Back to the Long Stuff Hampshire at the Bowl
By Grockle et al
September 3 2023
Phase something or other of the 2023 Championship starts a week or so after the 'Franchise' stuff finishes and away from home with a fixture in SOuthampton against Hampshire. We have batting coming out of our ears but a dearth of bowlers for this one. We welcome Neil Wagner to Somerset colours but the hope that he would be attacking with Craig Overton and Josh Davey have been dashed as both are out with injury along with Kasey Aldridge. Andy Umeed is hoping to get a batting place after his heroics is the MetroBank. Hampshire will bat first after James Vince won the toss
V Hampshire LVCC1 @ Ageas Bowl Southampton Sunday 3 September 2023
Beautiful day here in Southampton in a sparsely populated stadium presently. James Vince has won the toss and decided to have a bat first. This puts demands on the bowling attack immediately as we welcome Neil Wagner to Somerset colours but are without Craig Overton, Josh Davey and Kasey Aldridge due to injury;
The side is
Andy Umeed, Sean Dickson, Tom Abell (c),Tom Lammonby, TKC, James Rew (wk), Lewis Gregory, Ben Green, Jack Brooks, Neil Wagner, Shoaib Bashir
A start for Andy Umeed then after his very good Metrobank tournament. Sean Dickson moves back up into an opening position while Tom Lammonby keeps his place after a sparse 'franchise' August but moves down the order. Ben Green also comes in to bolster the batting and bowling which asks a lot of the debutant Wagner and Jack Brooks. Shoaib takes up the spinning role and Lewis Goldsworthy and Tom Banton are the ones that miss out from the named squad.
Lewis Gregory (Hotel End) and Jack Brooks (Pavilion End) open the attack for Hampshire against Albert and Middleton. After a maiden from Lewis it is the 'Old Campaigner' Brooks who gets the first as Middleton plops one to Umeed 3 balls into his first and the home side are 0 for 1. Gregory is bowling very tightly and his first 4 go at a run an over and Hampshire have moved to 31 before Neil Wagner comes on for the first time for the 8th. He has a a rather languid approach to the crease but the ball goes where he wants it to from ball one and his first accrues 1 run.
Shoaib Bashir gets his first bowl from the hotel end with over number 13 and Abell continues to call the changes when he brings Green on for the 19th - giving all the boys an early sight of the ball. It pays off as 3 balls into his spell Ben gets Albert caught by Dickson for 26 and Hampbbinsshire send James Vince to the crease at 50 for 2
And so we have Vince and Gubbins together and the impetus of the first innings may change Wagner is returned to the attack after a good first 5 over spell for 13 for the 26th but the two Hampshire men look to consolidate and move the game onto another level. By lunch they have taken the score to 90 with Gubbins on 29 and Vince on 30 but it has been a good first bowling session for the Somerset men. All have had a look and all have acquitted themselves with credit. A balanced first session.
After lunch Lewis returns to reopens the attack and strikes early in his second over with Vince snicking behind to Rew having added only another 4. He goes for 34 and Gregory records a wicket maiden as Prest replaces his captain. Prest had a decent showing against us in the Metrobank but is a Hampshire 'experiment' in red ball. The experiment does not last very long because Jack has him LBW for zero with just another run added. In comes Liam Dawson
Tight bowling in the afternoon session from Gregory, Brooks, Wagner and Green keeps the run scoring in check but it starts to wear as we move towards Tea and the captain brings himself on for the 49th at 125 for 4 with Nick Gubbins moving towards a 50 and establishing a homs batting base with Dawson acting as second fiddle but moving towards the 20s. Adding some variation is a good move as they are starting to look a little comfortable. It's also good to see the skipper back to a point where he thinks he can offer some bowling in a competitive scenario. He goes for a highly creditable 3.
After another good over fromm Green the captain adds more variation as he re-introduces Bashir at the Hotel End and this ruse works as he baffles Gubbins with one and bowls him on 49 at 135 for 5. Excellent captaincy and we see Brown come to the wicket in the increasingly warm late summer sunshine.
He continues by introducing the new man to Wagner to keep him on his toes as Dawson takes over the lead role in his side's run making. Bashir stays on at the other end to keep them honest and the press remains in place as we move towards Tea. The 150 arrives in the 58th and they have only accumulated another 5 runs by the 62nd when Abell rings the changes again by coming back on himself (he has only given away 4 runs in his first spell) while leaving the young spinner to twirl from the Hotel End. One assumes the objective is to frustrate the Hampshire pair before the break in the hope that they will try and break out after the interval and make a mistake with his fresh bowlers ready to pounce? Well it's a theory... let's see if it comes true.
164 for 5 when we return after a Tea break. Bashir opens the bowling at the Hotel End and Lewis Gregory joins him from the Pavilion Liam Dawson resumes on 43 with Brown having 4 to his name off 41 balls. The Somerset bowlers have stuck to their task very well today. Having said that Dawson then brings up his 50 with a rare-ish boundary shot to the Paviliion rope. He goes to 51 from 112 balls.
But the pressure pays off because in his next over Lewis has Brown caught behind without adding to his 4 and James Fuller arrives at the crease with Hampshire on 172 for 6. The 'press' stays on but the Hampshire men deal with it well and moves towards their next target of 200 with Fuller moviing above 10 and Dawson going into the 60s. Abell reacts by bringing back Wagner for the 72nd and his 15th. He responds by moving from 14 overs for 26 to 15 overs for 26 with a maiden. At the other end Bashir keeps the pressure on with another tight over for 2 runs. It's attritional stuff in the Sunday evening sunshine as Hampshire reach the 200. Now batting points are in sight.
Green tries the Pavilion end for the first time to keep the variation going and Hampshire bring up a 50 partnership between Dawson 72 and Fuller on 27 in the 80th at 222. In response Somerset take the new ball and Lewis Gregory returns to deliver it. Dawson answers this by sending it to the West Stand boundary ball 1!! However, the return of Jack Brooks at the other end is more productive as he has Fuller LBW for 27 at 226. He now has 3 for 45 and Barker is at the crease at 226 for 7.
