2 away, 1 home game crucial to the season. It seems to be us versus the weather for the CC1! There is, of course, Notts as well but the field seems a little uneven again this season. The elements let us beat Essex but interferred with our CB40 game (well done to Sussex in the T20 version ) They may decide the CC1 this week by unsettling our game while allowing others to play nearly full fixtures.
Well Day 1 didn't start wonderfully as we lost 4 wickets before hitting three figures after choosing to have first belt on a wicket that gave Masters in particular far too much to work with.
It wasn't until James Hildreth came to the crease with Pete Trego that we started to look anything like Championship contenders. The former's 84 was the backbone of a limited innings where he had little support and 215 was a very unpromising all out score.
However, this season we have been able to do to others what they have done to us and Phillips, Willoughby and Thomas got exactly the same out of the strip and the atmosphere as their Essex counterparts. By the end of Day 1 the home side were 126 for 6 and looking at surviving long enough to wipe off a Somerset first innings lead.
Day 2 got no better as Ten Doeschate went early and the rest capitulated for 151 to our pacemen. Marcus didn't really bother the scorers in the first innings and so was keen to get off the mark in the second. We were still struggling and at 41 for 3 if looked like anyone's game. So the Boss moved up a couple of gears and with James started to crank up the run rate per over. Hildreth passed 50 once again and while he did that his skipper added another hundred to his career total. At 197 James was caught by Bopara from Kaneria and we had another collapse as the tail failed to wag. It looked like Banger would be left high and dry until Kartik entered the fray, added 52 himself off 59 balls. This allowed the Mighty Banger to pass 200 at a run a ball, reach 228 and declare our second innings at 367 - over 400 ahead with 2 days to get Essex in and out.
Mickleburgh did not survive the night as Trigger got the breakthrough and Essex slept on 38 for 1 with little hope of survival for 48 hours.
Day 3 had an inevitability about it but the engineers of the Essex downfall were not the spinners or the name pacemen. All the bowlers kept tight line and length and restricted the opposition to limited scoring opportunities. Peter Trego was mentioned in dispatches for a great 11 overs and 3 for 27 but it was Zander de Bruyn with 7.2 overs, 1 maiden and match winning figures of 4 for 23 who tore the back out of Essex and saw us home by 219 runs with 20 points in the bag.
We go into this absolutely vital game with little hope of having four days to finish it. Limited play is expected on Day 1 and Day 2 is an almost certain complete washout. We have also decided to rest Jos Buttler after a season so far that has asked a lot and produced far more than anyone of us expected from the young man.
NickCompton is introduced in that pivotal number 3 position, though the weather and the match situation may decide how Trescothick marshalls his batters and change who comes in when.
We won the toss and decided to have first bat. Not a decision that needed deciding quickly as there is nothing but wind and wetness before an early lunch at 1:00 on the first day. We lost 15 overs when the players finally came to the crease to start the game at around 1:30.
Arul and Marcus looked to get the runs moving and we nearly lost AS at 41 when he was dropped by Plunkett. The 50 arrived in the 12th with a Suppiah boundary to the Caddyshack. The captain started playing the subordinate role in the partnership but around the 50 mark he puts the pedal down and reaches his individual 50 first off 71 balls with 11 fours - mostly in the last part of his half ton!
Arul reaches the same point off 85 balls with one less four and the openers provide the side with a valuable three figure partnership before Durham bring Blackwell on and he gets Arul smack in front for 54 at 119.
Compo has had a difficult transition from Middlesex to Somerset. He hasn't found it easy to break into the side in any of the three formats because of the form of those already in position and hasn't been the luckiest player on the roster when his chances have come. He is having to earn a position that was his already at Lords and it has been hard. Today he is expected to play the role he was brought in for. Solid and dependable third man in. Support the man who is established and then push the score on, maintaining momentum and building foundations for the big hitters in the middle to plunder later on.
Out he comes with his skipper well established and three figures on the board with 50 odd overs of the day to play. In the next 30 plus overs he helps Trescothick to another hundred (at 193 in the 53rd over) with 17 boundaries and shows the great side of his pedigree with some forceful and confident strikes of his own. He does look good when he strikes the ball. There is more to this man with a bat in his hand. He helps Somerset past 200 in the 55th and looks likely to be the third man to pass 50 when the wheels come off and he is caught by Borthwick off Benkenstein for 45. His strike rate is 45 and that still leaves that worry in the mind of supporters. Can he hit big scores and if he does, in whatr sort of time frame?
