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COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP DIVISION ONE
MATCH FOUR
DATE: 4, 5, 6, 7th May
VENUE: COUNTY GROUND, CHELMSFORD
TEAM NEWS: Nick Browne comes into the line-up in place of Arun Chopra for the visit of top of the table Yorkshire.WEATHER:ESSEX YORKSHIRE Alastair Cook Adam Lyth Nick Browne Alex Lees Tom Westley Joe Root Dan Lawrence Jack Leaning Ravi Bopra Cheteshwar Pujara Ryan ten Doeschate (c) Gary Ballance James Foster + Johnny Bairstow + Simon Harmer Azeem Rafiq Neil Wagner Jack Brooks Jamie Porter Steven Patterson (c) Sam Cook Ben Coad
Yorkshire won the toss and elected to bat.
DAY ONE
Off spinner Simon Harmer made the breakthrough forty five minutes into the morning session session with Ravi Bopara catching a mis-timed shot by Adam Lyth at mid-off. A second wicket fell before the break, Harmer again claiming the wicket, trapping Alex Lees lbw. The visitors had been scoring quickly and went in at lunch with just over 100 runs on the board. In the thirty minutes after the break young bowler Sam Cook took the wickets of Joe Root, removing the England capatain's off stump, and Jack Leaning who was caught by Jamie Porter. The Yorkshire pairing of Pujara and Ballance continued to score at a quick rate in an attempt to gain Yorkshire maximum batting points. Thirty minutes after the break Pujara fell one run short of his fifty, caught behind by Foster off the bowling of Harmer. To Essex's despair Yorkshire continued to score at a rate more suited to a one day game. The new ball finally produced a breakthrough. Johnny Bairstow was beaten by the pace of Jamie Porter, having his middle stumped knocked out of the ground the next ball after notching up his half century. Yorkshire closed out the days play scoring an impressive 352-6, with Gary Ballance leading the way two runs short of a century.
DAY TWO
Ballance managed to achieve his century early on day two. The runs were still flowing for Yorkshire, but Porter broke up the 79 run partnership of Ballance and Rafiq, having the latter caught at mid-wicket by Dan Lawrence for a decent 31. After lunch medium pacer Ravi Bopara claimed his first wicket, Jack Brooks was caught by Simon Harmer at slip for 27. A magnificent innings of 217 by Gary Ballance eventually ended when he was clean bowled by New Zealander Neil Wagner. Three balls later the Yorkshire innings was finally brought to a close for a huge 560 as Ben Coad was dismissed lbw by Wagner.
After a torrid time in the field, the hope was the Essex openers Cook & Browne would spend some lengthy time at the crease. The wicket had deteriorated, and some uneven bounce was there to aid the Yorkshire seamers. Browne didn't hang around too long, scoring only 12 runs before before being caught by Jack Brooks off the bowling of Ben Coad. All out defence would now be required by the Essex batsman, but Westley fell to the off spin of Rafiq, caught behind by Bairstow. There would now be a reliance on Alastair Cook to anchor the innings, the days play finished with Essex on 64-2, and battling to save the game.
DAY THREE
The Essex batsmen were required to dig in and batten down the hatches, and that is exactly what Alastair Cook and Dan Lawrence did, as they attempt to stear their side away from defeat. Amazingly both batsmen batted the whole day in sunny conditions. Cook continued his fantastic start to the season with his third hundred in four games, ending the day on 113 not out. Not to be overshadowed, the highly rated Lawrence gave the England selectors food for thought with an equally dogged 101 not out. At times both batsmen walked a fine line with a number of played and missed shots, but this seemed to demoralise the Yorkshire bowlers even more.
As long as Essex continue to bat sensibly, and still yet to complete their first innings, they should be able to see this game out to a draw. However, if the Yorkshire bowlers can utilise the pitch conditions to their advantage there could still be some sort of entertainment value on the last day.
