County Championship Round 5 Discussion Thread

[Shelsey93]

Just two days after the last round was meant to finish, another round of Championship fixtures are upon us. There are again some riveting looking matches in Division One. The forecast is not good, though at least it is better than last week

The following matches are scheduled:

Division 1

Lancashire v Nottinghamshire @ Old Trafford - Commentary link http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/cricket/17907408 (BBC 5LSX/ BBC Nottingham)

Notts 169 (Patel 69, Chapple 4-44) and 304 (Lumb 62, Anderson 5-82) Lancs 146 (Moore 43, Adams 7-32) and 142 (Procter 41, Adams 3-18)

Nottinghamshire won by 185 runs

Warwickshire v Durham @ Edgbaston - Commentary link
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/cricket/17907410 (BBC 5LSX/BBC Coventry and Warwickshire/ BBC WM)

Durham 163 (Onions 36, Barker 5-33) and 139 (Mustard 45, Barker 5-37) Warwicks 267 (Bell 120, Onions 4-74) and 36-1 (Chopra 22, Thorp 1-19)

Warwickshire won by 9 wickets

Middlesex v Worcestershire @ Lord's (scheduled start Thursday) - Commentary link http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/cricket/17907660 (BBC London/ BBC Hereford and Worcester)

Middx 327-7 dec (Denly 134*, Robson 59, Richardson 5-89) Worcs 45-2 dec (Klinger 17, Roland-Jones 1-2) and 150 (Jones 32, Roland-Jones 3-29); Middx forfeited their second innings

Middlesex won by 132 runs

Division 2

Derbyshire v Gloucestershire @ Derby

Derbys 388 (Madsen 101, Durston 68, Redfern 55, Fuller 3-64) Gloucs 206 (Dent 55, Palladino 5-47) and 409-4 dec (Williamson 128, Marshall 90, Howell 64, Cockbain 63*, Clare 2-39)

Match drawn

Glamorgan v Essex @ Swalec Stadium - Commentary link http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/cricket/17907412 (BBC Essex)

Essex 259-9 dec (Petersen 145, Pettini 56, Wagg 4-61) and 166-9 dec (Westley 52, Waters 5-47) Glam 187 (Walters 69, Mills 4-25) and 99-5 (Rees 33, Willoughby 4-33)

Match drawn

Northamptonshire v Hampshire @ Wantage Road

Northants 218 (Peters 44, Wood 4-52) and 232-9 dec (Sales 58, Wood 3-58) Hants 154 (Vince 46*, Hall 4-24) and 179 (Carberry 61, Willey 5-39)

Northamptonshire won by 117 runs

Yorkshire v Leicestershire @ Scarborough - Commentary link http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/cricket/17907417 (BBC Leeds)

Yorks 447 (Bairstow 182, McGrath 90, Gale 80, White 5-90) Leics 116 (Cobb 29, McGrath 4-21) and 309 (Boyce 122, Cobb 69*, White 67, Patterson 5-77)

Yorkshire won by an innings and 22 runs

[jimbohammers]

Not a good start for Hants

[Carrotdude]

There is actual cricket taking place today. I repeat - actual cricket.

Glen Chapple is making his way through the Notts line up currently.

[Hoggy_Bear]

Another good bowling performance from Warks by the look of it.
Who needs Rankin and Woakes?

[Fists of Fury]

Warwickshire's batting line-up is ridiculously stacked as it is, with Woakes to return they really are looking the part. Rankin should be useful when the decks get a little harder, too.

Obviously Belly and Trott will be on England duty by then, but even so things are looking good for the Bears.

[JDizzle]

Warks bat deep, but bar Bell and Trott, there are no big names. Now, this could be part of their success but it will be a big test against the Durham bowling line up.

[Hoggy_Bear]

JDizzle
No big names??
RIKKI CLARKE!!!!!

[Fists of Fury]

Warks have lost Chopra inside the first over, caught by Collingwood off the bowling of Onions.

Big names aren't needed. Runs are needed, and they've got plenty of those within this team regardless of whether Bell or Trott play, I'd say. Woakes, lest we forget, is a cracking batsman himself.

[Fists of Fury]

JDizzle
No big names??
RIKKI CLARKE!!!!!

fantastic cricketer is Clarke. Shame on you JDizzle. Maddy, too.

