Somerset
Roses are Maroon?
Welcome back KP
By Grockle
August 14 2010
As the first semi starts under grey and indifferent skies in Southampton we start the thread for 'the most important day in the one day domestic calendar (Mike Atherton)". Well it's the first trophy we hope to be involved in but it isn't really a Kartik day so "The Unit" needs to do its stuff and Mr Pollard may have to earn his money this afternoon and then hopefully this evening.
T20 FINALS DAY
@ The Rosebowl Saturday 14 August 2010
Commentary (Overall Coverage on 5Live Sports Extra)
I turned on the TV at 9:30 to get the sports info from the BBC on Finals day. The weather man told us that the conditions would be changeable with heavyish showers and temperatures around 19.
The sports report told us about the start of the Premiership, some golf stuff, the women's rugby union World Cup and sod all about the T20. Nothing, Nada, Ziltch. Yet sometime soon they will probably be reporting on falling attendances and the lifeblood of cricket being strangled by apathy! Depressing start to the day.
But 11:00 and the SKY coverage starts. The weather is very dull but we may start on time. I'm not a great SKY watcher/listener but in about 5 minutes I came to the conclusion that Mike Atherton has no idea what a normal domestic cricket supporter wants or expects from his/her game! He sees no problem at all with two fundamental moral issues for me (and I think I'm a domestic cricket supporter) within this day.
1) "Hampshire should have used Pietersen"...reason? Well he was available!! No appreciation of the issue at all - win win win sod the supporters, sod loyalty!
2) "Great to see Dwayne Bravo in these Finals".....reason? It's good that these travelling players work in all these competitions. Is it? Good for who? No Essex supporter has seen this bloke in any of the qualification matches they've followed their side through. ONE player who has worked his backside off to get his county here wil not play because Bravo will. How is that good for this domestic competition?
No idea IMHO!!
Anyway the semi does get underway a mere 5 minutes late under 'seaming' skies. They don't think it is a big scoring day. They don't think it's a spinners day. I hope to see my lot prove them wrong.
My new friend Michael likes the Rosebowl "becoming a great cricket stadium". Well he doesn't have the problems of getting there and getting out and I've heard thepress hospitality is good. However the crowd looks good after looking a little sparse earlier - it is a bit that way with two counties involved not actually starting their part of the competition before mid-day
Semi Final 1 - Essex v Hampshire
I personally do care who wins this one because I believe that ESSEX should not be able to bring in a mercenary player NOT IN THEIR SQUAD before this day to help them. For that reason I'd like to see Corky's men in the next game!!
Hampshire win the toss and decide to chase. They've lost twice to Essex when their opponents have chased both times. Cook looks very scratchy and the Hampshire side look a bit war torn after the "Battle of Taunton"!! Lumb is not on the pitch because of Craig. Christian is sporting a monster of a bruise on his face courtesy of Zander and the youngsters are there in large amounts as the county go for youth (Yayy!) rather than mercenaries of any nationality.
As I go for a drink, Cook after 38 from 22, leg glances a wide to a fielder and Essex are 79 for 1 with Bopara in for the last ball of the 9th.
The danger man lasts an over and a bit before feathering one from the young 19 year old spinner Briggs to the 19 year old keeper Bates. Dwayne does nothing with the bat and is run out....awwww! 156 seems to be the par scorer on this pitch - a better one than the last Rosebowl one we played on. Pettini did well (55) but Briggs took 4 and Cork was tight. It's a score Hamshire can get and my money is on them so they probably won't!!
Kaneria is getting something (not a lot but..) for Essex and Bravo is again not looking like a good punt as he goes for 19 off one over. Foster misses a stumping twice and then a catch before he gets Vince at 99 for 2. Wright looks better - then again he has been playing with this side for a while. Bravo is concentrating on slow balls most of the time and being picked at the start of the innings.
Good up front batting from the home side gives it to them. Excellent 17 from 9 balls to Mike Carberry, good stuff from Ervine. The sad but most satisfying aspect is that Dwayne Bravo went for 11.5 an over (46 off 4) and although he took a vital wicket (Ervine) he looked rusty and was not a good gamble. No criticism of him but hopefully this experience for Essex will stop anyone else doing this. Really solid win for Hampshire very pleased for them and their young side - hope to meet them in the final but it is belting down at the moment. Very very pleased for Danny Briggs who got the man of the match at 19.
Semi Final 2 - v Notts Outlaws
This is the biggest demand made on our men this season. At the moment the game will start at 3:30 and a 20 over game without weather influence. Ian Ward asked Marcus about the treble. The response? "Easy Tiger" from a relaxed captain "Let's get this one out of the way first".
The side will be;
Trescothick, Kieswetter, Hildreth, de Bruyn, Buttler, Pollard, Trego, Kartik, Thomas...and? Well it's Phillips and Suppiah.
It is the side I would have hoped for and needs to be with Swann Broad, Sidebottom and Nannes. They have won the toss and will field first and chase. Matt Wood will bat number 3. Hussey has to be a man to get rid of in the second half. The pitch is wet at the moment and the start has been delayed so the D/L will come into play if there is more time lost to the water.
The SKY commentators have nearly all gone with Notts (Only Bumble goes for us) so we are underdogs. Better for me I have to admit. The wicket is sticky and taking pace off is definitely the key to this pitch. Get the prayer mats out.
So we start. Ryan Sidebottom will bowl to Banger and the Boss leaves the first one with a ball that shapes away. He gets off the mark with ball 2 with a single. Craig leaves his first. Lots of people commenting on the pitch and how it is a 180 pitch at least. 3 for 0 after one with Sidebottom bowling a tight over with 2 wides in it. Nannes will start from the other end and he will be facing the Boss. He heads the first one as it comes at him short and really hard but he is off strike soon and CK is there. The commentators did not think MT got a top edge on it but when he asks the umpire whether that was the one for the over Llong says he top edged it so Nannes nearly c&b'd him with the first ball of the second over. Good bowling start from Notts.
Craig gets off the mark and we have 5 after two overs. It is going to be a hard afternoon. Broad is on for the third over and Marcus climbs into him with a pull to the boundary and then a short arm punch over the bowler's head. He's doing a lot of kicking at the crease again which seems to have become part of his batting routine. Broad replies to CK with a 92 mile an hour one. 16 after 3.
Marcus does Nannes in his 4th and takes him for 13 including a towering six. 19 from 11 is what we want to see but I'd truly love to see him take an innings through. Sidebottom is back for the 5th and Craig is not looking exactly solid at the other end but keeps moving the strike about. Commentators are talking about the amount of innovation he tries and how often he is getting good purchase on the ball. They'd like to see less and to illustrate the point, Banger late cuts a beautiful shot for four the next ball. Nevertheless he ends the 5th with a stonking 6 over wide mid off to take his side to 41 after 5. They have taken 36 off the last 18 balls.
Broad changes ends for the 6th after being classified as 'pacey but wayward' with his first over. But his first ball is absolutely 'clubbed' away for four. 50 up by 5.3 with 33 to the skipper and 14 to the keeper. But Craig smacks Broad to Allie Brown and he goes for 14, ushers Peter Trego (pronounced properly by the commentators) in at 50 for 1. Patel is on for the 7th and Pete is pushed back by a skiddy one and bowled!! 56 for 2 and Pete is not happy with that - he should have got forward to a faster one. In comes James Hildreth and he is off the mark with a bit of sloppy fielding first ball and it is 58 for 2 after 7.