DAY FOUR
If this game wasn't to end in a draw Yorkshire would need to get on top early in the day. Essex batsmen Cook and Lawrence started the day at the crease, but after batting enormously well the previous day Dan Lawrence fell early on, bowled by Jack Brooks for 107. Cook was soon to follow, caught by Lyth the bowler again Brooks. A batting collapse was now happening, as the next three Essex batsmen came and went. Bopara scored 12 when caught by Coad off the bowling of Patterson, captain Ryan ten Doeschate added 15 runs before Coad once again showed safe hands, this time Rafiq the bowler. Just before lunch James Foster was Rafiq's third victim of the innings, trapped lbw for 4 runs. Essex went in at lunch 87 runs short of avoiding the follow on with three wickets remaining, and the impending second new ball due an over after lunch.
The arrival of the new ball helped with the removal of Harmer, caught at mid off by Patterson the Bowler Brooks for 12 runs, also to go was Porter, Ben Coad claiming his second wicket of the innings with assistance from Bairstow. Despite still being 37 runs short of the follow on, dogged work by last wicket pair Neil Wagner and Sam Cook made sure Essex went in at tea with a wicket in hand. Agonisingly No.9 batsman Wagner was dismissed 10 balls after the resumption one run short of his fifty. Falling 23 runs short Essex were asked to follow on, but with only just under two hours play left the draw still seems the most likely result.
The rest of the day was played out to the expected draw, Essex openers Cook and Browne took no risks and brought Essex safely home. Gary Ballance was awarded man of the match for his brilliant 217.
Essex will now have to take stock of their opening four games, and find a way to improve results if they are to mount a successful challenge to retain the County Championship.
Last edited by PostmanPissed; 08-06-2018, 01:03 PM.Comment
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COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP DIVISION ONE
MATCH FIVE
DATE: 11,12, 13, 14th May
VENUE: NEW ROAD
TEAM NEWS: Essex are unchanged from the County Championship match against YorkshireWorcestershire won the toss and elected to bat.WORCESTERSHIRE ESSEX Daryll Mitchell Alastair Cook Brett D'Oliveira Nick Browne Tom Fell Tom Westley Travis Head Dan Lawrence Joe Clarke Ravi Bopara Ben Cox + Ryan ten Doeschate (c) Ed Barnard James Foster + Joshua Dell Simon Harmer Joe Leach (c) Neil Wagner Steve Magoffin Jamie Porter Josh Tongue Sam Cook
DAY ONE
A good start to the first morning of the first day for Essex as four Worcestershire wickets fell before lunch. On what looks a perfect batting pitch Worcestershire scored well, but a frequent loss of wickets looks as if it could derail the innings. First to go was Brett D'Oliveira, fellow opener Mitchell nudged the ball to backward square leg and inexplicably set off for a single that was never in the offing, Jamie Porter gathered the ball and accurately hit the stumps with D'Oliveira well short of the crease. Twenty runs were on the board when Tom Fell arrived at the crease, and only another six were added when the right handed batsman was caught at first slip by Harmer off the bowling of Sam Cook. Mitchell and new partner Travis Head looked as if they were on their way to building a solid partnership, until Simon Harmer trapped the Aussie lbw. Shortly before lunch opener Mitchell was also dismissed in the same style as Head to seamer Jamie Porter.
Just after the half hour mark in the afternoon session, Alastair Cook took a spectacular flying catch at second slip to send Cox back to the pavilion, Wagner the bowler. Barnard only lasted seventeen balls before spinner Harmer claimed his second lbw. Three more wickets fell fairly soon after tea. The seventh wicket of Joe Clark came about after Keeper James Foster caught behind off the bowling of Wagner. The same pair combined again to dismiss Josh Dell, and Sam Cook clean bowled Steve Magoffin. Worcester captain Joe Leach arrived at the crease after Josh Dell had departed. Leach went about his business commandingly, and frustrated Essex to lead his sides recovery, finish the day 293-9.
DAY TWO
The Worcestershire innings came to a close 45 minutes after the start of play for a decent 332, No.11 Tongue was out lbw by Harmer for a good 22 runs. Even more impressive was the innings of Joe Leach who finished 85 not out. The Worcestershire captain had guided his side from potentially being all out for a mediocre total, to closing the innings with a decent score. The lunch break arrived with Essex already losing one wicket. With only a couple of overs until the break Alastair Cook was caught behind for 10 runs by Cox off the bowling of Ed Barnard.
