The game is on SkySports 1, coverage starting at 16.30.

I trust 'Sex will be celebrating their fine win of last weekend and not concentrating on their game!

Who will be making the cakes for the tea?



You're treading on thin ice!

I know it's a cheap shot but it does get you reading things.

Our companion site on the network is involved in a game with us tomorrow and Ged and I are keen to "cross fertilise" as much as possible. (Cheap shot 2 - sorry)

If you are going, comments on the game will be gratefully received. If you want to identify yourself to some of the many cross posters (I did think about 'cross dressers' but stopped myself in time) on both sites then please let them know how to recognise you. (PM's can also be used if you don't want to broadcast that description to all and sundry).

I hope MTWD will provide a match report which we will post on our frontpage and I hope banter is rife and good natured.

We don't play them more than once so it is the only chance of this kind. Enjoy

Regretably, when the game was switched from Sunday to Monday, my chances of going disappeared, but I'll be there in spirit, even if it does mean watching on Sky+.



You're treading on thin ice!

Middlesex have named a 14-man squad for their floodlit and televised Pro40 match with Somerset at Lord`s on Monday, adding Gareth Berg, Danny Evans and Steven Finn to the 11 who won the 20/20 Trophy last weekend.

Meanwhile, Notts have rested Charlie Shreck and Stuart Broad for their Pro40 encounter with Glo`shire at Cheltenham tomorrow. I wonder if Broad, who was back among the wickets in the match with Durham just ended, will play against us at Taunton on Wednesday, or will he be back in the England squad for the Brit Oval Test?

Hope hes at Taunton on wednesday, would like to watch him bowl in person.

You hope Broad's playing for Middlesex?

Cricket's the winner.

Broad played at Taunton for Leics and got battered. I think it was something like 27 overs for 142 runs.

Broad actually took 2/142 in the Taunton fixture last year, when the first four SCCC batsmen all made centuries, but in 2005 I saw him, still a schoolboy, I think, take 3/119 out of a Somerset total of 566 - and a certain Willoughby took 2/130 in the same innings. In 2006 he took 4/62.

9/323 is probably not a bad return over three seasons at Taunton.

LoL

Sixty Seasons a Somerset Supporter

Here is the nascent MTWD thread on tonight's match:

MTWD match chat thread

Once we have a report, we'll link through to that also.

Thanks Ged.

Much appreciated.

according to the western daily press, ian blackwell is in the squad for lords and we are considering a recall

Good - we'll have laid down a false trail for the men in Pink. Great!! If he plays let's hope he stuffs them all ways (so to speak).

I shall be at the game tonight, as I know will several other Grocklers. I'm pretty aware that when the games are televised, the home audience probably get a better view of the action than those present, but what the roving reporter can perhaps add is a tocuh of flavour and atmosphere. If anyone who will be online this evening would like to post any brief snippets I might send by SMS, then PM me a mobile number in the next half hour or so.

From today's Western Daily Press

Rose eyes a tilt at the Pro40 title
08:00 - 04-August-2008


Somerset director of cricket Brian Rose has told his side that victory at Lord's tonight can set them up for a real tilt at the NatWest Pro40 title.

The Sabres face Middlesex Crusaders at headquarters in a floodlit game that is being televised by Sky Sports.

“I think our side suits 40 overs. We look well balanced for it so we expect to win more than we lose,” said Rose.

“If we can win this one we have then got four successive home matches (against Nottinghamshire, Hampshire, Gloucestershire and Worcestershire), which will be great for our supporters.

“It should be fantastic. I don't think we have played at Lord's under lights before, and obviously with Middlesex winning the Twenty20 Cup it has given them some real impetus. So it will be a great game which I think will be well supported.

“We have got a good side and we have just beaten Durham away, so they know we will be a handful. We are expecting to win.”

Somerset will consider a recall for Ian Blackwell to give themselves a second spinner against a side that bases its attack around off-spinner Shaun Udal and India Test slow left-armer Murali Kartik.

“The thing that seems to be tipping the scales in some of these games appears to be slow bowling,” said Rose.

“People thought it was going to get hammered but it is getting more and more difficult to play. Udal and Kartik have done well for them.”

Somerset (from): Langer (capt), Trescothick, Kieswetter (wkt), Hildreth, De Bruyn, Trego, Blackwell, Suppiah, Phillips, Thomas, Jones, Turner, Caddick, Willoughby.

The other site says IB is not on the squad.

And neither is Jones, slight niggle.

And Banks is in...

Rather showery in London today, but we know that Lord's has a superb drainage system. I'll be there, dressed as a nun and waving to my mate Andy.

LoL

Sixty Seasons a Somerset Supporter

Really, LoL?

I don't think that I've seen a shower today, in either West or North London. Perhaps they're just down South?

Now, look here, LoL. We want nun of this, nun of that and certainly nun of the other.

When I get into old habits I just can't stop myself.

LoL

Sixty Seasons a Somerset Supporter

Good to hear, AGod. It's been a bit unsettled south of the river, but that's another country

LoL

Sixty Seasons a Somerset Supporter

Each time I see a one-day squad with Mark Turner and Omari Banks, but omitting Ian Blackwell, I ask myself if the club are serious about winning the match.

Perhaps we could look to the future in games that don't mean anything!



You're treading on thin ice!

Only just back in.
Am I too late FE?

Hope the lights are good. We've won the toss and are fielding first, and , according to cricinfo, going with only 10 players; no Turner listed as yet.

My cricinfo tells me our Turners are Suppiah and Banks.

Seems Phillips gets a recall. Turner must be carrying the drinks.



