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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2009:08:23:17:26:38 by Grockle.

We won the toss and bat. Turner for Thomas.

Why is Alf not playing?

I wondered if there was a bit of a limp in the final on Sunday?

Or Saturday, even.

Punctuation corrected in response to point made by LoL below.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2009:08:17:15:53:46 by AGod.

or saturday evening even.

Good to hear Grockle in his best commentary form.

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LoL

Sixty-one Seasons a Somerset Supporter

Curses.

Let's hope Langer sends Pete in and Pete extends the expense of Wright beyond 10 runs per over.

It's getting a bit sticky out there at the moment,Smith in particular has got a grip on.
Craig seems to want to send everything to the boundary.
Nudge and nurdle time lads.

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Trego for England

Interesting to see jail bird Archer opening the new Stalag that overlooks the ground.
I don't think they'll be interested in the likes of us,LoL.
Or me anyway.

Craig loops one up and is caught.

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Trego for England

Extraordinary decision to invited Lord Archer to open the new building - perhaps he managed to produce a master key from somewhere.

Presumably Wayne Larkins and Chris Lewis were not available.

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LoL

Sixty-one Seasons a Somerset Supporter

Hildreth needs to start scoring now.

Inexperienced stuff from Craig I'm afraid.
No need to send everything to the ropes,it's ok just to keep pressure on the fielders with a bit of cute play when it gets tough.

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Trego for England

Full toss from Smith straight into Zander's bread basket.
No-ball not given.
It was very nearly no-ball for Zander also.
Nice four,we need to box clever for a while.

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Trego for England

251 the par score for the 40 over stuff here,apparently.

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Trego for England

How can you take somebody whose name sounds like a question seriously?
Punish these short dolly drops lads,don't be afraid.

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Trego for England

I am not happy with the scoring rate at the moment, if we are not carful we could end up with not enough runs.

Please prove me wrong.

We do need to get a move on I agree.
No wickets thrown away now please.

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Trego for England

James caught on the ropes,going for another maximum.

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Trego for England

Trigger puts one into the new stand,just below Stalag 25.
Hold on to your Chardonnay Lords and Ladies.

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Trego for England

Superb player is our Zander,beautiful shot.
We need some more runs,this isn't enough.

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Trego for England

I don't think anyone deserves to open anything for which Mr Archer is invited to open, except a jail (as an inmate) or perhaps a trap door ;-)

Seriously, we look to have to bowl out of our skins to kill off our bogey team tonight. :-(

Credit where it's due,this has been great bowling from sussex.
We just have to better them.

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Trego for England

I am not sure about the final total, will it be enough?


Sussex bowled well so must we if we are going to win, the first fifteen overs will be the test.

Although the crowd looks a decent one it still looks smaller than the daytime Yorkshire match, this is disappointing considering that it is a flood-lit match.

Is Suppiah a genius - or is it Langer?

But these commentators confirm how good Grockle is. They haven't done any homework (they don't even know Goodwin's nationality). One of them is saying it's difficult as he hasn't got a programme (by which presumably he means a scorecard); in which case why doesn't he buy one?

They've now decided that Goodwin isn't a South African or a New Zealander but an Australian!

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LoL

Sixty-one Seasons a Somerset Supporter

Keep taking wickets 3 down.

Superb,stumping.
Goodnight,Yardy.

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Trego for England

Great catch James.
Smith goes for 2.

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Trego for England

Dangerman Smith goes,great catch by Hildy!! 72-5

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TREGO FOR ENGLAND

Have we won yet? You chaps watching Sky are so far ahead of the internet radio the match could be over by now.

I think this evening's events vindicate my decision to bat first on Saturday evening; unfortunately I was not the captain on that occasion.

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LoL

Sixty-one Seasons a Somerset Supporter

Some tight bowling by Waller and PT now but we need to get Joyce soon.

They need to rotate both commentators. I know that Grockles sets a high standard and that they are volunteers and we should be grateful to hear this etc. etc. but this is very poor.

Superb stumping,well done boys.

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Trego for England

There is commentary on BBC Somerset Congar

This lad Kieswetter is quite good!

Thanks BR, still not up to our leader's standard of course,but much, much better!

Anything has got to be better than Willis!

Another victim for Craig, he seems to be having an excellent game, I hope the selectors are tuned in and taking note.

He's putting on a show for Matt Prior who is probably watching (on TV).

Cocentrate on your batting for next year, Matt!

I've lost both the commentaries now - very frustrating.

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LoL

Sixty-one Seasons a Somerset Supporter

Give BJ a call.He'll give you a commentary!

I#ll give him a slap if I don't get my commentary back before the end of the match.

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LoL

Sixty-one Seasons a Somerset Supporter

Got it back just in time - fantastic win tonight!

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LoL

Sixty-one Seasons a Somerset Supporter

Absolutely brillaint,superb stuff lads.
I loved the touch from Langer at the end.
He got all the boys in the middle,congratulated them all and then asked them to applaud the crowd which they all did happily and with much enthusiasm.
We are now top of the table.
We are an excellent side,progressing all the time.
Thanks boys,you've done us proud.

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Trego for England

Well played, top of the table now!

Congratulations to Somerset on a good win and what a good team all round performance.

It just goes to show any total is enough if you bowl and field well.

-------------------------------------------------------------

And to round it off I may have a buyer for my bungalow, a ring on the bell at 8.45 visitors asking to be shown around, I we know tomorrow.

Thank goodness for the pause button on the SKY box I never missed a ball.

A good end to a brilliant day.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2009:08:17:21:08:45 by Mike BOS.

I read these words today:

Somerset, having bowled out Warwickshire for 125 at WSM ... looked like world beaters in the process. They have a zestful confidence about them these days and are currently as likely as they have ever been to win a title for the first time in their history.

