First Class to no class at all!

Sunday 30 June, Essex County Cricket Club v England, Chelmsford - Day one of Four

A good idea and one that I liked the sound of, England to play a warm up match before they take on the Aussies for the 'Ashes'. With so much one day cricket being played it was good opportunity for the England team to get some much needed practice in at the longer version of the game.

Essex also seemed keen, first three days sold out and great opportunity for much needed revenue. Then it went all wrong....

I said Essex were keen, well maybe not the playing side - even though the England coach (and batting coach) are ex Essex and the England captain is an Essex player, the county team did not seem so keen, they rested their captain and other key players. At first this did not make a difference and it was two Essex bowlers who can hardly get a game who took most of the plaudits- a spinner getting the wickets and Mills the speedster taking wickets and hitting English players! Then he got injured and by day 3, it was no longer a first class game, with Essex fielding a 15 year old schoolboy and the England 12th man bowling for Essex.

In conclusion a good idea but need both sides to field a full team