No ITB

By Grockle
April 4 2008

And so we go. 43 minutes and counting as I post this. I was hoping to upgrade from the ground but I've left the magic box at home so you'll get the gist after 7 probably. It is an important part of the preparation and although the oposition is sometimes variable, turning your arm over and getting your eye in needs doing before we walk out for the first important game.

v Cardiff UCCE @ Taunton (F) 4 April 2008

No scorecard available I'm afraid

Some won't be there today, some will get a chance to chow they are ready and some will just be ironing out the kinks for what will be certainly the most importnat season of this century for Somerset.

The skipper isn't here yet and the VC is still getting back into the swing so to speak.  Some people are getting over Dubai and that gives opportunity for others to show that they are forces in this squad and they've moved on frm second team regular placements to first team possibilities.

Edwards and Trescothick will open and scare (one hopes) John Francis gets a welcome early knock and it would be good to see something from him after a couple of lean years. James Hildreth will be able to take a look at Omari Banks and gauge him as a batting partner while Wes Durston can see what he's like as a slow man. Craig Kieswetter gets the gloves. 

The bowling allows us to get to see Ben Phillips at home for the first time (I think) since we signed him in 2007! Steff Jones will be out there building on from the Middle East with Mark Turner but I don't know whether he will captain.  The 'newbie' Andy Sutton also gets a run out in a bowling capacity only.

I don't know whether that means we're only batting to 10 or there's someone else to be added in.  I'll find out in about an hour I hope!! It will also be interesting to see who gets the leadership roles in these games because one of the early discussion points is - who is being prepared for 2009 "skippership" - it all gets sooo exciting the moment April comes.

More later.

Friendly 1 Cardiff Uni

Discussion started by Grockles.com , 04/04/2008 11:12

Grockles.com
04/04/2008 11:12

Friendly 1 Cardiff Uni

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Grockle
04/04/2008 11:31

Flipping Heck...the timer goes negative. Welcome one and all to the Somerset 2008 Extravaganza. We are now officially off and running!!

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Big Jim
04/04/2008 13:21

Is there anybody out there?

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Grizzers
04/04/2008 13:33

Out here being the operative phrase Jim.

Am roughing it in Florida this week & you'll be pleased to know that the 'Countdown' is still on over here. According to the countdown on the Grockles Florida site, there is still another 4 hours 57 minutes to go before the Season starts.

So if anyone is at the County Ground watching cricket, it must be an illusion !!

Grizzzly

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Shepton Paul
04/04/2008 15:40

Four hours into the season and I don't know what the score is - I don't even know if we're batting or bowling...this is torture!

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Bobstan
04/04/2008 16:11

Very frustrating, Shep.

At 11.31 I said to my wife "The first ball of the season will just have been bowled at Taunton."

When I came in from doing exciting decorating jobs (!) I thought I would get the score, forgetting that cricinfo would not have a 'friendly' game listed.

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bloke
04/04/2008 16:18

Sorry guys, i was hoping to get down there and grab some sort of detail and a few snaps, but work has been too hectic.

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AGod
04/04/2008 16:21

it's all your fault, Bloke.

[shaking head]

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Village Slogger
04/04/2008 16:37

At the ground, update as follows:

Somerset scored 281-6 off 40 overs
Trescothick 105
Kieswetter 71
Edwards 36

After 20 overs Cardiff are 85-4
Phillips 2 wickets clean bowled, sutton 1 wicket and had a couple of dropped off him in slips. Not sure on other wicket

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bloke
04/04/2008 16:39

You are a star village slogger

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AGod
04/04/2008 16:41

thanks, slogger.

Let's hope that our "slipers," have got their drops for the season out of the way in this one!

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MisterMurph
04/04/2008 16:42

Very disappointed in Grockle and bloke for not supplying up to date scores on a regular basis. Given the amount I pay for this service, I am disgusted, and shall be taking my custom elsewhere. I shall let you know the moment I find where else that is.

Yours

disgruntled of City of London.

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MisterMurph
04/04/2008 16:45

I wish I could type quicker, then I wouldn't post such silly things after the score had come in...

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village slogger
04/04/2008 17:11

Latest score: 141-6 off 35 overs

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Bobstan
04/04/2008 17:30

Villageslogger, you are a hero.

Thanks.

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Big Jim
04/04/2008 17:44

Cheers VS,you're a star.
I hear Cardiff University are a top notch outfit this year and we're taking them to the cleaners.
The Grand Slam is on the cards.
We're going to win the lot.
Hope it finishes soon.
It's raining here.