Can you guess where I found those words? This is not a PQQ and so I will explain: the words appear in my diary for August 1978, the year when we just failed to win two titles. I am still awaiting the biggest title of them all, but the stuff about zest certain applies 31 years after I wrote them.

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LoL

Sixty-one Seasons a Somerset Supporter



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2009:08:17:21:08:37 by Loyal of Lhasa..

1978 was the first year I physically watched Somerset played, I became a member the next year because I enjoyed it so much.

Not a bad year to get turned on!

That young man Botham was playing quite well, wasn't he? He played in six Tests that summer, but still managed ten CC games for Somerset.

Are you listening, Mr Collingwood?

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LoL

Sixty-one Seasons a Somerset Supporter

Magnificent performance by young Max Waller tonight!! He he really was all over them, showing tremendous confidence and decent variety.

I really thought we'd find ourselves 20-30 runs short (esp with Alfonso out) and I think our players thought that too because they looked very frustrated as Kirtley and Arafat bowled so well at the death.

I thought Hildreth's relatively slow 45 off 65 would be costly as you usually need everyone around the run a ball mark for 40 or 50 over cricket at Taunton.

But then I reckoned without such a magnificent, tigerish fielding performance to back up some great bowling by Waller and some decent bowling by Turner.

In this competition last year, some of our fielding was truly dreadful and it's great to see that we've improved so much.

One does have to wonder, though, once again about Langer's role. For the 2nd time in two home games vs Sussex, Langer virtually chose to render himself a specialist captain for the game, going in only at the end in the first one and not at all in this one.

The club will surely have to take one-day cricket into consideration when looking at a new contract for Langer? That being the case then, assuming he wants to stay, he will surely have to find himself a place in the batting order, be it 2, 3 or even 4?

Anyone can have a rare bad day - and Adil Rashid, who was named today in the England ODI and 20/20 squad to play Australia, certainly did that with both bat and ball when we walloped Yorkshire in the Pro40 at Taunton eight days ago.

Now I am wondering if we didn`t see two young leg-spinners tonight - our own Max Waller, who seems to become more confident and competent every time he plays, and Sussex`s Will Beer - both of whom in a couple of years will have overtaken their Yorkshire rival in the leg-spinning pecking order.

With Durham also said to have a highly promising young leggie in Scott Borthwick, suddenly a decidedly threadbare part of England`s bowling armoury could well be transformed into unexpected riches.

As a side bar, Waller must also be the best fielder Somerset have had in their spinning ranks since Harvey Trump.

Waller was certainly very good in the field tonight. I thought both James Hildreth and Mark Turner were also quite brilliant in the field.

With Turner's performance tonight, who does the "Great Alfonso," replace when he comes back in?

Ben Phillips?

Took another slew of wickets tonight (as at Bristol) but thought he was again flattered slightly.

It did seem strange to rest Thomas and not Willoughby, is Thomas overtaking Willoughby as the main strike bowler?

As much the quicker bowler of the two, maybe Alfonso simply needs a bit more rest than Willow?

Still, it was especially encouraging that we managed to win tonight without the Fonz.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2009:08:17:21:48:24 by AGod.

So all being well Mike, your photos might come from a different angle next season. Have you picked your apartment yet.
I hope you get get a full offer in the morning.


Back to the cricket, very well done lads, a great team performance.

Alfonso played at Edgbaston at the weekend with a slight niggle in a calf muscle. It had cleared up by today, and if it had been a four-day championship match, he would have played. But it was felt to be a good idea to rest him until Wednesday as Somerset had other fast-bowling alternatives for one-day matches.

As it transpired, I though Mark Turner did rather well with the ball, and brilliantly in the field.

I like the cut of young Wallers gib.
You've got a good un coming along there.
I hope he gets the airtime he deserves

Not one of those flats everhopefull, but one very close to the ground. I have been lucky that the seller has not put it back up for sell, but is keeping it for me after I have been let down twice with buyers of my property.

It is great having a few younger players in the team it makes all the differance in the fielding department.

Waller
Turner
Hildreth
Suppiah
Trego.

And also Kieswetter behind the stumps.

Just got back from the game - absolutely excellent with the ball and backed up in the field.

Turner is really REALLY sharp covering ground in the deep, stopped many a run.

As others have mentioned, Waller bowled fantastically MOM for me.


One thing I was particularly impressed by was the lobbing up of skyers to each other under the floodlights towards the end - I haven't seen anyone do this before but it seemed a good idea, and Max and Turner both took really good catches afterwards.

lets enjoy the next 6 weeks of Craig as it's clear we will not be seeing much of him in the coming years.

max was realy good too and shows great promise.

Turner was good again, still the odd stray ball but getting better, fielding was outstanding.

Zander was superb again, well placed knock.

Shame Pete didnt come in slightly earlier to boostthe total with some fireworks but cracking bowling/fielding display saw us home.

Next one as far a i can tell is home again under the lights v Essex on Sept 8th.
By which time i guess our championship fate may well be fairly clear

Shame that the noisy fancy dress brigade were ejected, as the atmosphere died a bit, afterwards.

I'm definitely too critical, as I was disappointed with the number of balls we bowled on leg stump, when we had an offside field. I liked Langer's tactic of covering ftm with a slip, which cuts runs off whilst giving a chance of a catch.

Just got home after enjoying a really professional performance by Somerset. On that sort of form we look as though we could beat anyone. The only thing that spoilt the day, a really bad accident to a spectator during the warm up before the game. Dont know whether its been mentioned earlier in the thread. A loose ball came steepling down into the crowd in front of the CA pavilion and landed on this ladies head. Looked nasty and she was rushed off by the paramedics. Hope she was ok.

Probably a Middlesex member on a day trip if she didn't attempt to catch it...