Swann is in for over number 8. Spin works again on this 'seamer wicket'. Both batsmen have decided to sweep the England man and they both start well and move to 65 after 8. Mullaney replaces Patel after he has taken a wicket and Banger strokes him to the boundary followed by a one armed six to bring up his 50 (off 22 balls 7 fours and 2 sixes). Excellent innings but it has to go on for us to have a chance in this one because they bat decently as well and our bowling attack on paper is less impressive.
Marcus is playing Swann well but Marcus is fooled by a really slow one and he is stumped on 90 by one he misreads and falls over in his crease to. He goes for 60 at exactly the halfway stage. It is down to Hilda now as Zander is the next man in. Now we win or lose this one.
It isn't helped by ZdB calling for a single that really wasn't there and he finds himself at the same end as James. The latter returns to his crease when it is obvious that the run isn't on and Zander continues to the boundary at 101 for 4. Pollard strides out with time to think about his role and get himself in. This is THE innings where our investment in him pays off or doesn't with the bat. We need something special from the man.
It becomes even more important when Swann shows his value by foxing Hildreth who hits against the spin and returns a catch to him 108 for 5 and we are leaking wickets and not making runs. Buttler is in and Arul is waiting as patel bowls number 15 and we are still some 60 short of what we could do with getting.
It is too slow after 16 as we have only moved to 118 for 5 with 24 overs to go. 160 would be good but that is at 12 an over. However Mr Ice hits Sidebottom for 6 off his first (that is Jos not Keiron). Halfway through this over we have 9 from it but they are yorking him and he gets a single. Wonderful innovation from JB as he 'bunts' him for four over the keeper - brilliant! Buttler takes 15 of the 16 off that one and it is 134 for 5.
Three to go with Broad taking the 18th and Pollard is still missing short balls and getting nothing on the front foot. They seem to have him worked out but he takes two off the next ball to keep the strike. Single from the third. Buttler steps away and cracks a slow full toss for 4 to take him to 27 off 14 and Somerset over the 140 mark. Still short but he makes room and sixes Broad with the next one. This young man is awesome!! Then he flips him for four to take 17 off the over 151 for 5. It is all JOS BUTTLER at the moment.
Nannes is on for the 19th. Pollard edges for 2. This partnership is 50 from 27 as the next one hits a fielder and it squirts for four. KP just doesn't have a fell for it today but the 19 year old has it and we pass Essex's score with 8 balls to go. As Jos comes to the crease the Notts players are looking for where to put the ball. A "Chinese cut" nearly gets 4 except for a desperate save from Broad which saves 1 and a boundary from Pollard gets us to 167 with 6 balls to go. 60 runs off 31 balls for these two.
Sidebottom gets the last one facing Buttler and probaly more scared because of that. Ball 1 - four runs!! (44 from 18). Ball 2 dot ball as Jos steps away and misses the ball. Ball 3 - four runs beautifully timed (48 off 20). Ball 4 50!! With a gorgeous smack 52 from 21 (6 fours 2 sixes) Ball 5 they take on the bowling and get 2 - truly generous running from KP Last ball single!! 182 for 5. Outstanding from an ENGLISH player of 19!! 55 from 23 and a partnership of 75 from 37.
I now don't care if we lose!! That was something to warm the cockles of my heart. Excellent support work from Pollard - the thing about him is that it isn't about him it's about the side. The much vaunted Notts bowling attack has been taken for 10 an over and this game is for us to lose.
Great work from the Boss and a good competition between him and Swann.
It rains almost immediately so the changeover may be a little longer. We now have to hope that D/L does not decide this semi after that performance. Notts deserve the chance to win this one on equal terms.
The second innings will start at 5:35 with only 16 overs to bat and they have to get something like 152 which means the over rate is less than it was....not happy with that!! Lots of watching scores every over, wickets down etc. It is a shame when this system decides games because it isn't clear and it doesn't seem fair however the maths is supposed to be neutral in it.
182 off 20 means a run rate of about 9.1
152 from 16 means a run rate of 9.5
Why is that diffferent at the start of a game where nothing has happened?
The Reply
Alf opens as usual to Swann (promoted over Hales) who takes a single straight away and Brown immediately faces our best. It is very dark to the left of the ground. Unfortunately Jos has a go at the stumps and the overthrows give them 5. The ball seems very slippery as Pollard also finds fielding on the boundary not too easy and slaps the ball down rather than trying to get it into hand immediately. However the first over doesn't bode well as we need to be tight in the first 5 (when this becomes a game). They are 10 after the first over.
Ben is on for over 2 and the first boundary comes from a fraction of width he gives Brown with his third ball - not tight at the start. Brown takes him again and we are giving Notts what they want at the start of this. They have 23 off the first 2.
Pollard is introduced early and takes the third as the thunder rumbles around me here in Bicknoller - hope that isn't moving towards Southampton. But presently it isn't needed as Swann skies KP for 6 and Notts pass 30 needing 42 at 5 to be in the lead. It is not going to our plan at the moment I would venture.
Swann tries to sky another one and the slower ball goes to Zander and it is 33 for 1. Hales arrives and gets to the the D/L of 45 an over early. 45 for 1 and Alf is on for the 5th. He gets Ali Brown first ball as he tries for a boundary and finds KP's buckets instead. 45 for 2 and out comes Samit Patel needing 48 by the end of the over if there are no more wickets taken.
Hell this is going to be nerve wracking!! Thommo is in for the 5th and he skittles Hales at 47 just clipping the top of off as he tries to pull the master. This brings in Hussey and we need to see the back of him very very early. This man is very dangerous. They now need 52 at the end of the over. 48 for 3 at the start of the 6th.
Kartik comes on for the 6th - vital performance from him this afternoon. The second ball has Hussey moving forward and Craig nearly stumping him but the Notts man is good and is aware getting his foot back in his crease. Good cricket. The fourth ball moves a lot and so does the next missing off stump by a hair's breadth. He goes for ONE!! 49 for 3 with Notts needing 59.
Arul is on for the 7th - another vital contribution. Can he keep it tight as well? Not as tight it seems and with clouds coming in all over the place it is becoming very important to hold Hussey and Patel in check. Patel knows his job and is looking to belt it all over the place. They have taken 15 off the 8th over to get them to 73 for 3. At the end of the 9th they need 84 and Marcus brings on Peter Trego. He does well and keeps them to 81 but Kartik is getting some hammer and Patel goes for 6 and that takes Notts ahead with rain in the air. Should MK have continued to bowl? Well you take your chances and win or lose based on them. You have to be willing to do it. 91 is needed and 91 is what they have. After 10 they have 93 but if it rains now Notts will win.
Difficult stuff. Marcus brings Pollard on for the 11th as it starts to rain. He can't use Kartik and has to use Thomas soon as Hussey dabs a four away - is this moving away from us? Well we need a wicket to turn this back to us again. Notts have 99 they need 100 at the end of the over with 2 balls to go. A wicket will make the difference as they move to 102 for 3 after 11.
5 overs to go and they need 50 if the game continues but if it rains now? We lose. Therefore the skipper turns to Alfonso to try and break this partnership - he has 2 for 14 from 2 but goes for 4 off his first ball as Patel looks to win this game for his county. In the longer game Notts need 44 from 27 and can get those with these two at the crease. This is slipping away from us as the initiative moves to the men in the middle. It is 111 for 3 at the end of the 12th.
