Good work everyone. The first phase of selection is closed. Please use the names in the above provisional squads to select your final 11. Balance your team as best you can. As a guide the team may consist of 5 batsmen followed by three all-rounders including the wicketkeeper, followed by 3 bowlers. Everyone who submits their final 11 will be eligible for negotiation and approval of the WAT final 11. No-one elses views will be considered.

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Administrator

Do we pick the sides from our own squads using our groupings?

Those who chose a provisional squad should obviously choose their 11 from those players. Bear in mind that some of your players may be dropped during negotiations for the final WAT 11. The more balanced your side is the better chance you have of keeping most of your selections. It will be interesting to see whose 11 matches the final WAT 11 most.

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Administrator

OK, I was just wondering about things like my squad containing Ian Bell as an all rounder because I want him available to bowl, but I might (I dont know yet) want him to bat in the top 5 and possibly play another all rounder but do I assume that this isnt allowed?

Remember that there is a difference between a part-time bowler and an all-rounder. An all-rounder bowls many more overs than a part-time bowler. If you balance your side to give lots of overs to Bell then you need to strengthen your batting and bowling. Probably no room for a bowling all-rounder in that case. Up to you.

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Administrator

My team (before I totally change my mind)
In Batting order
W Jefferson
S Newman
D Sales (vertigo?)
J Hildreth / I Bell
K Pieterson
I Bell / P Franks
M Prior
A Mascarenhas
J Lewis
M Davies
G Keedy

I see this as 4 quality bowlers (last 4) then with Bell as a batsman at 4, 2 very reasonable bowlers in bell and franks and a part timer in pieterson.
Otherwise I would see bell as perfectly adequet 4th seamer and pieterson could play the role of 2nd spinner. I prefer this option mainly because its the only way I could fit Hildreth in and I think that as the side is for development he should play

I was tempted to put Mahmood in the side for experience but at the moment he hasnt looked up to 1st class cricket as his average reflects, although he has been outstanding in OD games.

Batters.

I Bell
V Solanki
U Afzaal
E Smith
KP Pietersen

Batting All Rounders.

P Collingwood
ID Blackwell

Keeper.

M Prior

Bowlers.

S I Mahmood
K W Hogg
G Keedy

Well thats my 11

Ern

Interesting side you picked, Statto. Looking forward to discussing the pros and cons later. Remember you can edit your post within the next 24 hours or ask a mod to edit it after that period until I close that phase of selection and begin the final negotiations.

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Administrator

Going for batting depth, ern?

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Administrator

Yes I reckon good batting team, bit worried on the seam front, with only Hogg and Mahmood with any real pace.

Ern