CrawlingFox

They can bang him on a short term deal easily enough.

Given how poor our batting has been surely Gumbs can't be far away from a go soon.

I'm not saying it's falling apart now but without the Hundred windfall enabling some investment it's not hard to imagine that with the losses the club had been making that we'd have been looking at only the bare minimum investment in the ground going forward and that it would start to both creak badly and older parts would start requiring even more money just to keep open. In that scenario you'd end up with a falling apart ground in 20 years. Hark at Old Trafford, bigger scale and it's still viable but obvious that huge under investment in keeping it up to date over the last 20 years means it's got a leaking roof and is riddled with all sorts of issues that have rendered it a long way off the modern stadia of Man Utd's rivals. Utd at some point will likely wangle the building of that new Circus tent. If GR gets into a state then we might not be so lucky. As a result I don't think they'll be looking to use money just to pay off debts, they'll be looking to invest in areas that will generate increased income and the use that income towards paying down debts. Depending on how favourable the repayment and interest rates on those debts are this is more sensible. Everything in these plans and investment and redevelopment is geared towards sustainability so that the club avoid the creeping losses and growing debt that had threatened to drag them down in the future. Equally pretty sure the ECB have told the counties they'll get this windfall but may not be able to rely on the current contributions the ECB make forever. So going back to your question of whether I believe it, it's this or nothing so I prefer to be positive.

The Hundred money means it's a unique opportunity to invest in our facilities so don't see why not. In 20 years we've either used that money well and have a modernised Grace Road with investments providing income streams and the club still existing or we haven't used it well, Grace Road is falling apart and the club might barely exist or already have packed it in. I don't think we'll have a completely modern, shiny world leading venue by any stretch but that money does mean we've got a chance of something still decent and much improved. The club seem switched on to the value in wider community and sport in the city outside just cricket and the importance of generating new income streams so I like the plans. These aren't just wild ideas, we know the money is there (or at least £24m to get started is), as much as I dislike the Hundred the money is a lifeline for the club.

Sounds good to me and sensible use of the Hundred windfall. The phased approach is logical and I'm sure the £60m is a bit of a rough but impressively high number that will be spread over a long, long time but suggests continued plans for investment. Phase 1 sounds like an excellent start, investment in retail and residential space around the edges will provide vital income going forward whilst improving the training and academy facilities should help player development.

First time anyone's thanked someone for reminding them of George Rhodes! Batting lineup with Evans, Rhodes and Dearden. Attack of Griffiths, Davis and Sakande. Turgid times. I'll take what we have now!

I'd not be against trialling Mike coming in earlier in t20. I've long thought his batting has more potential than his bowling and he scores quickly in t20 and can clear the ropes with ease when on song.

Whilst I agree I think the evidence of recent years would suggest we'd only miss it in a couple games. Be interesting to see if Northants are able to get some consistency out of him.

The amount of cricketers sat around when they could be playing is a growing issue, whether it's Ahmed in the IPL or Helm this week it just does nobody any favours.

Could be he's next cab off the rank if they need a pace bowling sub?

So far I think we can be reasonably happy with our batting, it's not all gone swimmingly but Weatherald, Eskinazi and Tattersall I would all say look to have strengthened us for the step up and Patel and Cox seem to be thriving. That of course is only 5 players with a pretty big hole at 3 currently. Of note is that Ahmed did a superb and unorthodox job for us there last season and it's frustrating to be missing him. Budinger not at the same level. I don't know what NZ's schedule looks like but can't help but feel asking Nick Kelly if he can play some red ball stuff (he has a good record) during and after his t20 stint might shore up the top order a bit given A.Patel isn't proving effective with the ball. Ideally we'd look for an overseas quick, it's obvious we badly need one. Bowling wise Green has looked a very solid contributor, bowls a lot of overs, doesn't go for many and taking wickets. Beyond that though it was clear that Helm looked a step up on the rest of the attack. Helm for longer would be great but Thomas needs to plug the other holes quickly: Patel Weatherald - Eskinazi Tattersall - Cox (wk) Green - Helm - If Holland is captain then he could go in at 8 or pushing it at 6, clear he's not a top order batting at this level though. Worryingly unless conditions and pitches change he's not taking many wickets either.

