I sat with my master tactitian a Mr T Driver and debated the format of our Championship and one day game. Meanwhile, Messrs Philips, Banks, Trego, Suppiah, Waller, Stiff and Caddick were being smashed all over the place by Glamorgan batsmen looking to get to a score of 385 in 50 overs. With a requirement of 15 an over with only 10 to go, one has to wonder how they won off the last ball with a boundary and what that means for our short game.
So.......the four day first. We reckon there are two places up for grabs in the Championship eleven and that has real implications for some players.
Marcus looks to be expecting to open with Neil Edwards and after the first game of the season will expect to see his captain Justin Langer coming in at number 3. despite some difference of opinion in the order, we both reckon that, at least for the beginning of the season James Hildreth and Zander de Bruyn will make up the rest of the top 5. I'd like to see Craig Kieswetter coming in at 6 and we expect the other end to be Charl Willoughby and Andy Caddick at 11 and 10 with Alfonso Thomas in (for Tractor) at number 8
That leaves 7 and 9 available for the following players
Peter Trego, Wes Durston, Arul Suppiah, Omari Banks, Mark Turner, Ben Philips, Steffan Jones, David Stiff and Mike Munday
Arul may look to make his play for a top 5 batting position at the start of the game and Wes does not seem to be being considered as a bowler but as a batsman as well.
IF Mike Munday looks like a starter he will play at 9 and 6 players will be fighting for the last place.
Now I know there are a lot of people who believe Peter Trego is a 'first name on teamsheet' player but I'm afraid he'll need to prove his prowess with both the ball and the bat to make the number 6 spot his own however much the supporters think that.
James Hildreth has also got to come out of the gate firing on all cylinders to keep his place in the top 5. The management were remarkably patient with him last year - they may not be able to afford to be this year. Certainly two other players will be making their play for the number 5 spot.
Starting Eleven for Warwickshire?
Trescothick
Edwards
de Bruyn
Hildreth
Suppiah/Durston
Kieswetter
Trego/Banks
Thomas
Phillips/Jones/Turner
Caddick
Willoughby
But what about the one day eleven? How will that change given that some of the old boys won't be used all season and some players are not seen as one day specialists and others are?
More to come...
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