Somerset
Success against Sussex
The Last Time
By Grockle
August 2 2011
The Somerset Championship steamroller rumbles on and flattens everyone in its path...will Sussex be next? The machine is pretty fragile as of yet and may roll off the road at any time. Sussex can be an obstacle or glue under the wheels that moves the behemoth on. Nothing is more important than the victory and on an overcast Tuesday morning in Taunton I think every member of the squad knows that!
v Sussex CC1 @ Taunton Tuesday 2 August 2011
Commentary (click on Murali Kartik's face on the forum at any time)
The side for this game is as you would have expected;
Trescothick, Suppiah, Compton, Hildreth, Kieswetter, Jones, Trego, Kirby, Thomas, Willoughby, Kartik
With Buttler out of favour/form with the bat, Gregory and Hussain unfit and no other real cover there is little surprise that this - possibly our strongest side at the moment - is the eleven. The weather is cloudy, overcast and humid...a good day to be able to choose to bowl? Sussex include Panesar, Joyce, Goodwin and Nash in a side we really need to crush with maximum and extreme prejudice!
Sussex have won the toss and will bat. Craig K is not in the side and Jos will keep. I personally found that an intriguing decision given the conditions at the start of the day. We were all hoping we would win the toss so we could put them in...it was a morning for bowling, humid, overcast and with a decdent breeze. Nevertheless the visitors came out with bats in their hands.
With the ball passing the bat more than once they then managed to negotiate the first seven overs from the usual two Willoughby and Kirby before Steve tempted Nash to go at a wider one and Hildreth took the catch to dismiss the Sussex opener with 14 to his name and 26 to his side. That was it for the first hour and Sussex moved on to 50 within the 60 minute period. The low cloud burned off but the humidity remained and there was enough in the wicket for MK to be given a spell where he found significant turn with the odd ball that dropped into what looked like a dusty dry wicket.
It was that man Alfonso who was looking like a wicket taker, moving the ball past the batsmen on numerous occasions and finding the edge of Wells' bat with the score on 72 to send him back to the hutch before trapping the large and dangerous Joyce LBW with the penultimate ball of the 30th. Sussex go in at Lunch on 97 for 3.
After lunch the attacking nature of the Somerset bowling continued with large slip cordons, aggressive fielding in the deep, especially from Arul Suppiah who was a real terrier on the Somerset Stand boundary, and bowlers getting significant movement off in the air. Goodwin and Yardy at the crease and a partnership that needs breaking but it isn't, despite the bowlers' best efforts, until the score is 157 and Yardy sticks one set up for him straight down Charl's throat without him having to move from Kirby.
Goodwin hasn't been here in a Championship since his huge 300 odd in the "most boring game of the noughties" and we really need to see the back of him but he is not the next wicket to go as Brown is sent on his way just after the opposition pass 200 and then Rayner is sent in for an early Tea both by the 'up for it' Alfonso T. Somerset on the charge with Sussex 215 for 6 and relying heavily on Murray to keep them in this first innings.
The Tea interval ends and Goodwin is back out with new man Parnell who can give it a bit of a whack. However it is Murray who is the danger man and therefore a large cheer goes up when he kneels to slog sweep a ball from Kartik to the Caddick pavilion boundary and top edges the ball straight into the waiting paws of James Hildreth. 233 for 7 and Monty Panesar enters the Lion's Den!
But at 238 he chooses to not play a shot to Alf who delivers a ball coming back in and it's "goodbye" to Monty for 1 and "hello" James Anyon. He manages to move the score on to 245 before trying to 'nurdle' Kartik around the corner and being caught by Buttler to introduce Amjad Khan into the fray with 16 overs and about an hour of play to go on day 1. 5 runs short of the second batting point with Somerset picking up 3.
The generous applause for Kartik's over has hardly died before Wayne Parnell smacks the ball to mid off giving Alfonso his best UK figures of 6 for 60. Sussex all out for 245. Excellent day's play so far.
12 overs to face before the end of the official total and given the use of spinners today there will probably be more like 14 to 15 before the end of play. As Marcus and Arul start by taking 17 off the first two it looks like fireworks may ensue. That isn't the way it continues however as the Somerset skipper is caught lowdown by Michael Yardy off Ollie Rayner in the 8th over for 14 out of 35. With 5 to 7 overs to go in comes Steve Kirby to 'nightwatch' and we have the Somerset men versus Rayner and Panesar for 7 with lots of 'Ohhhs', 'Ahhhs' and surprisingly 'Oyyyys' before the game ends with one added to the score and no more victims to the Sussex slowmen. 36 for 1 at the end of Day 1 needing another 60 to save the follow on and 210 to take a lead in the first innings!
Day 2
Hopes are high at the start of play that Somerset can capitalise on the work of the first day and be in a commanding position by the middle of Day 3. Nick Compton and Arul Suppiah are seen as key to that development of the innings with the run work being shouldered by Chris Jones, Peter Trego and James Hildreth. The Sussex spinners Rayner and Panesar could be a handful but they were dealt with at the end of Day 1 and have to continue to be dealt with. The weather is bright, clear, warm and sunny so the bowlers will have got up this morning and thought...there's something in it today. We just have to concentrate and wear them down while accumulating.
At least that is the theory. Steve Kirby is initially out there with Arul and there is some promise at the start of the day, though there seems to be something in the pitch for both the seam and spin attacks. At 51 Monty shows how much as he has Steve caught by Joyce for the first wicket of the day some 3 and a bit overs into play. Nick is the next man in and is immedaitely tied down by the Sussex attack. For 2 overs there is nothing off the bat and we then lose Arul caught by Rayner off Parnell trying to push the score 51 for 3 and hopes start to dwindle.
Jones is in for an over and sees a run added (not by him) before he is caught in front by Panesar and leaves the field to Compton and Hildreth with only 54 on the board, and increase of 18 from 29 balls. James doesn't last at all and he is sent back to the hutch after only 3 balls - not a great part of the season for him. Yardy has him off that man Panesar once again. Still no sign of Rayner with the ball at this time. It is seam from the OP and spin from the River.
54 for 5!! In comes Jos. Just what you need, a man out of form replacing a man out of form when you've just lost 4 wickets for the addition of 3 runs!! However, he does start to work with Compo to they set about reviving Somerset's fragile hopes of getting on a par in this one.
Things start to stabalise and NC is doing the job we need him to do...that is until he has a head fit and reverse sweeps Panesar for no apparent reason which succeeds in him plopping the ball to Goodwin and putting his side back in the mire!! Absolutely NOT what was wanted from him. 93 for 6...which becomes 93 for 7 when Pete goes first ball caught by Nash off Monty P.
Oh Dear. Oh Dear. Oh Dear!!
Then...sunshine in the darkness as my prediction for a score in this game does what he does so well. Jos Buttler very very ably supported by Alfonso adds 142 in 36.3 overs, contributing exactly 100 himself off 109 balls with 11 fours and 4 sixes before he was bowled by Anyon. Superb stuff to take us from nothing to 10 runs from a lead. He looked fluent, he loooked in charge and at times he looked absolutely devastating in the eyes of the Sussex bowlers. Poor use of Rayner who bowled three shortish spells in this innings while the seamers looked pacy but pretty ineffective. Mike Denness has been to look at the pitch...suggestions about the place say that he was inspecting the strip itself because it seemed too dry but we'll have to see if anything comes of that.
Murali Kartik takes Jos's place at the crease - it is worth mentioning that E Xtras went to 50 off a Khan bouncer before Buttler went to 100 off the next ball. 10 overs before Tea.
Alf continues to push and MK plays his shot scoring game and they take the score from 235 to 264 before the mammoth innings of Mr Thomas comes to an end when he is caught behind for a great 43. Interesting stats about the 'stickability' of the man. He took 3 runs off his first 79 balls faced while his partner made the runs. 40 more off the next 64 in a 154 ball innings. Alf faced more balls than any other batsman in the game so far...a real supportive role of vital importance.
Charl strides out to face Rayner's spin and deals with that carefully, giving the strike to his partner and taking only runs when it is necessary to do so. Sussex believe that spin will get him and therefore they defer the new ball and the last two Somerset men put on 17 without too much problem. So they take the new ball at 281 for 9 in the 82nd over and Anyon returns to break this partnership up.
An over later and they are still there with Khan coming in from the River and MK is still on strike but Charl is bossing the strike, sending Kartik back when there is a single on early in the over - it was the spinner's call on both occasions. However the 5th ball of the 84th is top edged and very well caught by Anyon, one handed sliding under it. Somerset are out for 286 and a late Tea is now taken.
Sussex in the form of Joyce and Nash come out for round two and take on Charl (Old Pavilion) and Steve (River) firing the first salvos of a very enjoyable game. It is hot out there now and another considerable crowd are in to watch it with the Gimblett, Trescothick, cinema seats and CA particularly well populated. 1.4 overs in Kirbs puts one down, a difficult c&b chance from Nash which fired past him but he got his hands to. 8 for 0 after the first two overs.
The idea would be that we would have three of them down by the end of the day and we have some 25 overs at them to make it so. It starts well as Nash gets a top edge on one which goes vertically and Jos takes responsibility and the catch. Kirby has the first one with only 16 on the board in the 4th over. But it's another 13 overs before we get a sniff of another and they have over 60 on the board when Wells gives a low chance to the skipper and the visitors find themselves at 69 for 2 with Kartik getting among the wickets.
The third duly comes in the 23rd when Alf induces Joyce into a drive that wasn't there and Jones takes a regulation catch at mid off. 87 for 3 is where we'd be happy but it isn't over yet as Kartik tempts Goodwin to a drive that isn't there and he plops the ball into Trego's hands and it's 4 down without an increase in the score. Sussex have already sent Anyon in as a left handed night watchman and now we get a second lefty in Yardy to see if they can take this to the close without further loss. It does look likely although Somerset crowd the bat and Kartik is offering up juicy little deliveries to the Sussex skipper who is taking no notice at all.
Day 3
A whole session lost to the weather makes for a more interesting game but when the players take the field after an early lunch it is under lowering skies with a Sussex batting line-up that isn't exactly full of big scorers and a Somerset bowling attack up for it in a big way.
94 is the overnight score and is still the score when Yardy is the first third day victim to Thomas caught at second slip by Kartik. It is also the score when 2 balls later the same man takes out Brown standing in front of his stumps!! This game starts to look as if it will not go to the fourth day. Rayner, Parnell, Panesar and Khan don't suggest that the visitors will pass 200 in anything like style and with the Somerset VC looking at a possible 10 in the match you'd back an early end to the innings rather than staunch accumulating defence.
Rayner and Anyon take Sussex past 100...very slowly but at 108 a change from Thomas to Willoughby has Rayner chasing another ball...on a different angle straight into Buttler's gloves - catching practice!! Parnell joins Anyon and they put on another 10 but Kartik is starting to worry the batsmen and he catches Anyon in front to welcome Monty to the crease. Two and a bit overs and four runs later the England spinner is on his way with the same verdict to his name LBW Kartik.
Khan and Parnell are on a hiding to nothing but they hold on and stubbornly carry on to add runs until Thommo finally gets his tenth and Sussex are all out 93 runs ahead at 134 all out. Alf leads the teams off with the ball in his hand and a small but significant crowd give him the applause he deserves for another significant performance of 4 for 28 in the second to add to his 6 for 60 in the first. Well done to MK as well for his 4 for 46.
The endgame? Trescothick and Suppiah march out and Anyon must wonder what is in store when the skipper takes 12 off his first in 3 boundaries. As soon as the shine is off the Sharks bring Panesar on, Marcus simply steps up the wicket and put his first over the Colin Atkinson. It's careful but it is totally controlled, the Sussex attack do not give up and push the batsmen all the way but they really are on a hiding to nothing. Although they do get Arul c&b to Ollie Rayner there are already 75 on by then and Compo is not going to do something stupid (however it doesn't stop him hitting ONE reverse sweep). Marcus cruises past 50 and then finishes it with an absollutely dismissive boundary. 54 off 57 balls with 7 fours and two sixes...majestic.
Not all one way traffic in this game but the moment we got our snouts in front and smelled a wounded opponent we went in for the kill in real style. The men from the press have just returned from the Caddyshack and are reporting a real atmosphere over there...the roll is definitely on and it feels GOOD.
On to Trent Bridge then boys and girls.
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Discussion started by Grockles.com , 02/08/2011 10:26
Grockles.com
02/08/2011 10:26
02/08/2011 10:26
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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2011:08:05:18:58:54 by Grockle.
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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2011:08:05:18:58:54 by Grockle.
Based on the forecast that I saw this morning, it would be no great surprise if the whole of day one at Liverpool were to be washed away.
No play yet. And it looks like the north might be in a for a few days of thundery weather anyway.
Things don't look so bad further South, although with stormy weather around one can never be at all sure. Fingers crossed for Taunton!!!!
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2011:08:01:22:47:26 by Grockle.
No play yet. And it looks like the north might be in a for a few days of thundery weather anyway.
Things don't look so bad further South, although with stormy weather around one can never be at all sure. Fingers crossed for Taunton!!!!
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2011:08:01:22:47:26 by Grockle.
141-6
Maybe Warwickshire are the dark horses, their remaining fixtures look favourable
Maybe Warwickshire are the dark horses, their remaining fixtures look favourable
188/9 - Warks may well be the dark horses..mind you I'd rather them than Lancs.
Bagpuss will tell you that whichever team bats second will win at Liverpool and Warks opted to do exactly that.
Incidentally, Bagpuss, any thoughts on why that should be? Does the track tend to start damp or something?
Incidentally, Bagpuss, any thoughts on why that should be? Does the track tend to start damp or something?
maybe you should tell him that too Jim!!
I hear you though...............its ours!!!
I hear you though...............its ours!!!
Well no batting points for Lancs, full quota of bowling for Warks. Will have to rain quite a lot to starve off a result one way or another on this pitch.
I agree that Warwick are favourites now, BUT if only we hadn't rolled over to have our tummies tickled against them earlier this season, we might have gained something more in that match.
Still 5 games for them after this. 2 v Yorks who will hopefully take something from them, 2 v Hants I think and one v Notts. Regardless of where these counties are you would exepct them to be fighting and kicking to avoid the big R. Still lots to go for, but we have to keep the pressure on.
All we can do is win our games and forget about the rest, we don't need to start worrying about the fortunes of others.
Anyone know the weather forecast for the coming week at HQ?
Anyone know the weather forecast for the coming week at HQ?
I hope there's not big storm blowing in from Wales...
LoL
Sixty-six Seasons a Somerset Supporter
LoL
Sixty-six Seasons a Somerset Supporter
From Sussex site...
01st August 2011
The visitors have a game in hand on both their opponents and Nottinghamshire in the Division One table, and Sussex will be looking to gain ground on them with victory in the West Country.
The squad for the match sees Sussex welcome back seamer Amjad Khan, overseas star Wayne Parnell and all-rounder Kirk Wernars as all three return from injury to be included. Naveed Arif Gondal also returns to the LV=CC squad.
Rana Naved-ul-Hasan is being rested before returning for the Friends Life t20 quarter-final next week, whilst Luke Wright remains sidelined through injury. Matt Prior has of course been playing in England’s Test match against India at Trent Bridge so Ben Brown will keep wicket.
The Sussex squad is as follows:
Amjad Khan
JE Anyon
BC Brown (wkt)
MW Goodwin
Naveed Arif Gondal
EC Joyce
CD Nash
MS Panesar
WD Parnell
OP Rayner
KO Wernars
LWP Wells
MH Yardy (c)
BBC Sussex will be providing ball-by-ball commentary of the match
01st August 2011
The visitors have a game in hand on both their opponents and Nottinghamshire in the Division One table, and Sussex will be looking to gain ground on them with victory in the West Country.
The squad for the match sees Sussex welcome back seamer Amjad Khan, overseas star Wayne Parnell and all-rounder Kirk Wernars as all three return from injury to be included. Naveed Arif Gondal also returns to the LV=CC squad.
Rana Naved-ul-Hasan is being rested before returning for the Friends Life t20 quarter-final next week, whilst Luke Wright remains sidelined through injury. Matt Prior has of course been playing in England’s Test match against India at Trent Bridge so Ben Brown will keep wicket.
The Sussex squad is as follows:
Amjad Khan
JE Anyon
BC Brown (wkt)
MW Goodwin
Naveed Arif Gondal
EC Joyce
CD Nash
MS Panesar
WD Parnell
OP Rayner
KO Wernars
LWP Wells
MH Yardy (c)
BBC Sussex will be providing ball-by-ball commentary of the match
Presumably because they think Gloucs are just cr-p RADIO BRISTOL have decided that it isn't worth providing a service for their Somerset listeners!
It will be the same when the Police Station is closed down in Taunton and every copper is home based in Bridgwater Police Station. If you are a burglar concentrate on Taunton because it will have to be something pretty serious to get a copper quickly from Bridgwater on his push bike!!
It looks like we will have full use of the Gimblett’s Hill tomorrow the sightscreen is in the middle of the Botham Stand.
So no short boundary’s for the spinners, which must be tactics.
Commentary for the Sussex game accessed by clicking on Murali K's visage is as follows;
Day One
1- Bill Luckett and Dick Macey. 2- Paul Harper and Tom Doyle. 3- Chris Doyle and Richard Oliver.
Day Two
1- John Hamlin and Chris Stone. 2- Eric Cole and Brian Harris. 3- Paul Harper and Tom Doyle.
Day Three
1-Paul Harper and John Hamlin.2- Tom Doyle and Ben Manning. 3- Eric Cole and Brian Harris.
Day Four
1- Tom Doyle and Brian Harris. 2- Paul Harper and Ben Manning.3- Eric Cole and Richard Oliver.
I'm about for the whole game so any receiving problems please post them and we'll see if we can sort them during the sessions.
Again the advice is that wherever possible listen to the feed through an external player as it gives you more volume and more control over it.
Day One
1- Bill Luckett and Dick Macey. 2- Paul Harper and Tom Doyle. 3- Chris Doyle and Richard Oliver.
Day Two
1- John Hamlin and Chris Stone. 2- Eric Cole and Brian Harris. 3- Paul Harper and Tom Doyle.
Day Three
1-Paul Harper and John Hamlin.2- Tom Doyle and Ben Manning. 3- Eric Cole and Brian Harris.
Day Four
1- Tom Doyle and Brian Harris. 2- Paul Harper and Ben Manning.3- Eric Cole and Richard Oliver.
I'm about for the whole game so any receiving problems please post them and we'll see if we can sort them during the sessions.
Again the advice is that wherever possible listen to the feed through an external player as it gives you more volume and more control over it.
Warwickshire proved my bowl-first-at Aigburth theory again today. I wasn't at the match but seemed to follow the pattern of both of the first mornings I have seen there this season - the first match against Sussex and the second against Somerset.
In all three of these matches (and possibly the Yorks and Durham games I haven't checked the scorecards) the problem doesnt seem to be the first session with the new ball - only one or two wickets fell before lunch. The danger time seems to be that afternoon session between lunch and tea.
Is it an example of what has been suggested (I believe by AG) that the new ball doesnt seem to be getting wickets (certainly for Somerset not sure about other counties, or even in Somerset's case the second new ball). Or is it just something they put in the lunch at Liverpool!
Scousw forecast - we are due quite a bit of rain through the night tonight but dry from 9 ish tomorrow morning. May be a delayed start but would expect no inte4rruptions after then so long as light ok. Weds and Thurs have showers forecast. So far good for us that Lancs failed to get batting points but the downside is a low scoring match means time less of a factor in getting a result.
Best thin is for Somerset to continue in their vein of rich form and rack up the points and a victory at Taunton. Get the results and the points on the board and if its meant to be the rest will fall into place.
In all three of these matches (and possibly the Yorks and Durham games I haven't checked the scorecards) the problem doesnt seem to be the first session with the new ball - only one or two wickets fell before lunch. The danger time seems to be that afternoon session between lunch and tea.
Is it an example of what has been suggested (I believe by AG) that the new ball doesnt seem to be getting wickets (certainly for Somerset not sure about other counties, or even in Somerset's case the second new ball). Or is it just something they put in the lunch at Liverpool!
Scousw forecast - we are due quite a bit of rain through the night tonight but dry from 9 ish tomorrow morning. May be a delayed start but would expect no inte4rruptions after then so long as light ok. Weds and Thurs have showers forecast. So far good for us that Lancs failed to get batting points but the downside is a low scoring match means time less of a factor in getting a result.
