Essex CCC 2019

[cerbera45]

Perhaps I am reading too much into this (signing) but with Delport arriving I can (now) see Matt Coles departing.

 

[Shrimpers are Magic]

Perhaps I am reading too much into this (signing) but with Delport arriving I can (now) see Matt Coles departing.

You're looking too much into it. He would have been released by now and is probably still in contract.

 

[Grayson]

I could be persuaded by Westley over Lawrence for example, but think Lawrence has the higher ceiling in this format. He seemed to figure out what was needed in T20 towards the end of the last campaign.

I'm a bit late to this but I'd be building the batting around Dan Lawrence for this reason. I was hacked off last year with him batting 6-7, he shouldn't play at all unless in top 4, totally wasted at 6-7. He proved that towards the back end of the season, as you say.

Also completely agree with Ravi at 7 and use him in the same way he gets used in the franchise tournaments he plays in and use him as a bowling all-rounder/late hitter. He stalls so many innings at 4 as he places too much value on his wicket. 120 SR for a career strike rate is appalling for somebody who is that talented and must have played 35-40% of his games at Chelmsford. Big re-think needed on T20 anyway, will be an interesting season for it.

 

[cerbera45]

You're looking too much into it. He would have been released by now and is probably still in contract.

MC entering the final season of his contract in 2019, a quote taken from ESPN Cric Info:- "His first season for Essex proved to be a total non-event". Stinging criticism.

 

[Shrimpers are Magic]

If others stay fit he’ll struggle to play much first class stuff but so many one day games now to keep him employed.

 

[AndyT]

Good to see Sir Alastair off and running straight away.

 

[Blueronron]

Even more shocking no rain on first day of cricket ?
Good to see Wheater get a ton as well

 

[AndyT]

What I liked about Sir A was that if we ever doubted he would take it easy until retirement, then this is certainly dispelled immediately. He could easily have sat out what is basically a warm-up game but no, he is out there working as hard as ever to contribute to our great county. He didn't even chuck his wicket away at 100, like most do.

Love that. The sort of thing Goochy would have done. Two great legends.

 

[Blueronron]

What I liked about Sir A was that if we ever doubted he would take it easy until retirement, then this is certainly dispelled immediately. He could easily have sat out what is basically a warm-up game but no, he is out there working as hard as ever to contribute to our great county. He didn't even chuck his wicket away at 100, like most do.

Love that. The sort of thing Goochy would have done. Two great legends.

He had a good partner in crime as well in Brian Hardie, very under rated player and of course over shadowed by GG

 

[AndyT]

He did, mate.

I was there at Northampton in 1979 when we clinched that first championship. Hardie made a century that day. Cool under pressure. Top bloke.

 

[BILLERICAY BLUE]

Season starts today

Away to Hampshire. Forecast is Chilly and Windy today, with rain possible this afternoon, forecast looks better for days 2-4 though.

 

[BILLERICAY BLUE]

Essex win the toss and elect to bowl first.

Essex

• Alastair Cook
• Nick Browne
• Tom Westley
• Dan Lawrence
• Ravi Bopara
• Ryan ten Doeschate(c)
• Adam Wheater(wk)
• Simon Harmer
• Jamie Porter
• Sam Cook
• Matthew Quinn

Start delayed due to bad light

 

[Ricky Otto]

Essex win the toss and elect to bowl first.

Essex

• Alastair Cook
• Nick Browne
• Tom Westley
• Dan Lawrence
• Ravi Bopara
• Ryan ten Doeschate(c)
• Adam Wheater(wk)
• Simon Harmer
• Jamie Porter
• Sam Cook
• Matthew Quinn

Start delayed due to bad light

Swap Quinn for Siddle and that is a very good side!

 

[BILLERICAY BLUE]

Hants 42-1, Quinn with the wicket.

 

[Shrimpers are Magic]

Good day for Hants after being put in.

 

[ESG]

Wheater out for 6 weeks with broken thumb.

 

[Shrimpers are Magic]

Not exactly off to a rip roaring start, innings defeat on the cards here.
When does Siddle ride into town?

 

[Shrimpers are Magic]

Swap Quinn for Siddle and that is a very good side!

Nothing wrong with Quinn, he's a good fella.
The hope is he's going to be next David Masters and be at the club for a long time.
I expect him to play a lot this season.

 

[Yorkshire Blue]

Bopara's rearguard action ends.

107 from 191 balls, following on from his 37* from 69 balls in the first innings.

Great effort. Now can the tail hold out? Will be a tough ask unless the weather unexpectedly helps us out.

 

[Ex-Member1]

Crash.....last few fell for next to nowt, game over.