Yorkshire CC July Abell Takes the Heat
By Farmer White et al
February 25 2023
Before we start 2023 I will complete Farmer's Championship reports from 2022 to clear things. The Yorkshire home game was one with a depleted bowling attack from injury and international calls. Over 30 degree heat and the umpires retricting play because of that.
County Championship 2022. Division 1. Somerset v Yorkshire. 19th, 20th, 21st and 22nd July. Taunton.
Craig Overton was unavailable for selection due to being on international duty. Josh Davey was unavailable due to a hamstring injury and Sonny Baker due to an ongoing back injury.
Somerset. M.T. Renshaw, T.A. Lammonby, T.B. Abell (c), G.A. Bartlett, L.P. Goldsworthy, J.E.K. Rew (w), L. Gregory, K.L. Aldridge, M.J. Leach, J.A. Brooks, M. de Lange.
Yorkshire. A. Lyth (c), T. Kohler-Cadmore, G.C.H. Hill, H.C. Brook, J.A. Tattersall (w), D.M. Bess, J.A. Thompson, M.L. Revis, J.W. Shutt, M.J. Waite, S.T. Gabriel.
Toss. Somerset. Elected to bat.
First day 19th July – Abell takes the heat for Somerset
This was a day to sit in the shade, even in the morning when the sun was restricted in its effect by a hazy covering of cloud. When the sun was in its full glory, the temperature topped out in the furnace somewhere beyond 30 degrees Celsius. Not as high as the 40 degrees in parts of eastern and northern England which broke all records. Hot enough though for spectators to fill the top of the Trescothick Pavilion, protected as it is from the sun by one of those wing roofs which look as if they are held up by good intentions and little else, and fill the bottom section too no doubt, protected as it is by the top one. I cannot vouch for that, for once I had secured my seat in the top section I did not venture out. The mere threat of the heat was enough to keep me out of it. A fair number sought refuge in the shade of the Lord Ian Botham Stand, but otherwise, what looked like a school party in the Temporary Stand apart, few braved the full heat of the open stands on which the sun beat down without pity or mercy, the first part of the afternoon apart when a random shower soaked the ground and stole 20 overs from the day.
The heat was forecast to be so extreme for certain parts of the country that the ECB gave permission for the first day to be reduced to three 90-minute sessions and the remaining days to be lengthened by half an hour each. Taunton was not in the area of the most extreme heat and the umpires determined that normal playing hours would be adopted. The pitch was straw in colour as if it had already been scorched into submission. It matched perfectly the parched fields of the Quantocks beyond and the arid farms and gardens around Taunton. Some thought they saw the faintest tint of green in the pitch, but that may have been wishful thinking, and it was certainly not enough to persuade Tom Abell to field first when he won the toss.
Batting first always presents an early threat, whatever the conditions, a point illustrated in the first over, bowled by Jordan Thompson from the River End. Matt Renshaw glanced his first ball for four, but was then beaten by a ball which missed the stumps by a hairsbreadth before running down to the Trescothick Pavilion for four byes. Renshaw was nonetheless in assertive mood, and turned Thompson square to the Caddick Pavilion for four in his next over before turning the West Indian Test bowler, Shannon Gabriel, into the on side towards the Somerset Stand for two.
Tom Lammonby made a more cautious start, playing out maidens to both Thompson and Gabriel. He did not get off the mark until the sixth over, and then only through an attempt to guide Gabriel past the slips resulting in an inside edge which flew to the fine leg boundary. An over later, he edged an understated drive. This time, Tom Kohler-Cadmore at first slip, playing against the county he will represent in 2023, dived towards second slip and took the catch. After Renshaw’s trenchant start, and Lammonby’s abortive one, Somerset were 25 for 1 in the seventh over.
Now Renshaw edged, Gabriel the suffering bowler this time as the ball evaded the slips and ran to the boundary. An on drive for two towards the point at which the still incomplete Gimblett’s Hill renovation reaches over part of the old Legends Square looked more assured. The Hill has been under re-construction for months, a cricketing casualty of the chronic labour and materials shortages endemic in these times. There was no shortage of production from Renshaw though as the next ball was driven square, again through the on side, this time towards the Somerset Stand for three.
Abell replaced Lammonby and did not hold back. First, he played Thompson down and wide of third slip to the covers store boundary and then to fine leg for two. When Matthew Revis replaced Gabriel, Abell attacked again, playing him through point and cover, both for two before Renshaw took Somerset to 55 for 1 in the 14th over with a square drive to the Caddick Pavilion, also off Revis, and a pull to the Somerset Stand. The wicket of Lammonby may have been a gauntlet thrown down in the face of Somerset’s decision to bat, but it had been taken up with alacrity by Renshaw and Abell, and four runs an over was a stunning riposte. As attacking stroke followed attacking stroke, the small shade-hunting crowd responded with growing applause and not a few cheers.
Then, as Revis and Matthew Waite, who had replaced Thompson at the River End, began to settle, the Somerset scoring rate fell. There was playing and missing too, and when Renshaw attempted to clip Waite to leg, he was struck on the pad to a huge appeal. As the umpire raised his finger, an old work colleague who had joined me for the day said, “I thought he was going to give that.” From our position high over fine leg the pit of the stomach had instinctively welled up as ball struck pad. The angle was not perfect, but the experienced cricket watcher has instinctive antennae which detect leg before wicket dismissals before the umpire has time to react. As Renshaw walked off with 43 of Somerset’s 67 for 2, “We need more runs, this pitch looks like it might have 400 in it once the early movement has worn off,” was the comment from next to me. There was disappointment too, for it had been an innings of attacking promise cut short.
Abell and Bartlett soon provided evidence in support of the wish for 400 as they raced along at better than a run a minute in the remaining half hour to lunch. Abell took eight from an over from Thompson including a whipped on drive which rifled through midwicket to the Ondaatje boundary. Bartlett played the silkiest of square drives off Gabriel, who had returned at the River End. A cut followed, perfectly square. It came off the bat as if it were coated in velvet, “He has a lovely light touch,” the comment. A drive off Gabriel flew off a thick edge but it was too wide of third slip to be of any interest and crossed the boundary in front of the Lord Ian Botham Stand. Finally, with lunch all but upon us, Gabriel added a pair of no balls to take Somerset to the interval on 99 for 2 in 28 overs. Three and a half runs an over was a generous return from the Somerset batters for the first morning of a match, but two wickets for the Yorkshire bowlers left thoughts of 400 hanging as much on hope as anticipation.
With the players off the field, and the match nicely balanced, the cloud that had hung around all morning, despite the intense heat, thickened, covered the point of the Quantocks, and began depositing rain. It was persistent enough to extend the lunch interval to 15 minutes short of the scheduled tea interval. Rain delays. Time to talk. And much to talk about. The future of cricket in this country was a subject to the fore of many minds. Much speculation has been born of the secrecy which seems to permeate the ECB’s planning processes. A fundamental review of the bedrock of English first-class cricket undertaken in the midst of an information desert has bred anxiety, mistrust and speculation among adherents of the county game.
And what speculation. Not just among cricket watchers, but among respected cricket journalists. Three divisions of six for the County Championship. One Premier Division of 12 and a feeder division of six. No promotion and relegation. A reduction from 14 to 12 or even ten Championship matches. Immediate transfer of players from feeder to Premier Division. Some Championship matches to be played in August with teams denuded by The Hundred. All to be implemented in 2023. Or not. Or only part of it. Or none of it. Or something completely different. The only certainty: on the current timescale, when proposals are published, the time for consultation with supporters and county members will be impossibly short.