41 from 24 and Trigger back into the attack and first ball Patel smashes a huge one to the boundary. Pollard waits and waits and then times his jump and takes the ball!! 111 for 4 and the excellent innings of Samit is over - Thank the Lord!! Great fielding and Chris Read is in. they now need 120 at the end of the over. Heavy rain now and they are behind. Buttler nearly gets a run out as Read just makes his ground. So they need 121 and they are 117 for 4 at the end of this over (13th). Llong takes them off in heavy rain because of the need to keep the pitch in condition for the final. We will win if they don't come back. If KP hadn't taken that catch Notts would have been in the lead. We have a 7 minute spell before the cut off time comes!!
Holy Cow! What a way to play a game. But this time it works for us. With no time left at the cut-off point and covers still coming onto the pitch there is lots of shaking of hands and SOMERSET go through to the final on the D/L.
It is a shame that a game like this shold be decided this way BUT it went down to the wire and was decided by one piece of cricket between two players. Had Samit Patel hit a 6 then the over total would have put Notts through. He didn't. The Mighty Mighty Keiron Pollard took an immense and brilliantly executed catch and took us through instead. Great stuff. It also gets better as Jos gets the MoM as well!
THE FINAL!!
v Hampshire @ The Rosebowl
Commentary (not sure about the local aspect but 5Live Sports Extra will cover) The links are at the top of the story.
We've won the toss and we are going to bat first. Hampshire would have bowled but surely our strength is batting and if we can't post the target then we won't win anyway. They are relying on Murali K to get something better in the Final. Hampshire are the underdogs in this one but we don't do well in Finals when we have played well in the semis. I'm looking forward to this but the butterflies are belting around the gut.
Unfortunately the intrernet goes down and I am reporting at 100 up in the 13th over with James Hildreth just coming in after Pete tried to get over Ervine who misjudged it but still managed to pluck it out of the air. Before that Marcus had looked good before mis-hitting one to Christian at 41 with 19 to his name.
This has not been a fluent performance. Craig is not looking smooth and struggling to put it up a gear. Trigger got there in the end hitting 33 off 24 but we are presently looking at 160 and we have to look at 180 for this really. The problem is that our keeper is not hitting the ball cleanly and finding fielders on the rare occasions when he does but it is down to him as he sixes Briggs. He's moving towards a run a ball but we need at least 10 an over from here on in.
It is likely that Pollard and Buttler will be the next two in and at 113 for 2 and another excellent 4 overs from Briggs, the pressure is on Somerset.
Over 15 from Christian is going the same way as others with a run a ball. We need boundaries though!! After 15 it is 124 for 2. 180 may be too far as Wood takes the 16th. We are still not hitting the boundaries though and it is getting very important to do so because this is not enough given the position in the other games.
As if he hears me. Craig hits 2 consecutive balls for fours and by the end of the 16th we are 136 for 2. This is followed by a six to the off at the start of the first ball of Razzaq's 17th. He has now scored 30+ off 11 but it has to continue right to the end for him to pull this one around.
With all this we are still the wrong side of 150 with 3 overs to go and as a Somerset supporter I always feel nervous when that is the case. The last ball of the 17th sees James look to steer a ball into a gap but he is well taken by Christian off Razzaq. This brings in Jos Buttler for the start of the 18th, ahead of Pollard. 146 for 3 and we now have to hit out BIG TIME.
Craig dies trying as he does exactly that to off and is taken out of the air by Carberry 149 for 4 with 14 balls to go and in comes Keiron Pollard with us all watching for the big stuff. the 150 arrives with 12 balls left. We are gong to be short of 170 in this case and this is going to be tight if we bowl REALLY well.
Over 19 Wood to Buttler - Ball 1 - single. Ball 2 - 2 runs. Ball 3 - four Ball 4 - six. Ball 5 - six. Ball 6 - single. 170 for 4
Over 20 Cork to Pollard Ball 1 - dropped by Mckenzie as it swirls over his head. They run 3. Ball 2 - dot ball flat batted to the keeper. Ball 3 - wicket Buttler caught by Vince 173 for 5 but they crossed. Ball 4 - Pollard is hit through the grill and falls to his knees. Dominic Cork is the first man to him to see that he is alright. Arul Suppiah is walking out with the big man putting his gloves back on but there is big swelling on his right eye and he won't continue - can he bowl?
Ball 5 - snicks the ball and out first ball. Ball 6 - Big Ben comes out to hit the last one. Dot ball and a brilliant over from the wily old sod!!
173 - more than I expected but less than I hoped or at the start of that last over. Is it enough? Well without Pollard to bowl I'm not sure. Suppiah will have to do more as will everyone else. Hmmm - the first 10 will tell.
The Reply
KP does not come out for the restart, he's receiving treatment. Adams will face Alf and he starts by having Adams in front but getting an inside edge and they scramble a single as the ball swings in. The second swings away. Razzaq gets a really good one as well which he also gets a bit on.
The news is that KP has gone to hospital for a precautionary check and Compo is on for him so the fielding aspect is OK. Razzaq is playing and missing at balls that are just too good for him. 3 for 0 after one. Ben is taking his usual second and it is loose - he has to do better than this, he has gone for 2 boundaries with four balls gone but bowls straighter at the end and only goes for 9. Now who takes the third? It would usually be KP but Alf is carrying on. So he will do this and then will be off until the end. The VC is short balling the Hampshire men and keeps it tight except for the last one which goes through the field to the boundary. 19 after 3.
Zander is in early but may have problems unless he gets it right. They get a boundary off the one he doesn't get right, a six striaght up and ends with 16 from his over and Hampshire in charge on 35. Razzaq is taking a liking to Ben Phillip's pace and smacks a boundary off his first. He can't bowl short at his pace on this wicket and it is starting to look like the wheels are coming off as another boundary comes and the home side move towards 50. Six more comes off the next and our score looks very very low. Hampshire have put 30 on off the last 10 balls and we can't afford that as the 50 arrives before the 5th over ends. Phillips comes around the wicket and ends with 17 off his over.
We need better than this and the skipper turns to Pete Trego for some control before the end of the powerplay allows him to use his spinners. Trigger's job is to york these men to death but Adams and Razzaq are on fire at the moment (26 runs from Razzaq in boundaries) and another comes next ball. Razzaq has 33 from 18 but he dies next ball as he skies one and Craig calls and takes the swirling ball 60 for 1 and an excellent innings from Razzaq against a struggling Somerset attack.
Is the damage too much? It is a problem but is it fatal? After 6 overs they have 62 for 1 and we win or lose on this next stage. Kartik comes in to the game. Vince looks for a quick single to Hildreth which is not on. James is down, up and the ball is in before Vince can turn to get back. That excellent run out brings McKenzie in at 62 for 2 as the promising 19 year old returns to the dug out without bothering the scorer.
McKenzie pops one over the bowler, so MK is making them wonder. Adams is nearly run out at the end of the over and they end at 67 as Pete continues for the 8th and there's a bit of poor fielding from Zander giving them a boundary that frustrates the allrounder. Tight is necessary at all times boys!! 78 for 2 after 9 but their rate is above that needed and we need to put the brakes (and the pressure) on with a good four or five over "press".
