5:05 and there are some very wet covers over the middle of the County Ground at Taunton. The press box is heaving as all the blokes usually setting up around the ground are in here hoping for some hot food. Not many about the place but there are still hopes of sme cricket so keep checking.
Rain is still coming down at Taunton with 15 minutes until the projected start of play. It certainly doesn't look hopeful at the moment. The side that plays should cricket actually start tomight will depend on what kind of game Someset are faced with but the squad of 12 is the same as last week with Craig Kieswetter replacing the name of Adam Dibble. Alfonso is also named and Nick Compton is in the side at number 7. No Gemaal Hussain in the list. We'll have to see which eleven men take the field in the gloom of a wet and windy Friday should such an occurance come to pass!
Presently the squad named is;
Trescothick, Kieswetter, van der Merwe, Trego, Hildreth, Buttler, Compton, Suppiah, Gregory, Thomas, Kartik, Kirby
After what seems like thousands of gallons of water on the pitch the rain finally stopped at about 5:10. The water soppers and the mobile soaker worked to get the covers dry. The umpires came out to have a look and decided to have another one at 6:45. It all looks set up for a 5 over thrash. No more rain before the second inspection would mean a start at about 7:30...what else could they do?
The best option financially is the game being called off because the revenue is covered by the insurance a 5 over slog is anyone's and we could be at the wrong end of a loss - anyone remember Jamaica in January?
At 6:50 speculation ends as the umpires decide that there is to much water on the outfield. The game is abandoned without a ball bowled and we both take a point.
Rain and water and rain and drizzle and cricket?
Posted by: Grockles.com (IP Logged)
Date: 10/06/2011 17:21
What do you think? You can have your say by posting below.
If you do not already have an account Click here to Register.
Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 2011:06:18:12:16:09 by Grockle.
With 2 home 2020 games this weekend let's hope the weather God's are on our side.Today good possibilities,sunday a lot less likely.
Checked on ECB website about 2020 rules and a full game can commence as late as 6.30pm.With the rain meant to have cleared through by 5ish let's hope for a full game
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2011:06:10:16:50:48 by Grockle.
For the first time this season there is no wind (where is the wind when you want it?) and it is raining and at the moment it looks like it is here to stay.
Brighter skies with dabs of blue appearing from the Wellington area.,although still steady rain here. At least it's coming from the right way.Get ready with the Soppers!!
Loadsa rain!! Covers on and more coming down. Groundstaff thinks it will be an hour before we consider clearing and 6:30 before any chance of any cricket.
Well I don’t know I am still at home, it is horrible at this moment there are people hanging around outside the gates wondering if they should go in, there are security people asking you to open your bags in the pouring rain.
How are two draws "another defeat". The loss of two points is the loss of two points why the negative connection?
Personally I'm more worried about the lack of meaningful cricket before the four day game rather than the loss of two points in a competition with lots of games for a side that will qualify.
Excuse my ignorance maybe but how does a wet outfield harm the players?
Not ideal im sure but thought they were supposed to really make an effort in T20 to play at any possibility.
It's introduction was to get new people into cricket, kids, women, people who have not been before?
As long as the bowlers run ups are safe is a wet outfield not just an equal potential hinderance for both sides???
All players will have the correct footwear to help as much as possible.
There was a lot of rain but the standing water had been cleared so it was only damp, soft areas that i could see???
I'm not suggesting it would have been perfect playing conditions but people were hanging around for 3+ hours then after watching several covers cleared and removed, in dry sunny conditions we were then told just before 7 match was abandoned.
wsm, i think communication could be a lot better. It's very frustrating for spectators not to know what's happening, so a few more announcements telling just how it is, would help.
I agree, having travelled down from Bristol and sat for 3 hours getting cold and wet there was barely any information about what was going on.
The outfield was very soggy looking from the front of the scoreboard stand though. I think the lack of wind and the sun seemingly behind every possible small cloud put paid to any chance of a game.
Sunday looks even worse, therefore they'll get a full 40 overs in.
How the hell did Glos manage to get a full game in Chelts, can't have been much better??
My guess and it is only a guess it was more to do with lack of grass on the outfield there is so much bare soil showing once it gets very wet it turns slippery.
I have been wonder about this since the season began.
Probably the worst thing of all was the official site still saying at 4pm about getting discounted tickets when they obviously new that a maximum of ten overs would be bowled.
At least middlesex beat Sussex tonight . !!