Zander de Bruyn replaces him and in time honoured tradition has hardly got his guard marked before he is welcoming JamesHildreth to the crease with the removal of Trescothick for a solid 128 caught Stoneman off the same man Benkenstein. 232 for 1 becomes 235 for 3, two new men at the crease and 20 overs left of the day's play.
It all looked like we would make it to the end without further problems until Claydon cleans up James at 249 with 1 ball of the 68th left. This brought Craig K to the strip with a knotty 10 ish overs to face and reports that he was coming into some kind of form and seemed to have found his 'eye' again are partly confirmed with his batting until the close. A masterly six over the head of IDB into the Tone was the highlight but there were some very powerful and interestngly innovative shots along with that while Zander held his own and we finished on 287.
Any play on Wednesday seems to be seen as a bonus but who knows. A decent day but we really have to be planning to bat once in this game and hope for some powerful bowling performances if this is only to be a two and half day game as is predicted.
Pray my friends. Bring the rain down on our enemies! Move it North with the power of your minds and plonk the whole lot on an area from the Northern tip of the East Midlands to the other side of Yorkshire!!
Day 2 and 3
Well what flaming use are you lot?
It started to rain on Tuesday night and stopped just after lunch on Thursday. By that time the whole of Day 2 had gone and the pitch had so much water just under the surface that the dryish afternoon of Day 3 was also lost because it was impossible to dry out the pitch given the lack of wind and kit and the very very overcast conditions.
Will there be play on Day 4? Well if there is it will be a bonus point day with everything that can be decided completed within 25 overs when the bonus point aspect has passed. Marcus will be looking for 400 before we reach 110 and then restricting Durham's chances of getting batting points by keeping going if possible or defending if not.
What a glorious day awaits us. Then again we could see Mustard and Trescothick come to a decision to double declare and have a one day game - don't hold your breath waiting for that.
One apiece with One to Play
Posted by: Grockles.com (IP Logged)
Date: 24/08/2010 13:57
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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2010:08:29:14:12:40 by Grockle.
I don't know whether the groundstaff had the wicket covered on Sunday night, but we had at least an inch and a half in my bucket a mile away from St James Street. So could be very wet underfoot on Tuesday - field first?
old boy!
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2010:08:24:09:45:26 by Grockle.
There were three t20 club cup finals on the ground yesterday so the ground staff would have been there to cover up at the end of the day.
Thirty minutes ago the square was uncovered and it look quite damp, the problem today is we keep getting showers so it will be hard to keep the square uncovered for very long.
Steve Harmison is missing from the Durham side for tomorrow`s cc match with a foot injury, but seamer Mark Davies returns to the 13-man squad after a long absence with ankle problems.
Squad: Di Venuto, Stoneman, Muchall, Benkenstein, Blackwell, Stokes, Mustard (c), Borthwick, Plunkett, Claydon, Ben Harmison, Rushworth and Davies.
* To clarify, I mean I'd much rather Marcus & Co face Harmison than Davies (whose record is second to none.) I, myself, have no wish to face either man. I might face the odd ball from IDB, if feeling unusually brave.
I'm afraid this dry summer of ours has all gone somewhat pear-shaped - I hope we can keep our wicket dry enough that this is more of a shoot-out between Kartik and IDB, than our seamers versus their seamers. Having said that, I note that Callum Thorp is absent, as well as Harmison and Onions. Durham have - in stark contrast to SCCC - been most unfortunate with injuries in 2010.
The problem with the last match at Taunton that held up play for several hours was the bare ends of old pitches that got wet, and not the pitch being used for the match.
Not pleased at all. We need to win and that surely calls for aggressive batting? Compton scratching around in search of form is surely unlikely to score quickly, no matter how hard he battles?
I respect Rose's judgment about Buttler; to play a full season at the age of nineteen is probably very demanding. Personally I am disappointed that I shall not now see him bat against Durham, but his well-being comes before what suits me.
Of course if I were in charge, I would have deferred the decision on Lett and given him a game, but for some reason I have not been invited to take over as director of cricket.
I too respect Rose's decision - not least because he has had the benefit of looking into JB's eyes, which I have not. I am sure that he will come back soon, firing on all cylinders.
Yes, makes sense to me if that's how BR sees things.