Two more Essex wickets fell during the afternoon session. First to go was Nick Browne leg before for 34 runs off the bowling of Josh Tongue. Browne was quickly followed by Dan Lawrence for a solitary run. Tom Westley and Ravi Bopara prevented further wickets from falling, and Westley hit a fine half century just before the break. Despite losing a couple of wickets, Essex will generally be happy with their efforts during the afternoon session after racking up over a hundred runs in the session to go in at 141-3.
The Essex batsmen continued to play reasonably well without going on to secure big scores. Tom Westley went for 63 runs, bowled by Magoffin, and Bopara 67 runs after being bowled by Leach. It seemed strange that Worcestershire had continued throughout the day with their four seamers, and hadn't turned to spin on what was reported as a turning pitch. The only over of spin came courtesy of leg spinner Brett D'Oliveira just before the new ball. Ryan ten Doeschate and James Foster remained in place at the close of play with Essex on 228-5.
DAY THREE
With their innings in the balance, Essex would be hoping they could push on to gain the advantage. James Foster batted well, but unfortunately lost his wicket just before the lunch break, bowled by Tongue for 51. During the afternoon session the wickets of Harmer and Wagner fell, but Ryan ten Doeschate remained at the crease. The Essex capatain's innings had been ta highlight, that was until Steve Magoffin bowled ten Doeschate for 112. Soon after tea the Essex first innings was closed for 382 runs, giving the visitors a fifty run advantage.
With an hour and forty five minutes play left in the day Worcestershire would hope to put a few runs on the board without losing wickets. Disastrously for the home side wickets were to tumble. Opening bowlers Jamie Porter and Neil Wagner claimed the wickets of D'Oliveira and Fell respectively. With the wicket now turning sharply, off spinner Harmer was the third bowler, and with his very first ball he claimed the wicket of Travis Head, trapped lbw. Sam Cook then bowled a dream wicket maiden opening over, opener Mitchell the batsman sent packing after a good catch by wicket keeper James Foster. The Worcestershire batting continued to fall into disarray. Harmer turned to an over around the wicket which did for Joe Clarke, Foster again making a smart catch. No further wickets were to fall, but Essex will be delighted with their bowling during the third session. The day closed with Worcestershire eight runs ahead, but with half their wickets already gone.
DAY FOUR
Things continued to go badly for Worcestershire, Foster kept wicket excellently taking three catches during the morning session, one off the bowling of Jamie Porter, the other two from the off spin of Harmer. With the wicket turning sharply, Harmer took the wicket of Leach to give himself a five for. Left arm pacemen Wagner cleaned up the innings before lunch, clean bowling last man Tongue. Worcestershire's second innings finished on 143 all out, with Essex set the target of 94 to win.
Essex completed the win without too many worries, the only hiccup being the wicket of Alastair Cook, trapped lbw by Magoffin for 15 runs. Cook's early season impressive form seems to have deserted him for this game at least, but fellow opener Nick Browne and Tom Westley guided Essex across the finish line.
Essex will be pleased to have got a second win under their belts to leave them amongst the pace setters in the County Championship before the Challenge Trophu fixtures start.
Last edited by PostmanPissed; 08-06-2018, 01:04 PM.Comment
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CHALLENGE TROPHY SOUTH GROUP
MATCH 1
DATE: 17th May 2018
VENUE: LORDS
TEAM NEWS: Essex rest opener Alastair Cook, and pace bowler Jamie Porter, replaced by Varun Chopra and Matt Coles. Adam Wheater takes over behind the stumps from James Foster, and one day specialist Zaidi comes in for Sam Cook.
MIDDLESEX ESSEX DAWID MALAN (C) VARUN CHOPRA PAUL STIRLING NICK BROWNE MAX HOLDEN TOM WESTLEY EOIN MORGAN RYAN ten DOESCHATE (C) NICK GUBBINS DAN LAWRENCE STEPHAN ESKINAZI + RAVI BOPRA JAMES FRANKLIN ADAM WHEATER + TOBY ROLAND-JONES ASHAR ZAIDI OLLIE RAYNER SIMON HARMER TOM HELM MATT COLES RAVI PATEL NEIL WAGNER
Essex won the toss and elected to bowl.