WE must be the only side to play a specialist non batting non bowling captain!!! I was impressed all the way through last night from the TV, with performances from everyone-including the skipper. He always seems to have a theory which doesn't always come off but far better than just playing by numbers and formula. I was a little worried at the scoring rate from Z de B and JH but it is better batting first to score 238 than 190 all out with 4 overs left. Turner seems to have improved as a bowler this season and his speed and commitment in the field was superb. Waller was a joy to watch and as an ex wicket keeper I marvel at quickness of hand an eye shown by CK. When was the last time we had 4 televised Somerset games in 5 days ( won 3 of them)

Three wins out of four on TV - yet according to your friend, my friend and Somerset`s friend, Botham, we fail too often in the big matches, especially if they are on television.

Still, the fancy dress brigade were a solace, until they were ejected for sexist insults to women.

Sorry I got nothing on the match on line people. Commentating on the first half and then thought I'd just watch a game for change from one of the stands.

What a game to watch. I said on air that I thought we were 25 short and had the weaker bowling attack. But we were the best fielding side at Edgbaston by a considerable margin and we were majestic in the field tonight.

Where does Max Waller get his big game calm from? I thought he was superb tonight. Excellent spell from the Grocklee - especially the ball that nearly took Joyce's head off. Calm control of the side by Justin and I also thought Banger throwing the ball out to the outfielders at floolight height was a very professional action.

Arul Suppiah opening bowler? Inspired - mug on saturday idol today Justin. Craig like lightening behind the stumps. Unbelievable reflex catch from James to send Smith home.

There wasn't a weakness on the pitch tonight. There couldn't afford to be but how satisfying to put it to them at home in front of a big crowd (it was Mike honest - though you're right not as big as the Yorks Sunday game).

The fancy dress people Both. We were wondering why they went so quickly so I had a chat with a steward. It seemed that when SKY put them on the monitor they got really excited and their language got a bit 'fruity' for the spectators in front of them. A steward went to ask them to be a little more 'circumspect' and got a wave of abuse. They were asked to calm down but increased the abuse to the people around them - alcohol fueled it seemed. The security people were called and they were asked to vacate the stand - still being abusive but suddenly became all apologetic when they were at the side of the stand. Unfortunately they then started to abuse the floodlight operator and tried to climb onto the kit - at which point the police were likely to become involved and they were escorted off the ground.

Colour in costume is one thing but putting the brain in gear and accepting others are watching the game as well (lots with kids) is another.

We had a bunch of young lads in front of us in the Somerset Stand and they had a great time - the atmosphere in that stand was really good.

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Thanks for the information Grockle about those thrown out; I thought there was more behind it.

I may have gave the wrong impression that I thought the crowd wasn’t large, what I should have said was I could see more empty seat than the Yorkshire match this surprise me because flood-lit matches always produced the largest crowds.

I suppose it depends on the visiting team, or maybe it is the price who knows.

It could be that some had forked out for Thursday and Edgbaston and another game was one too far.

They need to take out a membership AG! It's starting to be an enjoyable thing to do this season!

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Well, I'm certainly enjoying SCCC on the TV every other day - are they doing the Sussex CC game too? (joke)

I was particularly impressed when, after Max was incredulous that a very decent ball had been despatched to the boundary, Langer just stared him straight in the face and appeared to be saying "yes; it was a good ball; keep bowling those."
Even on telly you could see hot fire and cold steel in his eyes.

What a first-rate performance. I was there on the Gimblett Hill wondering where MikeBOS was....now I know - good luck with the sale Mike!!

I thought Craig's all-round performance was worthy mom. Although the whole team could have been mom for the fielding performance!

Thanks for clarification over the fance-dress - ejectees. All I could hear was 'If you don't like Sussex clap your hands' - which did get a bit wearing but no reason from them to be ejected. No I know the full picture I can see that the stewards were correct.

I thought JL handled everything very well - including his own demotion down the order, field placings, bowling changes (bit inspired with Arul this time!) and the subsequent TV interview (watched at midnight at home!).

Who was it said 'Revenge is a dish served quickly!?'

I liked it at the end when we did our huddle and Langer seemed to tell the team that they owed the win to Max, above all (Max was kind of separated to one side and pointed at by Langer.)

The man leads from the front,he sets an example and expects others to follow.
His standards are high and he wants players to work their socks off,it's what they're paid to do and what they're expected to do.
He has been a brilliant signing,we owe him a lot.

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Trego for England

.. and that's just Max Waller. Then there's Langer...

What are you on about?
I'm talking about young Pete,the finest cricket player in England.
The one who Luke,I'm a joke,Wright isn't fit to tie the boots of.
Sussex?
My arts.

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Trego for England

The look on his face when his first ball pinned him in front was a treat.

The fairly obvious inside edge might have had something to do with that look!

Not seen by me,FE.
As out as it gets in my book.
The pavilion is over there.
Boy.

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Trego for England

He definitely hit it, Jim, though probably after it had struck his front pad.

As I've said so many times before though,FE.
The Umpire is never wrong.
Well not often anyway.
Ok,fairly regularly,but we all make mistakes and they're only human.
Or are they?

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Trego for England

Yes, that was how it looked to me, FE.

As in football Jim, when is a goal not a goal.

Answer :- When it hits the back of the net.

Poor old Colin.

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Trego for England

... when it is scored against Bristol City?

Well cjm, you should be the club's PR man, no-one could do a finer job and you always seem to have inside knowledge, so mybe you are employed by the club.

I have no problem with noisy spectators, so long as they otherwise behave themselves. If not, I fully support the actions of the officials.

The plus points last night. We won, the fielding was superb apart from a couple of misfields from JL, a solid if unexciting innings from De Bruyn. Good knocks from other players, JH, MT & PT. Some tight bowling. An enjoyable night, but lacking some excitement.