Kartik continues with the 9th as Arul warms up on the boundary but there is no spin because of the wet ball - it doesn't bode well. He's going to have his work cut out for him. 84 for 2 after 9 which suggests they will do this with at least one over to spare unless there is a flurry of wickets before the end. Nevertheless Arul is on for the 10th and he bowls Adams with a dragged on skiddy one first ball!! Excellent stuff "Erroll". 84 for 3! Sean Ervine is next in and off the mark immediately. A short wide one gives Ervine a boundary and after 10 they are 90 for 3. There or there abouts they are ahead by 13 but we had only lost one wicket. That last over from Cork is looking more and more important as the deciding factor between the two sides.
For the 12th Marcus goes to Zander with 94 on the board. He has 1 left from MK and the same from Alf. Ben hasn't done it in either game so he will have to turn to Zander, Peter and Arul for as much as he can. 8 tight ones from them would be wonderful with Pete doing the end of innings stuff. But the 100 comes up during this over. 104 for 3 with 8 to come. MK will bowl the 13th but has not taken a wicket yet. The home side are getting to the point where wickets in hand are becoming important as well and they have 7 in the bank with Carberry and Cork to come. But it may not be a problem as Ervine is hitting boundaries for fun off the spinner. Two balls to go of MK's spell and then the conundrum gets more difficult for MT. With 7 to go Hampshire are 116 for 3 and our slow man has ended his T20 campaign with 4 for 27.
58 off 42 balls is what is needed and Hampshire have to be it. Ben is back for the 14th needing something better than his first two for over 20. He has to leave Alf something to bowl at if we take it to the end. Ervine and McKenzie look dangerous and settled and they arre pressurising us rather than the other way around. It doesn't work with Phillips as he goes for 3 boundaries and 15 runs are taken. o for 41 after 3 probably means he has finished.
Marcus has to turn to Alf. Hampshire need 43 from 36 and we need wickets or this has gone. They just keep moving it about and take singles frm the man - they don't need to do anything else and we are running out of bowling resources. 136 for 3 after 15 and the Alf magic hasn't worked as Hampshire needs 38 from 30. Trigger comes back for over number 16 and they need 30 at the end of it.
Last gasp with Thommo. He's only gone for 13 but the 150 comes up with a six from McKenzie. 23 needed but only 3 balls from the master to come and they are swinging at everything. Mckenzie gets a thick outside edge but it goes safe and the VC ends wicketless 4 for 23. Good stuff but not enough. Now who does Marcus go to after Trigger ends with the 18th.
The body language says that this game has gone but there is still something in this. They still need more than a run a ball but we look like this is not going to be our night I am afraid. McKenzie goes to 50 in the 18th off 37 and it is now less than a run a ball. 163 for 3 at the end of the 18th.
Who will bowl the 19th? He chooses Ben! This is a gamble and nothing about BP's bowling tonight suggests he will do this so it should end an over short. BUT Mckenzie swats his first and is caught by the captain. 163 for 4. Carberry should do this. 11 from 11. Ervine goes for it and Compton drops him on the boundary!! It went straight to him, went straight in and straight out!
Carberry hits one straight up in the air and Kieswetter takes the catch!! 10 from 8. 9 from 7. 8 from 6. Well done Ben Phillips wonderful last over BUT why why why didn't this come earlier?
Zander de Bruyn gets the last over.
Last over de Bruyn to Christian Ball 1 - 1 bye to the keeper Ball 2 - dot ball Kieswetter misses the stumps. Ball 3 - 7 from 4. 2 runs Ball 4 - 5 from 3 1 bye and Kieswetter misses stumps again 4 from 2 Ball 5 - 2 runs with a brilliant stop Ball 6 - and Christian has pulled a hamstring and needs a runner - Adams is the runner but there are no markings so they are calling the groundsmen to mark the pitch!! If Hampshire get 2 they win. If they get a run they win (they have lost fewer wickets) so we need a dot ball!.
How close is this? We've done so well to get to this point and I wouldn't begrudge Hampshire the win. This has been brilliant and it now really doesn't matter - but what a great match to win!!
BALL 6 then after the marking out. Zander puts it in full and pop it off the toe they go for a leg bye. No LBW call and we lose by the fact that we have lost 6 wickets to their 5 in a tied game.
There are lots of 'ifs' in this but we don't need to dwell on them. I'm sure people will on the forum. My take is that we got closer to the win than I thought we would and to lose on a tie is not as bad as last year against Sussex.
We are the best T20 team in the domestic league. Had Keiron not been injured we would have got nearer 190 and he would not have gone for 40+ off 3 while bowling. Therefore I'm not fully happy but accept that this has been a phenomenal T20 year for the boys. Well done everyone. What are the chances that we get one of the other two?
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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2010:08:18:17:33:54 by Grockle.
here are the playing conditions for finals day, see 16.2.
finals day .
LoL
Sixty-six Seasons a Somerset Supporter
I'm not there (shoulder wouldn't let me drive that far, the Rosebowl didn't attract me enough, got to be in the East Midlands tomorrow) so I'd appreciate anything from people at the ground.
But SKY came through and hooked me up in time to see the U19's beat Sri Lanka yesterday with two of our boys playing, the Finals today and the Lancs floodlit by laptop Monday if I can find free wifi.
Hope everyone there has a great time. I've missed two major finals and we won them both. I've been at four major finals and we came second in all of them. I do hope that this all works in favour of our lads and we bring this one home.
If we can get this under our belts then the hairs will start to stand for the rest of the season....though we may lose out to that extra county Weatherhamshire because today seems to be the start of a very poor last third of the summer and we need all the days on the pitch we can muster.
The complete list.
Friends Provident T20 Finals Day
1st Semi-Final
First Session - 11:30am – 12.45pm
Interval - 12.45pm – 1.00pm
Second Session - 1.00pm – 2.15pm
2nd Semi-Final
First Session - 3.00pm – 4.15pm
Interval - 4.15pm – 4.30pm
Second Session - 4.30pm – 5.45pm
Final
First Session - 7.15pm – 8.30pm
Interval - 8.30pm – 8:45pm
Second Session - 8:45pm – 10.00pm
[news.bbc.co.uk]
It's also on Uganda TV Channel 197 (Matooke Sounds).
LoL
Sixty-six Seasons a Somerset Supporter
Not for the first time ------
ALL the links are at the top of the thread in the frontpage story! As they always are when I put a frontpage story on a thread where there are links to provide.
Glad to be of service ;-)
I just spotted my neighbour, Deaders, in the front or second row, with his Somerset colours on. I reckon a group are there from Dorchester CC.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2010:08:14:14:22:20 by Grockle.
While I have grave reservations about such one-off appearances being allowed, I wonder how we would be reacting had we managed to deploy White just for today.
As far as I am concerned, the rules should be modified to ensure that players in the final should be restricted to:
a) those who have played in or been available for at least two previous matches in the tournament
b) registered players for the county concerned who have not been available to play in previous round due to central contracts with the ECB.
These rules should be applied to all contests that end with a final.
Lots of pace off the ball - not Turner's day today.
Big requirement for the batters. We need to hit over par and keep our heads. Hampshire did well but we are better.
Are we better than Notts? Well not long before we find that one out.
SKY were saying Bravo was always on the cards because Styris would not be available. Well that needed to be more obvious nd clear. You should have to declare a squad like in other tournaments and then except for very exceptional circumstances it should not be added to.
