Somerset
Bearing it all again at Taunton
Welcome to the West
By Grockle et al
April 23 2013
Alviro Petersen becomes a Grocklee and Westcountryman this Thursday as Sommerset open their home account for 2013 at the County Ground. After 2 games away this will be the first cricket of the season at home and the chance for many to see our international star who already has over 200 runs to his name in the one game he has played. The heavy roller also returns. Welcome back Tractor!!
v CC1 Warwickshire @ Taunton Thursday 25 April 2013
Scorecard
Commentary
The Bears at Taunton at the start of a cricket season is something of a tradition these days. It will either end in devastating defeat as it did a couple of years ago or will showcase massive Somersetian talent like the triple hundred of James Hildreth a couple of seasons before that. It will however be totally new to at least one member of the Somerset side because Alviro Petersen has never experienced it in Westcountry colours before. After the highest ever debut score by a Somerset player in the first innings against Surrey of 167, he added 90 in the second so he is a hero in the county before he sets foot there.
But there are things to put right during this first game at home. The nature of the beast nowadays requires sides to get themselves in order quickly in the Championship and Somerset have not done that once again. The notorious slow starters in CC1 have done it again, snatching defeat from the jaws of possible victory in the mists of Durham and falling foul of a flat and unresponsive pitch at the Oval 6 days ago. A win is vital and the Bears are not the side to give that to the opposition easily.
Although Warwickshire will be without England names in their batting line-up while we can play Nick Compton, our batting is not showing any real consistency yet except for the new man. Jos Buttler did get himself into the 90's in the second go at the Oval and Craig Kieswetter has looked patiently in some kind of nick but the rest of the front end have had a pretty miserable time getting in and then getting out while poor old Compo hasn't got his yorker radar working at all yet.
The bowling has looked better with a satisfying start from the old guys Kirbs and Alf and Pete Trego looking on for another 50 CC wickets. Added to that is the fire of James Overton who has received plaudits from the Press and appreciative glances from opposing batsmen in his two run outs this season.
The weather may play a part and we have no idea how the pitch will play after the winter. The TV will be there as part of the new cricket exposure plan by the media. The BBC will have a commentary presence online, whether the club will is yet to be seen. The SCCC ball by ball service may be discontinued because of the renewed interest of the BBC.
No big runs yet for Banger or Hildreth or Trigger. We need to hope for continued work from the bowlers and a little more application from the men with the willow. My online contributions are curtailed by the 7000 mile distance between me and the action but I'm sure those there will keep us entertained and informed on this thread and hopefully online as well.
Digg
Delicious
Facebook
Reddit
StumbleuponBearing it all again at Taunton
Discussion started by Grockles.com , 23/04/2013 11:45
Grockles.com
23/04/2013 11:45
23/04/2013 11:45
What do you think? You can have your say by posting below.
If you do not already have an account Click here to Register.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2013:04:30:08:52:16 by Grockle.
If you do not already have an account Click here to Register.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2013:04:30:08:52:16 by Grockle.
County Champions Warwickshire have been boosted by the return to fitness of 6ft 8in fast bowler Boyd Rankin, who will be available for selection for this week’s four-day match in Taunton against Somerset. With Wright , Woakes and Barker they have an impressive bowling line up.
With Bell and Trott also both available we are going to have to be at the top of our game this week.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2013:04:23:07:14:38 by Grockle.
With Bell and Trott also both available we are going to have to be at the top of our game this week.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2013:04:23:07:14:38 by Grockle.
Marcus was hugely impressed with Rankin when he helped to bowl us to defeat at Edgbaston a couple of years ago.
Ashley Giles implied, no that occasion, that we had lacked bottle in facing Rankin.
Ashley Giles implied, no that occasion, that we had lacked bottle in facing Rankin.
Well we will soon find out how our pitches will be playing this season without the supervision of Mr Rose.
And the return of the heavy roller, in saying that the new heavy roller looks more like a medium size roller, the only weight specified that I have seen is the weight of the small roller.
And the return of the heavy roller, in saying that the new heavy roller looks more like a medium size roller, the only weight specified that I have seen is the weight of the small roller.
from what I heard Woakes, Bell and Trott aren't available unless things have changed. They are avaiable next week from what I had heard!!
This may help!
Chris Woakes (Warwickshire): Available for LV=CC games against Derbyshire (10-13 April), Durham (17-20 April) and Sussex (1-4 May). Schedule to be reviewed after 4 May ahead of first Investec Test.
Ian Bell (Warwickshire): Available for LV=CC games against Sussex (1-4 May) and Middlesex (8-11 May). Available for YB40 game against Kent (6 May). Unavailable for YB40 game against Sussex (12 May).
Jonathan Trott (Warwickshire): Available for LV=CC games against Sussex (1-4 May) and Middlesex (8-11 May). Available for YB40 game against Kent (6 May). Unavailable for YB40 game against Sussex (12 May).
[www.ecb.co.uk]
Chris Woakes (Warwickshire): Available for LV=CC games against Derbyshire (10-13 April), Durham (17-20 April) and Sussex (1-4 May). Schedule to be reviewed after 4 May ahead of first Investec Test.
Ian Bell (Warwickshire): Available for LV=CC games against Sussex (1-4 May) and Middlesex (8-11 May). Available for YB40 game against Kent (6 May). Unavailable for YB40 game against Sussex (12 May).
Jonathan Trott (Warwickshire): Available for LV=CC games against Sussex (1-4 May) and Middlesex (8-11 May). Available for YB40 game against Kent (6 May). Unavailable for YB40 game against Sussex (12 May).
[www.ecb.co.uk]
You're both right .I had opened up the 2012 ecb availability.All the better then
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2013:04:22:10:57:53 by nelliec.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2013:04:22:10:57:53 by nelliec.
I will have a look, it could be in the middle (which is unusual for a county match) with the TV being there.
no worries Nelliec...............hopefully we get into them and show them whose boss and get our season well and truly up and running.
What does Woakes need a rest from?
LoL
Sixty-six Seasons a Somerset Supporter
LoL
Sixty-six Seasons a Somerset Supporter
... bit like a cat then, nothing like a doze after a long sleep.
LoL
Sixty-six Seasons a Somerset Supporter
LoL
Sixty-six Seasons a Somerset Supporter
One would assume that Rankin would be a straight replacement for Woakes from the Warks team last week
... certainly a tall one and I assume he suffers from no significant curvature.
LoL
Sixty-six Seasons a Somerset Supporter
LoL
Sixty-six Seasons a Somerset Supporter
Quote:Mike TA1
Well we will soon find out how our pitches will be playing this season without the supervision of Mr Rose.
And the return of the heavy roller, in saying that the new heavy roller looks more like a medium size roller, the only weight specified that I have seen is the weight of the small roller.
Perhaps there is some discretion then, in size of "non light," roller and we've deliberately gone for a relatively light "non-light" roller because we continue to believe that a heavy roller will cause us problems in terms of making the track too flat as a game wears on?
Quote:nelliec
You're both right .I had opened up the 2012 ecb availability.All the better then
I wonder why Woakes is unavailable?
Looks odd, given that he did play vs Derbyshire?
AG my understanding is that most ground staff do not like the return of the heavy roller, simply because it helped to get result games.
Never mind who is or isn't available for Warwickshire. Is LoL available for Somerset? would appear to be the question that should be foremost in our minds.
The problem is, CP, that I've just had a rather good offer to play in the IPL this week. My agent, BJ, is sorting things out for me.
LoL
Sixty-six Seasons a Somerset Supporter
LoL
Sixty-six Seasons a Somerset Supporter
If I DO ignore Somerset's demands and go off to play for that IPL team, Grockle, I think we'll have to call them the Lhasa Disloyalists.
LoL
Sixty-six Seasons a Somerset Supporter
LoL
Sixty-six Seasons a Somerset Supporter
Quote:Loyal of Lhasa.
The problem is, CP, that I've just had a rather good offer to play in the IPL this week. My agent, BJ, is sorting things out for me.
Be careful that the "I," does not turn out to stand for somewhere in Wales, as you may find the remuneration somewhat less than anticipated.
Keith Barker picked up an injury in Warks win againt Durham, if he isn't fit then Rankin will probably replace him.
Good! I think Barker IS the biggest danger.
If Tres fails again in both innings, IMO I think he should consider dropping down the order to 4,5 or 6. I still don't believe that his ankle is as "good" as it has been stated. IMO dropping down the order will enable him to extend his 4-day career by 2/3 years. He could still open in the 1 day stuff where he has licence to blast from the first ball.
If Tres fails again in both innings, IMO I think he should consider dropping down the order to 4,5 or 6. I still don't believe that his ankle is as "good" as it has been stated. IMO dropping down the order will enable him to extend his 4-day career by 2/3 years. He could still open in the 1 day stuff where he has licence to blast from the first ball.
He looked fine on his ankle, Old Boy.
At the moment, Banger has a technical issue - playing with a crooked bat when a straight one is called for. That has led directly to 3 of 4 dismissals so far this season.
I'm sure they'll have looked at that on the tape and be working overtime to correct it.
At the moment, Banger has a technical issue - playing with a crooked bat when a straight one is called for. That has led directly to 3 of 4 dismissals so far this season.
I'm sure they'll have looked at that on the tape and be working overtime to correct it.
You may be right but I believe he may be "looking after" his ankle and that could be part of the technical problem.
I think the most likely technical problem that could occur due to 'looking after the ankle,' would be a failure to fully transfer his weight forward (ie onto the previously injured ankle).
That does not seem to have been the cause of 3 of his dismissals but, perhaps, it could have played a role in his second innings dismissal at the Oval (caught at slip after driving at a slightly wide one).
That does not seem to have been the cause of 3 of his dismissals but, perhaps, it could have played a role in his second innings dismissal at the Oval (caught at slip after driving at a slightly wide one).
I strongly suspect that a man with 20,000 first class runs can live without technical guidance from any laptop jockeys here.
Quote:Frome Exile
I strongly suspect that a man with 20,000 first class runs can live without technical guidance from any laptop jockeys here.
I agree with you FE. As a loyal supporter of Marcus (possibly one of, if not the greatest cricketers Somerset has had) I am anxious that he can play for us as long as he possibly can. His value to us particularly in the 4-day game is so great, I think his longevity is best managed by batting further down the order AND allowing him to control the destiny of each innings better.
I would personally just drop him down to three behind Compo and Alviro. Think at the moment its just a lack of foot movement early on against the new ball
I think we are on the same wavelength - I would have thought middle order would be more suitable though! I expect, knowing how Tres reacts, he will probably now open against Warwick and get a double century!
Tres has ALWAYS had a lack of foot movement as a part of his game. It's hardly new?
He's never necessarily been the best bet in the world on the sort of track that we apparently played on up at Durham with it seaming around all over the place.
The Oval is certainly the sort of track that he would normally be expected to score heavily on, though.
But this certainly isn't the first time that he's started a season slowly.
In 2011, I think it was, (might have been 2010) he started slowly. I think it was about the fourth game of the season when he rocked up at Southampton feeling, in his own words, 'completely out of nick,' but then battled through his lack of form in that innings, ended up with a really good score and did not look back thereafter.
I can't see much point in moving him to number three for two games (the amount for which NC will be available) and then having to move him back up the order again?
And I'm not sure that opening with AP and AS (after Nick has gone back to England) would make much sense either given that, I think, Arul also struggles with getting the feet going early on.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2013:04:23:09:30:11 by AGod.
He's never necessarily been the best bet in the world on the sort of track that we apparently played on up at Durham with it seaming around all over the place.
The Oval is certainly the sort of track that he would normally be expected to score heavily on, though.
But this certainly isn't the first time that he's started a season slowly.
In 2011, I think it was, (might have been 2010) he started slowly. I think it was about the fourth game of the season when he rocked up at Southampton feeling, in his own words, 'completely out of nick,' but then battled through his lack of form in that innings, ended up with a really good score and did not look back thereafter.
I can't see much point in moving him to number three for two games (the amount for which NC will be available) and then having to move him back up the order again?
And I'm not sure that opening with AP and AS (after Nick has gone back to England) would make much sense either given that, I think, Arul also struggles with getting the feet going early on.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2013:04:23:09:30:11 by AGod.
The other point of course is that, so long a Marcus sets the batting order, it is surely very unlikely that he would voluntarily move himself down the order anyway?