Weather forecast probably mitigated against playing the extra spinner many of us would've liked to see, tho I hope it doesn't indicate a negative attitude that a high-scoring max-bonus-pts is the best we can hope for. May be realistic though, and I think NickC has looked OK in the games he's played recently?
I understand the reason given so why wasn’t he rested in the 40 over match against Sussex instead, that would have given him over four days off from playing.
Still, maybe Rose has already decided there won't be a result anyway due to weather and so wants to rest Buttler for this one and then bring him back for the final two?
If he was a bowler there would be no question about building in rest periods during a full season at his age.
Isn't it an indication of what the boy has done for us this year that we are showing disappointment when he isn't one of the first on the sheet. It has to have taken it out of him.
Nick is here to do this job - he was looked at for a long time before we took him to do it. So it's time for him to do it properly.
Batting line up looks more balanced in my opinion as it will be tomorrow.
Much prefer a 4-5-6 of Zander, Hildy, Craig.
Craig hasnt worked at 4 and neither has Zander at 3.
Jos seemed happier lower down as tough ask for him to bat at 3.
Compton is a top 3 batter, he's shown the odd glimpse of what he's got, and the club clearly sees something in him so fingers crossed he comes to the party for the last few games.
3.5 weeks left to go and still fighting hard on 2 fronts having beenthe best team in the other (although we came a close 2nd!)
Sorry Chaps! The forecast I've seen says probably OK today - don't bother turning up tomorrow and could be very dodgy for Thursday and Friday.
So we've got probably maximum of 2 days to roll them over.
Win toss - put them in - out for 100 - we're in - out for 200 - they're in again - out for 99 - job done!! OR a dull rain spoilt draw with five points each?? Good bye Championship!
BR is paid the money to make the decisions re NC and JB. He is entitled to get all the praise if he gets it right, but must also accept that if his choice lets him down, then we are also entitled to tell BR what we think of his judgement!
I have this uncomfortable feeling that all season the management have been anxious to give NC every opportunity to justify his signing at the expense of another long gone (last year) batter but a bit older!
I'm not saying he isn't talented - just that he isn't as talented as they say he is. I will happily eat humble pie if he proves me wrong today.
It won't happen, of course. But if Compton were to fail there is no way of knowing that Jos Buttler would have done better.
Very recent form suggests he might not have done.
Which won't stop people criticising BR's selection decision.
I agree with those posters who have said that the welfare of the young man is paramount. Mr Rose is likely to be in a better position even than folk who go to every match at Taunton to judge that.
What's the weather like today. 30 miles away we've had heavy storm after heavy storm, and the weather people telling us its going to be a jewel of a day. What planet are they on.
Those supporters of BR will never see that perhaps sometimes he might make some policies or decisions which could be mistaken or even wrong. Those of us who were originally whole hearted supporters of his when he was first appointed, but now are prepared to question some of his decisions as he has moved from his stated intention of encouraging local talent to signing BIG established names, are entitled to say so. I believe in giving credit where it is due and criticism where IMO it might be due. He is entitled to be praised for any of the local talent this year which has succeeded. We others are entitled to ask about the greater number who appear never to have been given a chance to shine.
You're still there OldBoy. The older batsman you refer to had nothing to do with Nick's signing. I doubt that was even considered in the same meeting.
Nick was signed to replace Justin Langer at number 3 in the line up. The only spinning batsman who would have been considered in that place at that time presently opens with the Boss.
The other decision was to do with age and long term v short/medium term candidates.
I'm not saying it was the right decision but the departure of one and the arrival of another are not related.
Compton was planned as the replacement at the end of 2008.
But it is time for him to show he can do the job on a regular basis.
This message board is of course all about opinions, OB. Thanks to the moderator we are all entitled to express them.
One of the nice things about this site is generally people respect the writers of opinions they disagree with, as you always do.
In this particular selection case I just don't think we are in a position to say that Mr Rose is right or wrong. We don't know, so in those circumstances I give him the benefit of any doubt there may be.
I certainly haven't agreed with everything the man has done. In one or two cases I have been strongly opposed to decisions he has made.
Thanks, Grockle for once again explaining the situation when Compton was signed.
"It won't happen, of course. But if Compton were to fail there is no way of knowing that Jos Buttler would have done better.
Very recent form suggests he might not have done."
My point is not, necessarily, that Compton will fail and Jos would not have done.
It's that either man might fail and either man might succeed - BUT - if Jos succeeds he is likely to score more rapidly than Compton. Therefore, I believe this selection is flawed given that;
a) It is exceptionally unlikely that we will have four full days of play.
and
b) We need to win the match and, therefore, will presumably need to score quickly.
