Championship v Warks 19-22 September 2023

[Sillypoint]

Massive game at home. They'll ask for a greentop.

[Paul W]

Will we?

We need some batting points, if possible.

I wouldn't back us to come out on top if things are loaded too much in the bowlers favour.

[Sillypoint]

Nah I think they'll go seamer and back the win. Even if they prepared a road I don't think they reckon our batters are gonna fire.....better to make it a shootout

[John Fitzgerald]

What makes you think that the MCC employed groundsman will take the least notice of what Middlesex want? We could well end up on the pitch used for tomorrows ODI which would mean equal boundaries.

[Sillypoint]

True. I thought the ODI matches were played on hybrid pitches at Lords....are they allowed for four day?

[Jonathan Winsky]

I’ve said it before and I will say it again that I imagine that Middlesex’s management will have intended to select a similar line-up across our final four matches of our County Championship campaign. When we were 19-5 in the first innings v Lancashire at Old Trafford, it seemed like we would have been forced to at least reconsider this intransigence when selecting our line up for the match v Warwickshire at Lord’s. However, the fact that we batted much better in the second innings (I would like to say that we did this in trickier conditions compared to what we faced in the first innings, although I am not in a position to comment) means that it would be harsh if any of the five players to bat in our second innings lose their place.

One change I can see us making to our batting line-up compared to that which started the match v Lancs is Stevie Eskinazi replacing Max Holden even if our medical staff clear Holden to play. The saddest Holden-related sight I have seen in the last week was not that he was out first ball at Old Trafford or that he suffered a concussion, but it was that I noticed that ECB neglected to schedule us to play on Yom Kippur, which scuppered my plan to write that Holden was destined to score a County Championship century imminently considering his only previous one for Middlesex took place on Yom Kippur in 2018 v Derbyshire at Lord’s (admittedly, 96 of the 119 runs he scored in that innings came before Yom Kippur came in). ECB really don’t know how to draw up a county schedule.

Tom Helm must have a good chance of playing after scoring 85 and taking 4-32 in the 2nd XI match v Essex at Merchant Taylors’ School, especially as Toby Roland-Jones bowled just 6 overs at Old Trafford (I think due to illness), and also in order to keep everyone fresh. We will have to see whether we will bring in Tim Murtagh for what could be a final professional appearance (as well as an opportunity to maybe even retain his place for the match v Nottinghamshire at Trent Bridge if he bowls well), or whether we are too focussed on attempting to stay up to think about sentiment.

It is welcome that Nathan Fernandes, Luke Hollman, Robbie White and Martin Andersson all scored runs at MTS. All of a sudden, we can say that we have a few batters who have scored runs recently for either our 1st or 2nd XI! If only this could have been said earlier in the season. Of course, the weather earlier in the season restricted opportunities for players to pick up form in the 2nd XI. We will never know if our 1st XI’s season (particularly our tally of County Championship batting points) would have gone any better had the weather instead created opportunities for our players to pick up some form in the 2nd XI and put pressure on those in the 1st XI.

I have read some people write that had Jayant Yadav been able to play v Essex at Chelmsford, it would have meant that Josh de Caires would not have played and not have taken 10 wickets, which suggests that Hollman was ahead of de Caires in the pecking order despite my assumption that Yadav’s inclusion would have been at Hollman’s expense.

I am not sure what to make of Warwickshire’s form, as their last three Championship matches have seen them lose to us at Edgbaston, lose by an innings and 97 runs v Surrey at The Oval and scrape past Northamptonshire in a strange manufactured match at Edgbaston. We will have to see which team turns up at Lord’s.

[MIDDLE EXILE]

Jonathan, the main reason Luke may have been preferred to Josh at Chelsmford is that he is a leg-spinner, and rather than play two offies as is what happened they'd rather have two bowlers who mainly turned the ball in opposite directions. Do you think The ECB deliberately ensured that no championship matches would be played on Rosh Hashona and Yom Kippur so as to ensure any Jewish players, one of whom plays for us would be available for selection in such important matches? Whist good performances at 2nd team level are welcome and recognized it should be remembered that the standard is far lower than that required at first-class level and does not influence selection as much as you may think. Happy New Year to you and your parents.

[Paul W]

Currently the weather forecasts for both Lord's and Taunton (where Kent are playing Somerset) suggest there will be a fair bit of rain about throughout all four days.