LoL
Sixty-six Seasons a Somerset Supporter
LoL
Sixty-six Seasons a Somerset Supporter
I do wonder if it's quite appropriate for the father of a current player to be on the international referees' panel at all, even if he doesn't supervise any of the boy's matches. (Also wonder what Chris Broad is doing on the panel in the first place - who can we expect to see there in the next generation? Haddin? Symonds? Afridi?)
His next indiscretion is likely to be dealt with a lot more severely!
OLDBOYBA!
Certainly Chris threw his toys out of the pram occasionally.
Both Broad and Swann have been given permission to play by the ECB and Nottinghamshire coach Mick Newell says they will definitely make the 11.
Not so Kevin Pietersen, who has also been cleared by the autorities for Saturday, but has again been given the bum`s rush by Hampshire.
Despite the effort put in by Graham Rose in the Cider Final I always felt that Steff should have been picked as he had put in the work to get Somerset there. It was a difficult decision there.
I doubt Hampshire had the same difficulty.
He's been one of England's best batsmen over the past five years, arguably the best. By all accounts, he practices as hard as anyone, he's a good team man (with problems in the past, I know), is apparently a good family man off the pitch (not that that's any of our business) and seems popular amongst his peers, albeit he has a bit of 'character' which some don't. Yes, he's South African and was brought up with their attitude to life and a character that's not very similar to our Englishness - but really, he's not a bad guy.
I do think the reasoning that it's too far to commute, once in a blue moon, from Chelsea to Southampton rather odd - but still, I don't think that's a reason to pillory the guy so much. I also have no sympathy at all for Hampshire and Mr Bransgrove.
OLDBOYBA!
Even within "Team England," when he was the captain it seems that he did not exactly have everyone pulling in the right direction, either. He certainly has/had his big mates in the England team ie. Vaughan, Collingwood, but I'm not sure that he's popular outside a small coterie of England batsmen?
But, to be honest, this is not really about England, per se, but about KP's apparent attitude to County cricket.
Presumably, he has either always lived in Chelsea (since he moved to Hants) in which case the purported reason for a move being need now sounds like nonsense or he used to live closer to the Rose Bowl and then moved to Chelsea, in which case, whose fault is that?
I think it will be fascinting to see how this plays out.. Will anybody want to hire him?
Potential marketing and pr i guess but cant expect him to ever play.
Also hardly see him as the sort to go back to a county once his England career is over, very limited benefit therefore for anyone wanting him...
Tres
Craig
Tregs
Kp
And if that goes wrong
Josh
Hildy
Zander
Arul
And if that goes wrong
Alf
Phillips
And Kartik at 11
Bowling wise;
Alf,Kp ,Phillips ,Tregs,Kartik, Arul,Zander and even Hildy should be ample .Roll on 14th August
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2010:07:29:16:51:02 by nelliec.
Time for the `eff&safety boys to take a hand, some would say.
With Dwyane Bravo hired as a mercenary for just one day, Alastair Cook likely to be released by England to play, and Ryan ten Doeschate hoping to have recovered from the injury he received at Taunton, they certainly look stronger on paper than in the quarter-finals.
(Hex alert):...and I don't think Cook should be too much of a danger in T20, should he?
RTD will have been out for 2 months when he comes back.....maybe lack of match practice will make it difficult for him.
One of the cc matches will be against us at Colchester during the Third Test against Pakistan. I see, by the way, that McGain`s figures were 5-151 in 33 overs in Kent`s first innings at Canterbury last week. Essex lost.
Bravo presumably won't be cheap for one day only either!!!
England players available
Somerset`s semi-final opponents will include five players from the ICC World Twenty20 final in the Caribbean earlier this year - Swann, Chris Broad, Ryan Sidebottom, Dirk Nannes and David Hussey.
All-rounder Steven Mullaney, who played in all the T20 qualifying matches but has been missing from the championship side since injuring himself in the warm-up at Taunton last month, is testing his fitness in the 40-over match against Warwickshire at Trent Bridge tonight.
Also of interest - Neil Edwards, who broke his hand earlier this season, returned for Notts Seconds this week, but has still not had the plate taken out.
Didn't know Chris Broad was still playing!
Very doubtful from the Hampshire guys here. They expect Dawson to come in and Cork will play if at all possible.
MT, CK, PT, JH, ZDB, KP
Jos has done nothing wrong so 7?
with a top 7
Think Ben, Alfie and Murali are definites.
Leaves Arul and Turner fighting for other spot.
With the top 7 i listed dont NEED Arul necessarily for his batting but how about his bowling?
Saying that Marcus and Brian love Turner, he's played virtually every one dayer this year when fit so have a feeling they'll go with him.
Compton in the frame bink he's least likely to play despite Sundays knock at Exmouth.
Only 2 days to go......
Lumb out for season with broken foot
Or rather, sounds like CK broke his foot for him the other day.
Stumpy in second but Lanky the Giraffe is storming away!!
Mr Atherton has changed his tack in relation to Bravo although he is saying that county loyalty is NOT the way the modern game is going!
Well maybe in his parallel universe I suppose but at least he is being consistent about that in his own personal case.
It is NOT the way the game is going...unless the plans being put forward by people like the ex-England captain come to fruition.
Very nervous about this. Heaven knows how the players feel.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2010:08:14:15:38:08 by Grockle.
I'd suggest that Kartik and Arul will need to bowl out of their skins.
Superb play by Jos and Kieron!
Wonderful play. @#$%& is frightening just how talented he is.
Grizzzly
How good are we at picking talent on this site?
old boy!
Originally needed 183 to win off 20 @ 9.15
Now need 152 to win off 16 @ 9.5
Fingers crossed !
Grizzzly
I don't need it explaining to me but whatever system is used has to be seen to be fair to all by the average punter in the stands.
If we do go back on don't ask me what the hell happens!!
Fingers crossed adrenalin will kick in !!
Grizzzly
Grizzzly
Looks like we'll go through on that basis
Murali Kartik swings from brilliant to.......... I feel he needs to adapt when batsmen take him on.
I see we have won the toss and will bat, so I hope it stays fine and D/L doesn't intervene.
Good to hear two very eloquent interviews with the skippers, who are both keen for the crowd to be entertained. I think we all hope that we don't let ourselves down.
"We are in the running for three trophies and so surely the most important thing is to put aside any doubts we have about individuals and give the whole squad our unequivocal support?"
You can now look at this comment from the other side.
How can you discuss things consructively when this is the reponse you get?
How can you post these two things in the same day?
Sensible debate is NOT criticism and you do it as well as others so let's keep the "holier than thou" posts down to a minimum in future please :-)
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2010:08:14:19:47:29 by Grockle.
Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 2010:08:14:19:54:06 by averageside.
Starting to worry as Pete straight sixes Razzaq. Hope that is the start of something big!!
Craig gets to 50 but we need him to "hit out or get out" now.
I'm not sure we have enough unless we get rid of Carberry and McKenzie cheaply.
The great thing is that it is still there for either side. What a good days competition.
old boyba!
You win some, you lose some.
old boy!
The batsman who has called for a runner isn`t allowed to run himself as well - it only confuses the fielding side. The run should be disallowed.
Brilliant performances from the guys, to have taken it so close (and the LBW WAS clipping leg stump according to Hawkeye...) from absolutely nowhere with 3 overs left.