[Fists of Fury]

And as I type that Warks begin to implode. Thorpe removes Porterfield, bowled.

Bell and Trott at the crease, Warks big guns. They'll need to perform, though it isn't the easiest of conditions for batting here in Birmingham today.

2 wickets for 2 runs inside 2 overs.

[Fists of Fury]

Trott falls to Onions now and Warks may just need that batting depth we spoke of - they're 5-3.

[Hoggy_Bear]

Don't worry Fists, Rikki to the rescue

[JDizzle]

Rikki Clarke is a fantastic cricketer and a great man to have in your team for his all round contribution, but just a decent batsman. Nothing more. I await the wrath! And as for Darren Maddy, he has never been more than a good county pro in the four day game!

And Warks are probably a better side when Bell and Trott are away, as their depth mean they can cover their losses better compared to other side. It also bodes well over long seasons which is why they will no doubt be competing for the title again this year!

Woakes is the one who could go on to be a very good England player, but I have my doubts about him as well! Not at County level though, I may add, he is quality there.

This post does sound like I have a massive agenda against Warks, but I honestly don't! I just find it really hard to put my finger on why they do so well. They don't have any stand out performers, Woakes excluded, they just have lots of good players who mesh well as a team I guess.

On a positive note, Graham Onions. Great to see him back and bowling well after his injury.

[Fists of Fury]

Wouldn't have anything to do with our almost-snatched-defeat-from-the-jaws-of-victory-but-then-somehow-snatched-victory-from-the-jaws-of-defeat win over Somerset the other week would it?

[Fists of Fury]

And Troughton (who would likely not be in the team if it were not for the fact that he is captain) has gone lbw to Claydon for 1. Warks 15-4. Plenty of batting to come, but they need a partnership and swiftly.

[jimbohammers]

Onions for England!

[jimbohammers]

Hants take last 5 Northants wickets for 21 runs.

[Carrotdude]

Bell's finding some form on a day both Trott and Cook have failed, 59* overnight.

Bairstow is showing his class again in Division 2 - he's 141* overnight.

[Corporalhumblebucket]

Hants take last 5 Northants wickets for 21 runs.

But then slump to 42 - 3 in reply

[jimbohammers]

Same old story corporal

[Shelsey93]

Great to see that a largely full day's cricket was achieved today. Less hopeful for tomorrow, but Friday and Saturday are meant to be dry.

Lots of England players in action today. Cook, Trott and Bopara failed. Anderson was unlucky and had an injury scare (that looks to have been only that), Broad foul-mouthed the umpires after being given out first ball (but apologised so should get away with it, and Bresnan watched Bairstow and Gale bat for most of the day. Bell is 59 not out - not a surprise that he's scoring runs at county level, and his form 'slump' was hardly a prolonged one by most standards.

I see that Essex declared on 259-9 against Glamorgan. Probably a copycat of Glamorgan's own similar move against Hampshire a couple of weeks ago. It didn't bring any success before the close though. Alviro Petersen's 145 out of the total of 259 came against the county he controversially left in the winter. England should, and I'm sure won't ignore him when planning for this summer's Test series. He's not the most eyecatching player but can sneak under the radar.

Derbyshire are 'unfashionable' so don't really get mentioned on here. But they had another good day today. Madsen made a ton but they seem to have a good crop of youngsters - Whiteley has been scoring plenty of runs, as has Redfern. Jon Clare is a fine all-rounder at Division 2 level.

Leicestershire have signed the Scottish all-rounder Richie Berrington as cover. The deal is a complex one, which will see him play for the Scotland team in the CB40 but for Leicestershire in the other competitions if called upon.

[Corporalhumblebucket]

Looks like Hants really messed up at the end - tried a night watchman who got out, then reverted to one of their main batsmen, Carberry, who then also got out...

[Shelsey93]

Looks like Hants really messed up at the end - tried a night watchman who got out, then reverted to one of their main batsmen, Carberry, who then also got out...

Those things happen. But far from ideal.

I reckon Katich would do a great job as Hampshire skipper. He is officially filling in for Jimmy Adams, who is out of action for 'personal reasons', but I wouldn't be surprised if they revert to him full time if things go well.