Liam Dawson is the sand in our Vaseline once again and Keith Barker is not going to die wondering about hitting a ball if you put it there. As the lead batsman moves into the 80's then 250 tonight becomes a very definite possibility. Somerset may feel that this game has got away from them a little as their stamina starts to wane with the end of the day in sight. A minimum of 10 overs to go and 243 on the board. Tom Abell would probably like 3 wickets tonight, but without that awkward little spell of having to come out and face less than a handful of overs. He turns to Ben Green from the Hotel End. He has bowled well with 1 for 39 from his 14 and 3 maidens. It has been a very disciplined bowling performance for an attack that had questions asked about it this morning with everyone contributing to tight lines and length.
Wagner comes back at the Pavilion End with 7 to go and Somerset are still not making it any easier for the Hampshire pair. They have only allowed 2 runs in the past 3 overs and the 250 does not arrive until a Dawson single off the 5th ball of the 90th over. As a reply Wagner nearly has Barker caught off the ultimate ball as he flaps at one outside off and Rew 'pouches' it. Dawson gets one away to the Hotel boundary move to 98 off 180 balls but Green keeps him there. He finally reaches 3 figures after a Wagner over sees a no ball and a Barker boundary spoil the maiden. Dawson faces Abell in the 93rd and takes the required two runs off a slight misfield from the first ball. An excellent response and it is greeted with generous applause from his home crowd
Barker (19) and Dawson (106) reach a 50 partnership just before the end of play at 278 and Abell calls on Bashir to bowl the last over at 282. The young spinner finishes his days work with a maiden and we are done for Day 1
Later there was an issue. It seems on 26 there was a claim that Liam Dawson popped the ball back to the bowler Jack Brooks for a return catch. Jack did not appeal as he thought it was pretty obvious but the whole slip cordon and close fielder group went up. The umpire decided it was a bump ball and the batsman remained. From our vantage point it seemed that the fielders had gone up for an appeal and been turned down. Those a little closer say it looked pretty good and clear but that is talking to Somerset supporters and there has been no access to a replay to decide either way. It might have been a different end to the day had Dawson gone early - we lost a bit of momentum in the last hour - though many would probably say we would have taken the score at stumps if given it in the morning.
Anyway Day 2 will start oon time in glorious sunshine and we will hope the bowlers will remove Hampshire with llittle more run damage and then we can assess how our batsmen will fare. There is some uncertainty about how we line up. The order at the top of this story is the one from the Somerset Match Centre - other scoring sites have a different opening partnership but that may just be because that has been the historical partnership for this season. It would seem daft to include Andrew Umeed anywhere but an opening sloot but we shall have to wait and see how things come to pass hopefully sometime in the mornning session.
Day 2
Liam Dawson on 109 faces the first ball from Lewis Gregory from the Hotel End as we get underway. At the other end Keith Barker has 20 mostly courtesy of lusty blows in between playing and missing at 4 out of every 6 balls delivered by Neil Wagner in the last half hour yesterday. But they are still there and Somerset need to make early in-roads into what is left of the home side batting line-up. We would probably like the end to come before the 300 arrives.
2 runs later and Barker faces Jack Brooks for the first time today from the Pavilion. The Somerset man provides a maiden and scores remain the same. In the 102nd over Barker finally goes for 22 at 293 for 8 caught behind off the bowling of Gregory and the next over Brooks puts paid to Dawson LBW for an excellent 115 at the same score. This brings in the last pair of Abbot and Abbas. Kyle shows his intent by taking his side past 300 with consecutive fours off Gregory
This partly results in the introduction of Wagner for the 107th over at 303. He thinks he has Abbot at 305 caught behind but the umpire has a different opinion and on the innings goes. The New Zealanders 54 off 21 overs with 5 maidens is good but less than the man deserves for his efforts but he stays wicketless as Jack picks up his 5-fer (and another contract?) taking Abbot courtesy of Abell for 14 Brooks takes 5 for 56 off his 23 overs with 10 maidens - not a lot more you can ask for from a 40 year old!!
Hampshire all out for 308
Somerset open with Dickson and...... (drum roll) Lammonby!! This seems to make little sense taking into account we have selected a specialist opener for this game who has just led the run makers in the one day competition and was employed as a specialist opener. Why pick Andy Umeed if you have every intention of playing him out of position while you continue to rely on a fragile opening pair who have done little to instil any real faith that things will change? Where are they intending to bring Umeed in? If they go with Abell and TKC at 3 and 4 then the earliest our 'stickiest' opener can play is number 5. If that was the option then why is the number 5 berth not in the hands of one of the 2 number 5 bats we already are struggling to place Lewis Goldsworthy and Tom Banton. Makes no sense from this chair I'm afraid.
Anyway the game re-commences with Barker bowling a maiden to Dickson from the Pavilion while Abbas opens from the Hotel End. We have made 3 runs before Barkers second tempts Sean to flip a ball to Vince and we are 3 for 1 with Dickson departing for 1.... not an unusual position for this side in 2023. Let's hope the arrival of Tom Abell stabalises things.
That is the situation when Kyle Abbott is introduced for the first time for the 9th over from the Pavilion. Somerset have moved on to 28 with Lammonby on 13 and Abell on 12 which is where it is when the over ends and Liam Dawson makes it a double change coming on at the Hilton End bowling a maiden for his first.
At lunch we have moved to 32 for 1 with Tom Lammonby on 13 and his skipper on 12. It is going to be a long hot Afternoon session.
When hositilities resume Abbot and Dawson do most of the work for the first hour and we move towards a first 50. It arrives in the 21st over just before Tom Abell departs after playing all aroun a Kieth Barker straight one and becoming his first LBW victim for 19 at 51 for 2. Some sense is then returned to the Somerset batting as Andy Umeed walks out next rather than TKC. It would be nice to create some stability before sending in the stroke players in droves. However, he hardly has time to have a look at the situation before Lammonby becomes Barker's next victim caught Brown for 27 at 52. Suddenly Barker has 3 for 11 in 6 overs!!