As for NC.... the following point might bear watching over the next 2 games (and maybe then the Test series to follow).
Nick was yorked in both innings at the Oval.
I wonder if opposing bowlers, sick of bowling to NC for an eternity last season have adopted new tactics against him? Have given up hoping to get him to misjudge things outside off-stick, for example.
I shall be interested to see if Warks also make conspicuous attempts to york Nick... and in whether they succeed (hopefully not).
Nick was yorked in both innings at the Oval.
I wonder if opposing bowlers, sick of bowling to NC for an eternity last season have adopted new tactics against him? Have given up hoping to get him to misjudge things outside off-stick, for example.
I shall be interested to see if Warks also make conspicuous attempts to york Nick... and in whether they succeed (hopefully not).
Moving on to the bowling I wonder if Mr Nosworthy will consider rotating the Overton twins this week,just to keep Jove fresh, and give Cove a chance to impress?
I wondered the same thing.
I'd quite like to get another look at Craig.
Equally, we have two pace bowlers that are old in pace bowling terms and we had to do quite a lot of bowling on the Friday at the Oval.
It's a long season and a case could possibly be made for resting one of the old pace bowlers and, thus, playing both Overtons.
I'd quite like to get another look at Craig.
Equally, we have two pace bowlers that are old in pace bowling terms and we had to do quite a lot of bowling on the Friday at the Oval.
It's a long season and a case could possibly be made for resting one of the old pace bowlers and, thus, playing both Overtons.
He may well have done that already! How many of us would ever know if he did?
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2013:04:23:16:39:46 by Railboy.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2013:04:23:16:39:46 by Railboy.
I am filled with excitement at the prospect of once more seeing some cricket at Taunton on Thursday and Friday.
I hope that the winter months have not been unduly harsh to my friends, and that I find them all to be in good health and spirit.
May the good weather continue and may the Gods look down favourably upon our county team!
I hope that the winter months have not been unduly harsh to my friends, and that I find them all to be in good health and spirit.
May the good weather continue and may the Gods look down favourably upon our county team!
Definitely no Barker for Warwickshire - out for about 6 weeks with a suspected thigh strain. Not that they don't have the cover though.
Edited for anatomical correction. Although some places ae still reporting it as a side strain.
Actually more reliable sources suggesting a side strain.Not sure why the differentiation is causing me so much angst though, He's borked either way.
Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 2013:04:23:18:57:53 by Bagpuss.
Edited for anatomical correction. Although some places ae still reporting it as a side strain.
Actually more reliable sources suggesting a side strain.Not sure why the differentiation is causing me so much angst though, He's borked either way.
Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 2013:04:23:18:57:53 by Bagpuss.
You vets are very impressive, Bagpuss, making anatomical corrections just like that.
LoL
Sixty-six Seasons a Somerset Supporter
LoL
Sixty-six Seasons a Somerset Supporter
Borked = broken. More specifically when technology goes wrong I think.
I have a suspicion that Woakes is available
I have a suspicion that Woakes is available
If he is available its down to a certain Mr.Giles, as his original workload did not include this game and would be assessed after May 4th
In the original plan he was due to play the first week v Derbyshire but was then withdrawn. Have to say I didn't think he wass available but ome Warks people who probably know stuff eem to think he's ok for selection. If he doen't play maybe Milne will get a start.
Whoever they get on the park, I'm more interested in our batsmen getting plenty of runs and our bowlers bowling them out.
Yes exactly. If we turn up and play to potential it really doesn't worry me who any opposition team bring to play.
Expecting an unchanged team from us, only possible change I guess is Overton for Overton.
Just hope it's not quite as tense a finish as last year, don't think Hussain will be seeing us through this time....
Expecting an unchanged team from us, only possible change I guess is Overton for Overton.
Just hope it's not quite as tense a finish as last year, don't think Hussain will be seeing us through this time....
If Woakes is ruled out by the ECB, a possible replacement is former Yorkshire fast bowler Oliver Hannon-Dalby, about whom we made an unsuccessful query last summer as a possible loan signing.
He is 6ft 7in, and with Boyd Rankin at 6ft 8in, Warwickshire would certainly have something of a tall story to tell. if both play.
He is 6ft 7in, and with Boyd Rankin at 6ft 8in, Warwickshire would certainly have something of a tall story to tell. if both play.
They keep changing it, but the latest met office forecast is rather good, with Friday and Sunday both very sunny and the other two days not too shabby.
Could be a bit cold for those watching in person, rather than on TV.
Grockle - can/do you get some sort of syndicated version of sky out in Oman?
Could be a bit cold for those watching in person, rather than on TV.
Grockle - can/do you get some sort of syndicated version of sky out in Oman?
If that forecast is close to being right then it looks like batting second and fourth may be the way to go, should we win the toss again.
Craig Overton and Leach named in a squad of 13 apparently, according to today's 'Daily Telegraph.'
Quote:AGod
Grockle - can/do you get some sort of syndicated version of sky out in Oman?
Yep we get something called OSN (where the S stands for 'Showtime' part of the SKY global thing. Not sure we'll get cricket coverage though, it does seem we may get T20 stuff - it was advertised as such in March but no noise since but I'll keep my eyes peeled.
Presently raining here like there is no tomorrow. No school, nothing happening here. Rain is like snow in these parts.
You can keep the rain there Grockle, I have seen the water sprinklers in action every day since last week at the county ground.
Flicking through the channels this lunchtime I now have Sussex v Fly Emirates XI T20 from Sharjah I think last month - obscure thing to show a month later. But it's cricket Jim.
Interesting that Leach is in the squad. Are we already hoping to produce turning tracks, this early in the season? In which case, Mr Leach might play?
Warwickshire team for tomorrow
Jim Troughton (Captain)
Tim Ambrose (Wicketkeeper)
Varun Chopra
Rikki Clarke
Laurie Evans
Oliver Hannon-Dalby
Jeetan Patel
William Porterfield
Ian Westwood
Chris Woakes
Chris Wright
Interesting they've named the XI already - no Boyd Rankin.
Jim Troughton (Captain)
Tim Ambrose (Wicketkeeper)
Varun Chopra
Rikki Clarke
Laurie Evans
Oliver Hannon-Dalby
Jeetan Patel
William Porterfield
Ian Westwood
Chris Woakes
Chris Wright
Interesting they've named the XI already - no Boyd Rankin.
Sprinklers for the last week or more might suggest "no" as regards preparing a raging turner.
I May have mislead you FE, I didn't mean on the square but I am sure the square would have some watering.
I was going to say that unless, heaven forfend, George is carrying a knock, there is probably some purpose in adding Jack Leach to the squad.
It could just be purely for "experience," of being in the 13, I suppose, but it's not as though he's never played in the first XI before.
It could just be purely for "experience," of being in the 13, I suppose, but it's not as though he's never played in the first XI before.
Seems that Arul has slid a long way down the pecking order. I would have thought that if we were at least considering a second spinner he would at least come into the reckoning.
If Leach is considered promising (and presumably he is) then he should be ahead of Arul as front-line bowling option, IMO.
Depends whether we are looking at the second spinner as a "front line" bowler. With Pete currently looking very vulnerable with the bat the run scoring line up will look very thin if we go down that line.
But his inclusion (should he be brought in extra to George) decreases our batting capability past 6 at a time when the front end is questionable - Arul does bring both.
Interesting difference in logic on the inclusion of a hardly tested bowler over that you seem to have for young batsmen.
Interesting difference in logic on the inclusion of a hardly tested bowler over that you seem to have for young batsmen.
Not really a difference in logic. Arul is more of a batsman that bowls as far as first-class cricket is concerned. If there was a tried and tested SECOND front-line spin option then I'd probably favour that option, if we wanted to pick two spinners.
I don't know much about Leach's batting. If, for example, he were to replace Jamie Overton or Kirby then I don't know how much, really, the batting would be weakened?
I don't know much about Leach's batting. If, for example, he were to replace Jamie Overton or Kirby then I don't know how much, really, the batting would be weakened?
Perhaps it could (and this is meant in no way disrespectfully to Jack) simply mean that he is, at this stage of the season, unlikely to be in the final XI, at either first or second team level, and that he is the clear "13th man" in that squad.
That would maximise Second team opportunities for players we may need in the near future.
That would maximise Second team opportunities for players we may need in the near future.
Could be. Not playing versus Glamorgan, though that might be because he was required for the squad for this one (although I supposed could have played both).
Does anyone know if Leach played any of the earlier second XI games this season?
Does anyone know if Leach played any of the earlier second XI games this season?
Looks like he hasn't played any second XI games this season, according to Cricinfo.
Just had a very brief bowl in the "first-team" friendly defeat vs Middx, apparently.
Just had a very brief bowl in the "first-team" friendly defeat vs Middx, apparently.
The reason I say this is partly because I would think/hope that if we were seriously considering a second spinner, Max would get the first opportunity.
Ahh FE but AG doesn't rate Max so he is simply a 'reserve' I think.
Arul has the statistics over them both from the point of view of first team experience so they don't get a look in anyway irrespective of whether Arul is viewed by AG as a batsman or not.
In fact they are behind Craig K in terms of stats (TiC)
Arul has the statistics over them both from the point of view of first team experience so they don't get a look in anyway irrespective of whether Arul is viewed by AG as a batsman or not.
In fact they are behind Craig K in terms of stats (TiC)
Quote:Frome Exile
The reason I say this is partly because I would think/hope that if we were seriously considering a second spinner, Max would get the first opportunity.
I doubt that is the case.
As I recall it, Leach played I think two first team games last season at CC level - one vs Sussex and the other, I think, versus Lancashire?
I believe Max was available for both games, but simply overlooked?
Although looking at it again, it looks like Leach was removed from that Sussex match .. seems to have bowled one over, then not been allowed to bat or take further part in the match (must presumably have been replaced by somebody else).
Don't remember, for the life of me, what happened there.
I do remember him playing against Lancashire. I assume we included two spinners for that one. Perhaps Max was injured, but I don't recall that?
Don't remember, for the life of me, what happened there.
I do remember him playing against Lancashire. I assume we included two spinners for that one. Perhaps Max was injured, but I don't recall that?
I would suggest that for the Sussex match Leach was the named substitute for Abdur Rehman, who arrived back in Sussex from international duty with Pakistan and then took over.
Quote:AGod
Not really a difference in logic. Arul is more of a batsman that bowls as far as first-class cricket is concerned. If there was a tried and tested SECOND front-line spin option then I'd probably favour that option, if we wanted to pick two spinners.
I don't know much about Leach's batting. If, for example, he were to replace Jamie Overton or Kirby then I don't know how much, really, the batting would be weakened?
Well the first half is just drivel I am afraid IMHO AG because you are quite aware that Arul has been our second string spin option for a number of years (well before the arrival of George) and is a tried and very much tested bowler in that position.
As for the second paragraph, you don't know anything really about Jack as a batsman or a bowler but you are seemingly quite happy for him to replace established bowlers and/or young prospects who have shown promise on what basis?
You don't know what his batting ability is but after all that stuff about 'cover' you'll happily let HIM into the line-up leaving Arul (a batsman as you seem to have assessed him) out without a second comment
This after almost vehement reactions to any idea of a young batsmen with much more information available about them replacing or even standing in for established players.
A stance you backed up on a statistical basis for a considerable time in a most patronising manner when people questioned this inflexible way of selecting players.
If Jack was included and failed would you discuss his future in the same disparaging tones as those by which you assessed Alex Barrow's value after his first game of the season?
I have no problem with anyone assessing Jack as ready, as you inconsistently have said a couple of times "if you are good enough you are old enough". I personally think Arul is the better choice with bat and ball at this moment in time.
But I find it hilarious that you see no inconsistency or failure of logic in this alternative stance?
Ahh well. I'll let other readers come to their own conclusions about the clarity of your future assessments.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2013:04:24:17:21:44 by Grockle.
I have to say Grockle that in an earlier post, AGod did admit to being mistaken or wrong on one occasion. I can't remember now what it was , but his perceptions are definitely not infallible. Nevertheless his postings are multitude in nature, and worth reading if you have plenty of time.
That was a simple misreading of a sentence about Jos I think.
I read them OB and sometimes I agree with them.
Sometimes I don't and sometimes he proves his point.
