My UAE squad

Hampshire 219-4
v Yorkshire

close on Day 1

Monday 14 September 2015

LV County Championship Division 1
at Southampton

Twitter @ball_sup

So, I've watched that today. But, "not been in the ground". We're staying in the Hilton. The one that includes the Media Centre & sweeps around the Northern end of the ground. Using an off-peak train ticket, I couldn't get here for the start anyway. Some rain around delayed the start. So, I just asked whether my room was ready when I arrived (it was).

It's worked out fine. The room has a balcony. I can watch the game from there. Fine leg to the right hander. Two fairly comfortable "patio chairs" outside. Tea, coffee & a kettle behind me in the room. The game is on Sky. So, I can even dive inside to watch the replays. Bit taters an' all. So, I've been inside to keep warm. (They've been off/on for rain).

There is a very pale strip right next to the very green one they are using. I wondered at first whether they'd just done 2 & chosen this morning. The BBC Radio fellas are saying the pale one is the one used "a while ago" for the ODI. Any road up, they're on the Green 'Un. And, I'm not surprised the Toss Winners have gone for a bowl.

I'm disappointed. A fair few runs & not many wickets. It was a fragmented day. So, a little difficult to put your finger on what went wrong.

Aside from this game, a fair bit going on in wider cricket. Stories that the selecters met for the squad to play Pakistan in the UAE. The openers slot. Alongside Cook. Currently Lyth. Previously Carberry, Root, Compton, Trott, Robson. Next touted cab equals Hales. Or put Moeen in. Allowing you to get Rashid & the seamers in. Right. I cannot see Moeen being a successful opener in South Africa. So, I am against that horse for the UAE course.

I'd go back to Compton.

I'd also be very pragmatic (ie harsh) on the Keeper. Bairstow should be in the side for his runs. He is a keeper. Pushes Buttler out. Sorry. MoneyBall.

Cook, Bell, Anderson, Broad, Stokes, Ali, Root are presumably shoe ins. I'd take Bairstow & Buttler (as cover). I'd take Rashid. I'd take Compton (option to use Ali as cover). The fourth seamer spot has Finn, Wood, Plunkett as front runners. It seems like we've barely seen Plunkett all Summer. I'm going to say take Finn & Wood. Then, as middle order cover. I'm pushing James Taylor ahead of Ballance. That gives me 14.

Plunkett as insurance in a 15, Ballance in a 16. We'll see.

There's not gonna be any real beer hunting here at Southampton. I've done Budvar from a bottle at 5% in the hotel lounge. Few redeeming features.

204/419