Best thin is for Somerset to continue in their vein of rich form and rack up the points and a victory at Taunton. Get the results and the points on the board and if its meant to be the rest will fall into place.
Did you fancy a break from commentary, Grockle and/or keen to give other volunteers a go?
As for the team news, Wayne Parnell is a good cricketer. However after the extent of the problems that Rana Naved posed for SCCC at Hove, I doubt we will be too gutted that Parnell is fit again.
As for the team news, Wayne Parnell is a good cricketer. However after the extent of the problems that Rana Naved posed for SCCC at Hove, I doubt we will be too gutted that Parnell is fit again.
Naved is named in the team Parnell isn't but that doesn't necessarily mean too much until the announcement comes.
Frontpage story is up - commentary is on the link and Murali's head at the top of the page but I'll not be adding anything until about 12:30.
Frontpage story is up - commentary is on the link and Murali's head at the top of the page but I'll not be adding anything until about 12:30.
Oh, info previously supplied was incorrect then - it said Parnell would return and Naved be rested.
Good start, wicket for Kirby
It will be interesting to see how our batting keeps going. If I'm honest I'd like us to sign seasoned batsman next season if possible. Just incase we lose Kieswetter to England even more and well Buttler could easily appear near the ODI team
Our bowling looks ever more solid. And hopefully Murali will want to stay next season (in my opinion the guy can stay as long as he wants)
It will be interesting to see how our batting keeps going. If I'm honest I'd like us to sign seasoned batsman next season if possible. Just incase we lose Kieswetter to England even more and well Buttler could easily appear near the ODI team
Our bowling looks ever more solid. And hopefully Murali will want to stay next season (in my opinion the guy can stay as long as he wants)
It looks a very weak Notts team at CLS. They've lost both Hales and Patel to the Lions. I'd think they will get crushed so plenty of pressure on to get the right result here..
Maybe its time for the daily 'how many wickets will fall at Southport' competition. 11 yesterday, 2 already today 
Alfie gets another, 3 down at lunch wouldn't be a bad session. More so if its Joyce
Seems Kirby and Alf have been passing the bat for a pastime all morning and the Sussex men can't get an edge on the ball to save their lives.
Well, I'm not there and I have not been listening.
However, what I will say is this;
9 times out of 10 when one reads about or hears about a bowler who has been "unlucky," in repeatedly beating the edge, what has actually happened is that the bowler has bowled a smidgen short of the absolute ideal length. It's till good bowling - good line, decent length, obtaining movement BUT it's just not quite the perfect length to get those edges.
At least, that's my observation based on games I've seen - whether live or on TV when the bat has been repeatedly beaten.
However, what I will say is this;
9 times out of 10 when one reads about or hears about a bowler who has been "unlucky," in repeatedly beating the edge, what has actually happened is that the bowler has bowled a smidgen short of the absolute ideal length. It's till good bowling - good line, decent length, obtaining movement BUT it's just not quite the perfect length to get those edges.
At least, that's my observation based on games I've seen - whether live or on TV when the bat has been repeatedly beaten.
If it's still good bowling then why don't we just call it good bowling and have a little less of finding fault with it for the hell of it?
You aren't here. Many well versed people who are have said this morning that our bowlers have been very unlucky...how about taking their view of the game from a bird's eye perspective perhaps rather than adding your semi-usual non positive perspective to a game you aren't seeing?
I wasn't here but I tend to believe the people who were rather than patronising them by saying...'are you sure we simply were bowling too short' and letting the batsmen off the hook? Tghey've watched a LOT of cricket... so I doubt your "lesson" on what 'beating the bat' actually means from your own massive knowledge might not go down too well!
But that's just me....
You aren't here. Many well versed people who are have said this morning that our bowlers have been very unlucky...how about taking their view of the game from a bird's eye perspective perhaps rather than adding your semi-usual non positive perspective to a game you aren't seeing?
I wasn't here but I tend to believe the people who were rather than patronising them by saying...'are you sure we simply were bowling too short' and letting the batsmen off the hook? Tghey've watched a LOT of cricket... so I doubt your "lesson" on what 'beating the bat' actually means from your own massive knowledge might not go down too well!
But that's just me....
I am here, our seamers have bowled superbly, Kirby has had them guessing, just been too good.
Ahhh but in my experience a 'good knock' usually means....
You need to put (TIC) behind it when you don't really mean it Tumbles.... or people might get the wrong idea. :-)
You need to put (TIC) behind it when you don't really mean it Tumbles.... or people might get the wrong idea. :-)
well, when hes bowled them out today we can say he has been too good!!!
Sorry AG. I've just seen your Sussex waether report from 10 this morning. I would have merged it in at 11 had I noticed it but I was in a hurry and now it would not really fit in the thread so I'm afraid I've removed it to avoid confusion.
Sorry once again.
Sorry once again.
Calm down, Grockle.
I certainly don't think I'm the only person that thinks that as a general rule. I've seen the same argument advanced about certain bowlers in general. In fact, I saw that argument advanced by a few of the "expert summarisers," in respect of the redoubtable Mr Andrew Caddick when he was playing for England. I recall a couple of commentators comparing him to Mike Hendrick in that respect - a guy that, they said, experienced a similar thing in his career (he was before my time so could not really comment on Hendrick.) AC was my absolute favourite but, nonetheless, I could see some logic in that argument.
I did not say that is necessarily what has happened this morning. Maybe the ball just moved too much, full stop?
But JOyce and co are not rabbits so I would say that if it happened repeatedly the likelihood is that either it simply moved too much or it was fractionally too short .. otherwise the law of averages would have brought a clatter of wickets!
I certainly don't think I'm the only person that thinks that as a general rule. I've seen the same argument advanced about certain bowlers in general. In fact, I saw that argument advanced by a few of the "expert summarisers," in respect of the redoubtable Mr Andrew Caddick when he was playing for England. I recall a couple of commentators comparing him to Mike Hendrick in that respect - a guy that, they said, experienced a similar thing in his career (he was before my time so could not really comment on Hendrick.) AC was my absolute favourite but, nonetheless, I could see some logic in that argument.
I did not say that is necessarily what has happened this morning. Maybe the ball just moved too much, full stop?
But JOyce and co are not rabbits so I would say that if it happened repeatedly the likelihood is that either it simply moved too much or it was fractionally too short .. otherwise the law of averages would have brought a clatter of wickets!
I'm calm.
You said what you said I've commented on it. The game now goes on and I don't need you to justify yourself and your comment.
I'll have a look this afternoon and see whether it is this "generally held" understanding or actually a perceptive assessment by a knowledgable crowd and I'm sure I'll let you know.
I was glad to hear we had them worried...you it seems think we are bowling too short because...according to you 90% of the time that is what happens when people "beat" the bat.
I'll gladly dispute that with you at sometime in the future if I lose the will to live and give up any kind of life I now have. But for now... more important thing beckon in Grockleworld. ;-)
You said what you said I've commented on it. The game now goes on and I don't need you to justify yourself and your comment.
I'll have a look this afternoon and see whether it is this "generally held" understanding or actually a perceptive assessment by a knowledgable crowd and I'm sure I'll let you know.
I was glad to hear we had them worried...you it seems think we are bowling too short because...according to you 90% of the time that is what happens when people "beat" the bat.
I'll gladly dispute that with you at sometime in the future if I lose the will to live and give up any kind of life I now have. But for now... more important thing beckon in Grockleworld. ;-)
"according to you 90% of the time that is what happens when people "beat" the bat."
No, not when people 'beat the bat,' on one occasion, but when the pattern is of the bat being repeatedly beaten, without actually taking the edge. It was my understanding that that latter scenario - of the bat being repeatedly beaten was what you were reporting.
No, not when people 'beat the bat,' on one occasion, but when the pattern is of the bat being repeatedly beaten, without actually taking the edge. It was my understanding that that latter scenario - of the bat being repeatedly beaten was what you were reporting.
Yep, Ronnie, possibly a little use of irony, there.
IN the meantime, I've now switched on and the commentator has announced that "300, on a pitch like this, would be a good score."
Is there something amiss with this pitch? Too much grass providing excessive lateral movement?
What do you think, Big Jim?
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2011:08:02:14:33:14 by AGod.
IN the meantime, I've now switched on and the commentator has announced that "300, on a pitch like this, would be a good score."
Is there something amiss with this pitch? Too much grass providing excessive lateral movement?
What do you think, Big Jim?
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2011:08:02:14:33:14 by AGod.
As for the Lions game, James Taylor often seems to be the one that does best in these games and he's at the crease now and, apparently, starting to build a score.
One wonders if the England selectors might, possibly, be bold and go for a genuinely young player as the next batsman they call up, rather than going back to Ravi Bopara. With the exception of that Southend game against Leics, I would suggest that Bopara has had a poor season. Then again, Taylor has not matched what he did last season.
One wonders if the England selectors might, possibly, be bold and go for a genuinely young player as the next batsman they call up, rather than going back to Ravi Bopara. With the exception of that Southend game against Leics, I would suggest that Bopara has had a poor season. Then again, Taylor has not matched what he did last season.
It seems to be a decent track, the lads are just bowling very well.
400 or thereabouts would be par for the course we seem to think.
Yardy was caught hooking to....a rare short ball.
400 or thereabouts would be par for the course we seem to think.
Yardy was caught hooking to....a rare short ball.
Reportedly so, yes, Nailsea.
It sounded like it was a diving effort as they originally thought he was diving to stop the four and then they suddenly said "my word, he's caught it."
They said Charl himself would probably have been surprised (!)
It sounded like it was a diving effort as they originally thought he was diving to stop the four and then they suddenly said "my word, he's caught it."
They said Charl himself would probably have been surprised (!)
..and there is one..BR can hire me for free.. I'm here all day
*Mystic Tumbles*
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2011:08:02:15:27:26 by Tumbles.
*Mystic Tumbles*
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2011:08:02:15:27:26 by Tumbles.
Tumbles, you very good at this stuff. A job for you beckons at the end of W-S-M pier
"A job for you beckons at the end of W-S-M pier."
Oh no it doesn't. Old Frazer has had that one for a long, long time, Nailsea.
Oh no it doesn't. Old Frazer has had that one for a long, long time, Nailsea.
Well, I hope Big Jim is right about 400 being about par. Because, if he is, this looks like a very promising position indeed.
I should have been greedy and gone for 3 quick wickets.
Polish em off after tea lads and make em toil in the field for 2 days.
Polish em off after tea lads and make em toil in the field for 2 days.
Parnell will be interesting .. can really hit a ball.
Hopefully Kartik throws one up, Parnell's eyes light up, and Jos does the rest....
Hopefully Kartik throws one up, Parnell's eyes light up, and Jos does the rest....
Quote:Clarence Parker
"A job for you beckons at the end of W-S-M pier."
Oh no it doesn't. Old Frazer has had that one for a long, long time, Nailsea.
Time he moved over for a younger man, especially as he appeared to miss the fire.?
Quote:AGod
Parnell will be interesting .. can really hit a ball.
Hopefully Kartik throws one up, Parnell's eyes light up, and Jos does the rest....
Trego will clean him up right after tea.. voices at the ready.
It is an excellent crowd today with 2000 plus people here for the first day of a week based four day game. Included in that lot are BJ, LoL, Wickham, Sheffield Sabre and SSjr and Bobstan - The Gimblett will never be the same again!!
Mike is keeping his distance and getting on with the job he is paid for (yeah right!!). There may be other Grockles about the place keeping themselves to themselves of course - very sensible if you ask me.
Mike is keeping his distance and getting on with the job he is paid for (yeah right!!). There may be other Grockles about the place keeping themselves to themselves of course - very sensible if you ask me.
Quote:Nailsea_Fizz
Time he moved over for a younger man, especially as he appeared to miss the fire.?
Don't worry, he's fireproof.
MK gets rid of Goodwin, could have a tricky hour or so to bat tonight at this rate.
Not if we get the kind of late resistance that we encountered at Hove but, hopefully, the second new ball takes care of the rest of this innings.
Interesting side line - I noticed JOS outsprinted Arul even tho he had his keeping pads on!!
Alf now has 16 wickets in three CC1 starts!! Not too shabby for a man bowling short!
Never ever said he was 'bowling short.'
Never said anything about Alf in particular.
Just that if the batsman is consistently being beaten then, assuming competence on the part of said batsman, it's probably because the ball is fractionally short of the ideal length needed to get the nick. Note fractionally. Not 'short,' as in bouncers or anything like that.
If you actually apply some logic to this then I think you'll see that if two separate deliveries move by a given amount the moment it hits the surface - let's say 5 degrees each, the delivery that lands further away from the bat ( the shorter one) is more likely to miss the bat as, by the time it gets to the bat it will have deviated further (relative to the bat) than the other delivery which landed closer to the bat.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2011:08:02:16:57:51 by AGod.
Never said anything about Alf in particular.
Just that if the batsman is consistently being beaten then, assuming competence on the part of said batsman, it's probably because the ball is fractionally short of the ideal length needed to get the nick. Note fractionally. Not 'short,' as in bouncers or anything like that.
If you actually apply some logic to this then I think you'll see that if two separate deliveries move by a given amount the moment it hits the surface - let's say 5 degrees each, the delivery that lands further away from the bat ( the shorter one) is more likely to miss the bat as, by the time it gets to the bat it will have deviated further (relative to the bat) than the other delivery which landed closer to the bat.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2011:08:02:16:57:51 by AGod.
Quote:Tumbles
If Monty was coming in at 9 then I can't see much resistance!
I thought that at Hove, but he and Anyon batted for ages.
It sounds to me, though, as though this pitch has plenty of bounce in it and as though it is turning for Kartik. So lightning should certainly not strike twice in terms of Anyon.
I would assume that no new ball being taken and Kartik continuing to bowl will also indicate that M S Panesar is likely to be the key figure for them with the ball, too.
It sounds like Kartik has been making it talk on day one of this game, so hopefully we will bat once and bat big.
It sounds like Kartik has been making it talk on day one of this game, so hopefully we will bat once and bat big.
Well done, Somerset.
About 14 overs to bat at the end of the day.
Sounds like excellent stuff from Alf. Good job I added him to fantasy team for this game!
About 14 overs to bat at the end of the day.
Sounds like excellent stuff from Alf. Good job I added him to fantasy team for this game!
To judge from the scorecard it might as well be Michael Di Venuto vs Andre Adams and almost everybody else might as well not be there in that game up at CLS!!
I hope the track is as flat as most of them have been at CLS because, if so, it looks a less than stellar Durham score so far.
I hope the track is as flat as most of them have been at CLS because, if so, it looks a less than stellar Durham score so far.
I was going to say that's not a great total by Durham so far. They have been off for a bit of rain today so maybe conditions are tricky.
Lancs are cleaning up the Warks tail now too.. more rain in that game tomorrow and it'll look like being a draw.
Lancs are cleaning up the Warks tail now too.. more rain in that game tomorrow and it'll look like being a draw.
That looks like a pretty good days work.
I guess Marcus is allowed a score less than a ton this time around !
Hope we can bat all day tomorrow & really put them under pressure.
Grizzzly
I guess Marcus is allowed a score less than a ton this time around !
Hope we can bat all day tomorrow & really put them under pressure.
Grizzzly
absolutely Grizzly and if we are to contend for the CC it HAS to be a team effort. We can't just pitch up expect Marcus to score a ton and the rest follow all the time.
Time for some the others to take us through this one I think.
Time for some the others to take us through this one I think.
I know its already been mentioned, but I thought the highlight of the day was Willoughby's catch. I didn't think he was going to get to the ball never mind get both hands to it to make a diving catch. I had an excellent view of it as it took place about 10 yards in front of me.
Crikey - just got in and looked at the combined figures posted by Rayner and Monty.
Did we play entirely defensively? Was Marcus lost to one of the very first balls from the spinners? Was batting vs those two really difficult?
It did sound as though Kartik was getting all kinds of bounce and turn, in which case they will be very glad they won the toss.
Tomorrow is the kind of day that SCCC simply have to win if they want to win the CC..it could be a long grind and a really engrossing battle because our chances of getting a good lead quickly have probably gone with Marcus. We might still get a good lead if we bat well, but it's unlikely to be quick.
Did we play entirely defensively? Was Marcus lost to one of the very first balls from the spinners? Was batting vs those two really difficult?
It did sound as though Kartik was getting all kinds of bounce and turn, in which case they will be very glad they won the toss.
Tomorrow is the kind of day that SCCC simply have to win if they want to win the CC..it could be a long grind and a really engrossing battle because our chances of getting a good lead quickly have probably gone with Marcus. We might still get a good lead if we bat well, but it's unlikely to be quick.
The *real* highlight of the day was listening to Phil Tottle commentating on BBC Sussex, trying not to sound pro-Somerset!
Sounds like a professional effort in the field with runs hard to come by.
Tomorrow could be a huge day for us, in terms of not only this game but the CC as a whole, and it would be nice to be batting at the end of it. (something like 360/6 would be good)
Tomorrow could be a huge day for us, in terms of not only this game but the CC as a whole, and it would be nice to be batting at the end of it. (something like 360/6 would be good)
The highlight of the day.....of the season was the pre play prediction of our very own LoL, or Mysticlol as he shall forever be known.
Before a ball was bowled he was asked to predict the lunctime score.
Without a second's thought our man from Tibet chimed up with...
97-3.
If you dont know what the lunchtime score was.....I suggest you check.
He was last seen entering Morrisons to buy some lottery tickets.
He be a magic man.
Before a ball was bowled he was asked to predict the lunctime score.
Without a second's thought our man from Tibet chimed up with...
97-3.
If you dont know what the lunchtime score was.....I suggest you check.
He was last seen entering Morrisons to buy some lottery tickets.
He be a magic man.
I hope you've read my predictions in this thread, BJ.
I'll be sharing that jackpot with him...
I'll be sharing that jackpot with him...
1st day photos of the Sussex match.
I am wondering how easy it will be to bat tomorrow after watching the last few overs of the day from the spinners.
A Khan beaten by a ball from M Kartik.
Jos Buttler taking a very good catch to dismiss J Anyon off M Kartik.
This nearly bowled L Wells but he was caught behind by Jos Buttler off Alfonso Thomas.
This was short and a bit wide off M Kartik and M Goodwin hit it for four runs.
A shame we lost Marcus T ct M Yardy bowled O Raynor
There was a big gasp when O Rayner left this ball alone off Alfonso Thomas.
I am wondering how easy it will be to bat tomorrow after watching the last few overs of the day from the spinners.
A Khan beaten by a ball from M Kartik.
Jos Buttler taking a very good catch to dismiss J Anyon off M Kartik.
This nearly bowled L Wells but he was caught behind by Jos Buttler off Alfonso Thomas.
This was short and a bit wide off M Kartik and M Goodwin hit it for four runs.
A shame we lost Marcus T ct M Yardy bowled O Raynor
There was a big gasp when O Rayner left this ball alone off Alfonso Thomas.
Predictions? How about 'I bet a wicket falls if I go and get an ice cream'? That worked quite well too ...
ss jr 1 and I had a super day: lovely to see everyone and enjoy the cricket, plus I now have photographic evidence that Grockle isn't just a figment of my imagination
ss jr 1 and I had a super day: lovely to see everyone and enjoy the cricket, plus I now have photographic evidence that Grockle isn't just a figment of my imagination
Well if I'm not a figment of YOUR imagination who the hell's imagination am I a figment of?
I think I have the right to know!
Nice to meet you and the rest of the family (yours and ours) :-)
I think I have the right to know!
Nice to meet you and the rest of the family (yours and ours) :-)
Thank you everyone for making it a fantastic day, just in after a very long, but enjoyable day.
It was good to see you Jim it was a pity we didn’t manage to have a talk, with Grockle working me so hard I didn’t have the opportunity.
Your hair looked different have you had it cut.
Your hair looked different have you had it cut.
He's let it grow Mike - with absolutely no control whatsoever if you ask me!! Didn't you take a photo of it?
I guess Mike has sort of answered my question about the spin at the end, then.
When the opposition puts both spinners on after only about 7 overs with the new ball, then I guess that's a pretty good sign that they perceive the pitch to be a turner.
If it's more a spinner's pitch than anything else, then that suggests that Alf did even better than the figures might suggest?