There is such a disconnect between the governing body of the game and many of its most ardent supporters that groups of members are forming in counties across the country to resist any reduction in the length or importance of the County Championship. Rather like the explosive chemical reaction which results when a small amount of water is added to a large amount of acid, the minute scraps of hard information available to a large, anxious body of members has resulted in a febrile atmosphere and fears that the future of a meaningful County Championship and of some counties may be in jeopardy.
When the players finally emerged, the conversation had turned to less vexatious cricketing matters, 20 overs had been lost from the day and half an hour added to the end of it. The sun too had seen off the clouds and was now bearing down with all its power and searing heat. It was the hottest part of the day. In the less than an hour available before the revised tea interval, Abell and Bartlett added 65 more runs. Bartlett, as fluent as ever, began by taking two boundaries off successive balls from Waite, both played with an angled bat through backward point to the Ondaatje boundary. Abell began more riskily, edging Gabriel over the slips to the Lord Ian Botham Stand, but it all set the mood for the short session to tea.
Risk there was. Bartlett, in attempting a ferocious drive through extra cover off Gabriel, edged the ball towards first slip’s left knee. The fielder’s hands moved towards the knee, ball and hands misconneced and the ball fell to earth. To add insult to Yorkshire’s injury, off the final ball of the same over, Bartlett drove again, this time off the middle of an angled bat, and the ball ran backward of point to the Somerset Stand for four. More pain followed for Yorkshire as Abell, defending against Thompson, edged past a forlornly diving second slip, the ball running to the covers store boundary. Now, as the applause mounted and the cheers grew, Somerset piled on the pressure. Revis, replacing Gabriel at the Trescothick Pavilion End, was driven through the covers to the Somerset Stand and then, in the course of a single over, twice glanced and then clipped behind square by Abell, all three strokes going to the boundary. “He’s being forced to feed him on the leg side by those off side strokes,” suggested my colleague as Somerset reached 158 for 2 from 38 overs before idling safely to tea four overs later on 164 for 2. Abell 60. Bartlett 38.
The match had been in balance at lunch. By tea, Somerset were well ahead. They were scoring at nearly four an over, had two batters well set and eight wickets in hand. By the close, Yorkshire had clawed Somerset’s advantage back. For Somerset, Abell was the core, both of resistance and attack, and continued to drive forward. For Yorkshire, Dom Bess threw shackles around the Somerset batters. And all the while, players and spectators laboured under the unremitting heat of that merciless sun. All day, there had been a steady trickle of spectators appearing at the top of the entrances into the elevated section of the Trescothick Pavilion to seek refuge from the heat. Most were disappointed. One, who was lucky just after tea, said, “It is very hot out there in the sun,” a fact attested to by the length of the drinks breaks taken by the players.
After tea, Bartlett never regained his fluency and was soon caught for 46 off a top edge when trying to hook Waite, the catch being taken in front of the Colin Atkinson Pavilion by Revis. Lewis Goldsworthy replaced him and was soon swivelling fast on the back foot to pull a tired-looking Waite just behind square to the Priory Bridge Road boundary. “That was a confident stroke,” someone said. Powerful too, for the ball bounced off the boards and came back ten yards before reluctantly coming to rest. That stroke took Somerset past 200 and to their first batting point. But from there, Goldsworthy was almost totally becalmed, scoring just two singles in the next half hour. When he then attempted a flashing drive off Bess, the ball flew off the edge and Tom Kohler-Cadmore took a stunning one-handed reaction catch jumping backwards and to his right at slip. Somerset had fallen from 197 for 2 before the loss of Bartlett to 210 for 4. “We don’t need to lose another one now,” the nervous comment.
Bess had earned his wicket. His bowling was the equivalent of applying a tourniquet to Somerset’s scoring, at one end at least. At the fall of Goldsworthy’s wicket, Bess had bowled ten overs unchanged since tea and conceded 13 runs. Goldsworthy’s furious, edged attempt at a drive perhaps a response to that pressure. “We have stopped scoring since Bartlett was out. The momentum has shifted, and we are allowing Bess to bowl to us,” the analysis from my colleague. James Rew joined Abell but made little impression on Bess.
Abell, 60 not out at tea, was as circumspect against Bess as Goldsworthy and Rew had been, but made progress at the other end as he continued to carry the weight of the Somerset innings. Gabriel was cut softly to the Garner Gates, “It’s only just touched the rope,” the someone observed, and Waite was cut through point to the Somerset Stand. “Backward point has been busy today,” someone else said. Against Thompson, he drove off the back foot through the covers to the Somerset Stand. When Yorkshire tried Jack Shutt’s off spin, Abell twice slog swept him, both times over the boundary and into the gap between the Caddick Pavilion and the Priory Bridge Road Temporary Stand, Somerset reaching 233 for 4 and Abell 99.
Delays in cricket matches, like the 20-over long one we had suffered after lunch, in times when 96 overs in a day habitually take up to half an hour over the allotted time, can lead to disruptively late finishes, especially when they clash with rural bus timetables. For some time I had been measuring the gradually diminishing ‘overs remaining’ on the scoreboard against the remorseless ticking around of the clock in the top of the Colin Atkinson Pavilion. It soon became obvious that the close of play would fall shortly after my penultimate bus had departed and an hour before my last bus. My over-by-over calculation eventually settled on a close of play approximately ten minutes after the penultimate bus. Adding ten minutes for the walk to the bus stop left me with the choice of missing the final five overs or standing for 50 minutes at a still fiercely hot bus stop. Short of a Somerset collapse, not in historical terms an entirely unlikely possibility of course, I concluded the final five overs were unlikely to be the most important in the match and so I determined to leave early.
Watching cricket is never that straightforward. I have never seen any evidence that Tom Abell is telepathic, or of a mind to deliberately make life difficult for spectators. I can only conclude therefore that his reaching 99 a minute before the moment I needed to leave was entirely co-incidental. And so, with my bag packed and daring anyone to come between me and the exit, and my eyes and anxiety as much on the clock as on the middle, Abell turned Somerset’s main tormentor, Bess, behind square and ran two to take himself to 101 and bring the remaining vestiges of what had always been a small crowd to its feet. The applause lasted long enough for me to feel the need to leave the elevated section whilst still applauding. In terms of my desertion of my post, I am confident anyone who has stood 50 minutes at a bus stop wondering if the last bus will actually arrive will plead for forgiveness on my behalf.
Of course, my early departure cost Somerset a wicket. That is how the cricket supporter’s life works. Rew, on nine after batting for 40 minutes, had attempted to cut Bess through backward point. The ball had flown off the edge at speed. At slip, Kohler-Cadmore’s hands had reacted like lightning for the second time in the day and snared the ball just over and behind his right shoulder. Like his catch to dismiss Goldsworthy, it was exceptional. It left Somerset on 246 for 5 which had increased to 262 for 5 by the close, with Abell on 114 still carrying Somerset forward. Whether Somerset or Yorkshire are ahead in this match, only the morrow knows.
Close. Somerset 262 for 5.
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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2023:03:05:15:38:35 by Grockle.
For the first time in many years we are in distinct danger of not making it over the line. That IS a major issue and all our resources need to be now focused on the remaining 4 day games.
We have squad issues and decisions to be made. Peter Siddle may not be fit, Josh Davey is not available, Craig Overton is also absent. Jack Leach? Your guess is as good as mine. Will Marchant step in with Brooksey
Renshaw is not here for much.longer and there is a question mark over the value of picking James Hildreth or Steve Davies.
It's all fun

Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 2022:07:24:11:34:33 by Grockle.
Aldridge should surely play after a decent effort as concussion sub in the last home game.

If they don't play VDM? Well then, much as management might not really want to, I guess they would then need to field MDL.
The above assumes, of course, that Davies finally gets dropped which would certainly seem the correct call, but there's no guarantee that it will be made.
Depending on whether or not he is offski and on whether (if he is) the club's management know of his intentions, then it's possible that Banton might not get his place back, in which case probably Davies would continue or - I guess - Bartlett would get another chance.
The reason I say the above about Banton is that he hasn't been so productive in red ball that we'd necessarily keep picking him based purely on his current returns. I assume that part of the reason that we've been picking him is because we want him to improve in red ball and see potential in him in that format but - if management find out that Tom is off - then that "future development," reason ceases to be a factor as far as any development that would benefit SCCC in the long-term.
We won't drop SD, he is our best keeper.
It isn't allowed to spin.
No other fit seamers on the staff.
Regardless, given the weather, we might not find it easy to stop it from offering turn, even if we wanted to.
Davies (given his 2022 form) + that four man tail above looks potentially horrendous from a batting standpoint, albeit that KA is meant to have some batting ability. Potentially, you've got five guys plus Lewis Gregory and then not much more.
Viz your team above, WSM, unless he has some exam to do (which seems rather unlikely) then it would be harsh, to the point of ridiculousness, to drop James Rew? Management *must* be in the habit of rewarding performances / displays of character.
Here is the team that I would select, although it isn't necessarily my prediction for what management will do (and certainly not in the case of MDL).
Renshaw
Lammonby
Abell
Banton
Goldsworthy
Rew
Gregory
VDM
Aldridge
Leachy
MDL (management will pick Brooks, I feel)
Given the weather, there must be at least some prospect of the pitch having some good pace and carry which might make MDL worth picking. On the other hand, the prospects for swing - Jack Brooks' main stock in trade - would seem slim? As I say, given the weather one would imagine that the track will start dry. Yes, they could try to water it extremely heavily but, if they do that, it would probably start green and then quickly dry out meaning that lose toss >> get sent in >> effectively lose match during first session >> would probably be an almost automatic equation for whoever gets sent in.
Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 2022:07:17:10:07:19 by AGod.
Above all, we're paying the price for some combination of:
a) Having failed to attract new guys to the West Country from without (beyond overseas locums) to bolster the batting line-up over several seasons (Davies being the last one 5 or 6 years ago)*
and
b) The fact that the group of young batting guys who have/had been around for a few years and are kind of 22/23+ have not yet developed into forces in red ball cricket (Bartlett, Byrom, Banton, Lammonby and the other guy, whose name already escapes me, who never made it further than last year's 50 over team and got released at the end of last season - Young?).
*Obviously we have, finally, managed to get somebody, in TKC but - sadly - there is a very high chance that TKC will find himself playing in CC2 next season (assuming such a league exists).
An additional factor has clearly been bowling departures harming bowling depth, with Jack Brooks being the only non-overseas bowling signing brought in over the previous 4-5 years, as well.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2022:07:17:10:51:27 by AGod.
Might be right about Davies still keeping the gloves.. think that is the wrong decision as he seems to have lost the will to bat. Always would go with the best gloveman but that assumes we have batting stability but Somerset doesn't and the batting needs stability that Steve doesn't give it. Give the gloves to either.Bants or James R... it is probably time to blood a different keeper
Bowling... not sure where the implied lack of faith overall with MdL is coming from... he's done his job when asked and played for the 2nds when asked. We may not have needed him or been able to pick him but he's made himself fully available for what the club have asked him to do... why would they have such disquiet about picking him?

He most likely won't be here next year so giving him gloves makes zero sense.
We have given SD a year extension so that doesn't suggest we think he is finished, not we think Rew is ready for red ball, the lad his still awaiting his A level results!!!
MDL couldn't have been more cut adrift if we'd tryed, totally frozen out.
Banton is a Somerset player irrespective of where you think he will be next year. Some of your hero Jamie's best performances in his last season were after he'd signed for Surrey one assumes like JOve Bants is a professional.
We gave Brooksey an extension... that doesn't seem to be looked on in the same way during discussions about said ex bowler"s future.
Steve is presently a sea anchor on this CC side unfortunately with players suggesting they can do a better job with the bat. We can't move him down the order so.... difficult decision but my view is make it.
You are totally welcome to disagree

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2022:07:18:17:31:44 by Grockle.
Grockle - Viz, MDL, we will see... but if he STILL can't get in for this next one despite Cove and Josh definitely being out and Peter being widely presumed to be out (and with Ned Leonard injured and, one assumes, Sonny Baker certainly not ready, yet, fitness wise for red ball) then I think one would be left with the inescapable conclusion that management do not want to pick MDL!?
I'm not sure what happened with the concussion subs vs Surrey. WSM suggested that MDL was only "second choice," as concussion sub. This might have been true. Or it might be the case (I think it is) that substitutes for matches have to be pre-defined and accepted by the match referee as like-for-like swaps. In that case? Possibly the match referee accepted MDL as a sub for Cove, but not for Josh, perhaps? The basis for this might, perhaps, have been that Cove can bowl quicker than Josh?
Were you and Agod at Southport?
Have you both seen Rew keep LIVE at all? Ever?
No I don't at any point think he is as good as Steve Davies. Not even sure he sees his future as being a wicketkeeper batsman.
I've seen him bat and I've seen Steve Davies bat... seen them both live as well. Do I think James is presently a better batting option than Steve.... ooo let me ponder that one.
I don't think Steve Davies is as good as Michael Bates was I do think he's a better bat.
I don't believe Jos Buttler is anything like as good as Foulkes...that isn't the issue.
Don't think Alex Barrow was a good keeper (don't think he did either) but I applaud him for taking up the job when his county needed him.
Makes little difference how good your keeper is if your front end batting line up is falling consistently. The question is not presently whether your gloveman can make the phenomenal dismissal. It's whether we can bat out a game without being embarassing.
We have a better shot at that with Rew and Banton. If to get both in Steve has to sit it out I'll take that presently.
Would I if our front end was dependable? (I didn't agree that Carl Gazzard was a better keeper than Rob Turner in 2005) Nope I'd move Steve down the order and let the top 5 make the runs. That isn't happening as you saw LIVE at Southport.
Somerset will probably go with you because they take a long time to change .. we'll see how that goes. If Steve plays I hope he gets 50+ he owes us and it would do him good.
For the winter, if you don't think either of the younger players is worth it, we should be in the market for a batting keeper because we are gonna need one before 2024.

Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 2022:07:17:12:59:16 by Grockle.
Is TKC somebody who could also develop into a red-ball 'keeper?
Pass.
We didn't sign him because of any move. We signed him because we are losing veterans and may yet lose Tom Abell to England in 2023.
This Banton move is NOT yet fact and may not become such so any speculation that decisions are being made based on it being 'fact' are just speculative and hypothetical presently.
It is humourous how often this has to be spelled out here
It comes up again in discussion of the position of MdL. WHEN he is not picked and options are very sparse maybe you can then speculate based on evidence. Presently you seem to be speculating on the basis of your percieved opinion... well that's new here isn't it 😄😄👍

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2022:07:17:13:02:56 by Grockle.
Not actual confirmation from anyone and i wouldn't expect it really.
See Grockles last post for further reference. -

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2022:07:17:13:05:35 by Nailsea_Fizz.
The fact that they were looking created more rumour based on their activity and Presto it becomes 'alternative fact'.
The difference comes in statements that stop using 'If...' or 'Assuming rumours are...' and start using 'When...' and 'Because x is...'

Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 2022:07:17:13:11:27 by Grockle.
What has been reported (for example, on the Beeb commentary) is that Mr Banton has been offered a new deal, which he has yet to sign.
It is suggested that he would like to return to the area where he has roots. One assumes that the fact that Edgbaston also hosts a worthless franchise potentially makes them attractive for financial reasons, in addition to the personal ones.
Never mind it's no chore to do it
You got your knickers in a twist about Lewis G senior in the same kinda situation a while ago and produced a whole bunch of scenarios for that one as well. At least you aren't on your own this time. Think you did the same with Craig O?
Gosh...player out of contract is offered new deal!!! Player hasn't signed yet!! Was the speculation about Warks in the BBC article as well or was that added from 'elsewhere'?
It'll be what it'll be and I'll keep providing the public service announcements when they are required... coz it's fun to read the faux outrage if nothing else.😄👍

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2022:07:17:15:52:25 by Grockle.
Bat first in this heat? No Davies, so Rew is keeping?
Whatever WSM may have thought, Steve Davies's place had clearly become untenable and management appear to have reached the same conclusion. Moreover, it would clearly have been a nonsense to have dropped Rew.
14 picked, and hopefully - then - Peter Siddle is okay? However, MDL's presence in the squad presumably implies a fitness test for Peter?
MDL (If Peter is fit), Bartlett and one other will miss out, I assume. The A N Other depends on the pitch. If the track is dry, then I guess Brooks or Aldridge will miss out. If not? Then VDM will miss out.
No James Hildreth once again, so it is very much starting to look as though a decision has been taken to look to the future.
Edited 3 time(s). Last edit at 2022:07:18:15:10:03 by AGod.
Will be interesting to see who keeps. James didn't the last time he and Tom were in together but that was against Sri Lanka
It does look as if we have seen the last of James H in CC games but I hope he is looking to offer himself for the RLODC

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2022:07:18:17:27:17 by Grockle.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2022:07:18:15:56:00 by AGod.
Hoping also Aldridge will make the final 11. Thought he was unlucky to miss out last time
(Maybe the England footy team should be out practicing ahead of the WC in Qatar later this year !
Grizzers
Hildreth is in the final year of his deal and I doubt he would want another contract, even if it were to be offered.
The 50-over thing is likely to be James’s swan song, one would imagine.
So we have a net player in/out of minus 8, that I can think of in terms of departures (11 out and only 3 in from other counties that are still here). That's an awful lot of pressure to put on a club's youth system...... forcing us to develop eight decent new players from the youths over the ten-year period in question.
Non-overseas departures from Somerset:
Compton (player choice)
Kieswetter (player choice/injury)
Suppiah (injury)
Trescothick (age/player)
Buttler (player choice)
Trego (club choice)
Van Meekersen (club choice)
J Overton (player choice)
Bess (player choice)
Gilchrist (player choice)
Cooper (was not official overseas - club choice)
Non-overseas, both came from another county and left in period concerned:
Gronewald (club choice)
R Davies (club choice)
Bates (club choice)
Myburgh (age)
Allenby (club choice)
Non-overseas, recruited from other counties and not left yet:
S Davies
Brooks
Davey
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2022:07:18:19:43:27 by AGod.
Some of these might be outside the 10 just
Don't you need to link this to those coming up into the first team squad internally as well? If you don't then the picture that there may be gaps is not really accurate is it?

Quote:AGod
The right decision.
Whatever WSM may have thought, Steve Davies's place had clearly become untenable and management appear to have reached the same conclusion. Moreover, it would clearly have been a nonsense to have dropped Rew.
14 picked, and hopefully - then - Peter Siddle is okay? However, MDL's presence in the squad presumably implies a fitness test for Peter?
MDL (If Peter is fit), Bartlett and one other will miss out, I assume. The A N Other depends on the pitch. If the track is dry, then I guess Brooks or Aldridge will miss out. If not? Then VDM will miss out.
No James Hildreth once again, so it is very much starting to look as though a decision has been taken to look to the future.
The point of it, really, was to illustrate how many we needed to find (coming up, internally)... the amount of pressure on the youth system.
How many have we found - for red ball - that have proven clear successes?
Well, on the bowling front? It went well. Leach, Bess, Gregory and Overtons.
On the batting front?
In terms of red ball? Really, only Tom Abell has been a clear success story?
At the top of the list of departures, we have six players, all of whom averaged at least 32. And Tom Abell is the only one we've managed to develop to have done likewise.
And, yes, forgot Hose, Byrom and Meschede. Gareth Andrew was outside of the period (past decade) having left back in 2007 or 2008.
And maybe an ice bath for your feet!?
Whilst it's vaguely possible that Banton might have been dropped in favour of Bartlett for the last match, it seems much more likely that Banton missed out simply because he was with the Lions and that Bartlett, therefore, was in a fill-in role.
The usual convention is that you don't lose your place if you missed selection in the last game due to unavailability and the convention is usually only turned on its head IF a fill-in does something exceptional, a la Rew.
Therefore, IF, George plays ahead of Tom B?
I expect that that would then be a portent of an imminent announcement of Tom B's departure (with George having been preferred because Tom has already informed Andy and Jason of said intention to leave). If you know that a player is offski then short term vs long term calculations are needed. In the case of Jamie Overton? In the 2020 season, during which he left for Surrey? He was taking wickets for Somerset, therefore the calculation would have been try to keep him for at least a while before the loan to Surrey. With Banton? His run output has been negligible, really, so if you're picking him now, you're doing so mainly on potential and the mutual desire to develop his red ball game...... but that objective would become redundant if you found out he's not staying (Somerset is not, after all, a charity!!). Clearly, in this case, there would be most unlikely to be a loan to relegation-threatened Warks if Tom does announce a move there anyway, but he could be dropped for the reasons I just outlined.
Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 2022:07:19:09:49:51 by AGod.
Hope you and the team have a really good day.
Normal hours of play
No one has died of sun stroke yet.
Presently 91F that is 32 C for those of you who want it that way
Slightly overcast
TKC is playing so getting a feel for the place

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2022:07:19:10:55:09 by Grockle.
Renshaw, Lammonby, Abell, Goldswsorthy, Bartlett, Rew (wk), Gregory, Aldridge, Leach, MdL, Brooks
No Banton- take of that what you will
No Siddle so he's 'niggled' at best

I'm sure you can make up a suitable scenario of his movements for us all that may or may not be factual.
You were right, Somerset Blue....
I expect a Banton "offski," announcement in the next fortnight or so, now.
Good news is that they've washed the sightscreen sheet.... it looks almost white!!


I guess maybe they might have an extra drinks break or two?
James will probably not renew rather than us sending him 'ofski' as such
Banton has been offered it seems but has yet to sign
Max's contract ends this summer

Hildreth, Waller, Brooks and Banton are the four most likely to be off-ski, since all are out of contract.
The club also has to budget for the fact that, IF the injured 9,000 England bowlers get fit, then Cove May be returned to the Somerset payroll.
Edited to add that George Bartlett is also out of contract.
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Meantime, OHD is running through Kent at Edgbaston, with Crawley, amazingly, having survived, thus far.
Here at Taunton?
We have been leading a charmed life, IMO!

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2022:07:19:11:51:23 by AGod.


So in comes George.... important innings this one



I suspect they are already more likely than not to lose, by an innings, at 101 for 6.
Meantime, poxy England could have made Craig available to us, since they haven’t bothered to use him, Vs SA.







This track has been cut quite a bit shorter than other CC wickets this season and is drier, so could be good for spin later.
However, should probably have selected VDM if that is the case.
Washington Sundar seems likely to bowl Lancs to victory over Northants, which would very much keep Northants in the relegation mix.


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TL aside, a solid batting display so far.
Grizzers
Abell in red ball!!!
He needs to make it a big one now!
This pair and then Gregory must add lots as there’s nowt in this for the seamers and we’ve picked only one front-line spinner.
A little bit of turn from the footholes towards the end.
Very good catch by TKC.
Par on this pitch, with nothing in it for seam and a short boundary to the Caddyshack is, surely, in excess of 400?
So there’s an awful lot of work that remains to be done.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2022:07:19:18:43:46 by AGod.
There’s also the history of Taunton sometimes dying on day four - convention would normally have it that a track would progressively turn more as a game wears on… but it’s not that unusual, here, for it to spin a fair amount on day three and then die on day four.
I think Tom and Lewis must put up a hundred partnership.
I have to say I thought that their overseas, Gabriel, was woeful today.
400 is par on this is it? Only if one of the sides gets close to it so 'par' isn't decided until both sides have batted.
We'll see what tomorrow brings I assume. Well at least the more balanced amongst us will... probably


