ODC v Leicestershire 4th Aug 24

I’ve lost interest in this competition. Farbrace contradicted himself in his post match interview. He said he doesn’t like losing yet he chose to put out a team who had little chance of winning. He’s gone down in my estimation for the way he’s used the comp to rest players who could have had a positive influence on results. I don’t understand the rational at all.

You’re annoyed because you’re doing everything you can to win? 

This is professional sport not a charity match! There’s money and a cup at stake. 

It is really difficult to predict the team Farbrace will put out based on what has gone before. Perhaps given Leicestershire's approach to playing overseas and senior players we will see a more experienced line up.

I would expect to see Clark, Haines, Alsop up top with recalls for Simpson, Hudson-Prentice, Crocombe and Karvelas.

Beyond that I can't see Hunt in the eleven given his disappointing showing on Friday, Campbell has been ok, but not done enough to retain his place and of the young batters Lion-Cachet to miss out. Wouldn't be surprised if Carter also drops out.

Beyond that your guess is as good as mine. We will probably play two spinners. Carson's recall suggests he will be one, but that is a bit harsh on Foreman and Lenham who performed so well in our last game.

Ibrahim may keep his place based on his bowling and Rogers also seems to be in favour at present.

I think where farbs has contradcited himself is by putting his strongest team out today when hes had the opportunity to put the strongest side he could out in every game so far.

Strange foxes think they are cheating, its hardly your fault most counties have been drained of their talent for the hundred.

Simpson should not be keeping.

I got five out of six.

My only observation is if we are playing Tear, I would have liked him to keep hold of the gloves.

It's a difficult one Realab. Realistically, expectations were low for this tournament and that was before we lost Alsop, Coles and Robinson to The Hundred.

If we didn't field our fringe players in these games then they would have seen little or no first team cricket this season. Consequently, we would have had no indication of how close or otherwise they were to being ready to step up if required.

If nothing else we have learnt Crocombe looks to have improved significantly, Tear and Foreman appear on the right track and Rogers, although a little behind, looks a decent prospect.

I understand there is disappointment at the results, but if anyone had offered top of Division Two and a T20 quarter final at this stage of the season I very much doubt anyone on this forum would have turned it down.

Whilst the question of why choose today to put out a strong side is very fair, my guess is Farbrace is trying to protect some of the younger players from a thumping defeat given the approach and experience of the opposition.