Out strides Tom Kohler-Cadmore to almost turn around immediately and return without scoring as another LBW recipient from Barker who moves to 4 for 14 in 7. Out comes James Rew and at least we kow that these two know each other as they have been playing in the Metrobank for the last month together.
It is obviously not easy out there and it puts the Hampshire score in context and especially Dawson's ton. As if typing his name starts something Liam then comes on to bowl at the Hilton end and almost his first act is to have Rew caught by Middleton for 7 at 67 for 5. We are nowhere near the home side's total with half our bats in the hutch and Lewis Gregory coming out to partner Umeed in a back five resistance effort to get anything over 3 figures in the first innings. Seems putting the same people in the same place and expecting a different result has had the most predictable of outcomes.
Dawson is partnered by Abbas in the 31st from the Pavilion to push the batting pair but they stay at their jobs and take few if any risks. Dawson thinks he has Umeed with the score on 84 but the umpire disagrees. Scoring is very slow but presently all the Somerset pair have going for them is time so there is no real hurry and few risks ought to be taken.
However, attrition does for people as well and Abbas is not to be taken lightly at any time. At 86 he gets onepast Lewis and he goes for 10 from 25 balls and Andy watches anotehr bat arrive to replace the one departed as he stands there with 15 from 40 balls. Ben Green is the next man in, someone who has been in a rearguard defence of his own more than once though a quickfire 169 to lose a game by 10 runs is not what we need here.
The next stage of whatever fightback we can put together is to reach 100. This the 7th wicket pair do carefully and in singles. They reach that in 41st over and then immediately lose Green caught for 6 by Brown off the bowling of Abbot. In comes Neil Wagner - not sure where we go from here with only Brooks and Bashir to come but a very large lead looks on the cards and whatever the front end plan was it seems to have not worked at all.
The 46th over sees Hampshire introduce Tom Prest from the Hilton End to partner Abbot. This is to mix it up a bit as the Somerset 8th pair have started to look comfortable against the line-up so far and although scoring is very slow they are holding up the home side progression to the end of the first innings. Umeed has moved on to 22 off 67 ("sticky" you see) while Wagner has warily gone to 7 from 20. Time is the thing to work with presently and these two need to keep frustrating the Hampshire bowlers for almost twice as long as this innings has presently existed - to the introduction of the new ball when, should any Somerset men still be there they may have got a little bit of confidence behind them or be very close to the end of the day's play. Going into tomorrow would be an objective the visitors would dearly love to see come to pass though it has to be highly doubtful at the present rate of wicket loss.
But the eigth wicket pair take us to the other side of Tea as the sides go in for the break with Somerset at 114 with Umeed on 27 from 75 balls and Wagner on 7. We trail the Hampshire total by 194 with 3 wickets left in our first innings. Not a great position with 7 sessions to go in the game. Ho Hum
Keith Barker starts the last passage of play on Day 2 from the Pavilion end with a minimum of 32 overs to bowl beofer the close. Think you would get pretty long odds that Hampshire will not be batting again tonight (or requesting us to go in again) and with a lead something over 150. The next stage of the Somerset fightback is to move the score to a gap of less than 150 - ie pass 158 - this is also the follow on score required. Dawson opens from the Hilton End.
Inevitably Dawson bowls Wagner in the 52nd over for 13 at 128 for 8.... still 30 runs short of the follow on score this calls Brooks to the crease. Andy may have decided to try and get past that total as he flails one to the boundary over his shoulder and then drives another to the Pavilion rope to move to 38 off Barker. However this also become an inevitabily as he is stumped pushing the score on for 43 at 136 -- the highest score of the innings. Shoaib Bashir comes out with little to do but get Brooks on strike in the vain expectation of him hitting 22 runs quickly in a last gasp hope. It is really only hope unfortunately and people start to speculate whether Hampshire will enforce or go in again with more than 2 days to finish this game off.
It doesn't take long and Barker gets his deserved 5-fer (25 overs 5 for 32) when he has Bashir LBW for 1 and Somerset are all out for 137 - a whole bunch behind (171) Hampshire have decided to bat again. Why not? They can't possibly be in any kind of hurry.
At 4:35 the sides return to the field with 23 overs remaining. A dispiriting session to come started by Gregory against Albert and Middleton from the Hilton End. The objective for us is wickets and few runs. We'd like to be the other side of Gubbins and Vince before the end of play and we'd Ideally like it to be without another 100 on the board - "Coz we've got High Hopes, We've got High Hopes, We've got High Apple Pie in the Sky Hopes"
Jack is at the Pavilion End once again and after 7 overs the 8th is bowled by Neil with only 13 on the scoreboard so thhe attack is working hard to keep the Hampshire bats honest as we move towards the halfway stage of the game. One run and six balls later Shoaib takes over at the Hotel End. With 10 overs delivered they have only moved to 19. One has to remember that there is no pressure on Hampshire to go mad. even with 19 on the board they are 190 ahead so it is presently 190 for 1 moviing into the 3rd day... not a bad position to be in.
With 7 overs to go and Wagner still bowing maidens, we are just over 200 runs behind without making a breakthrough tonight. Tomorrow is going to be a long hard slog and if we make it to the end of it then we could start to assess how far we are from saving this. A quick push for runs tomorrow morning and a 300 ish lead should do it, then the question is can we hold our front end together - because, once again, time is not going to be a problem should they set a total. it is going to be the fragility of our order. We do tend to perform better in the second push but that maybe related to how poor our first innings performances tend to be. But in the words of the songwriter "Tomorrow's Another Day Woah Oh Oh Oh Oh Oh Oh"
Ben Green is introduced for the last 5 overs in order to provide another bit of variation. Hampshire are not pushing anything, why should they? A 35 run partnership off 114 balls is not a problem but it is good to see the Somerset bowlers making them work for it even at this late stage of a day's play and with little on the line unless they can pull off a more miraculous performance tomorrow.