I'm sure Brian is better placed than us to know whether or not Jos is tired, but he could have been rested from the one-day game at Horsham and, even if picked for this one, would probably have a day playing cards tomorrow, anyway!
If, however, Jos is altogether too tired, then I'd rather - in the spirit of trying to get runs (and wickets) quickly, elevate Peter Trego to number six and get an extra bowling option into the side.
I agree with Old Boy that they're trying to justify the investment in Compton, by making this pick. A similar motivation, in my view, probably lay behind the decision to use Compton as the replacement for Ben Phillips a few games ago, when Ben was also deemed in need of a rest.
If it were purely a cricket selection decision I should be inclined to agree with your main point, AG.
Certainly I should have considered other options than Nick Compton. I do hope for all our sakes, but most of all his own, that the fellow does well, however.
As to the motives of the selector, one is always guessing.
Rain delays. We are gonna bat. Who knows what their plans for battting line-ups are. I'm certain the conditions and the almost certain loss of most of tomorrow will affect who comes in when.
Nathan Jones reports that the groundstaff have just been blown into a stand - complete with the main ground cover - and all of the water that had collected on the cover has just been deposited on a man sitting in the front row of the stand!!!!
I hope it's not Mike with his camera!!
I'm afraid, it looks like the weather will stuff us. After the loss of day one, three fine days are forecast at North Marine Road and it looks like Trent Bridge might lose only the final session tomorrow. Gutted.
First the weather - when I looked at the BBC forecast about 8am this morning it showed about one small shower in the south west all day. Little did I know the one place it would land would be TA1! Those ruddy Notts fellas have been on their prayer mats all night making sure the rain lands in Taunton.
Back to selection. How long has BR been appointed with absolute control - I'm guessing 6/7 years - might be more.
I say, without any b--l s--t, I was delighted with what he had to say then about bringing on the locals.
Since then his focus has been on short term success - the policies 'bringing on locals' and 'short term success' are not compatible. I guess me and my ilk are in the minority preferring to support the former policy
Right, other than Hildreth and Buttler, who else is in the first team squad from all the locals signed by Brian? Some possibles are, of course, no longer with us. Much more to the point however is how many were given reasonable opportunities?
We are! 8 without loss in the very windy 3rd over. Early lunch and out just after 1. Not sure how much there will be though - the wind may keep the rain off today.
One of your commentators is coming through loud and clear, but the main man (Roy Kerslake?) is very quiet. Is his microphone turned on? It sounds to me as if his voice is only being picked up via the second guy's mic.
Thanks for the great service all the same
Edit: I think it's Paul Harper I can't hear not Roy!
KB
Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 2010:08:24:14:52:45 by Kingston Black.
I forgot to merge the threads when I put the frontpage up and then did it later. Sorry!!
I'll have a go at changing the commentary feed at Tea Kingston. Please let me know if it improves afterwards. I've had a listen and it does seem like Paul's mic isn't working - good job the other one is acting as an ambient one and picking him up.
140 for 1 with 45 overs to go. I will update the report after Tea if I can as well. There doesn't look like many reasons why we can't get 80 overs in today at least.
We've not run out of overs to get bonus points, though I wonder if your point is that we might need to declare first thing on Thursday to get a result?
If that's not your point then I don't see a problem with getting 300 today? Personally, I'd make getting to 400 the priority and worry about a declaration then.
However, very heavy cloud cover is forecast for Thursday AM so if that materialises, maybe Marcus will want to bowl immediately?
Thanks AG - my point was that we might not get any more play, period, and that 300 would at least have been one more point. I realise it may be academic, it's just that I wasn't there, and wondered what anyone who might have been there thought.
Notts have only 17 overs remaining in which to pick up the 3 wickets they need for their third bowling point. Let's hope Luke Sutton can do us a favour?
He is one of the most determined guys you could come across, so it's not impossible. They may get half a day or so in before the rain envelops Nottingham, and conditions might be really rather tough for batting at the start of the Notts innings.
I must admit that I can't understand why we meandered through the last 20 overs. I would have thought getting to 300/350 as soon as possible was an absolute necessity - but apparently not! Perhaps they know something about the weather that we don't.
Could I suggest you send the first pic to the Cricketer magazine, to replace the one they always use of an empty stand (or one with one man in it), proving that a lot of people do watch 4-day county cricket, even on a day with a dodgy forecast and intermittent torrential rain.
