Kevin Shine has a real selection dilemma as everyone who has opened in the opening friendlies has excelled. Matt Wood is in good nick while Peter Bowler has an 80-odd and 131 to his name, Piran Holloway is in devastating form while Aaron Laraman has surprised a few people with his clean hitting and selection of shots at the the top of the order. It was Rob Turner's go today as he clocked a century against Loughborough UCCE at Taunton.
Who will miss out at Taunton?? Though it would never happen, Marcus Trescothick without a competitive game and poor winter form would seem the obvious one but I expect it to be Trescothick and Wood or Holloway to open.
The bowling meanwhile is equally interesting. Matt Bulbeck (sorry Anna...) seems to have disappeared off the scene completely with no appearances so far and not even a mention. If he's injured then no one's saying anything. In his place, Simon Francis has been given a run out several times. I imagine Johnson and McLean will open and Steffan Jones deserves his spot after some superb bowling and a wonderful blast with the bat against Glamorgan. Aaron Laraman should fill the last seamer slot and that would just about make us the strongest nine in Div 2. Will Keith Dutch get his chance especially with Blackwell's bowling having vastly improved (a Michelle against Loughborough...) If Dutchie does miss out then it will be harsh after a five wicket haul and a match winning effort with Matt Wood against Hampshire in the one day friendly.
My guess for Bristol is:
Trescothick, Holloway, Burns, Cox, Bryant, Blackwell, Dutch, Laraman, Jones, Johnson and McLean.
A very tasty looking combination of batting and bowling with endless possibilities. Not a weak batsman there either.....
Who will miss out at Taunton?? Though it would never happen, Marcus Trescothick without a competitive game and poor winter form would seem the obvious one but I expect it to be Trescothick and Wood or Holloway to open.
The bowling meanwhile is equally interesting. Matt Bulbeck (sorry Anna...) seems to have disappeared off the scene completely with no appearances so far and not even a mention. If he's injured then no one's saying anything. In his place, Simon Francis has been given a run out several times. I imagine Johnson and McLean will open and Steffan Jones deserves his spot after some superb bowling and a wonderful blast with the bat against Glamorgan. Aaron Laraman should fill the last seamer slot and that would just about make us the strongest nine in Div 2. Will Keith Dutch get his chance especially with Blackwell's bowling having vastly improved (a Michelle against Loughborough...) If Dutchie does miss out then it will be harsh after a five wicket haul and a match winning effort with Matt Wood against Hampshire in the one day friendly.
My guess for Bristol is:
Trescothick, Holloway, Burns, Cox, Bryant, Blackwell, Dutch, Laraman, Jones, Johnson and McLean.
A very tasty looking combination of batting and bowling with endless possibilities. Not a weak batsman there either.....