The day ends with the home side reaching 45 for no loss. It's all to play for tomorrow - sort of.
Day 3
Well the unsurprising news is that we won't be saved by the weather - hot and sunny with a high of 29 - welcome to the winter!!
Hampshire resume with all their second innings wickets intact on 45. They lead us by over 200 and it is highly doubtful that they will set us a target that is much below twice that sometime today. The wicket was 'low and slow' according to people in the know last night so it might be a long slow 'death' planned by the home side.
Our job is to make it as hard as possible for them to move the score along, take wickets and prepare to sell our own dearly after Tea (probably) today and into tomorrow. The task is all uphill but this game hasn't completely gone yet. Though a draw is the best we could probably hope for... but it springs eternal as they say.
The day starts on time with Jack Brooks opening proceedings from the Pavilion End to Albert. The first surprise comes as Shoaib Bashir opens the bowling from the Hilton End after him. He may bowl the odd over or two today!! The Hampshire 50 comes up in the 3rd of the day (over 26 of the innnings). There have been more boundaries in the last 5 overs than through the whole of last evenings start to the innings - they were obviously protecting wickets yesterday - no real need to do so today as they move on to 70.
Fletcher Middleton goes to 50 off 102 balls with 8 boundaries (the last one getting him there) at 80. But 52 is as far as he goes as Jack strikes bowling him a ball later without adding to that half ton. There was some debate about whether Vince would come in next to push the score along but Nick Gubbins is the next man in as per the scorecard order.
Neil Wagner starts his working day at the Pavilion End with the 33rd over and he gets his just reward when he takes the return catch to send Albert on his way in the 35th for 31 with Hampshire on 89. In comes James Vince. Wagner was obviously a little 'ring rusty' yesterday after some time without loadsa cricket but he still went past the bat and still did his job.. However it may have sharpened him up and the way he threw the ball up when he took the catch showed that it meant quite a lot to be back in the wickets - he worked hard for that one. Out comes Vince to bat out Wagner's wicket maiden.
Vince looks like a man with a mission as Hampshire pass 100 in the 38th Abell brings in Ben Green at the Pavilion End for the 42nd to hold the rate as it passes 120 while Gubbins and Vince look to get 'on a roll' and move this game along. All his attack have now had a taste of the morning.
A 50 partnership between the Hampshire bats arrrives in 36 minutes with Vince contributing 22 and Gubbins 28 and then after Gubbins tries the same shot to the Hotel boundary 3 times in an over, the first a boundary, the second another boundary through 2 diving fielders and the third stopped the Hampshire total passes 150 in the next Ben Green over - 321 ahead and Somerset throw everything at the problem by bringing Andy Umeed on at the Hotel End for over number 49 - they obviously saw his show against Derbyshire in the MetroBank!!
To go with this policy of keeping people guessing Tom brings himself on at the Pavilion. Interesting aside - Tom's mother was very surprised when he bowled in this game - wasn't expecting that part of the plan at all it seems. 152 for 2 just before lunch in the 50th over.
None of this stops Gubbins going to a composed 50 in the 54th over at 163 for 2. They finish for Lunch on 171 for 2. That's 342 ahead with Gubbins on 52 and Vince happy to sit in the co-pilot's seat on 32... another 50 and we move into 'Declaration Country' one would assume.
Green and Bashir open the afternoon attack and Hampshire bring up the 350 lead quickly. At this rate they may be getting into the Somerset batting line-up about an hour from now if not sooner as with Gubbins and Viince pretty well set there is the oppportunity to move the score along quickly. It may be a time thing as many Hampshire fans seem to believe that the lack of a follow on decision yesterday was so that they could rest the bowlers for later today. They therefore may not have a score in mind but a time either side of Teat to have 2 bursts at the top end of the Somerset batting order. It's a theory. I doubt many from the West Country presently believe our batting prowess is worthy of such machinations and the present score will probably be enough to give the 'Hawks' this game anyway - but "we shall see" as optimists are heard to say. Which is rarer at the moment? Somerset batting optimists or rocking horse droppings?
The quicker witted readers may have noticed no reference to the bowling of Lewis Gregory. He is on the pitch but there was reference to heavy knee strapping this morning and given the situation in the game and the rest the side will have after this before the Kent game, it looks like they are resting him from that task in the hope things will get better before the home fixture.
Meanwhile the Hampshire train trundles on as Gubbins and Vince pass a 100 run partnership with 58 to the former and 39 to the latter in 140 odd balls. The score is 197 for 2 which puts them 368 runs ahead with 8 wickets remaining. The 200 arrives within 2 balls and on we trundle. The inevitable Vince 50 then arrives at 214 after 66 balls just after Umeed replaced Bashir at the Hotel End.
Hampshire pass the 400 run lead barrier at 229 just after 1:45pm. With Gubbins on 85 they may wait until he gets 3 figures or we get him out but the declaration must be coming well before Tea one would imagine Umeed almost got him 1 run before it arrived.
Gubbins goes to 100 from 135 balls just after the 150 partnership with James Vince. We are getting very little now as Abell looks to work with his limited bowliing resources. He has moved Green to the Hotel End but we have seen little of Wagner after his first spell and Brooks in the afternoon session. He seems to be rotating himself, Shoaib, Andy and Green while two Hampshire men who are in make hay. Having said that, Wagner comes on for the next (70th over) at 250 for 2.
Again Wagner gets rewards as he gets one past Vince into the low diving right hand of James Rew (he does take some excellent diving catches) and we say goodbye to him for a well made 63 at 251. This brings Tom Prest to the crease with a licence to hit the ball and a desire to not get another duck in this game. However, it is at the other end that Gubbins shows that there are still runs in this pitch as he sends Wagner either side of the wicket to the rope in 1 over.
Meanwhile the game moves on as Bashir is reintroduced at the Hotel at 275 for 3 (44 Overs left in the day). Boundaries are starting to come as the rag of a ball gets some punishment - it is interesting that fielders aren't bothering to polish it between balls even.
