V Gloucs

[stickyboy]

Same 13 as before along the 1st email preview had Napier in a 14 man squad.

Mark Pettini , Jesse Ryder , Tom Westley , Ravi Bopara , Ryan ten Doeschate , Ben Foakes , James Foster , Tim Phillips , David Masters , Tymal Mills , Reece Topley , Greg Smith ,  Matt Salisbury .

[DT]

Good to see Napier back so soon but who does he replace?  Masters or Foakes for me

[stickyboy]

Good to see Napier back so soon but who does he replace?  Masters or Foakes for me

the 1st Essex email preview had Napier in then they sent a revised one with him not in, so he is not back yet

[Blocky]

Had to pass my tickets on to my parents, so if anybody see's my old man in the bar don't get him pissed please!

off to Hamburg on a work conference so will be using my data allowance on sky sports news/cricinfo!

Best of luck lads!!!

[stickyboy]

looks like quite a few tickets still available in a several stands but mainly down as restricted view tickets.

The main entrance has been moved too:

The main entrance is now accessed via the driveway with the security point and ticket entry taking place there allowing supporters to make their way to the Hayes Close End or continue down to the Pavilion with ease – this now allows ticket holders to walk freely around the ground without the need to have a ticket re-scanned.

[stickyboy]

another comfortable victory for the boys - looking good! 2 points clear at the top of the league

[IlfordEagle]

Indeed a very comfortable win with Ravi & Tom never looking in any bother, both getting deserved 50's, Westley has been a revelation in T20 this season - he has never really shown the aptitude before but looks the part now & generally has scored his runs with proper cricket strokes. Ryder looked upset at being given out caught behind & to be fair it looked a bit dodgy, he could only have got the thinnest of touches if he did at all.
Our bowlers again did the business particularly Masters & Phillips who both bowled tightly & accurately especially in the opening spell (Powerplay), Mills again bowled very loosely & erratically to start with but to be fair his 2nd over was much better. To the bowler's credit 5 clean bowleds tells you something of their accuracy & Marshall apart , who played a superb innings, no one really got going.
We are really firing at present with the added bonus of Hants losing (Thanks Somerset!!), we need to keep this momentum up - no reason why we can't, Well done again to the boys.
One small observation - again not a full house although not too shy of one, I know the WC is on but on a lovely evening we couldn't sell out the ECG - a touch worrying.

[stickyboy]

One small observation - again not a full house although not too shy of one, I know the WC is on but on a lovely evening we couldn't sell out the ECG - a touch worrying.

It was pretty full in all fairness but when i looked online earlier mainly only restricted views tickets left.
Looking at the next 2 against Middlesex and Surrey there looks to be hardly any tickets left on the online system

[nat]

Indeed a very comfortable win with Ravi & Tom never looking in any bother, both getting deserved 50's, Westley has been a revelation in T20 this season - he has never really shown the aptitude before but looks the part now & generally has scored his runs with proper cricket strokes. Ryder looked upset at being given out caught behind & to be fair it looked a bit dodgy, he could only have got the thinnest of touches if he did at all.
Our bowlers again did the business particularly Masters & Phillips who both bowled tightly & accurately especially in the opening spell (Powerplay), Mills again bowled very loosely & erratically to start with but to be fair his 2nd over was much better. To the bowler's credit 5 clean bowleds tells you something of their accuracy & Marshall apart , who played a superb innings, no one really got going.
We are really firing at present with the added bonus of Hants losing (Thanks Somerset!!), we need to keep this momentum up - no reason why we can't, Well done again to the boys.
One small observation - again not a full house although not too shy of one, I know the WC is on but on a lovely evening we couldn't sell out the ECG - a touch worrying.

Would disagree about our bowling - Masters and Phillips excepted they were poor. Gloucs batting is limited and better teams will hurt. The batters cannot keep chasing down big scores.

[stickyboy]

Would disagree about our bowling - Masters and Phillips excepted they were poor. Gloucs batting is limited and better teams will hurt. The batters cannot keep chasing down big scores.

I wouldn't call 162 a high score, average score i would say,. Agree Master and Phillips did great yesterday but the nature of T20 means some bowlers will be dispatched to the boundary and will go for 10+ an over. Mills had an awful first over but then bowled the last over of the game very well. We do need to work on the extras though, had another No ball from Topley and 7 wides, Gloucester gave away none. And looking at the previous 2 victories against Kent and Surrey

Kent - we gave away 6 NB and 3 Wides - they gave away 1 wide
Surrey - we gave away 2 NB and 8 Wides - they gave away 0

[Andy]

We know that the likes of mills and toppers are learning their trade, so this is to be expected. Yes, there's plenty of room for improvement but that is what you hope to see when relative novices are in the team. I'm just happy for a win, a comfortable one at that, and hopefully no more injuries...

[honkytonk]

Why do most people think Masters should make way for Napier??. I would leave out Mills and let him work on his game in CC cricket.  Get his radar going and stop firing the ball down leg side.

[JasonP]

Why do most people think Masters should make way for Napier??. I would leave out Mills and let him work on his game in CC cricket.  Get his radar going and stop firing the ball down leg side.

I think its more the fact that Masters is getting to the stage where he wont be able to play every game.  Hes going to be needing to rest.

[stickyboy]

i like playing Masters if we can as his 4 overs are always very mean and stops the opponents getting away to a flier, although can understand if he was kept for CC cricket.

Forgot to say when people go through Essex team and say what a good batting line up it is, Westley is normally not included but have to say he is looking excellent of late so looks great for the future.

Any news on Napier comeback?

[honkytonk]

I understand about Masters not playing every game but a)according to some on the forum the CC season is over (I disagree) so why waste him in that b) he is only bowling 4 overs