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[SOULMAN1012]

Was catching up on the ECB county highlights over lunch today and there looked to be some shocking LBW decisions given from these county umpires, I thought panel umpires were trigger happy seem to have nothing on the county umpires

Anyway great to see batters starting to get some good scores now with Tons for Pope, Marsh, Hildreath, Northeast to name a few in this round of matches

[KD4]

Derbyshire beat Middlesex. Their first home win since 2014.

[rickjames]

I will probably get shot down for this, but I still think Foakes is the better keeper than Bairstow; fantastic grab to win the game for us today, plus an excellent 2nd innings partnership with Pope where he put on 81

[Bats_Entertainment]

I will probably get shot down for this, but I still think Foakes is the better keeper than Bairstow; fantastic grab to win the game for us today, plus an excellent 2nd innings partnership with Pope where he put on 81

He has been superb in this match.

[Bats_Entertainment]

I love the County Championship. 

[Buzz]

Strong chance that Foakes will win a new set of admirers this summer and not just for his perfect hair and winning smile!  Nearly good enough to be in the Test team as a batsman and a wonderful keeper. Bairstow needs to move up the order.
Malan, Root, Bairstow Stokes, Foakes, Woakes will happen this summer.

Great performance from the Ray today.
Also worth mentioning that of the team playing all except Stoneman, Borthwick, Elgar and Foakes are from the Surrey Academy.

[Bats_Entertainment]

Won't happen, but it would be great if they chose to do without an overseas replacement for Elgar, and batted Roy at 4.

[Bats_Entertainment]

Although Roy likely to be spending time with England, of course...

[procricket]

That Ed Barnard chap i admit to only seeing him once before looks a cracking player too.

Agree about Foakes looks classy there a lot of talent on show in truth the cupboard is not as bare as many will have you believe.

it justs needs chance now!!!

[ppccopener]

I've said it before, I'll say it again, we need to go backwards with selection.

If we play leach, and even if we don't , bairstow is top 3 for me as a batsman only in the country, we need all of the runs purely as a batsman he can give.

We don't exactly have a load of players banging the door down batting wise. Ton for Northeast today, hameed,Jennings,Clarke,Livingstone all in the que and no real reason to pick any of them early season

Foakes in for me as a keeper and we should play Leach thru the summer. Bairstow as a specialist batsman

I really cannot see how it weakens our side if Foakes plays. With stokes at 6 and woakes in the side we have enough batting....on paper.....

[Manormanic]

I will probably get shot down for this, but I still think Foakes is the better keeper than Bairstow; fantastic grab to win the game for us today, plus an excellent 2nd innings partnership with Pope where he put on 81

Why will you get shot down for it?  If you are saying Foakes is the better keeper, I think that is more or less of a given.  If you were saying that in a straight selection with only one slot available you would select Foakes, THEN you might get shot down.

The question really is, is Foakes close enough as a batsman to the level that someone like Clarke, Browne or Gubbins is at that it is worth taking the gloves off Jonny?

I know Bairstow wants to keep etc....but he's tall for a keeper and surely soon a certainty for all three formats.  That being the case, his career will last longer if his knees are not being massacred...

[Manormanic]

We don't exactly have a load of players banging the door down batting wise. Ton for Northeast today, hameed,Jennings,Clarke,Livingstone all in the que and no real reason to pick any of them early season

The most impressive innings so far have been from some players who are not qualified for England, plus Gary Ballance (please, no) and some players batting at the Kia Shirtfront...

[edge]

The most impressive innings so far have been from some players who are not qualified for England, plus Gary Ballance (please, no) and some players batting at the Kia Shirtfront...

James Bracey 120* in over 6 hours to almost save the game at Bristol not impressive from a young player?

[ppccopener]

The most impressive innings so far have been from some players who are not qualified for England, plus Gary Ballance (please, no) and some players batting at the Kia Shirtfront...

Yes pretty accurate that. It's too late for him but James hildreth got a ton the other day

I doubt many would disagree he is probably the best batsman who remains uncapped from the county scene.

Somerset has been known for being a good track to bat on, but quite right so is the Oval. Probably better in fact.

[ppccopener]

James Bracey 120* in over 6 hours to almost save the game at Bristol not impressive from a young player?

Yes very,  and from Bristol?