CC v Gloucestershire 26th Sep 2023

There is absolutely no point having pace unless you know how to bowl. At the moment crocombe is bowling like a headless chicken.

To be clear (I hope) my position is that we have a reasonable talent base that’s been underperforming, particularly since the beginning of August. When we’re in such a bad run of form, we shouldn’t be complacent about facing any other team. As Derbyshire showed in the last game, they’re all capable of outplaying us when we’re performing that poorly.

We really need to get to the bottom of why we dropped off in the second half of the season and rectify it for next year. I have my suspicions, which I’ve hinted at in previous posts but since they are only suspicions I’ll reserve judgment for now. 

Hopefully we win this game and everyone feels a bit more content over the winter. On the recruitment side, we know Farbrace would like to recruit three more first team-ready players, as would we all but I’m sceptical about our ability to attract them all at once, given that many other teams are on the hunt too. I suspect he, and we, will need to be patient.

33 years old by the start of next season and an injury ravaged few years.

Claydon, Meaker, Finn...Have we learnt nothing?

Not for me, too big a gamble. At least with Crocombe, Hunt and Currie they are usually available for selection.

I am all for strengthening our bowling attack, but we don't have the luxury of taking this type of risk.

Mixed day today. Cannot allow them off the hook tomorrow.

I don't want Jake Ball given our history with over the hill seamers. However I can see him coming here given that he does fit what Farbrace has said he wants. Furthermore, Farbrace worked with Ball with England as well so there is a connection there. I suspect Worcestershire will be interested given their loss of pace bowlers, ironically to Notts.

Surely if we sign 1 more domestic bowler you could argue we'd be flooded a bit in the bowling department with Wright and Lamb coming in although the latter i see in direct competition with FHP's role in the team.

Not sure about Jake Ball but if he is inexpensive then why not.

I just think if youve got the chance to sign 2 overseas batters thatll score say 1800 runs between them you'd be foolish not to take them so the black and white approach in terms of "we must sign an overseas bowler" is more prohibitive than it is a help.

If we can get out there this morning with the overheads and get through them, we then have to keep our fingers crossed our batters can find something for one last time and win us the game.

Comes down to a one innings game. Hope we don’t need 500 to secure the win this time!