It could have been worse if Sussex and Surrey had won but as it is only Hants out of the top teams did that. Sunday could be a write-off for everyone so our position in the table will hold - not ideal but nothing we can do.
Jeez you people will find a negative in every single comment even if it wasn't meant that way.
While I'd be intrigued to read your explanation about how an interpretation of your 'another defeat' comment could be seen in a positive or neutral light Ronnies;
In my experience if it waddles and quacks like a duck..... it is usually a duck :-)
Back to the weekend.
The only thing we can hope for is that the weather people have Sunday wrong the other way. They predicted less rain today and got more so let's hope their prediction of more results in less.
But as said it's more widespread and that could be folorn hope.
Alf does get some more rest time in any case before we have to try him so it might help the Warwickshire game.
Frankly, I wouldn't mind if all of our T20 games are rained off prior to the CC game at Edgbaston. Might not be a bad thing if our players are not fully immersed in T20 before the CC resumption.
As I said earlier it is the fact that the Warks game is NOT a 'resumption' that worries me personally. It is just a one off event before the return to short format stuff almost immediately and then another 20 odd days before the next one. Where is the sense?
Same as last year. Longest days of the year = shortest forms of the game posssible for counties where the cost of floodlighting is a major expense. Who the hell planned this to be this way around?
A perfect example of the value of spin in T20 tonight in Lancs vs Yorks... 24 overs of spin producing 6 wickets for only 124 runs. Just over 5 runs per over... And even that figure slightly distorted by Rashid going for 7 an over.
AGod
Spin Spin and more Spin
I agree with you
The trouble is that no one listens to us
The faster they are bowled the quicker they get to the boundary.
AGod A perfect example of the value of spin in T20 tonight in Lancs vs Yorks... 24 overs of spin producing 6 wickets for only 124 runs. Just over 5 runs per over... And even that figure slightly distorted by Rashid going for 7 an over.
I caught the end of the show when I got home and the Sky lot were raving about Rashid and wondering how Yorks had lost so many games lately.
Maybe they could do some research and look at his figures in the championship for starters? One good game in ten and they were calling for him to be in the England squad. Deary me.
You intrigued Grockle? well if it helps you understand the two points lost will feel like a defeat come Sunday night.
You haven't commented on the loss of two points meaning for all intents and purposes we have lost one of the two games. But hey, why let the facts get in the way of a good argument. Lets hope the forecasters have got it wrong tomorrow and we can win and this will all be redundant anyway
I also dont see a lot of positives coming from other posters re the last 2 games with the exception that we may be fresh for that Warks game....which is more important anyway in my eyes. I also concur with that view and we may even get 3 games in the next week too.
Really posible bad news re Alf too. I have my doubts now on hearing this whether that Warks is now feasible for him.
Yes, news on Alfie seems very bad to me, hopefully scans will get things sorted re timescale.
If it's the 7-10 days Mr Rose stated then Warwicks game must be no chance as wont have had any prep to play in a 4 day game.
guessind Sussex home on Fri 24 absolute earliest...
The facts are that we drew one game and may draw another one tomorrow if the weather stops us playing.
Sorry - point of order (thought I'd get in before AG) it was a 'No Result' against Kent not even a draw
The absence of two points only seems to be a concept of "defeat" in your eyes. It should make no difference in the end if we're good enough and I doubt there are players sitting in the changing rooms looking down at their boots in dismay because we didn't play a 5 over slog against one side and I doubt they'll be there tomorrow if they don't get on the pitch against Hampshire.
"Jeez some of you guys will look for something bad in anything the side do"
Yep could't agree with you more about arguments. Why let a non-event by if there is something bad to say about it.
Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 2011:06:11:17:46:19 by Grockle.
I agree with it seeming like a loss, infact I see it as such a heavy, embarrassing loss that both Andy Hurry and Brian Rose should resign......no way hozay, I'm on a roll now......all the squad should resign and we should consider getting some boys in who will give their all for the county, come rain, snow or even nuclear war.
These losses are a disgrace.
We need action, and we need it now.
It looks as if Glos may beat Surrey and it would be handy if Kent could beat Glam. (on Channel 134 now) That may not happen as Denly can't seem to lay a bat on the ball at the moment - he appears really short of confidence.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2011:06:11:19:47:58 by Norwich SCCC.