On the other hand, Kartik might be a little disappointed with just a couple of wickets? He has yet to have the kind of big wicket taking CC day that he had so many of last season. Hopefully we can chisel out a lead and then Kartik can deliver big wkts in their 2nd dig.
When the opposition puts both spinners on after only about 7 overs with the new ball, then I guess that's a pretty good sign that they perceive the pitch to be a turner.
If it's more a spinner's pitch than anything else, then that suggests that Alf did even better than the figures might suggest?
On the other hand, Kartik might be a little disappointed with just a couple of wickets? He has yet to have the kind of big wicket taking CC day that he had so many of last season. Hopefully we can chisel out a lead and then Kartik can deliver big wkts in their 2nd dig.
One more thing before I collapse in a heap, I'd just like to say what an absolutely lovely chap Steve Kirby seems to be, an absolute gentleman.....not a bad bowler either.
Having been away from HQ for close on two years I'd forgotten just what an amazing place it is to watch cricket.
Having sampled the "delights" of Division Two cricket at the SWALEC Stadium(dreadful by name.....) earlier this season I'd almost lost faith in the great game, but a day in the sun watching the finest team in the land alongside some of the finest people in the land (LoL was there as well) has restored my belief not only in cricket but also in mankind.
Messrs Boycott, Atherton and the like, I suggest you get your lazy backsides down to Taunton to watch some real high quality fare, you'd learn a lot.
Having been away from HQ for close on two years I'd forgotten just what an amazing place it is to watch cricket.
Having sampled the "delights" of Division Two cricket at the SWALEC Stadium(dreadful by name.....) earlier this season I'd almost lost faith in the great game, but a day in the sun watching the finest team in the land alongside some of the finest people in the land (LoL was there as well) has restored my belief not only in cricket but also in mankind.
Messrs Boycott, Atherton and the like, I suggest you get your lazy backsides down to Taunton to watch some real high quality fare, you'd learn a lot.
I'm going for what Grockle calls the Hendrix look, Michael.
It was a shame we couldn't speak, but I'll be back for more soon.
Kartik was very unlucky, AG, no more no less, he had them in all sorts of shapes.
It was a shame we couldn't speak, but I'll be back for more soon.
Kartik was very unlucky, AG, no more no less, he had them in all sorts of shapes.
Glad you were able to make it back there, Jim.
Adam Dibble took six for 11 for the seconds today.
Meantime, the official site needs a mathematician as they note that Alf took six wickets, Kirby two and Kartik... er .... three.
Adam Dibble took six for 11 for the seconds today.
Meantime, the official site needs a mathematician as they note that Alf took six wickets, Kirby two and Kartik... er .... three.
looks like we will have to bat really well tomorrow then based on Mikes comments and if those on the official site are to be believed.
As someone else said earlier....a big day ahead tomorrow in our quest!!
As someone else said earlier....a big day ahead tomorrow in our quest!!
I will wait and see what happens tomorrow it may have been a case of not losing any more wickets before the close of play with a night watchman in.
maybe Mike. Hopefully they wont just try and defend tomorrow and will look to keep the scoreboard ticking over....must be the best way of approaching it I think.
Great stuff today, fear they may have got 50 more than they should/could have mind.
Kartik was excellent i thought, deserved so much more than the 2 he got, lots of shouts and beating the bat.
Thomas too was excellent as were Charl and Steve, lots of play and misses.
Huge task tomorrow, we are not used to constructing innings without Trescothick getting us off to solid starts.
Really is the time for the other batters to stand up and do it without the skipper leading.
Pitch really did look like it would give help to the spinners tomorrow so how we play them is going to be key.
Cant help think that defending will just get us in a mess, we have to be positive, not reckless but look for singles, sweeping, quick singles etc.
Always worry when we just prod and push as it ebcourages 3/4 men round the bat and we get in a rut.
I too would jump at being anything like 360-6 at the close tomorrow...
PS - Charls catch was indeed superb, diving sliding 2 handed catch on the very dodgy outfield infront the Tresco stand about a foot off the floor, top top catch
Kartik was excellent i thought, deserved so much more than the 2 he got, lots of shouts and beating the bat.
Thomas too was excellent as were Charl and Steve, lots of play and misses.
Huge task tomorrow, we are not used to constructing innings without Trescothick getting us off to solid starts.
Really is the time for the other batters to stand up and do it without the skipper leading.
Pitch really did look like it would give help to the spinners tomorrow so how we play them is going to be key.
Cant help think that defending will just get us in a mess, we have to be positive, not reckless but look for singles, sweeping, quick singles etc.
Always worry when we just prod and push as it ebcourages 3/4 men round the bat and we get in a rut.
I too would jump at being anything like 360-6 at the close tomorrow...
PS - Charls catch was indeed superb, diving sliding 2 handed catch on the very dodgy outfield infront the Tresco stand about a foot off the floor, top top catch
Feel i'm missing out on what could turn out to be an epic match for Somerset on the pitch and Grockles off the pitch.ant believe I've missed the return of BJ hope to see you later in the season!)
Only managed to catch up with scores at lunch (promising) and early afternoon so when I finally got home this evening (nearly 2hrs aftr finishing work - public transport would be sooo good if only I didnt live where I lived, and didnt want to go to where I work!) was more than happy with the scorecard with one exception (obvious one).
Comments above leave me a little doubtful and nervous but I'll keep the faith tomorrow whilst doing a rain dance here in Liverpool - I have less faith in the weather being a problem here tomorrow (forecast dry tomorrow but showers Thursday) than I have in Somerset getting a reasonable (better still decisive) first innings lead.
Have fun everyone at Tanton tomorrow.
Only managed to catch up with scores at lunch (promising) and early afternoon so when I finally got home this evening (nearly 2hrs aftr finishing work - public transport would be sooo good if only I didnt live where I lived, and didnt want to go to where I work!) was more than happy with the scorecard with one exception (obvious one).
Comments above leave me a little doubtful and nervous but I'll keep the faith tomorrow whilst doing a rain dance here in Liverpool - I have less faith in the weather being a problem here tomorrow (forecast dry tomorrow but showers Thursday) than I have in Somerset getting a reasonable (better still decisive) first innings lead.
Have fun everyone at Tanton tomorrow.
BIG day tomorrow for Nick Compton to hold the innings while Arul, James and Pete put the score together.
I have a feeling about Jos in this game. Hope I'm right. Chris Jones may also be a wildcard given the last couple of trips to the middle as opposed to those at home earlier.
I have a feeling about Jos in this game. Hope I'm right. Chris Jones may also be a wildcard given the last couple of trips to the middle as opposed to those at home earlier.
Be great if Steve could hang around a bit too, even just half hour to annoy them, interesting to see if they open up with spin or seam given the evidence of the first 12 overs they bowled...
I very much agree with you, WSM, about the need to rotate the strike.
It's a shame we have no other left handed specialist batsmen to help confuse lines.
I wonder if we may, again, see Mr Kartik move up the order?
If we start to really struggle then I'd say there's an even money chance that will happen.
It's a shame we have no other left handed specialist batsmen to help confuse lines.
I wonder if we may, again, see Mr Kartik move up the order?
If we start to really struggle then I'd say there's an even money chance that will happen.
Lets hope for the best. If my memory serves me correct SUSSEX always seem to have been a bogey team for us. Despite Thomas's success, I think we will do well to cope with Panesar and Rayner today. I'm surprised that Kartik only had 2 wickets because a lot of his balls looked dangerous. The other factor is the weather which if forecast is right, will wipe out most of tomorrow, so a low scoring match might be our best hope, with TRES making amends in the second innings.
We'll score 452, they'll bat again and score 163, the result.....is there for all to see.
Read em and weep.
Read em and weep.
excellent. Im for some of that.
Big day here though!! Bat poorly and its gone most likely , but bat well and who knows where it could lead.
Big day here though!! Bat poorly and its gone most likely , but bat well and who knows where it could lead.
A big score would be great but aslong as we get near or just ahead of them it's not the end of the world as we could still take them out 2nd innings for a lowish score.
I agree with N Hughes.
I don't honestly believe that there is a high chance of us gaining a significant first innings lead.
BUT.. I think our form with the ball sounds as though it is good enough that we could still win this game, potentially, even with a deficit of as many as 60 or so runs. And hopefully a deficit of 60 or so runs would be the worst-case scenario.
In that worst-case scenario where we total 180 or so, if we could then bowl them out for 180, that would leave a chase of 240 or so. That would seem tough on a turning track but, crucically, Marcus would not be already back in the hutch as he is in our first dig. Marcus is surely the best player of spin anywhere on the circuit? So, even then it would still be on.
The only way I think it wouldn't be on is if my assumed worst-case scneario actually proves to be overly-optimistic.
I mentioned earlier about left-handers and we don't have any other specialist southpaws. That could be a disadvantage but, now that I think about it, it could be a help against Ollie Rayner. Ollie is a very tall man, so I imagine his primary mode of dismissal vs the right hander would be looking for bounce and then getting bat-pad catches. I'm assuming he doesn't have a 'zooter,' or equivalent. I would say that most right-handed specialist batsmen *should* generally be better able to cope with a bowler bowling for bat-pad dismissals with the ball turning into them, than they should the ball turning away from them (which Monty will be aiming to do.)
I hope I have not just hexed all of our right handers to be caught short-leg off Rayner (!)
I don't honestly believe that there is a high chance of us gaining a significant first innings lead.
BUT.. I think our form with the ball sounds as though it is good enough that we could still win this game, potentially, even with a deficit of as many as 60 or so runs. And hopefully a deficit of 60 or so runs would be the worst-case scenario.
In that worst-case scenario where we total 180 or so, if we could then bowl them out for 180, that would leave a chase of 240 or so. That would seem tough on a turning track but, crucically, Marcus would not be already back in the hutch as he is in our first dig. Marcus is surely the best player of spin anywhere on the circuit? So, even then it would still be on.
The only way I think it wouldn't be on is if my assumed worst-case scneario actually proves to be overly-optimistic.
I mentioned earlier about left-handers and we don't have any other specialist southpaws. That could be a disadvantage but, now that I think about it, it could be a help against Ollie Rayner. Ollie is a very tall man, so I imagine his primary mode of dismissal vs the right hander would be looking for bounce and then getting bat-pad catches. I'm assuming he doesn't have a 'zooter,' or equivalent. I would say that most right-handed specialist batsmen *should* generally be better able to cope with a bowler bowling for bat-pad dismissals with the ball turning into them, than they should the ball turning away from them (which Monty will be aiming to do.)
I hope I have not just hexed all of our right handers to be caught short-leg off Rayner (!)
I would say if we are skittled for 180 then we would be struggling. Last day pitch, getting worse, chasing 250?
WSM seems to think we may have let them get 50 too many, so there must have been a lot of luck/buffet balls in amongst the play and misses we've been hearing about too.
Lets get the 350 or so, it makes things so much easier, for the health as well.
WSM seems to think we may have let them get 50 too many, so there must have been a lot of luck/buffet balls in amongst the play and misses we've been hearing about too.
Lets get the 350 or so, it makes things so much easier, for the health as well.
Realistically, they had a reasonable start to their innings (scorecard wise) and then had one really good spell immediately after lunch where they went from something like 97 for 3 to about 200 for 4, I think it was?
So we will presumably also need that kind of partnership at some point in our innings OR we will need more consistent partnerships than they managed through the course of their innings.
I will tell you one thing, Ronnie. Without wishing to hex this, I am much more confident than I would have been with an 8,9, 10 jack of Mendis, Hussain, Kirby and Charl. Alf and Kartik instead of Mendis/Hussain are obviously a big difference with the ball, but could also be a crucial difference with the bat, especially in a low-scoring game.
So we will presumably also need that kind of partnership at some point in our innings OR we will need more consistent partnerships than they managed through the course of their innings.
I will tell you one thing, Ronnie. Without wishing to hex this, I am much more confident than I would have been with an 8,9, 10 jack of Mendis, Hussain, Kirby and Charl. Alf and Kartik instead of Mendis/Hussain are obviously a big difference with the ball, but could also be a crucial difference with the bat, especially in a low-scoring game.
Your "assumed worst-case scenario actually proves to be overly-optimistic"!!
Perish the thought that might happen given how pessimistic your 'worst-case scenarios" usually are!
Don't worry AG, "over-optimism" doesn't seem to be one of your character traits when discussing the chances of your "favourite" county cricket team
No doom and gloom here then
I have little idea what the basis is for such a "poor score from us with the bat" assessment but then again there's little new in that.
The middle order has to fire but as we've said all the way through this you don't win something if the team doesn't work. CJM or Ron yesterday said something along the same lines I think.
The pitch is fine, the bowling yesterday was good and although the spinners were getting something the batsmen dealt with it.
Marcus isn't the only player of spin we have or the only batsman who can score runs at Taunton.
The reason for the 12 overs of spin yesterday was that Arul and Marcus were dismissing the Sussex seamers with some distain and then when MT went they were crowding 7 around the bat in the hope of scaring Steve Kirby - one of our rabbit tail enders from the early season - into making some kind of mistake. Something he had no intention of doing - he seemed in little trouble from Rayner or Panesar. He was't looking to score but they got little through either batsman's defence.
Maybe we will pull this seemingly desperate situation out of the fire seeing as we undoubtedly took most of the first day and have three days to push that advantage home.
With the usual acceptance that we are quite capable of snatching a dismal performance from a great position I think there is a case to go for the over-optimistic!!
(It's a possibility but not a starting point for an assessment of the present postion in this game!)
Go on spoil yourself!!
Perish the thought that might happen given how pessimistic your 'worst-case scenarios" usually are!
Don't worry AG, "over-optimism" doesn't seem to be one of your character traits when discussing the chances of your "favourite" county cricket team
No doom and gloom here then
I have little idea what the basis is for such a "poor score from us with the bat" assessment but then again there's little new in that.
The middle order has to fire but as we've said all the way through this you don't win something if the team doesn't work. CJM or Ron yesterday said something along the same lines I think.
The pitch is fine, the bowling yesterday was good and although the spinners were getting something the batsmen dealt with it.
Marcus isn't the only player of spin we have or the only batsman who can score runs at Taunton.
The reason for the 12 overs of spin yesterday was that Arul and Marcus were dismissing the Sussex seamers with some distain and then when MT went they were crowding 7 around the bat in the hope of scaring Steve Kirby - one of our rabbit tail enders from the early season - into making some kind of mistake. Something he had no intention of doing - he seemed in little trouble from Rayner or Panesar. He was't looking to score but they got little through either batsman's defence.
Maybe we will pull this seemingly desperate situation out of the fire seeing as we undoubtedly took most of the first day and have three days to push that advantage home.
With the usual acceptance that we are quite capable of snatching a dismal performance from a great position I think there is a case to go for the over-optimistic!!
(It's a possibility but not a starting point for an assessment of the present postion in this game!)
Go on spoil yourself!!
time will tell Grockle, time will tell.
Im for a Jos ton here, its about time!!!
One thing AG is right about is having Kartik and Thomas in there does make you feel safer. Might not work out that way but certainly fee safer with them being in the line up.
Im for a Jos ton here, its about time!!!
One thing AG is right about is having Kartik and Thomas in there does make you feel safer. Might not work out that way but certainly fee safer with them being in the line up.
Claptrap, really, Grockle, post wasn't "doom and gloom," at all but never let that get in the way of a good story, huh?
You also seem to have severe reading comprehension problems.
180 was a "worst case scenario."
They only made 240 odd!!
In what universe does that translate as "no idea what the assessment is for such a poor score from us."
My whole point was even if we get 180, I suspect we'd still be in the game, given that we seem to be bowling so well at the moment - clearly "doom and gloom," there then!
Obviously, my worst case scenario might be wrong and we might get considerably less than that.
But it was a worst-case scenario, so there's no point you putting on some facile post later on about "Looks like we've done much better than you thought, AG," given that I quite clearly said that I thought that would be the worst that we could expect.
180 was a "worst case scenario."
They only made 240 odd!!
In what universe does that translate as "no idea what the assessment is for such a poor score from us."
My whole point was even if we get 180, I suspect we'd still be in the game, given that we seem to be bowling so well at the moment - clearly "doom and gloom," there then!
Obviously, my worst case scenario might be wrong and we might get considerably less than that.
But it was a worst-case scenario, so there's no point you putting on some facile post later on about "Looks like we've done much better than you thought, AG," given that I quite clearly said that I thought that would be the worst that we could expect.
Yardy, happily, is repeating the "folly of Hove," no, not a fort, but the absence of a third man.
On day one at Hove he must have lost 40 runs through there... and if not for that oh-so-annoying stand between Monty and Anyon, that might very well have cost Sussex the match.
On day one at Hove he must have lost 40 runs through there... and if not for that oh-so-annoying stand between Monty and Anyon, that might very well have cost Sussex the match.
Commentators discussing rumours around the ground that Somerset may get points deduction for the state of the pitch in this match.
Sussex opening this morning with spin - and now Arul out - won't help allay suspicions here.
Sussex opening this morning with spin - and now Arul out - won't help allay suspicions here.
Realistically, it's likely to be a tough scrap all day as batting does not sound at all easy.
In losing the toss, it's perfectly conceivable that we might be hoist by our own petard here, unless the track gets better or stays the same, as opposed to getting worse.
Now would be quite a nice time for Mr Jones to reprise what he did in the (morning session) struggle at Trent Bridge.
In losing the toss, it's perfectly conceivable that we might be hoist by our own petard here, unless the track gets better or stays the same, as opposed to getting worse.
Now would be quite a nice time for Mr Jones to reprise what he did in the (morning session) struggle at Trent Bridge.
What demon of a pitch have created here, we are in all sorts of trouble now 
Thought Arul had gone to spin too sorry.
Will have a wander round the interwebby and see if I can find any comments about this pitch. Back soon.
Commentary quiet. Except when a wicket falls!
Will have a wander round the interwebby and see if I can find any comments about this pitch. Back soon.
Commentary quiet. Except when a wicket falls!
that would be it then if a points deduction is in the offing. This start is my worst nightmare!!!
Yep, Bagpuss, I also heard the commentators talking about this, I think. I can't be sure, though, as only caught the end of it. Disappointing, if it is that kind of excessive turner that would lead to a deduction, that Kartik did not get more wickets more cheaply on it. Perhaps Joyce and Goodwin played uncommonly well?
If it is a total bunsen, then WSM will be proven right that they got 50 or so too many.
Pretty stupid if we have deliberately gone with an excessively dry track, given that, one would hope that Kirby, Alf and Willow should be able to out-bowl the Sussex seamers?
At least they cannot blame Phil Frost. I imagine Mr Frost would raise an eyebrow or two if we did suffer a points deduction.
If it is a total bunsen, then WSM will be proven right that they got 50 or so too many.
Pretty stupid if we have deliberately gone with an excessively dry track, given that, one would hope that Kirby, Alf and Willow should be able to out-bowl the Sussex seamers?
At least they cannot blame Phil Frost. I imagine Mr Frost would raise an eyebrow or two if we did suffer a points deduction.
I was, indeed, far too optimistic with 180 as worst case.
We will be lucky to get 120 here.
Hoist by our own petard indeed.
CC challenge would certainly be over with a loss combined with a points deduction.
We will be lucky to get 120 here.
Hoist by our own petard indeed.
CC challenge would certainly be over with a loss combined with a points deduction.
Jos and Pete might as well hit out, I think?
I doubt either man will get far poking around, defensively?
If they don't we'll end up more than 125 down on first innings and it would take a miraculous second innings effort by Marcus to get back into it then!
I doubt either man will get far poking around, defensively?
If they don't we'll end up more than 125 down on first innings and it would take a miraculous second innings effort by Marcus to get back into it then!
check the extras!!! thank god for them or 50 would be a challenge for us here!!
Switched to BBC Sussex commentary and they haven't said anything about the pitch, though to be fair they've been a bit busy describing other stuff.
Checked telegraph/independent/guardian reports and nothing said of concerns about the pitch. Lets all just keep quiet or maybe the pitch police will think there's something they should be checking out.
Hope this pitch wasn't prepared with a Murali-fest in mind - not the best idea when playing a county with Englands-probable-reserve-spinner in the attack and a promising younger spinner, plus other options like Yardy (ok I know he doesnt turn it much, and rarely bowls in the four-day stuff but he might fancy turning his arm over on this deck).
Can I go and do 'doom and gloom' now please Grockle!!