Sat in the front of the Somerset Stand, Claydon said "thank god Trescothick's gone", "you feel like you've never bowled before" about bowling at Banger. Claydon really blocks the view, he's a unit!
As usual I can't compare with Mike's photos, but I bet his camera cost 10x my thing.
I would say save your petrol, that black cloud has gone and now it is a lighter grey covering the only problem with that is the rain is that fine rain that gets you just as wet.
When Saj Mahmood is going at 1.09 runs per over, as he has so far today, you know that batting conditions must be VERY difficult indeed. Notts are 7 for 1, after Lancs were rapidly blown away. The rain will need to arrive quickly for Notts or it could be a disastrous day for them.
At North Marine Road, the Hants reply has begun without incident.
p.s. Would one of you locals possibly consider letting us know on this board as and when the rain finally stops, in order that we may gauge whether there is likely to be a serious delay to tomorrow's play too?
My runner beans and purple sprouting have sent me a lovely little note saying don't bother water us until Friday! If they keep on annoying me like that we might eat them all for lunch on Thursday!
38 for 3 at Trent Bridge. Even allowing for their usual lower order rally, I'd say they are in danger of following on. Let's hope for at least another couple of hours of play before the rain arrives.
Or not. Still playing on at Nottingham. The umpires better not be playing on in heavy rain just to help Notts (now that they have, sadly, recovered to a decent score.)
Sussex-Glamorgan Clydesdale Bank 40-over abondoned at Hove without a ball being bowled. Probably Sussex`s easiest match on the run-in.
Sussex now one point behind Somerset, but with two matches more played. Hope for good weather at Taunton on Sunday (Surrey) and Worcester on Bank Holiday Monday (Worcestershire coming into some late season form).
According to weather forecast, I reckon we could get a couple of hours play by Friday afternoon. If the big hitters are up for it we could get to 400 in another 20 overs!
Mike, I believe the Yorks v Hants game is in its last day - Yorks have 3 batting and 1 bowling pt - plus the draw, I think that will give them 7 in total. (Yorks could conceivably lose, though I guess that's unlikely.)
Hate to argue Mike but it is only day three of Notts/Lancs match
Yorkshire have a total of 4 bonus points, its the final day there.
Been dry on the Quantocks for almost 2 hours now even a bit of watery sunshine.
There was a further inspection at 1.30 - when they decided to inspect again at 2.30. According to Jeremy Lloyds, water is sitting just below the surface and is not draining away.
I have to say that it is difficult to see that anything much is likely to change between now and 2.30. I suspect that the umpires will decide to abandon play then - partly in the hope that (with further rain forecast for around 3.00) this will improve the prospects of getting some play in tomorrow.
1:30 inspection said there was little change and a lot of water just under the surface.
2:30 inspection will happen but there is very little the groundstaff can do. They've had the hairdryer on particularly wet bits but all the covers are still on (so nothing happening to the waterlogged areas of the pitch under them. Bit of 'forking' going on.
Most people (and there are less than 100 of them) seem to be ready for the inevitable though there has been no rain here since about 12:30ish.
According to some the Durham kitbags are waiting to be put back on the bus so don't expect any play today and be very happily surprised when we actually get some.
If there is we will be commentatin on it, even if it is just me on me lonesome so keep an eye on here and the llink to the commentary around 4:00 ish.
Yes - I was a bit surprised to hear a whoop of delight from a Somerset player (who had better remain nameless) on being told the news by Jeremy Lloyds.
"Yes - I was a bit surprised to hear a whoop of delight from a Somerset player (who had better remain nameless) on being told the news by Jeremy Lloyds."
I find that utterly shocking. Disgusting, in fact.
Lord alone knows that Mr Rose and Tres would make of that.
AGod "Yes - I was a bit surprised to hear a whoop of delight from a Somerset player (who had better remain nameless) on being told the news by Jeremy Lloyds."
I find that utterly shocking. Disgusting, in fact.
Lord alone knows that Mr Rose and Tres would make of that.
Agod, you do make me chuckle at times, they've been waiting around at the ground for two dull days, probably pleased to have a decision made.
If they had come out they would have been on the pitch for half an hour at most before the waether would have pushed them off again.
Interesting to see one of the umpires out with a groundsman having him fork up sods of grass so he could take pictures of the earth beneath to show the waterlogged anture of the pitch (I assume).