The difficulties with midweek cricket don't go away. I need more from my membership.

My wife wishes to thank Grockle for her ticket.

CJM, do you ever have any positive criticisms? I'm sure you are as predictable as me.

I'm not sure whether anyone has commented so far on the brilliant appositeness of the heading of this thread, which I think is attributable to our very own Lord Grockle, who clearly has a nice taste in metaphor.

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LoL

Sixty-one Seasons a Somerset Supporter

I was wondering who his script writer was, he’s getting very clever.

Thank the site's supporters Botham. It came with the sponsorship.

Is there such a thing as a positive criticism?

Don't know what more you want than the best one day performance in at least three seasons but there ya go.

85% full house.

Somerset victory against the leaders of this year's table and the 2008 champions.

Excellent performance led by three young guys coming through

The chance to see Marcus Trescothick in form.

Langer not battting (got to be a plus point in your book I would say)

And I don't really know what else you wanted from the crowd. They seemed to be appreciated by the men on the pitch and everyone I saw had a smile on their face on the way out and at Millers half an hour later.

TV coverage and a good performance in front of the cameras (something you criticised over the weekend).

It's a cricket event. The performance is what you pay to watch. If there weren't enough people in clown outfits or fireworks or whatever it was that was missing for you then..... there's always the armchair.

I think a significant proprtion of the crowd will be back on the basis of what they got last night.

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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2009:08:18:12:38:04 by Grockle.

Sounded like a highly entertaining match to me, as thoroughly illustrated by Grockle's bullet points, but maybe this Forty40 stuff takes a little too long.

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LoL

Sixty-one Seasons a Somerset Supporter

I watched the game in the pub, but minus sound.

For those with sound, did they have much to say about Max Waller?

By 'they,' I don't include R G D Willis as he, no doubt, would have branded everyone that played 'rubbish.'

Yes I wondered about what the SKY guys were saying about us. We are very nearly always the underdogs and those plucky little men from the West Country who try so hard.

Bumble was starting to crow about the county on Saturday but they usually struggle to give us any credit for professionalism of any kind.

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As I said earlier in the thread, my watching/listening was interrupted by phone calls etc, but at one point they seemed to be doing a compare and contrast between Beer and Waller, and to consider that Beer is the better prospect. They certainly felt he spun the ball more.

Yes, Grockle, Bumbles was complimentary about us on Saturday. He was effusive in his praise of Trego before tha day had even started. "This lad's got summit, fer me!" or words to that effect.

And Beer had a very good Final under a lot of pressure one has to say.

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Re the 'fancy dress brigade' - they were also chanting "we had your wife" at Chris Nash at one point...


Everyone seems to have forgotten the batting was also good - we had a perfect platform to push on for 260 odd but were then held back by almost 4 overs of pure yorkers!

Watched a few overs on the telly when I got back, and I must say, Jeremy Coney is starting to win me over - he's an annoying know it all, who talks far too much. BUT clearly does all his research and knows an awful lot about the players of every team.

Yes, I saw some comparison of the actions of Waller vs Beer.

Not a surprise if they said Beer turns it more because Mr Rose said that Waller has to work on turning his leg-break more (earlier in the season.)

He seemed to turn a few leg-breaks quite nicely last night, though, and there was also a decent googly and what looked like a top-spinner or three.

At the very least, it looks like Max will be a very useful one-day bowler indeed.

His CC chances have, so far, been somewhat limited, so I don't think we've yet got much of a handle on his potential in the CC?

Well if there was ever a time to have a look, surely its now. His confidence must be high, and he's got an edge on some of these Sussex boys.

Oh, absolutely, FE. The boy simply must play.

Has everybody written off Michael Munday for County Championship games then?

He spins the ball a lot and has variation, but at present he sometimes lacks in control, so in that form of cricket, I consider that he has more chance of taking wickets than Max Waller. I would have preferred to have seen him given more such games this season; he may go for a few runs but I feel that he will also take wickets, and isn't that what is needed at Taunton?

It would be a great shame to lose him from County Cricket, and I appreciate that leg-spinning is an art which takes many years to perfect, but the Australian coach Terry Jenner rated him very, very highly a few years back.

Give me Max for the one-day stuff, but Michael for the traditional cricket.

That was Brian Rose's stated view earlier in the piece but recent selection policy suggest that there has been a shift there.

Somebody - Chinaman, I think - suggested that we play and bowl both of them in the CC side if at all possible, especially if we reach the stage where neither winning the title nor being relegated are seriously within the bounds of possibility. I would probably agree with that.

It also has to be said that not all leg-spinners have to turn the ball prodigiously to have strong careers. Anil Kumble is an example of someone who was not a big turner of the ball for most of his career.

The messages coming from the second reports and comments are "too much air, too many four balls" and "not enough wicket taking balls".

Maybe there is a place for Mike but not in a side where he may have to bowled a lot to get a wicket haul from him.

How does playing him fit with the perception that we play on a batting paradise?

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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2009:08:18:15:16:45 by Grockle.

Don't know if the cameras picked this up, but parked in front of the OP was Mr Frost's brand spanking new turbo-charged, super-charged, rocket-fuelled Blotter - the Rolls Royce of water mopping-up. This is the beast that Lord's, Edgbaston, even Bristol have had for some time, and now we have one. Can't wait to see it in action; hang on a mo, yes I can!

You, of course, already need runs on the board when batting, in order to give your leg-spinner a fair crack of the whip.

Runs on the board at Taunton, which you, Grockle, have described as a "batting paradise", should be no problem with Somerset's batting line-up.

Therefore I considered that Taunton would be an ideal ground on which to give an extended run to a leg-spinner.

