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[The 22nd Yard]

Again apologies for the lack of posts, my parents decided to book a holiday during the cricket season. They now understand this is an unforgivable thing to do...

A look at the disappointing Ashes warm-up games, everyone loves a bit of a rant.

http://wp.me/p380Xy-ag

[golden duck]

Would the match not have been more of a farce (in terms of Englands preperation) if Essex had been forced to use two batters to bowl dollies to Eng as opposed to bringing in two actual bowlers who could make England work a little bit more?

[joeylough]

Nice little rant, I don't see how releasing the players to play T20 would me much good for a test. But obviously games that get overpowered by one team don't help either.

[The 22nd Yard]

Would the match not have been more of a farce (in terms of Englands preperation) if Essex had been forced to use two batters to bowl dollies to Eng as opposed to bringing in two actual bowlers who could make England work a little bit more?

May as well stick them against a select XI that could challenge them then. Technically only a select few county bowlers should be able to trouble the English batsmen, Saj Mahmood certainly isn't one of them but Mills is a Topley has the potential too.

[fros23]

This whole match was setup for England's benefit and was a farce from the start.  Bopara won the toss, said how great the wicket was to bat on but still decided to have a bowl.  Now I know people give Ravi plenty of stick but even he isn't stupid enough to bowl first on a belter.  #boparaisgreat

In an ideal world there would of been a round of championship matches instead so that the england guys could have played in those.

I am also concerned about the lack of cricket that Bairstow is playing.  He has hardly had a hit since the end of the 2nd test against the Kiwi's and he must be begging for a chance to play.  Would it do him more harm than good to play in the roses T20 on Friday?  He seems to be having the same problem Anderson did a few years ago where he seems to be a permanent 12th man and seems to watch more cricket than he plays which can't be a good thing.

[joeylough]

A select XI would mean that instead of one county missing players then each county (or a few) would miss some of there best players.

You would have thought that Essex would have some bowlers in the 2nd XI who would have loved a chance to play.

The plus side it gives Rakin a chance to bowl which I didnt think he would have.

Bunny is the new Anderson in terms of bowling 12th man, apart from the fact he won't get many more chances for a test start.

[The 22nd Yard]

Does sound quite fishy doesn't it Fros, but I'm sure your love for Bopara hasn't been tarnished.

A select XI would mean exactly that, which is why the England players should have just turned out for their counties, weather it be T20 or first-class.

Bunny will certainly be enjoying that role, I think Chris Woakes is next in line as Englands waterboy! Think I may have even written a post on that actually...

[Kez]

The toss wasn't as bad as when Essex played Bangladesh in a friendly last time they toured. Sakib al Hasan merely walked out to the middle to join Ravi who captained that game too said 'we bat' and walked off again before Rav could even toss the coin!

[joeylough]

A select XI would mean exactly that, which is why the England players should have just turned out for their counties, weather it be T20 or first-class.

As I said before, playing a T20 is not a prep for a test match. That is why England have different teams for each format, as the method in playing is different and players have strengths and weaknesses in each area.

[RossViper]

Not perfect, but not a farce.

How old are you?

[ajmw89]

So England v a 'select' XI is being suggested...  How about england v England Lions?  Gives the guys challenging for a spot to step up then

[Sam]

So England v a 'select' XI is being suggested...  How about england v England Lions?  Gives the guys challenging for a spot to step up then

Think there's a two or three day practice game for England again Northants between the final two ashes test , but if Northants reach T20 finals day they will play the lions instead?

[ajmw89]

There should always be a lions v full england first class fixture each season IMO.
didn't there always used to be a england v england hopefuls game years ago?  It gives the selectors a chance to look at how the next crop of england players hold up against international standard opposition

[Manormanic]

Still think the calendar would be better with three divisions, or two with a couple of counties annexed, and a round robin regional comp.  Two intensive weeks, the best 44 players in the country etc...

[Sam]

Still think the calendar would be better with three divisions, or two with a couple of counties annexed, and a round robin regional comp.  Two intensive weeks, the best 44 players in the country etc...

What format? T20/OD/4 day matches?