Of course, forecasts can improve (or get even worse) but I'm thinking the best possible pitch is now the order of the day, as both matches may not get any further than the first innings for both sides- so try for some batting points, as well as bowling points, and 5 points for the draw.

[Sillypoint]

Quite sad to see the forecast. Hope rain doesn't ruin the run in....

I still feel they'll want a result pitch and try to grab bowling points

[John Fitzgerald]

Quite sad to see the forecast. Hope rain doesn't ruin the run in....

I still feel they'll want a result pitch and try to grab bowling points

The point is that we do not employ the groundsman. We will get whatever he or the MCC want.

[Paul W]

https://www.middlesexccc.com/news/2023/09/squad-preview-middlesex-v-warwickshire-county-championship

Roland-Jones (c), Bamber, Cracknell, Davies, de Caires, Eskinazi, Helm, Higgins, Holden, Murtagh, Robson, Simpson (wk), Stoneman, Yadav.

[Sillypoint]

Who do you have playing? Here is my best bet....

Rocky
Robson
Eski
Cracknell
Davies
Higgins
Simpson
Yadav
Helm
Bamber
Murts

Reckon Eski keeps the place donated by the coach bonking holden on the head with the dog thrower! Murts in for sentiment and overcast. Rojo dropped for fitness with helm. Jdc gone as only one spinner in damp condition....

[Paul W]

If Max Holden plays, someone needs to give Richard Johnson a knock on the head.

TRJ not unfit. He said he had a glandular condition, which I'm sure he is now over.

Tim Murtagh tops our bowling averages in terms of runs per wicket- 22 @ 23.5 so I have no reservations if he plays tomorrow.

[MIDDLE EXILE]

I know not if Murts will be selected tomorrow. It's dependent to a large degree on pitch and weather conditions and the possible form and fitness of others. But whether he plays in place of another bowler or even a batter. he'll be fully worthy of a place even if sentiment plays a small part in the decision.

[John (Fingers) Fingleton]

I know not if Murts will be selected tomorrow. It's dependent to a large degree on pitch and weather conditions and the possible form and fitness of others. But whether he plays in place of another bowler or even a batter. he'll be fully worthy of a place even if sentiment plays a small part in the decision.


Looking at the weather forecast. selected or not, Murts will probably never get on the field for the first three days - but Friday is looking a whole lot better, so that may enable a fitting farewell.

It will forever remain an immutable stain on the England selectors that his only entry on the Honours Boards was in the Visitors' Dressing Room.

[Paul W]

Looking at the weather forecast. selected or not, Murts will probably never get on the field for the first three days - but Friday is looking a whole lot better, so that may enable a fitting farewell.

It will forever remain an immutable stain on the England selectors that his only entry on the Honours Boards was in the Visitors' Dressing Room.

The weather forecast I'm looking at suggests dry for tomorrow- although grey cloud might mean bad light becomes a factor-

https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/forecast/gcpvhhdht#?date=2023-09-19

[MIDDLE EXILE]

Contrasting forecasts from two of our foremost contributors and predictors. I'll stay on the fence for this one but wait with bated breath to find out which of our weathermen knows which way the wind blows.

[Jonathan Winsky]

I was so anxious about how my previous post would be received, that I couldn’t face reading this messageboard until tonight!

As can be seen in the highlights of the England v New Zealand ODI at Lord’s on Friday (https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/av/cricket/66826437), there are a couple of pitches on the Tavern side which appear in contention to be used for this match, so as I expected, this match will surely take place on one of those pitches (probably the one about a quarter way up the square) rather than on the same one as the ODI, which means that it would be a fresh pitch (or at least a pitch not used in the last few weeks if it was used earlier in the season). The official website (https://www.middlesexccc.com/news/2023/09/matchday-spectator-information-at-lords-middlesex-v-warwickshire) says that the stands open will be those on the Tavern side, so that seems to confirm which pitch will be used.

Weather and light permitting, I might catch a little bit of play tomorrow afternoon before attending the meeting in the Middlesex Room about the sanctions imposed by ECB. With the forecast worse for Wednesday, perhaps it is just as well that football means that I will not be attending that evening’s life members event and therefore did not set my heart on seeing play that day (although the weather could still inconvenience me when I am at the football as well as while travelling there and back).

