English Domestic Season 2018

Feck me but it's that time of year already. And we still have more snow to come. Anyway, Worcestershire for champions. Well, if a bog ordinary side like Essex can do it.............

A decent few days for Dom Bess in the champion county match. I hope Essex can improve for the start of the season proper.

Bancroft won’t be at Somerset.

Notts look desperately short of batting in the longer format, even with the addition of Ross Taylor (always have to have at least one Taylor I guess!) Hales not playing red ball cricket just adds to the series of retirements and other departures the last few years. Obviously more success in the limited overs competitions would be good, but Test ground counties need to consolidate in the top flight and not sure this squad is capable of doing so.

All change at New Road: Kevin Sharp New head coach. Al Richardson bowling coach. Alex Gidman seconds coach. Travis Head is the main overseas player. Signing Steve Magoffin is a wise move.

Steyn to Hampshire

Lol. How many overs before he breaks down again?

MoH wrote:Steyn to Hampshire

Lol. How many overs before he breaks down again?

Surely a short term contract.

Having a spot of rain at Worcestershire:

Big Dog wrote:Having a spot of rain at Worcestershire:

A picture designed to satirise the Oz xi top order. Cruel Basil. Maybe the Pears should do a package deal and hire the Marsh kiddies. Yes Mitch is injured but would contribute as well as Bog.

What I want to know is who is going to open the bowling from the deep end.

Graeme Swann, Stork Hendry, Mitch Marsh, Ricky Pontoon, Bruce Reed, Kepler Vessels, Ben Duckett, George Duckworth, Alfred Dipper, Jim Laker, Tony Lock, Eric Fisher, Friedel de Wet, Jack Plimsoll, Billy Wade??

Morne Snorkel?

Dennis Lillee

Froggy Thompson

Trent Boult
Nathan Coulter-Nile
Wendell Sailor (yeah, he was a rugby player, I know. But probably tried his hand at cricket at some point...)

Moises Henriques

Paddles

I'm glad I asked.

Of course you could fly Rainbird over (Tassie medium fast).

Morne Morkel has signed a two year contract for Slurrey.

Weather improving in Worcestershire. There's a new rumour Kallis has arrived ...

All sorts of administrative changes at Lancashire. I've no idea how that will pan out in terms of talent scouting - or indeed performances out on the field. Allott has been moved (aside?) to a role as director of cricket (which Giles quit for Warks, and has been vacant since). Fred has moved in, so fireworks over diplomacy, I suppose. Chappie remains head coach. Lots of former Lancs seamers around, then.

They've lost Jarvis to Zimbabwe, which is indeed a loss. Bunny has come in!! Whether he is being primed as bowling coach, or they think they can get 2 or 3 good years out of him, I'm not sure.

And Jennings also from Durham. I hate to see Durham picked clean like this - after Stoneman and Borthwick went browncapping, their top order has been cleared. I hope they find young talent, as they have in the past. They won at least one Championship with mostly local lads and no furriners.

As for Lancs then - who knows? Who ever knows, with Lancs?

Basil wrote:Morne Morkel has signed a two year contract for Slurrey.

He will be 'swimming in the bedpans of angels', pp Tom. What a memorable image.

MB ...
Can you shed some light on Hilton Cartwright - I gather he plays for WA and is joining Middlesex as the overseas player this season as we languish in the depths of the 2nd division!

I have yet to see a season preview that doesn't have Worcestershire finishing bottom of division 1. That's fine by me, but I honestly think we'll surprise a few people, so long as we don't have run of injuries.