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Cambridge - The Match

Ton number 1
By Grockle
April 16 2008
Well we talked about the game and the setup. Were we close? We got some right and some wrong but overall the first day of this game was ours with the welcome return of at least one hero and a number of other good stories to establish a feel good factor for the start of the season

v Cambridge (Uni) @ Fenners Wednesday 16 April 2008

Scorecard

Firstly the predicted side?  Well we got the opening partnership right for starters!  John Francis opens with Neil Edwards.  Ian Blackwell starts a game for the first time - at NUMBER 3! Somehow I don't expect that to last.  James Hildreth takes his place in the front four at the usual position.

Wes Durston seems to be a pick for the one day side - we got that one.  Also Peter Trego is in at number 6 with Craig Kieswetter taking the gloves and confirming he is early season wicketkeeper of choice (for all the right reasons). Phillips does seem to have a one day future, probably because of his reputation for frugal run rates - a return of the Graham Rose school of one day bowling perhaps?

Both Caddick and Willoughby turn out - good to see and Michael Munday plays as predicted against his erstwhile student teammates.

Not bad - don't get used to it though.

DAY 1 

Caddy is captain, wins the toss and chooses to bat first. If Neil hoped to show his strokeplay in order to make a play for a one day berth, it wasn't to be.  10 runs in and we lose our first as Lee has him caught for a majestic 1!  But Mr Francis makes far more of the opportunity as he and Blackwell start to push the score along at a heady rate.  John holds one end down while Ian hits a 97 ball hundred and when Frank goes for 59 we've moved on to 173.  It seems to have been a solid innings with 8 fours, 1 six and little gambling during his 2 and a half hours and 135 balls.  Good stuff JF.

Blackie is then joined by James Hildreth and they take the score past 200 with Ian taking the solid role while his partner gets to grips with scoring quickly.  After the 97 balls to 100, Mr B takes over 60 to add another 9 runs before perishing clean bowled by Baker. James has added nearly 50 in this time and he has a perfect foil in the next man Wes Durston who beats him and Blackwell all ends up in the runs per ball stakes by taking 62 off 78 balls faced while James moves on to 63 before being caught 2 runs short of the 300.  I'm a player to be considered seems to be the message from Durston. Hope someone listens if he can do this coming in at number 5.

But it's a student bowling attack we must remember so let's not get carried away.  Peter Trego is in at 6 and as this is a three day game he pushes the score past 350 while Wes gets a 50.  Then the captain calls them in for 354 so the bowlers can have most of a session at the Cambridge front end.

I have no idea what happened to one student bowler, Woodhouse.  he seems to have bowled 2 legal balls plus 2 no balls and a wide for a total of 9 before being taken off (first over?) and replaced never to bowl again...anyone help us with this one?

So the Cambridge openers start their season against Charl Willoughby and Andrew Caddick. One of them is one of ours so Richard Timms should have some kind of idea what is coming his way.  He manages to cope with his county VC's first over but Bott (his partner) doesn't and Willow gets a wicket with his first ball in anger!  Ballard replaces him and is castled by the left armer after facing 5 without scoring.  One over 0 for 2 - not a bad start Mr Willoughby

Cambridge are 4 for 2 and it doesn't get much better when our Somerset student is caught by Edwards off the skipper with 8 on the board.  It's left to numbers 4 (Lee) and 5 (Jogia) to get the university's first innings back into some form of order.  They find Willoughby a real handful and it gets no better when Phillips takes over in tandem with Trego (who goes for a mere 4 off his 3 overs before the end).  Jogia is the main fighting Cambridge batsman with Lee supporting until he become Charl's third 2008 victim at just under 50 just before he finishes his 8 overs.

Munday is allowed a couple of overs at the end of the day before Ben takes his first Somerset wicket by denying Jogia his hard fought 50 (he made 43).  The day ends with the sound of his wicket splitting and we leave the field having by far the best of the first day.  It's uphill from here for the home side and we read like a good side in some kind of form. 

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Cambridge - The Match
Posted by: Grockles.com (IP Logged)
Date: 16/04/2008 20:47

Cambridge - The Match

Re: Cambridge - The Match
Posted by: Grockle (IP Logged)
Date: 16/04/2008 20:49

In order to keep threads down to a manageable size we can carry on comment on Day 2 and 3 here.

Does anyone know why one Cambridge bowler only managed 5 balls (and only 2 legal)?



