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Westwood batted beautifully. Also intelligent little knocks from Ambrose and Botha and rarely does an innings of three not out merit much praise but if Barker had got out and Warwickshire been 118 for 7 in very poor light it would have been tough for the tail.
Barker and Piolet bowled groovily. Wonder if either has played himself into the championship team.
Puzzled by the top-order's approach today. The target was modest but Troughton went huge at his first ball while Trott seemed desperate to get the game over in time for "60-minute makeover" at 8pm on Living 2. I know he's been admonished in the past for scoring slowly but perhaps he erred a bit the other way tonight.
An indication that the crowd was on the small side (5,000) was that when those Canada Geese flew over the ground you could hear their wings.
So a top-two place (to reach the quarter-finals) or a top-three place (to qualify for the First Division of the P20) ((if the ECB is barmy enough to persevere with the idea)) (((which of course they are))) is still within the Bears' reach.
It helps that they have played Northamptonshire twice and should help that when the group resumes they start with Gloucestershire and Glamorgan, it's weakest members.
Ah well - after twelve one-dayers on the trot from Edinburgh to London and Cardiff to Canterbury, it's back to the dear old champo for a bit now. Busy times.
Damn. Forgot to vote.
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Brian Halford - Brian Halford’s look at Edgbaston.
I think Keith Barker may get a go in Champo, who will he replace?
Fromt the last championship game I guess he will replace Ricki Clarke. With the weather not looking too good, I don't see the point of picking two spinners.
I think the Northants game preyed on our batsmens minds and there was no-way they were going to get behind the run-rate, as it happened with the loss of wickets they nearly did. It was good to see Westwood playing with such a cool head. I was also pleased that Barker came back well after such a difficult game against Northants.
In fairness, it might be that they were trying to take the opportunity to improve their run rate against a better side? If they're to end up in 3rd place, they might well need an improvement, as Worcester were well ahead at last look.
Against a worse side, even...
Great to see Westy bring us home, a real captains innings just when one was requried. I'm feeling very possitive about the future of the Bears under Giles and Westwood right now. It ain't gonna happen overnight but progress, I feel, is being made.
Considering the young and transitional team Warwickshire have had to field in this T20 it would be a terrific effort if they reached the last eight.
But with Glos and Glam at the start of their last four games they have a chance to get some momentum going.
Brian - would have to disagree. Our squad is full of one dimensionial players. I don't believe we have a players who can change the pace of the innings. An example would be Paul Smith or Dermot at their peaks.
Views ?
Evenin' Beatie90 - Maddy and Clarke can do that of course and their absence has hurt. Put those two in and Warwickshire have a strong top eight.
Losing them meant Barker, Woakes and Piolet have been pitched in together and, while they have done pretty well with the ball, batting-wise,it must be ever so tough for inexperienced players to go straight into the teeth of T20 run-chases.
Citing Smith and Reeve at their peaks you are setting the bar rather high!
I'd be pleasantly surprised if we got to the quarters to be honest, and I'd like to think we would have had a better chance with Maddy and Clarke back. I think, however, that Salisbury has been the biggest loss and that Patel hasn't quite proved the replacement you would have hoped an overseas bowler of his status might supply. But I suppose he hasn't played much Twenty20.
It was nice to see Colin Povey speaking some sense about Finals day in the Post, Brian - glad to see someone with some say is worried about placing it at the end of the summer. If only he could think so coherently about student memberships and some more of us might be able to attend cricket with regularity.
Could have sworn I put my name on that... oops.
Hi Emma - it's a long shot but perhaps if enough people speak up like Colin Povey the ECB will ditch this ludicrous P20 plan. There's still time.
On your last point, it's a huge shame that anyone who wants to attend county cricket can't do so. Looking around Edgbaston right now there are approximately 21,900 empty seats.
Is there a way to make games more accessible to non-members without aggrieving members?
I can't believe that many people have taken up what has "replaced" the student membership, which is the £50 membership without the privilege of actually entering the ground on match days. The student membership price had already shot up to £75, which I could just about afford, but to double it again to the full £150 is plain bad business sense. Surrey, of all counties, has a £60 membership. Lancashire £70. Yorkshire starts at £70 for all one day games. Hampshire is £55. I haven't had to search hard - those were the first four test match counties I checked. I'm fairly certain that if I looked at all 17 other counties in the country, I could find a student membership rate.
It's been a welcome change to see the sponsorship dealt with well over the last couple of seasons. Perhaps they could treat their younger fans with a tad more respect too.
An interesting point, Emma. Abi's not at the ground today but when she returns tomorrow I'll try to get a response from the club.
Cheers Brian - although by the time of any useful reversion it will, of course, be too late for me. Middlesex membership and support from afar awaits...