They'll criticise themselves. Ben's bowling. Craig's skittle's skill (or lack of it). The run rate in the first 10 but them's the breaks and they have to use it to get things right from now on in.
IF they win the CC1 this will all be immaterial. A final at Lords will also push this into a cocked hat.
If you look at paragraph c. of section 8 of Law 2 - `transgression of the Laws by a batsman who has a runner` - you will see that the umpires got it wrong.
They should not have called the game at an end until Christian, who had run while also using a runner, had returned to his crease at the batsman`s end; the runner Adams had also retraced his tracks; and Christian had stayed in his crease until the runner Adams completed the run again.
At any stage in what would have been lengthy proceedings, Somerset could have run out Christian before he regained the crease at the batter`s end. The ball should not have been called `dead` and the game over.
The result will be altered and then that will be the result and all will be right with the world.
When that happens I'll be happier than I am now but until then I'm personally pretty clear about who won the game and cool with my side's involvement.
Anyway good luck with that
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2010:08:15:00:16:44 by Grockle.
I'm really surprised that we lost. I fully expected to beat Hants.
Is the following question fair?
Do we, sans G Smith lack the killer instinct to win these things?
Edit: I was at the Oval when we won it all, but I laughed out loud when Lancs chose to bat in the final after torrents of rain and then Johnno and co swiftly reduced to them rubble. Then again, we needed Smith's batting vs Flintoff to win it.
What a strange question to ask after losing a tied final with only 10 men
I did not.
As you say, if we manage to raise ourselves and manage to lift the CC then, this could and should be forgotten.
I suppose that, given the absence of the CL, the 40 over stuff would also compensate.
As you yourself said, the main thing here is Buttler. If only central contracts did not exist...
Perhaps I grossly underesimated home advantage, although Hants are the first hosts to win it all.
Marcus did remarkably well to marshall his forces and now it's bed and on to the CB40
Still, it must have been a great effort to get that close, especially as they had virtually no time to rest between the semi final & the final (unlike Hants).
As for the 'runner' issue, well I suppose something like that is always a distinct possibility in that situation.
Ah well, hope the lads won't be too down about it. I'm sure we opened a few eyes today - especially JB. !
Grizzzly
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2010:08:15:07:45:14 by averageside.
It all hinged on the Cork over. An extra 6 runs from the last balls, one wicket fewer falling, Pollard bowling done and dusted. I felt at halftime that we would struggle to win because of the bowling line up minus Pollard. Well done for getting that close. IF Compton had hung on, and CK had spent more of his Millfield time in the local playing skittles we sill might have done it. And as someone has already commented, great respect for KP who looks as though he would do anything for "his" team.
This season's T20 campaign has seen us produce two fielding sides, one brilliant and the other ordinary, i feel that the latter turned up for the final, which was the reason we couldn't defend an excellent total.
Great for the future of the English game, though, seeing such a talented group of English youngsters.
Quote:AGod
Is the following question fair?
Do we, sans G Smith lack the killer instinct to win these things?
Um ... I think that's pretty unfair. Sounded like nobody on the field had any "killer instinct" at the end, including the umpires!
I thought the umpires did everything correctly according to the rules; some post on here is due to the disappointment of losing which is understandable.
We lost now put our efforts into the rest of the season, sixteen team didn’t get as far as we did so well done Somerset.
When they immediately signalled the winning leg bye off the last ball, both the batsman and his runner were at the bowler`s end. This is categorically against the section of the Laws of Cricket (Law 2) under `transgression of the Laws by a batsman who has a runner`.
Somerset were not even given time to consider the situation -and run out Christian.
I hope this isn`t an un-Christian thought, especially on a Sunday.
To be fair quite apart from the KP blow to us, I assume it was the case that both Alf and Ben were also carrying knocks. The Big Ben one was strange. It cannot be that common for a guy to pull up on the Thursday, mid over, and then be sent out there on the Saturday?
We have to pick ourselves up off the floor now by hitting back hard in the other comps.
Ps Botham - KP did really well for us and everyone hates to see a player injured. I'm sure we all wish him a speedy recovery. However, so far as the rest of our season is concerned, the question of his health is actually the least important question as he will play no further 2010 games for us in any competition.
I suspect that next season Mr Rose will wait for cast iron assurances of ability to qualify for the CL before he goes down the route of signing a world star for the T20.
Speaking purely personally, I can't lose sight of that fact, but I appreciate that others will have a completely different 'take' on the outcome of the result.
And as for your comment - "It is all very well saying none of the `ifs` matter now, Grockle, but it is the difference between prize money of £200,000 and £84,000 for the runners-up"; as a Somerset member, that statistical fact interests me not a great deal.
I have always understood that the majority of the prize money from competitions goes to the players, so how much of a financial loss to the club will being runners - up entail? Clearly, if my stated belief is correct, it will hurt the players' pockets, considerably more than the club's.
Time to move on, I feel.
KP may not have been able to play for us within that competition whatever had happened if T&T had qualified from the Windies
I'm sure we budgeted for KP and I'm also sure we are very satisfied in his performances and commitment.
Hopefully his injury looked a lot worse than it was and the hospital visit was just a precaution.
On a couple of other points
We had ample opportunities to run Christian out before the last ball.
Commenting on fielding performances in those conditions is a bit rich and NOT a significant aspect of why we are not champions
Whatever happened last night I've seen pictures that show Hampshire celebrating a worthy victory so I doubt we will be celebrating a revision of that.
There was coverage on the news today finally - though well after info that some bloke called Blackwell has resigned as Sheffield United's manager it seems
Having said that we'd need to improve a great deal, yet, to compete seriously in the CL, whether Pollard would play for us or not. Apart from anything else we'd be sans Tres for any such tournament unless it were held in England.
With the power of hindsight, I must say I do now wonder how Botham's suggestion that we should have played Buttler in the CL may have panned out!?
a) Pollard was a 'heavy investment' in terms of the price of these types of players
b) the club would make that 'gamble' on the basis of expected future revenues from a competition they may not have even qualified for. It would be against the policy of the club in relation to finance over the past few years.
Many congratulations and commiserations to Somerset. Congratulations for such a good T20 campaign and for making it such an entertaining day of cricket. Commiserations for coming so close yet falling at the very last hurdle.
Very much hoping that Pollard is not injured too badly.
And good luck to you in your other campaigns this season.
6.30am departure, 3am return.
Sure many of the IF'S have been commented on but why did Zander not run a bye to keeper on the last ball of our innings when Ben swung and missed his only ball?
Appreciate a lot happened in that over with stoppage for KP's injury and then Arul going first ball, 'd just have thought that would have been a discussion they'd have had on his way past Zander to face at the other end, something like "have a swing Ben but if you miss it we're running wherever it goes"
Lets get this Pro 40 title in the bag now then so we have at least 1 trophy to show for an outstanding 2/3 years consistent performances in all competitions...
a great catch from Kieron to win us the match against Notts
and a great innings from Jos also.
a shame about the result but lets hope for a good performance tomorrow.
The scores being level and winning because less wickets lost is I expect a rule for t20 but the batting with a runner rule I imaging applies to all cricket.
They will know next time.
y
Buttler was simply outstanding in the first match and should have been MotM, despite MT, at his most magnificent, scoring even more runs. I would have liked to have heard what people like Hussain and Lloyd had to say about him.