Remember the Nottinghamshire game at the very end of the 2007 season? Munday took 8 for 55 in their second innings. I was watching that game, and I remember that he took some of his wickets with very ordinary or maybe even poor deliveries. He was not the first bowler to have achieved that.

If you have runs on the board and can afford to give a leg-spinner in particular a good bowl, then my view is that it is better to take say 5 - 80 in 20 overs, than to use a fourth seamer who would likely take 1 - 40 in the same number of overs. You may have to ‘buy your wickets’ somewhat, but in order to win you need to take them.

I know that Terry Jenner did rate him highly at one of his 'spin clinics' and at the end of the afore-mentioned 2007 season, Justin Langer (or Marcus Trescothick) said that Michael could be their "X Factor" the following season when we progressed to the top flight of county championship cricket.

Perhaps, as you might seem to suggest, reports indicate that he has 'fallen back' in his progress or maybe he is in need of more specialist coaching.

I had (and still do have) high hopes for him and would love to see him given another opportunity soon. The Club has been very patient and invested heavily in the likes of Mark Turner - let's hope that some of this benevolence is extended towards Michael Munday, who could still be a real gem.

But then, that’s only my opinion. Nothing to get upset about, I hope.

"Remember the Nottinghamshire game at the very end of the 2007 season? Munday took 8 for 55 in their second innings. I was watching that game, and I remember that he took some of his wickets with very ordinary or maybe even poor deliveries. He was not the first bowler to have achieved that. "

A Notts fan that I know delivered a similar verdict on that day's play and the merit - on that day - of MKM's bowling. Of course, I did wonder if sour grapes were involved in his description of MKM's bowling that day.

It's not always a good ball that takes a wicket, you know.

There's been many a long-hop that has been caught in the deep.

I remember the Notts game with lots of pleasure and looked for very big things from MKM in 2008 with some excitement. It didn't happen in 2008 and now we are at the end of 2009 and he has produced very little that makes him a consideration for the first team and very little on the few occasions when he has been introduced.

I didn't describe anything as a 'batting paradise'. I asked how demands to include a bowler who seems to be bowling too many four balls could be reconciled with those who have a perception that we play on an unforgiving batting paradise. I personally don't have that view

What happens in that situation if we lose the toss and are asked to field? Do we accept a huge total in order to use our specialist spinner? Or do we pick him in the hope that we will always bat first and only use him to bowl them out on the fourth day on the non-wearing pitch we seem to have?

2007 was nearly two years ago. It was Terry's opinion then that Mike was of the age when he was ready to make the move to the next level and we all seemed to believe. He was used a few times at the start of the 2008 series and made no inroads and is now also two years older.

I'd like to point out that the club have invested considerable amounts of time and money in Mike as well as Mark. They took advice that he would not be an asset until he was in his mid-20's and allowed his development to continue without hinderance or pressure for some 5 years before they started to look for a return .

I haven't heard any expert opinions about Mike since 07 just the comments from people who have seen second teams games. The games I have seen him in have not probably been good indicators because he's hardly bowled in them.

I liked the look of him in 2006 but people predicted that Nasser Hussain was the future of English spin bowling when he was 15. Some plateau and some develop. I want to see Mike develop but time is rushing on and you are right. He's seems to have been 'back burnered' for the time being.

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Positive criticisms, objectiveness.

I got a tad frustrated, as did many around me in the MT stand, with the slow scoring, at one stage, and the inability of Zander to run fast making ones into twos, but he did play very solidly.

It was also frustrating to bowl several balls on leg stump, with a heavily outweighted off-side field. Maybe I'm looking for perfection, like our management team.

Unfortunately I missed the Yorks Pro 40, which was probably more my sort of game. I thought the crowd rather quiet, last night, which might have reflected the lack of action in the middle section of overs.

I wonder where CJM watched from?

Incidentally, I disagree with bucket collections for players who probably earn more and have a far higher standard of living than most of the crowd.

I'd simply like to say, "thanks for all your service and entertainment and good luck with your future career".

Wickets with poor deliveries from a Somerset player?

Well, ITB did it rather a lot, so it isn't a novelty.

Crikey, Beefy, did you really not enjoy last night's game?

Can't say I agree with that assessment of ZDB's batting - he scored at over a run a ball, and had it not been for three or four overs of solid yorkers at the end we would have had the 260 or so that we wanted.


And "several balls on leg stump".... when has a side never bowled any loose deliveries in 40 overs? You can say we didn't score as many as we should have (although I would disagree) but I really find it difficult to highlight a single fault in the second innings.

"He is not over-used as a bowler because Peter Trego is also in the side and we usually field three front-line seamers. But if a situation develops where we are playing a spinner in place of one of those seamers, which is quite probable next year, then Zander and Peter will get more overs."

From the other site about the signing of new contracts.

May mean either we're signing one, or more likely MW or MM are in the plans much more for CC next year.

Quote:

Bobstan
Wickets with poor deliveries from a Somerset player?
Well, ITB did it rather a lot, so it isn't a novelty.

That was very astute of you Bobstan to immediately think of ITB. I certainly could not disagree with you there - I saw it happen at both Test and County level many times. The great Colin McCool (another leg-spinner like Michael Munday) would also take wickets with 'tripe' balls.

But Ian Botham was an exceptional cricketer, a man of great physical courage who could also, and often did, mis-hit a ball for six.

I could not get there last evening, Botham, due to transport difficulties etc.,and neither did I watch the game on television, but I am sorry that the events caused you some frustration.

Still, the end result was a good one for Somerset.

When the buckets, or the raffle ticket sellers come around, just say "no thank you" and pass the bucket along. It's nothing that I have ever felt embarrassed about doing.