The Twitter people don't seem to think Glam have got enough if that's any help 154 for 5 is 'easily chaseable on this track' according to Spin cricket.
Kent are 48/2 off 9 so they need Stevens or Azhar M to come good. The hapless Denly was run out backing up after being given a reprieve when caught off a no-ball. (if he had left it alone it would have been a wide) He looks absolutely distraught, poor fella.
Given recent comments about the damaging effects of yesterdays washout....
I'd say we are actually potentialy in a better position than we could have been???
I personally think the top 4 will come from us, hamps, Essex, Surrey and Sussex, personally dont see Glos, Glam, Kent or Middlesex up there.
Therefore with surrey losing to glos, middlesex beating sussex and kent beating glam, i'd say we are 1 point up on the others we are fighting with, where as if we'd all played and won (us, sussex, surrey) we'd be net level.
That Spin Tweeter should get a job working fot he Tory party judged by the number of times they changed their mind.
I wonder if they get paid to do that?
I was interested to see that the official site comment about Alf listed our bowling options and didn't mention Suppiah.
He's been OK in the 4 day. Is he not rated in T20?
and by the way...the difference between 2 rained off games and defeats is that our opponents don't get 2 points. That matters
Shame they cannot use common sense and played the game yesterday,knowing today's forecast.Hampshire would have already travelled down from their Glamorgan game on friday, and with a lot of media releases we would have filled the ground yesterday.
If club can get people into the ground they may spend money at shop, bar, food etc etc.
We will have to refund all bought tickets in any case if no play so may make a bit out of some optimistic souls who want to turn up and spend money whilst waiting in hope
I agree John the disappointment is for those who only watch t20 matches, to have two matches called off (if) would be a disappointment to them more than those of us that will watch any cricket.
And of coarse the club will lose a quarter of the income from the loss of two matches, I don’t know if there is insurance for this, it was once said that the premiums were so high it was not worth the cost.
The biggest losers are the ones with 2020 memberships,especially if they cannot get to bath.I bet they cannot get any refunds unlike the individuals who buy discounted tickets online
Well people we have had more rain at this moment of 9.2mm this is more than the other day when the outfield was deemed to be unfit, the difference today is the wind is a lot stronger with gusts of 25mpg, I know I am clutching at straws.
A good idea Sloop. Almost 6 o clock here. Going for a few changs meself. We had a hell of storm this morning. Knee deep in water in the street next to me.Glad i live on a hill. All cleared away now and a stunning sunset over the gulf of Thailand.
Nothing wrong with your straw-clutching, Mike, but it's not going to be very effective today, I fear. Time for an afternoon of cataloguing old photographs, methinks.
Hasn't stopped raining at Bicknoller Towers since 5 this morning when it woke me up (was probably raining before then). The game is still identified as starting in 2hours and 8 minutes - wishful thinking IMHO
For anyone who for some reason is wavering between going and not going to the Ground. The present prediction is 100% chance of rain until 2 and then it drops to a 98% chance around about 3....
Could be better but given 2 washouts i'd say the current table doesnt look too bad???
Big 3 games this week v Sussex, Essex 7 Surrey, 2 from 3 and we'll be looking good i feel...
Our new CEO has clarified the refund policy of the club for rained off matches; they are now including another t20 match as a replacement match which they didn’t do originally.
There was no mention of t20 member, I believe there were several supporters in the office yesterday inquiring about it, when they walk past me I heard the word membership mentioned.
I still believe they should offer those who have t20 membership free entry to a days CC or FP40 match for each day rained off.
It's obvious isn't it?
The cricketing Gods are telling to us all, in no uncertain manner, that enough is enough, that it's time the hula hoop girls packed their ra-ra skirts, wiped the make-up from their faces and got themselves a proper job.
Yes folks, the message is loud.
And clear.
T20 is finished.
Dead in the water.
Like a dead fish thingy.
It's time we all grew up, packed a picnic and went back to supporting the four day game.
Those intelligent enough recognise the signs...it's up to us to lead the lost, the asleep and the thicko's back to the promised land.
Join me children.
Join us.
You'll not regret it.
Superstitious tosh, BJ... reminds me of a chap who on Saturday afternoon picked up a ten pence piece that had rolled the length of an underground carriage and said that this must betoken good fortune of some kind and that same evening won ten pounds on the lottery. Daft old chap he was, goes by the name of
Maybe it is that it is not spread among other forms of the game that bores some people.
