CC v Kent at Hove 31/8 - 3/9

We could really do with England releasing Jordan for this match to cover for Archer as he's not played either of the two ODI's so far and Willey is meant to be coming into the squad. (We all know there is little chance of this happening though)

Although he hasn't played I think England see him as a definate 12th man unfortunately. 

First things first: Christian Davis looked completely at sea in all of his three innings and at Hove his fielding was pretty inept. Whatever else he has to be replaced. If Machan is  fit he should come in at 5 or 6 with Wright moving up to 4. Salt should replace Joyce on the grounds that he'll probably have to do it next season so he might as well start now. He didn't do much wrong against Pakistan earlier in the summer except try to over-hit everything, and Kent's bowling might be more amenable to his style. Then the choices for replacing Archer for this one match start with Robinson, again if fit. No place for Whittingham, unfortunately, unless we feel so cocky about out batting strength that Briggs goes up to No 8 and ask the Kent bowlers to please not bring the ball in to him so he can continue to carve away on the offside.

Problems come in if Machan is still unfit. Fielding both Salt and Hudson-Prentice in the top 6 is a must-win game, where Wright's own form is abysmal and Wiese clearly one or two places higher than he deserves is not a gamble so much as a suicide note. I like pipster's idea of looking for a displaced batsman for a short-term loan and Steve Eskinazi would be an excellent choice if he is available. In fact he would be a very good candidate for a longer-term recruitment. fraudster would love him: South-African born, brought up in Australia and holding a British passport, a fine batsman and a capable wicket-keeper.

My team of players on the current strength, fitness taken as read:

Nash
Salt
Wells
Wright
Machan
Brown
Wiese
Robinson
Briggs
Garton
Magoffin

Robinson has been getting runs and wickets in the 2nds regularly, I think if he was going to be selected he would have played against Glamorgan instead of Garton. The fact that he wasn't picked makes me think there's something else going on with him, perhaps he hasn't got up to the desired fitness level or perhaps he's out of favour for some other reason. He does have a bad disciplinary record.
I've heard that Machan has had an op on his wrist and is out for the season, as is Finch. This leaves the cupboard rather bare.
I agree Davis looked out of his depth and shouldn't play.
Much as I would always advocate playing our young contracted players, I think if we want to push on for the title ( however remote that might be ) it may be a good time to bring someone in like Eskinazi on loan. If not then Fynn H-P in for Machan and Whittingham in for Robinson. 

Nash
Salt
Wells
Wright
Brown
H-P
Wiese
Briggs
Whittingham
Garton
Magoffin

My XI would be:

Nash
Salt
Wells
Wright
Hudson-Prentice
Brown
Wiese
Briggs
Garton
Magoffin
Whittingham (if fit otherwise Robinson)

Contrasting views from around the involved messageboards about their sides chances in this round of games. Everyone agrees that Essex v Worcs and Sussex v Kent ought to determine who still has a chance of promotion, but there seems to be considerable self-doubt.

Here is the Essex view, which has a kind oif bulldog Churchillian, give us the tools and we'll finisthe job ring about it-

The business end of the season now starts here . Instead of chasing a lost cause promotion place like previous seasons, we are in the pole position, so just now need to hold are nerve, but it does require a team effort particularly has bonus points might be vital .
We have got this far let's finish the job otherwise all that effort will be in vain.

However Worcestershire are much more fatalistic, with a kind of resignation drawn from past experience -

We need to win three out of three (convincingly) and hope the others cancel each other out. Given the problems this year I'd be happy with 2nd spot which could be a blessing in disguise because with only eight in Div1 next year we'd struggle to be in the top six.

Kent don't even get as far as prognosticating about the winners. Of the two threads that cover this match one is devoted to an argument about the theory of chance and probability -
 Btw a 70% probability means that if an experiment were repeated 10 times, then on average the probable outcome would occur in seven of them. In any run of 10 repetitions, however, there could be anything from 0 to 10 'succesful' outcomes (though the more extreme the result - e.g. 0 or 1 success - the less likely it would be)!

and the other is a detailed timetable and costing exercise of the cheapest way of getting from Canterbury to Hove -

1st Journey Canterbury West 0906 to Ashford 0928; return 2036-2057. Price £5.15 return. Southeastern.

2nd Journey Ashford 0933 to Brighton 1120; return 1832-2018. Price £10.15 return. Southern.

Bus number 7 to and from Brighton Station to Hove ground every 10 minutes. Senior bus-pass. Free.

So, if you are prepared to miss the first half-hour or so you can get there and back for total outlay of £15.30.

It is more expensive if you try and book as one journey. Only downside is that you only have a 5 minute connection at Ashford on the way out. If the Canterbury train is late you have to wait an extra hour.

Is it a wonder the lack of interest in County cricket. I see our best batsmen deems it more important to play against Hong Kong