**Official** County Cricket 2016

[theegyptian]

Bell going from one extreme to the other. Having been out twice vs Yorkshire for the MCC charging the spinner (Carver) and being caught at midoff/on, he currently has 18 off 77 balls against Dawson, another sla.

 

[Scaly piscine]

I would imagine Ballance would get straight back in to the side now. Was unfortunate to get dropped in the first place (averages 48) and presumably has had time to work on his technical issue.

Bell can **** off.

 

[grecian]

I would imagine Ballance would get straight back in to the side now. Was unfortunate to get dropped in the first place (averages 48) and presumably has had time to work on his technical issue.

Bell can **** off.

Yeah, Ballance back makes a fair amount of sense, Vince probably next in line too before Bell.

 

[theegyptian]

Chipping Norton Murali putting Bopara and Napier to the sword. I reckon if Moeen is rested from an ODI series Taylor is towards the top of possible candidates of offbreak bowlers (not that there is a big list of credible candidates). Spin bowling improving, decent fielder, combative personality and a good hitter. Improving cricketer.

 

[91Jmay]

Woakes getting out last over is annoying but really good partnership to put us on course for the batting points we need. Rikki Clarke coming in at 8 is just ridiculous depth.

 

[marc71178]

They may have thought he was done but this may force their hand and they may go back to him. Though you would think Bell taking the captaincy at Warwickshire is an indication he is expecting to play for them not England.

Thing with Bell is he's always going to get county runs and shitloads of them so this doesn't really show anything.

 

[Watson33]

If Bell gets drafted back into the squad he'll be in the XI. There's no way he'll run the drinks. I think it will be Ballance back into the side and then Vince into the squad. Plus Sri Lanka won't test whether Ballance has sorted his technique out against the short ball so they're the perfect side for him to ease back in against.

 

[91Jmay]

They 100% will. Did you see the NZ series? Their entire tactic seemed to be bumpers at times.

 

[Bijed]

Pleased for Bell scoring some runs, have no issue with him rejoining the England side as long as he's batting down the order a bit, which I assume he would be. I would also expect Ballance to make a reappearance, hope he gets a chance to bat in Yorkshire's current game - him at 3 with Compton opening again a possibility?

 

[HeathDavisSpeed]

Good start to the season for Essex thus far.

Has anyone seen highlights? Interested in this Matt Dixon chap being labelled as "right arm fast" on Cricinfo. Is he genuinely quick, or is this another mislabelling?

 

[91Jmay]

Good start to the season for Essex thus far.

Has anyone seen highlights? Interested in this Matt Dixon chap being labelled as "right arm fast" on Cricinfo. Is he genuinely quick, or is this another mislabelling?

They have George Garton labeled LMF who is legitimately a mid 80s+ bowler so I have no faith in them anymore.

George Garton's double wicket maiden - Videos | ICC U19 Cricket World Cup

No speed gun here but he has a real yard for an 18 year old. Hope he gets on the diet Woakes had as he could be a 90s + bowler.

 

[flibbertyjibber]

Don't forget guys we need 2 bats now. An opener unless we move Compo up and a number 5. Ballance should get one position but he might end up back at 3 if we picked Vince.

Other alternative I guess is Bairstow up to 5 and Buttler gets gloves again.

 

[Dan]

Good start to the season for Essex thus far.

Has anyone seen highlights? Interested in this Matt Dixon chap being labelled as "right arm fast" on Cricinfo. Is he genuinely quick, or is this another mislabelling?

Dixon's sharp, but not express. High-130s, maxing out in the mid-140s is about where he's at iirc.

EDIT: Actually, I may have mixed him up with another nondescript WA quick. I swear my memory of that 'Matt Dixon' goes back further than a 23-year-old would allow.

 

[Compton]

Rain on the final two days leaves Ben Duckett stuck on 282*

Gutting to miss out on a triple. Cracking for improving your average though.

 

[flibbertyjibber]

Also a huge nudge to the England selectors. If he wasn't on the radar before he will be now. They have to take a good look at him in the next few weeks.

 

[91Jmay]

Don't forget guys we need 2 bats now. An opener unless we move Compo up and a number 5. Ballance should get one position but he might end up back at 3 if we picked Vince.

Other alternative I guess is Bairstow up to 5 and Buttler gets gloves again.

Not sure how Compton's place is so secure. Needs runs basically as much as Hales for me.

 

[fredfertang]

I think England should play eleven Yorkies in the second Test against Sri Lanka - will give Lanky a fighting chance in the Roses Match

 

[91Jmay]

We have 19 overs to try and get the 4 batting points (if Bell stays in all 19 and Clarke has a proper dip we might have an outside chance at all 5). Then declare and see if we can cause a bit of mayhem with the ball.

 

[flibbertyjibber]

Not sure how Compton's place is so secure. Needs runs basically as much as Hales for me.

He does but at least he has a better technique than Hales. I'd stick with Compo for now, not sure if it as 3 or as opener though. Depends who does well this next month or so.

 

[91Jmay]

Yeah i'd give them both at least the first series of the summer to be honest. With Taylor having to retire I don't like the idea of potentially having 3 new batters in the line up (even if new means Ballance or *gasp* Bell).

Ballance first cab off the rank for me though.