Warwickshire have named a 13-man squad for this match (https://edgbaston.com/fixtures/first-xi/middlesex-vs-warwickshire-19-september-2023) consisting of Ed Barnard, Chris Benjamin, Kraigg Brathwaite, Danny Briggs, Michael Burgess, Alex Davies, Henry Brookes, Olly Hannon-Dalby, Craig Miles, Dan Mousley, Will Rhodes (C), Chris Rushworth and Rob Yates.

[Paul W]

Warwickshire won the toss, and unsurprisingly will bowl first.

Holden left out!

Murtagh and Bamber both play.

Robson, Stoneman, Davies, Cracknell, Higgins, Simpson (wk), De Caires, Yadav, Helm, Bamber, Murtagh.

[MIDDLE EXILE]

Full covers on at Taunton, overcast skies but no rain at present.Outfield very wet.

[Sillypoint]

Wonder if Rojo is done. He might have auto extend offer on his deal.

I was close with my team but shocked they picked two spinners and left Eski out

[MIDDLE EXILE]

Rojo's fine, just been rested according to Andy, and will likely return next week. Josh was never likely to be omitted and understandable to go with the extra bowler.

[Sillypoint]

Not understandable to me. Extra bowler not needed when you've got a great all rounder like Higgins who bats five. They should've kept Eski in. As I type Davies no footwork.... Doink

[Sillypoint]

Jinxed Higgins. What a total mess. I don't think the pitch has played badly. It's the ODI one right? 55/5 as no footwork or commitment.

Gonna need that extra spinner

[Paul W]

Already praying for rain, so we get 3 bowling points and 5 for the draw.

Live stream commentary too quiet to be of any use- so listening to BBC.

Hopefully enough rain at Taunton to prevent Kent getting anything other than a draw.

[Paul W]

In the other game, Kent have won the toss and will bowl first.

Could be significant, as there is so much rain forecast there may not be time for 2 x 110 overs. Kent will get bowling points quicker than they would have got batting points.

[MIDDLE EXILE]

1,45 start at Taunton, Kent bowling,63 overs left in the day Pitch and outfield 40 shades of green.

[Sillypoint]

Good to see the team getting a ton..... Coleman on comms is the biggest excuse machine ever!

Lovely touch with the guard for Murts

[John (Fingers) Fingleton]

Already praying for rain, so we get 3 bowling points and 5 for the draw.

Live stream commentary too quiet to be of any use- so listening to BBC.

Hopefully enough rain at Taunton to prevent Kent getting anything other than a draw.


It would be encouraging to think that any success we - or any county - might have would be based on skills, rather than the elements.

[MIDDLE EXILE]

I trust we will retain Murt's playing registration for next season, just in case he is required at any time.

[Paul W]

I trust we will retain Murt's playing registration for next season, just in case he is required at any time.

If we did, the moment he played, even in the second XI, he would count as part of the playing budget, which is why you never see 2nd XI coaches playing any second XI matches anymore.

As we've got a lower playing budget (enforced by ECB) it wouldn't be wise to waste any of it on a one off appearance for Tim.

[Paul W]

Besides Tim showing that he is very much worth his place in this game, there was some encouraging turn for Yadav once or twice.

Somerset going very well against Kent. With the rain due there, I think it is bound to be a draw.

[Sillypoint]

Yadav definitely gives it a rip. Hopefully he's giving a few pointers to the younger lads

[MIDDLE EXILE]

Who would you rather waste it on?

[Paul W]

Who would you rather waste it on?

Robson, Stoneman, Eskinazi, Holden (white ball) Du Plooy, Higgins, Simpson, Roland-Jones, Helm, Bamber, and anyone else in the squad likely to play the majority of games.

We will have to work to a budget. I wouldn't want to lose any of the above to stay within the budget. As a coach, Murtagh won't be part of the playing budget.

[Sillypoint]

I'd lose Robson, Rocky, Eski, and Roland-Jones. They aren't the present or future if the team stay up in the division. I'd totally rebuild around Duploy as skipper... If not then what was the point in repeatedly offering up these kids in the top order unless it's giving them PTSD!

[MIDDLE EXILE]

I think you exaggerate the difficulty just to the contrary. Retaining Murt's registration would have no significant impact on the playing budget. I'm only suggesting he play in an emergency for which he could be compensated on a match basis.