Yorks have finished with 7pts, Notts currently have 3 (bowling) bonus pts (putting them 2pts clear of Yorks), we currently have 2 (batting) bonus pts (putting us 3 pts behind Yorks).
Weather forecast for tomorrow in TA1 and NG2 (Trent Bridge) are very similar, namely dry, but what damage has the rain already done?
Som 287 for 4 in 81 overs.
We could try for maximum batting points (probably on a tricky surface), another 113 in 29 overs, then declare (or be all out) just short of lunch, and try for 9 Durham wickets in the remaining 65 overs, max bonus points and a draw - 11 points giving us an increased gap over Yorks, and hopefully not losing any more ground on Notts (albeit having played one more game).
The possibility of triple declarations (the remainder of our first, Durham's first and our second) can't happen yet - Durham have too many overs to get 288, and this relies heavily on whether Durham are interested. ALSO PLEASE NOTE - to win, we have to bowl Durham out (I'm only quoting the B' obvious here because apparently it wasn't so obvious a few weeks ago at Canterbury to some)! No, IF there's the triple delarations gamble, then set them approx 350 off 80ish overs, so possible 4pts (lose) 7pts (draw) or 20pts (win). (Yes, I know what we did to Yorks at Taunton for the last 2 seasons, but we have to give Durham something to go for).
All this, not knowing what we'll do, not knowing what Durham will do, not knowing what Notts will do, not knowing what Lancs will do, not knowing what the weather will do.
That will do.
Fantastic stuff. Just no more rain please.
I vote for tractors triple declaration option but think there's more chance of Warwickshire getting full batting points in an innings this season than any setting up of a result...
Well, whether the players have been sitting around or not, one would have thought they'd regret not being able to get out there? After all, it's not as though this game is a dead rubber, at least not the last time I checked.
If the whoop of delight was in response to that stimulus, as opposed to, say, being texted the result of a horse race thar they'd just won a bet on, then that really rather suggests that we are keener on us winning the CC than said player.
After all, how many of us were, in any way, pleased at the announcement?
Well it told me I had time to get to the bank without rushing and that I wouldn't be sitting around for two hours or whatever before I got to commentate.....possibly.
Would I have rather watched some cricket? Yep
Was I happy they had at least made a definite decision? Yep
Sunny here in BS31.I was contemplating going down today but if it's that bad in TA1 I won't bother.I'm getting fed up with staying in.I haven't seen any live cricket for ages.
It is difficult to say at the moment Rob, the sun is trying to come out, there are areas of the sky that is clearing into blue, if Grockle keeps it where he is we may be all right in Taunton.
The wind is picking up this may help things to dry out from the last two days providing we get no more rain!
Thanks Mike.Think I'll play safe and hope it's better sunday.I'll catch the commentary if there's any play.
If I stay home they are bound to get some play in.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2010:08:27:08:47:00 by BristolRob .
It is getting clearer here but very gradually. However, a bit of wind may help dry the outfiled but there was a whole lot of rain on it over night I think.
Well I just put the washing out in TA3, and the sun is considering making an appearance. Though I can't see how the water that was below the surface yesterday will have gone very far. I see the morning session has been abandoned.
For what it's worth the local 'experts' told me this morning that there is now virtually no drainage since the Trescothick Stand and 'Jeffery Archer' apartments stopped the water getting away to the river. From being one of the quickest draining grounds in the country, we are now one of the 'no drainage' grounds! Looks like the club will have to stop wasting money on old players looking for a pension, and spend the money digging a great big drainage hole!
The ground announcer has said that the umpires are concerned about wet patches near the pitch. However, the ground is drying. The umpires will inspect again at 12.25, prior to an early lunch at 12.30.
Not sure why they'd be out to stuff us and Yorks particularly? A win for Lancs would put them within touching distance of the top 3 teams.
It does seem like a very generous declaration though!
According to the Somerset CCC Facebook page there's 59 overs remaining in our game.
I know wickets and matches are different, but we look to be setting Durham a sensible one day target to go for and we NEED to bowl them out and get the points. Hmmm, BOOO LANCS!
Any clue if Durham aren't offering us a 1 innings match or if we are hoping that batting points. plus 8 for the draw will be good enough for us, particularly if Notts slip up in their run chase ?
Surely Tres will declare and try for at least a couple of bowling points. Unfortunately I think it will all be in vain as Notts win seems 'nailed on' now. They don't need to rush anymore.