The 300 arrives for Hampshire in the 80th over with Gubbins on 126 and Prest on 20. Abell has returned to bowl from the Pavilion End and we are expecting a call for the bats to come in at any time as we move into the last hour before Tea. It does look like the time prediction for the declaration was right - give Keith Barker a spell with the ball either side of the interval and see if he can break the back of the Somerset order after two sessions in the field with the help of Abbas and Dawson. Not a bad plan. It will be difficult to fight against in this heat.
There's clearly no consideration of changing the ball for a new one as Andy changes to the Pavilion for the 84th over - why would a side change it when they have no fit bowlers to take advantage of it? Jack seems to be below par, Lewis seems to be unable to or they are unwilling to make him, Neil is being used as their only strike bowler really and Ben is doing the 'workhorse' stuff with his skipper while our spinner and opener turn their arms over to offer variation - it's not exactly an attack with massive 'bite'. It was achieving above itself on Day 1 one when they were all fit!! It is really a case of going through the motions trying to keep the score in check until the home side say 'enough'. Hampshire have more than enough one would imagine and are simply batting the clock down to the moment when they want to attack our batting. 323 for 3 puts them 494 ahead - they aren't worried about the runs.
But we arrive at Tea without a declaration at 330 for 4 - 501 runs ahead with Gubbins at 139 off 192 balls with Prest on 33 off 50 - It's ample by quite a lot. Will they come out to carry on after the break?
The answer to the question is a resounding NO. Hampshire have declared and now have a session of Day 3 to put us on the backfoot as we chase down a winning total of 502. Good luck boyz you are going to need it.
No change to the opening partnership as Sean Dickson and Tom Lammonby stride out to start the fightback. Keith Barker will start from the Pavilion End with 32 overs to go to the end of this day's activity. Mohammad Abbas starts from the other end with only 497 needed for a resounding Somerset victory.
After 5 overs we are still without loss with 16 on the board. By the time they turn to Liam Dawson for the 10th we have 24 to our name. Only 478 to go (this is going to get old REALLY quickly isn't it?) Dickson has moved to 14 while Tom L has 9. But that is all she wrote for Tom as he is stumped by Brown after going to one from the Spinnedr and missing it. That was 'men against boys' red ball lesson 101. A canny spinner enticing a niaive batsman up the wicket and fooling him in the flight. In comes the skipper at 25 for 1 and Abbot starts to cause problems at the other end... gonna be a long evening session gentlemen.
It isn't Abbot who makes the next breakthrough as the batting pair settle into to taking no chances. It is the introduction of James Fuller at the Pavilion for the 17th that prompts the next fall from Grace. He tempts Tom Abell who is caught by his opposite number James Vince for 5 at 38 for 2. This brings Umeed to the crease to join Sean Dickson who has made 22 from his 53 balls. Now guys back to the 'bore for Somerset' mode!! Hampshire think they have Andy for 12 at 61 but the umpire begs to disagree and Dawson is denied. Somerset are now in that 'get to the end of the session without losing another wicket' phase and are moving slowly towards Day 4. It is 72 for 2 when they take the last break Dickson has fought his way to 42 and Umeed has 14. There are 10 overs to go against Fuller and Dawson at present.
An over after that and Hampshire want the ball changed. The Umpires consult, agree and then spend an age choosing another one. They sling it to Fuller, it makes no difference. With 6 overs to go they re-introduce Keith Barker for his last spell of the day. He bowls a maiden with Dickson on 49 and his side on 83. They ring the changes with Prest coming on to end the Hotel End spells for the day. Umeed tries to reverse sweep him with 5 overs to go to the close of play!! But he does get the single that allows Sean Dickson to play the boundary to the hotel rope that give him his 50 from 86 balls. 12 balls away from 3 figures - which would be a decent psychological milestone for tomorrow though it would still need the visitors needing 402 in a day with 8 wickets in hand.
We then have a bit of time for a close fielder to put on the pads so he can stand close in on the leg side for the last over of the day to Dickson he hits the second ball for four to move Somerset to 98 before bringing up the 100 with another four to the East Stand and that is all she wrote for Day 3 Dickson 63 off 99 Umeed 23 off 49 and Somerset 102 for 2
Day 4
There may be some who thought we would not get here from where we were after llunch on Day 2 but here we are. The maths is simple. We have 8 wickets and 3 sessions in which to score a massive 400 at about 4 and a bit an over. The guys at the crease are in but have to re-establish themselves this morning. We need at least 2 3 figure scores realistically and another over 50. We have the batsmen on their day. Sean Dickson has batted well for his 63 but is not known yet for converting that. Andy Umeed has converted scores but is liable against the new ball and early overs so he needs to get himself through that first hour. He can and has converted 50s into 100s (and more) but he would be the backbone of any attempt on this total. The next man in (if the present pair make a fist of this) ought to be James Rew who is our most likely player to put three figures together. This morning's work is not the skill of TKC. If the others get it right we might need him around Tea to push for the last 100 with Ben Green and Lewis Gregory plus the tail. Thhat's what ought to happen but we rarely make changes in a game and probably won't this game either.
This will be interesting if we are still 2 down at Lunch but are in the 200s... after that it will be squeeky bum time. However this is Somerset. We could be on our way to Salisbury listening to the 'World at 1' on Radio Four. Ahh the joys of analytical four day cricket :-)
It is another 'high summer' September day in Southampton. The crowd is very sparse for an intriguing start to a last day at least. Many think this is a done deal and the one thing we can all say about Somerset is that they don't tend to follow the trends of 'done' deals.
Kyle Abbot gets us underway from the Pavilion but Abbas at the other end starts the day off in an unfortunate way for Somerset when he bowls Dickson without him adding to his overnight score. As predicted "We are nothing if not predictable" out comes TKC. Let's hope he is 'sticky' this morning or this could be a short day. 107 for 3 after 2 overs. 94 more to go in the day.