Pollard was worth every penny just for that magnificent (and impossible) catch and it was really sad for him and us that his match had to end in such a painful way. Let's hope he is soon back to hi ebullient best. I loved the way he kept smiling, both with his colleagues and his opponents. Cork was good at that as well. I also liked the fact that MT was smiling right until the end; he must be a great captain to play for. My one reservation is that his complaints about the state of the ball might not have been needed had we batted second - the ball and the field were bound to get more slippery as the night went on and I think the slipperiness might well have affected Kieswetter's skittling skills.
Obviously the result cannot now reversed, but I hope someone in authority will have a word with the umpires about the rules regarding runners. An apology would be not unwelcome.
LoL
Sixty-six Seasons a Somerset Supporter
I hope it's not a case of Mrs Whitehouse having to witness obscenity so that she could complain about it. (She was equally good at NOT watching what she deemed inappropriate and complaining about that as well)
LoL
Sixty-six Seasons a Somerset Supporter
I think it was the Sussex Pro 40 game in which Lloyd raved about Jos.
I have to say that I, myself, saw him play what was - in a purely cricketing sense - an extremely similar innings at Beckenham against Kent to the one that he played in the SF vs Notts. Not only was it full of unorthodox shots, but he came to the crease in an innings in which we were, seemingly, doing our best to toss away a good start.. We were 107 for 4 at Beckenham, as opposed to 107 for 5 in Southampton.
I use the term purely cricketing sense because in terms of the "occasion," of the Finals Day, it was even more impressive to be able to re-produce that kind of innings under that kind of pressure. Let's face it, at 107 for 5, we were no more than a couple of great balls or poor shots away from staring elimination in the face in the SF. I'm sure Jos would have known that.
I also have to say that I was very impressed with the way that Kieron Pollard simply tossed his ego to one side and resolved to do his best to support Jos in his great innings, rather than trying to compete with him. Had Pollard done something stupid, Jos may have had to rein it in and the match might then have been lost.
that's the first time I've been likened to Mary Whitehouse. No you're quite right I didn't have to listen to Geoff Twentyman, but having accepted that it wasn't reasonable of me to spend the whole day in the pub, but wanting to find out what was happening to the cricket, I had to switch Radio Bristol on to find out what was going on, and until the rain stopped it was football, football, football.
(And I'm sure you're not a bit like Mrs W)
LoL
Sixty-six Seasons a Somerset Supporter
Hope we get KP back next year, he's one of the most exciting players around to watch, whatever he is doing. Also he seems to really enjoy it, which is a bonus.
However, whilst I am sorry and disappointed for all the players and spectators who were there, I was horrified (and I don’t consider that to be too strong a word) to read the following comments on the club’s official site: -
“Marcus Trescothick and his team did not appear aware of the rules in the event of a tie. And there was further frustration in that they could have run out Dan Christian, who despite having called for a runner, left his crease to run himself in the heat of the moment off the final ball.
Afterwards a stunned Trescothick admitted: “It’s a moment that will probably haunt me for years. I’ll close my eyes tonight and see that leg – bye being run.
“We didn’t realise at the time that we could have run Christian out. It was a chaotic finish and of course we are bitterly disappointed because we always thought we were in with a chance.”
Disappointing, of course it was, but an apparent total ignorance of, not only the rules of the competition, but also the laws of the game, is more difficult to swallow.
When Adams was called out to be a runner, was there in the apparent mayhem that followed, not an opportunity for either Rose or Hurry to get a message to Trescothick on the field to emphasise that if Christian left his crease and was out of his ground, then break the wicket irrespective of where his runner is?
Frankly, it is a very basic Law that every cricketer should remember whenever a runner is on the field of play.
Perhaps, neither Hurry nor Rose were aware of it either. I don’t know, but I do know that such ignorance of the Laws of the game has cost the players and the club dearly.
Yes, it is only a game, but maybe Brian should, before the start of next season, call in a local umpire to address the players and coaching staff on some of the least well – known laws of the game, in order that their individual knowledge can perhaps be improved upon and /or refreshed.
Such an initiative was instigated a few years ago by a referee who addressed a local Rugby Union F.C. before the start of a season on the various new laws of that game which were being introduced that season. I was told that it paid handsome dividends.
Anyway, it’s done, finished and it's now time to move on.
It is indeed often said that cricketers are ignorant of the rules (and indeed the history) of the game that pays their wages.
LoL
Sixty-six Seasons a Somerset Supporter
(c) When a batsman with a runner is striker he remains himself subject to the Laws and will be liable to the penalties that any infringement of them demands.
Additionally, if he is out of his ground when the wicket is put down at the wicket-keeper's end, he will be out in the circumstances of Law 38 (Run out) or Law 39 (Stumped) irrespective of the position of the non-striker or of the runner. If he is thus dismissed, runs completed by the runner and the other batsman before the dismissal shall not be scored
Understand!
The Rules.
21.1.2 In the event of a tie in a quarter-final, semi-final or final,
the team losing the lesser number of wickets shall be the
winner.
21.1.3 In the event of a tie in a quarter-final, semi-final or final,
if the result cannot be decided by 21.1.2, the winner
shall be the team with the higher score after 6 overs, or
if still equal after 5 overs, or if still equal after 4 overs etc.
Hants were docked 2 points for the pitch they prepared against us in the group stage, but the penalty was deferred until NEXT year (why?). If the ECB had done the logical thing and enforced it this year, then Hants'place in the semi would have been taken by Surrey.
Doesn't mean we would have won though!
heat of the moment ran also but he made his ground so that if he had not had a runner it would have been a run. I know technically we could have run him out but there is something that keeps nagging me which says "but they completed a run" I am far more disppointed with skittle failure and dropped catch rather than a failed technicality and I hope that no one is going to be scapegoated for it and that no one is going to be made to shoulder blame or guilt. It wouldn't be cricket.
In a match as close as this, inevitably the losing team can look back on a number of incidents which, if they had played out differently, could potentially have altered the final result. What is beyond dispute, however, is that the team did us proud - as they have done in every competition this year.
I reason I have put extracts from the rules on here is so those who don’t know the rules can read them.
We have more to do to the end of the season.
Quote:Clarence Parker
When Adams was called out to be a runner, was there in the apparent mayhem that followed, not an opportunity for either Rose or Hurry to get a message to Trescothick on the field to emphasise that if Christian left his crease and was out of his ground, then break the wicket irrespective of where his runner is?
Frankly, it is a very basic Law that every cricketer should remember whenever a runner is on the field of play.
Perhaps, neither Hurry nor Rose were aware of it either. I don’t know, but I do know that such ignorance of the Laws of the game has cost the players and the club dearly.
According to the official site (Kieron heads home for treatment), Brian Rose was with Kieron Pollard in the local hospital until the early hours of the morning, and so missed the end of the game.
So Brian Rose is clearly not only blameless in this matter, but is to be highly commended for putting the health of an injured player above all else.
Anyway I thought it was a great effort by the guys after an under par score and never really getting at it when they were batting. We really missed Pollard in the field.
What a cricketer he is. His catching and general fielding was brilliant and his batting was there purely for the team. His presence is also immense and there is no doubt Hampshire got a lift from him not being there (although they were upset at his injury).
