Day4
Warwickshire win by 2 wickets with 1 ball left.
A remarkable thing happened on Saturday at Wantage Road; Warwickshire remembered how to play competitive cricket after nearly a year. George Dobell went so far as to call it a miracle in the Post, and he probably isn't far wrong. Darren Maddy, a man who couldn't buy a score in his first 3 championship innings scored a combative 130 and led Warwickshire in an improbable chase of 383 in 82 overs. After a run in which several demoralising statistics were throw up related to how bad the results were and the players were performing, it is nice to be able to say the have won a match by making the 5th highest fourth innings total in the club's history. Those are the sort of facts and statistics fans like to hear.
Ian Salisbury was nothing short of a revelation at the age of 38, winning the match with a 6 and putting the team in a position to do so with his brilliant 54 not out in the first innings, saving the follow-on.
George Dobell speculates that this could be a pivotal moment in the season when we look back, but I feel that the dogged resistence of Botha and Frost to draw last week against Worcestershire will be possible seen as the first moment that Warwickshire put down a marker that they were not exactly the same side that was so abysmal last season.
Day 2
Close of play: Warwickshire 129-7
Warwickshire in all sorts of trouble yet again, realistically now looking to the weather to help them salvage a draw for the second match in succession. The follow-on target is 235, and they will need all four remaining batsmen to score double their first-class batting averages (combined 57.7) to avoid the follow-on. There are 192 scheduled overs left in this match, so the draw looks a long way off at the moment. They will need some application just to avoid an innings defeat, with arguably their strongest side, or thereabouts on the park.
Day 1
Close of play: Northants 252-6
A partnership of just shy of 100 for the sixth wicket between Klusner and Boje and then another promising partnership between Boje and Crook took Northants through to the close in a decent position, after being reduced to 127-5. Due to the rain there was only 72 overs possible in the day, so Warwickshire will have to bowl out a few tomorrow before being able to take the new ball and hopefully wrap up the tail.
Northamptonshire team
SD Peters, N Boje, AG Wakely, L Klusener, DH Wigley, MS Panesar, DS Lucas, MH Wessels, SP Crook, RA White, DJG Sales
Warwickshire team
AG Botha, NM Carter, IJ Westwood, DL Maddy, IR Bell, MJ Powell, IJL Trott, TR Ambrose, LM Daggett, M Zondeki I Salisbury
Preview - Both sides have welcomed back England players for today's Championship match, with Warwickshire bringing Bell and Ambrose into the side and Northants having the services of Monty Panesar.
The start has been delayed by rain and as a result the toss and sides have not been decided yet. Warwickshire are likely to be choosing 3 from Carter, Salisbury, Woakes, Anyon and Daggett, the others are almost certainly automatic picks. Daggett probably deserves to keep his place based on his first innings bowling last week, Anyon, who has recovered from his arm strain is probably worthy of a place, I would like to see the last place go to Woakes following his decent performance for the England U-19's, ahead of Carter. At this stage of the season I can't see that a second spinnner and one who has recently been injured is a very good idea, but what do I know?
Wednesday, 23 April 2008
Warwickshire v Northamptonshire
Wednesday, 16 April 2008
Rain saves Warwickshire against Worcestershire
Day4
Warwickshire batted out the required overs to gain a draw against Worcestershire before the rain closed in at Edgbaston. Frost and Botha were impressive when they came together and between them saved the match when they were the only batsmen left capable of doing so. That they did shows some encouraging signs that some progress has been made over the summer. Last year the team would have been all out before the first drinks break. Praise should also go to nightwatchman Daggett for resisting for the best part of an hour. Poonia, Powell and Parker will probably feel disappointed that there were half-centuries and aclaim on offer here for the taking and none were able to cash in to the extent they might have wanted.
Although Worcestershire will feel hard done by, their fast bowlers didn't do themselves any favours. Kabir Ali stood out for me as someone who was dropping far too short, I felt that Solanki could have taken out some run saving fielders and got the bowlers to pitch it up a little more and encourage the batsmen to drive. In many overs from the city end Frost and Botha were only asked to play at 2 or 3 deliveries, which when you are pushing for victory is not nearly good enough.
Day3
Warwickshire 26-3 at the close, needing to bat tomorrow for 96 overs (minus any rain) to save the game, or to get 456 runs to win. Westwood, Maddy and Trott the batsmen out.
Day2
Worcestershire tightened their grip on the game in the evening session, after dismissing Warwickshire for a decidedly under-par 215. Daggett stuck around for a few overs this morning before being dismissed. Trott and Poonia put together a brisk stand for the 5th wicket, and then Parker and Frost provided support for Trott once Poonia was out. However Warwickshire really needed a big partnership to take the game by the scruff of the neck. They lost their last 4 wickets for only 11 runs, in marked contrast to the performance of the Worcestershire tail the day before.
After Carter removed Mitchell for 5 in the 4th over it seemed as if Warwickshire were in with a chance of bowling Worcestershire out cheaply again, but Solanki and Moore came together and steadied the innings with a partnership of 141. Although Botha struck just before stumps to remove Moore, Worcestershire are 184 in the lead with wickets and time in hand.