On it goes as Andy Umeed also goes to Abbas, caught by Dawson adding only 2 to his overnight score 113 for 4 after 4 overs with Rew at the crease (something we were hoping for about 2pm :-) 92 overs of the day left or 6 wickets which ever comes sooner (I'll leave it to you to decide which you think is more likely) Somerset need 390 runs for a last day victory.
At 119, Abbott is convinced he has TKC but not for the first time in this game the umpire disagrees with a bowler. There is lots of hands on heads and waiting as if they expect the umpire to go "OK go on then" but he doesn't and on we go. Less than 90 overs to go.
With an air of expected confidence at 130 for 4 Hampshire introduce Barker for the day in the 43rd over in the hope he will take them closer to home. However, Somerset stablise with Tom KC taking most of the work and as we move towards 150 in the 48th James finds himself facing Dawson with 4 men around the bat, close fielders on either side. He has scored 6 to his partner's 36 as they pass the milestone with 80 overs to go.
Hampshire homework seems to suggest to them that our young keeper has an issue with spin given the extremely close field they have around him. However, despite this the Somerset pair reach a 50 partnership at 163 with TKC providing the majore part of 35 to James' more conservative 15. The thing Rew does in this situation is he does not look to hit himself out of this position, He simply continues to play each ball on its merits and hopefully that trend will continue. Meanwhile Barker is replaced by Fuller at the Pavilion to bowl the 53rd.
At 188 for 4 in the 57th, TKC shows his critics (including yours truly) that he can apply himself in the longer format. His 50 arrives off 67 balls with 7 fours and 1 six. Well played sir. Now convert it while staying with the 'Master Converter' James Rew!! Terrible how the hope gets you every time :-) Tom Prest is introduced from the Hilton just before lunch and they try some slow Gubbins stuff in the last over before the break. He thinks he has TKC with the penultimate ball. The umpire is not impressed and we go in at 202 for 4 with TKC with an excellent 58 and Rew with a solid 34. Not as good as we would have liked, a hell of a lot better than we might have expected. This game is still a game.
Barker starts the penultiimate session from the Hilton and Dawson pairs up with him. There are 67 overs left in the day and at the end of the 63rd of the innnings the 100 partnership arrives with TKC adding 63 and James Rew providing 35. 215 for 4 in the late summer sunshine.
With 55 overs to go and facing the slow stuff of Dawson (Pavilion) and Prest (Hilton) both the Somerset men get the 'sweep' out of its box and look to use it to move the score along. It works to varying degrees, sometimes hitting the rope, sometimes not quite going where expected and sometimes getting the fielding side all excited. However it move us to 250 and then to the halfway stage in the 74th over. Unfortunately it gets the better of TKC when he looks to sweep the wrong one and is bowled by Tom Prest for 84 (a very good 84) at 254. In comes Ben Green to a situation that is saying 'Only about 50 overs to survive' rather than 'Only another 240 odd to get'. But there is still a loss to avoid here.... it's just getting a little harder to see it happening.
The trickle becomes a shower becomes a flood as Dawson and the Hampshire bowlers start to get the upper hand. Tht score has reached 274 before Abbott actually gets into the wickets (courtesy of the new ball of course) when he breaks our last real 'stable' partnership with Lewis Gregory caught behind for 34. Neil Wagner comes and goes 4 runs later bowled by Abbott (blood in the water time again) at 278. Not long after Brooks is fooled by Dawson and bowled at 292. Ben Green and Shoaib Bashir are in but this game is over as we get close to losing by less than 200. Their only real target is to get 7 and make that a reality. The ball has certainly started to do something during the last part of this game and the slow men from the South have used it to their advantage before the pacemen got a new one to play with.
We go past 300 with a Ben Green straight four but it is defiance in the face of inevitable defeat at 10 to 3 in the afternoon. We do pass the 'less than 200' target so there is now the 'bat until Tea' one. Ben is showing the face of the bat to Dawson and then Shoaib has to do the same to Tom Prest who is back on at the Hotel End. He shows no fear as he pulls the Hampshire bowler into the legside. Not a four but a confident stroke while Greener is stretching so far forward he is almost falling over to hit the ball.
One would assume that if we get close to the Tea break the home side will ask for the extra half hour as it seems daft to walk off and come back on unless the last pair have earned the right by being stubborn and refusing to give in. Presently if you bowl loose stuff to Ben Green he will ask you to fetch it from the seats as happens to Prest in the 92nd over. Otherwise it is just wait for the error and walk off. It nearly comes from a drive from the young spinner off the older spinner but the catch is a bump ball (definitely this time) and the half hearted appeal fades away quickly). Prest pleads int he next over but again the umpire is unimpressed - it's that part of the game now.
Hampshire take the extra half hour and hope to get this over before 3:40. The Somerset pair celebrate by running 3 as Barker chases the ball down in the outfield. They don't need the whole half hour and Somerset are put out of their misery when Dawson has Shoaib LBW for 7 and we finish on 316. That's 186 or 33 overs short. Ben finishes 31 not out
Another game lost because of an awful first innings performance. Some positives and some questions to sensibly answer this time before the Kent game. We do have a batting order here but please put it in the right order, ask the players in it to get their focus sorted out and consider those not playing here when you seriously think about who will be walking out at Taunton in about 10 days time.
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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2023:09:16:11:39:44 by Grockle.
Ahh well they know best and as you say we won't know until we bat.
Craig and Kasey out injured and Josh also unavailable.
Interesting that GB is left out, presumably on the basis that he is on his way, but Lewis G. senior is selected, hopefully an indication that he is not !
Hard work beckons.
Grizzers
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2023:09:02:16:23:24 by Grockle.
Tom Abell*, Sean Dickson, Tom Banton, Tom Lammonby, Andy Umeed, Tom Kohler-Cadmore, James Rew+, Ben Green, Lewis Gregory, Lewis Goldsworthy, Neil Wagner, Jack Brooks and Shoaib Bashir.
No George Bartlett as expected but also no Craig Overton or Josh Davey both a bit of a disappointment leaving Neil Wagner (welcome sir) a little short on partners. Kasey Aldridge may still be injured so the presence of Jack Brooks may mean an extension in the offing or not a lot left in the seam cupboard (no disrespect to JB ).