Good move Jos. get rid of the ball. Lets hope the replacement turns as much as Maggie used to.
Checked telegraph/independent/guardian reports and nothing said of concerns about the pitch. Lets all just keep quiet or maybe the pitch police will think there's something they should be checking out.
Hope this pitch wasn't prepared with a Murali-fest in mind - not the best idea when playing a county with Englands-probable-reserve-spinner in the attack and a promising younger spinner, plus other options like Yardy (ok I know he doesnt turn it much, and rarely bowls in the four-day stuff but he might fancy turning his arm over on this deck).
Can I go and do 'doom and gloom' now please Grockle!!
Good move Jos. get rid of the ball. Lets hope the replacement turns as much as Maggie used to.
If we've had points deducted, then it was probably a Bunsen yesterday, Edinburgh?
Kartik may simply have turned it too much?
I would say that, generally, Kartik turns it more than Monty?
And if the track is a Bunsen, the more gentle spinner can be actually more dangerous as nobody is ever going to nick balls turning miles!? Well maybe Bradman?
Jos has a hit a six, at least. That has to be the right approach from him and, yes, I will still say that even if he is stumped next ball.
Kartik may simply have turned it too much?
I would say that, generally, Kartik turns it more than Monty?
And if the track is a Bunsen, the more gentle spinner can be actually more dangerous as nobody is ever going to nick balls turning miles!? Well maybe Bradman?
Jos has a hit a six, at least. That has to be the right approach from him and, yes, I will still say that even if he is stumped next ball.
Bagpuss - the Kartik vs Monty calculation would be one factor in considering whether it would be sensible to prepare an absolute Bunsen for this one.
However, don't you think that, actually, we should have faith in Charl, Kirby and Alf to out-bowl their seamers? That should, possibly, have been the determining factor in pitch preparation?
However, don't you think that, actually, we should have faith in Charl, Kirby and Alf to out-bowl their seamers? That should, possibly, have been the determining factor in pitch preparation?
Absolutely agree AG. The seamers have done it for us in the last two CC matches, and the India game too. Kartik has not been ineffective in these matches either. better to prepare a pitch where all types of bowler will get an equal chance rather than trying to set it up for one.
One newspaper report commented there was swin and turn yesterday. Nothing to suggest the turn was excessive, which would be a factor to alert the pitch inspectors.
Just as well Sussex held out as long as they did - at least it means only 11 wickets fell on that first day.
Thought it was going to be close, but think we're going to avoid that follow on. Alhough perversely that may have given us the best chance of winning - doesnt sound the best pitch for a final day run chase . . .
One newspaper report commented there was swin and turn yesterday. Nothing to suggest the turn was excessive, which would be a factor to alert the pitch inspectors.
Just as well Sussex held out as long as they did - at least it means only 11 wickets fell on that first day.
Thought it was going to be close, but think we're going to avoid that follow on. Alhough perversely that may have given us the best chance of winning - doesnt sound the best pitch for a final day run chase . . .
I don't think Yardy would be foolish enough to enforce a follow-on, though!?
(though the thought of them doing so and then Marcus making 200 had occurred to me!)
(though the thought of them doing so and then Marcus making 200 had occurred to me!)
If i've read the thread correctly AGOD, you seem to have had us deducted points already when there appears little factual evidence for it.
Seems to me that we more prepared a result pitch than prepared an out and out turner. Has to be remembered also that the best groundsmen and captains can get it wrong every so often and sometimes the weather forecast ( an influence factor ) is wrong.
Without being too critical I have to say that looking at Montys stats, you have to conclude that certain of our batsmen are just not consistently good enough.
Certainly not if we really wish to be title contenders.
Have we got a really good score this season when Marcus was out early ??
Without being too critical I have to say that looking at Montys stats, you have to conclude that certain of our batsmen are just not consistently good enough.
Certainly not if we really wish to be title contenders.
Have we got a really good score this season when Marcus was out early ??
Nope, not at all. I don't have any evidence for it, I said the commentators seemed to be talking about it.
On a track where a huge number of wickets go down on day one, I could see where a rumour might come from that there could be a deduction.
But only 11 wickets fell, so it seems an odd rumour to have swept around, if that is all it is?
Compton out now as well, so the volume of day two wickets will probably attract pitch inspector attention even if they weren't here on day one.
It's a good job they've bowled a shocking amount of extras!
On a track where a huge number of wickets go down on day one, I could see where a rumour might come from that there could be a deduction.
But only 11 wickets fell, so it seems an odd rumour to have swept around, if that is all it is?
Compton out now as well, so the volume of day two wickets will probably attract pitch inspector attention even if they weren't here on day one.
It's a good job they've bowled a shocking amount of extras!
Although the rumour could have started if lots of fans watching thought the pitch looked really dodgy on day one.
Those of our contingent from here that went do not appear to have thought that. But the pitch may have changed markedly overnight and/or they may have been giving us a rose-tinted view of the situation.
Pete gone, too, this sounds like a farce.
Those of our contingent from here that went do not appear to have thought that. But the pitch may have changed markedly overnight and/or they may have been giving us a rose-tinted view of the situation.
Pete gone, too, this sounds like a farce.
The only consolation from this match, really, apart from Alf's best bowling return is likely to be that Jos should be able to take at least some confidence from this?
During the course of the afternoon yesterday it was noticable that the pitch had become very dusty, SS remarked that it looked like a proper dust-bowl at one stage.
Marcus talked about getting pitch preperation right during his Radio5 interview last week.
All is not lost, we're still in this.
Marcus talked about getting pitch preperation right during his Radio5 interview last week.
All is not lost, we're still in this.
Whats the chat at the ground this morning then? Can anyone enlighten us?
Yes, I took from Marcus's comments that he wanted more help for Kartik from the tracks, Jim.
Me thinks the pudding has been somewhat over-egged, however..?
Me thinks the pudding has been somewhat over-egged, however..?
Marcus made only 22 on first day at Trent Bridge, thanks to Hildy and Craig K recovered from bad start to post 380-something. MT 86 in second innings though.
Sussex commentators have just said there is a pitch inspector at the ground today but that he wasn't summoned by the umpires. Hopefully he just fancied a day out at Taunton. Turning up without a formal invitation didnt save Warwickshire when they used this as a factor in their appeal earlier this season.
Sussex commentators have just said there is a pitch inspector at the ground today but that he wasn't summoned by the umpires. Hopefully he just fancied a day out at Taunton. Turning up without a formal invitation didnt save Warwickshire when they used this as a factor in their appeal earlier this season.
You wonder if somebody from Sussex leaked some info to the inspector then? Or did they really just turn up at random?
Amjad Khan on now to try to bowl his short stuff (or at least that's what he often bowls.)
Having castigated other counties for poor pitches, though, I hope we don't get too much crying over it on here if we do get a deduction.
Amjad Khan on now to try to bowl his short stuff (or at least that's what he often bowls.)
Having castigated other counties for poor pitches, though, I hope we don't get too much crying over it on here if we do get a deduction.
How ironic that would be..a points deduction at Taunton.
Is that not a contradiction in terms?
Is that not a contradiction in terms?
At least one Somerset batter is prospering today - George Dockrell is 55 not out in Ireland's U19 match in Coleraine.
The opponents? Oh, er, Vanuatu . . .
The opponents? Oh, er, Vanuatu . . .
Handy partnership that to get to lunch. Well played Jos..if people can hang around and support him we might get back into this.
Young Jos is not doing too badly no? Not considering evrything else going on around him anyway
This could be a bit like the Trent Bridge test. Not wanting to hex us, but if the tail can get the defecit as small as possible, we have a chance.
Given Kartik's perceived expertise against spin I wonder if there is a case for promoting him in the 2nd dig ??
Given Kartik's perceived expertise against spin I wonder if there is a case for promoting him in the 2nd dig ??
Notts dropped Neil Edwards for their current match against Durham at Chester-le-Street - and replaced him with two opening batters both making their first-class debuts.
I see they mustered 20 runs between them.
I see they mustered 20 runs between them.
Twelve and a bit hours ago I ws disappointed I wasn't at Taunton. after this morning's session, I think I'm rather relieved.
Is it my interpretation of the BBC Sussex commentary, or has there been more than a hint of poor shot selection and general daftness involved in quite a ew of the dismissals.
Not that I'm clutching at straws (OK, I'm clutching at straws) but this may be a good thing in one respect, when the pitch inspector goes back and reports to the ECB.
" Taunton pitch? Did swing and turn a bit. But those guys batted like muppets!"
Dark cloud. Small but appealingly shiny lining detected.
Is it my interpretation of the BBC Sussex commentary, or has there been more than a hint of poor shot selection and general daftness involved in quite a ew of the dismissals.
Not that I'm clutching at straws (OK, I'm clutching at straws) but this may be a good thing in one respect, when the pitch inspector goes back and reports to the ECB.
" Taunton pitch? Did swing and turn a bit. But those guys batted like muppets!"
Dark cloud. Small but appealingly shiny lining detected.
I think Kartik should get some runs in the first dig never mind the second Bil. That would help more IMO.
Thats about as much as Edwards has made all season then CJM. I can see why they made the change to be honest even if it hasn't worked.
> I think Kartik should get some runs in the first dig never > mind the second Bil. That would help more IMO.
I would have thought that was obvious ;-)
Runs in both innings would be very nice!
Hell even a few big swipes from Charl would be welcome at this point!
I would have thought that was obvious ;-)
Runs in both innings would be very nice!
Hell even a few big swipes from Charl would be welcome at this point!
Hedge End is killing cricket
Yorkshire 411-4 at lunch day 2 at the Rose Bowl.
Last match there spin accounted for I think 32 of the 36 wickets to fall. So far in this innings 3 of the 4 wickets - for 262. Bit of a change on the pitch-preparation front methinks.
Yorkshire 411-4 at lunch day 2 at the Rose Bowl.
Last match there spin accounted for I think 32 of the 36 wickets to fall. So far in this innings 3 of the 4 wickets - for 262. Bit of a change on the pitch-preparation front methinks.
Its just that you were away talking about him in the second dig and he hasnt even batted in the first yet!!!
Glad they didn't, but cannot begin to imagine why Sussex have not bowled both spinners at the same time.
Its Mike Deness at the ground from the pitch panel. May have been invited. Sussex commentators think if invited then its a bit harsh.
Merv Kitchen also there from the ECB to assess the umpires. Apparently the umpire assessor turns up unannounced, has a sneaky look at proceedings during the first session of the day then ar lunch tells the standing umpires that he's there. The afternoon session is then followed to see if they umpire any differently once they know the inspector is there.
Merv Kitchen also there from the ECB to assess the umpires. Apparently the umpire assessor turns up unannounced, has a sneaky look at proceedings during the first session of the day then ar lunch tells the standing umpires that he's there. The afternoon session is then followed to see if they umpire any differently once they know the inspector is there.
That's the one that has me stumped, Mike Index.
I have not listened to the commentary from the Sussex people, Bagpuss. Our own commentators said nothing about poor shots really this morning - although it sounded like there was some poor running. Then again, our team didn't really say that it was, necessarily, brilliant bowling either, they rather simply described the dismissals as opposed to offering much opinion on them i.e nicked to slip or whatever.
If Jos could top-score in this match, that would be a tremendous testament to his natural ability.
Having seen him bat a bit - in both formats of the game - I have always thought that Jos is, possibly, a little bit caught in two minds as to how to bat in the CC. I've got the impression, watching him, that he sometimes appears overly circumspect in a way that does not really suit his natural game which is all about being positive and looking to put the bowler off his game.
This innings should, hopefully, not only give him confidence but give him confidence to play his natural game in the CC. If he hasn't already done so, I think, possibly a word from Peter Trego could be useful because I think Pete does tend to play his natural game in the CC rather than worrying unduly about what folks might say if he gets out caught on the boundary too many times?
I have not listened to the commentary from the Sussex people, Bagpuss. Our own commentators said nothing about poor shots really this morning - although it sounded like there was some poor running. Then again, our team didn't really say that it was, necessarily, brilliant bowling either, they rather simply described the dismissals as opposed to offering much opinion on them i.e nicked to slip or whatever.
If Jos could top-score in this match, that would be a tremendous testament to his natural ability.
Having seen him bat a bit - in both formats of the game - I have always thought that Jos is, possibly, a little bit caught in two minds as to how to bat in the CC. I've got the impression, watching him, that he sometimes appears overly circumspect in a way that does not really suit his natural game which is all about being positive and looking to put the bowler off his game.
This innings should, hopefully, not only give him confidence but give him confidence to play his natural game in the CC. If he hasn't already done so, I think, possibly a word from Peter Trego could be useful because I think Pete does tend to play his natural game in the CC rather than worrying unduly about what folks might say if he gets out caught on the boundary too many times?
I see Harbagjhan and Yuvraj out of series v England.
Kartik called up perhaps?
Kartik called up perhaps?
To be honest, Ronnie, I'm not sure the loss of either "Singh," will make much difference and if the other "Singh," Mahendra flew home tomorrow, I'm not sure that would make a difference either!!
They have to hope they get Gambhir back and that he, Laxman, Dravid and Tendulkar can make a lot of runs between them. I'm not sure that i think Sehwag will go well in English conditions.
They have to hope they get Gambhir back and that he, Laxman, Dravid and Tendulkar can make a lot of runs between them. I'm not sure that i think Sehwag will go well in English conditions.
Ojha is a good bowler. I think he will do better than Harbhajan.
Bagpuss - it looks like Lancs might have a sniff up at Liverpool now? At least in contention?
Bagpuss - it looks like Lancs might have a sniff up at Liverpool now? At least in contention?
Getting closer to your 'worst case scenario' AG , would have bitten any hand offered for that about half way through this mornings session!
Ohja and Kohli called up by India. Sorry Murali but I'm sure you'd rather be playing in a competition for a team that has a chance . .
Ohja and Kohli called up by India. Sorry Murali but I'm sure you'd rather be playing in a competition for a team that has a chance . .
Yes, Bappuss, "worst case scenario," proved to be a bit off. Whoops. Sorry everybody.
Instead it's looking like it might be "realistic scenario."
Instead it's looking like it might be "realistic scenario."
Sussex commentator continuing his surprise at the whole pitch inspector issue - he thinks was a good cricket wicket yesterday (and reminds us at one stage Sussex were about 200-4, hardly the score on a minefield). Although there was some turn there wasn't anything spitting cobras.
He also mentioned all the old stuff about how flat and batting-friendly the pitches used to be here and that it is a good thing that the pitches nowadays are evening up the competition between bat and ball. perhaps the misguided perceptions that Taunton should be a first-day-400-4 ground has attracted attention to this match
He also mentioned all the old stuff about how flat and batting-friendly the pitches used to be here and that it is a good thing that the pitches nowadays are evening up the competition between bat and ball. perhaps the misguided perceptions that Taunton should be a first-day-400-4 ground has attracted attention to this match
I went down this morning, worse luck. Well done to these two for getting us of of the pooooooop.
Right at this very moment, It CAN be said that 180 is the worst-case scenario!!!
When England won the Test at Sabina Park in 2004 (the Harmison 7-12 one) I believe extras top scored for England in their first innings with 60-odd out of over 300. Something similar here would do nicely! (especially the over 300 bit!)
Tractor, if you're reading this I hope you're ok.
Give us a wave if you can please sunshine.
Give us a wave if you can please sunshine.
can you see him on the web cam Jim.
The team are certainly showing the fight you mentioned earlier too!!!
The team are certainly showing the fight you mentioned earlier too!!!
N Hughes - if there this morning, do you have any comment on what the Beeb Sussex guys apparently said about a number of poor shots this morning?
Or did you think it was more great bowling and/or poor pitch?
Or did you think it was more great bowling and/or poor pitch?
Batting bonus point. I didn't think I was going to see one of those today when we were 90 odd for 7.
Yay. Lost radio commentary for a while. Restored to discover WE HAVE A BATTING POINT!!!!!!!!!!
Only problem is, any moment now I really, really have to move and go do something else. So my apologies in advance if this upsets tha chakra or whatever.
Only problem is, any moment now I really, really have to move and go do something else. So my apologies in advance if this upsets tha chakra or whatever.
Could you please keep everything crossed whilst you are doing that 'something else'???
Being half empty bottle - if Jos can get 80 what the hell were the top order batting doing ??????
Answers on a postcard to Brian Rose and Andy Hurry !
Answers on a postcard to Brian Rose and Andy Hurry !
Quote:AGod
N Hughes - if there this morning, do you have any comment on what the Beeb Sussex guys apparently said about a number of poor shots this morning?
Or did you think it was more great bowling and/or poor pitch?
I missed Kirby getting out. Panasar had everyone in trouble bar Buttler. Compton of all people deffo throw his wicket away after settling in, cant be too sure about the rest and wouldn't want to assume as didn't have the best view point and my 4 year old son was keeping me busy. Jones looked dissapointed to be giving out, he's a tall lad and his might have been a tad high.
Escaped from the drakened room and had a couple of refreshng pints and return to this - Magnificent effort.
Shall we try this one?
Jos is batting very well, he is after all, a very good batsman.
Panesar bowled like the very good spinner he is, he may have had a little assistance from the pitch, but as we know, these things happen in this great game of ours.
Let's not worry too much about why wickets fell, let's applaud a magnificent fight back.
Jos is batting very well, he is after all, a very good batsman.
Panesar bowled like the very good spinner he is, he may have had a little assistance from the pitch, but as we know, these things happen in this great game of ours.
Let's not worry too much about why wickets fell, let's applaud a magnificent fight back.
Quote:rodders12
Being half empty bottle - if Jos can get 80 what the hell were the top order batting doing ??????
Answers on a postcard to Brian Rose and Andy Hurry !
Blimey. 94 runs off 17 ish overs since lunch.
Talk about killing a pair of feathery things with one missile - drag the innings out of the mucky stuff whilst warming up nicely for the T20 on Sunday!
Thinking of postponing getting the new car until tomorrow morning. Not that I'm superstitious you understand . . .
Talk about killing a pair of feathery things with one missile - drag the innings out of the mucky stuff whilst warming up nicely for the T20 on Sunday!
Thinking of postponing getting the new car until tomorrow morning. Not that I'm superstitious you understand . . .
Worried? Moi?
I tend to be a glass half full person. Then top it up for good measure.
After all, the pessimist may turn out to be right. B ut the optimist has FAR more fun on the journey!
I tend to be a glass half full person. Then top it up for good measure.
After all, the pessimist may turn out to be right. B ut the optimist has FAR more fun on the journey!
Thank you, N Hughes. Great to hear that Jos was not troubled by Monty even on a helpful track.
Somebody said that Craig K will only play one more CC game this season, so this innings for Jos is massively timely.
p.s. So far this game is more or less a mirror image of the game at Hove.
At Hove, SCCC batted first - started very well in tough conditions, then collapsed.
SCCC reduced Sussex to a rabble at 80 odd for 8. Then there was a big stand by Monty and Anyon (career best score to put them back in it.)
If the pattern holds, then what happens next is that Sussex start well again, then collapse.
But the final part of the mirror-image seems unlikely as the track at Hove went totally flat after tea on Day three (for the final innings of the game.)
Somebody said that Craig K will only play one more CC game this season, so this innings for Jos is massively timely.
p.s. So far this game is more or less a mirror image of the game at Hove.
At Hove, SCCC batted first - started very well in tough conditions, then collapsed.
SCCC reduced Sussex to a rabble at 80 odd for 8. Then there was a big stand by Monty and Anyon (career best score to put them back in it.)
If the pattern holds, then what happens next is that Sussex start well again, then collapse.
But the final part of the mirror-image seems unlikely as the track at Hove went totally flat after tea on Day three (for the final innings of the game.)
Well said Big Jim....Lets applaud the effort and application by both Jos and Alf.....Fantastic effort to even get close to parity.....Please let Jos now get that well deserved 100
shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!
(and, yes, Bagpuss, if a new car is all it is, it can wait!!!!)
(and, yes, Bagpuss, if a new car is all it is, it can wait!!!!)
Drop whatever you are doing and stand and applaud Jos.
In the context of the game, that could well be the knock of the season.
Truly magnificent.
Jos, take a bow son.
In the context of the game, that could well be the knock of the season.
Truly magnificent.
Jos, take a bow son.
Congrats to X Tras on his half century
Bigger congrats to J Buttler for his 100
Brilliant stuff.