I would love to see him back at out club as full overseas player in 2012 as Kartik has that role covered next year. His batting needs to improve and a season with us will do that. You might say why should we provide a finishing school for a WI player but my view is that we need WI back to the fore in world cricket and what an entertainer Pollard would be. Cricket needs players like Kieron Pollard. I salute him for getting us to the final and wish him all the best for a speedy recovery.
If Pollard does have genuine Test ambitions, then it is possible that he might decide that the Red Stripe Cup is of an insufficient standard to fully press his claims, and so, I suppose, he might look for a County stint.
Even so, I'm not sure that Brian would want an overseas player for the CC that, as yet, is not a proven match-winner in first-class cricket?
Depends on our spinning options after next year I suppose if we were to be interested.
It wasn't to be. It was a final for Dominic Cork. His last over (even including the KP incident) was a captain's over in a tight situation.
We only reached the final over because of the excellent work in the penultimate one by Pete Trego and we only went to the last ball because of the equally excellent work of Zander taking that final responsibility.
In the heat of the moment things got confused. We didn't even get to the heat of the moment last year we were like headless chickens well before the last over.
I'm happy because I personally know we were not beaten by a better side...just a luckier one and I don't begrudge them that luck and I was mightily impressed by the leadership of their captain who I haven't had a lot of time for in the past I must admit.
As Botham so rightly says. no time to wallow - we have a Lord's Final to work towards.
Maybe it will be ours in CC1?
To be honest, I never like the half said impressions I've heard (usually at taunton) about him being a travelling mercenary, with "no brain". This is a man who's one of the best in the world at what he does.
And most importantly, I don't think I'd want to represent the WICB in any form at the moment, until they pull their fingers out.
He could well be available - player strikes etc mean Windies fixtures are little guide. I guess the main question would be how effective his bowling would be in 4 day games - he's certainly a wicket taker in 2020, but would his slower balls be effective against a batsman playing properly.
Cameron White had some fantastic knocks despite appearing more suited to shorter forms (and should probably be in the Aussie side instead of North).
Benefit of doubt remember!
What a great last over Zander bowled though.
MT got two horrible decisions at Headingley in the first CC game of the season. Both LBW. The one on Saturday was closer than those two and we lost that game. That may cost us the Championship so I fail to see what "the circumstances" are. If its out its out regardless of the situation.
If he had given it and hawk eye confirmed the hitting stumps I bet you Atherton and Ward and all thiose characters would have still said "great decision" So eiether way the umpire makes a great decision. Bo$$ox
The bottom line is that, unless the replay shows the ball hitting either middle stump, or the inner half of one of the other two stumps, then that surely means that there is enough doubt about the decision that the batsman should be given the benefit of the doubt by the umpire.
I did not really think, with the naked eye, that it was out so I could very well see why the umpire did not give it. Before Hawkeye, I think 95% of us would have assumed that that ball was sliding down leg. Hawkeye has shown (if you have full faith in the technology) that, more often that not, balls that appear to be sliding down (with the naked eye) will actually clip the leg stump. But, given the fact that the benefit of any doubt is meant to go to the batsman, does that mean the umpires should start, routinely, giving these things out?
It looked out to me and it was more out than the two at Headingley. Even the yorkies couldn't believe the first one.
You've also got to factor in that the umpires didn't give any LBs all day. Think they had made their mind up not to give any if Im honest, which isn't right either no matter how much doubt you think there was.
All in all a shambles of an end really.
But if it is true that we did not know the rules of the competition in the event of a tie, then I'm afraid that is rather unprofessional.
I think 'the circumstances' are a bit of a red herring too. Obviously circumstances should in no way affect an umpire's decision and if they do he's a bad and weak umpire. But why suppose they did in this case, rather than that Bailey simply gave what looked to him like the right decision? It looked like it to me too (loudly as I appealed from my armchair).
If the umpire really does get praised either way when the ball's clipping leg it makes a very welcome change and I'm all for it.
As an overall comment I think Grockle's last post pretty much sums it up for me too.
Quote:Chinaman
So Brian Rose is clearly not only blameless in this matter, but is to be highly commended for putting the health of an injured player above all else.
Indeed he is very much to be commended, Chinaman.
Furthermore, I am very heartened to read that he said he would be holding a meeting with both Marcus and coach Andy Hurry to discuss it.
A terse, but nevertheless telling comment on his part, I think.
The team did us proud, and I agree we were a bit lucky with the semi and a bit unlucky with the final. I'm sure all four teams involved could point to individual evenst throughout the day that went for or against them, and that might have changed the result.
Now returned home and watched Hants-biased coverage on the local news. Their opinion is very much that the Som players didn't know the rules at the end and how funny that was.
However, the film of the last ball (all I've seen, and not in slow-motion) clearly shows Craig Kieswetter calling for the ball to be thrown to him AFTER Christian and the other batsman have completed their run. My reading of that image is that CK, at least, knew the rule about the striking batsman not leaving his crease, but that the ball just didn't get back to him (Craig) before the game was signalled over (either by the ump signalling the leg bye or the Hants team running on).
I agree it's all done and dusted now, water under the bridge - well played lads, a great effort that took us so close - let's win the important ones now.
I was trying to compare the difference when someone suggested that Bailey couldn't have given it out "in the circumstances i.e the last ball of the a final" To me the circumstances are irrelevant and if it is out it is out. The decisions at Headingley or anywhere for that matter could be equally frustrating from a Somerset perspective regardless of what stage they were at. In that game there were many dodgy decisions by the way and not just MT's.
So Mr Index there you have it. Pardon me for posting.
Put it this way; had the decision gone to a Test match style review, I highly doubt that the "not out," decision would have been reversed.
Realistically, we lost primarily due to the injury to KP, rather than because of the umpire or even our own failure to study the laws of the game and the rules of the competition. Not only was KP unable to bowl but the end of our batting innings was also severely disrupted by the injury.
Im not interested in reasonable doubt cos there must be reasonable doubt in 75% of LBWs out there and we would never see any if that were the case.
You could argue that Kartik's LBW last night to the left hander there was an element of doubt. Whilst I agree it looked out it was only hitting the top of the stumps and not the middle of them. Just cos it looked out doesn't mean that it was....hawk eye has confirmed that in the past.
It's a case of the umpires' decision.
Once that is made the merit of the case doesn't really matter because the decision has been made and is irreversible without referral.
There was no referral.
The decision was made and the decision was not out.
That is the decision. No court of appeal. No subjective assessment. No new evidence.
And on we go
Hawkeye merely indicates the likely trajectory / path of a ball, that it would have taken had it not hit the pad or bat (or whatever) in its way. Its producers don't claim it proves anything at all, merely indicates.
I just think some don't think you can have an opinion without lambasting it.
Hopefully I will speak to you then...no doubt you will be around commentating etc?
I'm sorry if you were offended by my post; re-reading it perhaps the wording was a bit strong. I certainly had no wish to lambast anyone, just to participate in a free and energetic exchange of opinions (I have noticed opinions here are quite often both!)
One thing I totally agree with you about is that the circumstances are irrelevant and any umpire who allows himself to be influenced by them has no business standing in a club game let alone a cup final. However I can't see any reason to suppose that happened here.
Now, as you say, let's move on.
All the best
Mike
One thing we do share is a genuine desire for Somerset to do well. That is good enough for me.
Look forward to future exchange of views etc.
All the best too.
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