A solid start to the Challenge Trophy group games. Some tight bowling and frequent taking of wickets early on tied Middlesex down, from where their innings never really recovered. Even though no single player from the Essex top order took hold of the game, the batsmen did enough to stay on top of the run rate to win the game with a few overs to spare.Last edited by PostmanPissed; 08-06-2018, 04:54 PM.Comment
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CHALLENGE TROPHY SOUTH GROUP
MATCH 2
DATE: 20th MAY 2018
VENUE: BRISTOL COUNTY GROUND
TEAM NEWS: Alastair Cook has been called up for England selection, so the team remains unchanged.
GLOUCESTERSHIRE ESSEX CHRIS DENT (C) VARUN CHOPRA GARETH RODERICK + NICK BROWNE WILLIAM TAVARE TOM WESTLEY IAN COCKBAIN RYAN ten DOESCHATE GRAEME VAN BUUREN DAN LAWRENCE BENNY HOWELL RAVI BOPARA MATTHEW TAYLOR ADAM WHEATER + TOM SMITH ASHAR ZAIDI CRAIG MILES SIMON HARMER LIAM NORWELL MATT COLES DANIEL WORRALL NEIL WAGNER
Gloucestershire won the toss and elected to bowl.
Some good batting throughout the Essex innings laid the foundations for an impressive performance. A total of 297 was always going to be difficult to chase down, and regular early wickets, along with a rising run rate was going to leave Gloucestershire in a difficult position. All round a comprehensive win for Essex.Last edited by PostmanPissed; 08-06-2018, 06:23 PM.Comment
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CHALLENGE TROPHY SOUTH GROUP
MATCH 3
DATE: 23rd MAY 2018
VENUE: AGEAS BOWL
TEAM NEWS: Jamie Porter comes into the side for Neil Wagner.
HAMPSHIRE ESSEX HASHIM AMLA VARUN CHOPRA JAMES VINCE (c) NICK BROWNE JIMMY ADAMS TOM WESTLEY SAM NORTHEAST RYAN ten DOESCHATE (c) TOM ALSOP + DAN LAWRENCE RILEE ROSSOUW RAVI BOPARA LIAM DAWSON ADAM WHEATER + BRAD TAYLOR ASHAR ZAIDI GARETH BERG SIMON HARMER KYLE ABBOTT MATT COLES REECE TOPLEY JAMIE PORTER
Hampshire won the toss and elected to ball.
For the second game in a row, a brilliant opening partnership set the foundations for decent total for Essex. The Essex bowling got on top of the Hampshire top order with regular wickets. Hampshire never recovered and succumbed to an embarrassing defeat.Last edited by PostmanPissed; 08-07-2018, 08:18 AM.Comment
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CHALLENGE TROPHY SOUTH GROUP
MATCH 4
DATE: 25th May 2018
VENUE: County Ground, Chelmsford
TEAM NEWS: Essex captain Ryan ten Doeschate is rested, James Foster comes into the squad. Tom Westley takes over as captain.
ESSEX SOMERSET Varun Chopra Matt Renshaw Nick Browne Steven Davies + Tom Westley (c) Johann Myburgh Ravi Bopara James Hildreth Dan Lawrence Peter Trego Adam Wheater George Bartlett James Foster + Roelof van der Merwe Ashar Zaidi Lewis Gregory (c) Simon Harmer Josh Davey Matt Coles Craig Overton Jamie Porter Josh Leach
Somerset won the toss and elected to bowl.
Essex made it four wins in four games in the Challenge Trophy South Group. Nick Browne continued has good one day form with a century, and was backed up well by Tom Westley, and Ravi Bopara. Somerset ran Essex close, but the wicket taking of spinners Harmer and Zaidi, supported by some tight bowling by Bopara was enough to gain Essex the win.Last edited by PostmanPissed; 08-07-2018, 11:12 AM.Comment
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CHALLENGE TROPHY SOUTH GROUP
MATCH 5
DATE: 27th May 2018
VENUE: County Ground, Chelmsford
TEAM NEWS: Ryan ten Doeschate returns to the side, Ravi Bopara is rested. Aron Nijjar makes his first senior appearance of the season replacing the rested Simon Harmer.