[Paul W]

The moment he played, his entire annual salary would count as part of the playing budget. You couldn't register and de-register him for one week a year (and one weeks pay) otherwise there would be examples of counties doing that.

I've often thought it would be helpful if a coach could play one, or two second XI games a season, but it does not happen anymore, for the reason I've given.

[Jonathan Winsky]

I have previously written that the part of me that wishes for Middlesex to field the strongest XI for this match was not keen on the idea of Tim Murtagh playing in this match.

I have previously written that I did not foresee this match taking place on the same pitch as last Friday’s England v New Zealand ODI.

I have previously written that I have a habit of getting things wrong, which makes me question my credibility as a poster.

I am relieved to see that the last of those points is somewhere that I have proven to have been 100% correct!

I am not sure how much today was - and possibly the remainder of the match will be - influenced by the fact that this match began on what is a day five pitch and, if the match was to go the distance, would end on a day eight pitch. I would like to say that batting will be difficult towards the end of the match (yes, I know that I probably write that every time we bat first), although the fact that Warwickshire decided to bowl upon winning the toss suggests that they do not fear batting last.

After being bowled out for 121, it became imperative that we avoided a large first innings deficit. I had high hopes that we would avoid this (indeed, I was thinking about the possibility of a lead) when Warwickshire were 25-3, although they have recovered a bit since then. If we record either a lead or a small deficit, we could find ourselves with a decent amount of runs to defend, providing our batters do their job.

Preventing Warwickshire from achieving a large first innings lead is not only important for our chances of winnings, but it is also important for the chance of me accepting yet another failure to trouble the person charged with keeping tally of our batting points (yes, I know that it is probably all computerised these days).

I was surprised that we selected one extra bowler and one fewer batter compared to our line-up from the match v Lancashire at Old Trafford. Mind you, we could have selected an entire XI of batters, and it would still have been doubtful that we would have reached 250.

[Paul W]

Jonathan-

You have a lot of credibility as a poster- and you manage to keep out of arguments.

Well done you!

[John (Fingers) Fingleton]

Jonathan-

You have a lot of credibility as a poster- and you manage to keep out of arguments.

Well done you!

And, furthermore, are prepared to self-identify!

[Sillypoint]

Credibility! There is only about five people who write on here but I do like the longer posts and summaries....

Typing in bold. Generally skip

[Paul W]

Apparently our over rate is -2.

We need to sort it out NOW, in case there isn't a second innings.

[Sillypoint]

If true that's daft! Rain was forecast exactly when it arrived! It'd be a very middlesex way to get relegated

[MIDDLE EXILE]

Torrential rain at Lord's has forced an early end to play for today.No play at all today at Taunton.

[John (Fingers) Fingleton]

Credibility! There is only about five people who write on here but I do like the longer posts and summaries....

Typing in bold. Generally skip

Typing in bold is for my benefit, not anyone else's - as I have explained elsewhere - due to my inability to read much of what is traditionally on screen via the default typeface and size, without discomfort. So, by skipping, you are inevitably depriving yourself of my wisdom ... if only you knew it!

[John (Fingers) Fingleton]

Torrential rain at Lord's has forced an early end to play for today.No play at all today at Taunton.

#17.

[Sillypoint]

Typing in bold is for my benefit, not anyone else's - as I have explained elsewhere - due to my inability to read much of what is traditionally on screen via the default typeface and size, without discomfort. So, by skipping, you are inevitably depriving yourself of my wisdom ... if only you knew it!

Best to adjust your browser settings not the font. What do you use?

[Jonathan Winsky]

I was hopeful that Middlesex’s second innings would begin with us feeling that a good start to the innings would get us into a great position to set Warwickshire a target we can defend. Instead, it looks like our first thought when we bat again will be to avoid an innings defeat, and that any thoughts about having a satisfactory amount of runs to defend are a long way off.

Hopefully, our bowlers will start day three well and our batters will start our second innings well. I would feel disheartened if either get off to a bad start.

[MIDDLE EXILE]

Play underway at Lord's and Taunton on time and under blue skies.

[Sillypoint]

Off for light. Openers did well to grind it out. Reckon that's the day.... Let's see

[Paul W]

Off for rain at Taunton as well.

The weather forecast there suggests no further play today and 40% chance of showers throughout the playing hours tomorrow.