So,you'd drop a young lad,full of confidence,ability and energy just to give Mike a bowl?
Dear me,great management skill on show there Clarence Parker.
Max is on a roll,he is a superb prospect.
Mike has to work hard and prove that he's worthy of ousting him,or even playing alongside him.
Drop players in that sort of form?
I give up.


(Grockle or anybody else----is anybody from dowm West able to give a big man on crutches who has just had a tooth out a lift to the game tomorrow,please?)

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Trego for England

Slow Left Chinaman, the point you made has already been the subject of some discussion on the 'Somerset News' thread.

"But then, that’s only my opinion. Nothing to get upset about, I hope."

Well then true to form, Big Jim comes along.

Only expressing my opinion,Clarence Parker.
Anything wrong with that?

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Trego for England

I think the point was that MM was probably more suited to Championship cricket rather than he would replace Max in that format wasn't it?

Several balls down the leg side....my God what is the world coming to? And we still won? How did that happen?

I also commented on the slow rate on air. Although Zander ended up with a score of a run a ball he did not keep the strike rotating at anything like the speed I would have been happy with. He hit some very big boundaries however including two sixes so there were times when we were starting to talk about players falling on their swords to get the run rate moving. The overall run rate did not reflect to speed of the innings for either him or James Hildreth

Having said that I was enjoying the reason for that situation - the excellent 'press' bowling of Smith in tandem with Wright and Yardy.

You wouldn't have liked the Yorkshire game either Botham. it was the same length and had the same result. I would expect you may have liked the Gloucester game more because we skittled them out and then knocked the runs off with big hits.

Stick to T20 where leg side deliveries are such a rarity and everyone is trying to score 4 off every ball. They have cowgirls and Stumpy runs around the pitch and they fire T shirts into the air and get the fancy dress people down to sing Karoake in the intervals between downing over-priced pints of Pimms in one and all that other fun stuff that creates such a wonderful atrmosphere and takes everyone's mind off the boring cricket.

I really can't see how you have a future watching cricket if last night was such a disappointment for you. It was the one day game as it really ought to be all the time and isn't so very often.

It was the type of game that would take a person who liked their intial experience of T20 and wanted to see more to the next level.

You don't seem quite ready for that yet so stick to the short game for now and see if it whets your appetite a little more. Then maybe you'll be ready to move on. :-)

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You`ll be OK next year, Botham, if the plan to do away with the `boring` middle overs comes to fruition,and each side bats twice for 20 overs at a time.

Seems that isn't going t happen now CJM and we are looking to go to 50 over matches instead.

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Excellent news, Grockle.

CJM, you never answer my questions!

Sorry, Botham. Which ones are those? Just mention them, and I promise an answer.

Having re-read the thread, I realise I didn't ask any direct questions, I merely made some suppositions.

50 overs, really? where was that announced?

There are more questions than answers. 42.

I again don't think anything has been decided but the international authorities have shied away from changing the ODI format to 40 overs so there seems little point in the only one day competition being 40 overs when internationals will play 10 overs more. Floodllit games are going to be fun!

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Did anyone else get affected by the glare from the lights? I was sat in the front row of the MT stand and the only way to get a decent view, whenm lights were on, was to use a sun visor.

Whilst you are all bickering,can I come in on the blindside and nick young Waller for the not so mighty Middle?
That would solve your selection problem and let the forum get back to it's normal friendly self.....

Somerset Cricket Club is very privilege to have the support they have, as we are in having such a brilliant team.

Last night I watched some of the Leicester v Kent flood-lit match, the attendance didn’t look any more than Somerset get for a county match and the fielding compared with our match was terrible.

I am proud to be a Somerset supporter.

Botham, Judging by the catching and fielding of our team on the night they did not have a problem.

The practice of throwing the ball to the outfielders and lobbing it high in doing so was a pretty effective way of helping players with any change in light.

Tell ya what Bee. You can't have Max but Botham will probably do you a good deal on the second half of your internet name! :-)

When's it changing back? Aren't Middlesex slightly coming out of their slump?

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Not really Mr Grockle.Win one ,lose two is our philosophy.
But if we don't ram it up the Welsh in the next few days I shall be even grumpier.
I'll will change back to my old monicker(Beehappy) when I think we have turned the corner...Could bee a long wait.
We have given young Robson a run at the top of the order,he could go on to be a top player.
I also like the look of young Taylor of Leics,a quality prospect.

The players were wearing caps, which stopped the glare.

Some of you are becoming as predicatable as you percieve me to be, by disagreeing with everything I type. Perhaps you should think about what I'm saying before you auto-type?

I noted that when I put something between my eyeline and the lights I got a much clearer view.

As for being happy, I'll be so when I see an exciting batting display.

Well, Botham, I thought the batting was.. well, it wasn't exceptional, I agree. I thought we'd be short and had not scored quickly enough .. esp Hildreth with 45 off 65.*

But surely to goodness you must have enjoyed the bowling and fielding the other night!? And the sheer intensity of our side in the field.

Have to say it was a bit strange that we were so intense in the field on Monday, but did not seem at all intense in the field in the final on Saturday, though. I wonder if we put so much intensity into winning our semi, that we couldn't 'get it back up,' as it were for the final?

* I'm still not sure that we were not, in fact, short of a safe winning total on that pitch. Rather, I think we were so good in the field that we 'got away with it,' to an extent in terms of the batting total.

Certainly, had SCCC bowled and fielded anything like we did in last year's day/night game with Worcs, Sussex would have got those runs for about three.

That Worcs game featured plenty of big-hitting from us, Botham. But the game left a sour taste in my mouth because the bowling was indifferent and the fielding unspeakably poor (match was tied in the end, despite a very large SCCC total and Worcs having to chase under the lights.)

Someone who agrees with Botham....

....yes I put on my peaked cap for the floodlit section of the game and it improved my vision. I think it is partly an age thing.