3 wickets at 125 and an economy over 5 this season. Career bowling average is 48. I'm always wanting academy players to do well but Hull has a long way to go if he's going to be a decent red ball cricketer. I felt relieved to see him dropped, hope he goes well in the t20, and with confidence high can come back into the side later in the season.

I'd go: Patel Weatherald Hill Eskinazi Tattersall Holland Cox B.Green Scriven Helm A.Green/A.Patel The last pick based on conditions and pitch but I'd play A.Green over Hull who I think has been struggling and the continued lack of wickets isn't helping his confidence. 5 man attack means Green can be protected if he suffers the same fate but I think he has a bit about him and could do well. We bat deep with Green and Scrivo but would tempted to bring in Budinger for one of them at 3 to help ensure the middle order get a platform but don't think we can risk a 4 man attack with the way we're bowling and we don't really have any part timers.

That's a decent loan signing. Ben Mike back fit and playing for the second XI too. Batted well, bowled expensively.

Hull's figures this season: 1/121 0/52 2/84 0/19 0/85 3 wickets at an eye watering 120, and going at Ben Mike economy. Career first class average approaching 50 now... I know we don't exactly have a wealth of options to swap in but he might benefit from some time in the seconds because he's struggling. Boost his confidence for the Blast where in contrast he'll be vital. I'd say a 5 for in the second innings might prove me wrong but probably won't get the chance.

Something something Ben Cox.

Agree about the bowling. Guys like Scrivo and Ben Green I think are solid first change bowlers. Wood looks like he's of the same mould. Holland and Davey, the old stagers are going to be lethal on certain pitches and in certain conditions but those are not perhaps what we're seeing so far. Mike will take some wickets if he plays but will go for buckets. Hull has all the raw materials to be the strike bowler and point of difference but it's not come together for us so far at all really, an average of 45.87 after 24 games speaks for itself. It looks like signing an overseas genuine fast bowler would have been a better shout at the moment, not only to liven up the attack but to mentor Hull and Alex Green as well.

Johnson played a handful of games for our seconds a few seasons ago it seems? 359 runs in one match is some going!

Who was the commentator who described Ben Mike as "the black headed Mike" as he ran in to bowl?

I liked Rae, dropped the odd clanger but had a calming voice.

That's Cox 5th first class ton and really pleased to see him get it. Has looked a much better bat for us than his record would suggest and think that's because he spends so much time selflessly batting with the tail and salvaging situations when the top order hasn't fired. Deserved this one.

The national team couldn't be more disrespectful to the County game than it's been in recent years. I've never understood this argument to be honest. Think the net benefit of overseas players is by far more weighted towards the county game rather than the OS players getting some exposure to county pitches (which don't often resemble those England will use in anycase).

The value and problem with both of these is that it's not really clear whether either is a better batter or bowler. Though I think on both counts Scrivo is a more reliable option than Mike who with the ball will be almost unplayable very occasionally but spanked to all parts the rest of the time. In D2 it worked well as it meant we always had a long tail, especially with Holland, Ahmed and Green also contributing with both bat and ball. But in D1 it remains to be seen whether it comes off. D2 success was built on that long tail of all rounders and an aging middle order engine of Hill, Handscomb and Holland. Right now it's hard to see where the quality in our side is to manage the step up I think.

I wonder whether we should have persevered with him. He had the mentality and ability to bat for long periods as shown by 4 tons at county level. He only averaged about 28 I think but his real problem was scoring at snail pace, I just wonder that surely the batting coach could have worked on that and added more scoring shots to his game. Mind you could say the same about Hassan Azad. Perhaps they tried and he just couldn't do it but players with the mentality to bat long are rare.

He was in the Scotland A squad announced a couple weeks ago, his club was listed as Whitstable so assuming he's no longer linked with Leicestershire. Played a seconds game for Gloucestershire at the end of last season too so assume he was looking for a go there.