If no further play is possible there Kent would take 6 points from the match (1 bowling + 5 for the draw)

[MIDDLE EXILE]

Off for the day at Taunton, and probably at Lord's too.

[Jonathan Winsky]

My guess is that a lot of people at Middlesex would be happy to draw this match - as opposed to contemplating any thoughts about winning - and take our battle for survival to the final round of matches.

As we conceded a large first innings deficit and are unlikely to be thinking about winning, I have gone from hoping that batting will be difficult on day four (a position I adopted at the start of the match) to hoping that batting will be as easy as my scorecard view tells me that Will Rhodes, Danny Briggs and Sam Robson made it in spite of today being a day seven pitch.

As I read in yesterday’s ECB Reporters Network report (https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/county-championship-division-one-2023-1347099/middlesex-vs-warwickshire-1347267/match-report-2) that Ryan Higgins had to spend time off the field “with what appeared to be a rib or side injury”, I was worried that he would be unable to bat in his normal position or possibly not bat at all. However, an image of the players watching Steven Finn and Ben Scott make a presentation to Tim Murtagh (https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/tim-murtagh-last-of-dying-breed-seamer-bows-out-lords-five-for-1399426) shows Higgo kitted out, so I would like to think that there will not be any worries in this regard.

In the Somerset v Kent match, hopefully Somerset will declare when they reach 450 in order to maximise the overs in which they can achieve bowling points. Well, that is the justification I have on the top of my tongue or keyboard in case anyone says that this would be an extraordinary declaration (not that I think anyone would make such an accusation), as my real reason for hoping that Somerset will do this is that this could prevent Kent from achieving a second bowling point and would make it likely that they would get nowhere near having an opportunity of achieving the full set of bowling points. Hopefully the events of 2016 (Middlesex and Yorkshire colluding that the final day match at Lord’s would not be the draw that would have given Somerset the title) and 2017 (Somerset securing survival at our expense) will not make Somerset reluctant to do us a favour.

[MIDDLE EXILE]

Should play be possible at Taunton tomorrow there remains the possibility that both sides will disregard the search for a few bonus points and negotiate a target and a run chase and a chance of 16 win points for either. Unlikely but methinks Kent will certainly be keen,

[adelaide]

It would be a heck of a gamble for Kent to go along with a chase as any extended stoppage would leave them wit just one bonus point. Better surely to try and get some batting points.

What was our over rate in the end?

[MIDDLE EXILE]

Well if Somerset go to 450, Kent could still get, 2 more bowling points,and any subsequent stoppage extended or not would make it difficult for Kent to even get to 250 in a shortened day and even one batting point. I believe Kent would be keen on an opportunity to chase a target, A Possible scenario is Somerset 450-9dec, Kent 100 for whatever Dec, Lunch, Somerset forfeits, Kent chase about 350 in about 75 overs or alternatively two forfeits and Kent chase 405 all day. Just speculating. Kent could be 14 points ahead of us tomorrow if the worst happens, worth a gamble I think.

[Paul W]

If the current Met forecast is to be believed, there will be heavy rain at Taunton until about midday, then possibly dry after that (might still be a shower, or two).

So it's already looking very unlikely there could be a start until 1 pm at the earliest, meaning if both sides forfeited an innings, Kent already need 405 in 64 overs, or thereabouts. I think that is already beyond Kent, and both sides will settle for bonus points. Taunton has had so much rain recently they might not even get out to play at all.

Lord's however will probably be dry all day, meaning we need a good batting performance today.

[Paul W]

Although they've started on time, rain is still forecast at Taunton.

Kent currently 23-2 in their first innings.

Maybe the plan (likely to be scuppered by the weather) is for Kent to declare their first innings on 200, so their batters then get another chance a chasing the remaining 200 (if Somerset agree to play ball).

This way, I can't see Kent getting any more bonus points. If Somerset had batted on, they would probably have got at least one more bowling point.

[MIDDLE EXILE]

No way would Somerset agree to a 200 chase, there can only be one winner in that scenario, best wait till lunch and see if they can work something out, partially dependent. on how Middlesex is fairing.At 85-5, Kent's chances of batting points look bleak

[Sillypoint]

Higgins as usual just excellent....took us safely to lunch as the kids flopped again. Feel for them.

[adelaide]

Ha! Do they feel for me?

[Paul W]

The impetuosity of youth did for Davies and Cracknell.

Tell Clive Radley to get his pads on.