Not so many photos today, I returned home when rain held play up for a while.
At 5.30 I found it was too hot for me, left early.
Tom Lammonby did get started, he stayed batting for a while until he was caught by Tom Kohler-Cadmore bowled Jordan Thompson.
Tom Abell played some lovely shots in his not-out innings.
Matt Renshaw looked good but he seem to get out at the wrong time.
Matt Renshaw on the move forward when he was out lbw bowled by Matthew Waite.
George Bartlett ct Matthew Revis bld Matthew Waite
We need to push on in the morning to get as many batting points as possible.
Grizzers
If Lewis Goldsworthy had *ever* taken a first-class wicket (he hasn't) , then we might be able to make that claim!
(Although, as you say, there is Renshaw!!!)
As to the par for the pitch?
Tom Abell is obviously not very confident that it's far below 400, since he said that he "isn't sure," who is ahead. in the match. Obviously if he thought par to be, say, 300, then at 260/5 one would expect him to express quite a lot of confidence in our overnight position.
Instead he basically said that he and Lewis need to put on a really good stand in the morning, if we're going to get into a good position, which is precisely how I see it.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2022:07:19:21:35:04 by AGod.
The detail is that TKC was ruled out for four months after suffering a concussion in the Pakistani Super League - twice attempted to start playing for Yorks but suffered headaches and nausea and hence his season only started when the Blast did.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2022:07:19:21:34:31 by AGod.
Still not back at base yet after disgraceful display from railways . On Exeter station ; no trains run towards Yeovil , Salisbury etc for five hours now. I know extreme weather but five hours? Beginning to think being a recluse is only way to stay sane in the UK.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2022:07:20:08:30:22 by AGod.
So with par being announced as 400 if we fall short we will lose!? But if we make more we won't!?
We have England's number 1 spinner in our ranks, bowling 2nd and (hopefully...... 4th)
We have 250 on the board having lost only 5 wickets.
I'm going to risk attending another day today just to enjoy what "might" happen I reckon.....
Based on the way the pitch played yesterday, I think par is 400.
Therfore, if the pitch plays exactly the same today as yesterday? Then it follows that par for our innings as a whole will be 400 or so.
The pitch, having started on the slow side, might well progressively die over the four days, though, conspiring to make both run-scoring and wicket-taking more difficult.
Bowling last at Taunton, Leachy or no, is not often a notable advantage and the opposite can often apply. It's not at all uncommon to see a bit of turn on day two, a bit more on day three and then for everything to come to a screeching halt, turn-wise, on day four.
Realistically? We need a big stand from Tom and Lewis to push up to 400 and then our depleted seam attack wiill have to really hit its straps in support of whatever Leachy can get from the surface. The Yorkshire batting line-up looks really rather strong down to (and including) number nine, albeit with two apparent rabbits to follow (definite rabbit in the case of Gabriel).
Estimated par scores are absolutely irrelevant!
They mean nothing, especially from 150 miles away with absolutely zero allowance for weather, form, mistakes, various other unknown factors from behind a screen.
When people estimate a par score it is always based on the prevailing conditions, which include pitch and weather.
Nobody ever bases a par score on "mistakes". You look at overhead conditions, and what the pitch is or isn't offering to the various type of different bowlers on show, plus whether or not the pitch is conducive to shot-making, and the size and speed of the outfield.
"Par," is based on what "an average side," should be capable of getting in x or y conditions.
If you want to bring our "form," into it WSM, then it's hardly going to favour us, is it?
I mean where's the "form," among our seamers?
[yorkshireccc.com]
My view from the top of the Trescothick Pavilion was wonderful. Those two slog sweeps from Abell to move him on quickly enough to get to his hundred before I had to leave for my bus were both considerate and magnificent. The boundary fielders either side of deep square leg were powerless. He plays that stroke with such certainty and effect.
Farmer
I would much rather be under PAR and win than over PAR and lose, it is a meaningless totally guessed figure that has zero effect on the result.

Probably moving partly because of first hand family links to the unpleasantness. His dad resigned as something to do with the changing rooms over the handling of the Rafiq issue when it first happened and that possibly also provided info to TKC.
Ref the concussion. That was also cited as a factor. It seems that after it happened in Pakistan it took an unusually long time back in Yorkshire for the club to organise scans and that seems to have caused a lengthening of the rehab for the injury and that could have coloured the relations between the player and Headingley. Those points were freely provided in the press box but I'm just reporting opinions. You take em with all the salt you want.
Fun this morning with Matt Renshaw providing PA announcements in semi broad OZ twang!!




At the very least it will, surely, be an early lunch now?
Yorkshire really don't do themselves any favours most of the time it seems.
Not many up here very impressed with Gabriel either - his form has not been a matter of great satisfaction this season on the whole it seems.


Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2022:07:20:12:22:43 by Grockle.
I thought Gabriel was poor yesterday.
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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2022:07:20:12:45:44 by Grockle.

Grizzers


Lewis Gregory:
Since we gave him his most recent new deal (to ward off interest from Middx) his red ball batting returns and his red ball bowling returns have rather moved in opposite directions. The back trouble may be a factor in the deteriorating bowling returns.
I’m beginning to wonder whether it might soon be time for him to attempt to fulfil his “Brian Rose appointed destiny,” and look for more of a top six batting role with his focus being put squarely on that? It could prolong his career. It might help the club from a batting standpoint with top six batters like Hildreth and Davies coming to the end.
I'm assuming we are adding the word 'allegedly' to the 'Middlesex approach' suggestion or is that sourced?
Anyway he is pushing on and Kasey is holding up his end, a run an over will give us another batting point and 'points mean non relegation' we all hope.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2022:07:20:14:36:19 by Whome.

Wonder if they might put the hammer down and push to a Tea score that might let them have a dart afterwards? Or just trundle on until they stop?


The message seems to be "Let's get on with this"



At 370/6 with six or seven overs to go before 110 overs, where was the risk ? We’ve batted with far more urgency after the 110th over !
Meantime, lovely reverse sweep six by Jack Leach !
Grizzers

Hasn’t happened for some time, but it would be nice to see 30 mins of MDL!




A good effort today to add about 164 or so for the final 5 wickets.
Be good to see KA build on both his batting today and his good bowling in the last home game Vs Surrey, with a good bowling effort after tea.
47 over last session..... "oh good" everyone is saying

47 overs is an absolute whopper of a session.
If we make a good start with the ball? It should be a huge blessing.
If it goes the other way at the start? Well then about 40% of our total could have been cancelled out by the end of the day.

Hope he doesn't get too much of a feel for the place today!!




Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2022:07:20:17:04:35 by Grockle.
KA bowling a very full length.
I don't remember him being as 'round armed' as he is now.... maybe it's just a lack of seeing him? Not very good at the moment unfortunately


