Two debutants in this one for us as Chris Jones and Steve Snell come into a keeperless side because of the international call-up of our glove men. Snell will be registered for the CL as wel it seems and Chris gets a chance to show his ability in the short game to make a claim for Hydrabad. We have won the toss and we decided to bat - anything to do with our run rate advantage? Probably.
We win and it's semi final day at Taunton. We don't and we are off to Hove probably for a difficult smash about with Sussex. The side is a little different because of the loss of Jos, Craig K. In comes Jones for Compton and Craig Meschede takes over from the other Craig in the batting line-up while new registered player Steve Snell will pick up the gloves (he's already wearing his shirt).
Marcus won his third toss in a row and decides to bat - something to do with Essex and run rates...or just he's had enough of chasing. Pete joins his captain as opener but soon finds himself on the pitch alone as MT retires after hitting two boundaries and is helped off the pitch by two people. Worrying for Wednesay people. Out comes Kartik in this kind of pinch hitter role he seems to be taking in one day games when we lose early. He helps Trigger to take the game past the 50 mark before he departs for 29 off 21 at 68. Hildreth replaces him
The Reply
Kartik does the other thing he does which is he opens from the River and he goes for 5. Meanwhile a number of supporters are being handcuffed in the Somerset Stand and led away by the gentlemen of the A&S Constabulary. Interest in that means we nearly miss Pettini being plumb in front to Alf 5 for 1 8 balls in!!
It doesn't stay in our favour as Mickleburgh and Wheater start to move the score on and MK and AT do struggle to keep the Essex men in check and it is Dockrell who breaks through when he gets Wheater to put one out to the Somerset boundary and into the grateful clutches of Alex Barrow who is subbing for the Boss. 83 for 2 is not looking that wonderful but it does look a little better after the two wickets taken by Snell behind the stumps off the bowling of Craig M from the OP. Westley for 1 at 85 and Foster for 2 at 95. Mickleburg is holding this innings together with 50 plus and the result is still not a certainty for either side after 18 overs with Essex still a run from 3 figures.
Ten Doeschate is in. Not the batting problem he was last year but still a man you don't take lightly especially as he has a "set" man in Mickleburgh at the other end. That is changed by Kartik at 105 when he C&B's him. 113 for 5 with over 15 overs to go and 128 to get is a match there for both sides. Napier joins TD and they look to push the score along and its a 33 partnership before Kirby puts the proverbial cat among the pigeons by having TD in front LBW at 146 just inside the 25th over.
Topley arrives, looking like a bit of a rabbit and Napier starts to put bat to ball as often as possible and could win it on his own if we let him. 15 overs almost needing 106 to win. Steve bowls a great 30th but Essex need 63 off 10 as Alf takes the 31st and Napier is looking very very dangerous. Presently however, if Middlesex beat Sussex (needing 20 off 6 overs and 8 wickets in hand) this game means nothing and we get a home semi anyway.
When Topley is dropped at 197 by Kartik in the 33rd we all start to feel that it is not going to be our CB40 day. When Alf takes Napier next ball LBW for an excellent 41 at 197 the hopes rise again though the 200 arriving still makes the total possible.
Topley caught Dockrell bowled Suppiah halfway through the 35th at 208 starts to make the Middlesex result immaterial as well. Suppiah bowls Mills to finish it at the end of the 35th and we will be at home in the semis!!
Well done. Tickets will be on sale from tonight to members. Big queue presently. You have to come and get them .THEY ARE NOT ON THE WEBSITE I'm afraid people though you can phone in for yours from 9:00 tomorrow. Details are now on the site.
Brian Rose is at the boundary as the side come off. He hugs Alf and then shakes hands with the whole side as they come off. Good to see. This means a lot after the weeend.
The Only Way is Through Essex
Posted by: Grockles.com (IP Logged)
Date: 29/08/2011 16:57
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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2011:08:30:23:08:38 by Grockle.
Essex include three young cricketers with only a handful of first-team games in their 11 to play Somerset in the final group CB40 match at Taunton tomorrow.
Seamer Reece Topley (17), whose father also played for Essex, was still at school when making his championship debut at the start of the season; leg-spinner Tom Craddock (21) joined after impressing with the Unicorns; and seamer Tyral Mills (19) has come up through the junior ranks.