Bigger congrats to J Buttler for his 100
Brilliant stuff.
100 up for JB, innings of his career so far?
Oh and extras 53 not out just before him.
Oh and extras 53 not out just before him.
Magnificent!!!
Must surely be easily the best ton anywhere in this current round of CC matches? Certainly the most important?
Must surely be easily the best ton anywhere in this current round of CC matches? Certainly the most important?
Fantastic knock Jos Buttler, well played.........
I've been critical of him this season, but was there this morning and he took the fight back to Sussex, hopefully this will kick start his season.
I've been critical of him this season, but was there this morning and he took the fight back to Sussex, hopefully this will kick start his season.
Murray Goodwin and Ed Joyce are two fine players - and they roughly made what Jos has done between the two of them.
For most other players that have batted in this match, you'd have to add several of them together to get to Jos's score.
Sounds like the Sussex players are massively wowed with his knock, too. GREAT sportsmanship by Sussex.
For most other players that have batted in this match, you'd have to add several of them together to get to Jos's score.
Sounds like the Sussex players are massively wowed with his knock, too. GREAT sportsmanship by Sussex.
@#$%&. Well 142 wicket partnership can't be sniffed at. MK & AT can smash it a bit and try and give us a bit of a lead. Even a lead of 50 on this pitch could be decisive.
Come off it, I just looked on Google Earth and saw that new Ferrari in your drive, glistening away in the sunlight.
Played on. Off the glove. Wringing hand as he walked off. Hopefully the pain of disappointment rather than anything serious.
It wasn't anyone Baggers, he was simply unlucky.
That really was a massive knock, the belief in this team is quite amazing at times.
Never give up.
Learn from this please, everyone.
You don't give up until you've breathed your last.
That really was a massive knock, the belief in this team is quite amazing at times.
Never give up.
Learn from this please, everyone.
You don't give up until you've breathed your last.
Anyon is not particularly quick so, yeah, hopefully Jos will have got away with it, injury wise.
That's assuming he wasn't wringing his hand from all the Sussex handshakes....
That's assuming he wasn't wringing his hand from all the Sussex handshakes....
Notts recovering at CLS. Franks, Adams and White still to come.
Adams is a bit all or nothing but could quickly demoralise the Durham attack if he comes off.
Adams is a bit all or nothing but could quickly demoralise the Durham attack if he comes off.
Excellent from the Sussex players who not only, to a man, applauded Jos' century but went out of their way to congratulate him on his way off the pitch when he was out.
No signs of any harm by the time he got to the boundary, he didn't get much on it anyway. Good ball from Anyon.
No signs of any harm by the time he got to the boundary, he didn't get much on it anyway. Good ball from Anyon.
It will be interesting to see if they bowl spin at Charl.
I've seen Charl hit a few big sixes off spinners.
I've seen Charl hit a few big sixes off spinners.
Well a very fat lady arrived but they gave her lunch and sent her home.
Kartik hits Anyon for 4 to take us into the lead and to give us a batting point
Kartik hits Anyon for 4 to take us into the lead and to give us a batting point
Well done!!!
Alf should not be overlooked in this.
Can't expect him to crash the ball all over the place against decent bowlers like Monty, a la Jos, but he's done the job that we needed him to do - with bells on!!!!!
Based on various comments that I've seen on here, I gather there are many here that think that 'momentum,' is hokum.
I have never believed that. I'm a big believer in momentum and I would think that we now have it and that Sussex will be very, very disappointed...
Alf should not be overlooked in this.
Can't expect him to crash the ball all over the place against decent bowlers like Monty, a la Jos, but he's done the job that we needed him to do - with bells on!!!!!
Based on various comments that I've seen on here, I gather there are many here that think that 'momentum,' is hokum.
I have never believed that. I'm a big believer in momentum and I would think that we now have it and that Sussex will be very, very disappointed...
Sounds like quite a day so far, although I guess sales of sofa's (to hide behind) went pretty well this morning !
That must have been a terrific effort from Jos. Really heartening for him & for the team.
Is the pitch such a terror/did he bat so much better than the rest, or did the early/middle order just play badly ?
Cracking match now though !
Grizzzly
That must have been a terrific effort from Jos. Really heartening for him & for the team.
Is the pitch such a terror/did he bat so much better than the rest, or did the early/middle order just play badly ?
Cracking match now though !
Grizzzly
Well, what price Arul Suppiah as a key factor with the ball in the Sussex second dig?
Old Boy is not going to be happy that Max did not get a game on this track!
Old Boy is not going to be happy that Max did not get a game on this track!
First innings lead. Second batting point.
Top performance. Sussex will be mighty disappointed.
Top performance. Sussex will be mighty disappointed.
176m, 154 balls - Alfie really did contribute as much as Jos in a way.
Charl will see us through to 300 and another batting point.
Charl will see us through to 300 and another batting point.
fantastic effort by Jos. Could turn his season indeed.
I take it thats the pitch inspector away with a flea in his ear too?
I take it thats the pitch inspector away with a flea in his ear too?
If I was a follower of Sussex, I'd be spitting mad about the 58 extras!!!! I'd be thinking 'those will probably be the difference in this game.'
286 all out, so last 3 put on not far off 200 runs. Fantastic fightback, now lets have them 4 down by close of play.
So much for the "only consolation" being a bit of a confidence boost for Jos, eh?
Ours to win now.
Ours to win now.
Great tail.
Shame about the dog!
Seriously though - brilliant fightback the stuff of championship contenders. Now lets get into them tonight.
Shame about the dog!
Seriously though - brilliant fightback the stuff of championship contenders. Now lets get into them tonight.
And the distinct difference between the tail now and pre T20. Alf and Murali contribute runs AND time where Gemaal and Steve provided only TIME for the batsman at the other end to get something going.
MK put on 38 and Alf 43 - in a low scoring game it is deeply significant that they are run makers AND sticky with it.
The middle order has to get itself sorted though. We have not leeway in these games - we cannot afford to pick people who do not contribute with the bat.
MK put on 38 and Alf 43 - in a low scoring game it is deeply significant that they are run makers AND sticky with it.
The middle order has to get itself sorted though. We have not leeway in these games - we cannot afford to pick people who do not contribute with the bat.
thats been the case all season though. It hasnt been sorted.
It might in the winter if those rumours I read yesterday are true.
Anyway, a game to win here much more important.
It might in the winter if those rumours I read yesterday are true.
Anyway, a game to win here much more important.
Well, I can't really believe that Chris Taylor would really be any better than what we have?
As for next season, Hildreth will be due an "up," season on his seemingly never-ending up season-down season cycle, so next season may be less of an issue anyway?
As for next season, Hildreth will be due an "up," season on his seemingly never-ending up season-down season cycle, so next season may be less of an issue anyway?
Is the points deduction issue put to bed? The rumour at the ground, cp, is that Mike Denness has asked Rod Bransgrove and Jim Cumbes to travel to Taunton to advise him on his decision. 
Well that's one down, well done Kirby. Got a knack of getting an early wicket hasn't he?
Only in this game, really.
For the season overall, no SCCC bowler has been adept at taking early wickets in the CC though, of course, Alf was not around for most of those games.
For the season overall, no SCCC bowler has been adept at taking early wickets in the CC though, of course, Alf was not around for most of those games.
A great effort from JOS. I was screaming out for someone to start attacking Panesar - he really is a spinner who does not take to too much attacking - if defensive to him, he is all over you. Unfortunately, until JOS got in NC was setting the tempo by not attempting anything for 40 minutes - thus encouraging the Sussex yappers to be screaming after every ball as if it was a world beater.
On this wicket AGod IS VERY perceptive!!! Yes I'm saying - where is MAX on this track?
I musy say the way the seamers from first thing yesterday and today, and the spinners have been helped did make me wonder whether the Head Groundsman had been too clever this time, and might need to be answering to Lords!
On this wicket AGod IS VERY perceptive!!! Yes I'm saying - where is MAX on this track?
I musy say the way the seamers from first thing yesterday and today, and the spinners have been helped did make me wonder whether the Head Groundsman had been too clever this time, and might need to be answering to Lords!
Maybe Marcus waited until the pitch inspectors eyes were averted before turning to spin.
Meanwhile at Aigburth
6 wickets, 6 catches, all by Rikki Clarke. A sever case of the ball following a fielder.
6 wickets, 6 catches, all by Rikki Clarke. A sever case of the ball following a fielder.
looks like we are giving them all the extras back........very accommodating!!
Fourth wicket and its dangerman Goodwin gone. Lead only 46.
Splendid. Lets have another couple before close of play. Preferably from the seamers don't want Mr Deness doing a U turn on the M5.
Splendid. Lets have another couple before close of play. Preferably from the seamers don't want Mr Deness doing a U turn on the M5.
Denness is saying he's going to have another look tomorrow just to get a bit of everyone but doesn't seem to be interested in taking it any further after that.
Merv Kitchen also here checking umpires I think - good company the both of them. Denness is very Scottish!!
Merv Kitchen also here checking umpires I think - good company the both of them. Denness is very Scottish!!
A bit like myself then Grockle.
Maybe I should have a word in local dialect and put all this points nonsense to bed?
Maybe I should have a word in local dialect and put all this points nonsense to bed?
What a day I'm jealous of all you lot there at Taunton. Serene 150s from our captain are a delight to behold, but the sort of gritty comeback witnessed today is really what its all about.
Look forward to what tomorrow morning will bring. Sussex will sleep uneasily tonight methinks.
And BTW - I did postpone getting the new car-until 10am tomorrow morning!! Superstitious - well maybe a bit.
Look forward to what tomorrow morning will bring. Sussex will sleep uneasily tonight methinks.
And BTW - I did postpone getting the new car-until 10am tomorrow morning!! Superstitious - well maybe a bit.
Brilliant team effort - if the forecast is accurate I reckon, we could be playing again by about 3pm tomorrow, as long as groundstaff can find enough covering so that there aren't any wet pools hanging around.
Sweaty palms day tomorrow then !!!
Question to those lucky enough to be there - what target do you fancy our chances of getting ?
Not too many more than 150 or so ?
Grizzzly
Question to those lucky enough to be there - what target do you fancy our chances of getting ?
Not too many more than 150 or so ?
Grizzzly
The Guardian saying Hildreth may come into contention for the Test squad.
Trott's injury is pretty bad and he is "nowhere near 100%" according to Strauss.
Can't see it myself.
Trott's injury is pretty bad and he is "nowhere near 100%" according to Strauss.
Can't see it myself.
Well if he gets called up, I wish him all the best.
Not entirely sure his current form is quite up to it though, but I would be delighted to be proved wrong !
Grizzzly
Not entirely sure his current form is quite up to it though, but I would be delighted to be proved wrong !
Grizzzly
Scotch, Grockle.
Scotch.
Scottish is what they call a form of Salmon.
Not sure what form, maybe it's the Haggis sort.
Scotch.
Scottish is what they call a form of Salmon.
Not sure what form, maybe it's the Haggis sort.
Yeah, NW5,I think the Guardian has got it wrong. Selectors will probably want somebody who can bowl - as well as somebody in top form, if they can find someone that fits that bill.
I wonder what role tomorrow's wet stuff will play?
Could freshen things up for the seamers, but could also make it tough for Kartik to grip the ball?
I'm tempted to suggest that whichever side manages to get a grip of the extras count will probably win this match!?
Has the turn and/or swing been so lavish that keeping has been really tough? Or more keepers struggling? I know they bowled a slew of no-balls which helped us along nicely.
You have to say that Alf and Kartik make a huge difference to this side - AND that Brian will need to do a better job, personnnel wise, in covering for them next season, I would say?
Could freshen things up for the seamers, but could also make it tough for Kartik to grip the ball?
I'm tempted to suggest that whichever side manages to get a grip of the extras count will probably win this match!?
Has the turn and/or swing been so lavish that keeping has been really tough? Or more keepers struggling? I know they bowled a slew of no-balls which helped us along nicely.
You have to say that Alf and Kartik make a huge difference to this side - AND that Brian will need to do a better job, personnnel wise, in covering for them next season, I would say?
Another monumental fightback - it looked grim at 93/7 but well played to JB for his first Taunton ton and for Alfie and MK keeping him company. (and well called Ronnie)
Yardy is the big wicket in the morning but the late wickets of Joyce and Goodwin really tip the match hugely in our favour.
One thing to contemplate for next season though - what would it take for Alfie and MK play the whole season? With them we look so much better and would surely be Championship favourites.
Yardy is the big wicket in the morning but the late wickets of Joyce and Goodwin really tip the match hugely in our favour.
One thing to contemplate for next season though - what would it take for Alfie and MK play the whole season? With them we look so much better and would surely be Championship favourites.
And with Joyce and Goodwin both back in the hutch, Jos's score will hopefully prove the highest of the match.
I've always believed that making runs when pretty much everyone else on both sides is failing is the mark of a true difference-maker with the bat. Not, merely, a good player but a truly excellent one. Most players on the county cirucit will probably go through their whole careers without once influencing a match to that extent.
I've always believed that making runs when pretty much everyone else on both sides is failing is the mark of a true difference-maker with the bat. Not, merely, a good player but a truly excellent one. Most players on the county cirucit will probably go through their whole careers without once influencing a match to that extent.
I see Kartik is saying he will wait to the end of the season before deciding if he is going to play for us next year. He cites a heavy schedule causing niggles. He also said it will always be one season at a time.
Alf has made a huge difference to us since his return with both bat and ball. We could do with him for a full season next year, but I believe he has a year to run on his IPL contract ?
Alf has made a huge difference to us since his return with both bat and ball. We could do with him for a full season next year, but I believe he has a year to run on his IPL contract ?
Great fightback from a dismal position today. As others have said, we won't want to be chasing to many thought.
Never lose the faith!
Never lose the faith!
Could we get van der Merwe in from the start next season to cover Alf until his return (in all forms of the game?), or will he be at the IPL as well? Feel he could do a job with both ball and bat.
Would like to see him back more than KP I have to say.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2011:08:03:20:03:28 by Tumbles.
Would like to see him back more than KP I have to say.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2011:08:03:20:03:28 by Tumbles.
Van de Merwe was in IPL last year too :-( No idea if he is likely to be involved next year.
What's his bowling like in the longer game ? I guess we would like a wicket taking spinner who can bat a bit and not a batsman who bowls a bit ? Shouldn't we be going for a seam bowling all rounder for early season ?
What's his bowling like in the longer game ? I guess we would like a wicket taking spinner who can bat a bit and not a batsman who bowls a bit ? Shouldn't we be going for a seam bowling all rounder for early season ?
Van Der Merwe has no real track record of success in first-class cricket. And, yes, I believe he has an IPL deal.
Roelof van der Merwe was contracted to Bangalore in the IPL in 2009 and this year was bought by the Delhi franchise so presumably will be there next year too. I'm not sure if the dates have been set for the 2012 IPL but would expect it to revert to earlier in the year than this years competition which started (and finished) about a month later than usual because of the World Cup.
Ignore above post - have just looked and the IPL dates for next year are 4th April to 27th May. They are waiting until after India tour Australia and South Africa tour New Zealand.
74 matches to look forward to. Ho hum.
74 matches to look forward to. Ho hum.
Quote:AGod
So you've got Pete replacing Trott, Jim?
Or is he replacing somebody else?
Pete could take the place of any of them and do the job well, be they batsman or bowler.
I've heard he's quite handy with the gloves as well.
So,my answer is, without a shadow of a doubt...yes.
Quote:cricketjerry-mouse
Is the points deduction issue put to bed? The rumour at the ground, cp, is that Mike Denness has asked Rod Bransgrove and Jim Cumbes to travel to Taunton to advise him on his decision.
I really would like to know what your problem is Jerry.
I was there all day today and saw an intriguing days play. I also saw Mike Denness (although I didn't realise that it was him at the time) walk to the pitch being used before the start of play, talk to the 'Head' Groundsman and examine a soil sample which I assume he (Denness) had requested be taken from the River End of the pitch.
I never had any belief that the pitch was in danger of being reported as being a bad one, or indeed that any points deduction was even a remote possibility, and furthermore have not previously commented on the pitch in this thread, because today is the only days play of this match that I have seen.
Your childish comment regarding a 'rumour', and seemingly directed to me, does you no credit at all. So yes, I would like to know what is troubling you about this site and the thoughts of me and some other posters. Nobody is duty - bound to contribute on here.
Send me a PM if you like, but it might be better if you got it off your chest for once and for all.
Sadly, the way that both James Hildreth and Pete Trego applied themselves whilst batting today, I would imagine that both are a million miles away from receiving a Test call - up at the moment.
Just my opinion, don't you know?
Just my opinion, don't you know?
I must say I thought the Bransgrove/Cumbes comment was quite funny!! Clearly true of course!!
I notice that the computer scorecards show Thomas batting before Kartik, but I thought it was the other way round. Perhaps it is my dotage arrived early!
"74 matches to look forward to" (Bagpuss).
Deep, deep joy........
What a pile of manure.
Grizzzly
Deep, deep joy........
What a pile of manure.
Grizzzly
All the meanderings re points deductions re pitch quality makes me wonder if that has ever happened to SCCC at any home game in recent times ?
Anyone got a long memory ?
Grizzzly
Anyone got a long memory ?
Grizzzly
Well, I don't know about Hildreth, but I thought that trying to go straight on the offensive would be the right approach for both Pete and Jos today, CP?
I don't think either guy is the type to prosper if poking around?
Still, I doubt if Pete is entirely content with his overall batting form in the CC this season.
I don't think either guy is the type to prosper if poking around?
Still, I doubt if Pete is entirely content with his overall batting form in the CC this season.
Quote:old boy!
I notice that the computer scorecards show Thomas batting before Kartik, but I thought it was the other way round. Perhaps it is my dotage arrived early!
The computer scorecard is correct, old bob.
Did you watch it? It was good stuff.
2nd day’s photos.
I have tried to show an assortment of photos today so that they are not all samey, I have more of batsman being hit in the midriff off lifting balls, W Parnell getting an official warning for consistently running on the pitch.
Jos Buttler is my man of the day and maybe man of the match.
I am afraid Chris Jones couldn’t have been more in front of his stumps and given out lbw off M Panesar.
Once again Charl Willoughby runs out of partners it must be annoying for him.
We seem to have two very friendly umpires every time a wicket went down they had a talk together, I wonder what they were saying.
Here is one of those lifting ball, J Anyon found this ball hard to deal with from A Thomas.
The man of the day Jos Buttler hitting a four and bringing up the 100 partnership with Alfonso Thomas.
Jos played a couple of shots he wish he hadn’t, this was a miss timed shot that went in the air and landing short of the fielder.
I had to show this, this is want make cricket so enjoyable.
After jos was out several Sussex players rushed over to shake his hand, good for them.
I have tried to show an assortment of photos today so that they are not all samey, I have more of batsman being hit in the midriff off lifting balls, W Parnell getting an official warning for consistently running on the pitch.
Jos Buttler is my man of the day and maybe man of the match.
I am afraid Chris Jones couldn’t have been more in front of his stumps and given out lbw off M Panesar.
Once again Charl Willoughby runs out of partners it must be annoying for him.
We seem to have two very friendly umpires every time a wicket went down they had a talk together, I wonder what they were saying.
Here is one of those lifting ball, J Anyon found this ball hard to deal with from A Thomas.
The man of the day Jos Buttler hitting a four and bringing up the 100 partnership with Alfonso Thomas.
Jos played a couple of shots he wish he hadn’t, this was a miss timed shot that went in the air and landing short of the fielder.
I had to show this, this is want make cricket so enjoyable.
After jos was out several Sussex players rushed over to shake his hand, good for them.
"Well, I don't know about Hildreth, but I thought that trying to go straight on the offensive would be the right approach for both Pete and Jos today, CP?"
They only lasted four balls between them, AGod.
Compton, after having looked reasonably settled, played a daft lap shot and was caught, and poor Chris Jones may have got an inside edge onto his pads; he certainly didn't appear happy.
Thank goodness for the rest of them. It was a great fight back, so let's hope the weather holds off tomorrow, in order for us to force a result.
They only lasted four balls between them, AGod.
Compton, after having looked reasonably settled, played a daft lap shot and was caught, and poor Chris Jones may have got an inside edge onto his pads; he certainly didn't appear happy.