ESSEX SURREY Varun Chopra Dean Elgar Nick Browne Mark Stoneman Tom Westley Rory Burns (c) Adam Wheater Rikki Clarke Dan Lawrence Will Jacks Ryan ten Doeschate (c) Ben Foakes + James Foster + Ollie Pope Ashar Zaidi Sam Curran Aron Nijjar Matthew Phillans Matt Coles Morne Morkel Jamie Porter Jade Dernbach
Surrey won the toss and elected to bowl.
Essex continued their rich vein of form in the Challenge Trophy by crushing bottom of the table Surrey. Opener Nick Browne produced another good innings that has made him the current top run scorer in the competition. Adam Wheater's 93 was the highlight of the Essex innings. With solid support all round Essex posted a score in excess of 300 runs. Surrey didn't start their innings well, with Matt Coles and Ashar Zaidi using their one day skills to great effect. Surrey only lasted 35 overs, falling 107 runs short in this embarrassing defeat.Last edited by PostmanPissed; 08-07-2018, 01:16 PM.Comment
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CHALLENGE TROPHY SOUTH GROUP
MATCH 6
DATE: 30th May 2018
VENUE: County Ground, Chelmsford
TEAM NEWS: A few changes for the visit of Glamorgan in a bid to keep players fresh. Varun Chopra and Matt Coles are rested, Ravi Bopara returns and Paul Walter is included. Shane Snater is preferred to Aron Nijjar.
ESSEX GLAMORGAN Nick Browne Shaun Marsh Tom Westley Jack Murphy Adam Wheater Colin Ingram (c) Ravi Bopara Kiran Carlson Dan Lawrence Chris Cooke + Ryan ten Doeschate (c) Graham Wagg James Foster + Andrew Salter Ashar Zaidi Craig Meschede Paul Walter Marchant de Lange Shane Snater Michael Hogan Jamie Porter Timm van der Gugten
Essex won the toss and elected to bat.
Essex again went over the 300 run mark, with Nick Browne hitting another excellent century. The other innings of note was 81 by Ravi Bopara. Essex have shown to devastating effect how important it can be to bat first in the one day format. With the starting run rate at more than 6 runs per over it will always difficult for teams to get settled, as the run rate can get out of hand very early in the innings. This was no exception for Glamorgan. once again the Essex bowlers made life difficult by not only stemming the flow of runs, their ability to take wickets as well is strangling the life out of the opposition as well.Last edited by PostmanPissed; 08-07-2018, 04:11 PM.Comment
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CHALLENGE TROPHY SOUTH GROUP
MATCH 7
DATE: 3rd June 2018
VENUE: County Cricket Ground, Hove
TEAM NEWS: Nick Browne, Dan Lawrence and Jamie Porter rested. Incoming Varun Chopra, Neil Wagner, and making his senior debut in any format Michael Pepper.
SUSSEX ESSEX Luke Wells Varun Chopra Harry Finch Tom Westley Luke Wright (c) Adam Wheater Laurie Evans Ravi Bopara Siaan van Zyl Ryan ten Doeschate (c) Michael Burgess + Michael Pepper David Wiese James Foster + Jofra Archer Ashar Zaidi Danny Briggs Paul Walter Ishant Sharma Shane Snater Stuart Whittingham Neil Wagner
Essex won the toss and elected to bat.
Essex succumbed to their first defeat in the Challenge Trophy this season. The first twenty overs of the Essex innings went well for the visitors, with just over a hundred runs on the board, opener Tom Westley being the mainstay. A good innings by Westley was brought to an end three runs short of his century. Sussex then played well in the field to limit Essex to 260 runs.
Essex started well in the field taking wickets fairly regularly. Siaan van Zyl arrived at the crease to partner Luke Wells, and the pair started accelerate the run chase. Michael Burgess came in to partner Wells and both continued to keep the scoreboard ticking over. Wells fabulous innings of 116 was finally brought to an end by left arm spinner Ashar Zaidi, but David Wiese picked up where Wells had left off. Sussex passed the Essex total with a couple of overs to spare.Last edited by PostmanPissed; 08-08-2018, 09:40 AM.Comment
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CHALLENGE TROPHY SOUTH GROUP
MATCH 8
DATE: 6th June 2018
VENUE: County Ground, Chelmsford
TEAM NEWS: Alastair Cook returns from international duty, Tom Westley is rested. Michael Pepper, James Foster, Shane Snater and Paul Walter are left out. Dan Lawrence, Nick Browne, Simon Harmer and Matt Coles are added to the squad.