Team: Foster, Pettini, Wheater (ex-Millfield), Westley, ten Doeschate, Napier, Phillips, Mickleburgh, Topley, Craddock and Mills.
Think its normal England squads meet up 2 days before the game.
They have no interest in our P40 game, guess as much as Jos may like to play for us not really right for his prospects if on his first call up he misses the first days of practice.
Just really hop e he plays now he's been called up. Looking at the 13 man squad i think one of the 4 quicks will miss out, then it comes to 2 out of Stokes,Hales and Buttler.
Will not be happy if he misses tomorrow and Wednesday and turns up Thursday tired after travelling through night on Wednesday, purely to be Englands drinks carrier.
If Jos isn't picked in the England XI for Wednesday then he could be tucked up in bed in Taunton with a mug of Horlicks well before Newsnight starts. And if he does play then Old Trafford to Taunton late at night should be less than 3 hours.
Don't you all realise - the 'official position' is that the County Championship doesn't matter - ask Willis, Nicholas and Atherton. It is only there to provide potential England cricketers with the opportunity to display their individual talents - if they are OK then we will have 'em for England. But county cricket? oh bu--ger that!!
I fear we may not see much more of him this season, as ankle injuries cannot heal without rest. Time for the rest to show that his inspirational qualities do not depend on his physical presence. I think they can and will do so.
I'm also confident they can get the job done, though of course our immediate thoughts must be with Marcus.
I've done the ankle, bust it playing cricket, the worst injury I've had.
All the best Skipper.
He went down whilst turning to make his ground at the non-strikers end, he looked in a lot of pain.
No news as to the extent of the injury as of yet, though it didn't look good.
Aye, I totally agree with all of that Grizz.
It'll be a big ask, though as we all know, we've got the talent there in abundance, it's just a matter of getting it all together, re-establishing that belief.
We still win the CC and the CB40, of that I have no doubt.
I think the side has sufficient confidence and competence for morale not to be seriously affected. Our total today -in the absence of three of the finest one-day batsmen in the land (well, almost total absence of MT) was the third highest first innings of the day.
Trego's innings was particularly impressive and says much about the man himself.
Jones made an excellent start to his one-day career, whatever the commentators may have thought.
"Moaning" is probably a bit strong for it, but I felt the commentators were expecting rather a lot of Jones in his first senior one-day innings. Perhaps we have all been rather spoiled by the performances of Kieswetter and Buttler, who right from the start of their careers were able to score with astonishing speed.
Great to see the lads really dig in today.
with Craig,Jos and the Banger not available to play i think we have shown what can be done with such a good squad of players that get given a chance.
Apart from Kartik this could be the team that goes to the CL play offs and good luck to them.
The more these younger lads get thrown in at the deep end the better they will become i have no doubt in that!!
Well done to all concerned. It sounded like a thoroughly professional performance and the team showed great character after Saturday especially after MT's early injury.
excellent result after whats happened. I think thats three T20 finals we have lost and we have bounced straight back with wins on the Monday in 40 over cricket.
I wondered why Jos was refusing to shake Nixon's hand at the end.
This probably explains why.
Maybe we will be considered the underdogs now and the pressure will be removed and we can flow through seamlessly.....Great result today though, all to be commended.
We play better when we have nothing to lose and we are really up against it with the present situation.
The good thing is we may have to do it without Marcus and for Marcus. That can only be a positive thing for the county as it destroys the myth that we are a one man outfit. IF of course we manage it.
If, as seems likely Marcus is out until next season, then I suppose at least that means some extra experience for one of the younger guys - presumably Jones will get three extra CC games to further his experience and we might be stronger going forward for that for next season.
With two titles to fight for, I don't think this is the time to be blooding youngsters for next season. For now let's hope and pray that Tres' injury isn't as bad as it looked and that he'll be back for at least some of the run in.
After all the stick I have given 'Tango', I'd like to congratulate him on a fine performance. I believe he was the main difference today. We came through in the face of real adversity.
I hate these ECB rules which deprived a large crowd, at a vital game of quite a few players.
A half pint of coffee costs more than a half of cider, now that is strange!