Agree that throwing the ball up into the ether for out-riders was very sensible. And didn't Turner make a fine catch off one that would have been very easy to misjudge.

Turner's fielding was brilliant throughout.

Maybe the responses are predictable because the comments are predictable.

Since Monday you have posted almost nothing but criticism.

About the crowds
About the bowling
About the lights
About the batting
About what you get for your membership
About people posting positive things doing unpaid PR for the club

No-one seems particularly surprised unless it's about

a) why you come to Somerset matches in the first place
b) why you are even considering rejoining this rubbish next year.

No comments on the good performances (except grudgingly) unless it is to criticise a poster for toadying to the management

And once again it's moving into "Your all out to get me" territory.

Well this is a SOMERSET CRICKET CLUB SUPPORTERS SITE - don't know if you've noticed.

To be a Somerset supporter you ought to support the club - not unilaterally or unthinkingly but at least for some proportion of the time in a positive manner ( I think at the moment you may be pushing the 10% of the time level if we're lucky).

All you seem to do is pay to be a member, come to games occasionally and then look for things to comment negatively on when you get home.

Now I'm all for anyone providing financial support to the club. But just because you have a plastic card like most other supporters it doesn't give you immunity from responses should you be overly critical of the people the majority on here follow through the summer.

I've given you this advice before and it will all be perceived by you as personal attacks and all that but if you don't like it;

Live with it
OR
Think it. Don't post it
OR
Think before you post
OR
Set up or find a place where Somerset "supporters" might have the same views as you (because most of the time they certainly ain't here).

Leave most of us to our 'blinkers' and far too rosy outlook on a sport and a place we love to be. Watching a side we love to watch do well.

I'll tell you what. I personally will get off your back when and if you get off the back of the county lying second in the Championship. Who reached the quarter finals of the first one day competition and are currently leading the first division of the second one day competition after being runners up in the T20 competition

I think it will be a cold day in hell before that happens but there's always the chance that you'll take to cricket in your old age and understand what supporting a club means.


I personally find I have less time for your constant carping and I do not intend to go anywhere so option 1 may have to be your lot I'm afraid.

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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2009:08:19:10:22:34 by Grockle.

Blimey, that was a long post, I'll read it when I've got a spare half hour.

I shouldn't bother if I were you,it probably wouldn't make the slightest difference.....

Made me chuckle that one Both

Print it off, both.
That'll give you something to read during the boring middle overs of the next Pro40 match you go to!

I don't give a stuff what you think of me Grockle, but just because the results are better than they were a few years back, doesn't make us a top team.

The yardstick seems to be the CC and we are a strike bowler short of being a top team, in that regard.

Whatever happened to the preference for English players? We seem to be discarding Durston, Edwards, Welsh Jones and blackie has already gone. Now some maybe prepared to be less objective as they may consider themselves part of the furniture, but until I am happy with policy and performance, I'll keep discussing such, even if it's only with myself.

I'm sure all our players are very nice people, but our CC performances haven't changed greatly and our limited overs variety are only a little better, but if the majority are happy, then that's fine by me.

This used to be a forum for discussing things we're unhappy with, so as most people are apparently very happy, I'll have to be BothamGrumpy to myself.

Both, you say whatever you want, I've no problem.

Anyway, re "our CC performances haven't changed greatly" - we were second and challenging most of last year, then finished fourth. If things haven't changed greatly from 2008, I'm happy with that!

I had a dream last night. We lost to Gloucestershire in the first round of the 20 overs competition. Langer was out first ball, he then dropped three catches and put himself on to bowl, conceding 80 runs off his four overs. Botham was in the crowd jumping up and down with glee, laughing all over his face and buying everyone drinks. Very strange!

Stay off the cheese before bedtime, Angell.

Angell Face, you're way out. I wouldn't be buying the drinks!

You can say what you like Botham. No-one has ever stopped you as far as I can remember.

Just don't take offence when people don't agree with you or comment on some of the daft things you say.

You don't support Somerset because sometimes a 'supporter' gives that support. You encourage and you build up as well as knock down. All yu do is find things to whinge about. We all whinge but you've turned it into a career.

You watch Somerset and you comment on Somerset but you're as far from a supporter as can be.

You wouldn't recognise progress in a million years because you don't want to and you're not looking for it. What would you have to moan about?

And if you didn't have anything to moan about what would you do with yourself?

Enjoy the way you are Botham...just try not to take it so personally when others don't enjoy reading it.

We know what is wrong with our county. But I've only ever seen the club in this strong a position twice in 15 years of watching and the days before that were worse except for the few Botham/Richards years. But we also celebrate what they have got right this year - and that is more than amny expected.

Nothing has happened to the discussion on here - you're just not part of it because you don't want to be.

You want to talk about what youare unhappy about (and there's so much of it). Unfortunately few see things the way you do. Therefore the site has changed?

But it hasn't....so the logical conclusion has to be.......

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In answer to your question;

Whatever happened to the preference for English players? We seem to be discarding Durston, Edwards, Welsh Jones and Blackie has already gone.

Wes Durston is still a player at Somerset. he can't get a game because of the development of Max Waller - an English player.

Neil Edwards chose to leave although the club offered him a two year contract. He was unable to get a game because another regular and member of the Academy with him was outplaying him - Arul Suppiah. If you don't classify him as English then Robin Letts who has just been retained, Chris Jones who is on a summer contract and Jos Butler who is tipped to open for the county in the near future are most certainly English.

Steffan Jones is also still a member of this club and cannot get a game because of the competition he has had for more than one season with Ben Phillips (English) and the form of David Stiff (English) and now the recurrent form of Mark Turner (English).

Ian Blackwell is an ex-player who has now been out of this county for almost a season.