[Liam]

Can you believe that Peterson is 145 n.o. against Glammy. I could see it happening when he got into the forties then thought he would definitely get a hundred when he passed 50. Funny how these things work. Big day for Glammy. Just Bragg/Wright got the hundred last week for us, can't remember which one for the life of me.

Confidence can't be high but they got to try and get up around Essex's score and then hopefully get them out fora much lower score than they got in the first innings. Take out Peterson's score and Glammy would be in a great position. Also nice to see Bell in the runs again and same goes to Bairstow.

[JDizzle]

Wouldn't have anything to do with our almost-snatched-defeat-from-the-jaws-of-victory-but-then-somehow-snatched-victory-from-the-jaws-of-defeat win over Somerset the other week would it?

No.



Jammy beggars.

[Fists of Fury]

Fairly heavy rain in Birmingham today, I'll be surprised if we see much play.

[liverbnz]

Some cheer for Yorkshire fans at last! 329-5 @ COP. Haven't been in that situation too many times in the last year.

[Fists of Fury]

So much for our man Rikki Clarke saving us, Hoggy, he was lbw to Blackwell for a golden duck.

Ian Bell still in though after reaching his century.

[Hoggy_Bear]

So much for our man Rikki Clarke saving us, Hoggy, he was lbw to Blackwell for a golden duck.

Demonstrating my usual level of predictive ability. The main reason I don't bet much.

[packofwolves]

Good to see Bell getting runs again. Have always loved watching him bat. On the down side, not looking like Worcs are going to get any play in the capital today.

[Fists of Fury]

Warwickshire's charge halted by the rather grim weather floating around Birmingham today. If they can stretch their first innings lead to 100 or so, you'd have to imagine Durham will struggle to save the game.

[Shelsey93]

Most games were heavily rain affected today.

But we did see Andre Adams destroying Lancashire yet again... he took plenty of wickets against them last year (and some crucial lower-order runs), against the county he took three quick wickets against to secure the 2010 title for his side. Lancs are down Anderson (virus) and Tom Smith (injury) so have only two fit seamers, and have fallen well behind in the game.

Jonny Bairstow's 182 represents a continuation of his push up the England pecking order. By my reckoning Bopara and Patel remain ahead though... rightly. Leics had a woeful day, being bowled out for 116 in reply to 447, and then loosing a quick wicket following on.

Leics are not the only team following on. Gloucs are too, against Derbys.

[Fists of Fury]

If Bopara and Patel are the best that England can do then they're struggling.

Bairstow's innings was very edgy by all accounts, accompanied by plenty of luck. I wouldn't read too much in to it, though it obviously cannot be ignored.

There is no stand out candidate. James Taylor looks a little out of his depth in division 1 already, and I'd say Ben Stokes is perhaps the best bet, but only if he is able to bowl too. Saying that, Woakes returns next week, be interesting to see how he goes.

[jimbohammers]

Hampshire relying on our bowlers again for runs

[Fists of Fury]

Strauss falls on 49 for Middlesex - sounds like he had a bit of luck early on, but was increasingly assured before missing a straight one - lbw.

Warwickshire were all out with a lead a shade over 100 at Edgbaston. Durham are 9-1 in reply, with the increasingly impressive Barker bowling Smith. Very much a bowlers day here in Birmingham, this could be all but over today.

[jimbohammers]

Is Barker the left handed bowler Fists?

[packofwolves]

Off for bad light again at Lords. This rule against floodlight use there really is a joke. Aneesh Kapil got Strauss lbw in his only over so far...a wicket maiden. The youngster was impressive last week against Notts and it looks like he may well continue in the same vein.

[Fists of Fury]

Yes Jimbo, that's him. Very tidy bowler.

Packofwolves, I share your pain, we have the same ludicrous rule at Edgbaston, due to complaints from the local residents in the new apartment blocks that knowingly moved in next door to an international cricket ground. Work that one out.

[jimbohammers]

Fists

Hants making a bit of a fight of it.

Vince 36*
Wood 26*

[jimbohammers]

Why did i have to say that, next ball Wood goes

[Hoggy_Bear]

Warks on target for another victory.
10 wickets for Barker, 36 to win.

[Shelsey93]

If Bopara and Patel are the best that England can do then they're struggling.

