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Matt Smith @mattsmith73.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

A 150 B 220 Their last wkt partnership of 40 looking decisive atm

Matt Smith @mattsmith73.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

Got to be satisfied with that after being 33 for 7. If we could just bat well in the 2nd innings 🙏 (And take their final wicket quickly) Best take your kit tomorrow, just in case.

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Matt Smith @mattsmith73.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

Totally agree about the type of pitch we should have prepared. Can't fathom decision at toss, unless worried about batting last against Suthar. Basically the batting is shot. Very telling that Bell has looked pretty much our most accomplished batter in the last two games.

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Matt Smith @mattsmith73.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

Given where the strength lies in both sides would suggest we thought there wouldn't be anything in pitch for seamers first up. Or worried about batting last against Suthar. Or we are just worried about batting no matter when we have to do it!

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Matt Smith @mattsmith73.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

So more our batting and their bowling than the pitch? Or difficult to tell? Surprised we batted if it looked like there was anything in pitch. Would also have been very tempted to go Benky instead of Killeen to at least try and strengthen batting.

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Matt Smith @mattsmith73.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

Can't be much in the pitch if we chose to bat? Although no real threat bowling last if it turns either. Thought we might try and prepare a flat, dead pitch and try and get some points from a high scoring draw. But obviously batting needs to fire even if we have done that. Going to be tough.

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Matt Smith @mattsmith73.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

I don't mind The Only One, feels like many disagree. There are worse Cure 'pop' tracks than this. #BringBackTheOnlyOne ??????

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Matt Smith @mattsmith73.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

Hope Notts beat Hants in this round. Then Hants beat Leics, then they both lose last game! Tempting to prepare a slow, low, dead flat pitch against Warks to try and get a high scoring draw 🤷‍♂️ Last game against Glam looking crucial, they are also struggling badly since Champ restarted

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Matt Smith @mattsmith73.bsky.social · 09/09/2026

Feels like it's going (more) pear-shaped. Guess we'll get no reason for Cook's withdrawal. Is he now on his way up to Leeds? Can only hope Leics and Hants keep losing (slight drawback that they play each other next) But as you said yesterday, batters have to perform - even more so now.

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Matt Smith @mattsmith73.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

Yes, would make balancing team much easier and strengthen batting. Harmer excellent with bat this season. Time approaching when have to think about how to replace him (will be a massive miss) Bennett and Jones have shown there's some depth to seam bowling ranks. Seems to be less in the batting.

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Matt Smith @mattsmith73.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

Yep, agree Mulder made a big difference. If Pepper had had a decent season would be a game changer. But....Elgar averages 33, Westley 28, Walter 25. The batting collapses, opposition tail wagging, looking lost for ideas when oppo attacks all been going on for seasons now. Not all linked to 💰. Fair?

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Matt Smith @mattsmith73.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

And it is our first choice batting line up, as it has been all season really (minus Cox, who is probably not going to play much for us anymore) Benky for Pepper shouldn't weaken us based on form.

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Matt Smith @mattsmith73.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

Pietersen "You're brilliant you are Baz" McCullum "No, you're brilliant KP" Pietersen "I know" Key "I think you're both brilliant" Pietersen "Yeah, but I'm more brilliant than him aren't I Rob?" Key "Ermmm...." Pietersen "I quit"

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Matt Smith @mattsmith73.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

Leics look like securing valuable draw today too. Yorks seam bowling attack looked impressive vs Surrey. Our batting and tendency to collapse is a real worry. Glam and Surrey still in the mix too though. Final fixture vs Glam could be relegation decider.

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Matt Smith @mattsmith73.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

Guess the two overseas next season will be opener and all rounder? If we can afford it. Any other option already at club to open? And have to face up to the fact that will soon to think about a replacement for Harmer. Been one of the absolute best, but his powers starting to wane I think.

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Matt Smith @mattsmith73.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

Would have liked to see Benky at 6, then Pepper and Harmer down one. But seem reluctant to go with 3 seamers. Shame that Pepper seems to have regressed this season. Bowling of Benky/Thain not really up to genuine all rounder standard as yet. New opener needed next season too. V hard to balance side

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Matt Smith @mattsmith73.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

The batting collapses have been a problem for a number of seasons though Rich, regardless of injuries/squad depth. Is there anybody from the 2nd XI pushing for selection at all? Batters I mean.

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Matt Smith @mattsmith73.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

You can only imagine what it's like when Thompson, Gould and Key get together. Must spend the first hour or so just telling each other how brilliant they are and how wonderful everything is.

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Matt Smith @mattsmith73.bsky.social · 25/08/2026

Always thought that Khushi was particulary unfortunate to be released.

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Matt Smith @mattsmith73.bsky.social · 20/08/2026

It was so poor. Started with a no ball and went downhill from there. Already feels like a long way back from here.

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Matt Smith @mattsmith73.bsky.social · 20/08/2026

Need to make the most of all of that. Batting last at Taunton against Leach and Vaughan will probably be a tough challenge.

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Matt Smith @mattsmith73.bsky.social · 16/08/2026

Two excellent games. Be great if Leics won the final, especially after Northants victory in the blast. (And then Essex to top the champ table of course)

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Matt Smith @mattsmith73.bsky.social · 14/08/2026

This is a really good question. Better live: Grinding Halt (especially if there is a JSET seque) At Night Primary Agree about album version of The Lovecats and would probably add WCIBY to that

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Matt Smith @mattsmith73.bsky.social · 11/08/2026

Always would set the timer to start a few minutes earlier than the program should start, and definitely a good five minutes later than it should finish. Just i case.