Sometimes he doesn't but he always tries to justify his view as correct even when he is pretty obviously incorrect and can't maintain the supposed infallibility of his reasoning.
It's an educational exercise IMHO.
I read them OB and sometimes I agree with them.
Sometimes I don't and sometimes he proves his point.
Sometimes he doesn't but he always tries to justify his view as correct even when he is pretty obviously incorrect and can't maintain the supposed infallibility of his reasoning.
It's an educational exercise IMHO.
Somerset have Jack Leach to their squad and will name their final line up at the toss this morning from the following squad of 13- Marcus Trescothick (captain), Jos Buttler, Nick Compton, George Dockrell, James Hildreth, Craig Kieswetter, Steve Kirby, Jack Leach, Craig Overton, Jamie Overton, Alviro Petersen, Alfonso Thomas and Pete Trego.
I would be surprised if it wasn't an unchanged team from last time.
Jack's inclusion in the squad is interesting and an indication of how he is rated by the club hierarchy.
Jack's inclusion in the squad is interesting and an indication of how he is rated by the club hierarchy.
if you thought the boundary was short at the old pavilion end it is even shorter now with Sky's boundary rope about a yard from the boundary boards.
Quote:Grockle
It's an educational exercise IMHO.
I should have put IF YOU HAVE PLENTY OF TIME in capitals! Perhaps your educational bit comes in learning SPEED READING!
Your post of 17.14 makes little sense, Grockle.
Arul isn't really a 'proven,' second spinning option in CC cricket. He's been asked to do the role every so often.
I don't believe he sees himself as a front line bowling option.
Last year at the Oval when George was bowling really well, I thought it was about time to give Arul a bit of a bowl.
He was fielding as the off-side sweeper on the cover boundary. So I asked him directly myself 'Do you think you'll get a bowl soon?'
He said no and that 'I hope we'll finish the job well before then.'
In the event, James Hildreth promptly brought Arul on about 3 overs after I had spoken to Arul.
The reality is if you want one main spinner you pick GD. If you want a second guy who can bowl some spin and bat, you pick Arul.
IF and only IF you want TWO front-line spinners, then I don't think you pick Arul as one of them in CC cricket.
That was all I was saying.
Truth is that George D is the only proven front-line spinner that we have until Rehman gets here. Personally, I think it will be terrific to have those two in tandem.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2013:04:24:20:40:25 by AGod.
Arul isn't really a 'proven,' second spinning option in CC cricket. He's been asked to do the role every so often.
I don't believe he sees himself as a front line bowling option.
Last year at the Oval when George was bowling really well, I thought it was about time to give Arul a bit of a bowl.
He was fielding as the off-side sweeper on the cover boundary. So I asked him directly myself 'Do you think you'll get a bowl soon?'
He said no and that 'I hope we'll finish the job well before then.'
In the event, James Hildreth promptly brought Arul on about 3 overs after I had spoken to Arul.
The reality is if you want one main spinner you pick GD. If you want a second guy who can bowl some spin and bat, you pick Arul.
IF and only IF you want TWO front-line spinners, then I don't think you pick Arul as one of them in CC cricket.
That was all I was saying.
Truth is that George D is the only proven front-line spinner that we have until Rehman gets here. Personally, I think it will be terrific to have those two in tandem.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2013:04:24:20:40:25 by AGod.
For those of you who, like me, refuse to pay the Digger to watch Sky, you could try logging onto the First Row Sports website, which will let you watch Sky with a clear conscience and allow you to keep your home and feed the family.
It seems to me that the great advantage which out selectors have over those of us who might fancy tourselves as armchair selectors is that they have had the opportunity to see the players in the nets (or, at least, can ask the opinions of those who have).
Moreover, I would not like to hazard a guess as to whether Leach is currently seen as a better candidate for the team than Suppiah or whether, instead, he is a more appropriate candidate for the role of 13th man.
Moreover, I would not like to hazard a guess as to whether Leach is currently seen as a better candidate for the team than Suppiah or whether, instead, he is a more appropriate candidate for the role of 13th man.
Arul has over 800 first class overs to his name and 45 first class wickets.
You said 'tried and tested' no-one said anything about 'proven'. I think that is a little more than 'occasional' seeing as we have brought in a second spinner for a number of seasons and therefore Arul hasn't been required to fill the second role for full summers in the past.
But please, as I said on the batsman issue, when you are next down have a chat with him about your view of his bowling and see if he agrees.
He has however been our go to second spinner except when Abdur and George are both present for a number of years and is considerably more 'tested' and 'proven' than Jack Leach or Max Waller.
You can argue about the rest of my post for as long as you like. I've made my case and disproved yours IMHO
I personally think your selection comments are unclear, inconsistent and biased according to your own opinions of the player's value(like many other people's - myself included). They are not as you portray and argue, the only logical, factual and irrefutable methods to make sensible choices in the real world and I thank the Lord for that. I'm fully in agreement with Mr W on this one and I don't think we are the only two.
I think the evidence is here to prove my point, you don't and others will decide for themselves or ignore this so it seems we are done just in time for Thursday.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2013:04:24:21:29:24 by Grockle.
You said 'tried and tested' no-one said anything about 'proven'. I think that is a little more than 'occasional' seeing as we have brought in a second spinner for a number of seasons and therefore Arul hasn't been required to fill the second role for full summers in the past.
But please, as I said on the batsman issue, when you are next down have a chat with him about your view of his bowling and see if he agrees.
He has however been our go to second spinner except when Abdur and George are both present for a number of years and is considerably more 'tested' and 'proven' than Jack Leach or Max Waller.
You can argue about the rest of my post for as long as you like. I've made my case and disproved yours IMHO
I personally think your selection comments are unclear, inconsistent and biased according to your own opinions of the player's value(like many other people's - myself included). They are not as you portray and argue, the only logical, factual and irrefutable methods to make sensible choices in the real world and I thank the Lord for that. I'm fully in agreement with Mr W on this one and I don't think we are the only two.
I think the evidence is here to prove my point, you don't and others will decide for themselves or ignore this so it seems we are done just in time for Thursday.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2013:04:24:21:29:24 by Grockle.
With Trego appearing to be more of a bowler who can bat these days,I would feel rather more comfortable with our batting line up if we had, on merit, Pete at 8 and Alf at 9. This would mean that one of our bowling options would have to justify the traditional all rounder slot at 7. For me it would be perm one of Craig M, Arul, Lewis G or Craig O perhaps depending on weather / pitch conditions.
Trego is easily good enough for our number 7 spot as a batter.
He hasn't shown it yet granted but i'm sure he will given a decent run and when the sun comes out too!
As well as Pete bowled last year i'm not sure he should/could be picked as an out and out bowler.
He did an outstanding job last year but is not a strike bowler if you like.
I'd guess he is 75mph at best? IMHO he needs long bowls to pick up mass wickets, not sure he'll knock over many batting line ups in a hurry, it'll be over a long spell and more through endurance.
He has a huge role to play for us but i'm personally most happy with him at 7 with 3 specialist quicks to go with the spinner.
He hasn't shown it yet granted but i'm sure he will given a decent run and when the sun comes out too!
As well as Pete bowled last year i'm not sure he should/could be picked as an out and out bowler.
He did an outstanding job last year but is not a strike bowler if you like.
I'd guess he is 75mph at best? IMHO he needs long bowls to pick up mass wickets, not sure he'll knock over many batting line ups in a hurry, it'll be over a long spell and more through endurance.
He has a huge role to play for us but i'm personally most happy with him at 7 with 3 specialist quicks to go with the spinner.
Really looking forward to tomorrow.Seems like we are half way through the season without seeing one ball bowled
I think you are quite right about Pete WSM but he has to get the bat working. He is by no means any kind of passenger but the position he inhabits requires batting as well as bowling prowess because it is supposed to be the point at which the player adds vital runs and probably marshals more from the tail.
If Jos's 94 gets his willow wheels rolling and the front end stabalises around Alviro we can give Trigger time to get his eye in but I am sure it gets to him as well and a happy focussed Trego is the one we want
If Jos's 94 gets his willow wheels rolling and the front end stabalises around Alviro we can give Trigger time to get his eye in but I am sure it gets to him as well and a happy focussed Trego is the one we want
Quote:Wickham
It seems to me that the great advantage which out selectors have over those of us who might fancy tourselves as armchair selectors is that they have had the opportunity to see the players in the nets (or, at least, can ask the opinions of those who have).
Moreover, I would not like to hazard a guess as to whether Leach is currently seen as a better candidate for the team than Suppiah or whether, instead, he is a more appropriate candidate for the role of 13th man.
So far as I know there is no rule that says we have to pick 13 guys.
FE may be right that Leach is there simply because he's not in the second XI but I'm not sure I see any point in picking 13 guys for the sake of it, if only 12 are really being considered for selection. For an away game perhaps you pick more than 12 in case you need an emergency injury replacement if somebody is injured in the warm-up. But it would surely not be difficult to call somebody up at very short notice for a home game.
Is Leach a particularly good fielder? If so, perhaps the thought might be that Craig O will replace Jamie O and that Leach is a better fielder than Jamie, hench Leach would be 12th man. If Jamie retains his place then, presumably, they will again be content with Craig O as 12th man.
They have been known in the past to put a young 13th member in the party to get experience of the whole first team process on match days. Get them part of the squad...makes them feel they are within the unit. It's usually an Academy member but they may be rotating it through the younger players.. who knows.
I think the probability of Leach playing in this first home game is very low and Jack is certainly not as good a fielder as Max Waller. That certainly isn't a criticism of JL's ability, more a comment on Max's. Few on our books are as good in the field as Waller
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2013:04:25:07:38:45 by Grockle.
I think the probability of Leach playing in this first home game is very low and Jack is certainly not as good a fielder as Max Waller. That certainly isn't a criticism of JL's ability, more a comment on Max's. Few on our books are as good in the field as Waller
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2013:04:25:07:38:45 by Grockle.
No one has mentioned the other possible reason for Leach being named in the squad - that for some reason the first choice SLA bowler is a doubt for the match. I hope this isn't the case, but...
I see that Marcus has pinned the blame for the Durham defeat firmly on the first-innings bowling (in his column in the Western Daily Press).
Apparently the second innings collapse was nothing more than 'an accident waiting to happen on a pitch that had seamed around from the start.'
The key to the loss, apparently, 'not getting the ball in the right areas anything like often enough in the Durham first innings.'
I suppose, as a batsman, he would say that..but I'm not sure that I'm thrilled with the notion that, because a pitch is seaming, we should expect to collapse with the bat.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2013:04:25:08:02:22 by AGod.
Apparently the second innings collapse was nothing more than 'an accident waiting to happen on a pitch that had seamed around from the start.'
The key to the loss, apparently, 'not getting the ball in the right areas anything like often enough in the Durham first innings.'
I suppose, as a batsman, he would say that..but I'm not sure that I'm thrilled with the notion that, because a pitch is seaming, we should expect to collapse with the bat.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2013:04:25:08:02:22 by AGod.
[www.bbc.co.uk]
I'm not sure if this one was posted a few weeks ago - Dave N suggesting that Craig Overton puts him in mind of a young Morne Morkel.
Dave N is presumably quite impressed with him, then, which does make me wonder if the Overtons will rotate, such that we will see Craig today.
I'm not sure if this one was posted a few weeks ago - Dave N suggesting that Craig Overton puts him in mind of a young Morne Morkel.
Dave N is presumably quite impressed with him, then, which does make me wonder if the Overtons will rotate, such that we will see Craig today.
Bumble suggesting the pitch looks 'sporting' and it overcast. Now I know visiting captains have rued seeing that tinge of green in the pitch and choosing t bowl, but if its overcast may be a bowl first sort of day.
Still on my way to Taunton.
Still on my way to Taunton.
I remember an entry in Wisden from many seasons ago in Wisden.
"For the fourth consecutive game, a visiting captain won the toss at Taunton, saw a green-tinged pitch, put Somerset into bat, watched them score more than 500 runs and then saw his team lose by an innings."
That said, I suspect that I too would bowl first on two grounds;
1) Weather forecast very, very nice for tomorrow and Sunday.
2) FEAR of the dreaded heavy roller deadening the pitch too much as the match wears on.
If I was Warwickshire I would also bowl first on the above two grounds AND on the basis that several SCCC batsmen have yet to really fire this season.