Ned Leonard also not named but Ben Green is.
Andy Umeed also gets a name check so with only 2 to step out there is a question about who.will join the 7 probables from Green, Banton, Lammonby, Umeed, Goldsworthy and Bashir
The weather has improved so I get to see the Ageas for the first time. Don't forget it's September so 10:30 start.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2023:09:02:16:28:28 by Grockle.
As does Rew Dickson TKC & Abell in reality.
No suggestion we will go away from Lammers/Dickson opening so just leaves the number 4 between Andy/Banton/Golds.....
Same with the choice between Banton and Lammonby given Green will play. If they pick Umeed why would they not consider picking either Tom at the back end of the batting line up. If there is no consideration then why name him? You'll have to.wait until tomorrow to be certain.
There are also 6 bowlers in the squad with Goldsworthy as a possible second spin offer or the alternative to Shoaib in a pitch lacking masses of spin while adding to.the batting if they gamble elsewhere.
Goldsworthy career first class bowling stats.......
29 overs
69 runs
ZERO wickets
Why aren't we counting Umeed Abell & Lammers?
I think even 5 bowlers is generous.
Green & Brooks in 25c if it's flat will be a tough ask.
Lewis off the back of hundred & resting the last red round for 🤔🤔
Of the others... Umeed is not yet (who knows) or has ever professed to be an allrounder.
Abell has not bowled all season and I would have suggested Lammonby (who has been used as a lefty option before now) had he not had an ankle injury that has stopped him bowling all season. Goldsworthy has been used as an option in games he has played (mostly as a partner to Jack or RvdM) I see no reason why he would not be considered as such given our bowling crop for this match.
Same thing as your argument against Banton. They have red ball contracts. Just because you don't rate them in 2023 does not mean they won't be considered in squads they are named in or asked to carry their weight within their skill sets... sorry and all that
He, arguably, deserves a chance to bat in Bartlett’s position and see if he can make a better fist of it than George, since Tom L was a number 4 or so through the age group sides. That would, presumably, leave Andy and SD to open.
These are unlikely to be the three most consequential CC games in our history so if there’s a time for a bit of experimentation, it’s surely now!?
Bowling is now becoming the problem with the seam 'crock' list at the end of a season being an issue for the second season running. Maybe Tom L's route to certain red ball selection is to work on his all rounder attributes (ankles allowing) over the winter.
No team news at the moment or anything else for that matter.... but we'll see.
I'll be adding comments on the game to the frontpage for this one as I go, partly because I'm here - I'm sure there is a livestream and partly because I know this is one that Farmer is not planning on covering... until the muse takes him of course. As usual, I'll keep the frontpage seperate from the forum pages until after the game as it tends to make scrolling a pain for mobile users after the first day and a bit sometimes. Please try and comment on the forum thread and then I'll pput the frontpage story on top on Wednesday evening. Enjoy one and all.
Also hope Umeed solves our problem though if we does one continues to ask why it has taken so bloody long to try it. Then again.....
Lewis opening with Jack taking the second
And good morning
I do rate Golds, but as a red ball mid order batter.
The same as I wouldn't pick Davey as a batter I wouldnt pick Golds as a bowler.
As expected Banton & Goldsworthy the 2 to miss out, what a lovely sunny day ☀️☀️
).
Whatever YOU think Lewis Goldsworthy is makes no difference. It is what his bosses want to use him as and what HE thinks he is that actually matters.
He classifies himself as a batting allrounder (and he may have to work on that to get into this side next year) what you classify him as is irrelevant.
To your actual point you suggested that there were only 5 players who could bowl... Somerset would have seen 6 - pretty simple really.
I think you might even get an argument from Josh about how far down the batting line-up you would put him... what is Craig to you? Josh might argue he is a better 'bowling allrounder' with the the bat than his team-mate.
Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 2023:09:03:12:12:31 by Grockle.
Josh is a BOWLER.
Goldsworthy is a top 6 BATTER.
They all do the other suit but it isn't what they are going to be selected for.
20 matches & zero wickets, never once being selected as a bowler sort of proves that.
But keep pedalling the other if you wish.
There is a third category called ALLROUNDERS some are BATTING strong and bowl a little and some are BOWLING strong and bat a little... or in some case a lot in their second string. Lewis is one Ben is another so is Kasey and who knows in the future maybe Tom L and Lewis Jr may develop into them Banger tried but decided batting was his forte and specialised
Selectors look at all three categories for their sides I think you identified one of them in your original 5 bowlers Ben Green will take the number 8 spot I simply pointed out that you just missed Lewis Jr as you don't classify him as one - your classification - not his or his team's presently.
Hope the capitals help .. I assume you used them because you assumed I didn't understand the basics of cricket 😁 I offer you the same courtesy though I have an idea you think you just know better or your view is far more important?
Ahh well on we go
If he was in a squad and you were asked to identify the bowling resources in that squad you would include him. Whether you rated his bowling importance or not he would be one of the 'bowlers' you could turn to.
In this game Tom Abell has now bowled 5 overs. He is a bowling resource for this game - the reason he was not included before the game was his absence of being used in that role despite being picked for many games this season. His categorisation has now changed for this season as far as Somerset is concerned - doubt the fantasy team classification will alter
Be as Pedantic as you like people bowlers are people who bowl and batters are people who bat. Some do one thing all the time others do both to a greater or lesser degree. .The rest is word salad
If you want to call Lewis Goldsworthy a 'Batter who bowls' then be my guest. If you want to call him a 'Specialist batter who bowls' then fine. if you want to say he is 'Primarily a batsman who doesn't bowl a lot' OK... fact is he BOWLS in first class matches.
Edited 5 time(s). Last edit at 2023:09:03:17:31:22 by Grockle.
Hope we can apply ourselves with the bat.
Grizzers
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2023:09:04:11:19:54 by Grockle.
Dickson and Lammonby as an opening partnership have made little progress... is the intention to keep on trying them until they do? Duh!!