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Matt Smith @mattsmith73.bsky.social · 11/08/2026

And this is me...... Been interesting to see the worm turning a little in some of the mainstream media with regards to the 100. Who'd have thought it actually isn't the saviour of English cricket......

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Matt Smith @mattsmith73.bsky.social · 11/08/2026

Did you watch The Cassandra Crossing first?

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Matt Smith @mattsmith73.bsky.social · 09/08/2026

Like you say lack of batting depth cost us. But that has probably been an issue across all formats for a little while now. Good to see Benky, Bennett and Jones have their moments. Thain outstanding. Is Das injured? Maybe could have given Zeb a few more games?

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Matt Smith @mattsmith73.bsky.social · 07/08/2026

Right thing to do. Not sure too many of those last minute just in for a couple of games signings have really helped us out much on recent times. All those mentioned above more than deserve a go in the champ.

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Matt Smith @mattsmith73.bsky.social · 06/08/2026

Can you see Cook getting in though? Unless some bowlers are deemed to need a rest after the you know what. Hope he gets a go. Cox deserves it too. Not sure about him at 3 though, but that's the way Key selects. Lawrence spin obviously improved ascthe spinning all rounder! And Pope back again......

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Matt Smith @mattsmith73.bsky.social · 03/08/2026

And the likes of Walter, Pepper and Allison sit on a bench playing next to no cricket at all 🤷‍♂️

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Matt Smith @mattsmith73.bsky.social · 02/08/2026

Takes time to build up history and a fan base. 5 years in, 3 teams change their names and colours. Can you think of any other sport or competition that would thrive doing this? Or imagine explaining it to any young fan who had built up an attachment to one of those teams. Still, got some money.

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Matt Smith @mattsmith73.bsky.social · 01/08/2026

Yes, all for trusting youngsters. Bennett and Jones shown real promise in spells. Always going to get hammered at the death sometimes, Fuller very fine county player. More a general comment. Those nothing periods in champ - give ball to Harmer and hope. Often struggled to bowl out oppo tail too

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Matt Smith @mattsmith73.bsky.social · 01/08/2026

Westley been a great servant, and still offers very valuable experience and a bit of class to our batting. But never been totally convinced by his captaincy, or is that a bit unfair?

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Matt Smith @mattsmith73.bsky.social · 01/08/2026

Was a big fan of the setlists they played during this period. Maybe there's some stats out there to uncover, average setlist each year/tour (or years they toured) Might make for some interesting comparisons?

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Matt Smith @mattsmith73.bsky.social · 31/07/2026

300 plus is not a winning score anymore, should have had at least 350 today. Good hitting from Fuller and Neal at the death - which can happen. Thought it was obvious that Fuller was going to smash tjat Benky over though.

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Matt Smith @mattsmith73.bsky.social · 26/07/2026

Now we've found a sax player, surely Icing Sugar is due it's l8ve debut soon. Look forward to some more sax based stats soon......🎷

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Matt Smith @mattsmith73.bsky.social · 24/07/2026

Any thoughts on what the lottery numbers will be this week..... (And they brought back Faith)

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Matt Smith @mattsmith73.bsky.social · 18/07/2026

Definitely Happy Hour. Great to see Northants win.

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Matt Smith @mattsmith73.bsky.social · 15/07/2026

And closed the main set with Disintegration which was sadly more apt. How the end always is......

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Matt Smith @mattsmith73.bsky.social · 15/07/2026

Never really fancy us chasing when it comes to the crunch unfortunately. To be honest thought it was a good effort to qualify with the players we had available compared to many other counties - but will have to get used to that. Fingers crossed Northants do it this year

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Matt Smith @mattsmith73.bsky.social · 12/07/2026

Wouldn't we have to win anyway, even if Durham win - their net run rate is better than ours? Or is my bad maths showing me up?! I presumed all games would have started at same time - at least those with teams that gave chance of qualifying

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Matt Smith @mattsmith73.bsky.social · 12/07/2026

Gould just interviewed on TMS, usual guff and waffle. Key kept on because he is a significant leader within the organisation. McCullum a better coach now than he was this time last year. Was right decision not to sack McCullum after Ashes. Christ.

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Matt Smith @mattsmith73.bsky.social · 12/07/2026

How the hell is Key still in a job?! Anybody from the ECB going to be asked that question I wonder. Or we'll just get the usual Good Old Keysie interview with him via Sky. What an absolutely shambolic organisation the ECB are. Not that we didn't already know that of course

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Matt Smith @mattsmith73.bsky.social · 09/07/2026

Rumours that Bonnie would soundcheck with her own versions of Siamese Twins and The Kiss are unconfirmed....

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Matt Smith @mattsmith73.bsky.social · 09/07/2026

The videos for Charlotte Sometimes and Total Eclipse of The Heart were both filmed at the same venue - Holloway Sanatorium in Surrey.

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Matt Smith @mattsmith73.bsky.social · 04/07/2026

Do you have a link/info to the 5live discussion that you were part of Rich? Be interested to hear it, thanks

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