"For the fourth consecutive game, a visiting captain won the toss at Taunton, saw a green-tinged pitch, put Somerset into bat, watched them score more than 500 runs and then saw his team lose by an innings."
That said, I suspect that I too would bowl first on two grounds;
1) Weather forecast very, very nice for tomorrow and Sunday.
2) FEAR of the dreaded heavy roller deadening the pitch too much as the match wears on.
If I was Warwickshire I would also bowl first on the above two grounds AND on the basis that several SCCC batsmen have yet to really fire this season.
Maybe. It could be very overcast later on today, post-tea etc, if forecast is to be believed - low, heavy cloud with overnight rain en route.
So...if it is a sporting pitch, one puts the opposition in and one bowls well?
One could find oneself starting one's innings just after tea under said very heavy cloud cover whereas one would rather bat under tomorrow's (forecast) bright sunshine.
So...if it is a sporting pitch, one puts the opposition in and one bowls well?
One could find oneself starting one's innings just after tea under said very heavy cloud cover whereas one would rather bat under tomorrow's (forecast) bright sunshine.
Suspicions confirmed. No Dockrell or Kirby for Somerset. Both Overtons play, as does Jack Leach.
Hmm Kirby injured then? No Dockrell a surprise. Thought he'd be stamped on the list
So AG your suspicions were well founded despite all us doubting Thomas's.
NOT good news once more for Max I'm afraid. Still not a choice for four day cricket.
So AG your suspicions were well founded despite all us doubting Thomas's.
NOT good news once more for Max I'm afraid. Still not a choice for four day cricket.
And Troughton says he wanted to lose the toss and has immediately made the point that green here can mean nothing.
Quote:Bagpuss
Suspicions confirmed. No Dockrell or Kirby for Somerset. Both Overtons play, as does Jack Leach.
Wonder if George was carrying a knock at Oval? Was a bit below par - perhaps injury was why?
Bagpuss - what did you think of Leach at Liverpool last season?
His figures were not bad - about 17 overs, 2 for 37. Figures not bad compared to Kerrigan who took 3 for 40 odd.
But do you recall how Jack actually bowled?
His figures were not bad - about 17 overs, 2 for 37. Figures not bad compared to Kerrigan who took 3 for 40 odd.
But do you recall how Jack actually bowled?
Looking forward to seeing Craig Overton bowl once again.
He'll add an extra good slip option if Banger wants one, too.
He'll add an extra good slip option if Banger wants one, too.
Dockrell finger injury so not playing as a precaution. Kirby rested.
To be honest don't really recall how Leach bowled last year at Aigburth - may not have seen him as it rained lots and I also spent 2 of the days at Headingley test
To be honest don't really recall how Leach bowled last year at Aigburth - may not have seen him as it rained lots and I also spent 2 of the days at Headingley test
I may be wrong, but I somehow wonder whether Kirby has been dropped rather than being injured.
If Peter Trego doesn't turn in a half - decent performance in this game, I wonder if he will be the next to be left out?
Perhaps Mr. Nosworthy is beginning to feel his feet.
If Peter Trego doesn't turn in a half - decent performance in this game, I wonder if he will be the next to be left out?
Perhaps Mr. Nosworthy is beginning to feel his feet.
I suggested that it might make a bit of sense to rest one of the two pacemen that are 35+.
Good to hear that Steve is not injured.
And hopefully, it sounds as though George's knock to finger isn't that bad. If they're saying precaution then hopefully x-rays havd either been deemed unnecessary, or were negative.
Could be a good opportunity for young Leach in case there are pre-Rehman games where we do want two specialist spinners.
Good to hear that Steve is not injured.
And hopefully, it sounds as though George's knock to finger isn't that bad. If they're saying precaution then hopefully x-rays havd either been deemed unnecessary, or were negative.
Could be a good opportunity for young Leach in case there are pre-Rehman games where we do want two specialist spinners.
Why should somebody need resting when the season is only 2 weeks old and our last day of bowling was nearly a week ago?
Nice to see Craig selected. Should have played the first 2 matches in my opinion.
Interesting toss decision (we've won all 3 this season)...wonder if the 2011 match still haunts Marcus a bit?
Nice to see Craig selected. Should have played the first 2 matches in my opinion.
Interesting toss decision (we've won all 3 this season)...wonder if the 2011 match still haunts Marcus a bit?
Hasn't Kirby had a couple of decent games though?
Maybe they simply think James is a weapon and Craig O is worth a punt at home.
Doesn't Kirbs seem to be more of a weapon away from Taunton and with backup available resting him would be a decent shout if that is the case.
Also with jack playing doesn't Craig also playing bolster the tail batting wise?
Maybe they simply think James is a weapon and Craig O is worth a punt at home.
Doesn't Kirbs seem to be more of a weapon away from Taunton and with backup available resting him would be a decent shout if that is the case.
Also with jack playing doesn't Craig also playing bolster the tail batting wise?
Remember, Naxxar, Steve had some sort of back issue a few weeks ago.
MCC were asked by SCCC to limit Steve's bowling in Sharjah, or Abu Dhabi or wherever it was.
MCC were asked by SCCC to limit Steve's bowling in Sharjah, or Abu Dhabi or wherever it was.
And, yeah, batting may be better with Craig O in side. I do think George D is under-rated with bat, though. No idea how Leach bats... One first-class innings... Did not score any runs, was not dismissed.
It looks a bit of a steady-Eddie Warks' attack.
Not a lot of pace. Certainly much less than Surrey had.
Not a lot of pace. Certainly much less than Surrey had.
BBC Live event 9 on Tune-In
I would guess this will be the number for all Somerset home matches this season.
I would guess this will be the number for all Somerset home matches this season.
Cheers. No local ball by ball - would have been overkill I suppose but shame even so.
George Dobell covering this one as well - media overkill!! Lots of jabber about KP and Marcus playing together in the Oz game
George Dobell covering this one as well - media overkill!! Lots of jabber about KP and Marcus playing together in the Oz game
It'll put loads on the gate.
But it might deny Dave N the chance to get a look at somebody that he wants to see more of.
But it might deny Dave N the chance to get a look at somebody that he wants to see more of.
The byes/wide law should be changed to umpire's discretion.
4 ridiculous byes just assessed against Ambrose on top of Davies getting hammered with unjust byes last week.
4 ridiculous byes just assessed against Ambrose on top of Davies getting hammered with unjust byes last week.
Let's hope that Hildreth scores the 36 he needs for his 10,000 later in this innings.
LoL
Sixty-six Seasons a Somerset Supporter
LoL
Sixty-six Seasons a Somerset Supporter
Willis spot on about third man. I've always believed that.
Marcus tends to deploy one.
Marcus tends to deploy one.
Give them 10 minutes, SLC, and one imagines that Willis and Atherton might get on to their 'There are too many Counties,' routine...
Interesting bit of logic from Nick Knight: a small ground, so the ball will travel quickly.
For those watching on TV.... any thoughts yet on what would be a good first innings score on this?
I think I would take 330 or so, based on what I've seen thus far, though of course one hopes for more.
I think I would take 330 or so, based on what I've seen thus far, though of course one hopes for more.
Quote:Give them 10 minutes, SLC, and one imagines that Willis and Atherton might get on to their 'There are too many Counties,' routine...
I fully agree with them on that. Fold up these minnows like Lancashire.
Just staggered out of a work meeting to check the score. Looks nice and steady so far - let's hope for a massive opening partnership to get the upper hand 
Any news on what the weather is due to be like from now until the weekend? (Sorry if someone has already discussed that somewhere)
Any news on what the weather is due to be like from now until the weekend? (Sorry if someone has already discussed that somewhere)
There is a local and national weather link on the right hand side of the site on every page.
It's labelled 'The Weather' and will give you an up to date summary of the weather within 2 miles of the ground
It's labelled 'The Weather' and will give you an up to date summary of the weather within 2 miles of the ground
Not a great lbw decision, IMO.
Marcus still, I think, searching for optimum form. Some better signs from him, though.
Marcus still, I think, searching for optimum form. Some better signs from him, though.
Awful decision vs Compton. I thoight inside edge with naked eye. There were two noises as well.
Poor from Cook.
Poor from Cook.
A worse decision for Compton. I thought it obvious he had got an inside edge on first seeing the delivery and the replay confirmed it.
The MArcus decision showed the ball clipping the top of the leg bail. Nick's inside edge was massive.
Some building to be done after lunch then against a side who are likely to feel that they've got out of jail just before lunch.
Quote:Grockle
There is a local and national weather link on the right hand side of the site on every page.
It's labelled 'The Weather' and will give you an up to date summary of the weather within 2 miles of the ground
Ah, that'll be me being totally thick and not seeing what's in front of my face, as per usual
Clearly me being on a break has jinxed everything. If I head off to another meeting maybe we'll have another unbroken partnership while I'm away?
Yep, sorry, you are going to have to be bored to tears in a meeting all afternoon...
Disappointing end to the session. A stinker of a decision for Nick who looked set for a big one. Let's hope Alviro picks up where he left off.
And equally loose from Craig K.
Starting to look in danger of a sub-par total here.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2013:04:25:14:27:54 by AGod.
Starting to look in danger of a sub-par total here.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2013:04:25:14:27:54 by AGod.
Some balls taking off a bit.
If we can avoid the heavy roller flattening things, could be something promising for the Overtons to work with...
If we can avoid the heavy roller flattening things, could be something promising for the Overtons to work with...
I've not been able to get down today, but reading that Nick Cook has "mucked up" doesn't surprise. The number of dodgy decisions I've seen him make, particularly against us, it is a wonder he is still considered good enough for a first class game.
Steady on Old Boy!!! However, if his decsions have been that bad and TV shows them up then this could be his last game.
Quote:AGod
Poor from Hildreth.
He was out to a loose shot just after lunch at The Oval as well; it seems like a concentration issue he needs to address. The big excitement now is whether he'll reach his 10,000 before the end of May.
LoL
Sixty-six Seasons a Somerset Supporter
Is there no way we can sign Peterson for the rest of the season PLEASE !
I do not think that I shall tire of watching Petersen anytime soon.
Excellent partnership here.
In the Aussie game, will our Petersen be omitted in order to get the ECB's Pietersen into the side?
Excellent partnership here.
In the Aussie game, will our Petersen be omitted in order to get the ECB's Pietersen into the side?
Quote:West Country Gooner
Is there no way we can sign Peterson for the rest of the season PLEASE !
Not unless Pakistan arrange some extra Test matches!
'Very good batting track,' according to Nick C.
He is expecting it turn 'more and more,' as the match wears on though,
He talked of aiming for '350-400.' first up on here.
He is expecting it turn 'more and more,' as the match wears on though,
He talked of aiming for '350-400.' first up on here.
2nd half of the season could be more of a problem batting wise.
He seems totally unflappable at any score and completely in control. He's one impressive signing. 300+ in 3 innings? OK by me. Good for MT and NC to get some as well.
Well, SLC, the form at Essex wasn't good but as George D said the other day, Essex have built an unenviable reputation for players under-achieving.
I suspect that the relationship with Dave N may be important - must help AP to know the boss has great faith in you.
I suspect that the relationship with Dave N may be important - must help AP to know the boss has great faith in you.
a good day!!!! couple of blips which is always to be expected though.
I see Marcus got his in the neck. I take it he recovered and there are no after effects.
I see Marcus got his in the neck. I take it he recovered and there are no after effects.
How significant do we think it is that Jos has made runs in the last two innings batting with Alviro it must be helpful.
Atherton just said that Ian Chappell was raving about an Overton after Under 19 World Cup. Unfortunately, Atherton was not sure which one.
I think it was Jove who played in the Under-19 tournament.
LoL
Sixty-six Seasons a Somerset Supporter
LoL
Sixty-six Seasons a Somerset Supporter
Petersen appears to get nervous in the 390s, to such an extent that he has scored only 394 in three innings.
LoL
Sixty-six Seasons a Somerset Supporter
LoL
Sixty-six Seasons a Somerset Supporter
Another Somerset masterclass...get those ribbons on the trophy, this baby is ours.
Pete looks bemused by his lack of form.
I think he needs to rein it in a bit. Bat a bit of time and just get his eye in.
I think he needs to rein it in a bit. Bat a bit of time and just get his eye in.
He tried to do that today. Think a nice slap in a one-day game could help him.
Well played, Jos.
Looks a decent sort of score, overall.