Bairstow's innings was very edgy by all accounts, accompanied by plenty of luck. I wouldn't read too much in to it, though it obviously cannot be ignored.

There is no stand out candidate. James Taylor looks a little out of his depth in division 1 already, and I'd say Ben Stokes is perhaps the best bet, but only if he is able to bowl too. Saying that, Woakes returns next week, be interesting to see how he goes.

I really think Bopara can still come good. He has only really had two poor series - v Sri Lanka on debut, and almost five years ago, and v Australia three years ago. Give him a go v WI. If he goes well, he gets the place. If he doesn't, it will be difficult for him to get another chance.

I have doubts about Patel. I don't think he scores as heavily as his evident ability suggests he should. Nevertheless, his record is good, and he fits the bill as a fifth bowling option.

Taylor isn't a number six. He might well have a Test future in the top 4 if he starts scoring big Championship runs, but with Strauss, Cook and Trott in the side, and Bell not really a dasher, England need somebody more innovative at number six. I thought Morgan did this acceptably until the UAE (his average probably being dragged down by often coming in at 500-4 and having to play his shots before even getting himself in), and if he starts scoring big runs for Middx he will jump straight back into contention.

Injuries are an issue for Stokes, but if and when he gets everything together he is a huge prospect. I don't really see him, Bairstow, Buttler etc. as Test candidates right now though.

[jimbohammers]

How many chances is Bopara gonna get? I just dont think the guy is good enough at international level, far too inconsistent. He will get a hundred then 3 single figure scores, then a 20 etc.

[Shelsey93]

How many chances is Bopara gonna get? I just dont think the guy is good enough at international level, far too inconsistent. He will get a hundred then 3 single figure scores, then a 20 etc.

But the point is he hasn't had a chance for three years - when he was dropped just four Tests after scoring three consecutive 100s. He played against India twice at the end of last summer, and did very little wrong, in matches where number six was hardly needed. In that time he has continued to shine in county cricket, and has had fine one-day series against India last year, and Pakistan this year. He has toured around the sub-continent and not had an opportunity. It is only right that he now gets another shot at Test cricket. A poor series against West Indies and I'll agree with you.

There tends to be media bias against him and towards the likes of Stokes, Taylor, Bairstow etc. who are not proven at FC level. Bairstow is starting to perform superbly in the Championship, but it will be another year till I would seriously consider him for Tests.

The other person I should have mentioned earlier is Steve Davies. He is in England squads as reserve 'keeper, but should he be in form, having been around the squad could well give him an edge over others for the number 5 slot in future. His batting is certainly, at this stage, at least on a par with Bairstow, Taylor etc.

[Shelsey93]

So, where have we got to?

- Warwicks and Notts have won their matches over Durham and Lancs. Potentially key matches in the title race, even at this early stage.
- Middx-Worcs looks drawbound, but has an extra day to go so plenty could still happen.
- Gloucs, thanks to a superb effort following-on from the Kiwi pair of Williamson and Marshall, have pretty much saved their game against Derbys. Derbys must now be tired after so long in the field.
- Yorks look like big favourites to beat Leics
- Hants should hang on for a draw against Northants barring a dramatic collapse
- Essex will probably declare soon and put Glam under pressure. But the draw is the favourite.

[jimbohammers]

- Hants should hang on for a draw against Northants barring a dramatic collapse

----

Its what we do best!

[guildfordbat]

- Hants should hang on for a draw against Northants barring a dramatic collapse

----

Its what we do best!

A bit of editing might be an idea!

[Corporalhumblebucket]

- Hants should hang on for a draw against Northants barring a dramatic collapse

----

Its what we do best!

Neatly ambiguous prediction

[Shelsey93]

Looks like jimbo was spot on about Hants being prone to a collapse!

Yorkshire also completed victory, and by a huge margin. The other games petered out into draws.

[Shelsey93]

Middlesex and Worcestershire have decided to make a game of things. Good for spectators, although I do question why either side is willing to forego bonus points at this stage of the season, particularly when so many other games have ended in rain-affected draws.

Worcs declared on their overnight score of 45-2, with Middx forfeiting their second innings to leave a target of 283. With Mitchell and Klinger already gone, you've got to make Middx favourites.

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