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doc hennessy
04/04/2008 17:46

UCCE 166 for 6 off their 40 overs

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doc hennessy
04/04/2008 18:21

When I entered the ground this afternoon it looked like the players were having a net, because the strip was the farthest towards the Ondaatje that I have ever seen it. The boundary was only about 10 metres from the circle, and if the batsman could clear point it went for six. Sitting square of the wicket you were spookily close to the action, a feeling enhanced by the wide open spaces beyond to the river. Should there be a lull in the action your eyes could drift to the corner and gaze upon that architectural treasure so redolent of Taunton and Somerset. But that's enough about the Morrisons building, because in the other corner is St James's church. You really get a marvellous view of the church and the churchyard with the yew trees to the fore, and Gimbletts Mound will of course eventually be framed in this view.
As for the developments, it all looks very tidy and rather, er, quiet. Gone are all the scenes of rubble and bits of buildings, in their place a tidy rank of stationary earthmoving vehicles behind the temporary fencing, and lots of space. I presume that work is still below ground level and that the new stand will suddenly rise phoenix-like in time for its mid-August completion.
Good to see Marcus get his first of many first-class centuries this season, and Phillips get his first of many wickets.

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Big Jim
04/04/2008 18:45

Lovely stuff Doc.
So the building work is well on course then.
What is the ground capacity going to be this season?

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Shepton Paul
04/04/2008 19:09

Thanks to our intrepid correspondents for braving the building site and getting our season off to a flyer.

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Grockle
04/04/2008 19:12

Will be there in a few moments boys and girls. Look out for a thread called The Match. I'll explain why later. Hopefully some information on line by 8 at the latest.

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cricketjerry-mouse
04/04/2008 19:26

First impressions at Taunton today must be qualified by easily the shortest boundary I have ever seen on the pavilion side. Nevertheless, most of Banger`s majestic strokes in his 105 would have crossed the ropes on any ground, as would Kieswetter`s sixes.

The bowling look decidedly `early season` against students who were obviously pretty well coached on the batting front. Omari Banks suffered more than most from the adjacent boundary ropes; Phillips bowled two batsmen with classic inswingers in three balls; Turner was fast and furious, but mostly pitched too short; while Sutton suffered from overpitching, although he had the misfortune of seeing two slip catches go down in two balls.

Overall rarting: 6 out of 10.

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Mike TA1
04/04/2008 22:12

A few photo's from today.



Turner



Banks.


Kieswetter.



Trescothick


Hildreth



Fisher bld Phillips

I hope the captions are correct.

Shouldn’t Somerset have one Red pad (Left) and one Grey pad (Right)?

The link to my Photos on Photobucket - [s1152.photobucket.com]



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2008:04:04:22:29:17 by Mike BOS.

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Grockle
04/04/2008 22:41

Brill Mike thanks a lot.

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Bobstan
04/04/2008 22:44

Thanks, Mike, although I am currently turning green with envy. Oh to be in Taunton now that April's there.

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Mike TA1
04/04/2008 22:52

Not a bad crowd in today, I left early when it got cold about 4.30, it gave me a taster for the rest of the season.

It was very noticeable when the builders went to lunch, it got very quiet.

The link to my Photos on Photobucket - [s1152.photobucket.com]

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Big Jim
04/04/2008 23:49

Superb stuff Mike.
That kit is wrong.
Wrong I tell you.

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Sloop John B
05/04/2008 10:13

BJ - I spoke to one of the Cardiff UCCE lads on the boundary. Of their first 4 bowlers (all quick(ish)) 3 are on Glam books and one on Warks books. So yes a goodish standard. They did pass the bat on the odd occasion as the ball was doing a little bit - but still went for lots an over!

It did have the feel of a practice match, Doc, the short boundary was ridiculous. But it allowed the venerable Frostie to work his heavy roller on a strip just off the southern boundary - to add to the continuous hum of heavy machinery going about their business.

It seems that some aggregate has been added as these monsters did look to be at a higher level than my last visit in March.

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bloke
07/04/2008 11:02

Beautiful pics Mike.

I got the to ground with about 4 overs left, but enjoyed each one. The boundary was astonishingly close to the 'non-developing' side of the ground, so you could hear all the chatter, which was all quite jovial. Banger was captaining nicely, and seemed to be giving Turner a bit of tutelage. Turner was a funny one - bowling overs mixed with long and short run-ups.
Steffan looked good, and keen. What with Philips in some sort of fitness I guess Jonah realises he is fighting for a place.
As for the development, hmmm. Lots of demolishing has been done and the view of the church is indeed pretty, but one wonders where many many people are going to sit.
Nice to see Grockle and Tractor though, at last - the season is here.

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