I wonder if Lancs will be so generous to us next week if circumstances conspire to bring about a similar situation. Be very interesting - just like playing monopoly with my wife and brother many years ago - she would always sell houses to him but not me!
Don't worry lads. Tres will have a word with Chapple. Promise him a fortnight's holiday on WSM beach with his kids watching the tide come in and out, if he sets us up with about 250 in 90 overs on the last day. And if he doesn't agree he'll be given 3 weeks at WSM beach with his kids AND his wife!
Thanks for the excellent photos Mike, and really good to meet you at last. Also great to meet LoL and Wickham this afternoon.
What a shame that Lancs caved in with the Notts declaration negotiations. I suggest Chapple avoids going on any editions of Celebrity Apprentice, with his negotiating skills he'd be hot favourite to hear Sir Alan's catchphrase "You're Fired".
You can bet that when Lancs entertain Notts for the last match of the season after wrapping up the championship with today's free gift, Lancs will be offered a very difficult target on the last day of something like 200 in 60 overs!
The Asian guy was probably not anyone important I'm afraid. Gouldy spent a lot of time with him during the day but ended up wandering back in with him and some bloke from the Army so we all need to calm down again I'm afraid.
Then they chased their mind and suggested 3 declarations and they would chase 288 off 59, we said no.
We wanted 325 off 55 but they said no
End result the most boring petered out draw.
As unlikely as it was looking why did we agree to give up on a bowling point with 20 overs to go, is 3 wickets in 20 overs realy that impossible.
Granted with Notts winning its as good as over, hence why we should have accepted the 288 off 59 option, we'd be what, 6 points worse off this morning IF we had lost, BUT 13 points BETTER off if we'd done it, AND still in with half a chance.
Yes think that's fair, my personal opinion is first is the winner, second/third.fourth/fifth are the losers, i'm not fussed too much if we're 2nd or 4th if we don't win it.
I'd happily risk coming fourth if we tried to win rather than worry about protecting 2nd place, can't say i know the split of prize money but as a supporter i put in the league ahead of prize money for lower positions.
The agreed declaration at 4.50 still confuses me, that tial point could still be important between 2nd and 3rd, 3rd and 4th etc, whilst it was possible can't understand why we didn't at least try.
Only possible reason i can think is save the bowlers for Sunday-Monday but could have bowled 20 of Arul and Murali without damaging either too much i'd have thought...
Maybe it's not easy to play the game if one side's mind isn't really in it. Durham had no chance of reaching 200 in the time and may very well have sulked and shut up completely giving no chances and defending everything. 1 point - would it have been worth it?
I said it at Kent and saw it last year in the Yorkshire game. If you want to win it then you have to have the midnset that you want to win it. I was happier about the nature of the victory against Yorkshire than the actual points. We took them on and stuffed them.
We lost momentum during the Kent match at home when we had them beaten but lost to time and weather.
We did not regain that momentum with a statement of intent during the Canterbury game - however futile it would have been.
Essex gave us a glimmer of hope but where as the message coming out in the AGM was that we needed to take that extra step if we were going to win something the message coming from the Caddyshack is that we must make sure we don't lose first - you don't win things that way.
It was always a long shot but victory in the CC1 is impossible if you don't go for it..... unless of course other sides mess up and give it to you.
I don't care how we get the prize but is it as satisfying to stay in contention and then pick up the trophy when someone else drops it?
OK, so the events of the last few days have been somewhat deflating but first let's be clear here - IT AIN'T OVER YET !!
If we win our last two games with max points we end up with 228 pts. Thus Notts need 33pts to beat us outright which is a minimum of three max point draws. Anything less and we CAN win it. Obviously it's difficult but i suggest far from out of the question.
As for Lancashires friendly declaration yesterday I think it's (unfortunately) hard to fault them. If that was the best on offer they had to take it. They needed the win to get anywhere near the mix . It's the hardest thing in the world to bargain with someone who doesn't particularly need what you have to offer.
I am somewhat bemused by the cautious attitude that seems to holding sway at the climax to this championship. I'm afraid I have to hark back to Canterbury. It seems to me that in sport (and in life for that matter ) there are times when you have to decide what is neccessary for a particular outcome to be achieved. What makes it more likely and how does that balance against the possible loss. Whatever the assessment of a pitch you never KNOW what will happen. Sometimes you just have to go for it. And I would suggest that the same applies to yesterday.
