Warwickshire the Oval

The defending champions visit the Oval starting
tomorrow. I would make one change from the team
that beat Essex Virdi for Steel.

Anybody for Steel!

Don't want either of them thanks. Geddes for Steel.

No Geddes or Virdi in the squad but Jordan Clark
is back. So Clark for Steel then.

Jordan Clark back. Earlier in the season he was the first bowler's name on the sheet; now he faces genuine competition for a place. I would play both him and Lawes in this game to give us five seam bowling options, and so that none of them need to be "flogged" after bowling in such tough conditions last week. We bat so deep that we can afford to pick all of our bowlers, especially against a team like Warwicks who are low on confidence but may take some "winkling out" (especially Mr Sibley!).  

I would go: Burns, Patel, Amla, Pope, Foakes, Jacks, Clark, Overton, Lawes, Roach, Worrall.

Tough on Jamie Smith,  but we need to go big on bowling to maximise our chance of winning this game. Given the remaining fixtures that we and Hampshire face, we need to put more clear blue water between the teams in this round. Draw points would be a huge disappointment against a team low on form and confidence.

Yorkshire won't want to lose both their Scarborough festival matches, and they seem to be a touch stronger v Hampshire than against us with Kohler-Cadmore and Coad back, though Gabriel is out.  

Come on the spinless wonders!

Cannot believe that Steel is even the squad, do the management learn nothing from the last match?? It’s like playing with 10 men!!

dougieginn wrote:Cannot believe that Steel is even the squad, do the management learn nothing from the last match?? It’s like playing with 10 men!!

He's in the squad but very unlikely he'll play with Clark back.

I am a bit disappointed that Virdi is not in the squad after his wickets against Kent seconds., should be in the team if there is likelihood of any turn. Virdi must be very frustrated to be kept in the seconds, he has always been a wicket taker.

I agree Steel won't play. I cannot decide who the other player to miss out should be, whoever it is can count himself very unlucky indeed. When you consider that we still have two players out , S Curran and Topley, who would be automatic championship selections if available, it shows that we do have a very deep squad. Just as well because I cannot see a time when we will be able to field our best side, whatever that may be.

offdrive4 wrote:I am a bit disappointed that Virdi is not in the squad after his wickets against Kent  seconds., should be in the team if there is likelihood of any turn.   Virdi must be very frustrated to be kept in the seconds, he has always been a wicket taker.

I agree Steel won't play.  I cannot decide who the other player to miss out should be, whoever it is can count himself very unlucky indeed.   When you consider that we still have two players out , S Curran and Topley, who would be automatic championship selections if available, it shows that we do have a very deep squad.  Just as well because I cannot see a time when we will be able to field our best side, whatever that may be.

Probably Smith?

Here's my preview of the Champo clash between @surreycricket and @WarwickshireCCC which starts today at the Oval http://www.ovalworld-online.com/prevsurwarcc2022.htm

First-class stats sheet for @surreycricket vs @WarwickshireCCC http://www.ovalworld-online.com/fc_stats_surrey_warwickshire.pdf

For Surrey's fixtures and scorecards go to: http://www.ovalworld-online.com/cards.htm

Very cloudy sort of morning. We've won our last two matches batting second, in both cases when the first day has been very hot, sunny and "batsman friendly".  If we win the toss (and we must be due to win one!) it must be tempting to bowl first, especially with such a strong seam attack available to us.

I do think 5 seamers is too many. It’s harsh on Lawes but I would leave him out for Clark and leave Steel out for Smith.

RB wrote:I do think 5 seamers is too many. It’s harsh on Lawes but I would leave him out for Clark and leave Steel out for Smith.

You can never have too many seamers, you can never have too many all rounders, spinners are consigned to the rubbish heap...they are the rules now!

Context is everything.  This is a match we must win and really cannot afford to draw given that Hampshire have a much easier run in than we do. If we get to the last game of the season at Old Trafford, defending a 10 or 15-point lead, then we should of course play the extra batsman.

IF Clark is fit to play all 4 days, and I assume he must be otherwise he wouldnt be in the squad, then I think its Steel and Smith that miss out, and go with the team that Jackers has picked above

lets be honest, and I hope not to put the mockers on it, we all know Sibley is going to get a big score in this match

Jackers wrote:Context is everything.  This is a match we must win and really cannot afford to draw given that Hampshire have a  much easier run in than we do. If we get to the last game of the season at Old Trafford, defending a 10 or 15-point lead, then we should of course play the extra batsman.

Have to agree with this, wickets first approach. Also none of the options are mugs with the bat anyway, as shown by Lawes last week.

I'll never understand why they even bother releasing a squad, when it really means nothing regarding availability. 4th CC game this season that someone outside the 'squad' is in the XI.

So McKerr plays. I remember Churchy mentioning on
commentary that Worrall had a sore shoulder last week
so that must be the reason he is out. Hopefully CM
will be on the money and Clark not too rusty.

How in the flying fuck is McKerr in after his last game at Scarborough

Still feels like five seamers is overkill, hope they take advantage of the conditions...

who would you prefer, Steel? (and yes i know the answer to the question are 2 players that arent in the squad, but like for like replacement its the obvious choice)

I'd take Virdi or Moriarty bowling seam up!

I notice that Yorkshire are already 3 down against Hampshire ....

Really missing Worrall! He would have loved bowling on this green pitch. Still we’ve got McKerrto look forward to.

It looks like there's been some decent bowling so far but we could do with shifting one of these two before they get too settled.