The slow surface is not at all suited to MDL, with his second over a rather painful illustration of that, in terms of the two attempted bouncers that got carted for six.
Fabulous - we’ll take it!!
Good ball, first up, from Brooks.
Sadly his more experienced team-mates have been various shades of “meh,” and failed to help him build pressure by drying up the runs.
The collective Yorkshire run-rate would have been horrendous, if not for KA's efforts.
We shall need to bowl with a good deal more discipline tomorrow, for my money. Yes, the pitch is unresponsive, but KA has shown what is possible in terms of keeping the runs down (no, you're not going to take lots of wickets quickly on this pitch, but at least make the oppo work hard for their runs!)
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What a different a day make.(no singing) compared to yesterday, the weather couldn't have different temperature wise, I was cold later in the day.
Tom A just couldn't get going today, and I was not surprised when he was out. This added to the slow batting when our sights should have been on batting points.
Next years Somerset player Tom Kohler-Cadmore hitting one of his sixes.
Marchant de Lange also hitting a six.
Lewis Gregory hitting a bit of an edgy shot, I included it because it was 4 runs and his 50.
A good knock by Kasey Aldridge until he was bowled by Shannon Gabriel.
Jack Leach trying to increase the scoring rate was stumped by Jonathan Tattersall bld Jack Shutt.
Seeing Jack Leach reverse sweep for six runs was my pick of the day.
I have to report that somebody was hurt on Gimblett's Hill today, I will go into more detail later on the Somerset thread, what I will say is weeks ago I pointed out a safety hazard because of the alterations being done..
Just not for much longer please !
Felt we did pretty well today, although some of our bowling was a little lose.
I can’t get bonus points out of my head. If we end up being relegated by a point or two, it’ll haunt us.
Grizzers
A different view on bonus points ...
I don't know the reasons for the apparent lack of interest in bonus points, however I do have a thought on it. The way in which we play often suggests to me it is not so much a lack of interest in bonus points as a focus on putting as high a score as possible on the board to increase our chances of winning, or at least not losing, even at the cost of a point. One additional win or draw in a season through not focusing on bonus points would usually more than make up numerically for any 'lost' bonus points. You only need one additional win to make up for 16 'lost bonus points. That is the 'percentage' value of the strategy.
The importance of one additional win, or one less defeat, is particularly illustrated by the events of 2010. In 2010 Notttinghamshire pipped us to the Championship by dint of having won one more match than us. It shouldn't be difficult to find a 'missed' bonus point that 'lost' us the title somewhere in that season. However, I have always thought that if it was down to any one thing (it almost certainly wasn't), it was the second match of the season. Nottinghamshire pipped us by two wickets thanks to a Broad blitz in our second innings. A narrow win for them. A narrow defeat for us. A 32-point advantage to them which we were unable to claw back over the course of virtually an entire season.
Of course had we won that match narrowly there is no guarantee we would have won the Championship, although it would have been more likely, because the whole dynamic of the rest of the season would have been different and what might have happened is impossible to predict because the number of possible variables is infinite (they are probably more than infinite with Somerset!). The same applies to a degree to bonus points. Of course, I would rather have them than not, but I would rather have 424 on the board in this than 380 trying to race to an extra point.
Farmer
We've lost titles for the want of them and the chsnge required to scoop them up.is pretty marginal most times...IF a side has a focus on the game position. I'm not sure Somerset do often enough until its too late.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2022:07:21:08:15:18 by Grockle.
I just checked back the ESPN ‘commentary’ section, which gives over by over scores.
At 100 overs we were 338/6, needing 62 off 10 for the final batting point. Surely attainable without too much risk.
At 105 overs we were 357/6, needing 43 off 5.
At 110 overs we were 368/6, so we fell 32 runs short, **having scored only 11 runs in the last qualifying 5 overs.**
The innings then lasted another 11 overs during which time we scored 56 runs.
I can’t believe that on that strip, with two batsmen very well set, that we couldn’t have pushed on a little quicker, without taking undue risk, to try for that last batting point.
Many of our ‘failures’ to clinch titles in the past have been attributed to being too cautious (re declarations etc. & it just seems - at best - odd to me to leave points on the table.
(But if we win this game by just a few runs of course, I’ll happily reflect on the joys of tasting the egg on my face !!!).
Grizzers
It can’t, really, have been about personnel, given that Gregory was in during the period immediately before the 110 overs and he is not noted for an inability to score quickly! I suppose, perhaps, it was about personnel “the other way,” I.é so long as Gregory was still in, we harboured hopes of 450-500 and so were determined to bat “sensibly,” but once LG was out we thought realistic hopes of, say, 500, were far, far lower?
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2022:07:21:07:24:56 by AGod.
Brooksey goes for 8 off his first and MdL bowls a maiden - probably with grateful thanks from George Bartlett under the lid at short/silly mid on. Great start to your day... "George just go in and field short to Marchant first up"


Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2022:07:21:11:30:29 by Grockle.
Not convinced, after yesterday, that Leach to TKC is the right move.
Brooks proving too expensive and it looks like it could be a long day in the dirt for our bowlers.
It seems, from what Brooks said, that Peter Siddle might be more knackered, than injured - as such - so perhaps he might be back for the Chelmsford Bunsen along with, one assumes, VDM.
A decent first over, once again, from KA.
That ball did not deserve a wicket (any more than Brooks to Brook did) BUT KA’s bowling overall does deserve a wicket.
Not sure about Jack's delivery speed either. He took lots of wickets when he pulled it back but he seems to have upped it again. Spearing it into the toes doesn't work too much when it's what you do every ball.... where is the flight etc?
One question today is 'Why are we setting up slow pitches in the height of summer?'
The answer seems to be that 'we want a high scoring draw'?

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2022:07:21:11:50:30 by Grockle.
Certainly batted for the most time as if steady accumulation and time were more important than bonus points.


TKC, for reasons unknown, in shell Vs Leachy today which is helping us to exert some control at last. So, if we are aiming for a draw, then the past 6-8 overs or so have been helpful.
It may be controversial but I thought Bess outbowled Leach by a long way. The former didn’t give much away and induced edges. I’m not sure I remember his start-stop-start run up but he looked like he was bowling with some rhythm. Leach, on the other hand, takes a couple of steps, fires it in and repeats. There didn’t seem a lot of craft in his bowling.
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He seems to be making a much better fist of things so far today.

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He was very impressed with Rew’s second innings rearguard at Southport.



Well played, but glad you’re out!!
Well worth the wait, though.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2022:07:21:13:08:01 by AGod.
Looks like this will pretty much be over if Yorks pass 274... so unless 'Twirler' Renshaw takes a five-fer it could be done by 3pm

That’s not a good thing if you’re the England man.
But maybe it might be a useful warm-up for him in case we want to use him on the Chelmsford dust bowl, though VDM must surely be selected there.
At last.
A truly awful dismissal!! 😂
Now, can Shanny polish off Shannon!?
Will it make any difference one wonders?

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2022:07:21:15:07:13 by Grockle.
Lead of 148 then.
Now?
Well, funnily enough, if we bat *moderately badly* then we might have a slim chance, still, of winning the game.
We’re not going to declare and leave them lots of overs, we’re just not.
But if we were to get bowled out for, say, 190 in 55 overs or something then that would leave them 339 runs to get and us 90 or so overs to try and bowl them out. Of course, batting well and making 230-5 declared or something from 55 would be better… but we won’t take that kind of chance.
Grizzers
Also claims we need to think about playing home T20 games on worse batting pitches (which is a little ironic as he had a bit of a whinge about how difficult our CC home pitches are, when he was on yesterday).
Quote:AGod
Gloucs on their way out of CC1, following on at Cheltenham.
And already 9/1.
But, tbh, we’re very unlikely to take all ten wickets in only two sessions so our best chance of winning is to be bowled out reasonably early tomorrow (though that would leave a fair chance of defeat as well, of course)
I’d be surprised, to put it mildly..
We'll see. If this carries on for an hour, that would be a great start. But who knows?
And Glos have already lost their second wicket.
It goes without saying, but this would be a great game to win!! (There, said it!)
Large swathes of dust coming from the strip as the ground team brush during the interval. Would be nice to see it starting to spin.
Grizzers
Who is now talking during the tea interval?
Is that Tom Banton again?
KB

Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 2022:07:21:16:45:56 by Whome.


But Dom has just fooled him and the strategy may now change entirely with Lewis Jr coming out.

… But our approach to this second innings implies greater ambition than that..