We need two sessions of 'over my dead body' stoic resistance.

[MIDDLE EXILE]

Disagree once more, dead bat defense spells eventual doom, keep playing your shots lads, but with discretion is the way to go. , Negotiations have broken down at Taunton, I'm told with Somerset refusing to agree to Kent's unreasonable demands. Rad is almost eighty, currently enjoying a quiet drink in the committee room with Linda.

[wembleylion]

The "two kids" will both be 24 in March.

[Paul W]

Well, if Josh de Caires could replicate a Mike Atherton type innings for the next few hours, I'm sure we'd all be very grateful.

[Paul W]

Oh dear!

[Paul W]

I want to be wrong- but hope is now fading.

[MIDDLE EXILE]

Constant references to his father every time he appears do him no favors, He's his own man, let him be. With no rain in sight, near miracles are now the main requirement. Kent 200 now for 9 and most unlikely to get a batting point, and facing the follow-on

[Erskine]

The shocking shots from Davies and Cracknell will cost us the game as no excuse in the situation we were in and Yadav has had a shocker
We need to bring back Holden and Eski and have an attack of Murts Toby Bambe r and Helm for the last game

[MIDDLE EXILE]

Kent out 233.

[Paul W]

Kent 235 all out.

Presumably Somerset will enforce the follow on.

[MIDDLE EXILE]

Best pictures of the day as the rain continues to fall, but I fear for not long enough.

[John (Fingers) Fingleton]

Looks like Middx might even get out of prison and scrape a draw ... started to rain just as I was thinking of heading up for the final innings ... maybe there is a God?

[John (Fingers) Fingleton]

Looks like Middx might even get out of prison and scrape a draw ... started to rain just as I was thinking of heading up for the final innings ... maybe there is a God?


And then again ...

[Paul W]

So, Kent have a one point lead over us going in to the last game.

[MIDDLE EXILE]

But we've won a game more which would put us ahead of them if points totals finish level

[Jonathan Winsky]

The weather did its best throughout this match to save Middlesex, as did Sam Robson. However, a draw would have been more than we deserved considering how much we were outplayed, at least according to how big a difference there was between the sides on the scorecard.

After we conceded a first innings deficit of 194, we needed most of our batters to make big scores in our second innings, or alternatively two players to make a large partnership and both hit a century. Instead, the three top scores behind Robbo were 57, 32 and 16, which was never going to be enough.

The one piece of good news today was what happened in the Somerset v Kent match. In my previous post, I wrote that I hoped that Somerset would make 450 and declare, as I hoped that this would restrict Kent to one batting point (as long as no more than one wicket fell before the 450 was reached) and would surely have denied them an opportunity to earn three bowling points. I was tempted to cheekily add that it would have been ideal had Somerset declared overnight to guarantee that Kent finished with one bowling point, but I saw it as being unrealistic considering I assumed Somerset would want a fifth batting point, and I was worried that this would maximise the time Kent had to achieve batting points. As Somerset actually did declare overnight and Kent recorded no batting points, Middlesex got the best of both worlds! The only way it could have been even better would have been had Kent lost, but that would have surely been too much to ask for. I strongly feel that the fact Middlesex lost does nothing to increase or decrease the importance of Kent achieving as few points as possible. However, equally as strongly, I can’t say that I feel comfortable relying on other results or on the weather, but that is where we are.

[Sillypoint]

Blaming the toss doesn't really wash here cos that was a bit of a disaster. Thought Mark at close spoke well as he doesn't select the side. Picking the youngsters hasn't worked out....Yadav isn't an all rounder after all and was ineffective. Guessing Josh was picked for batting so there was probably space for Eski (who hasn't been good but who has) to bring experience.... It all got a little panicky.

Well batted Robbo. Murts needs to play at Notts for sure.

[MIDDLE EXILE]

We are somewhat fortunate that our destiny still lies largely in our own hands. Not a win or even a draw might be required at The Bridge next week, so long as we secure more points than Kent, We both have difficult games, so we must ensure we are well-prepared, confident, and up for the task. The negativity and defeatism I read here and in other places are not helpful. We are still very much alive and our main focus and attention need to be focused on the immediate task ahead. There is no denying we've had a poor season but the inquest needs to wait till the season ends. Now we need to give our whole-hearted support to our team in the forthcoming fight for survival.