In short, the game on Saturday saw us compete for 20-30 overs, collapse and get saved by rain.
After losing the toss and being inserted after overnight rain, we knew it would be a tough ask to set a target. So, this week we decided to set clearer targets for the batsmen by doing it in 5 over blocks.
This certainly seemed to focus minds but it didn't stop the wickets from falling at regular intervals. Still, after 30 overs we were reasonably placed to hit 160.
After that it fell apart. We have to bat as a team as we can't rely on stars, but we need people to build partnerships. We can't seem to do it yet. I feel we are close to it: Tactically we are solid, the batters are good enough, the atmosphere during the innings remains positive and if there is a lack of confidence it's not showing outwardly. We just need to crack it. We were bowled out for 101.
With rain the highlight of the second innings, we abandoned the game after 16 overs. The opposition were moving slowly to DL victory between frustrating breaks for rain. We bowled to our plan but fielded poorly, dropping several tough but possible catches in dark and wet.
The one small tactical point I would make was we again looked to our main opening bowler a little too long. His natural spell seems to be three or four overs, but never bowls less than six. I will challenge the captain to consider an alternative plan.
But this is a small point: The issue is still the batting and we will again look to address this in training and conversations with players over the coming week.