Surely having some of it in August (during the school summer holidays) would pull in more families with older kids and keep supporters with interests in the other forms of the game happy at the same time.
I really can't understand this daft scheduling. The only reason I can see is to pander to the supply of paid mercenaries who would not be able to pop in for it if it was spread across the season as it should be.
Isn't a huge part of the scheduling caused by Sky who want to be able to have a live match on during the footballs close season. So the T20 fits the bill perfectly for them throughout June and July.
There will be a T20, Test Match or ODI on pretty much every day until August when football takes the place of T20s through to the end of the summer.
On the membership refunds front. I bought a T20 only membership as I couldn't afford a full membership before the season started. Not criticising the prices, just personal situation put me there. I bought it aware of the usual policy on memberships being no refund for missed play. But some sort of gesture would be good, I have at present paid £99 for 8 games, 2 have been rained off so far (and i won't be going to bath, but thats not the clubs fault).
If the club did a half season full membership after the T20 I'd get that, but I think paying the full price seems a bit much...
Not a very coherent point, but something seems slightly wrong here.
Think the posts by Grockle and Tumbles are accurate in that the scheduling appears it seems, to cater for mercenaries but also for Sky
Take for example if we get to the QF. Pollard is now up for that SLC thingy so if we qualify he may be in SL at that point depending how his SL team get on. Means we may not have him for the QF and have to make other arrangements if we want to re another oversaes player. By spreading the actual original qualifying matches will probably mean more of this happening I suppose.
I would like to say that the rules state that an OS player has to play a minimum of one game in the qualifying rounds to be able to play in the QF/SF/final.
That is if I remember correctly from reading the rules last year.
Well they would have to nail their colours to a team and stay with it...or we would have to employ internationals to play the season. Initially there was a suggestion that we employed 3 but could only play two. That surely would allow some kind of flexibility for popping off to play other things without stuffing the club?
I take the point about SKY and that is why they probably don't take the IPL. Good idea that others would offer the coverage to me so stuff SKY!
We can't do without it I'm afraid AG but maybe we ought to look at what is important other than what makes money and appeases the monopoly broadcasters etc. Bet Giles didn't have this in his head when he gave cricket coverage away.
Mike BOS I would like to say that the rules state that an OS player has to play a minimum of one game in the qualifying rounds to be able to play in the QF/SF/final.
That is if I remember correctly from reading the rules last year.
Not sure about that, Mike. Didn't Bravo turn up for Essex on finals day at great expense and contribute very little?
As for Sky and the football close season... surely the close season should run from 1st April to 30th September; it's a winter game and is entitled to the six coldest months - and no more.
Was (C) anything to do with it, it is a bit to legal for me.
3.5 In order to be eligible to represent a County in a match
in the Finals Stage of the Friends Life t20 and/or the
Finals Stage of the Clydesdale Bank 40 pursuant to
Regulation 3.4, an additional Unqualified Cricketer must
have been:
(a) registered by that County and played in at least one
match for that County in the Group Stages of the
relevant Competition; and/or
(b) registered by that County and named in that County’s
squad for an abandoned match in the Group Stages of
the relevant Competition; and/or
(c) registered by that County for a match in the Group
Stages of the relevant Competition and obtained a
medical certificate to confirm that he was unfit to play
in that match.
LoL I am going to give you the link so you may read them yourself. [static.ecb.co.uk]
All summed up very well by George Dobell at the start of the season. The article has been discussed before on Grockles, but this section hits the mark:
"It couldn't happen in any other sport.
Imagine it was the football season starting this week. And imagine the Premier League announced that half the fixtures would be squeezed into the first two months of the season. And that the entire FA Cup would be played in December. Then imagine them announcing that the season would finish early in order to accommodate a foreign league's competition. A competition in which English clubs may not even compete.
Then imagine them announcing that the best English players were to be withdrawn from domestic competition. Not just the best, but the best up and coming players. And not just so they can play for the national side, but so they can spend more time in the gym. Or resting. Or playing in another foreign league. And that there will be penalties imposed for fielding overseas players. Or experienced English players. Oh, and the fixture list is designed to be so unpredictable and unaccommodating that pretty much only affluent pensioners - not the largest demographic - can attend matches.
... and I remain displeased that Yorkshire picked the Australian Elliot for a Gillette Cup* final against us some years back. He scored a match-winning century, not having played in any previous rounds.
