I'm not convinced that you have to be an egg tie wearing traditionalist to think that a league should be determined by matches over the whole season rather than a subsequent knock-out match. Just as Manchester City were quite rightly not required to win a play-off against whoever finished second to determine who won the EPL last season. It's kind of the whole point of a league, isn't it?Another disadvantage though would be the idea of finals going against the concept of a league. I'd like the feel of a CC final, but the bacon and egg tie-wearing traditionalists are unlikely to feel it as being in the spirit of the Championship. That said, the Championship is barely followed now anyway and so having a final match to follow towards could make things slightly easier to follow and generally be more exciting. Also someone mentioned earlier that Surrey had probably been on the piss having already won the CC when dismissed for 67, so effectively pointless matches could be avoided by having a final as I think you mentioned.
RE the first paragraph: I wouldn't say that you need to wear an MCC tie to be opposed to the league-knock out switch, rather that they would be the ones likely to most enthusiastically defend the league concept.I'm not convinced that you have to be an egg tie wearing traditionalist to think that a league should be determined by matches over the whole season rather than a subsequent knock-out match. Just as Manchester City were quite rightly not required to win a play-off against whoever finished second to determine who won the EPL last season. It's kind of the whole point of a league, isn't it?
Not that things don't need changing, because they definitely do. But not the way you're suggesting.
I'd be interested to hear your views on Ollie Pope, if you've watched much of him. I see he's just helped himself to a run-a-ball hundred against a pretty decent Essex attack. His fifth FC ton, I think, which isn't bad before his 21st birthday.If Roy hadn't managed to **** himself with his own cricket bat chances are he would be going on the test tour of SL. Sounded like England were tempted to pick him but it was just one gamble too much given he hadn't played any fc cricket this season until last week.
Joe Clarke with his classical dismissal. You go back through the season and you could make a compilation video of him getting bowled through the gate with the ball angling in. Massive gap between bad and pad as he attempts to drive and then the bottom hand coming off the bat as he plays the shot. Every ****ing week (or twice a game in this Yorkshire game).
The England Lions squad for the tour of the UAE has been named. The team will take part in one four-day 'Test' versus Pakistan A, as well as five A team 'ODIs' and two A Team 'IT20s' against the same opposition.
Kent's Sam Billings – fresh from captaining his county to promotion in the Specsavers County Championship – is named in the four-day squad, while there are also call-ups for Surrey's Jason Roy and Durham's Mark Wood.
Worcestershire's Josh Tongue has been named as part of the four-day squad, subject to medical clearance following an injury he picked up in the current round of Specsavers County Championship games.
Billings, Roy, Tongue and Amar Virdi will swap out ahead of the white-ball leg of the tour, to be replaced by Alex Davies, Lewis Gregory, Sam Hain and Saqib Mahmood.
Four-Day squad
Dom Bess (Somerset)
Sam Billings (Kent)
Joe Clarke (Worcestershire)
Nick Gubbins (Middlesex)
Max Holden (Middlesex)
Tom Kohler-Cadmore (Yorkshire)
Liam Livingstone (Lancashire)
Craig Overton (Somerset)
Jamie Overton (Somerset)
Matt Parkinson (Lancashire)
Jamie Porter (Essex)
Jason Roy (Surrey)
Josh Tongue (Worcestershire) *Subject to medical clearance
Amar Virdi (Surrey)
Mark Wood (Durham)
50-over and T20 squad
Dom Bess (Somerset)
Joe Clarke (Worcestershire)
Alex Davies (Lancashire)
Lewis Gregory (Somerset)
Nick Gubbins (Middlesex)
Sam Hain (Warwickshire)
Max Holden (Middlesex)
Tom Kohler-Cadmore (Yorkshire)
Liam Livingstone (Lancashire)
Saqib Mahmood (Lancashire)
Craig Overton (Somerset)
Jamie Overton (Somerset)
Matt Parkinson (Lancashire)
Jamie Porter (Essex)
Mark Wood (Durham)
England Lions schedule
November 18-21: Four-day match v Pakistan A, Abu Dhabi
November 25: First 50-over match v Pakistan A, Dubai
November 27: Second 50-over match v Pakistan A, Dubai
November 29: Third 50-over match v Pakistan A, Abu Dhabi
December 2: Fourth 50-over match v Pakistan A, Abu Dhabi
December 5: Fifth 50-over match v Pakistan A, Dubai
December 7: First T20 v Pakistan A, Abu Dhabi
December 8: Second T20 v Pakistan A, Abu Dhabi
Virdi strikes me as a bit lucky. His form has dipped somewhat as the season has progressed, and you'd think there's someone out there with a better claim.Basically cold shoulders to Vince, Malan, Stoneman which is fair enough.
A team players like Lawrence ,Northeast, Foakes, Westley, Ball, Hameed, Gleeson, Fisher left out.
Performing players like Mitchell, Hildreth, Abell, Coad definitely aren't on their radars.
First time call-ups for Holden and Gregory ? Surprised by Holden. Didn't think he was so high in the pecking order.
I suppose Bess hasn't had the best of seasons either so weren't sure who to pick and gone with the potential. With Parkinson I don't think they would have picked anyone else ?Virdi strikes me as a bit lucky. His form has dipped somewhat as the season has progressed, and you'd think there's someone out there with a better claim.
Thought this was the case. Surrey still going. Interesting game.Good god Essex are on top now. I wonder how flat the pitch is. Surrey have potential to hit 600 in response, that's not a joke either
Pope and Burns are the best two batsmen in the county right now apart from Root. England need to give Burns and Pope a proper chance. Long runs in the side.I'd be interested to hear your views on Ollie Pope, if you've watched much of him. I see he's just helped himself to a run-a-ball hundred against a pretty decent Essex attack. His fifth FC ton, I think, which isn't bad before his 21st birthday.
EDIT
And gone. Serves me right really.
Since when has Root played for Slurrey?Pope and Burns are the best two batsmen in the county right now apart from Root. England need to give Burns and Pope a proper chance. Long runs in the side.
What's with the charmless references to 'Slurrey'? About as hilarious as a previous CWer's references to 'Yorkshite' imo.Since when has Root played for Slurrey?
Never saw this kind of objection when SP always crapped up the football threads with his hilarious references to 'Manure'What's with the charmless references to 'Slurrey'? About as hilarious as a previous CWer's references to 'Yorkshite' imo.
Perhaps we can discuss the county game without chippy obnoxiousness?
Equally feeble.Never saw this kind of objection when SP always crapped up the football threads with his hilarious references to 'Manure'
But if it pleases I'll refer to them by their proper name - South Africa B
I'm sure nobody was stopping you at the time, so it's a bit odd to raise it here. And you're maybe aware that it was indeed SP with this hilarious misnomers for Yorks and also Surrey back in the day. As you say, it's pretty crappy posting that kind of thing, which is why most of us manage not to.Never saw this kind of objection when SP always crapped up the football threads with his hilarious references to 'Manure'
It was meant to say country.Since when has Root played for Slurrey?