His batting is presently being more than covered by Peter Trego (English) and Craig Kieswetter (soon to be English)...oh and Marcus Trescothick (English).

His bowling is being covered by Max Waller(English) and Arul Suppiah (well there ya go...you got me).

Hope that is objective enough for you.

I haven't mentioned Josh Coombes(English) presently looking to take over from Carl Gazzard as second team keeper who we are also 'discarding' so he can go and sell mortgages. And Adam Dibble(English) who is being nurtured to join the bowling squad should Jonah decide to go to Derbyshire - a good move for him IMHO.

We haven't 'discarded' anyone. Two have chosen to move with Somerset contracts on the table. Two are still contracted to the county. And only three are relevant to your argument anyway because one isn't even a Somerset county player.

But don't let the facts destroy a good conspiracy theory - it doesn't usually in your case

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That's you sorted then, Grockle.

Not quite Mr B.

Still wanna see another bowler come into the side. Could be Michael Munday (English). That would be a good thing but it doesn't seem to be going to the plan of 2007.

That puts the club in a quandry because they need to make a decision on Justin Langer who IMHO they cannot afford to have as the international player next year because they may have to go out of the country for a credible wicket taking bowler to fill that place you correctly identify as vacant.

If Langer isn't here then the captain's mantle moves towards Marcus Trescothick. Presently he seems confident about taking it but that doesn't mean it's the right move for him or Somerset but there are few other candidates.

The captaincy could be used as an incentive to a player to come to Taunton (they tried it with Ramps and Ward a few years ago) but that has to be a very carefully considered move. Need the right man with the right qualities and he needs to take 60+ wickets to fill ARC's considerable boots.

But there's the Pro40 for the moment which we look strong in. You don't appreciate that but we seem to be winning games against strong sides and the confidence is high and that's an unusual thing at this point in a Somerset season

I think the CC has gone to Durham - partly due to the weather but they have a really strong bowling attack which is working well.

It's not all rose tinged but most of the dark and gloomy clouds are still over Dorset I think at the moment so you should be quite happy with things in your own dark and dismal way.

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I would suggest that, if here, Kieswetter woulkd make an excellent captain as he reads the game very well.

I would leave Tres alone, having just read his book. He doesn't need the extra pressure of being our captain and could he handle it?

We must sign a strike bowler, preferably as our overseas player.

Botham and Grockle in accord shock!

Has anyone seen the Pro 40 schedule?

Sussex play THREE more games before our next fixture.

Crazy.

Not over putting a 21 year old wickie in charge of the county we're not.

Not sure on where the assessment that Craig 'reads the game very well' comes from but there are probably 5 or 6 in front of him for consideration.

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Besides after Feb 2010 he will prob be off to play for England!

See, when I type something positive, it's questioned.

I believe CK reads the game well!

Don't let your paranoia get the best of you Botham?

You're suggesting that a new 21 year old recruit to the side in his second full season should suddenly be promoted to the captaincy on the basis of the fact that 'he reads the game well'.

Surely it isn't beyond sense to wonder how you've noticed this trait and why it makes him a good leader of men?

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Could be another Graeme Smith.

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Cricket's the winner.

I don't think Craig can be a serious candidate for this, all being well we shall not be seeing too much of him in Somerset colours after this season.

I am of the school that picks a captain from those who are sure of a place in the team (for all competitions). On that basis for me the order is Marcus, Peter Trego (also has international captaincy experience!) and James Hildreth.

Give them a top class international bowler and we are home and dry for the CC, even with our Taunton wicket!

Top class international bowlers are almost never available for more than a handful of games at most.

We're back to the same old problem of needing to develop our own and/or sign good ones away from other counties.

Our two most recent really good signings from other counties were Charl and Richard Johnson.

It's surely about time for another one?

Caddy's salary will be off the books and it surely MUST have the name of a genuinely decent bowler written all over it?

"We're back to the same old problem of needing to develop our own and/or sign good ones away from other counties."

First, let's engage a competent bowling - coach, on whatever basis, and develop young bowling talent, rather than engage mediocre 'has-beens' and 'never-will-be's' from elsewhere.

"Our two most recent really good signings from other counties were Charl and Richard Johnson.

It's surely about time for another one?"

Yes, they were two good signings, but too many others have not proved to be so.

I'm with Congar!

So am I.
Trigger for Skipper.

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Trego for England

We were talking at the game yesterday about engaging a spinner and the need Max, Arul and Mike have for someone to be guiding them through the season and not just for a month in India during the winter.

We haven't had that real spin option since Mushtaq left and they are more common than international pace bowlers and tend to be around for more time.

Forgot Alfonso in your signings list AG and there is still hope for Stiff and Turner (very encouraged by the last two performances of Mark). Let's look to bolster the pace bowling but let's also see if we can't put the icing on the cake with a significant signing of a slow man.

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I didn't forget Alfonso, Grockle, because I was talking about guys that we signed away from other counties.

Implicit within what I was saying was the assumption that most of us would probably prefer not to go the Kolpak route to get our pace bowler?

I know Alfonso is no longer a Kolpak (or won't be for next season) but I think he was one (or at least that's what we were told?) and although he once played 3 or 4 games for Warks as (I think) their overseas player, I did not consider him as a direct recruit from another English county in the way that Charl and Richard clearly were.

But, yes, decent pace bowler and decent spiner are key holes that need to be filled.

We have Caddy's salary that should, theoretically, be available to give to somebody else and, arguably, we should be doing the same with Langer's salary.

One imagines that only Marcus would be on a comparable salary to those two veterans, and so if we did not retain Langer, then we could have a considerable war-chest at our disposal?

The only problem then is finding guys that want to leave their current employer. It seems to me that an awful lot of cricketers do not want to move, even when they have multiple suitors - Martin Van Jaarsveld being one recent example.