(Sm72)

Re: Cambridge - The Match
Posted by: Vin Weasel (IP Logged)
Date: 16/04/2008 21:13

Apparently Woodhouse (who was only playing due to a late injury to Friedlander), managed two legitimate deliveries, a wide which went for 5, and 2 no-ball beamers. He therefore had to be removed from the attack for the rest of the innings.
A pretty unfortunate incident in the first 5 minutes of his first class debut! Is it up there as one of the most unfortunate first overs in first class cricket? Does it compare with Stephen Moreton's first over which Craig Spearman hit for 34? (Oxford University vs Gloucestershire, 2005)

Re: Cambridge - The Match
Posted by: Grockle (IP Logged)
Date: 16/04/2008 21:18

Thanks Vin. I kind of hoped it was an injury but we can only hope it doesn't give him the 'yips'.



(Sm72)

Re: Cambridge - The Match
Posted by: geordie moonraker (IP Logged)
Date: 16/04/2008 22:36

I was out all day and was keeping up via orange world on my mobile phone. It managed to get the teams the wrong way round so i spent most of the day assusming we were being hammered and that Caddick's first 2 overs went for 12 and Durston bowled 2 balls. I arrived home in a depre4ssed state of mind and was mightyly relievd to find the proper scorecard.
Let's hope that's all the shocks for the season.

Re: Cambridge - The Match
Posted by: Grockle (IP Logged)
Date: 16/04/2008 22:44

They seem to have got confused by the fact that three of the openers were Somerset players and therefore assumed Timms was opening for us rather than for the university.



(Sm72)

Re: Cambridge - The Match
Posted by: fRed (IP Logged)
Date: 16/04/2008 23:36

Too many Timms and lemonade?



Cricket's the winner.

Re: Cambridge - The Match
Posted by: teddingtontowncc (IP Logged)
Date: 17/04/2008 07:55

I, likewise, got it completely wrong. On the BBC Sport site, they not only got the teams the wrong way round, they somehow dreamt up an entirely fictional Somerset bowling attack with Munday opening. Still, I thought it was one of Langer's captaining quirks...until I realised he's not playing! Not quite with it!

Somerset crushing Cambridge

Have joined the Grockles League (thanks to whoever posted about the £2 discount, very handy)

John

Re: Cambridge - The Match
Posted by: AGod (IP Logged)
Date: 17/04/2008 08:18

"But it's a student bowling attack we must remember so let's not get carried away."

Obviously not a fact that can be disputed. However, I do note that Durham scored 112-5 against their 'local,' students.

I also wonder whether Gloucs or Glam would be able to beat he students!

Re: Cambridge - The Match
Posted by: Grockle (IP Logged)
Date: 17/04/2008 09:34

When we do the same to Lancashire in a week's time I'll be more than happy.



(Sm72)

Re: Cambridge - The Match
Posted by: AGod (IP Logged)
Date: 17/04/2008 11:01

So will I.

I want to see Caddy have a longer and more economical bowl in the 2nd innings, get him into the right kind of rhythm to continue the historical dominance that he has shown over Lancs.

Re: Cambridge - The Match
Posted by: Grockle (IP Logged)
Date: 17/04/2008 11:08

I think that's why he may play on Sunday - not just because Thomas isn't there yet but also because he has to get into a match rhythm.

It's something the English management didn't seem to understand sometimes when they left him kicking his heels ,out of county games, "resting" at the start of an international summer. Then he didn't get into his stride until the second or third Test innings he bowled in.



(Sm72)

Re: Cambridge - The Match
Posted by: AGod (IP Logged)
Date: 17/04/2008 11:18

Yep, there were many things that they did not understand but that was the lack of comprehension which was most damaging to England's cause.

I'd like us to give Neil Edwards time to make a 50 and then I don't want to bat anymore, I just want to get on with Caddy and MKM finishing the match off.

Re: Cambridge - The Match
Posted by: AGod (IP Logged)
Date: 17/04/2008 11:50

Maybe Neil needs a run out on Sunday, now, for the same reason as Caddy may need a run out?

Re: Cambridge - The Match
Posted by: AGod (IP Logged)
Date: 17/04/2008 12:14

In other news, it's good to note that the Lancs attack are getting a pasting at the Oval.

Meantime, that man Mushy has already struck for the new season with what will certainly be the first of very many wickets.

Re: Cambridge - The Match
Posted by: Kentish Townie (IP Logged)
Date: 17/04/2008 12:55

I can't help thinking the Oval belter is great for Ramprakash but not much fun for Surrey's ordinary bowling attack; can you win a Championship playing there?

As Sussex has worked out its wicket taking that will win you the title; their batting; Nash, Hopkinson, Goodwin and Adams, Prior etc is good rather than stellar.

They will win again if their new seamers can deliver.