Suspect it might flatten out tomorrow though
Interesting that Warks' medium-fast bowlers caused some problems with short balls...the taller Craig O and taller and faster Jamie O might be particularly interested in that..
Looks a decent sort of score, overall.
Suspect it might flatten out tomorrow though
Interesting that Warks' medium-fast bowlers caused some problems with short balls...the taller Craig O and taller and faster Jamie O might be particularly interested in that..
A good recovery from 4 down and well played again Alviro and Jos.
Terrible decision for Compo - he looked set for a big score.
Terrible decision for Compo - he looked set for a big score.
Good effort - as usual we won't know how good it is until the other lot have had a go!
Whenever I see a headline 'Leach called up for Somerset' (or similar) my heart skips a beat. I expect I'll get over it eventually.
All this is harking back a few pages (just got back to my machine after a couple of days away) - but I believe Jack Leach opens the batting regularly for Taunton Deane in the WEPL.
All this is harking back a few pages (just got back to my machine after a couple of days away) - but I believe Jack Leach opens the batting regularly for Taunton Deane in the WEPL.
Day one photos.
A good day for Somerset, the weather turned cold at the end of the day.
Alviro Petersen raising his bat to the crowd after getting his 100.
Jos Buttler played one of his best county innings I have seen from him, long my it continue.
Alviro does make batting look easy.
Craig Kieswetter didn't settle in at all today Rikki Clarke caught him off Chris Wright when he played this shot.
I was focusing on the crowd (by mistake) when Alviro Petersen hit this six.
Marcus got a nasty hit on the head off Rikki Clarke's bowling.
I was a bit worried for a while but Marcus was okay after a short while, it is always good to see the bowler rush up to see if he was hurt.
Marcus looked untroubled with his ankle today, lets hope that continues.
A good day for Somerset, the weather turned cold at the end of the day.
Alviro Petersen raising his bat to the crowd after getting his 100.
Jos Buttler played one of his best county innings I have seen from him, long my it continue.
Alviro does make batting look easy.
Craig Kieswetter didn't settle in at all today Rikki Clarke caught him off Chris Wright when he played this shot.
I was focusing on the crowd (by mistake) when Alviro Petersen hit this six.
Marcus got a nasty hit on the head off Rikki Clarke's bowling.
I was a bit worried for a while but Marcus was okay after a short while, it is always good to see the bowler rush up to see if he was hurt.
Marcus looked untroubled with his ankle today, lets hope that continues.
What more can I say, Mike?
Thank you again for some great photographs.
Thank you again for some great photographs.
Out of interest, have twins ever opened the bowling in a first class match (or at least one in Britain)? Probably won't happen in this match but it's going to happen soon.
When Northamptonshire played Somerset in 1914, the Denton twins opened for Northamptonshire and the Rippon twins, A. D. E. and A. E. S., for Somerset- an occurrence unique in first-class cricket.
But that does not answer your question, Railboy, for they opened the batting.
But that does not answer your question, Railboy, for they opened the batting.
CP: you clearly should have been a politician (perhaps you were or even are). An answer like that would have infuriated John Humphries - and delighted the rest of the nation.
LoL
Sixty-six Seasons a Somerset Supporter
LoL
Sixty-six Seasons a Somerset Supporter
Nice one CP! What are the chances! Though I guess in those days the nature of the game was very different with breeding and status perhaps being rather more important than merit.
I asked my Dad about the Bedsers today, and he didn't seem to think that it was likely as Eric was a spin bowling all rounder who often only got to bowl when Lock, Laker and brother Alec were on Test duty.
I asked my Dad about the Bedsers today, and he didn't seem to think that it was likely as Eric was a spin bowling all rounder who often only got to bowl when Lock, Laker and brother Alec were on Test duty.
Mr P seems to be able to bat a bit doesn't he ?!
I guess congrats to the Club for signing him, as well as AP himself. Good to see that Jos is getting stuck in as well.
Grizzzly
I guess congrats to the Club for signing him, as well as AP himself. Good to see that Jos is getting stuck in as well.
Grizzzly
Quote:AGod
Atherton just said that Ian Chappell was raving about an Overton after Under 19 World Cup. Unfortunately, Atherton was not sure which one.
It is quite possible that Ian Chappell wasn't sure which one either!
Both twins were in the U19WC squad I cant remember which played what matches though. I could look it up but its 2am...
I see that the Club site report on yesterday had Jos scoring runs of a bowler called Barrington-Dalby. Didn't he used to do inter round summaries on boxing on the wireless?
If he makes a ton in this Championship game after 90 odd in the last one that will ripple around the ECB offices as well!!
Funny old game this cricket isn't it - wondering about his 4 day position one day and then....
Funny old game this cricket isn't it - wondering about his 4 day position one day and then....
He has stepped up no doubt!! Needs that ton though so there are no mental blocks about not scoring enough!!
Sunday's forecast has gone downhill. Still, there's time for it change back again.
But you'd have to think it would take pretty much a full four days to win this one.
I'm interested to see what the Overtons can do on a track where the Warks's medium fast bowlers felled Tres once, Jos twice and dismissed Hildreth with short balls.
But you'd have to think it would take pretty much a full four days to win this one.
I'm interested to see what the Overtons can do on a track where the Warks's medium fast bowlers felled Tres once, Jos twice and dismissed Hildreth with short balls.
Yesterdays highlights available on the ECB video site
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2013:04:26:08:09:57 by nelliec.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2013:04:26:08:09:57 by nelliec.
Forget the mention of Sunday's forecast - it's been changed back to dry again, already.
I'm guessing the chopping and changing means they have no clue what will happen.
At the same time, Saturday's forecast showers also have vanished from the forecast.
Looking forward to seeing the Overtons and Leach, assuming he gets a bowl. Wasn't much there for Patel yesterday so not sure how much of Leach we'll see in the Warks' first dig.
I'm guessing the chopping and changing means they have no clue what will happen.
At the same time, Saturday's forecast showers also have vanished from the forecast.
Looking forward to seeing the Overtons and Leach, assuming he gets a bowl. Wasn't much there for Patel yesterday so not sure how much of Leach we'll see in the Warks' first dig.
Brilliant Buttler! No wonder Petersen realises he has to perform well in such company.
I wonder how this century compares with that superb knock against Sussex which in the context of the game was extremely important.
LoL
Sixty-six Seasons a Somerset Supporter
I wonder how this century compares with that superb knock against Sussex which in the context of the game was extremely important.
LoL
Sixty-six Seasons a Somerset Supporter
Lovely drive to bring up the ton. Weather looks good on TV, better than BS2 which just had a right down pour.
Need to make sure we get that 5th batting point now.
Need to make sure we get that 5th batting point now.
Well, time for Jos to hit out to get whatever we can, with Alf going.
Good to get the full 5 bonus points.
As the Sky guys have said, track seems a bit slower today. And Warks will surely put a roller on it before their innings too.
So may be a case of simply trying to exert pressure through persistent accuracy. Obviously, it's his first game of the season but on seeing him previously, I've thought that Craig Overton has serious metronome potential.
Good to get the full 5 bonus points.
As the Sky guys have said, track seems a bit slower today. And Warks will surely put a roller on it before their innings too.
So may be a case of simply trying to exert pressure through persistent accuracy. Obviously, it's his first game of the season but on seeing him previously, I've thought that Craig Overton has serious metronome potential.
Well Bob W loves him. Wants to see him at 3 or 4 for Somerset and then into the Test side by 2015.
I have SKY on the PS3. All is right with the world.
I have SKY on the PS3. All is right with the world.
Leach reminds me of Jimmy Anderson, thus far, with the bat. That's not a bad thing for a number ten.
Surprised he came in before Jamie. Jos just needs to get what he can here. Anything close to 450 will be a good total. I think there is something in the wicket still - the Overtons might exploit it best.
Sorry, hexed Leach out.
And that's that.
We got the fifth batting point and I suppose that's the main thing. Shame Jos didn't get the chance to bat for even longer, though.
Every Somerset player not named Alf either made a ton, a 50, or a single figure score..... so a slightly strange card!?
And that's that.
We got the fifth batting point and I suppose that's the main thing. Shame Jos didn't get the chance to bat for even longer, though.
Every Somerset player not named Alf either made a ton, a 50, or a single figure score..... so a slightly strange card!?
Well done Jos, but a bit of inexperience in taking the single off the first ball of the over, as we have no more runs, but Warks got an additional bonus point.
Well, LoL, I'd like a few more knocks like that from Jos before we move him up to four.
I'm not convinced that moving Hildreth to three is the right thing, though. It could, perhaps, force him to concentrate a bit more. But, on the other hand, it may do nothing of the sort, in which case we'd not be steady enough at three for my liking.
With AP going so well at number three, I think I'd just bring Arul back to open when NC goes off to England.
I'd feel happier if Marcus was back to something like top form before NC went off (I don't think Marcus is particularly close to it yet).
Of course, later in the season there will need to be another re-shuffle when AP goes home.
I'm not convinced that moving Hildreth to three is the right thing, though. It could, perhaps, force him to concentrate a bit more. But, on the other hand, it may do nothing of the sort, in which case we'd not be steady enough at three for my liking.
With AP going so well at number three, I think I'd just bring Arul back to open when NC goes off to England.
I'd feel happier if Marcus was back to something like top form before NC went off (I don't think Marcus is particularly close to it yet).
Of course, later in the season there will need to be another re-shuffle when AP goes home.
Heavy roller on the pitch. Is that a second hand new one? Don't remember seeing that before.
Piddling it down with rain here - how surreal is that?
Piddling it down with rain here - how surreal is that?
I really like that the club made Jos wait until he'd played back to back excellent first-class innings, before giving him a cap.
Obviously, they could have given Jos a cap for any number of devastating one day innings, but nice to see the emphasis still on the first-class stuff.
Obviously, they could have given Jos a cap for any number of devastating one day innings, but nice to see the emphasis still on the first-class stuff.
Very well batted Jos and, of course, AP yesterday. I agree with Botham's comment: I can never see the point in an established batsman taking a gifted single off the first ball of an over when he only has tailenders for company.
Disappointing end, but that's the modern way now really. Still, fantastic knock by Jos, and 400 is rarely a poor score first up.
Excellent second over by Overton.
This is far better new ball bowling than Warks managed.
This is far better new ball bowling than Warks managed.
Gushing praise from Bumble too. He could be pushing Kirby out of the way for the new ball if he does this more often.
Excellent start. Would love Chopra before lunch though as he always seems to score loads at Taunton..
He's looking damn good and very 'up for it'. Anyone else think we've found one here?
Quote:Grockle
He's looking damn good and very 'up for it'. Anyone else think we've found one here?
It looks that way. At least two unplayable balls to Troughton, now.
And the deck is hardly a minefield.
Perfectly presentable start by Leach, too. No inaccuracy.
An excellent bowling morning for Somerset.
Does anyone know if we are still under ECB directives about how much the Overtons can bowl per spell, per day etc (a directive applies to all bowlers under a certain age).
If we are no longer under those restrictions, then I'd definitely give big Jamie another blast at Troughton after lunch.
An excellent bowling morning for Somerset.
Does anyone know if we are still under ECB directives about how much the Overtons can bowl per spell, per day etc (a directive applies to all bowlers under a certain age).
If we are no longer under those restrictions, then I'd definitely give big Jamie another blast at Troughton after lunch.
I believe they signed full contracts when they turned 18 - meaning we can use them as we please.
I'd defo let Trego & Jamie have another 3-4 overs after lunch.
I'd defo let Trego & Jamie have another 3-4 overs after lunch.
I agree, Grockle, about Jove. I'm glad he was given the new ball. His wicket was a bit fortuitous, but he could have had two or three more. I've seen Jove bowl three or four times: this was the most impressive spell, by far.
I think he said he should go on tour yes. B*gger that - don't want him carrying drinks when he should be taking wickets for us.
No balls aside, a very impressive spell this morning.
No balls aside, a very impressive spell this morning.
That was a very nice mornings work. My guess was for a draw but we have bowled so well that anything is possible Wonderful lunch time piece on our Disabled Club
If he was on tour, then presumably that would be during the winter and he wouldn't be playing for us anyway?
Why was Jove's wicket lucky - all I know was that it was a catch by Buttler?
Why was Jove's wicket lucky - all I know was that it was a catch by Buttler?
