CC v Worcs, Hove, Fri 2nd - Mon 5th June

I quite like that, joe.

An average of 33 and a top score of 213 isn't too shabby plus he's already shown what he can do this season and is in better form than Wright. 

I like the idea of mixing it up HH, taking Finch out of the firing line, and also making some senior players step up. Brown through no fault of his own hasn't been a proper influence on the team yet, and keeping Burgess could allow Brown to show some desperately needed leadership, let him work his way into form with the bat, whilst also showing that good performances by younger players are rewarded by retaining your place and that no-one is undroppable. I think as much as anything, the selection of the 11 needs to send a message. Loyalty is one thing, but there are repercussions for lack of performance. Jordan has been woeful in all but a few glimpses, and this selection will show what the coaching staff are about as much as anything. Are they going to allow the big names to coast along, take the easy choice and keep meandering along this path of mediocrity, or will they ruffle some feathers, put down a marker, and say to players step up or goodbye? Because there's a decent strain of young players waiting for their chance, and they're hungry.

That sounds very messy indeed. Feelings must run deep, especially between Steve Rhodes and his senior players, for such a step to be taken. I can't recall anything like this in recent years; in fact it is the sort of thing that used to characterise Yorkshire, with their autocratic sense of entitlement over their own players many years ago.

After Wright's resignation Nash takes over as captain, Brown still injured, and this is the squad:

Jofra Archer
Danny Briggs
Michael Burgess (wkt)
Harry Finch
Chris Jordan
Steve Magoffin
Chris Nash (c)
Vernon Philander
Stiaan van Zyl
Luke Wells
David Wiese
Luke Wright

Thus, the fascinating question: who to leave out?  We are told that Magoffin has "returned to the frame", presumably meaning he is fully fit, so one of Finch, Wright or Briggs will drop out. If Briggs is left out we go in with 5 right arm seam bowlers, plus Nash and maybe Wells, who hasn't bowled yet this year, and yet another tight-arm seamer in Van Zyl. Plenty of bowling but not a lot of options. If Briggs plays to balance out the bowling then the batting is weaker, either because Finch is left out and Wiese goes up as high as No6, or one of Wiese/Jordan/Philander is omitted. Jordan would be the logical choice on form, but his prestige and renown are high, and it would be a bitter pill to swallow after all the many times we have fumed about his non-availability because of ECB or IPL commitments to have him available and not play him.

This is the culmination of Davis's policy of going for supposed all-rounders, players who are excellent at 7 or 8 or even 9, but whom you would never think of as batting 5 or 6. One or at most two would be ideal, preferably to include Ollie Robinson, who is apparently on the road to fitrness again, who can offer off-spin as well as medium pace. Jordan, Wiese and Philander, although different in their modes of bowling attack have just too much in common all to be taking up vital places in the team.

It may not be a popular option, and whilst the performances overall have been lacking, the bowling has actually been sound. I would not pick Magoffin, make him go get good figures in the seconds. Batting and a more effective spinner is our issue, not the seam bowling. Jordan has been poor but I feel that you'd weaken the batting to a greater degree than you'd strengthen the bowling. The choice will be interesting but I think the biggest conundrum will come in a week or so when it seems Brown will return to fitness.