford, I do think Warks were more unlucky than at fault for batting on. Not only were almost 40 overs lost on the third day through completely unexpected rain (as flagged by the Corporal) but you were also a bowler short for the entirety of the last day (a hot one) when Chris Wright went down with a stomach bug.

[Shelsey93]

Interestingly Warks seemed to recognise that they erred at Guildford. When I spoke to him last week Varun Chopra explained the early declaration against Middx as being as a result of not wanting to run out of time again.

They looked pretty good last week and could yet be a factor in the title race. Looks like another good win this week against Notts who are struggling a bit and might slip into the relegation battle.

[Fists of Fury]

Chopra's captaincy has been impressive, Shelsey. He's been bold in his declarations (not to the point of risky, but certainly in terms of being aggressive) and equally aggressive in his field placings.

More on this in my next cricinfo piece, which should be up this week.

[Corporalhumblebucket]

Fists as ever in expansive mood in his cricinfo article about Warks' progress:

"Warwickshire might well have commenced what would be the single most effort-laden turnaround since Ian Blackwell was last sent back by his partner upon attempting a tight single"   

and

"He and Woakes combined with Keith Barker, Wright and Patel against Middlesex to form an attack as potent as a male rodent inadvertently poisoned with Viagra."  
 

[Fists of Fury]

Ha, glad you enjoyed it, Corporal!

For those that haven't seen my latest for cricinfo on Warwickshire, here's a link. As ever, your comments are welcome, particularly on beneath the actual article on the site (if any of you chaps use Facebook that is, which I believe is required unless you register to cricinfo).

http://www.espncricinfo.com/blogs/content/story/654451.html

[Fists of Fury]

Laurie Evans watch...51* against Sussex. After his hundred against Somerset, again made from a difficult position, this looks to be another fantastic, fighting knock.

Averaging nigh on 60 for the season...we spoke of it as a potential breakthrough season for him, and he looks to be grabbing his opportunity with both hands. Well played, sir.

[guildfordbat]

Evans advances to an undefeated 103. Don't know when or where the England Lions next tour but he should be a contender for a place on the strength of this season's showing.

Meanwhile, his former Surrey nemesis Hamilton-Brown was out for a duck in the same match yesterday and averages just 25 this season.

[Corporalhumblebucket]

Evans rapidly becoming one of Warks' key batsmen; clearly his PR agent was no mug when predicting success this season.  

[Fists of Fury]

What's even more amazing, gents, is that he was my 'one to watch' for the season. We all know how rarely my predictions come to fruition, and in light of that it makes his success even more praiseworthy!

[Fists of Fury]

*LAURIE EVANS WATCH*

59 not out at lunch. Approaching 900 runs for the season.

[Fists of Fury]

Good afternoon gents

Here's the fifth installment in my series of Warwickshire blogs for cricinfo this season, if I could trouble you to have a read and leave any comments on the article should you feel moved in to doing so.

Your thoughts, as ever, are welcome.

http://www.espncricinfo.com/blogs/content/story/669693.html

Thanks

[guildfordbat]

Fists - another tip top blog. I've posted a few comments at the end of the article - sorry they seem a bit of a mish mash, there were meant to be a few small paragraphs and not just the one as appears.

[Fists of Fury]

Hi Guildford, thanks very much for that, truly appreciated.

Fine comments too, which I've responded to in kind on the article.

Interesting comment re: Jason Roy. He'd slipped my mind, to be honest, but could fit the bill perfectly as long as Warks believe they have plenty to work with.

[Corporalhumblebucket]

Fists - good article.  Liked Guildford's comments too re ghost writer!  

Quite a contrast between Warks lower order batting and that of Surrey's where it seems the entire tail can often be blown away in half an hour.

[Fists of Fury]

Ha, certainly is, Corporal, and thanks.

Saving my Evans love for my final piece of the season which should be due in a couple of weeks.

[Fists of Fury]

Gents

If you wouldn't mind a read/comment, perhaps I could draw your attention to my final piece of the season for ESPNcricinfo - a review of Warwickshire's season.

http://www.espncricinfo.com/blogs/content/story/675363.html

Winter well, all. It's been an enjoyable season.

[guildfordbat]

Another cracking piece, Fists. Have commented briefly at the end of the article.

[Corporalhumblebucket]

Strange old season for Warks - at certain times they looked strong enough to retain the cc title. Agree that Barker hasn't had the recognition that's due.  

Excellent article, Fists.

[Shelsey93]

Good stuff, Fists.

Whilst I generally think Warks fans like to have a moan (  ) the luck definitely wasn't with the Bears this time round... not a perfect squad (a quality batsman light) but still probably the best all-round first XI in the country, along with Yorkshire.

[Fists of Fury]

Thanks all, appreciate you taking the time out to do so.

Shelsey, of course we do being from the Midlands it is an inbuilt trait, but I you're right in that they have had plenty of misfortune. The wicket-keeper issue toward the end of the season, although irrelevant in terms of the title, was just getting ridiculous!

Agree with your assessment there - think Warks and Yorks are probably the two strongest sides in an all-round sense, whilst the likes of Durham are potent in one particular area and it served them rather well this year. Must admit, after seeing Warks trounce them at Edgbaston early doors, I thought they were relegation candidates. They came back exceedingly well.

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