Farhan has to be added to the squad against Pakistan
My dad highly rates him from seeing him for Somerset II and in the RLODC. He confirms that Baker bowls gasSonny Baker
I'd not seen him bowl that quick before, his first ball was about 83 then he went up to 91 and around there for several balls. Went for runs and line was poor but it raises interest whenever you see someone consistently bowl that quick.My dad highly rates him from seeing him for Somerset II and in the RLODC. He confirms that Baker bowls gas
At this point I'd halve the number of matches in the Blast and bring back the Pro 40. Play each in the two blocks designated for the Blast.So I was thinking, "how could the ECB throw together a last-minute one-day tournament?" and the answer I settled on was May half-term.
Three groups of 6 (five matches per team), into quarter-finals:
- Friday 23rd May - Group R1
- Sunday 25th May - Group R2
- Wednesday 28th May - Group R3
- Friday 30th May - Group R4
- Sunday 1st June - Group R5
- Sunday 8th June - Quarter-Finals
- Sunday 15th June - Semi-Finals
- Sunday 22nd June - Final (Trent Bridge)
Some other notes:
This would be a fast and nasty job; I'm not coming up with any fancy rules here (even though I absolutely do have ideas).
- Some of these matchdays may already be taken; if so, rearrange a couple of matches. It's only eight days of cricket; you can carve out a proper block for it next year.
- Tickets capped at £5 for adults and free for under 18s. The ECB could then match ticket sales out of the Hundred money.
- All England-contracted players would be expected to play a minimum of three group games, unless ruled medically unfit to do so. Even reaching the IPL final wouldn't make this impossible.
- The final would be at Trent Bridge because it's easy to get to from my house.
Incredibly valid, no questions requiredThe final would be at Trent Bridge because it's easy to get to from my house.