Just got back home to Hertfordshire after the wash out of a weekend, although it was nice at Lyme Regis on Saturday
As for the cricket well I think it’s all been said.
I was left a little frustrated and embarrassed as a Somerset member as 6 of my friends, that had come down for the weekend to watch both games of cricket (2 Kent followers) got charged £150 cash between them to get into the ground on Friday for them then to be told they would not get given a refund unless they wrote to Somerset CCC asking for their money back or be able to use their tickets they purchased on Friday for Sundays game (that changed after Sundays game was washed out). So the club get peoples cash (as I am sure you cannot pay any other way on the gate) bank it for 4/6 weeks before refunding by cheque. I am sure this would be normal business practice but Somerset CCC has not encouraged my friends to come back and watch cricket at Taunton because of this.
I can see how you feel Wares and it must have been a real pain in the backside for your mates but I'm also struggling to see how the club could have refunded the money any other way.
The only other way I could think of would have been to hold cash at the ground for Sunday and get people to turn up for their refund. That would have been difficult because they would have had to withdraw it before the Friday game and hold it somewhere over the weekend on the off chance.
The only thing you can hope is that it is refunded quickly with some kind of covering note giving some incentive to come back and watch at Taunton again.
Re the cash refunds, quite apart from the lack of staff members on duty to administer this, it must be nigh impossible to tell who paid cash on the gate, to be able to then refund cash to those people.
So long as the ticketing policy is advertised in advance, I don't think anyone has a realistic complaint.
Well, Grockle, if your first choice overseas player is ruled out by injury, I don't think it's unfair to be allowed an overseas replacement.
In the case of Dwayne Bravo and Essex, though, I don't think Essex lost anyone to injury? They just wanted to hire a mercenary for that day - and he and they arguably got what they deserved.
No problems wth them taking responsibility generally but they should be 'cup tied' in competitions that have reached the Final.
I'd also like to say that I felt the same way about the dropping of Steff Jones for the final in 99 to bring back Graham Rose.
If you've played to get the side to the final you should play in it. If you haven't then you shouldn't.
If that was the case then the county would develop backups within its own systems just in case and that would promote more English players. If you can simply buy in replacements what is the point?
Distinct silence from the club on T20 members who are getting a bad deal over this refund system. Would it hurt the club to offer a Pro 40 ticket in return for the 2 games lost so far? The forecast on Friday isn't looking to good either...
barndoorio Because there's only 7 matches, not 10.
and so far 2 matches have been lost.
Leaving 5 games, 1 of which is in Bath, which was clearly advertised, but will have a reduced attendance.
So for your £99 you may well end up seeing 4 games... or £25 a match! Assuming no more get adandonded... seen the forecast for friday yet?
Apologies, I thought I'd read there were 10 home matches, so I agree it's poor vfm this year. The club will also be losing a lot of revenue, so no winners.
Do the club definitely lose revenue out of interest? I'd assume they have some sort of insurance, but perhaps not and perhaps it only covers some aspects of lost play?
Spinners often seem to do well in their first season, but then get worked out a bit and have to work at their craft to get success back. "Don't lose your strengths when working on your weaknesses" might be the key here ?
I don't think it matters who SCCC pick in their teams this weekend - according to the latest forecast it says Friday will be a 'wipe out' weatherwise, and most of the weekend!
Botham
I think the only thing I would add to the issue on Friday evening was that all those that had paid by cash on the gate get a raffle ticket as an entry ticket so its not to hard to know who paid on the gate.
I do understand why the club do this sort of thing as I can imagine its a right pain to refund on the night. My friends were more put out by the fact that if there was cricket on Sunday they would have to put out another £150 because you could not use your ticket from Friday evening.
As a memeber I know I always take my chances that rain could prevent play, I just think the club shot themselves in the foot a bit on Friday evening thats all, by bitting the hand that its looking to feed it (those paying on the gate).
It is also my understanding that the club has insurance for the weather.
Wurz
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2011:06:14:19:16:53 by WaresWurzel.
Sorry, only registered users may post in this forum.
We record all IP addresses on the Sportnetwork message boards which may be required by the authorities in case of defamatory or abusive comment.
We seek to monitor the Message Boards at regular intervals.
We do not associate Sportnetwork with any of the comments and do not take responsibility for any statements or opinions expressed on the Message Boards.
If you have any cause for concern over any material posted here please let us know as soon as possible by e-mailing
abuse@sportnetwork.net