DAY 1
Mixed day for Warwickshire. Moore was the only batsman who propered for Worcester, carrying his bat for 109 and holding the tail together with a couple of valuable partnerships for the 7th and 8th wickets.
Worcestershire were all out for 249 around 5.30, leaving Warwickshire 13 tricky overs to negotiate. Westwood fell in the first over, leaving Kabir Ali's first two balls outside the off-stump, before being trapped lbw by a full delivery swinging back into him. I didn't have the best position being down at a narrowish long leg, but the reactions indicated it may have been sliding past off-stump. Maddy and Powell recovered well, Powell striking the ball sweetly; one on-drive off Magoffin was particularly sublime, Powell holding a flourishing pose in his follow through.
Simon Jones was shuffling in off 11 paces and bowling in the 70's Mph if I'm any judge. He still managed to induce Maddy to fence at a short ball and had him caught at the wicket. Just before the end Powell was bowled to probably leave Worcestershire the happier team overnight. I think he was bowled off the back or handle of his bat shouldering arms to a shorter delivery from Magoffin, but I'm not sure.
Weather report
Just cycled past the ground on my way to work. Weather is really grey and overcast, but doesn't look like it is going to rain imminently. I would think the game will start on time, but it is going to be a day for 2 jumpers and heat-packs in the pockets for the fielding team. If it was the height of summer I would expect the clouds to burn off later in the morning, but I'm not convinced its warm enough!
It rained heavily yesterday evening and overnight, which means the pitch will have been covered and sweating. Without seeing the pitch, I am speculating, but I would think its probably going to be a win the toss and bowl pitch. It highly likely there will be a bit of green and some moisture in it and the morning should stay overcast for a bit.
Weather forecast on the BBC is for sunny spells in the early afternoon and then rain showers later on.
Scorecard updates are available from the BBC Coventry and Warwickshire
Friday, 11 April 2008
A rude awakening
On the day that the English cricket season officially (or unofficially) started with the traditional season curtain raiser where the County Champions Sussex were entertained by their hosts the MCC at Lords; Warwickshire were given a scare by the students of Oxford UCCE.
So far their pre-season has started well, with two convincing wins against Worcestershire in One Day cricket and with a number of impressive performances with bat and ball. However the two day game against Oxford served as a reminder that this is still largely the same group of players who represented the club last season. There is no doubt that the club are in a much better place than they were at the fag end of last season, but Ashley Giles was right to try and stem expectations last week in an interview with The Post.
There are promising signs, not least, perversely that the last wicket pair of Carter and Woakes had the character and strength of mind to play a pair of rear guard innings to save the match. It might not be the sort of thing we would choose to see, but one of the most disturbing things about last season was the lack of spirit in the side. A good bit of battling goes some way towards showing that the squad has improved their mental fortitude over the winter, which can be no bad thing.
Tuesday, 1 April 2008
Comfortable win in friendly
Warwickshire comfortably won their one day friendly against Worcestershire at a damp New Road today.
Warwickshire 246-3, Worcestershire 162-9. Warwickshire win by 84 runs.
This scorecard might be slightly out of batting order and is missing the pear's bowling figures; but you get the idea:
Warwickshire 246 for 3 (40 overs).
Maddy b. Batty 51
Carter b. Batty 43
Westwood c. Hick b. Whelan 55
Trott not out 51
Troughton not out 31
Parker
Poonia
Frost
Botha
Groenewald
Daggett
Anyon
Worcestershire 162-9 (40 overs)
Davies b. Daggett 0
Solanki b. Daggett 10
Smith c. Trott b. Daggett 0
Hick c. Poonia b. Woakes 17
Moeen Ali c. Woakes b. Groenewald ??(30 ish?)
Mitchell b. Trott 6
Andrew c. Frost b. Woakes 1
Batty not out 59
Kabir Ali lbw. Trott 5
Simon Jones c. Maddy b. Daggett 22
Richard Jones not out 7
Daggett 8-1-24-4
Carter 8-2-45-0
Woakes 6-1-20-2
Groenewald 8-0-26-1
Trott 4-1-12-2
Botha 6-0-30-0
So a decent opening, the batting looks fairly solid and Daggett and Woakes put in good performances with the ball, Trott also weighed in with the medium pace towards the end. Interesting that he and not Maddy provided the medium pace in the middle of the innings. Only Botha looks a little shakey, taken for some lusty blows by Simon Jones in his quick fire 22.
Thursday, 13 September 2007
Division Two
So it was finally confirmed this afternoon that Warwickshire were going to be playing in Division Two of the County Championship, a mere three years after winning the competition. Although not a surprise by any means, given their recent form, the relegation is still a bitter pill to swallow.
There is now little doubt that Mark Greatbatch will leave his position as director of coaching, the only thing that remains to be seen is the timing of this change. Greatbatch again stated his desire to remain in the job and said he would be disappointed to not be coaching the club next year.