Thank goodness for the rest of them. It was a great fight back, so let's hope the weather holds off tomorrow, in order for us to force a result.
Sounds like a great day and good photos Mike.
Clarence, the comments to which you refer are not worth bothering about. Hope you enjoy tomorrow if you are going, and the result is the right one.
Clarence, the comments to which you refer are not worth bothering about. Hope you enjoy tomorrow if you are going, and the result is the right one.
Brilliant photo's again Mike.
Does CW take square leg as his guard ?!
He'll put his back out batting in that position if he isn't careful.
All good fun !
Grizzzly
Does CW take square leg as his guard ?!
He'll put his back out batting in that position if he isn't careful.
All good fun !
Grizzzly
My bit on the inspection.
As soon as I arrived this morning people were coming up to me and saying have you heard about a point deduction and this was at 10.05am just after the gates were open.
My thoughts.
It couldn’t have been an automatic inspection because fifteen wickets didn’t fall on the first day; our two umpires must have called for advice because they weren’t happy about something.
I am going to have a guess that the pitch was too dry at the start of the match.
Fingers cross nothing come of it.
As soon as I arrived this morning people were coming up to me and saying have you heard about a point deduction and this was at 10.05am just after the gates were open.
My thoughts.
It couldn’t have been an automatic inspection because fifteen wickets didn’t fall on the first day; our two umpires must have called for advice because they weren’t happy about something.
I am going to have a guess that the pitch was too dry at the start of the match.
Fingers cross nothing come of it.
Did you see Simon Lee take out a soil sample for Mike Denness, Mike?
Soil sample or not the man from the Times actually asked Mike D straight out whether there was any chance of action being taken and was basically told that he'll be there tomorrow to have a look at a good spread of cricket and cricketers playing on the surface.
The impression was that he was satisfied that the pitch was fine.
I sat in front of these two guys for about an hour before I realised that the Scots guy was MD and talked to Merv for about 10 minutes before I realised who I was talking to....just didn't expect either of them in the box and so did not put two and two together.
How I didn't recognise MK is still beyond me... he looks like no-one else in the cricket world. In the presence of greatness :-)
It was a great day in many ways. The Buttler innings was special in a lot of ways...the response of the Sussex side was excellent. Chris Jones did get something on the ball - just unlucky and Nick was simply to rash at the wrong point in the game.
Alfonso was immense and Murali K and Charl really got up the noses of the opposition by simply not doing what was expected...though I doubt Kartik was all that impressed at Charl turning down singles in the last over just before he holed out.
We have this one in the proverbial palm.... but we had it there at the end of Day 1 so more of the "over-optimistic worst case scenario" tomorrow morning please...it seemed to do the trick wonderfully. :-)
I don't know what this means CP but someone asked me to ask you this evening if you managed to "keep the tray together" Hope to hell you know what that means because I haven't got a clue..... :-)
Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 2011:08:03:23:31:31 by Grockle.
The impression was that he was satisfied that the pitch was fine.
I sat in front of these two guys for about an hour before I realised that the Scots guy was MD and talked to Merv for about 10 minutes before I realised who I was talking to....just didn't expect either of them in the box and so did not put two and two together.
How I didn't recognise MK is still beyond me... he looks like no-one else in the cricket world. In the presence of greatness :-)
It was a great day in many ways. The Buttler innings was special in a lot of ways...the response of the Sussex side was excellent. Chris Jones did get something on the ball - just unlucky and Nick was simply to rash at the wrong point in the game.
Alfonso was immense and Murali K and Charl really got up the noses of the opposition by simply not doing what was expected...though I doubt Kartik was all that impressed at Charl turning down singles in the last over just before he holed out.
We have this one in the proverbial palm.... but we had it there at the end of Day 1 so more of the "over-optimistic worst case scenario" tomorrow morning please...it seemed to do the trick wonderfully. :-)
I don't know what this means CP but someone asked me to ask you this evening if you managed to "keep the tray together" Hope to hell you know what that means because I haven't got a clue..... :-)
Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 2011:08:03:23:31:31 by Grockle.
Quote:Clarence Parker
Did you see Simon Lee take out a soil sample for Mike Denness, Mike?
No I didn't, I didn't recognise him until he was sat on the groundsman's bench with Simon.
Grizzzly
The Indian Premier League is a competition whereby teams play 73 T20 matches over a period of 8 weeks to decide who will lose to Chennai in the final.
The Indian Premier League is a competition whereby teams play 73 T20 matches over a period of 8 weeks to decide who will lose to Chennai in the final.
You have had your cynic's hat on for quite a while now haven't you my dear? :=)
"The impression was that he was satisfied that the pitch was fine."
I don't know who the man from 'The Times' was, but any person who has watched a lot of cricket and who understands the nuances of the game would know that anyway, Grockle.
Only 11 wickets falling on the first day for 281 runs!
I am surprised that the hack even asked Denness such a foolhardy question.
I don't know who the man from 'The Times' was, but any person who has watched a lot of cricket and who understands the nuances of the game would know that anyway, Grockle.
Only 11 wickets falling on the first day for 281 runs!
I am surprised that the hack even asked Denness such a foolhardy question.
Are there really that many games in the IPL?
I can proudly say I have never watched one of them.
What a load of old .....
I can proudly say I have never watched one of them.
What a load of old .....
Not sure that the club officials would agree with you that this match was in hand after Day One, Grockle, as the impression given on the official site was that batting would be far from easy today. Apparently, Jos Buttler did not get that memo, but of the other 16 people that batted today, few made many runs and I think all were outscored by extras.
The verdict on the official site today also seems to suggest that it Is not necessarily in hand now, either, as they think batting last will be tough.
Personally I hope we can clean Sussex up pretty quickly such that we, possibly, do not have to bat on day four at all.
The verdict on the official site today also seems to suggest that it Is not necessarily in hand now, either, as they think batting last will be tough.
Personally I hope we can clean Sussex up pretty quickly such that we, possibly, do not have to bat on day four at all.
Big issue with the 4 wickets we have is they are all proper batters, one of which being their best Murray G.
Parnell is ok but he's not a number 7 in my opinion, and Monty at 9 shows a big tail.
If we can get amongst them early we really can restrict the target to 160-180.
Don't want it going much over 200 but i think a few have shown with right attitude you can score runs.
What you cant do is what we did for first 80mins today. Poking, prodding around to an accurate spinner like Monty is no good.
I always think we struggle v spin because we are not positive enough, Jos was prime example he was positive even in defence, solid defensive shots not half hearted.
I feared what happened and said so on here last night, majority of our batters look so much better being positive, not reckless but positive.
With 4/5 fielders around the bat, just defending pushing forward will soon enough be no good as even if you last 30 mins for 0 you havent got anywhere.
Tres as usual is the key, he is the heartbeat to our innings, he sets our innings up, as yet we dont look capable of doing it when he falls early.
Very positive re tomorrow though, think we've every chance of limiting them to a lead of no more than 200-220 and with the right application we can definitely get them.
PS - rain all day in lancs v warwicks is almost as crucial, both teams missing out on those 16pts could be massive...
Parnell is ok but he's not a number 7 in my opinion, and Monty at 9 shows a big tail.
If we can get amongst them early we really can restrict the target to 160-180.
Don't want it going much over 200 but i think a few have shown with right attitude you can score runs.
What you cant do is what we did for first 80mins today. Poking, prodding around to an accurate spinner like Monty is no good.
I always think we struggle v spin because we are not positive enough, Jos was prime example he was positive even in defence, solid defensive shots not half hearted.
I feared what happened and said so on here last night, majority of our batters look so much better being positive, not reckless but positive.
With 4/5 fielders around the bat, just defending pushing forward will soon enough be no good as even if you last 30 mins for 0 you havent got anywhere.
Tres as usual is the key, he is the heartbeat to our innings, he sets our innings up, as yet we dont look capable of doing it when he falls early.
Very positive re tomorrow though, think we've every chance of limiting them to a lead of no more than 200-220 and with the right application we can definitely get them.
PS - rain all day in lancs v warwicks is almost as crucial, both teams missing out on those 16pts could be massive...
Why insult the man CP as you seem to have no idea who he is? (I might even have been Mr Tenant!)
The man is a journalist. The pitch inspector is in the press box writing a report on the pitch. So he did what any journalist does. He asked a direct question to get a direct quote from the expert.
I seem to remember you producing the same here - quotes from experts to provide a factual basis to your statements. Does that make you a "hack" as well?
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2011:08:03:23:44:11 by Grockle.
The man is a journalist. The pitch inspector is in the press box writing a report on the pitch. So he did what any journalist does. He asked a direct question to get a direct quote from the expert.
I seem to remember you producing the same here - quotes from experts to provide a factual basis to your statements. Does that make you a "hack" as well?
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2011:08:03:23:44:11 by Grockle.
Quote:AGod
Not sure that the club officials would agree with you that this match was in hand after Day One, Grockle, as the impression given on the official site was that batting would be far from easy today. Apparently, Jos Buttler did not get that memo, but of the other 16 people that batted today, few made many runs and I think all were outscored by extras.
The verdict on the official site today also seems to suggest that it Is not necessarily in hand now, either, as they think batting last will be tough.
Maybe you should check out this site instead AG.
We predicted a performance from Jos before the start of play and I think one of our posters got the lunchtime score on Day 1 spot on as well.
A bit more faith here and a little less playing the media odds than the official line.
You use the wrong sources for your info I'm afraid.
You're right about tomorrow though so well done on that.
If Denness is so confident that he will be taking no action, then it does rather beg the question as to why he's bothering to come back tomorrow for an extended look?
I found the pattern of the rumours odd. An inordinate amount of wkts did not fall on day one, but then the rumours went round the ground BEFORE the clatter of early wickets today. I assume somebody must simply have seen and recognised Denness and assumed the worst?
Maybe Denness saw that Lord Tres failed and thought 'I'd better get myself over there sharpish.'
I found the pattern of the rumours odd. An inordinate amount of wkts did not fall on day one, but then the rumours went round the ground BEFORE the clatter of early wickets today. I assume somebody must simply have seen and recognised Denness and assumed the worst?
Maybe Denness saw that Lord Tres failed and thought 'I'd better get myself over there sharpish.'
He's not coming back for an 'extended look' he's coming back to see both sides play the game on the pitch. He saw us today and he gets to see Sussex tomorrow. That seems to be a 'complete' look in his eyes and he's the man given the job.
He seems to be staying locally tonight and he may have mentioned that his plans were related to the weather so he may not stay if play is delayed. Can't be totally sure about that though
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2011:08:03:23:29:29 by Grockle.
He seems to be staying locally tonight and he may have mentioned that his plans were related to the weather so he may not stay if play is delayed. Can't be totally sure about that though
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2011:08:03:23:29:29 by Grockle.
OMG I have just returned from a parallel universe, otherwise known as the supporters' forum on the official Sussex site.
I am now suspicious there is actually only one set of supporters, all inhabiting 18 different universes each supporting a different county. We all post exactly the same thoughts and comments, merely changing the name of the team, or the player.
On the Sussex forum they are moaning about the length of their tail, and the fact that they had flagged this as a potential problem during the winter. They are bemoaning the loss of an unheralded but influential allrounder (RMJ/Zd
. Heck, they even have a supporter who posts as Train Driver!
They did however spot that Charl was unlikely to hang around batting for long, so long as Yardy didn't keep the spinners on for him. They did however think he would fit rather nicely into their own batting line up - at number 8!
BTW Grockle as you know I have a fine array of hats. The one labelled 'cynic' is a favourite, particularly when work hours leave me sleep deprived. Comforting.
I am now suspicious there is actually only one set of supporters, all inhabiting 18 different universes each supporting a different county. We all post exactly the same thoughts and comments, merely changing the name of the team, or the player.
On the Sussex forum they are moaning about the length of their tail, and the fact that they had flagged this as a potential problem during the winter. They are bemoaning the loss of an unheralded but influential allrounder (RMJ/Zd
. Heck, they even have a supporter who posts as Train Driver!
They did however spot that Charl was unlikely to hang around batting for long, so long as Yardy didn't keep the spinners on for him. They did however think he would fit rather nicely into their own batting line up - at number 8!
BTW Grockle as you know I have a fine array of hats. The one labelled 'cynic' is a favourite, particularly when work hours leave me sleep deprived. Comforting.
So. Are you using these other fora as a way of getting yourself off to sleep then?
Is there one over there called Loyal of Littlehampton, Baggers?
Is he really grumpy, a curmudgeon who tells us youngsters that he saw WG Grace, KS Ranjitsinhji, Sammy Woods and Uncle Tom Cobley?
Does he grumble all day that things aren't what they used to be, T20 is rubbish, adverts stink and Big John is a pain in the backside?
If so, send him my love.
Please.
Is he really grumpy, a curmudgeon who tells us youngsters that he saw WG Grace, KS Ranjitsinhji, Sammy Woods and Uncle Tom Cobley?
Does he grumble all day that things aren't what they used to be, T20 is rubbish, adverts stink and Big John is a pain in the backside?
If so, send him my love.
Please.
Using the other fora to keep me awake ready for when some muppet finds out the hard, nay expensive, way its not a good idea to throw sticks for their dog.
Will pass on your regards to Loyal of Littlehampton BJ. And Little John would like to say hello to LoL
Will pass on your regards to Loyal of Littlehampton BJ. And Little John would like to say hello to LoL
I've just seen little John, I think it's something that happens to us men as we get a bit older.
Yes, Grockle, there are many predictions on here but you are seriously suggesting that we should pay no attention to thoughts on the game from the official site are you?
'We,' did not predict anything about Jos. You said you had a feeling he might fire. There were quite a few on here who thought batting on this would be tricky but and this view was no doubt influenced, in part, by the comments on the official site, allied to the fact that Marcus was already out. The view expressed by the group that Jim was with on Day One - as relayed by Jim - was that 400 would be a good score on this track. Your co-volunteers were saying 300 on day one. The impression I got from the official site was that SCCC thought that any kind of lead would take some getting and represent a good performance. I think they were right.
'We,' did not predict anything about Jos. You said you had a feeling he might fire. There were quite a few on here who thought batting on this would be tricky but and this view was no doubt influenced, in part, by the comments on the official site, allied to the fact that Marcus was already out. The view expressed by the group that Jim was with on Day One - as relayed by Jim - was that 400 would be a good score on this track. Your co-volunteers were saying 300 on day one. The impression I got from the official site was that SCCC thought that any kind of lead would take some getting and represent a good performance. I think they were right.
How's it looking down there?
The rain radar seems to suggest that the forecast rain has blown a bit further east and that Taunton might be clear of rain sooner than expected?
[www.raintoday.co.uk]
The rain radar seems to suggest that the forecast rain has blown a bit further east and that Taunton might be clear of rain sooner than expected?
[www.raintoday.co.uk]
You really do need that triple humour bypass you know AG.
And I don't know whether you missed it but Jos did actually 'fire' so I think that was a prediction that did occur.
We got Chris's role entirely wrong of course but that may be the second innings :=)
I'm all for predictions and comments from everywhere - as long as I'm not told that is the "truth" simply because of the source but perish the thought you'd ever do that.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2011:08:04:09:08:49 by Grockle.
And I don't know whether you missed it but Jos did actually 'fire' so I think that was a prediction that did occur.
We got Chris's role entirely wrong of course but that may be the second innings :=)
I'm all for predictions and comments from everywhere - as long as I'm not told that is the "truth" simply because of the source but perish the thought you'd ever do that.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2011:08:04:09:08:49 by Grockle.
ECB making a rod for their own back here if we are deducted points for this IMO. There was a match at Southport last week where the highest score was just over 200 and Lancs were skittled on the last day for just over 100. A wicket fit for first class cricket....probably not!! A points deduction ..........no!!
Where is the line drawn here?
Where is the line drawn here?
CP says there will be no points deduction and you have to agree with hijm based on the figures for this game. If Denness was considering the possibility he wouldn't have been so open yesterday I don't think.
It seems to have been more of a 'we're watching you around the counties' sort of visit I think.
The actual strip was very dry. At one point a gust of wind blew up a mini dust storm and Murali K had to turn away because he got a face full with the bowler running in. The umpire had to call the ball dead. Never seen that happen at Taunton before.
It seems to have been more of a 'we're watching you around the counties' sort of visit I think.
The actual strip was very dry. At one point a gust of wind blew up a mini dust storm and Murali K had to turn away because he got a face full with the bowler running in. The umpire had to call the ball dead. Never seen that happen at Taunton before.
thats good then, hope that comes to pass.
But you see the point though. You start deducting points and its always dangerous territory I think.
But you see the point though. You start deducting points and its always dangerous territory I think.
I'm not so sure that Clarence is correct to infer from the scores alone that a deduction is out of the question. However, if Mike Denness told the reporter that there was not going to be any action, though, then that should be the end of it.
But going on the scores is dangerous. The scores here, I'm pretty sure, will prove to be lower than those at Edgbaston for Warks vs Worcs where there was a deduction.
Mercifully, we've not seen Vikram Solanki, or rather his equivalent, carted off the field on our track, however.
But going on the scores is dangerous. The scores here, I'm pretty sure, will prove to be lower than those at Edgbaston for Warks vs Worcs where there was a deduction.
Mercifully, we've not seen Vikram Solanki, or rather his equivalent, carted off the field on our track, however.
That`s not how the points deduction system works, rs - it doesn`t depend on the number of runs scored.
Southport is a club ground and there were no expectations of high scores all round.
What the pitch inspectors are looking for is a wicket that:
a. Doesn`t endanger the batsmen - the reason why Warwickshire were docked eight ponts at Edgbaston earlier this season;
or b. Has been deliberately underprepared and used before in the recent past - why Hampshire suffered the same fate.
Mike Denness is at Taunton because the behaviour of the wicket in the current game is not the norm. But as far as one can tell, neither of these two categories apply. Underprepared doesn`t equal `drier than usual`.
Southport is a club ground and there were no expectations of high scores all round.
What the pitch inspectors are looking for is a wicket that:
a. Doesn`t endanger the batsmen - the reason why Warwickshire were docked eight ponts at Edgbaston earlier this season;
or b. Has been deliberately underprepared and used before in the recent past - why Hampshire suffered the same fate.
Mike Denness is at Taunton because the behaviour of the wicket in the current game is not the norm. But as far as one can tell, neither of these two categories apply. Underprepared doesn`t equal `drier than usual`.
I thought that Counties had, in the past, been penalized for wickets that were deemed to have begun the match "excessively dry and offered excessive turn," but perhaps that was either in one day cricket or under a previous set of first-class regulations?
I'm waiting for LoL to say "If you think this pitch is dodgy, you obviously weren't at Clarence Park or Bath in the 1950s". But seriously, it seems that the moment a pitch gives the bowlers, particularly the spinners, a bit of a chance all hell lets loose. In my view, a pitch is only unfit for play if it is dangerous for the batters. On this track we've had 625 runs in two days at an average of 3.27 runs per over.
Does the local forecast still suggest that we should get on by sort of mid-afternoon at the latest?
The particular knife-edge thrill of a low-scoring contest is that one really good partnership or one really good innings is liable to be decisive as to the outcome.
Hopefully, that one really good innings/partnership already occurred in our innings. If we'd started with, say, 170 for the first 7 wickets rather than 93, then I'd say it would probably be all but game over by now, assuming that the final 3 wickets achieved the same result.
As Brian Rose correctly intimated on the official site it takes a special batting talent to transcend conditions loaded in favour of the bowlers.
I hope I am correct in saying that, with Joyce and Goodwin back in the pavillion, there are no such talents left to bat for Sussex...
... so hopefully it will just be a case of chipping away and taking wickets at regular intervals and then holding our nerve whilst chasing a pretty low target.
It will be interesting to see if any members of the top order (other than Marcus who surely will do so?) try to take a leaf out of Jos's book and really attack the bowling.
I was interested to see Jos say on the official site that this situation suited him down to the ground because 'there seemed little sensible alternative other than to attack and that suits my natural game.'
Really hope Brian or someone asks him to just try and disregard the situation and try to always play his natural game.
When I saw Jos at Hove - in different but also tough conditions - he fiddled around, really in both innings and made no conspicuous attempt to dominate the bowling.
The particular knife-edge thrill of a low-scoring contest is that one really good partnership or one really good innings is liable to be decisive as to the outcome.
