By Grockle
June 28 2004

We may still be upbeat but if we go for 7 and 8 an over for a significant part of a one day game we are always going to be chasing it and we will not always get it back. Today was such a day despite the best efforts of John Francis and James Hildreth and we came up 16 short!

v Durham TSL2 @ Taunton June 27 2004

There are 10 TSL games after this one so there is all to play for in this league. We can be 40 points from where we are now and that would be at the expense of the stronger sides in this division because we've played relatively weak opposition up to now. A poor display against Yorkshire, where we were outplanned, at the start of the season was improved on against Leicestershire at Bath a couple of weeks ago and that is what we need to build on.

Keith Parsons celebrates his benefit at Taunton today but probably won't be on the pitch because of his back spasm which is responding to treatment but not in time for this game. Aaron Laraman should be back after his injury absence, he seems to have got through the CC2 game this week, although a full four days cricket wasn't possible. No Gazzard in the 'pinch hitter' role or Blackwell in the middle order to create mayhem (he will hopefully be playing another game today - with the same result we hope!) The team sheet will therefore be interesting in a number of positions and the pressure will be on the guys coming in to perform and keep the wobbly Somerset one day ship on course for Division 1.

Team news....Burns will keep and Wood will open with him. Cox at 3, Hildreth, Francis J, Laraman, Dutch, Caddick, McLean, Francis S and Parsons the Younger. Lots of bowlers to make up for Blackie and KP and no place for Rob T as a result. That's it..no 12th man declared although Gareth Andrew was around. We're fielding because Durham decided it would be that way...and off we go!! First comment from a Somerset supporter today? "I see Trescothick was out for a duck again!" Ho hum.

Once I've worked out whhat actually happened at the end and found the front end of the story that should be here but has disappeared into the ether I will return to relate the events of the day my friends!!  A strange tale you will find it I am sure!!