Shannon Gabriel, Yorkshire`s overseas quickie, has bowled considerable more no balls than he has scored runs in his time with the county so far. It could be argued, of course, that his two runs today saved the follow-on, not that Somerset would have applied it anyway.
My suspicion was that Tom might aim for 425 as the Yorks’ target, since it would be the highest score of the match.
That late Gregory dismissal might make a 425 lead unobtainable, though.
All most entertaining as reality knocks each one out of the park.
Lancs have, thankfully, turned their match at Northants around and so the home side look favourites to lose, which would leave them still firmly in the relegation mix, along with the loser at Edgbaston.
If we could actually manage to win tomorrow? That would pull Yorks into trouble, too.
Given the aggressive approach that we took to the second innings, it became apparent that Tom had some sort of earlyish declaration in mind.
Usually we are loath to risk defeat with our declarations, so this has been a surprise (the last adventurous SCCC declaration that I can remember was when Chris Rogers was in charge - which led to a narrow defeat vs Middx).
I did not think we would declare without batting them out of the game first (as I said leaving them lots of overs) but it now appears as though that is the intention (that YOrks will be left with a lot of overs to bat).
Edited to add that:
According to Jason Kerr we did NOT intend to be aggressive at the top of our second innings, it was just that the bowling was poor... so maybe we didn't have an earlyish declaration in mind at all (which was my original assumption before the innings started) but it has simply evovled that way as a result of us being able to score rapidly up front (even though that was "not the plan," per Kerr.
Edited 4 time(s). Last edit at 2022:07:21:21:03:10 by AGod.
Saying that, the same source predicts a washout at Edgbaston, which would keep both Kent and Warks in trouble, the more so because the first innings was low scoring, meaning they managed one batting bonus point between the two of them.
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As Kerr rightly says, Kasay Aldridge did very well again.
As Jason notes, it will be difficult to bowl a team out on that pitch and we must "leave ourselves time to do so."
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Somerset had a good day, the only problem should Somerset declare or bat on for a bit?
Tom Kohler-Cadmore lbw Matt Renshaw just after reaching his hundred, he walked before the umpire raised his finger.
Before he was out Tom K, guided a ball fine for a single for the one he needed for his 100.
Marchant de Lange bowling a short ball to Matthew Waite.
Jordan Thompson well bowled by Marchant de Lange.
Jonathan Tattersall ct James Rew bld Marchant de Lange.
I believe it was the first catch by James Rew as the wicketkeeper.
James Rew leaving a ball from Dom Bess.
Dom Bess was caught by Tom Abell bowled Kasey Aldridge.
I hope it goes Somerset way tomorrow.
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Edited.
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I really can’t imagine them suddenly being interested off the back of George having a good CC match for the first time in some considerable time. I mean I know Surrey like to sign players but even they don’t move for every out-of-contract player that happens to have a good game!
Will be a tough call tomorrow as to when to declare. I would vote for 11.45 a.m latest. Then we'll really need to be on our game to try to finish things off.
Grizzers
The forecast seems to have deteriorated somewhat overnight (whereas that at Edgbaston has markedly improved).
IF Tom has a forecast that he trusts which indicates some rain then I guess that would make an overnight declaration:
a) More necessary
b) Less of a risk, assuming some overs are lost to the weather.
Let's face it, as Jason said, taking all ten wickets on this surface is going to be very hard work anyway.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2022:07:22:07:16:17 by AGod.
The weather doesn't look like its going to help and it was a struggle to envisage either side taking 20 wickets to win this one.

But events have moved on. Per Jason we weren't planning to smash it at the start of our second innings, but they bowled badly and we took advantage.
I certainly get the Scrumper/Bloke With Dog view on this viz an overnight declaration. They are right that we won't get out of this situation with draws. Equally, though, we can't save ourselves today, even with a win BUT we could, possibly, all but condemn ourselves, were we to lose?
As things stand, we will either (assuming a draw) gain a few points on both Warks and Kent (gains due to batting bonus point gains) if the match at Edgbaston is washed away OR gain a lot of points on one of Warks or Kent (in the event that one side wins at Edgbaston), whilst losing ground on the other.
As for Chelmsford?
Well, it's Leach and, one assumes VDM, versus Harmer (his final game before joining up with SA ) and the wrist-spin of Critchley, one assumes.
We will need Leachy to be better there than he has been here.
At least some of our guys have found some form and presumably some form of confidence across this game and Southport, though the fact that we have three LHBs in our top six would be good news for Harmer. That businss about confidence should apply to Bartlett (here) and Goldsworthy (Southport). Abell has a ton behind him now. Gregory has been in the runs of late. So, actually, the four RHBs in our top seven (RHBs generally being better placed to deal with Harmer) should all be in reasonable form and confidence.
So................................maybe.... there's a small chance of us surprising ourselves there, especially if Tom calls right and is able to bat first on the bunsen? We might, also, get Peter back with local knowledge? It seems that Peter isn't really "injured," as such but was exhausted after so much cricket.. so maybe the week off will have recharged his batteries?
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Quote:AGod
Surrey?
I really can’t imagine them suddenly being interested off the back of George having a good CC match for the first time in some considerable time. I mean I know Surrey like to sign players but even they don’t move for every out-of-contract player that happens to have a good game!

* Laurie Evans, for example, has a first-class average only a bit better than George *but* Evans has a stellar white-ball record and so was signed chiefly for that purpose, one imagines.
And as for George.. what would he do at Surrey? Play in their 50-over team? Surrey already signed Sibley to replace Amla, so that's one place that George certainly wouldn't be filling in their CC side. Yes, Pope and Foakes might be away with the Bazball crew, but they have Jacks, Smith, Burns, Patel, a young guy, Geddes, who has made a ton this season and will probably sign an overseas as well as having signed Sibley. If England don't go back to S Curran for Tests, then he will potentially bat in their top six too.
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Match Drawn, then.
Poxy Beeb - as per what Grizzly said the other day - insisting that it's currently sunny in Taunton, and will stay that way all day!



Grizzers
Early lunch being taken. Followed by early shake of hands?

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2022:07:22:12:16:09 by Grockle.
No more info than that I'm afraid

I've been really disappointed with this pitch, which has been as poor as the track for the Surrey game was excellent.
I had hoped that all the dry and relatively warm weather would mean that we would be able to produce something with good pace and carry, as for the Surrey game, again but it seems not.
Still, it's greatly to Kasay Aldridge's credit that he has managed to bowl well on two surfaces that have been at the opposite end of the spectrum, in terms of pace and bounce.
As in "transfer market" (albeit that there isn't one in cricket, really) rather than about Mrs Bigglesthrope's latest contract for marrows, I assume!?
I hope it's another incoming move, to go along with TKC
That ranks right up there with the ‘spare tractor parts’ guy from India, which must have been well over a decade ago !
Quality posting. Brian Johnston would have definitely approved !
Grizzers
Our next match looks tricky on paper, but then Warks are at the Oval next. We must hope that it isn't one of those absolute road pitches in Kennington, because suffice to say that you'd get pretty long odds against a draw at Chelmsford!! If it's not a road at the Oval? Warks will surely lose, and probably very badly.
The Somerset match at Edgbaston, which starts Monday, September 12, looks like a huge one in the relegation battle, to me..
Edited 3 time(s). Last edit at 2022:07:22:12:43:45 by AGod.
Andrew Umeed until end of 2023


According to George Dobell he once scored the slowest CC ton ever.
He has been playing in the seconds. Had started well (with a ton) but seemed to have tailed off a bit but I imagine that Messrs Hurry and Kerr may have seen something that they like from a temperament point of view and, importantly, Umeed is actually a specialist opener, not a Ben Green or a Tom Lammonby shoe-horned into the role.

