19/05
It looks like any season to season forward planning for this campaign has been wasted:
From last season's disappointments we've lost Harrison and Montgomery to other counties and the out of sorts Australians weren't bothered again.
So they brought in experienced South Group specialist Benny Howell, a bold statement and signal of intent.
They signed two experienced overseas players only to lose one to the IPL, but he might show-up on time after all or may not and the other is banned and has been banned for weeks - not replaced.
By Mr Newell's own admission the squad lacks experience.
To compound the plan tossing [into the bin], Liam Patterson-White will miss the first four matches after being called-up by the Lions, and Freddie McCann has broken his thumb.
So of the four pronged spin attack envisaged for the future back in July 2025, only the inexperienced Farhan Ahmed remains for the start of 2026.
Experienced George Munsey might partner Joe Clarke at the top of the order, but his vast experience is largely at a lesser level, but isn't that where the Blast is being steered towards [a lower level] by design of the ECB...
If George Linde turns up, Farhan will also be joined by Joe Pocklington, who hardly qualifies as experienced, but who's someone that has the potential to be very exciting. Then all of the other bowling options are medium /quick. The quick bowling approach worked so well at Trent Bridge last season, not! Poor Conor McKerr became unpickable with double figure economies.
I'm still expecting a wild card announcement, perhaps Fergus O'Neill to fill a gap or ever available on speed dial Imad Wasim. Maybe Mohammad Ali will arrive early...
25/11
Released today
The North Group is now reduced to six counties, that we play at home and away. Each county also plays two counties, one from each of the other groups - 12 (6 home) games in total.
The North group now comprises of Derbyshire, Durham, Lancashire, Leicestershire, Yorkshire and Notts.
The two randoms that we have been allotted are Warwickshire and Kent for 2026.
Every Outlaws game will be part of a double header with a women's game - except for the matches* at Derby and at Canterbury. So all home games are double headers with The Blaze.
4 of 6 home games are on Friday nights (2 on Sundays)
3 of 6 away games are on Sundays (1 on a Bank Holiday Monday and 2 on Fridays)
F 22 May YORKSHIRE Trent Bridge
M 25 May Lancashire Old Trafford
F 29 May Derbyshire Derby Co-op*
Su 31 May DURHAM Trent Bridge
F 5 June WARWICK Trent Bridge
Su 7 June DERBYS Trent Bridge
F 26 June Kent Canterbury*
Su 28 June Leicestershire Grace Road
F 3 July LANCASHIRE Trent Bridge
Su 5 July Durham Riverside
F 10 July LEICESTERS Trent Bridge
Su 12 July Yorkshire Headingley
From a Trent Bridge Blast spectator's POV 3 double headers in one week and then a gap at home for four weeks.
82 NOT OUT
ReplyDeleteThree HOME double headers in a single week is surely overkill?
Must affect the overall attendances !?!?
Yes, maybe - but just think you can watch your favourite 😻 Blaze players 3 times in that week 82no. Doesn’t get much better than that ? Not just Kathryn “Twice” as Bryce, but “Thrice” as Bryce for you, you lucky 🍀 boy
ReplyDeleteSo, as MGW would say “Let’s Goooooo”🔥🏆💃
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Delete82 NOT OUT
ReplyDeleteThe question is this regarding the Blaze . What would the TB attendances be for stand alone WOMENS Blast matches ?
300/400 hundred perhaps ? R
These fixtures. Particularly the last 4 or 5 probably will/may change. Depending on world Cup football games. They have 5pm and 8 pm kick offs - some later. So if England or other UK nations are involved I expect a Thursday? Switch. Or face a poor attendance. I know Derbyshire aware of that possibility.
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Delete82 NOT OUT
ReplyDeleteINTERESTING COMMENT STEVE
I had forgotten about the clash of times etc you mention
Well until the world Cup Draw we don't know which games may be a problem. But no sport will clash with any England game this summer. Financial suicide. Kick offs UK time 5pm 8pm and midnight - obviously that won't be a concern.
DeleteTV will favour 8PM starts for English audiences. Friday night Blast games might start at 4 or 5 PM for the Outlaws, Blaze could play afterwards - sorted, there's no need to worry the schedulers who have already spent 10 - 12 minutes drawing up the fixtures already.
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ReplyDeleteIf because of external events there is a time squeeze to double headers, what is the earliest time they might contemplate starting a first match of the two?
DeleteIn all fairness the Blaze are used to playing in virtually empty grounds as all their stand alone matches are played in front of numbers counted in tens rather than thousands.
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DeleteIn that case Blaze would surely have to start at 1pm as 2pm would give no time between matches.
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DeleteWhen anonymous starts to reply to anonymous, my hand is forced - just stick a name or initials in there with you comments ladies and gentlemen.
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ReplyDeleteHand forced because of a now 12 month + establish etiquette on this forum, certainly not an attack on free-speech. Just identify your comments from those of another person that wishes to remain anonymous. I didn't realise chinos were a term of abuse, until a googled it [so thank-you for the school day]- as I don't own a pair nor am I of Chinese or Asian extraction, I'm not sure what your problem is. Certainly the first time I've been accused of being woke - had to chuckle there!
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ReplyDeleteSorry Steve and Kevin, your comments were lost along with a persistent anonymous / anonymouses.
ReplyDeletePlay the game fella, no one wants the Blaze and Nottsview
ReplyDeletecan never be accused of being an apologist for the Blaze
- just read his older stuff on the topic - keep it up Dave.
Signed Moaner No 1
Whenever I have visited Nottsview never have I thought it was a Blaze fanclub.
ReplyDeleteIn fact quite the opposite. It's just time the club made a proper effort with their own counties woman's team.
Nobody watches the Blaze or cares just a failed experiment like the restaurant but nobody will admit it.
Well they do privately.
Too True Steve . Let's be honest it's rubbish . They'd fail to beat a lot of SNCL teams and how much money is wasted on what is a political statement
DeleteSee you Friday then at 1430 ‘R’
ReplyDeleteJust listened to the new 🆕 Talk of Trent Bridge podcast with Fergus the Bogeyman and Joe Clarke - really good listening !
ReplyDeletePeter Siddle gets a mention but no replacement is heard...
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