RizLCFC

Early drop catch and the runs are coming at an alarming rate, best weather for batting so far and pitch isn't doing much. I can see Worcestershire batting for most if not all of today and getting a huge lead, then Ajmal ripping us up on a dry gripping track. Full of optimism me!

260 to chase max!

He'll be at second slip shortly after lunch at this rate!

Normal service resumes, Smith gone without scoring, 58-3, big pressure now on Sarwan and Cobb.

That would be awesome mate!

Haha yeah Ajmal will be key, just about damage limitation with him. Need an innings from Sarwan and Smith today, both very badly out of form. I'd be happy if we get to 250, anything else will be a bonus. On the bowling front, cracking effort from the lads. Just shows that once the opening pair nip out a couple of batsmen, having good back up i.e. Raine and Jones is vital. They both took 2 apiece which took a lot of pressure off Buck and Shreck. Ireland and Jigar haven't done this at all this season, worse they've leaked runs after early inroads.

That was ridiculous too. We're lucky that in between his management stints we've had James Whittaker and Tim Boon otherwise we'd have been in the position we are right now, many years ago. Playing Worcs today who are unbeaten this season and at the top, very tough game but some fight would be nice. Definitely need a coach with a good playing background, Whitticase record is terrible. http://www.espncricinfo.com/england/content/player/22417.html

I can't believe Phil Whitticase thought Gurney was too weak to bowl in Championship cricket, that's why he left the club even though we offered him a new deal, disgraceful management.

Said the same thing re overseas player earlier in this thread. Worcestershire tomorrow, my team would be: Smith, Robson, Eckersley, Redfern, Boyce, O'Brien, Taylor, Raine, Jones, Buck and Shreck ©. I'd leave out Cobb (50/50 between him and Smith), Sarwan and Ireland for obvious reasons, no spinner either. Shreck and Buck should be fit, the former I'd make skipper because he's vastly experienced and I think he'll manage our bowlers better.

Imagine if they give him a new deal? That'll be it for me then, need changes!

I think he's out of contract at the end of the season, would be a decent addition to the squad if he can impress in Championship cricket. Don't know why Ireland bowled, he's another finished article like Sarwan. Should've given the over to Ben Raine.

Fingers crossed eh 😀

Take a look at the batting and bowling averages so far this year in Championship cricket http://stats.espncricinfo.com/county-championship-div2-2014/engine/records/averages/batting_bowling_by_team.html?id=8773;team=1184;type=tournament Sarwan 🙈 🙈 🙈

Agree on Thakor and Wells, maybe even Robson, Eckersley and Buck. I wouldn't sign Naik if I was them, has looked below average this season, hasn't picked up many wickets and has gone for quite a few runs as well. His best bowling has been in the T20s.

Not until we stop producing talented youngsters who go on to play for England after leaving us for Nottinghamshire.

I'd rather we carry on like now then that happening, hope it never does.

We made Wainwright look like Warne, now we've got Ajmal to deal with! 😂

That's a good point. He's been in the job for years so you never know might fancy a change, and a new challenge. If not him then Nixon or Maddy would be good. Maybe come in alongside Ben Smith and Lloyd Tennant. It needs to be freshened up!

I agree. Championship cricket is the main priority. If you're good at that you do ok in the other forms. At the moment we're just hit and miss every year in T20, if we start well we go to the finals, if we do poorly like this year we've got nowt to play for.

He works on a very tight budget with Ireland, small squad, not the most talented because England pinch all their best players, but they qualify for all the major tournaments, which is no mean feat now there are so many decent associate countries. Add to that he is a Leicestershire legend, I'd love it if he came in, something just tells me he'll do a great job and help us gain back some much needed competitiveness and respect.

I heard Whitticase is in for a hefty pay out as he's been at the club for so long, so sacking him is a no go. I'd love to see somebody like Phil Simmons take over.

Redfern and Boyce have been in the runs for the seconds lately, wouldn't mind seeing Tom Wells given a chance after his T20 exploits either. Lead by 175, if the last pair can add 15-20 runs and frustrate Derbyshire a little this morning, I think we've got half a chance. Hope Wyatt can bowl as he was batting with a runner yesterday. On the Asian fans, I see a lot more down The G for the T20s than any other form. A lot of them are well off with successful businesses, the only thing that will bring them down is a serious signing such as Yuvraj, problem is these guys are not available for the whole season. Not exactly cheap to get into T20 games either, £15 in advance or £20 on the gate, imagine if it was £10 advance and £15 on the gate, it would make a massive difference. £10 for Lancs v Yorks in T20 and the place was packed!

Exactly Bert, he's finished now, hasn't been a prominent member of any of the West Indies international teams for at least a couple of years now.

Add to that he's a piss poor T20 and 50 over player, I'd rather see a 2nd XI player given a chance. It's difficult to get overseas players in because of so much cricket being played and big bucks being made in T20 tournaments. But look at our opponents today Derbyshire, they signed Marcus North, test match pedigree, plays well in all forms and bowls. Glamorgan have Klinger who took us apart last game, both available for the whole season, this is the sort of player we should be targeting. Even if it means we only have one T20 player all season rather than 2. Styris is a good signing but he can't bowl, where his bowling would've been so useful to us this season. Money needs to be spent more wisely in my opinion. Why we signed Sarwan on a 2 year deal baffles me. His body language is shocking.

Absolutely ridiculous how we lost to Gloucs, when you declare you have to give yourself a chance to win, we had no chance of bowling them out in 39 overs, plus Shreck was injured. What does a stupid declaration like that do for Robson, Taylor, Buck, Eckersley and Cobb? All performed yet end up losing. Disappointing yesterday, 10-15 runs short. The season has hit the buffers this past week after a promising start. Must promote Wells up the order in the remaining T20 games. Also, Sarwan is such a waste with limited resources. Poor captain, struggling with bat, not a T20 player, better not be here next season. Since Sarwan has come into the LVCC side we've struggled, showed good promise earlier. Sarwan ain't half the player he once was. When you sign overseas players you have to get as much games as you can out of them across all formats. Sarwan can't hack T20, he'll probably do naff all in the 50 over comp to come, and he's only scored one 50 in the Championship this season. Enough said!