Still enjoyed three days very much. Good company over the days with LOL and Tractor, good to renew acquaintance with Grockle and Farmer White and good to meet Grizzers and briefly WSM fan. ( It wasn’t the fact that it was brief that was good!). My Crewkerne living friend also thoroughly enjoyed it.
Pity about the pitch . Tedious session yesterday morning but great to see some of our batsmen in form. Impressed with Rew’s keeping ; only two byes and at least one was not his fault ; may even have gone for two, can’t remember. Had to make a point of looking at him which is always a good sign in a keeper.
And now they are on everything else.... no start at 2:35, or 3:35 even..... this has to now be done and dusted

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2022:07:22:14:29:32 by Grockle.
In fact, the whole team looked a really tight, professional outfit. I've mentioned a couple of times over the last few years that for all Abell's spaniel-like enthusiasm as captain, there did sometimes appear to be two teams out there, particularly when things were flat or slipping away. There was Abell geeing everyone up, and the players of his generation trying their best to respond; but there was also that line of good old boys behind the stumps - Davies, Hildreth, Tres, Trego - who had seen it all, knew the cause was hopeless, and just didn't seem to respond.
It's an awful thing to say, because there's some real heroes of mine among those four men, and the teams they played in had given us so much fun and success. But that line-up has finally been dismantled, and I liked what I saw the last three days. This is Abell's team now. Everyone has either grown up alongside him or after him, and he's their natural skipper.
Perhaps the future will be like Wenger's Arsenal, after he finally dismantled George Graham's notorious back four and replaced it with something naturally brighter.
(For the avoidance of doubt I’m not suggesting that the absence of Hildreth and Davies will cause any wheels to come off for us, since those two have been part of a “wheels off,” top six for a few years now).
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2022:07:22:15:11:54 by AGod.
No more pitches like this one, please!!
It wasn’t raining then & it’s brighter now.
Don’t suppose it would have made much difference, but I’m not sure the umps. are sending a very positive message.
Such a shame as the game was so well set up.
Grizzers
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2022:07:22:15:45:34 by Grizzers.
Perhaps they consulted with Tom and with Adam Lyth and found that neither team was much interested in going out there for what would have been about 80 minutes of play, before shaking hands. I expect Bartlett would quite have liked to have got out there, though.
The rain means that George retains a 5-5 50-100 ratio, meaning he's converted 50% of his fifties into hundreds. With 12 more runs he would have been over 50% in conversion ratio, which would be incredible.
He's just got to get starts far more often than he has been able to, because his record of going on when he does get a start is extremely good.
He didn’t play the ODI the other day. He’s not playing today. The one on Sunday is a regular game, not day/night… and that’s the final ODI. He’s not required, so far as I know, for the T20s.
Leeds (Sunday’s venue) to Chelmsford doesn’t sound completely impossible. Finish in Leeds at 6.30 pm or so, then drive to Chelmsford?
If we suddenly had Cove, Peter and Josh all available for that one then that might go from a “not expecting much from this one,” game to something close to a “must win,” game given that we’d be at full-strength!?
Saying that - team selection would become tricky. If pitch a Bunsen we’d want VDM.. but then we’d also want all of those 3. The problem would be Gregory - doing well with the bat, but taking naff all with the ball (and a bowling average for the season of 60!)
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2022:07:22:17:48:02 by AGod.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2022:07:22:19:10:19 by Grockle.
Funny old game that is so weather dependant and also allows its best players to be taken away even when the game is so crucial..
No doubt a decision on the number of relegations this season will be delayed to see where Yorkshire finish.
The 8 franchises have to be in the top section IF the franchise is the main consideration that everything else revolves around.
It's more a case of who the six the ECB management are willing to sacrifice on the wheel of their view of the future I think.
4 Midlands counties so they don't drag that middle England franchise audience away from Brum, Notts & Cardiff?
2 others?
The non urban SW county? The 1 not in Bristol?
One of the South Eastern ones? Probably one of the Londoners or the seaside one that hasn't got a money pit Test venue?
Assuming they want something North of the Penines?

So probably not.
If it is important it would be nice to know in advance what the effect would be but don't hold your breath for that either

- Promote four and relegate two
- Promote two and abolish (after the fact) relegation.
There's no guarantee that where you stand in in the Championship will even be decided by red ball prowess. It may all be determined by white ball considerations!
Perish the thought it would have anyrhing to do with performance
😁🤪👍

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2022:07:23:19:44:21 by Grockle.
The ECB won’t be able to relegate more than the two that were expecting to go down anyway, since the ECB would have a 0.0% chance of winning the inevitable cases at the Court for Arbitration in Sport, if they tried to do that. Not being allowed to change the rules after the fact is a very basic legal premise! They could get away with promoting four and relegating two though, I believe, since the relegated two would have no obvious legal grounds for objection and the two extra promoted teams would hardly take legal action!
Equally, if the ECB are waiting for Warks to finish ahead of anyone apart from Gloucs? They might have a long wait. Warks looked execrable at Taunton, and they confirmed that impression by getting slaughtered by Kent, as well as by Somerset in that Taunton game. They look a very, very, very poor side.

Grizzers
Lots of decisions are taken *not* by only the 18 counties but by a much bigger “voting cohort” that includes the Minor County Associations etc.
If it is just the 18 counties and they need 12 votes? They’ll just offer bribes and/or issue threats to get the votes they need*. Of course at certain clubs, cough, cough, they have former ECB employees in charge of casting the vote for their county anyway… I’ve yet to hear Mr Hollins disagree, in any respect, with anything the wonderful ECB have done… anyone else heard him do so?
* Of course, they may renege on any bribes offered … for example there has been zero confirmation as to whether any more bribes will be paid for the duration of the new Blundred deal.
Their “threats,” would be - effectively - the opposite of bribes - namely that “Unless you agree to these changes, “”which are crucial for the future prosperity of our game,”” then the central ECB grant to counties will have to be drastically scaled back.”
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2022:07:23:21:44:06 by AGod.

t
As ever it was a joy to be back at Taunton once more, surrounded by good people, some of whom I may offend by not mentioning their names; those I enjoyed conversation or banter with included Des Platt and his friend Tim, Tractor, Mike the Lense, Grockle, Farmer White and the only downside was that because of antibiotic treatment for a serious gum infection I was forbidden to consume any alcohol throughout my stay in Somerset. That must at least have saved me some money!
There was some good batting from Renshaw, Lammonby, Abell, Bartlett, Gregory and Aldridge, the latter also bowling extremely well. And our new man TK-C batted well in the first part of his innings, though the pre-lunch session on Thursday at the end of which he completed his century, was the least attractive of the match and seemed pointlessly turgid. A most intriguing fourth day was promised until that forecaster (why do they smile so much?) totally let us down.
The ground, with its miscellaneous muddle of architectural styles, retains all it charm and one benefit of Friday's rain was that it gave me time to revisit the museum, I suspect very few of our contributors have spent significant time there and have thus missed experiencing a rather special place. In some ways Gimblett's Hill is an improvement from its previous version; it is certainly more spacious though paradoxically that means there is less sitting space available. Others have commented on the large drop between the back row seats and the walkway below - and one fellow spectator suffered a very nasty fall early in the match. It's a nice little irony that a fall from the highest level to the one below could well qualify you to use the seats below reserved for the disabled. A handrail is called for.
On Monday, the day before the match, dire warnings were issued about only travelling if your journey was essential - and what could be more essential than travelling by train from Paddington to watch Somerset play cricket, with ticket and accommodation already reserved? Apologies were made by the engine driver that speeds would have to be reduced to 60mph towards the end of the journey - that seemed quite fast enough for me. Tuesday was quite hot, though 10 degrees lower than my family experienced in London. Tractor and I were sitting there in the heat and talking about what a joy it is to watch county cricket at Taunton, not knowing we were being spied upon. Great astonishmeant was expressed when we discovered a photograph of ourselves on the front page of Wednesday's Western Daily Press under the banner "Seeking Shade on Britain;s Hottest Day". There was no evidence of the joy we had talked of, just a couple of solemn gits staring blankly ahead. But at least I was able to return to my wife with evidence that when I make my occasional visits to Somerset I really AM watching cricket with a few blokes and not cavorting with a milkmaid in Middle Zoyland.
LoL
Seventy-eight Seasons a Somerset Supporter
Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 2022:07:30:07:44:04 by Loyal of Lhasa.
LoL
Seventy-eight Seasons a Somerset Supporter
Day 1 report: Abell takes the heat for Somerset
Link: [farmerwhite.co.uk]
Day 2 report: Advantage Somerset
Link: [farmerwhite.co.uk]
Day 3 report: A sideways look at the day - cricket through COVID eyes
Link: [farmerwhite.co.uk]
Final day report: No play. Rain.
Link: [farmerwhite.co.uk]
Farmer
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2022:11:30:18:53:14 by Farmer White.

