This is principally aimed at Connells, but others can contribute too.

What should we do for first class matches? Our squad has been trained and developed for one-day matches and looks good enough to possibly win the league next season, and I'd much rather go for that and play reserves in the first class matches. That's why I bought in the new players and am looking at bringing one more bowler in with decent stamina. We could also use it to blood young players whilst training them. I think we'd do far better going for one-day specialism than draining our best players through FC matches. For example our sides could currently be:

One Day:

Adu, Cooper, Rajesh, Beattie, Wright*, Murdoch, Heskey+, Midworth, Skalding, Antoine, Marsh.

First Class:

Heskey/Beattie/Adu/Cooper/Rajesh*, Donnelly, Cranie, Rodrigo, Fife, Midworth, Oakley, Ryan, Antoine/Skalding/Marsh/Wright*, Macey*(i.e. Captain, for the time being), Scowcroft+.

(Thw two starred spots could be rotation spots for a first teamer needing form etc.).

Good question. Personally, I would rest Adu and Wright for the first class games and see how we do without them. To my mind, Beattie and Rajesh need time out in the middle - their form has not matched their ability so far and maybe some time in the middle in the longer form of the game could see them gain some form rapidly. Also, I reckon Antoine should play in every game. He's only a spinner and so shouldn't suffer fatigue as much as the main seamers. Seam bowling is, however, our weak point at the moment. Skalding and Marsh are decent, Wright is a third change, but we don't have a 'go to' guy, do we - no seam bowler matches Adu's batting or Antoine's spin.

Do you know how the FC game works? Is there a separate league table or are points from OD and FC combined??

It's done in separate leagues, with FC games from Tuesday to Friday.

Given what you say, I think it's a good idea to play a few first teamers in the FC side and rotate them to keep them fit. I still think the priority should be the one day side though.

As for the bowling, that's why our pitch is dusty - our strength is spin.

I'm looking forward to the FC Mathes.I'm a big battrick fan and I think I can do well.

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Karthik Venkatesan