Stephan Shemilt's at it again. Maybe he's bemused and befuddled by the Bazball cult. Maybe he just hasn't got much of a clue.

Opening the batting is a specialist position. Top of the order, know where your off stump is, get your feet moving and see off the new ball so your team's middle order can go about its flashy run scoring. And if the conditions become easy and the bowling lets up, fill your boots.

In his 60 first-class matches, Somerset's talented middle order batter James Rew is yet to open the batting. Putting a player into their debut test match out of position is a really poor thing to do.

"Hey lad, you've done great so we're going to pick you and play you out of position. Good luck."

And I'm being polite and restrained when I say that.

Jason Roy was picked as a test opener when folk at and around Surrey CCC said he wasn't a red ball opener - he bats 6 for Surrey in red ball games. But the England hierarchy thought they knew better than the club where he plays.

They didn't. Nuff said.

If the BBC want someone to write cricket guff, I'm probably cheaper to hire. And I have a Wisden Cricketer's Almanac collection going back to 1969.

Bazball gonna Bazball so I'm going to say it again = Seventh of Nine. England's test team are officially crap. The league table doesn't lie.

Congrats to Warwickshire on their win over Essex. Great to see Keith Barker back at Edgbaston.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/articles/cj40kkzr9xro

#BBCCricket #Cricket #Bazball

Looking forward to my copy of the Wisden Cricketer's Almanack arriving soon. Especially as Lawrence Booth has given the Bazball regime both barrels in his editorial notes for the new edition.

It remains to be seen how much notice is taken of performances in County Cricket. There's a lad called Anderson at Lancashire. Looks good, should be in the national team.

I saw mention that after the previous Ashes hammering, a certain Robert William Trevor Key was using his television profile to push for the removal of incumbent CEO and coach Ashley Giles and Chris Silverwood.

Odd how when the same thing happens to Key he's asking for more time. Double standards?

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/articles/cy81l2l9z9no

#Cricket #Bazball #Ashes #CountyCricket #SeventhOfNine

Day 1 of the County Cricket season has ended and my power to jinx teams I watch remains as strong as ever 😀

I note with interest the BBC News piece about Rob Key and Brendon McCullum being part of a call with county coaches.

When Gareth Batty makes a criticism as he as of the Bazball regime, that needs to be taken on board. He's a very positive chap who I've had the pleasure of chatting with on a few occasions.

Gareth doesn't do criticism unless it's deserved and he's always measured in what he says. We are blessed to have him as our Men's Head Coach at Surrey.

Whatever Key, McCullum, Thompson and Gould may say, the proof of the pudding is in the eating. They need to deliver to back up their words.

I'll say it again - England are 7th out of 9 in the World Test Championship.

That is not good enough.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/articles/c705r69plwyo

#CountyCricket #Bazball

As we near the start of the County season the profile pieces are emerging. Northants coach Darren Lehmann, a hell of a player in his own right, has shared his thoughts on the ECB and Bazball regime.

Coming on the back of Surrey coach Gareth Batty saying that county players’ route to international cricket is unclear under this England management, this is another experienced ex pro and coach who's seen and done it all saying that this regime must do better.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/articles/c70dev82np9o

#CountyCricket #Cricket #ECB #Bazball

Lancashire's Liam Livingstone may not quite be Brutus to Rob Key's Julius Caesar but he's certainly given Key and Brendon McCullum a kick somewhere painful, if not a knife in the back.

IMO neither Key nor McCullum warrant continuing in their positions. It's time for the Bazball ride and the Key-McCullum favouritism and cloying smugness to come to an end.

Each set up has a sell by date, after which the brand, the team, the attitude, the selection rationale is no longer lovable.

That time has come.

https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/liam-livingstone-interview-i-asked-england-for-help-i-was-told-i-care-too-much-1528115

#Cricket #Bazball #RobKey

“Australians do THAT too” 👀🏏

So what does BAZBALL really mean to you? 🤔

#ashes #bazball #hampshirecricket #utilitabowl

So I am five books into the year, and this represents the next escapee from the teetering tower that is my to be read pile!

#Goodreads #ReadingChallenge #TBRpile #CurrentlyReading #BookLovers #Bookworm #Bibliophile #Bazball #Cricket