It wasn't so much lucky, SP, as much as one that was gained from a poor shot.
For reasons best known to himself, Porterfield poked one straight to cover. Obviously one does not expect too many new ball wickets to fall to catches at cover.
Alf very unlucky with the drop by Tres.
For reasons best known to himself, Porterfield poked one straight to cover. Obviously one does not expect too many new ball wickets to fall to catches at cover.
Alf very unlucky with the drop by Tres.
One might call Jove's wicket a bit fortuitous, rather tha lucky.
Wait a minute, that's what I called it.
Wait a minute, that's what I called it.
Alf is getting significant movement off the pitch, just had one that ended up going to Marcus at first
Sorry, "lucky" was just my translation of "fortuitous" - I usually get away with it! When did Tres drop one, and who?
Decent start from Craig.
I think we might give Leach a little spell at some point soon?
I think we might give Leach a little spell at some point soon?
I want to be there, I've been watching and hadn't realised how much I miss the place.
How long will it take to walk from Swansea?
How long will it take to walk from Swansea?
The sooner you start, the sooner you'll arrive!!
The thing I like about Leach, thus far, is that he's dropped nothing short and also that he's not resorted to firing it in.
The thing I like about Leach, thus far, is that he's dropped nothing short and also that he's not resorted to firing it in.
Quote:Big Jim
I want to be there, I've been watching and hadn't realised how much I miss the place.
How long will it take to walk from Swansea?
If you start walking now, you should be there for lunchtime tomorrow if you walk at a brisk pace.
I should like another wicket soon as we're not presently on track for full bowling bonus points.
Think he just got that to nip in right at the end.
Absolute peach of a ball for Ambrose after that, too good in fact.
Absolute peach of a ball for Ambrose after that, too good in fact.
I've been happy with the quality of the bowling from Somerset, throughout, SP, I can assure you!
But am even happier now Troughton has gone!
Can somebody please tell Sky that Dockrell had some sort of hand injury, hence he was omitted?
But am even happier now Troughton has gone!
Can somebody please tell Sky that Dockrell had some sort of hand injury, hence he was omitted?
Alfie!!!!!!
Top stuff.
Whoops, Ambrose nicked it.
I think Old Boy may be right, time for Cook to be demoted..
Top stuff.
Whoops, Ambrose nicked it.
I think Old Boy may be right, time for Cook to be demoted..
I think you can e-mail them.
If someone does PLEASE tell them that Jim Troughton's dad David played the Duke of Wellington in the Sharpe series and was a member of the RSC and his brother's name is Sam and he was in Robin Hood. He also is the cousin of Harry Melling who played Dudley Dursley in the Harry Potter films.
That may shut Bumble (or is it Blowers) up for a while.
Cook seems to be blind to inside edges in this match but at least it balances the books a bit.
If someone does PLEASE tell them that Jim Troughton's dad David played the Duke of Wellington in the Sharpe series and was a member of the RSC and his brother's name is Sam and he was in Robin Hood. He also is the cousin of Harry Melling who played Dudley Dursley in the Harry Potter films.
That may shut Bumble (or is it Blowers) up for a while.
Cook seems to be blind to inside edges in this match but at least it balances the books a bit.
Yeah, SLC, but then our bowling has been light years better than that of the Bears, IMO.
They bowled far too much loose stuff, IMO.
They bowled far too much loose stuff, IMO.
Obviously another bonus of the emergence of Jove as a new-ball force, is the fact that it leaves Alf so much fresher for the overs with the older ball where his guile and experience are highly impressive.
It's far too cold to bowl leg-spin accurately if the constant temperature related whingeing of the Sky guys is any indication.
Leg-spin involves an unnatural rotation of the shoulder and the colder it is the more reluctant the body is to co-operate with the wishes of the leg-spinner's mind in that respect.
I know from my own experience as a (in my case) poor leg-spinner.
I think Leach has been much more accurate than Max would have been.
He's also been more accurate than George D was at the Oval, although I think that track was so slow that it made all spinners look bad.
Leg-spin involves an unnatural rotation of the shoulder and the colder it is the more reluctant the body is to co-operate with the wishes of the leg-spinner's mind in that respect.
I know from my own experience as a (in my case) poor leg-spinner.
I think Leach has been much more accurate than Max would have been.
He's also been more accurate than George D was at the Oval, although I think that track was so slow that it made all spinners look bad.
Sad to say Max ought to have gone in the summer but may not have been able to find a club looking for his type of cricketer. Think the writing has been on the wall for a while now for Mr Waller.
Right, I'mm just outside Port Talbot...it's a tad smoggy and my lungs are full of lung bursting chemicals...how are we doing?
It is fun this 4 day stuff isn't it ? Recommend kakibara.com by the way. Looked like Grock has arrived early in Taunton .
BJ - Marcus has asked me to ask you whether or not you would like to see us batting again when you arrive? Or would you prefer us to enforce the follow-on?
Quote:Big Jim
Right, I'mm just outside Port Talbot...it's a tad smoggy and my lungs are full of lung bursting chemicals...how are we doing?
I reckon it'd be quicker if you swam across from there..
That lunch to tea session was an excellent period of pressure cricket from Somerset.
Very good spell from the Fonz and Jove deserved his wicket even if a little 'fortuitous'!. Alf's wiles are too much for most Bears!
Our fielding is noticeably sharp too. I don't blame Tres from the dropped catch it was very low.
Cook is having a bit of a 'mare. With at least two very bad decision in the match.
A few more wickets soon after tea and we can a have a few overs at them in their second dig.
Very good spell from the Fonz and Jove deserved his wicket even if a little 'fortuitous'!. Alf's wiles are too much for most Bears!
Our fielding is noticeably sharp too. I don't blame Tres from the dropped catch it was very low.
Cook is having a bit of a 'mare. With at least two very bad decision in the match.
A few more wickets soon after tea and we can a have a few overs at them in their second dig.
I'm still at work but it seems the young bowlers have made a good impression, we seem to have a much more promising set of bowlers than batters, which is a welcome change for me as bowlers are much harder to come by.
i think this helps support the argument that talented players will break through even if there is experience infront of them...the young batters haven't had to do that, I wonder if that has helped or hindered their progress?
i think this helps support the argument that talented players will break through even if there is experience infront of them...the young batters haven't had to do that, I wonder if that has helped or hindered their progress?
Personally, I'd bat again ... Make them chase leather
Crackerjack by Leach!!!!!
Crackerjack by Leach!!!!!
Don't get me wrong I do like Cove, but he's a bit expensive for my liking.
Quote:Monkey Butler
Don't get me wrong I do like Cove, but he's a bit expensive for my liking.
Even though he's gone at less than 1 an over this game?
The relatively speedy end to Somerset's innings made me think yet again of what I regard as an anomaly in the awarding of bonus points. Somerset reached 400 (and five batting points) with only seven wickets down. Some instinct tells me that it would make more sense to allow no bowling points for any wickets taken after all the batting points have been attained.
In essence, awarding points on a ratio of 5:3 for a score of over 400 does not reflect the relative performance of the competing sides. And imagine, for example, a side reaching 500 all out within 110 overs (perfectly possible) - how would that ratio look then?
Now I'll get my coat and go to meet BJ.
LoL
Sixty-six Seasons a Somerset Supporter
In essence, awarding points on a ratio of 5:3 for a score of over 400 does not reflect the relative performance of the competing sides. And imagine, for example, a side reaching 500 all out within 110 overs (perfectly possible) - how would that ratio look then?
Now I'll get my coat and go to meet BJ.
LoL
Sixty-six Seasons a Somerset Supporter
From the sound of it, all bowlers have been impressively disciplined. Especially pleasing from the younger ones.
Well now need to decide on the follow on. Tricky but looking at forecast tomorrow could be more overcast.
Still went for a run in that over though! He must be spraying them everywhere.
Quote:Monkey Butler
Don't get me wrong I do like Cove, but he's a bit expensive for my liking.
Early days in Craig's career but of all of our pacemen, only Alf has a better career economy rate.
I agree with BJ: enforce the follow-on. How many runs would they have to get in their second innings to put us under any pressure - 450? - and how likely is that?
I still think this is a pretty good track though.
But I suspect that Marcus will also agree with BJ.
But I suspect that Marcus will also agree with BJ.
I may not have been entirely serious with my cove comments, an economy rate of 0.66 is just about acceptable for me.
Where's Naxxar to proclaim an imminent 'Curse of the third innings?
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2013:04:26:17:18:29 by AGod.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2013:04:26:17:18:29 by AGod.
I guess adding 200 would be fine but I pray the weather stays good for next two days.
I would have gone for the jugular.
I see no sense in this. With the good old weather in the UK take the chance wehn you get it.
I see no sense in this. With the good old weather in the UK take the chance wehn you get it.
As I said, I'd have batted again.
But then I'm conservative in sporting matters.
But then I'm conservative in sporting matters.
I have no problem with batting again as long as we get 2 more days play. The BBC forecast for Sunday is less than impressive, which is why I would have bowled again.
Seriously though, we should still win from here. However, I'm with the majority here..should have enforced it, had an hour at them tonight, kept our foot on the jugular. I can see the logic of not enforcing it if the lead is 151 but we have so many more runs to play with..
Now it depends on how attacking Marcus is with his declaration and if we get some weather stoppages.
Logically though, we should still be bowling again mid afternoon tomorrow and have ample time.
Now it depends on how attacking Marcus is with his declaration and if we get some weather stoppages.
Logically though, we should still be bowling again mid afternoon tomorrow and have ample time.
The obvious ploy is to give Petersen the chance for a second innings in which to score the 606 he needs for his 1000.
LoL
Sixty-six Seasons a Somerset Supporter
LoL
Sixty-six Seasons a Somerset Supporter
I wonder, Tumbles, if SCCC has access to its own forecasting service - perhaps one that is more trusted than Beeb?
For what little it is worth, Met Office has been showing dry for Sunday.
For what little it is worth, Met Office has been showing dry for Sunday.
I assume Jove's niggle played a part in the decision to bat again. He's more likely to fire after some rest, and we're more likely to fire with a full attack.
Another way of looking at it is, by the half way point of the match, we could well have a lead of 280 or so runs.
I'd have settled for that at 11am yesterday morning.
Still 2 full days left. Plenty of time.
I'd have settled for that at 11am yesterday morning.
Still 2 full days left. Plenty of time.
That notion was denied by Andy Hurry, FE, though he may not have wanted Warks to know if Jamie does have a niggle.
Tumbles - I've looked at several forecasts and you are right - Sunday (more so the afternoon) looks iffy.
Then again, we may well plan to bat only until lunch tomorrow?
In which case could still get 3 full sessions before any disruption.
Then again, we may well plan to bat only until lunch tomorrow?
In which case could still get 3 full sessions before any disruption.
Three early season dismissals to off-spin, all lbw. Not like Banger.
At least he looks back in touch vs the quicks.
At least he looks back in touch vs the quicks.
Am I right in thinking that 5 of the 9 county champions' wickets to fall to bowlers fell to teenagers?
If so, then I reckon that's mighty impressive. Congrats to them, and to the skipper for showing faith in them rather than calling back Alf and PT to get rid of the tail.
I was 50/50 about batting again / making them follow-on. However, have every confidence in the skipper to know better than me!
If so, then I reckon that's mighty impressive. Congrats to them, and to the skipper for showing faith in them rather than calling back Alf and PT to get rid of the tail.
I was 50/50 about batting again / making them follow-on. However, have every confidence in the skipper to know better than me!
Agreed, AG. If there had to be one, why not send in Cove, who might be able to get on with things in the morning.
Leach will have to buy a round - he's got a career bet.
Leach will have to buy a round - he's got a career bet.
Yep, Wickham - my chief issue with it was that Jack might well succeed in batting out the day (and well done to him for doing so) but we might get a bit stuck tomorrow morning with him and Compton together.
Comments by Jos on the SCCC site are good to read. Suggests a mature approach & a desire to get to the top at all levels of the game.
Grizzzly
Grizzzly
Aye, fair play, GM, they may say thst to Jack.
He does look like the WEPL opening batsman that somebody said he is...calm and with a decent defensive technique. He was unlucky to be out this morning.
He does look like the WEPL opening batsman that somebody said he is...calm and with a decent defensive technique. He was unlucky to be out this morning.