Hopefully, that one really good innings/partnership already occurred in our innings. If we'd started with, say, 170 for the first 7 wickets rather than 93, then I'd say it would probably be all but game over by now, assuming that the final 3 wickets achieved the same result.
As Brian Rose correctly intimated on the official site it takes a special batting talent to transcend conditions loaded in favour of the bowlers.
I hope I am correct in saying that, with Joyce and Goodwin back in the pavillion, there are no such talents left to bat for Sussex...
... so hopefully it will just be a case of chipping away and taking wickets at regular intervals and then holding our nerve whilst chasing a pretty low target.
It will be interesting to see if any members of the top order (other than Marcus who surely will do so?) try to take a leaf out of Jos's book and really attack the bowling.
I was interested to see Jos say on the official site that this situation suited him down to the ground because 'there seemed little sensible alternative other than to attack and that suits my natural game.'
Really hope Brian or someone asks him to just try and disregard the situation and try to always play his natural game.
When I saw Jos at Hove - in different but also tough conditions - he fiddled around, really in both innings and made no conspicuous attempt to dominate the bowling.
ok CJM I see what you are saying but would the pitch inspector have been there on Wednesday if Sussex had been 400 for 4 at the end of day one?
If the answer to that is no then the no. of runs must be a factor.
What you are saying then is that no team could get to 100 in any innings of a match, the game is over in one day and there is no points deduction as long as a) and b) are met?
If the answer to that is no then the no. of runs must be a factor.
What you are saying then is that no team could get to 100 in any innings of a match, the game is over in one day and there is no points deduction as long as a) and b) are met?
It does, occasionally, happen that there is a very low scoring match where the track genuinely is blameless. For example, if the weather is sultry, the ball may swing consistently throughout the game. And some teams are pretty shoddy with the bat.. ergo..
In terms of what constitutes a poor pitch, I think everyone would agree with Angell Face that a dangerous track, such as that at Edgbaston, would fit the bill.
However, I also tend to think that conditions which mean that the toss confers a huge advantage in the game should be frowned upon. The track that starts damp but then plays 'flat,' once dry is an obvious example, but so too is a track that falls apart after one innings of a match.
However, I also tend to think that conditions which mean that the toss confers a huge advantage in the game should be frowned upon. The track that starts damp but then plays 'flat,' once dry is an obvious example, but so too is a track that falls apart after one innings of a match.
Why is it so dreadful in cricket these days for wickets to fall?
There is definitely a conspiracy about the pitch. I spoke to Lord Lucan, John Stonehouse and the local mafia boss, and they confirmed this. To maintain balance I must say that when I asked Shergar about it he said "Neigh."
If this is a bad pitch please can we have some more as they seem to produce some enthralling cricket, including an outstanding effort from Jos. Incidentally on day one, ob, it was swing not seam that was causing batsmen problems against the quicker bowlers, and Steve Kirby confirmed this.
As someone who had the great good fortune (?) to spend a lot of his working life in Luton, I have to confess to some pleasure in seeing the progress that Monty seems to be making in his bowling. He really did mix it up, including a good number of balls with a real loop on them. For a few years there seemed to be no variety at all.
It has been lovely meeting up (we used to just meet!) with all the Grockles folk, and Bishop Odo and myself certainly had a great couple of days at the County Ground and lovely West Bagborough.
To those who have been at the match, I should just like to say 'Oy'. I am starting work on a study of the significance of the Oy in Sussex cricket.
Very impressed with the sporting spirit in which Sussex have approached the match, while not losing any competitiveness. It can still be done.
There is definitely a conspiracy about the pitch. I spoke to Lord Lucan, John Stonehouse and the local mafia boss, and they confirmed this. To maintain balance I must say that when I asked Shergar about it he said "Neigh."
If this is a bad pitch please can we have some more as they seem to produce some enthralling cricket, including an outstanding effort from Jos. Incidentally on day one, ob, it was swing not seam that was causing batsmen problems against the quicker bowlers, and Steve Kirby confirmed this.
As someone who had the great good fortune (?) to spend a lot of his working life in Luton, I have to confess to some pleasure in seeing the progress that Monty seems to be making in his bowling. He really did mix it up, including a good number of balls with a real loop on them. For a few years there seemed to be no variety at all.
It has been lovely meeting up (we used to just meet!) with all the Grockles folk, and Bishop Odo and myself certainly had a great couple of days at the County Ground and lovely West Bagborough.
To those who have been at the match, I should just like to say 'Oy'. I am starting work on a study of the significance of the Oy in Sussex cricket.
Very impressed with the sporting spirit in which Sussex have approached the match, while not losing any competitiveness. It can still be done.
It stopped raining in Exeter (from where the weather is coming) an hour or so ago - and the sun has just broken through the clouds.
My correspondent at the ground tells me that it it is till raining quite heavily, but that the staff are confident of a start by 2.30ish if the rain stops by noon.
My correspondent at the ground tells me that it it is till raining quite heavily, but that the staff are confident of a start by 2.30ish if the rain stops by noon.
Quote:AGod
And yes, Grockle, I'm well aware that Jos fired brilliantly. Well guessed!
But you see AG.
When you operate a selective process of picking sources to fit specific personal perspectives and then you make a comment like that about a reasoned prediction based on not inconsiderable backgroud of Somerset this year through observation which didn't fit your particular argument well ...
It simply comes across as a little petty, childish and patronising.
Hey but I got it right for once so I'm not complaining
Thank you for that, Wickham.
Yes, Bobstan, I do not understand what happened to Monty for that period. A bowler who had a good enough loop to lure a batsman of the quality of Inzamam to his doom, as Monty once did in a Test match, winning a textbook stumping, should not have suddenly changed to bowling a flatter style. Too much one-day cricket?
I don't know, but I'm also glad if he is increasingly back to his best. However, if he wants to temporarily mislay his form for the remainder of this game, then that is fine too.
Yes, Bobstan, I do not understand what happened to Monty for that period. A bowler who had a good enough loop to lure a batsman of the quality of Inzamam to his doom, as Monty once did in a Test match, winning a textbook stumping, should not have suddenly changed to bowling a flatter style. Too much one-day cricket?
I don't know, but I'm also glad if he is increasingly back to his best. However, if he wants to temporarily mislay his form for the remainder of this game, then that is fine too.
You are quite right, rs, that if Sussex had been 400-4 at the end of the day, it would have been looked upon as the norm. So from that aspect, the number of runs certainly do count - but only in calling up the pitch inspector, not in his decision.
[www.raintoday.co.uk] seems to suggest it should be clearing soon.
But seems Liverpool will be free of rain for most of the day too.. Guess Lancs will declare pretty early on today in hope of bowling them out.
But seems Liverpool will be free of rain for most of the day too.. Guess Lancs will declare pretty early on today in hope of bowling them out.
Seconds Out.
Fifteenth and last round.
P.S. I don't know who is in the blue corner or who is in the red.
My impressions of the first two days:
a hugely enjoyable two days, greatly enhanced by the excellent company of (among others) BJ, LoL, Bobstan, SS, SS Jnr 1, Lord G, Bishop Odo of Cluny and Mike TA1
if anyone sees a better century that Buttler's this season, they will be extremely lucky. He hit the ball very cleanly; and I agree with AG that – in comparison with some first class innings I have seen of his – he found a tempo which suits his game
our bowlers generally bowled well, especially Thomas in each innings;
Thomas' innings was very valuable – he played for the side by eliminating risks
this is a good cricket wicket. Nothing behaved alarmingly. The quicker bowlers beat the bat mainly through swing (rather than exaggerated movement off the pitch). The spinners were able to extract bounce and turn, but were by no means unplayable. Mike Denness arrived before the start of play, so it is not surprising that rumours circulated; but I would be astonished (for the reasons set out by cjm) if any action were to be taken
Jones looked unlucky to be given out (as others have commented)
when Somerset take wickets, we normally attribute that to the skill of the bowlers and fielders, rather than the ineptitude of the opposition batsmen. So, perhaps credit should be given to the opposing bowlers when they dismiss our batsmen, rather than taking the view that our batsmen were at fault: the Sussex attack is a good one
Parnell bowled very quickly, though mainly wide of the stumps
Panesar bowled better than I have seen him bowl for a long time
Brown is a good 'keeper. Most of the byes he conceded were from balls from the quick bowlers which were unreachable – in other words, the scoreboard can lie
it was very good to see the Sussex fielders congratulate Buttler when he was out. We commented on this to Nash – who had run 30 yards to shake Buttler by the hand – when he came to field close to where we were sitting and he spoke about the camaraderie which exists between players off the pitch and also spoke very highly of Buttler
another example of the fundamental decency of the great majority of county cricketers was that all of those boundary fielders who were approached by small boys for an autograph not only did so, but took the time to sign their name properly and had a friendly word with the boy in question. Kirby – who seems a very decent man – was a prime example
Somerset are a seriously good side. It never ceases to amaze me that a side as good as this is based not in a metropolis, but in Taunton. The management and team should take enormous credit for the successful side which they have built.
PS: I am sorry to say that it has started to drizzle (very lightly) again in Exeter.
Edited to say that I can use capital letters. But I wrote the above with bullet points in a separate document; and these disappeared when I cut and pasted the document into the above.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2011:08:04:11:04:29 by Wickham.
a hugely enjoyable two days, greatly enhanced by the excellent company of (among others) BJ, LoL, Bobstan, SS, SS Jnr 1, Lord G, Bishop Odo of Cluny and Mike TA1
if anyone sees a better century that Buttler's this season, they will be extremely lucky. He hit the ball very cleanly; and I agree with AG that – in comparison with some first class innings I have seen of his – he found a tempo which suits his game
our bowlers generally bowled well, especially Thomas in each innings;
Thomas' innings was very valuable – he played for the side by eliminating risks
this is a good cricket wicket. Nothing behaved alarmingly. The quicker bowlers beat the bat mainly through swing (rather than exaggerated movement off the pitch). The spinners were able to extract bounce and turn, but were by no means unplayable. Mike Denness arrived before the start of play, so it is not surprising that rumours circulated; but I would be astonished (for the reasons set out by cjm) if any action were to be taken
Jones looked unlucky to be given out (as others have commented)
when Somerset take wickets, we normally attribute that to the skill of the bowlers and fielders, rather than the ineptitude of the opposition batsmen. So, perhaps credit should be given to the opposing bowlers when they dismiss our batsmen, rather than taking the view that our batsmen were at fault: the Sussex attack is a good one
Parnell bowled very quickly, though mainly wide of the stumps
Panesar bowled better than I have seen him bowl for a long time
Brown is a good 'keeper. Most of the byes he conceded were from balls from the quick bowlers which were unreachable – in other words, the scoreboard can lie
it was very good to see the Sussex fielders congratulate Buttler when he was out. We commented on this to Nash – who had run 30 yards to shake Buttler by the hand – when he came to field close to where we were sitting and he spoke about the camaraderie which exists between players off the pitch and also spoke very highly of Buttler
another example of the fundamental decency of the great majority of county cricketers was that all of those boundary fielders who were approached by small boys for an autograph not only did so, but took the time to sign their name properly and had a friendly word with the boy in question. Kirby – who seems a very decent man – was a prime example
Somerset are a seriously good side. It never ceases to amaze me that a side as good as this is based not in a metropolis, but in Taunton. The management and team should take enormous credit for the successful side which they have built.
PS: I am sorry to say that it has started to drizzle (very lightly) again in Exeter.
Edited to say that I can use capital letters. But I wrote the above with bullet points in a separate document; and these disappeared when I cut and pasted the document into the above.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2011:08:04:11:04:29 by Wickham.
This thing about the pitch inspector is a joke surely? How is that whern batsmen dominate it's fine but when wickets fall there is somehow a 'problem'.
It's not as if it's a low scoring game, except by the dstandards of Taunton of recent years - 250 used to be thought of as a par score a couple of decades ago.
What's baffling is the inconsistency. A couple of seasons ago, the heavy roller was banned and the inspectors were more lenient as they thought too many runs were being scored.
It worked and the CC produced more interesting cricket as a result. Now they've gone the other way. The game is better for a bat/ball contest and differign surfaces within reason.
If our groundsmen under instructions produced a result wicket then this is exactly what I would expect them to do; indeed to otherwise would frankly be negligent.
It's not as if it's a low scoring game, except by the dstandards of Taunton of recent years - 250 used to be thought of as a par score a couple of decades ago.
What's baffling is the inconsistency. A couple of seasons ago, the heavy roller was banned and the inspectors were more lenient as they thought too many runs were being scored.
It worked and the CC produced more interesting cricket as a result. Now they've gone the other way. The game is better for a bat/ball contest and differign surfaces within reason.
If our groundsmen under instructions produced a result wicket then this is exactly what I would expect them to do; indeed to otherwise would frankly be negligent.
Apparently, there's talk at the ground of play starting within two hours of the rain stopping.
Bright again in Exeter.
Bright again in Exeter.
This Internet is good though. I remember when I was younger having to get my Mum to phone up the club office on rainy days to get updates of when play was likely to start.
Well, so long as we get on for a couple of hours or so today, then I'd have thought a result would be absolutely odds-on (and might still be favourite even if the game does not resume until tomorrow?)
I think I'd rather the umpires err on the side of caution in terms of waiting for the outfield to dry out well, so that Kartik does not have to wrestle with a damp ball.
I think I'd rather the umpires err on the side of caution in terms of waiting for the outfield to dry out well, so that Kartik does not have to wrestle with a damp ball.
A slow start to the Durham second innings and the forecast suggests they might be rained off from lunch onwards, for the rest of the day.
So *might* be a fair chance of Notts holding out for a draw there, although their top four does look massively weak.
So *might* be a fair chance of Notts holding out for a draw there, although their top four does look massively weak.
As has been said, this has been an excellent game of cricket from the very first ball, exciting, absobring and worth every penny of the entrance fee..
One thing, AG.
There was a degree of mischief in the 400 runs wicket prediction, as we were reading the site from my phone and grasping at figures.
I suggested something in the region of 700.
But I was told to stop being so childish.
Who'd have believed that?
One thing, AG.
There was a degree of mischief in the 400 runs wicket prediction, as we were reading the site from my phone and grasping at figures.
I suggested something in the region of 700.
But I was told to stop being so childish.
Who'd have believed that?
Draw surely the favourite at Liverpool now, with the players off for rain and this being the final day of that one.
Now off, already, as well at CLS.
If we play well from here on out in our match, this round of games really could fall in our favour, with the three teams ahead of us all being involved in drawn matches.
Now off, already, as well at CLS.
If we play well from here on out in our match, this round of games really could fall in our favour, with the three teams ahead of us all being involved in drawn matches.
Tremendous news if we get play as everywhere else looks wet, wet, wet...
We still have to back up our weather fortune with good bowling though.
Nowhere near winning this game yet.
We still have to back up our weather fortune with good bowling though.
Nowhere near winning this game yet.
Waks have bowled Lancs ou so they are obviously playing. Warks need best part of 300 to win.
Yeah, hopefully, there will be further disruption and not quite enough time for either team to win.
Went off at Liverpool soon after Warks innings started for light rain. Taking early lunch. Stopped raining here (a couple of miles away think they will be underway again this afternoon and forecast suggests worst of the weather has gone over.
Would like to think Warks will hold on for the draw with only 2 sessions to bat. The win is probably a bittoo far for a serious attempt, but Lancs did chase about 120 to beat Yorks off around 16 here a while ago so nothing guaranteed.
Would like to think Warks will hold on for the draw with only 2 sessions to bat. The win is probably a bittoo far for a serious attempt, but Lancs did chase about 120 to beat Yorks off around 16 here a while ago so nothing guaranteed.
I think 1:10pm was best case scenario if everything had dried extremely quickly - think Mike cited it as the earliest possible start.
Tweet from club HQ says mopping up took a bit longer. Start now 1.40. About . . . . . now.
I think its about 10 years since a side successfully chased much over 200 in the 4th innings at Aigburth. But looks like warwickshire are having a pretty good stab at it. Don't think the weather will cramp their style, not sure about the light late on but quite 'open' around the ground not much in the way of buildings and trees to add to the gloom.
Back on at CLS but Notts have taken a quick couple of wickets, which should slow Durham down.
Warks will surely call off their chase, with three down?
Warks will surely call off their chase, with three down?
warwickshire go from 72-0 to 91-3 in the space of 5 overs. I can hear the hatches being battened down from here. May be already too late for them though
I think if we want any of those to win it would be Lancs.
Mainly becuase we have still to play them!!! We would have to beat them but at least we have an element of control over that.
Mainly becuase we have still to play them!!! We would have to beat them but at least we have an element of control over that.
rs I totally agree, though if Warks could hang in there for the draw it would be even better. But lets deal with what we can control and knock these few off. Extra day off for a little T20 practise would be welcome.
Blimey, Marcus really is magical with that wand. He must have somewhere to be
Agree Baggy....better if its a draw, but th lesser of 2 evils is the Lancs.
I think MT is practising for Sunday today!!!!
I think MT is practising for Sunday today!!!!
Quote:Big Jim
Thank the Lord for helmets, hope he's ok.
Why who hit who
Nash at short leg I think got hit, Arul middled one off Panesar. Rebound went for 4. Ouch.
Nash got totalled!! Full blown, middle of the bat pull from Arul straight into his face. Had the helmet been absent Nash would be off for a bit more than a slight concussion.
We actually expected someone to pick up the two halves! He hasn't returned after Tea.
We actually expected someone to pick up the two halves! He hasn't returned after Tea.
Warks looking pretty safe now, I would have thought.
Rained off at CLS, though I fear that Notts might contrive a fold-job in two sessions to lose it tomorrow, but hopefully not.
Rained off at CLS, though I fear that Notts might contrive a fold-job in two sessions to lose it tomorrow, but hopefully not.
Still dont think Warks are safe but at least current pair have steadied things. Cant work out how many overs to play because of the rain disruption earlier today. Not expecting the handshakes any time soon though.
Not bad for a side 152 behind with just three first innings wickets left - and destined to bat last on the `wicket from hell`.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2011:08:04:16:46:13 by cricketjerry-mouse.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2011:08:04:16:46:13 by cricketjerry-mouse.
A very fine victory.
Well done to everyone concerned, and a special vote of thanks to the 'Head' Groundsman.
Reminds me of the days of uncovered pitches.
Congratulations, Somerset.
Well done to everyone concerned, and a special vote of thanks to the 'Head' Groundsman.
Reminds me of the days of uncovered pitches.
Congratulations, Somerset.
That victory showed real character. Just the kind of match we would have lost not so long ago. Excellent win and well done to all.
Remaining fixture list shows that Lancs get home games with both Hants and Worcs, as well as Worcs away.
So we must hope for an up-turn in play and fortunes for Worcs, at least, especially as they also play Durham.
I'm not sure we can place very much faith in Hants on their travels so, as well as winning all of our games, we might possibly need a little bit of weather help, too.
You can bet we've now got the attention of Durham, Lancs and Warks though!!!!!!!!!!!!!
So we must hope for an up-turn in play and fortunes for Worcs, at least, especially as they also play Durham.
I'm not sure we can place very much faith in Hants on their travels so, as well as winning all of our games, we might possibly need a little bit of weather help, too.
You can bet we've now got the attention of Durham, Lancs and Warks though!!!!!!!!!!!!!
yeah but theyve got to come down to Taunton and I doubt that they will fancy it too much.
The teams in relegation are fighting as much as the teams at the top so I would expect there tobe a lot of twists and turns before the end. As you say though they are aware we are right there now.
The teams in relegation are fighting as much as the teams at the top so I would expect there tobe a lot of twists and turns before the end. As you say though they are aware we are right there now.
Brilliant win - all the more so for having to tough it out from a difficult position. Somerset now 171 points from 12.
Warwickshire have slowed run rate to a Tavare-on-speed rate of 1.5 per over. If they hold on for a draw Somerset will go up to 3rd above Warks with 168 though played one less.
Lancs will stay above us whatever happens on 177 from 12 if its a draw or 190 if they win.
Warwickshire have slowed run rate to a Tavare-on-speed rate of 1.5 per over. If they hold on for a draw Somerset will go up to 3rd above Warks with 168 though played one less.
Lancs will stay above us whatever happens on 177 from 12 if its a draw or 190 if they win.
Yeah, Ronnie, weather permitting I've already booked us in for the win vs Hants, but we still have to make up points on Durham somewhere along the line, hence why it might need a bit of luck with, say, Durham's home game with Hants being a rain affected draw.