You're treading on thin ice!

EC Joyce c Suppiah b Willoughby 6

Obviously Willo is resting, he let Ed get to 6.

For those of us without SKY until the pubs open

Radio Middlesex commentary with Kevin Hand

...then click on live radio London commentary!

Mid 16/2 Trego got Godleman c&b



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2008:08:04:15:30:25 by Tractor.

I'm watching it online, but it must have started before 4.30!



You're treading on thin ice!

Started at 4:10pm. Steady on boys, I don't want it over by the time I get there!

The last wicket was very generous. He appeared to hit his pad, with bat, but missed the ball.



You're treading on thin ice!

No matter. And another for Willow. Four down for 29. The half-time interval entertainment must surely include a streaking nun.

Spinners what Spinners.

Generous?
He was all over it like a rash.
Out is out.
The hutch is thataway sunshine.
Willo and Trigger bowling beautifully though Willo is struggling with his line a little.
Great start.

Half a mo... a streaking nun... um, if 'she' aint wearing any habit how will one know ...
Back to the cricket quick.

I thought I recognised the Nun,just got this text;

"BJ,ow iz it boy?
Waved 2 Trigga,he wvd back 2.
Ad a few 2 many shandies,going onthe park.
Respect man,LoL"

Great catch by the Man himself,give the boys a wave Trig.

51-5 off 17.

we seem to have lost our way a little.

i knew that would work, sorry should have said it earlier

Well done, Fizz. Some credit to Arul too.

I think Big Ben will have to be given all the credit for the 7th wicket.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2008:08:04:17:02:00 by Bobstan.

Apart from the short slogathon by Henderson we've done superbly.
Lovely stuff.

Good afternoon, James. Yes, good, innit.

I am only following on cricinfo. Does anyone know if the pitch or the atmosphere are helpful, or whether it is good bowling and fielding or poor batting after their recent T20 success?

Good bowling,some sloppy batting,a poor decision and a wonderful display by Shah.
We've been on top from the start,it has been an excellent recovery by Shah,got to give the boy credit.
It may nip about a bit under the lights.
Plenty still to play for.

Yes, I wondered about the decision to field first, but I keep being told that the results don't go against the team batting under lights as they used to in the early days.

Thanks for the info, Jim.

It's one of the greater mysteries of life why Shah isn't in the England team.
He's an excellent cricketer,a real gem.
Giving Big Ben some real stick.

Good by the bowlers, the only criticism was some of are throwing from the out field.

Now I think a steady start building to a quick winning finish by Somerset.

Shame from a Somerset perspective, but well done to Owais Shah in that last over, and in the whole innings of course.

Why does this man not get picked for England? Is there something about him that I don't know? It is certainly a mystery to me, BJ.

Sounds a sensible plan, Mike. Sometimes we do seem to think we've got to win a 40 over game in 30 overs.

Perhaps whilst at Lords our players could take advantage of some throwing coaching from Hallam

Banger most certainly has give us that rapid start.
The smile on Langer's face as he hit the straight six was a picture.

Oh dear, was the throwing that bad?

The solution sounds perfect to me, e34. They wouldn't go far wrong with the great man.

Langer drags a very wide one onto his stumps.
Dreadful ball,very unlucky.
24-1.

This from FE (I think)

Good first half at a seemingly subdued Lords. LoL, myself and Tufnell Parka all impressed by Suppiah. Lol convinced IB would have offered more. JL given honorary membership of MIddlesex which was a nice touch.

Good time to drop banger. Good lad, make em pay

Oh. Thats not good.

Why Banger Why? No problem of the score. Why try to smack the ball to all parts when you didn't need to?

It's his game Grock. Hilders Trigger and Kieswetter to go yet. Don't despair

I'm still asking myself the same question Grockle.
What on earth was the point of that shot?
Poor cricket,no need to force it.

It's not his game when he's had a couple of scares in the over before WP.

If it is his game then he needs to curb his game and play for the side he works for.

His game should be to make sure that his county wins games because of the base he has built. Once he's past 50 then he can consider playing his game his game.

He has a slow scoring solid number 3, an erratic and precocious number 4 and then a whole load of questions and wonders from the rest of his batting - without a real record of maintaining momentum. Not the game to be smacking balls into the air when you are the major batsman I'm afraid.

And there is exactly why he shouldn't be smacking balls in to the air! Hilda has gone.

Fair enough Grock.
Have we a new player? We seam to have a chap called Treego batting!!!! (as opposed to how his name should be pronounced)



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2008:08:04:19:29:12 by wurzelpotter.

And he was one of theirs only a couple of seasons ago as well. Just after that bloke 'Linger' was playing for them.





Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2008:08:04:19:32:19 by Grockle.

I seem to remember Sam Trego saying that it is pronounced
Treego, not Traygo, wp.

Starting to worry about this. We need to pick up singles at least. A few overs ago, that's all we needed to do. Neither seams interested in pushing and working the one's and two's.

Der Brain could be in a bit of bother with the men upstairs here.

abysmal .. Village batting

I rather hoped that Craig would put himself forward for discusssion for England when he qualifies. On this performance, he can forget that.
I had been looking forward to this all day, and now have the derision of a non cricketing household and wife who has missed her soaps. It's gonna be a long night!

This has been painful to watch.
I don't think I have ever seen such inept batting against spinners before,I wonder if they can actually see the ball.
Great bowling from their spinners but even so.......
Shocking.

Yep more one day pitiful performances.

Why is it that Championship sides can't play one day matches in the same season? Middlesex are doing exactly the same in reverse - poor four day form 20/20 champions and decent one day form.