Looks like Notts and Durham will be collecting wins from this round of fixtures.
Sussex might also win, although it seems Mr Smith may have got going.
Sussex might also win, although it seems Mr Smith may have got going.
Quote:I don't think that Tres & co will care tuppence about getting your approval for sending in Leach IMO!AGod
I do NOT approve of sending a night-watchman out here...
In fact as disapproval sounds rather like 'bottom smacking' I don't think they will worry about that either IMO!!
Jack batted at 3 for the Deane last year, with a hundred to his name,along with many other decent scores.
I don't think I said they'd care Old Boy.
They do not care what you think either.
They do not care what you think either.
Fine AG - just felt DON'T approve sounds rather school marmish! IMO! But your choice of words is up to you. Let see how he gets on tomorrow! If he does well without holding things up will that mean you will no longer disapprove?
Happy days!
Happy days!
Great days cricket, not against not enforcing the follow on, makes sense to me.
Slight risk with the weather but i'd prefer to defend 450/480 in 4.5 sessions, than chase 150 in last session of the match.
Not a fan of Leach at 3 but as long as he gets on with it in morning it's not a problem.
We just need to waste no time batting, I see no scenario where we need to worry about wickets.
We are 300 ahead, we need to aim for 150 in the first session, thus getting a lead of 450 by lunch.
If that means we are 200-8 then fine by me, i'd prefer that than 150-3.
I want to be bowling by 3pm at the very latest.
I can see Warwicks chasing no more than 3.5 per over, so if we have a lead of 500 by 3pm then they'll have 140 overs left, no chance they'd score quick enough even in the remotest chance they got anywhere near it at all.
Slight risk with the weather but i'd prefer to defend 450/480 in 4.5 sessions, than chase 150 in last session of the match.
Not a fan of Leach at 3 but as long as he gets on with it in morning it's not a problem.
We just need to waste no time batting, I see no scenario where we need to worry about wickets.
We are 300 ahead, we need to aim for 150 in the first session, thus getting a lead of 450 by lunch.
If that means we are 200-8 then fine by me, i'd prefer that than 150-3.
I want to be bowling by 3pm at the very latest.
I can see Warwicks chasing no more than 3.5 per over, so if we have a lead of 500 by 3pm then they'll have 140 overs left, no chance they'd score quick enough even in the remotest chance they got anywhere near it at all.
2nd days photos.
A good day for Somerset and very enjoyable to watch despite the very cold wind.
It didn't start very good for some of our tail end batsmen.
Alfonso Thomas bowled by Rikki Clarke.
Jack Leach also bowled by Rikki Clarke.
Seeing Jos Buttler get his third CC hundred made my day.
Jim Troughton didn't seem to like facing Jamie Overton, neither would I.
Jim Troughton faced 96 balls for this 26 this was one of this three fours.
Will Jack Leach jump the queue ahead of Max Waller I think he might (sorry Max fans) he didn't do himself no harm by bowling Jeetan Patel.
And also getting Oliver Hannon-Dalby trapped LBW.
I wouldn't like to pay their wage bill, I know you can all name them.
A good day for Somerset and very enjoyable to watch despite the very cold wind.
It didn't start very good for some of our tail end batsmen.
Alfonso Thomas bowled by Rikki Clarke.
Jack Leach also bowled by Rikki Clarke.
Seeing Jos Buttler get his third CC hundred made my day.
Jim Troughton didn't seem to like facing Jamie Overton, neither would I.
Jim Troughton faced 96 balls for this 26 this was one of this three fours.
Will Jack Leach jump the queue ahead of Max Waller I think he might (sorry Max fans) he didn't do himself no harm by bowling Jeetan Patel.
And also getting Oliver Hannon-Dalby trapped LBW.
I wouldn't like to pay their wage bill, I know you can all name them.
I'd like to be in position to declare by 2pm.
LoL - I think today might be an apt day to deploy Mr Buttler as the fourth specialist batsman used in the CC, for the first time, given the match situation? And I'd say doubly so if Compton is the not out batsman.
Obviously he'd be 5 on the scorecard due to the night watchman.
Wonder if promoting Pete in the hope of hitting his way into form might also be on the cards?
LoL - I think today might be an apt day to deploy Mr Buttler as the fourth specialist batsman used in the CC, for the first time, given the match situation? And I'd say doubly so if Compton is the not out batsman.
Obviously he'd be 5 on the scorecard due to the night watchman.
Wonder if promoting Pete in the hope of hitting his way into form might also be on the cards?
Looking forward to your declaration at 2pm, AG - can I ask what the great revelation will be?
- I vow never to have another online dispute with Grockle?
- I'm switching my allegiance to Gloucs?
- I won't presume to tell Marcus how he should bat?
- OK, I admit, Willis, Nicholas and Atherton are right, we do have too many counties, let's amalgamate Middx and Surrey.
...or all of the above?
- I vow never to have another online dispute with Grockle?
- I'm switching my allegiance to Gloucs?
- I won't presume to tell Marcus how he should bat?
- OK, I admit, Willis, Nicholas and Atherton are right, we do have too many counties, let's amalgamate Middx and Surrey.
...or all of the above?
Have certainly never 'told Marcus how to bat.'
I think, perhaps that Atherton and Willis should perhaps be amalgamated, such that their combined commentary time is halved so as to create a vacancy for a fresh face.
I favour the outright abolition of Mark Nicholas.
I think, perhaps that Atherton and Willis should perhaps be amalgamated, such that their combined commentary time is halved so as to create a vacancy for a fresh face.
I favour the outright abolition of Mark Nicholas.
Here's another thought on the decicion to bat again (which I too agree with.
Had the follow on been enforced Warks would have gt that heavy roller out there to try to flatten the pitch out.
By batting again Somerset had the choice, just the light roller was used and hopefully the pitch will continue to deteriorate during Somerset's innings, to a point where even the heavy roller cant squash out all the demons.
Had the follow on been enforced Warks would have gt that heavy roller out there to try to flatten the pitch out.
By batting again Somerset had the choice, just the light roller was used and hopefully the pitch will continue to deteriorate during Somerset's innings, to a point where even the heavy roller cant squash out all the demons.
Great photos from both days, Mike.
That sounds an expensive firm of solicitors, Tractor.
That sounds an expensive firm of solicitors, Tractor.
Bagpuss - excellent point at 10.16
Rodders - are you feeling alright, ref your post at 10.08?
Rodders - are you feeling alright, ref your post at 10.08?
As a dog owner, Bagpuss, you might have liked some of the camera direction from Sky over the past few days.
Dogs have been quite a feature between overs.
Some lovely specimens and I particularly liked the bit yesterday where Marcus upper-cut Clarke for six and, as the ball landed, an Alaskan Malamute, I think it was loomed up behind a brick wall to see what the noise was and, perhaps, if he might be allowed off the lead to retrieve the cherry.
Dogs have been quite a feature between overs.
Some lovely specimens and I particularly liked the bit yesterday where Marcus upper-cut Clarke for six and, as the ball landed, an Alaskan Malamute, I think it was loomed up behind a brick wall to see what the noise was and, perhaps, if he might be allowed off the lead to retrieve the cherry.
I think you will find Wickham that Tractor's team turned to the law after realising there was no future in working as firefighters for a government who didn't really care.
Things are looking up. Another poster says well done and leaves me entirely out of it and I would like to endorse the sentiment. We were so obviously in control of the game yesterday.
Very impressed with the effort of James Overton, even when he was flagging towards the tea interval. Jack Leach has come on a lot over the winter. Great level of control even when Troughton was trying to get after him.
Alf on the money and Pete doing the Keith Parsons impression - looking like he can be hit but not going for runs and taking wickets. What a canny bowler he is becoming.
Game on boys. Crack on and put it away please.
Things are looking up. Another poster says well done and leaves me entirely out of it and I would like to endorse the sentiment. We were so obviously in control of the game yesterday.
Very impressed with the effort of James Overton, even when he was flagging towards the tea interval. Jack Leach has come on a lot over the winter. Great level of control even when Troughton was trying to get after him.
Alf on the money and Pete doing the Keith Parsons impression - looking like he can be hit but not going for runs and taking wickets. What a canny bowler he is becoming.
Game on boys. Crack on and put it away please.
Quote:AGod
Have certainly never 'told Marcus how to bat.'
I think, perhaps that Atherton and Willis should perhaps be amalgamated, such that their combined commentary time is halved so as to create a vacancy for a fresh face.
I favour the outright abolition of Mark Nicholas.
Hi AGod
We may not agree about much, BUT your comments about Atherton, Willis and Nicholas are spot on! Well done! I think I would probably add Alec Stewart to the list! IMO!
Don't know if you are aware but Stewart contrived to write a season preview - I think it was on the Beeb for Div ONe, in which Somerset were NOT EVEN MENTIONED.
There was a long paragraph on each of eight other Counties.
There was a long paragraph on each of eight other Counties.
Are you sure it wasn't eight paragraphs on Surrey and none of the other counties were mentioned?
Maybe he's the resident supporter of the other counties and they let Bagpuss do ours.
Maybe he's the resident supporter of the other counties and they let Bagpuss do ours.
Well, that's any possible night-watchman issue swiftly resolved.
And I don't think we'll be too disappointed at how much movement Wright got on that ball.
And I don't think we'll be too disappointed at how much movement Wright got on that ball.
I agree with you re Willis, Athers and Nicholas, AG - thanks for appreciating my little piece of sarcasm. Did Stewart's piece end every sentence with "etc etc" as that is how he ends every spoken sentence - unimaginably annoying - wonder how he feels about Monty getting Smith out this morning?
It was a printed piece, SP, so I suspect the editor removed all of the superfluous abbreviations.....
Getting Smith must be a good morale booster for Monty after his travails in New Zealand.
Well done, NC, this over - good acceleration.
I saw NC accelerate to tremendous effect at Trent Bridge last season and I hope he will manage similar here.
I saw NC accelerate to tremendous effect at Trent Bridge last season and I hope he will manage similar here.
No CC game for us next week.
Does anyone know if there is a second XI game?
If so, I wonder if we might play Hildreth in it and, possibly, play Pete as a batsman only ahead of the trip to Headingley?
Does anyone know if there is a second XI game?
If so, I wonder if we might play Hildreth in it and, possibly, play Pete as a batsman only ahead of the trip to Headingley?
Is there commentary on this match? I have nothing except a time counter telling me how long I have been listening to nothing.
I have to say that up to now I have not been hugely impressed by the consistency of the signal from the Mighty BBC's internet sources. It was patchy to say the least from Durham except when on Five Live and Surrey was little better.
I have to say that up to now I have not been hugely impressed by the consistency of the signal from the Mighty BBC's internet sources. It was patchy to say the least from Durham except when on Five Live and Surrey was little better.
No commentary for me either. Just that ticking time signal.
LoL
Sixty-six Seasons a Somerset Supporter
LoL
Sixty-six Seasons a Somerset Supporter
Playing one of the Uni's at Vale AG. I imagine selection for that will all be about out of touch players getting some time in the middle and fringe players staking a claim.
I'm not sure which is worse - the non-functioning scoreboards or the non-funtioning commentaries! Is it a nasty trick by Sky to try to make us join Murdoch's mob or is there some cheap jack contractor who doesn't know what he is doing? The rumour I heard yesterday was that one of the Area Committees donated £10K which was due to be matched by the main Club to get a proper job done on the scoreboards. Other than the total score none of the other figures on the 'refurbished' scoreboard above the 'chip shop' can be read from the area from Gimblett Hill round to the Cowshed. Or am I mistaken? Am I losing my sight in old age?? Or is it both??
Well I hope we are going to see some acceleration after lunch. A steady session, and a lead of over 400. If we are going to bat on then I'd hope to see those extra 50 runs added inside 10 overs.
Not much sign of the ball gripping, or uneven bounce that Hurry mentioned yesterday.
Not much sign of the ball gripping, or uneven bounce that Hurry mentioned yesterday.
Well, I really do think we should be declaring within the next twenty minutes or so.
If Warks somehow manage to knock off 420+ then a) well played Warks and b) We don't deserve to win the CC if we cannot defend 420!!
However, Dave N said that we think this track is going 'to go up and down and turn more,' and I rather fear that we may "sit in," with the bat, looking for signs of that before we declare.
I certainly supported batting again but with the thought that we wouldn't be overly cautious with a declaration.