As you yourself said, Warks are probably a bit more of a concern than Lancs because we have no chance to take points off Warks ourselves. We still owe Lancs for their spineless fold job at the end of last season.
As you yourself said, Warks are probably a bit more of a concern than Lancs because we have no chance to take points off Warks ourselves. We still owe Lancs for their spineless fold job at the end of last season.
I said after the last match that this team plays as a team and quite clearly has great belief now.
As supporters the lesson for us may be not to dismiss our chances at any stage until the opposition take the final wicket or score the winning run. We write off this team at our peril.
As supporters the lesson for us may be not to dismiss our chances at any stage until the opposition take the final wicket or score the winning run. We write off this team at our peril.
As you know only too well, Bobs.....my thoughts exactly.
Only losers give up, and one thing this bunch of lads is not, is losers.
Only losers give up, and one thing this bunch of lads is not, is losers.
An interesting sidebar from the Sussex match is that their South African fast bowler Wayne Parnell announced last week that he is converting from Christianity to Islam. It seems he has come under the influence of Hashim Amla and Imran Tahir in the South African team.
He is thinking of altering his name to Whallid, which means the `Great One` - but after his performance at Taunton may put this aspect of the change on the back burner.
He is thinking of altering his name to Whallid, which means the `Great One` - but after his performance at Taunton may put this aspect of the change on the back burner.
I said beforehand that we might not be too gutted that he had returned to fitness and, therefore, taken Naved's place as overseas player!!!
From what I heard and read, it does indeed appear to have been a good thing that Parnell played.
From what I heard and read, it does indeed appear to have been a good thing that Parnell played.
Warks 5 down now. Hoping that the rain disruption not only deprived them of overs, but also the chance for a new ball late in the innings.
14 overs to go in this match. Should be OK - maybe.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2011:08:04:17:25:51 by Bagpuss.
14 overs to go in this match. Should be OK - maybe.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2011:08:04:17:25:51 by Bagpuss.
What a jolly story that is, CJM.
Will he have to grow one of those lovely beards to go with his new found faith?
Will he have to grow one of those lovely beards to go with his new found faith?
Waleed, actually - meaning 'Newborn Son.'
At least today's result will mean that he has tomorrow (Friday) off from playing.
At least today's result will mean that he has tomorrow (Friday) off from playing.
I thought CjM was being humerous regarding the name, Clarence Parker.
Fair play though, that is pendantry taken to a whole new level.
Fair play though, that is pendantry taken to a whole new level.
Warks. now 8 down.
Can't be much longer left, but they've just lost 3 wickets for 8 runs.
Grizzzly
P.S. Cricinfo now says Stumps - thank goodness !
Can't be much longer left, but they've just lost 3 wickets for 8 runs.
Grizzzly
P.S. Cricinfo now says Stumps - thank goodness !
All over at Aigburth - got a bit tense towards the end with 2 wickets going in the penultimate over.
That draw puts us above Warks into 3rd, but they have a game in hand.
That draw puts us above Warks into 3rd, but they have a game in hand.
Hope the T20 QF, CB40 games & next week off, don't disrupt our CC momentum.
The way we are playing in the Championship at the moment I wish we could go straight into another couple of games now !
Grizzzly
The way we are playing in the Championship at the moment I wish we could go straight into another couple of games now !
Grizzzly
yeah Im caught between two camps here myself Grizz. On one hand I think a rest and re-charging of the batteries will be a good thing for the final month, and on the other hand as you say another couple of games right now would be mighty handy.
However, we knew all the fixtures at the start so we have to deal with it I suppose.
However, we knew all the fixtures at the start so we have to deal with it I suppose.
I hate us having these breaks in the CC, it has cost us in the past, it's such a ridiculous disruption.
But if one team can do it it's us.
Bring on that treble, come home to Daddy.
But if one team can do it it's us.
Bring on that treble, come home to Daddy.
Professional finish to the match today and a good result at Liverpool. Hopefully Durham will fail to win tomorrow and put us well in contention for the title.
Lets keep the momentum going on Sunday!
Lets keep the momentum going on Sunday!
Brilliant team win - as Bobs says, anyone writes this team off at their peril. Interesting that Alfie Thomas, Jos Buttler and Murali are really coming fresh into the CC team in the last week or two - and making a huge difference with bat and ball.
Am I right in thinking we've now won our last 3 CC games having lost the toss in all three?
Am I right in thinking we've now won our last 3 CC games having lost the toss in all three?
yep I think thats right SP. And I think we lost the toss v Notts in the game before that
Well, Im, if that break next wk is marked by wet weather across the country then we will all be singing a different tune about the break!
Day three and final day photos.
A Khan didn’t make it easy for Jos Buttler behind the stumps, M Kartik the bowler.
Arul Suppiah checking to see if C Nash was ok after hitting him full on the helmet, the ball ended up for four in the direction of the Gimblett’s Hill that was some redirection. It looked like the umpire told him to go off.
J Anyon, James Hildreth appealed for a caught behind off A Thomas until he realised he was the only one appealing.
Don’t you just love it when that happens?
M Kartik taking a good caught to dismiss M Yardy off Alfonso Thomas.
Steve Kirby was itching to come on to ball but didn’t get a chance because Marcus kept Alfonso on to get his ten in the match, it didn’t stop him taking to Alfonso on where to ball to Monty Panesar.
A Khan didn’t make it easy for Jos Buttler behind the stumps, M Kartik the bowler.
Arul Suppiah checking to see if C Nash was ok after hitting him full on the helmet, the ball ended up for four in the direction of the Gimblett’s Hill that was some redirection. It looked like the umpire told him to go off.
J Anyon, James Hildreth appealed for a caught behind off A Thomas until he realised he was the only one appealing.
Don’t you just love it when that happens?
M Kartik taking a good caught to dismiss M Yardy off Alfonso Thomas.
Steve Kirby was itching to come on to ball but didn’t get a chance because Marcus kept Alfonso on to get his ten in the match, it didn’t stop him taking to Alfonso on where to ball to Monty Panesar.
Brilliant stuff, Michael.
I bet Kirby was a happy chicken at not being allowed a chance to demolish the stumps.
Great man.
Great team.
Great photos.
Great scott.
I bet Kirby was a happy chicken at not being allowed a chance to demolish the stumps.
Great man.
Great team.
Great photos.
Great scott.
I have to say, that is a brilliant picture of Alfie, he looks absolutely evil.
Top notch.
Top notch.
I trust Nash is alright. As Wickham said, Nash seems typical of the best of county cricket professionals. A thoroughly decent man.
Wickham also spoke well of Kirby. The most impressive thing for me was when Steve, having finished one of his most frustrating overs, came back to field in front of us muttering imprecations. The moment he noticed that there was a young lad waiting for his autograph he changed completely, smiled and had a nice word with the boy, while signing the autograph. Well done, Mr Kirby.
Nice to see Mike's photo of Arul checking on Nash's well-being.
Lovely pictures as ever.
Wickham also spoke well of Kirby. The most impressive thing for me was when Steve, having finished one of his most frustrating overs, came back to field in front of us muttering imprecations. The moment he noticed that there was a young lad waiting for his autograph he changed completely, smiled and had a nice word with the boy, while signing the autograph. Well done, Mr Kirby.
Nice to see Mike's photo of Arul checking on Nash's well-being.
Lovely pictures as ever.
Yeah you got to love Kirby, he wears his heart on his sleeve. I had just entered the ground yesterday at the time he had got out and stood by the new pavilion as he walked past and he looked absolutely devastated at being out. 1 run later and a further 3 wickets down I must have looked the same. A great win and the momentum is certainly swinging Somersets way.........
AGod may think that Kirby was "about as happy as a battery hen" that Thomas, rather than he, got to bowl at the last pair. But those of us at the match saw Kirby - and, indeed, the whole of the team - warmly congratulate Thomas on his ten wickets in the match.
As Mike says, when Suppiah crashed the ball onto Nash's helmet, the ball reached the boundary. The ball trickled to the boundary, with the batsmen showing no interest in running, but instead checking on Nash's wellbeing.
As Mike says, when Suppiah crashed the ball onto Nash's helmet, the ball reached the boundary. The ball trickled to the boundary, with the batsmen showing no interest in running, but instead checking on Nash's wellbeing.
I think AG was simply referring to my "happy chicken" comment about Steve not being able to have a bowl himself, Preb.
I hope you had a good day, I'd have considered cutting my hair to have been able to be there with you.
Did Granddad enjoy himself?
I hope you had a good day, I'd have considered cutting my hair to have been able to be there with you.
Did Granddad enjoy himself?
What a victory, 3 on the spin.
Damn that IPL, how much better do we look with Alfie and Kartik in the team.
Dont want to start the tail debate again but it looks so much better with those two at 8 + 9.
Take this match, in my opinion absolutely no way we would have recovered in April May as Jos would have had Hussain and Kirby for company, as it was we added nearly 200 for last 2 wickets.
Kartik hasnt taken the quantity of wickets yet but he gives us so much control, his economy is always around 2/2.5 which creates pressure and therefore wickets at the other end.
Looking at fixtures all round the next 3 weeks looks fairly sparce for us and our rivals so with 4 to play our last 3 start aug 31, sep 7 and sep 13 so thats pretty much 3 back to back games to finish the season
Sanwiched between our T20 finals day Aug 27 and Lords final on Sep 17, what a huge 6 weeks we have coming up.....
Damn that IPL, how much better do we look with Alfie and Kartik in the team.
Dont want to start the tail debate again but it looks so much better with those two at 8 + 9.
Take this match, in my opinion absolutely no way we would have recovered in April May as Jos would have had Hussain and Kirby for company, as it was we added nearly 200 for last 2 wickets.
Kartik hasnt taken the quantity of wickets yet but he gives us so much control, his economy is always around 2/2.5 which creates pressure and therefore wickets at the other end.
Looking at fixtures all round the next 3 weeks looks fairly sparce for us and our rivals so with 4 to play our last 3 start aug 31, sep 7 and sep 13 so thats pretty much 3 back to back games to finish the season
Sanwiched between our T20 finals day Aug 27 and Lords final on Sep 17, what a huge 6 weeks we have coming up.....
I went off to foreign parts half way through the Durham Game and came back tonight. I managed to track down close ofplay scores and one day bore no relation to the next seemingly. sounds like 3 good champ wins and a CB 40. Shall I go away again?
Great win, well done Somerset.
I thought the game against Yorkshire earlier in the season was good, but this game was better. Despair ( 95/7 ), excitement ( jos 4 x 6s ) and finally cheer (the right result), With Alf bowling the way he did, anything is possible.
Have to commend both sets of players for the sportsmanship displayed. A great spectacle.
Also, a special thanks to the groundstaff for producing a result wicket.
I thought the game against Yorkshire earlier in the season was good, but this game was better. Despair ( 95/7 ), excitement ( jos 4 x 6s ) and finally cheer (the right result), With Alf bowling the way he did, anything is possible.
Have to commend both sets of players for the sportsmanship displayed. A great spectacle.
Also, a special thanks to the groundstaff for producing a result wicket.
So the Holy Grail is within our reach again.
So what if we win it, what then?
So what if we win it, what then?
We win it again, and again.
And LoL buys me a retirement flat next to the ground like he said he would.
And LoL buys me a retirement flat next to the ground like he said he would.
Free cider in my pub for anyone who can prove they're a "Grockle", that's what then!!!
I want to turn one of those retirement flats into a brothel, who would think?
Very odd you should say that fRed, we had the same idea, a cricket themed brothel----Maidens, Rubbers and Balls.
What do you think?
What do you think?
'Bye, Geordie Moonraker!
Thanks, FE. I have, as they say in US, done the math and decided that your kind offer doesn't quite make economic sense.
BJ, I seem to remember an annoying proviso concerning your retirement flat. Ah well.
Thanks, FE. I have, as they say in US, done the math and decided that your kind offer doesn't quite make economic sense.
BJ, I seem to remember an annoying proviso concerning your retirement flat. Ah well.
I thought he said he wanted some in house Pro-physio's, Bobs, I must have misunderstood.
I'm still buzzing after another great win, this team, they're all legend's, to a man.
As for the cider offer, FE.
I'll gladly make my way oop North, but what do us non-drinkers...non-addicts, get to drink?
I'm still buzzing after another great win, this team, they're all legend's, to a man.
As for the cider offer, FE.
I'll gladly make my way oop North, but what do us non-drinkers...non-addicts, get to drink?
An interview with Sussex coach at the bottom of the page. [news.bbc.co.uk]
Notts have Durham 3 down with 150 lead, could be a game that goes either way.
Can we offer Notts some 'sweeties' if they just hang in there?
It would be disaster for us if Durham rolled them over!! It would also made Notts madder than ever and make them determined to beat us on Sunday!
It would be disaster for us if Durham rolled them over!! It would also made Notts madder than ever and make them determined to beat us on Sunday!
I would imagine Durham are going to have a smash after lunch and aim for a 300 or so lead and then try and bowl them out in two sessions. Could be another thriller like at Liverpool yesterday.
24 points to make up in 4 games would be tough ask.
24 points to make up in 4 games would be tough ask.
any idea how many overs they need to bat Tumbles?
I take a different view OB. If they collapse I would hope that Somerset would be madder, esp after Lancs crumbling to them last year and that set-up declaration isue with afore mentioned Lancs.
I take a different view OB. If they collapse I would hope that Somerset would be madder, esp after Lancs crumbling to them last year and that set-up declaration isue with afore mentioned Lancs.
I expect very little from the Notts batting but at least one of the openers has managed to make some runs.
Improbable scoring feats at the Rose Bowl. Clearly they took their points deduction very much to heart.
I'd imagine there were set 272 off about 55ish overs?
It's annoying that no cricket websites ever put what the overs remaining on a 4th innings of a match!
It's annoying that no cricket websites ever put what the overs remaining on a 4th innings of a match!
..as I type the youngster Turner is out, they will probably go defensive now and try and salvage the draw. Mind you for 3 extra points they may as well go for the glory.
Pleased for Carberry after his recent troubles - it doesn't do Hants a great deal of good though.
Oh crying out loud Notts - lost two quick wickets.
Durham will be sensing the victory here now, About 10 overs left
Durham will be sensing the victory here now, About 10 overs left
Many very positive things have been said about the Sussex match, with which I am very happy to agree.
Highlights for me included:
- the company of splendid fellow Grocklites (and BJ)
- the wonderful bowling and gritty batting of Thomas
- as good a century by JB as I can ever recall seeing by anyone
- the friendliness of the boundary fielders
- the good nature of the Sussex players and their exemplary reaction to JB's innings
- the glorious arrogance of MT's second innings
- the fact that we won the match despite three players contributing no runs or wickets between them
- Ringwood and Exmoor in the Old Pav and superb beer and pies at The Plough after the day's play.
My only regret was the absence of Tractor, on which many others commented. We know he had good reasons not to be there and I am sure all will join me in sending good wishes.
I must, however, end on an admonitory note about the poor behaviour of the person, whose identity remains unknown, who bit Wickham's bullets.
LoL
Sixty-six Seasons a Somerset Supporter
Highlights for me included:
- the company of splendid fellow Grocklites (and BJ)
- the wonderful bowling and gritty batting of Thomas
- as good a century by JB as I can ever recall seeing by anyone
- the friendliness of the boundary fielders
- the good nature of the Sussex players and their exemplary reaction to JB's innings
- the glorious arrogance of MT's second innings
- the fact that we won the match despite three players contributing no runs or wickets between them
- Ringwood and Exmoor in the Old Pav and superb beer and pies at The Plough after the day's play.
My only regret was the absence of Tractor, on which many others commented. We know he had good reasons not to be there and I am sure all will join me in sending good wishes.
I must, however, end on an admonitory note about the poor behaviour of the person, whose identity remains unknown, who bit Wickham's bullets.
LoL
Sixty-six Seasons a Somerset Supporter
After an innings such as that one and the confidence that it will have engendered, one wonders how soon we should seek to get Jos to the crease on Sunday?
It would seem a waste to have him in a slot where there is much risk that he won't get a bat?
It would seem a waste to have him in a slot where there is much risk that he won't get a bat?
Well in several of the batting line ups when KP arrived Jos was at 4, i think that will be fine.
MT, CK, PT, JB, JH, KP, AS, LG, AT, MK, MW - looks some line up to me, 7 proper batters, plus 4 who are capable.
4 real seam options, 3 spin options, wouldnt swop that for any other teams line up personally.
MT, CK, PT, JB, JH, KP, AS, LG, AT, MK, MW - looks some line up to me, 7 proper batters, plus 4 who are capable.
4 real seam options, 3 spin options, wouldnt swop that for any other teams line up personally.
To follow up on the inspection.
After reading cj-m’s comments on dry pitches I didn’t entirely agree with it and because I am no expert I didn’t reply, instead I enquired about dry pitches with a Head Groundsman I know (no not Phil Frost) one that is still preparing cricket pitches.
That person completely read the Sussex thread and this is his comments.
(One of your photos clearly shows a puff of dust where the ball lands, this indicates that the impact of the ball on the pitch has disturbed the surface, this would probably be what the umpires were concerned about.)
To demonstrate this even more clearly below is another photo taken on the first day of the match at 14.55.
B Brown playing a defensive shot at 14.55 on the first day with the bat nowhere near the ground.
Edit - typing error with the time of the photo.
Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 2011:08:06:11:39:43 by Mike TA1.
After reading cj-m’s comments on dry pitches I didn’t entirely agree with it and because I am no expert I didn’t reply, instead I enquired about dry pitches with a Head Groundsman I know (no not Phil Frost) one that is still preparing cricket pitches.
That person completely read the Sussex thread and this is his comments.
(One of your photos clearly shows a puff of dust where the ball lands, this indicates that the impact of the ball on the pitch has disturbed the surface, this would probably be what the umpires were concerned about.)
To demonstrate this even more clearly below is another photo taken on the first day of the match at 14.55.
B Brown playing a defensive shot at 14.55 on the first day with the bat nowhere near the ground.
Edit - typing error with the time of the photo.
Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 2011:08:06:11:39:43 by Mike TA1.
Very succinct Mike TA1. It does confirm what I felt from my observations during the first morning through my binoculars.
You're right, Grockle. Those of you that were there that are not groundsmen clearly know more about why the inspector might have been summoned than an actual groundsman.
Give me strength.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2011:08:06:13:27:31 by AGod.
Give me strength.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2011:08:06:13:27:31 by AGod.
I also missed Tractor, upon my visit to the ground last Wednesday.
Whatever the reasons were for his non - attendance, I too send him my very best wishes.
It was a very enjoyable day's play. I met up with a very old and trusted friend, whom I had not seen for a long time,and made my way home thinking that all was well with the World.
Whatever the reasons were for his non - attendance, I too send him my very best wishes.
It was a very enjoyable day's play. I met up with a very old and trusted friend, whom I had not seen for a long time,and made my way home thinking that all was well with the World.
Mike Denness was there, of that there is no doubt.
But was he summoned by the umpires, or was it just a routine visit by him?
I understood it to be the latter.
But was he summoned by the umpires, or was it just a routine visit by him?
I understood it to be the latter.
Quote:AGod
You're right, Grockle. Those of you that were there that are not groundsmen clearly know more about why the inspector might have been summoned than an actual groundsman.
Give me strength.
Calm down AG ;=)
Who is disagreing with your statement or saying people at the game know more than some of the "experts" on the spot?
I'm simply pointing out that some people who keep up with the game from elsewhere by other methods (through no fault of their own) often question comments made by eye witnesses when some of those people are as "expert" in certain aspects of the game at Taunton as some of the "experts" by name who are never questioned.
In this case the picture tells the story and Mike's addition of comments from the groundstaff adds some real context. Nothing to argue with really ;=)
You know me far too well Michael. :=)
Personally CP I have no idea. There was no mention of him being 'called' and at least one person who might have known was under the impression that this was a visit.
Maybe he had organised it so that he arrived at Taunton the same time as Merv because they were planning an evening out somewhere I think. He would have possibly know that Kitchen was going to be there for an umpire observation?
Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 2011:08:06:18:51:15 by Grockle.
Maybe he had organised it so that he arrived at Taunton the same time as Merv because they were planning an evening out somewhere I think. He would have possibly know that Kitchen was going to be there for an umpire observation?
Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 2011:08:06:18:51:15 by Grockle.
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