The crowd was strangely subdued today.
Edited to congratulate Steve Snell on a fine performance, which couldn't have been easy being thrown in at the deep end.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2011:08:29:21:08:33 by Botham.
This was a win of real character and determination (with not a little youthful exuberance thrown in). Especially so after the events of Saturday and the ground falling completely silent when Tres was injured (apart from the imbecile of a disc jockey blaring out a rap about sex as the skipper was being helped from the field) less than three overs in.
No-one who saw him hobble off on virtually one foot can have any expectation he will play again this season, and indeed there was already talk at the ground of bringing in a batter either on loan or as a short-term signing.
Two names mentioned were borrowing Neil Edwards back from Notts (after all he is a left-handed opener) or signing up Michael Thornley until after the Champions League.
Certainly the recuitment of Steve Snell was an unqualified success, from both a batting point of view and the way in which he energised the rest of the team from behind the stumps.
However, with Nick Compton hoping to be fit to play on Wednesday; Chris Jones doing well on his limited overs debut; and the likes of Alex Barrow, Craig Meschede and Lewis Gregory (if fit) available for championship duty, I feel we should stick with the squad we`ve got - plus our latest ex-Glo`shire recruit as wicket-keeping back-up.
Thornely played a role with the ball today as they finally won a game.
I wonder if their much less successful season is because folks are no longer underestimating them? Or has the loss of one Wes Durston hit them very badly?
But, CJM, with Compton currently having a back injury and ditto, I assume, Lewis Gregory, it would not be a surprise if the club did look for some cover.
Also, if Jos demolishes India, do not rule out the possibility if him then being added to the ODI squad too.
I thought today was a pretty solid 'team' performance with everyone adding to the victory. Kirby certainly bowled well but I thought Craig's first 3-4 overs were exceptional too and he took 2 key wickets early on.
Jones & Snell probably pushed us over the par score on that wicket (240ish)
This sounds like a great win, with the team collectively showing real character.
I join with others in wishing tres a full and speddy recovery.
I share cjm's view that we should select from the current squad (unless, I suppose, it is absolutely decimated by injuries and international calls-up).
Grockle Tres on crutches.
Nixon's comment to Jos in the final was picked up by the SKY stump cam. It has been reported and the ECB will investigate it.
What an eventful day Marcus being injured, a new wicketkeeper Steve Snell, winning the match to get a home match and a photo of a person being led away in shackles (well on his wrists)
Arul Suppiah wishing he hadn’t played this shot, bowled by T Mills.
James Foster was lucky not to have his fingers trodden on by Chris Jones.
Chris Jones was not afraid to go down the pitch with James Foster stood up to the stumps.
Name the three men in the photo, I think everybody can name all three but a clue for the person on the left “Mr Rose could be trying to get money to improve the drainage at Taunton.
Now a sad photo of Marcus being helped off the field in a lot of pain, I fear he could be missing for the rest of the season.
Steve Kirby bowled well today several batsmen had trouble playing him this included Tim Phillips.
Our inning today was not spectacular but it was what was needed in the circumstances and end with a total we could defend.
Bunch of idiots in Somerset stand, rowdy throughout our innings, pretty clueless chanting, clearly didnt really know who was who.
Then at tea it turned nasty, they seemed to start fighting amongst themselves, then the green team men went in and plenty of little scuffles broke out, then calm broke out whilst clearly police had been called, then a good 10-12 coppers went in, and after several struggles cuffed 3 or 4 and marched them out to chants of "cheerio cheerio" from the law abiding remaining stand members!!!
I have had a PM from somebody and will answer it here because ‘wsm fan’ asked to see the photo.
I can’t post it because a press photographer asked me if I had a photo of what happened in the stand because he was having a break at the time.
I didn’t notice what was happening until very late on and all I saw was somebody being taken down the steps of the stand and then he lost his footing fell down, at that point I turn the camera and took a photo as he was lifted up onto his feet, until I got home I wasn’t sure what sort of photo I had taken but it clearly shows the person with handcuffs on.
Until I have spoken to the other photographer I have to keep the photo to myself.
Essex colours, I think his pads must have been straight out of the box they looked a lot brighter blue than some of the others.