It is unclear whether he still genuinely feels he has a job to do at the club and whether he can contribute, or whether this is an example of the continuing "football-isation" of cricket - With an under performing head coach unwilling to do the honourable thing and resign, and risk missing out on a lucrative "golden handshake" package when fired. Greatbatch still has a year to run on his contract and it does not make financial sense for him to quit. However in staying on, he has arguably ruined his chances of employment elsewhere. If he had walked a month ago after Scarborough he could have claimed a player revolt, lack of board support, any old cock-and-bull story and retained some kind of credibility. However in sticking around and proving beyond any doubt that he was incapable of reversing the slide he started, he has shown himself to be completely incompetent as a coach and very unlikely to gain other employment, in England at least.
Let us hope that there is better news to follow in the coming months as there is no doubt that a section of the membership, your correspondent included, will be monitoring the announcement regarding the coaching and playing staff with interest, with a view to whether they renew their membership or not.
Tuesday, 11 September 2007
Warwickshire on the brink
Every time you keep thinking it can't get any worse this season, Warwickshire managed to find new depths to plumb. Thankfully as I am still in full time employment it is not easy for me to get to away games, so I was not at Old Trafford today to see Warwickshire capitulate in outstanding fashion.
To sum up; Warwickshire were bowled out for 106, having won the toss and chosen to bat, and Lancashire were 156/4 at stumps; Ant Botha removing the dangerous Horton in the last over of the day. This translates into 1 bonus bowling point (with 2 more to play for) and 0/5 batting points.
Meanwhile at Southampton, Kent had made the not inconsiderable total of 342/5. Which translates to 3 bonus batting points (with one more on offer for 350 and a fifth for 400 tomorrow).
The live table tonight therefore reads:
| Warwickshire | 16* | 2 | 4 | 0 | 9 | 0 | 137 |
| Kent | 15* | 2 | 4 | 0 | 7 | 1 | 130 |
| Worcestershire | 15 | 1 | 7 | 0 | 5 | 2 | 91 |
With the Bears having 2 more bonus points to play for and Kent having 5 to go for. It seems increasingly likely that Kent will overhaul us without needing the extra game. And confirming this as Warwickshire's worst season for some time, possibly ever.
George Dobell in today's Post writes a good article on their current woes and where it has all gone wrong, also picking out some telling statistics. Now I accept that statistics cannot tell the whole story, however there are some gems in there. I have updated them as of today's match;
- The fewest wickets every taken by Warwickshire in a first-class season is 188 (185 in the championship). This season Warwickshire have [currently] claimed only [163]. A new record is certain.
- The fewest wickets taken in a season by Warwickshire's highest wicket-taker is 39 by Waqar Younis in 2003. The leader this year is Jimmy Anyon with [32].
- The highest bowling average of Warwickshire's leading wicket-taker in a season is 36.60 by Vasbert Drakes in 2001. Anyon's average is currently [43.75].
- The worst strike-rate (the number of balls taken to claim each wicket) in Warwickshire's history is 78.81 in 1979. This year it is 81.03. The next worse by any side in either division is Worcestershire, who take a wicket, on average, every 70.93 deliveries.
- Tim Ambrose, with 840 first-class runs, is the only player in the squad with a realistic chance of achieving 1,000 runs in the season. The last time that Warwickshire failed to produce a single player who reached that target was in 1919. [As at the moment he has 842 with one innings to go....]
Another interesting stat I have heard a few times, first relayed to me by Mrs Raggy Bear who heard it in the bus queue for the No1 outside the ground is that;
- The last time Warwickshire produced a home-grown specialist seamer that went on to win his county cap was 1977. His name was Steve Perryman.
There is no easy fix for Warwickshire, but to continue to deny that anything needs changing and to continually look for quick fixes is going to send this club right to the wall.Sunday, 9 September 2007
All still to do
As expected the Bears went down to Surrey just after lunch today by 9 wickets. I didn't go down to the ground today, but instead followed the score on Cricinfo. It appeared that as with so many games this season, it wasn't so much the result that mattered, quite so much as the way the result came about.
It is a damning indictment of the type of cricket that Warwickshire have been playing recently, that left with realistically nothing but pride to play for this morning, they were again found wanting. On a forth day pitch, which had been offering a small degree of turn on the second day, and some help to the seemers throughout, they were only able to muster one wicket between them. And not to mention Surrey knocked off the runs at a rate of just under 4 - faster than the other three innings, indicating that they were not exactly cautious, at least not after the opening 20 or so overs.
Warwickshire must now pick themselves up and get at least a draw at Old Trafford to stay up. They are 9 points ahead of Kent, having played a game more. Both teams will play on Tuesday before Kent make up their game against Durham a week on Wednesday (19th). Realistically they will have to match Kent's points tally this week, forcing Kent to win their last game.
Warwickshire v Surrey - Day 3
Yesterday's play was another depressing chapter in what will almost certainly be our double relegation season. I have to confess I left at 8 wickets down and went home, unable to watch our tail try and lift us to anything like a competitive target. Today I am going to watch the cricinfo score and I might wander down if we start to take any wickets.
It is looking more and more likely that we will have to rely on the rain up at Old Trafford to get a draw with some bonus points and then home Kent get trashed by Hampshire and Durham. Although I am starting to wonder if it might be better for us to go down, just to increase the likely hood of Greatbatch getting fired...