Window Cleaner

Well, we got just the one bowling point because we only got 4 wickets in the first 110 overs of their innings , made 223 in our first innings so that made 2 points total but got docked a point for slow over rate. Then we followed on and lost by an innings. Still they don't have Amla this season.

Job done fairly easily in the end. Probably be third in the table after this round of games. Surrey next, hoping for a better performance with the bat than last time at the Oval. Can't remember exactly how many we made but it wasn't a lot.

Polished them off for 31 more runs. Need 132 to win in 5 and a bit sessions. Sensible batting should see us home, that said Organ has just been caught behind for a duck. I do wonder about his technique against quicks who can bowl a bit straight.

Perhaps, but the commentators on the live stream seemed to imply that they think that 150 might be hard to get batting fourth on this wicket. Bit of low bounce from time to time.

So, 231 all out, a lead of 46 and no batting points, not really the start we'd want. The opening overs of the Notts second innings aren't at all great and they've knocked off the deficit already. What is more, we're behind on the over rate as well.

Don't see that we'll be concerned with the top places in the CC this season. The batting is as iffy as ever and our chaps are still getting out to awful shots.

There was a game between Hants and Hants 2nd XI yesterday. No real difference between the teams though but Gubbins and Weatherley opened for the nominal firsts with Middlleton and Organ opening for the nominal seconds. Prest batted at 4 for the firsts, Vince at 3. The firsts made 135/2 I think , but Gubbins retired on 33, I suppose to give someone else a go.

No new faces for the two friendlies, well half a friendly anyway. Sussex was washed out totally and Glos didn't even make it past lunch on the second day. From the little play that actually took place ,not much to learn. Ben Brown made a ton, Prest looked OK and Middleton opened with Organ. Bowling we got a good start and Abbott and Barker got decent figures. Wheal got absolutely spanked by Bracey so I hope we're not relying on him too much for the serious cricket. Vince and Abbas didn't play against Glos.

So, friendly against Glos today and tomorrow. I see that Middleton opened with Organ. Info a bit hard to come by but it looks like, as of 50 minutes ago, Organ and Gubbins are both out and Hants were about 30/2.

Been playing pretty well for them. Practically got them to the final in the eliminator by himself, made 87. I see that the points structure for the CC has changed for next season. Only 5 points for a draw and batting points start at 250. Not sure that that bodes well for us.

His time should have been up before he got here.

Well, I gave up cpommenting on the football a long time ago but this merits at least a WTF.

Klopp would be my choice yes, doubt that he wants the job though. I might ask Arteta to consider the role. I think English football needs to broaden it's horizons, don't all but one of the English players play in the Premier League ? Only one of the French side regulars plays in France, the rest are dotted about the European Championships. Might make them more flexible perhaps. Just a thought.

So France-Morocco. Genial, nigh on two hours of whistling and then some street riots to follow. Morocco ar a couple of players down I think, unless the red card they got doesn't count for the semi/ Don't think that their CB will be fit though. On the England front, Southgate needs to step down, he's not going to win a major tournament anyway with his team selections and we might as well start with a new bloke for the euros.

With 48 teams from 2026 onwards that's a big,big organisation. So countries group together to spread the load involved. As far as Australia is concerned, do they ever bid for the WC football tournament? I mean they probably have at some stage in the past but for 2026 there weren't many bids if I recall correctly. Just the triumvarate who got the nod and a late bid from Morocco, who are bidding again for 2030. Other than them the 2030 candidates seem to be mostly groups of 3.

England got the job done and that's all that counts in these 4 week tournaments. The Germans were awful against Japan and looked wobbly against the Spanish. They'll still probably qualify though and that's all that counts.

But Mexico only got it the second time because Columbia couldn't organise the tournament that they'd been awarded. Can't remember why exactly, some sort of crisis no doubt.

I thought our ball control in general was pretty poor all round; Thought Shaw played pretty well. The Americans were particularily motivated, probably because a defeat would leave them in a dodgy position because Iran didn't look all that bad against Wales....who were pretty dire. Iran-USA is going to be a pretty tough match with the winner getting to the knockout stage. WE need however to run at the Welsh, they're a poor side just about everywhere and will have no answer to pace at the sharp end. So Rashford and no Kane.

Probably need to give Kane a rest, not doing very much at all. Start Rashford and leave midfield to the midfielders. Oh and don't start Sterling, utter waste of space yesterday. We must have better available.

Qatar, Iran, Australia, Costa Rica..... all piss poor sides . You can only really judge the sides that hammered them when they come up against decent opposition.

Not mine, don't have one. Just watch the games. Denmark up next, should be a better watch. Some decent players on both sides.

Indeed, reflection on the easy life at PSG. Most of the Ligue 1 opposition have annual budgets of not much less than Mbappe's annual salary. Playing against 3rd rate africans is pretty easy. I watch Clermont so I'd know.

Argentines look dreadfully slow. Probably need to drop Messi and get bit of ooomph into their midfield. Don't know if they have any of that available though. Good game from the Saudis though, very impressive physique.

Regional competitions. Happens every WC, good European sides don't qualify because the competition is fierce and awful sides from footballistic deserts make the cut. I mean look at Qatar yesterday, absolutely rank, but they still won the Asia Cup last time round.

Alehouse football here from Iran.