Thats understandable Mike.
Not really something we want to publicise as a club i guess anyway. Cant say i've ever seen any sniff of trouble before.
Plenty of noises groups chanting sometimes, especially in the 20-20 but usually fairly good natured.
Hope the club also come down hard on them, safe to assume they were not members i would think.
As I am sure you know, Mike, if any of the people arrested have been charged, the pix become sub judice and any attempt to publish them, online or otherwise, would be contempt of court.
That`s why all the faces in the riot pix in London and elsewhere were pixelated once charges had been made.
I was particularly impressed by Jones's stickability, which could stand him in good stead for future matters. He scored nearly 50 and yet did not really time any shots - maybe one! I just wondered what quality of bat he had. Everybody else's seemed to go OK, but he could never middle them.
Perhaps a change of bat would help him next time. That brings me on to the next point - do they all have to buy their own equipment?
I ask because presumably as a university lad he may not be too flush and bats aren't cheap!
I'd be very surprised, Old Boy, if any of them bought their own bats, other than by personal choice (if then!)
If Jones can score at nearly a run a ball without timing much (as you said) then that's actually very promising in terms of what he may be able to do when he is timing them!!
From a report on another thread, it seems he was parachuted into the side, directly, from another match on the same day, in which he had already batted. So it wouldn't be a great surprise if the pace of the other pitch was very different to that of the Taunton one and I cannot imagine that it is easy to play two innings, in the same day, on two very different tracks.
Grockle Tres on crutches.
Nixon's comment to Jos in the final was picked up by the SKY stump cam. It has been reported and the ECB will investigate it.
What was said?
Nobody's saying too much it seems, but something definitely upset JB - I noticed that he was reluctant to shake Nixon's hand at the end. Alluded to by Brian Rose on this site.. I did think Nixon was a bit over the top with his incessant chirping.
Grockle Tres on crutches.
Nixon's comment to Jos in the final was picked up by the SKY stump cam. It has been reported and the ECB will investigate it.
What was said?
Nobody's saying too much it seems, but something definitely upset JB - I noticed that he was reluctant to shake Nixon's hand at the end. Alluded to by Brian Rose on this site.. I did think Nixon was a bit over the top with his incessant chirping.
KB
Michael Atherton, who presumably heard all on the Sky Microphone, called Nixon's behaviour "totally unacceptable" in yesterdays's Times.
They will probably ban him for a couple matches next season!
Bobstan - I believe that the usual principle of the ECB having to issue a "certificate of no objection," might apply to the case of players wishing to participate in the Champions League. It certainly applies for the IPL. If so, they could refuse to grant one for Nixon, which would, in effect, then be a ban.
However, I may be wrong that players need such a certificate to take part in this competition, as distinct from the IPL.
Things get said in the heat of the moment, it happens in all walks of life.
Shake hands and move on, no point in going crying to teacher, that's just the way the cookie crumbles.
Big Jim Things get said in the heat of the moment, it happens in all walks of life.
Shake hands and move on, no point in going crying to teacher, that's just the way the cookie crumbles.
Normally i would agree with you, but this does not sound like "heat of the moment" emotional stuff and if it has gone beyond the realm of regular banter it should be dealt with. "Unacceptable behaviour" (and Atherton has plenty of yardsticks to judge that by) is no less acceptable because it comes from a man playing his last games.
a well known female cricket press twitterer obviously read what he said and wasn't impressed but also mentioned that it has not been reported to the ECB...
Well Brian and the men in the box yesterday were under the impression that it had been reported to the ECB - though it may not have been until yesterday.
The SKY man at the game yesterday did point out that Hussain, Lloyd and all the other SKY commentators will have had direct access to the comments being made as they were made so Atherton reckons it was unacceptable while his compardres seem to have been laughing and giggling about it as harmless fun while on mike during the actual games - hmmm be interesting to see what the ajudicators think of it all.
I have just watched the recording again of Jos’s innings, the stump mike was not turned up very high for us but as Grockle said the commentators can have it higher for themselves so would hear things we can't hear.
Paul Nixon was in Jos’s face before he reached the crease and took his mark.
