die hard doonhamer

Watched a chunk of our batting innings, Hairs and McMullen were both in a mission. Fantastic to watch. Could see Hairs going even bigger against one of the next 2.

I heard yesterday evening that they did no prep to the pitch other than cut it in the morning of the game. Given the context of poor pitches already this year, it’s baffling that the WDCU had it hosted there.

T20 was a popular grassroots format long before it took off in the professional game. It’s the ideal format for midweek cricket.

The above is conveniently timed to answer the question. I’m not saying moisture is what caused the issues at West today, but that’s a good demonstration of an unsafe pitch, and water getting on to the wicket can cause an unsafe pitch.

Think they all hold Italian passports through parentage. Looking very dismal here at Old Trafford. I’ll be very surprised if we see any play.

The seam bowling today was pish, no pressure built and it just went nowhere. Spinners did a decent job. Hopefully get a few hours of play in tomorrow.

I’m in complete agreement with you. I can understand why they went with Berrington when Kyle gave up though. Watt was just in the door with Derbyshire and had missed games for county cricket, he hadn’t yet signed his new deal which gives priority to his Scotland commitments, so if he was given it then there was a real risk that the captain wouldn’t be available through the summer. Given it is now established that he’s always available, I’d have him as captain. Hairs can be filed amongst several other talents, such as Craig Wallace and Michael English, who have fallen victim to Cricket Scotland’s player management. They really are terrible on that side of things, unless you have money, of course. The real answer to why Cross is at the top of the order can be found on the front of the shirt.

Good write up. Berrington is the skipper though, rather than Watt, so it was him keeping Watt back rather than Watt himself. I find the call to keep Cross at 3 absolutely baffling. He’s simply not good enough at hitting out to be a top order T20 player (I don’t think he should be a top order ODI player either, but that’s for a different day). He’s an exceptional gloveman, and I think the side has enough all round talents (McMullen, Leask, Greaves and Watt are all all rounders to various extents) that you can carry a specialist keeper. I’d have him down at 7 though and get Leask up to 3. The hardest hitters should be the top 3. If you want your keeper to contribute with the bat then Craig Wallace should be in there.

Really looking forward to a weekend of staring at the Manchester rain from the big temporary stand. Hope England can force their way over the line. Solid stuff from Scotland in the end against Jersey. Mark Watt is some cricketer.

Italy have Gareth Berg, Wayne Madsen and Grant Stewart, all very capable county players. It had been rumoured that Spencer Johnson would play for them in this as well but he isn’t here. Joe Burns becomes eligible to play for them at some point in the next 12 months or so as well and is apparently keen. They definitely have players capable of throwing a spanner in the works.

I think you’ve got to be able to trust Bairstow to smash some quick runs. No point coming out after lunch, hardly adding anything (as was the case when Broad fell), and then declare and lose the 2 overs/10 minutes at the change. As well to make use of the time and try make it a bat once total, which it isn’t quite yet, imo. ETA: I’d have declared at lunch in the first place

I know I’m in a minority, but I quite like the big red blocks at Old Trafford. The stands either side of the media centre are excellent, and the temporary stand is a modern wonder of the world, imo.

On the test, I would not be shocked to see Stokes declare 10 minutes before play in the morning given the forecast for the weekend. It would be a bold move, but it would be a better reasoned declaration than the first test, imo.

It’s the official ICC coverage they are using, which is consistently embarrassing despite the ICC’s resources. They’d have been better getting the European Cricket Network to do the coverage.

Scotland with a sluggish start v Germany, crawling to 65-0 from 6 overs at Goldenacre. Hairs 39 from 21, Munsey 21 from 15.

Agreed, but I’m not sure who should be picked ahead of him? The fact Evans got another CS contract for this year is a joke.

Replaced by Adrian Neil in the squad. Big blow, as you say, but was half expecting it after he missed Grange’s fixtures last (including their Scottish Cup semi). I believe he’s got a side strain.

We’re fortunate that my wife works term time, so we don’t have to shell out a fortune each summer. I’m not sure how fortunate she feels by the end of the work week when she’s had the 3 of them nipping her head all week, though.

All of Scotland’s upcoming T20 World Cup qualifiers will be live on the BBC sport website and iPlayer https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/66231210

Nah, get them to f**k. Highway Code is clear, use all available road space, merge in turn. There shouldn’t be 1 big line of traffic a mile back with the other lane sitting empty.

The inability of people to use both lanes and merge in turn in the build up roadworks does my head in.

Exactly the reaction I expected from the mushroom supper, cold toast, mango pizza brigade. I know I’m right

Scottish Cup semi final day today. Forfarshire beat Clydesdale as they look to retain their title, while Uddingston (6th in the West league) upset Grange (top of the East) to make the final. Final takes place on 20th August, I haven’t seen a venue announced as of yet, but I’d imagine it’ll be at one of the Edinburgh grounds. ETA: I’m wrong on the venue, it’s being held at Clydesdale’s Titwood.

Outrageous shot

There is butter underneath the lorne, and ketchup on the side of the plate to dip the rolls in (as that, of course, is the correct way to administer sauce to a roll).