Re: Cambridge - The Match
Posted by: BVI Grockle (IP Logged)
Date: 17/04/2008 13:13

Goodwin is one of the most consistent, and yet underrated, batsmen of the past few years. Sussex's success has been borne out of having some excellent county cricketers while there being little chance of international call-ups (Prior and, to a lesser degree, Wright excepted).

The optimist in me sees a parallel with our boys: our star players (with the possible exception of Hildreth and, with a strong start, Trego) of Tresco, Langer, Blackwell, Caddick and Willoughby are unlikely to miss any cricket due to factors outside of our own control.

Add into that players with international experience such as De Bruyn and Banks (while I disapprove of De Bruyn I can't begrudge Banks after speaking to his friends in Anguilla) and some very exciting youngsters (Kieswetter and Munday) and suddenly you can see an exciting season ahead.



BVI Grockle

http://www.sportnetwork.net/mainadmin/img/141072722025.gif

Re: Cambridge - The Match
Posted by: Grockle (IP Logged)
Date: 17/04/2008 13:37

It looks like they wapped Kieswetter in as the pinch hitter on the second run through to get the runs quickly and held John Francis back. There might be those who suggest that it's John who should get the run out on Sunday because he may be pushing Neil for that opening spot!!

Mike Munday as "tail cleaner" anyone? 3 for 18 in less than 5? Suggests that ordniary batsmen are going to find him a handful on any pitch. Little worried at Cadd's 4+ rate but I don't think he's in his groove yet so expect him at Taunton on Sunday.


They also seem to be giving everyone classified as a batsman as well a chance at the crease - Phillips at number 5!! Hildreth looks ominous...I hope it lasts!!



(Sm72)

Re: Cambridge - The Match
Posted by: AGod (IP Logged)
Date: 17/04/2008 14:32

Good to see Timms into double figures!

Re: Cambridge - The Match
Posted by: Mike BOS (IP Logged)
Date: 17/04/2008 14:57

I hope we haven't got bad news. The cricket score card is showing Caddick not completing an over



.


http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j154/steeleandsteele/Affirmations/thinkpositiveblinkie1.gif
Oddball: Crazy... I mean like, so many positive waves... maybe we can't lose.

Re: Cambridge - The Match
Posted by: BCB (IP Logged)
Date: 17/04/2008 14:58

Hi all,

Seemingly (according to Cricinfo and BBC sport sites) Caddy went off after bowling 4.2 overs of the second Cambs innings: anyone with any thoughts/news?

Re: Cambridge - The Match
Posted by: Grockle (IP Logged)
Date: 17/04/2008 14:59

Poor Old Bott. King pair in exactly the same way to the same bowler and Charl starts another innings with a wicket - wonder if it was the same ball!



(Sm72)

Re: Cambridge - The Match
Posted by: AGod (IP Logged)
Date: 17/04/2008 14:59

oh god, has Caddy broken down?

Cricinfo has been known to get these things wrong before. Let's hope it is a mistake.

Re: Cambridge - The Match
Posted by: AGod (IP Logged)
Date: 17/04/2008 15:04

I suppose it could be unrelated to the back. Return drive onto the toe of the boot, or slight groin/hamstring niggle or something like that.

The official site needs to update us immediately.

Re: Cambridge - The Match
Posted by: BVI Grockle (IP Logged)
Date: 17/04/2008 15:05

Worried of BVI is, erm, worried.



BVI Grockle

http://www.sportnetwork.net/mainadmin/img/141072722025.gif

Re: Cambridge - The Match
Posted by: Big Jim (IP Logged)
Date: 17/04/2008 15:06

Probably a precaution.
Or he may have stomach problems.
It does happen.

Re: Cambridge - The Match
Posted by: edinburghbil (IP Logged)
Date: 17/04/2008 15:06

I hope Caddie bowling a 4.2 over opening spell doesn't indicate a serious problem!

Re: Cambridge - The Match
Posted by: AGod (IP Logged)
Date: 17/04/2008 15:16

yes, Jim, let's hope (in the nicest possible way) that he is defecating through the eye of a needle as we speak!

Re: Cambridge - The Match
Posted by: AGod (IP Logged)
Date: 17/04/2008 15:17

Oughtn't we be giving Ian a bowl at some point?

Re: Cambridge - The Match
Posted by: Bobstan (IP Logged)
Date: 17/04/2008 15:22

Very concerned, like all of you.

Ben Phillips is obviously not a No. 5 batsman, but he is certainly no mug with the bat, and it seems a good idea to give him 'time on the grass' early on, especially as he is clearly well in the running for the 3rd/4th seamer spot, along with Pete. If Munday continues to show good form it looks as though Jonah and Turner may miss out.