I wasn't watching nor have I seen a replay
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2023:09:04:12:52:08 by Rod1883.
Please let's have Banton opening in the next match.
LoL
Seventy-eight Seasons a Somerset Supporter
To me, Banton is unlikely to get a call and, if he does, it should be as a stroke making five or six, not trying to open Vs a red ball. They still need to try Umeed doing that though, apparently, this seems to be beyond their comprehension!!
So it's take from this what you can time - never been here before.....
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2023:09:04:15:08:37 by Grockle.
No doubt he will run out of support before the selectors can go too thorough a shade of crimson.
Let’s be real here: This team has depended very, very heavily, for CC runs on James Rew this season, and - to a lesser extent - KA.
And yet our selectors trot the same line-up out, every single week, as one would expect if they were all having the type of seasons that JR has had!!
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2023:09:04:16:37:41 by AGod.
LoL
Seventy-eight Seasons a Somerset Supporter
Can’t help thinking that our T20 success has papered over some longstanding problems.
Plenty more could be said, but it’s all been said before.
Dispiriting.
Grizzers
I thought that Hampshire bowled very well. Not only were there few loose deliveries, but the bowlers continually challenged our batsmen by generating some movement of the ball and, in Dawson's case, through changes in flight.
The wicket is already an ex-wicket. It has expired etc.
That being the case? There is no obvious reason why a team bent on nothing but defence couldn’t bat for a very long time!?
(Des will know!)
LoL
Seventy-eight Seasons a Somerset Supporter
2 cracking days in the sun so far with great company & nice to be back supporting our boys playing for our county playing infront of a healthy following of our supporters.
Restrict them to just a 450 lead by tea then dig in to see out the last 4 sessions, easy......
Though the guys kept to their task well this evening when they could have let it get away from them. The bowlers have worked extremely hard while the application of the bats has been lacking for more than the first time.
If they learn nothing more from the new man in the batting line up it has to be application to the job in front of them.
Umeed came in with the wheels coming off and only started to push when there was a chance of getting to the follow on target before losing all his partners. Before then he bored for Somerset because that was what we needed today.
This is a pitch that does not particularly cater for his type of strokes - seems 'drivers' don't do well here according to the locals.
Tom L also worked hard but like a few others it seems like he has to fight his natural game to stay sensible in a red ball game - he has to find another head space to succeed in this format I think because they don't seem to be working with it but fighting against it too often. They also seem to be looking for the moment when they can break free of the long format 'shackles' and they just can't. The moment they do they get into trouble. Application
In the top 6 today we seem to have 2 who are doing this far too regularly for our present level of fragility. Haven't got a solution - just an impression and it could be looking too deeply into it.
Elsewhere, Harmer will get one or two today. De Caires (Atherton's son) looked impressive
Well Jase the game is accelerating as Hampshire have added over 120 runs this morning.
Not sure where they are coming from, but come they must. We are seriously short of fit bowlers, we really are (in the pace department).
Quote:AGod
New bowlers needed for next season.
Not sure where they are coming from, but come they must. We are seriously short of fit bowlers, we really are (in the pace department).
Correct AG. Can’t rely on them staying fit and need more strength in depth.
Wonder what the story will be if the batting collapses in a heap for a second time in the match?
If that’s not bettered over the final two games then that - surely - would live in infamy as the worst record in club history!?
Abell has been poor this season, in my view.
He did do enough in the Metrobank to open up the class again and I still argue that until we get the rest of the top order sorted we cannot afford TKC in the top 5 with Lewis being the obvious repllacement for him. we don't have many red ball batsmen in the squad and we've spent most of this season not playingabout 50% of them.
Unless it's both of them !
Grizzers
The probable outcome might well be decided in the first 2 hours today. If we are still here by 4 it could becoome very interesting indeed.
A fight is what I'd like to see. If we lose let's lose bloodily
A fighting draw would be a good result and a credit to the backbone of the team
A fighting win would be miraculous and the best batting performance of the year probably
All are possible at 10:25..... enjoy the day one and all
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2023:09:06:11:55:10 by Grockle.
We were down three bowlers or four if you take into account that we only had one overseas bowler or five for half the game if you count Gregory bowling only four overs in the second innings.
The pitch is loaded against the bowlers and our batting is at full-strength.
Ergo… this has been a very, very poor batting performance in this match to date.
The bowling has been more excusable.
But that is the best innings I have seen from him since he made a hundred against us for Yorkshire at Taunton. That was a man fighting to keep his wicket in an unusual situation for him and he worked very well at it. Hope to see more than that though I still think he is a 6 rather than a 5 while we have James Rew in a side. He never really was a 4 and I think we alll know that.
Even if this is a loss that innings was a definite positive step forward for the highly cricitcised 'white ball' class of 2023
First innings batting was poor, as were the first two dismissals of the second innings and the game was lost there, really.
This pitch was flat, yet the batting - which was not below strength - was the bigger problem, especially the pathetic first innings.
But a few players surely need to look in the mirror as regards their contributions. Or lack of.
Really don't know what our batting order will be for the last two games. Our strategy seems muddled, to put it mildly.
Grizzers
Edited to add P.S. - As Hantssabre has posted elsewhere, Craig O selected for England ODI series v. Ireland, so presumably is done with is for the season.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2023:09:06:16:41:27 by Grizzers.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2023:09:06:17:27:27 by hantssabre.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2023:09:07:11:55:21 by Grockle.
LoL
Seventy-eight Seasons a Somerset Supporter
Only 5 seamers (1 spinner, 7 batters)
3 games in 7 days
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2023:09:06:23:37:07 by Devonboy70.
Isn't this what we were sanctioned for? Ours was 12 points iin the next season and 12 more held. Admitedly it was then changed but it wasn't 3 now and the rest only if there is another breach.
Yorkshire get no real sanctions at all for their indescretions
Just seems to be who is looking at it, who you are and where you stand in the pecking order.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2023:09:10:07:01:59 by Grockle.