Anyway ,as I say it is still possible and I dearly hope that I'm proved wrong and the cautious approach works out and we win by 1 point.
As for the hill we have to climb, I think circumstances re weather & adverse third party declarations are part of the cause, along with our poor form in April/early May.
As for Canterbury, well that could be an interesting close season (continuing) debate methinks.
Nope it isn't but now it is for Notts to lose not for us to win and that IMHO is a less satisfying postion for me personally.
I think we had the chance to show a little more fire and we didn't in a season when I personally believe we were capable of doing more to determine our own destiny.
I think that we have done very well in all competitions and it would appear to be slightly pin-@#$%& to raise a few points where I think we could have been better.
Firstly, and most importantly the weather has mucked up a lot of our attempts to be positive. Our batting man-for-man is as effective as anything in the championship, headed by, without doubt, the best batsman in the country.
Our bowling has been punching above it's weight all season, helped by the most effective spinner in the country. My slight concern is our 'conservative' selection policy.
I believe the championship is, invariably won by the team with the best bowling attack. Notts have clearly used the money from the ECB for their 'star' bowlers to bring on others who have proved to be very effective.
We should have been more proactive by picking, in my terms, a more balanced attack, particularly by using Waller more in the championship team, even if this meant dropping Phillips or Turner or whoever replaced them. A seam attack of Willoughby, Thomas, Trego plus De Bryn, supported by Kartik, Suppiah and Waller would have given Tres more options in those difficult periods when he was desperately looking for variety to bother set batsmen.
I agree with WSM about our failure to stay out there and try and get an extra bowling point - defeatist in my view.
I think our main problem this year has been the weather, though it should be noted that Notts lost a certain win in Leeds, too.
The dropped catches in our early season trip to Trent Bridge have been massively costly. Indeed, our early season catching is the only real blot on our copybook this season.
Looking ahead, Notts may be slightly weakened by Sidebottom leaving. It remains to be seen whether Durham will get their appetite back. Yorks should be strong again next season. Perhaps Sussex will return to Div One with a bang? We surely need to strengthen. Our squad depth has, apparently, been considered to be poor by Mr Rose and Co, otherwise we would surely have rotated our pacemen to stave off fatigue? Indeed, we were told a few weeks ago that our players were really tired.
Well they get a rest after tomorrow because few will play against Pakistan next Thursday and if we get tomorrow right they may be able to rest a few against Worcestershire on Monday
Nope - They may decide that the home tie isn't yet nailed down. Even though it really should be.
You may very well be right - It's been one of the problems of the season highlighted elsewhere. When your main eleven have mostly hit form at the same time it is really difficult to find places to blood those you want to come through.
Well, it was a personal disappointment that there was so little cricket in the last four-day match I shall be able to watch this season. But, as ever, it was good to find some of the usual suspects at the County Ground and to meet PaddedUp for the first time. I was sorry that the state of one of Tractor's rear wheels prevented his attendance on Friday and am bound to attribute our failure to take twenty Durham wickets after tea entirely to his absence.
I am not inclined to blame anyone else for the lack of a result in a game so ill affected by rain, but I feel that the great Trescothick (whom I am very loath to criticise about anything) missed a trick by not giving Trego a chance to use the new ball on Friday evening. He had nothing to lose by doing so and it might have done more good than harm to PT's morale (and conjured a wicket or two).
Ref the bowling, despite the good performances of our aging attack, without Kartik's input throughout the season, I don't believe we would have been fighting on so many fronts now.
I agree with Streeter about the need to take risks; the long form game is structured to fortune favours the brave. You have to go for it even at the risk of losing.
Change the bowling line up Old Boy? Well the 'front four' of Willoughby, Thomas Phillips and Kartik have the best set of stats I think I've seen in the last two decades from Somerset bowlers. ALL average under 30 which is remarkable; we're usually lucky if ONE bowler is sub 30.
It's Trego who has been the weakish link with the ball, yet you need an allrounder to provide balance and I can't see how you could justfy dropping one of the other seamers for Waller.
But remember a key factor, as well as more responsive pitches, is our seamers staying fit. The back up (Turner) just doesn't have record to justify optimism. I really want to se Dibble and possibly Hayman step up if they can.
I hope BR puts in ALL our promising youngsters - what a stage for them all. Only any of our players who are qualified to play for England now, except Tres who should rest as he's got nothing to prove. Let Alfonso look after them.
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