This really does seem to indicate strength in depth. With the sort of form they both showed in the warm-up games they would have been a shoe-in in many previous seasons.

All this, of course, assumes a fit maestro.

Re: Cambridge - The Match
Posted by: AGod (IP Logged)
Date: 17/04/2008 15:45

I wonder if Mr Rose has the names of numrous possible Kolpak bowlers on speed dial?

Re: Cambridge - The Match
Posted by: Big Jim (IP Logged)
Date: 17/04/2008 16:07

Anybody discovered the reason yet?
I've been searching but without success.
Obviously not by the look of things.
You must excuse me,it's all rather worrying.

Re: Cambridge - The Match
Posted by: Big Jim (IP Logged)
Date: 17/04/2008 16:15

At least Trigger is continuing in the same rich vein of form he finished last season in.
Could well be the key man this year.
Still worried though.

Re: Cambridge - The Match
Posted by: tufnell parka (IP Logged)
Date: 17/04/2008 16:31

Apologies if this has been posted :

Adam Westwood made one of the most troubled first-class debuts for many years yesterday when he opened the bowling for Cambridge University against Somerset at Fenner's.

Westwood was automatically removed from the attack after bowling two successive beamers at Somerset's opening batsman John Francis. Umpire Patsy Harris warned him after the first one and then had no choice but to bar him for the rest of the innings after the second. Westwood retired with the figures of 0.2-0-9-0.

Second time around today, he has managed to hit the cut bit, coming on first change and bowling six overs for 44 before Somerset declared.

Re: Cambridge - The Match
Posted by: Sloop John B (IP Logged)
Date: 17/04/2008 17:35

Cambs 136 all-out. The Munday takes 3 and IB the last wicket. Ben Phillips has made his bid too.

A pretty comprehensive display.

Only worry is the Cadmeister - nothing on the Other site yet. Just hope it is precautionary exit!!

Re: Cambridge - The Match
Posted by: cricketjerry-mouse (IP Logged)
Date: 17/04/2008 19:07

Caddy - `slight niggle expected to be sorted out in next 24 hours.`

Re: Cambridge - The Match
Posted by: AGod2 (IP Logged)
Date: 17/04/2008 19:47

Did you get that from the official site, CJM?

Great news if true.

[breathing massive sigh of relief]

Re: Cambridge - The Match
Posted by: cricketjerry-mouse (IP Logged)
Date: 17/04/2008 20:04

Yes, it`s on the record, AG2.

Re: Cambridge - The Match
Posted by: Big Jim (IP Logged)
Date: 17/04/2008 22:08

Just read it and it sounds like we originally thought,a precaution as he had a niggle.
A good performance or so it seems by all the lads.
We hit the floor running as Tory Blair once said.
Let's kick some backsides for real and bring the County Championship home.

Re: Cambridge - The Match
Posted by: AGod (IP Logged)
Date: 18/04/2008 08:51

Absolutely, Jim.

First up, the champagne charlies that are Lancs.

Let's crush them in their own house.

Re: Cambridge - The Match
Posted by: Big Jim (IP Logged)
Date: 18/04/2008 09:13

The stage is set perfectly.
They have not had a great start to the season and will be more than a little wary of us.
Hit them hard boys.
A big win here sets the mood for the rest of the season.
Let's turn Old Trafford into a hot pot of West Country magic.

Re: Cambridge - The Match
Posted by: tufnell parka (IP Logged)
Date: 18/04/2008 10:01

unfortunately i think the weather will be the winner sunday

Re: Cambridge - The Match
Posted by: AGod (IP Logged)
Date: 18/04/2008 10:07

It may well be, but we're looking at Wednesday for the crushing of Lancs.

Their attack must be demoralised already and it's still only April!!!!

Surrey absolutely crushed that attack. If the pitch is anything like as flat at Old Trafford as the Test Match pitches usually are, then our batsmen may very well be advised to go very attacking very early. Break their spirit.

Re: Cambridge - The Match
Posted by: Bobstan (IP Logged)
Date: 18/04/2008 10:09

I'm sure that if there were a god she would be a Somerset supporter, so the weather on Sunday would be fine.

As it is, the forecast is far from promising.

You are right, of course, AG. Hampshire at Taunton on Sunday.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2008:04:18:10:11:34 by Bobstan.

Re: Cambridge - The Match
Posted by: Big Jim (IP Logged)
Date: 18/04/2008 10:13

Of course God is a Somerset supporter,it goes without saying.
Totally with you on that AG.
We need to attack from flagfall,put them under pressure and make everything count.
A win up there would be just the ticket.
The perfect horses derves for the rest of the season.

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