ESSEX KENT Alaistair Cook Joe Denly Nick Browne Heino Kuhn Varun Chopra Sam Billings (c) + Ravi Bopara Alex Blake Dan Lawrence Sean Dickson Ryan ten Doeschate (c) Darren Stevens Adam Wheater + Adam Rouse Ashar Zaidi Callum Haggett Simon Harmer Matt Henry Matt Coles Matt Hunn Neil Wagner Adam Riley
Essex won the toss and elected to bat.
Essex wrapped up their final Challenge Trophy South Group match against Kent with a win. A slow start by Essex made it looked as if it could be difficult game for the home side. Opener Alastair Cook, returning from international duty, only managed one run before being dismissed by Darren Stevens. Varun Chopra arrived at the crease, and along with Nick Browne the pair got Essex back on track. Browne scored 41, and when eventually out Chopra fell two runs short of his century. Throughout the Essex innings they had players that could put up good totals, man of the match Ravi Bopara scored 61 runs, then captain Ryan ten Doeschate hit 51 runs off 28 balls. Essex closed with 283 off the full fifty overs.
Kent scored at a quick rate, but couldn't prevent regular wickets from falling. Eventually the loss of wickets got too much and the run rate went up to over six runs per over. The main protagonist for Essex was Ravi Bopara, taking 5-33. Essex won the South Group and now await who they will face in the semi final.Last edited by PostmanPissed; 08-08-2018, 06:23 PM.Comment
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Very good start, especially in the one dayers! How do you go about bowling? I've really struggled but you seem to have no problems at all!Comment
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Thank you!Originally posted by KingCostly View Post
Just keep it full length, outside off stump. I flit between custom fields and the standard most defensive. If you use the standard fields don't forget to go even more defensive after 10 overs. I use the below as my template in one day games for all bowlers, you do find the odd nick to slip goes for four runs. Haven't worked out if I need someone between leg slip and backward square leg. Batsmen don't tend to play a shot here, but not sure if its down to me having a fielder here or not, I like to think its my placing of a fielder. I try to look where a batsman is placing his shots/scoring his runs and adapt accordingly. Obviously after 10 overs you can move another two fielders outside the circle if need be.
I rotate the bowlers as well. My opening two will bowl 4 overs each. The third bowler,usually a spinner, 5 overs. 4th and 5th bowlers, 4 overs. Then bring one of my opening 2 bowlers back on for 3-4 overs with someone who has a wicket or two. I try to bowl the two with the best match economy for the last 2-4 overs. I've also found using two spinners works quite well.Last edited by PostmanPissed; 08-09-2018, 08:12 AM.Comment
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Thanks for that. I think I need to look into custom fields a bit more. I had a play around and didn't see much benefit but should really give them another go!Originally posted by PostmanPissed View Post
Thank you!
Just keep it full length, outside off stump. I flit between custom fields and the standard most defensive. If you use the standard fields don't forget to go even more defensive after 10 overs. I use the below as my template in one day games for all bowlers, you do find the odd nick to slip goes for four runs. Haven't worked out if I need someone between leg slip and backward square leg. Batsmen don't tend to play a shot here, but not sure if its down to me having a fielder here or not, I like to think its my placing of a fielder. I try to look where a batsman is placing his shots/scoring his runs and adapt accordingly. Obviously after 10 overs you can move another two fielders outside the circle if need be.
I rotate the bowlers as well. My opening two will bowl 4 overs each. The third bowler,usually a spinner, 5 overs. 4th and 5th bowlers, 4 overs. Then bring one of my opening 2 bowlers back on for 3-4 overs with someone who has a wicket or two. I try to bowl the two with the best match economy for the last 2-4 overs. I've also found using two spinners works quite well.
What do you set the aggressiveness bar to with bowling? I've heard people say they always have it at zero from over 1-50. Others have said they keep it on two or three bars but they manually change the field to make it more defensive after the poweplay. Whether that makes much of a difference I don't know.
??????I think part of my problem is that my bowlers just aren't very good and as Aggers says in the commentary, ''you can't set a field for bad bowling!"Comment
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