Poor "Australian style," conduct from Nixon, Mike.
p.s. Jim - my understanding from what I had read about it was that it is Sky, not SCCC, that have made the ECB aware of this - I think that is what Brian has said?
IN which case, Leics cannot really complain about us being 'sore losers?'
That's brilliant news, cheers fRed.
I hear what you say about the sledging, but I believe that what goes on between grown men on the pitch stays on the pitch.
Bullies in sport?
Come in, Both.
It's called gaining the psychological advantage, the old upper hand.
It's been going on since day one.
Probably before then if the truth is told.
BJ
Sledging is OK, BUT six inches from the batsman's ear as the bowler is running up?. That is cheating and worth a fine or suspension if the bas---d wasn't retiring. Order him to be suspended from cricket for six months so that he can't take up his coaching job!
I can't comment on what was said (the only remark that, so far as I can remember, the commentators relayed was to the effect that Buttler had better not bottle it like he had in the semi-final - which is probably not the worst thing that has ever been said on a cricket field). However, I do think it unfair for anyone to (seemingly) talk incessantly in the face of the batsman - just as I think it would be unfair for a fielder to attempt other forms of distraction around the time a batsman is attempting to play the ball or to compose himself when (for example) taking guard and looking round the field.
It's not a case of the remark being heard louder in the commentators ears. There is a man whose job it is to remove anything said on the mike that may offend the public (remember you are seeing the play with a slight delay from live). The commentators get uncensored access to what is going on.
And BJ. Stamping in rucks and mauls, hitting opposing players and pulling shirts in the box have been going on since time immemorial as well.
It doesn't mean that they aren't against the laws of the game or that they shouldn't be dealt with when seen and as blatant as this infringement seems to have been
I once had my testicles bitten so badly in a maul that I had to undergo emergency surgery.
Did I whinge?
Did I go crying to teacher?
No...I was outers.
But I tell you what, I can't half do a cracking Aled Jones impersonation.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2011:08:30:20:30:06 by Big Jim.
I hope that Brian and Marcus sat him down afterwards and pointed out that the only reason Nixon behaved like that is because he was scared witless of what Jos might do to them.
Presumably if Nixon was sledging, getting Jos very upset was the general idea. Not nice, and I wouldn't like to be in Jos' shoes in that situation, but that seems to be modern cricket. Could be good prep for when Jos plays against Australia a few years down the line.
If that is the way Nixon intends to do his coaching, then the game is really going down hill. I seem to remember that Nixon might have some history but I can't remember what it was - several years back.
What did Nixon actually say or do? I've scoured the Web, but the details are scarce. There seems to be a suggestion that he got Cobb to bowl before Jos was ready - was that the main problem?
Some of the funniest moments in cricket have come through sledging, I wish people stop trying to sanitise everything. Of course a bit of jiggery pokery is not preached or coached by the text book addicts, but it is a part of sport, of all sports, it's a key ingredient, you have to accept that.
As for Jos getting upset?
It's a learning experience, Nixon has given a lot to the game, many hours of entertainment.
Let's not damn him right at the very end of his career, let it lie.
Big Jim Some of the funniest moments in cricket have come through sledging, I wish people stop trying to sanitise everything. Of course a bit of jiggery pokery is not preached or coached by the text book addicts, but it is a part of sport, of all sports, it's a key ingredient, you have to accept that.
As for Jos getting upset?
It's a learning experience, Nixon has given a lot to the game, many hours of entertainment.
Let's not damn him right at the very end of his career, let it lie.
It is usually the retort to the sledging that is the funny bit e.g. Jimmy Ormond to Mark Waugh "Maybe not, but at least I am the best cricketer in my family."
I suspect Jos will be thinking of some retorts in future.
I still refer back to Atherton. He knows what sledging is, has experienced the worst of it with the likes of Merv Hughes, David Boon and many more. He knows what was said and still refers to Nixon's behaviour as "totally unacceptable". Something has happened/ been said that goes beyond gamesmanship and Jos or others should not have to "get over it"
BJ
No time for whingers???
If Nixon has stepped over the mark into totally unexceptable behaviour he should be fined?/banned?/whatever. The fact that he is retirng frankly is immaterial. I wouldn't be wanting him coaching my players or anybody else's come to that!
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