If Warks somehow manage to knock off 420+ then a) well played Warks and b) We don't deserve to win the CC if we cannot defend 420!!
However, Dave N said that we think this track is going 'to go up and down and turn more,' and I rather fear that we may "sit in," with the bat, looking for signs of that before we declare.
I certainly supported batting again but with the thought that we wouldn't be overly cautious with a declaration.
And forecasts still suggesting possibility of bad light and/or rain tomorrow after lunch......
With a win being worth more than five times as much as a draw, I don't think we can possibly justify a delayed declaration..
With a win being worth more than five times as much as a draw, I don't think we can possibly justify a delayed declaration..
Can't help but think we are wasting time here.
Warwickshire have given up, their fields demonstrate that. They are not chasing 450 to win.
Getthem batting.
Warwickshire have given up, their fields demonstrate that. They are not chasing 450 to win.
Getthem batting.
And now more time wasted whilst they look for a ball - just throw another one on, ffs!!
Whether or not we win this match (and surely we should if the weather holds), we saw in the first three hours` play today exactly why we always finish second.
Are the words "killer," and "instinct," moving in the direction of this conversation, CJM?
I don't know CJ-M, after all why go gung ho when we didn't need to. More realistic to say that if we can't bowl them out in the time we have got then THAT is why we always finish second. I still fear that our pace attack is a bit sub championship winning standard if we are honest. GH was bought in to add penetration and is nowhere. If the Overtons can step up then fine but I still think that a combination of the Taunton wicket and our lack of new ball penetration will see us miss out again.
Would love to be proved wrong !!
Would love to be proved wrong !!
If we lose 30-40 overs to rain tomorrow and half the Warwickshire side is out at the time they go off, then the dalliance with the bat will look a little foolish.
It is still a good batting track. There's no way it was a 150 odd track as Warks managed in their first dig. But we bowled exceptionally well in the first dig.
We'll probably need to bowl as well again to bundle Warks out.
It is still a good batting track. There's no way it was a 150 odd track as Warks managed in their first dig. But we bowled exceptionally well in the first dig.
We'll probably need to bowl as well again to bundle Warks out.
To be honest Rodders, except for the odd game Gemaal has never added penetration in his two years. We had problems getting early wickets in many games at the start of his time at Taunton and then he got injured before he really put anything properly together and hasn't really come back.
Alf being here at the start of a season is a new thing and the Overtons coming on stream earlier than expected must be seen as a plus point.
You see them as sub Championship? Well they've held their own against one of the best in the country and also against the men with the money. They are also out bowling the County Champions presently so we'll have to hope that the sub CC1 outfit keep proving you a little harsh.
Leach is raw but improving and he has looked very good in this game. Dockrell is a special player and Steve Kirby is not playing in this game. If the old boys can be backed up by quality younger players to give them a little breathing room then maybe we may not have the one match winner but more than 4 bowlers to hit a side with.
Suppose we'll have to wait and see how well the real CC1 Bowling units do. As AG said somewhere earlier, we're holding our own with the ball... it's the batting we need to get right.
Alf being here at the start of a season is a new thing and the Overtons coming on stream earlier than expected must be seen as a plus point.
You see them as sub Championship? Well they've held their own against one of the best in the country and also against the men with the money. They are also out bowling the County Champions presently so we'll have to hope that the sub CC1 outfit keep proving you a little harsh.
Leach is raw but improving and he has looked very good in this game. Dockrell is a special player and Steve Kirby is not playing in this game. If the old boys can be backed up by quality younger players to give them a little breathing room then maybe we may not have the one match winner but more than 4 bowlers to hit a side with.
Suppose we'll have to wait and see how well the real CC1 Bowling units do. As AG said somewhere earlier, we're holding our own with the ball... it's the batting we need to get right.
Well done to Nick for his ton.
As for the declaration, well at 47-0, I suppose the jury is still out.
Time (+ our bowling) will tell.............
Come on lads, let's get them three or four down by the close.
Grizzzly
As for the declaration, well at 47-0, I suppose the jury is still out.
Time (+ our bowling) will tell.............
Come on lads, let's get them three or four down by the close.
Grizzzly
Grizzly i think the usual members of the jury have already made up their minds that we delayed the declaration and making the usual negative comments even though its early days
Day to go and it hasn't rained yet.
I've had a day off because the Oman Ministry of Education listened to the weathermen and expected a tropical storm to rip through Oman so closed all the schools.
It's been dry all day with an almost certain 95% chance of heavy rain so don't put your life on the predictions for the UK tomorrow AG
This game isn't over until there is a shake of hands or the clatter of the last Warwickshire wicket.
When that happens you can moan or not about the time of the declaration and get the hypothetical meaningless speculation tools out but until then....
I've had a day off because the Oman Ministry of Education listened to the weathermen and expected a tropical storm to rip through Oman so closed all the schools.
It's been dry all day with an almost certain 95% chance of heavy rain so don't put your life on the predictions for the UK tomorrow AG
This game isn't over until there is a shake of hands or the clatter of the last Warwickshire wicket.
When that happens you can moan or not about the time of the declaration and get the hypothetical meaningless speculation tools out but until then....
It's not looking like there is much doing, Grizzly.
Pitch may have flattened out some more.
But I'm also not sure that we are showing the intensity in the field that we did in their first dig?
Pitch may have flattened out some more.
But I'm also not sure that we are showing the intensity in the field that we did in their first dig?
Hey Grocks read carefully !
I did not say our attack was sub championship standard.
I said it was sub CHAMPIONSHIP WINNING standard.
As I am sure you are aware, there is a difference !
I did not say our attack was sub championship standard.
I said it was sub CHAMPIONSHIP WINNING standard.
As I am sure you are aware, there is a difference !
Bottom line, Grockle?
We did not show very much urgency with the bat and I'm not sure that that has not carried over a little bit into the performance in the field since then.
We've bowled okay. But certainly not anywhere like as well as we did in their first dig.
We did not show very much urgency with the bat and I'm not sure that that has not carried over a little bit into the performance in the field since then.
We've bowled okay. But certainly not anywhere like as well as we did in their first dig.
Nah AG bottom line is it is not over until it is actually over :-) Dissect it then.
Nah Rodders the extra word is immaterial. The competition through the year will decide what our bowling line up actually is on the scale and all of my post still applies with or without the 'winning' word.
Apologies though for mis-reading the post.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2013:04:27:17:09:51 by Grockle.
Apologies though for mis-reading the post.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2013:04:27:17:09:51 by Grockle.
I think you might be praying for the rain and bad light tomorrow AG. Nothing happening. 3 wickets all day and lbws. These 2 at present in little danger.
Why will we be praying tomorrow Ron. You surely don't expect Warks to get to 514 do you? If you do you're the only one because no-one in the media expects that.
Yep but in 18 years of watching at Taunton I've never seen a side chase down 514 to win a Championship game and I've seen some shockers.
You really are looking forward to this season aren't you :-)
You really are looking forward to this season aren't you :-)
I think the total for the day at the minute is something like 315 runs for 4 wickets.
That includes a night-watchman and a disaster by Cook.
There were two dismissals of batsmen that were correct... Hildreth and Petersen.
We'll see if the forecast low cloud/rain arrives.
If it's very low cloud but still light enough and dry, then that could really help our seamers tomorrow.
But I think the heavy roller has killed Andy Hurry's hopes of the track 'going up and down,' or of significant turn other than out of the bowlers' foot-marks.
The worry, watching today's play is surely that the wretched heavy roller may bring back the days of pitches getting flatter as games go on at Taunton. Not really what we want to see.
That includes a night-watchman and a disaster by Cook.
There were two dismissals of batsmen that were correct... Hildreth and Petersen.
We'll see if the forecast low cloud/rain arrives.
If it's very low cloud but still light enough and dry, then that could really help our seamers tomorrow.
But I think the heavy roller has killed Andy Hurry's hopes of the track 'going up and down,' or of significant turn other than out of the bowlers' foot-marks.
The worry, watching today's play is surely that the wretched heavy roller may bring back the days of pitches getting flatter as games go on at Taunton. Not really what we want to see.
You really don't know what I'm looking forward to so why you try and make a comment when youve basically no idea is totally beyond me. Is AG mellowing getting to you? All I will say is if it were Somerset chasing on this I wouldn't rule us out. As I speak our only danger man has got troughton....only just a good decision by cook!!!
My God, I thought Cook was NOT going to give that!!
So obviously out.
315 odd for 6 wickets!
So obviously out.
315 odd for 6 wickets!
Quote:Ronniesabre
You really don't know what I'm looking forward to so why you try and make a comment when youve basically no idea is totally beyond me. Is AG mellowing getting to you? All I will say is if it were Somerset chasing on this I wouldn't rule us out. As I speak our only danger man has got troughton....only just a good decision by cook!!!
And one after him
You said you were looking forward to the season earlier I believe Ron.
I'm afraid I've nothing to do with how touchy you feel either. Never mind aye hope you feel better about whatever it is soon.
We have a batting line-up that is probably the best in the CC1 and we'd be pushed. Warks effectively end at 6 - as the night watchman has just proved.
Jack Leach 3 for 22 - well done him
Feel better about what? What a load of drivel!! You know nothing about what I feel so why even mention it. you just can't help yourself!!
15 overs 7 maidens 3 for 25. Not a bad end session for our 19 year old. Well done sir.
One more tonight would be nice - I guess close of play is imminent ?
Grizzzly
Grizzzly
I thought you posted that you were looking forward to the season after the Surrey game but if you didn't, I'm awfully sorry for upsetting you so badly by a throw away comment. Hope you get over it really soon.
The rest I'll happily take back when the Bears hit the winning run tomorrow and your assessment of our ability to hold them is vindicated.
Until then have a happy Sunday and try to keep the pointless insults to a minimum if you can please.
The rest I'll happily take back when the Bears hit the winning run tomorrow and your assessment of our ability to hold them is vindicated.
Until then have a happy Sunday and try to keep the pointless insults to a minimum if you can please.
Ah so it's a throw way line now. But you've got to make them dont you the put downs to make you feel better. Just for the record I never mentioned anything about warks winning this game - you did!!! Have a good Sunday too. I hope your team wins!!!
Re: Surrey vs Somerset, The Oval
Posted by: Ronniesabre
Date: 21 April, 2013 17:31
I've certainly not given up on 2013. I'm actually looking forward as said in my last post. Warks at home should be good and we rise to the occasion!!
I was referring to the above (thought I was going mad) when I made the comment - your words I think.
Today you suggested AG would be praying for bad light and rain? For what if it wasn't to stave off a Warks win? You were obviously referring to something else though I can't work out what?
Or are you just looking for an argument Ron because it seems very much like that to me and I'm not playing these silly games with you and then getting criticised for starting them by others.
Please go and look for a fight somewhere else because this one really isn't worth your desperate efforts. But be careful when you come after me this way sir because I will bite if there is no reason for it.
Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 2013:04:27:18:51:13 by Grockle.
Posted by: Ronniesabre
Date: 21 April, 2013 17:31
I've certainly not given up on 2013. I'm actually looking forward as said in my last post. Warks at home should be good and we rise to the occasion!!
I was referring to the above (thought I was going mad) when I made the comment - your words I think.
Today you suggested AG would be praying for bad light and rain? For what if it wasn't to stave off a Warks win? You were obviously referring to something else though I can't work out what?
Or are you just looking for an argument Ron because it seems very much like that to me and I'm not playing these silly games with you and then getting criticised for starting them by others.
Please go and look for a fight somewhere else because this one really isn't worth your desperate efforts. But be careful when you come after me this way sir because I will bite if there is no reason for it.
Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 2013:04:27:18:51:13 by Grockle.
Quote:cricketjerry-mouse
Whether or not we win this match (and surely we should if the weather holds), we saw in the first three hours` play today exactly why we always finish second.
Are you referring to the way in which the side has been captained, Jerry?
Are you inferring that Marcus should instil a sense of urgency in players in the middle by some kind of telepathy CP?
I doubt the way that the team played this morning was solely down to the captain. I expect Captain, Coach, and Director of Cricket would operate as a brains trust and they presumably decided amongst themselves on an approach.
Ironically, by far the most positive batting was from Marcus himself the previous evening.
We certainly did not match that sort of positivity for most of the morning.
Ironically, by far the most positive batting was from Marcus himself the previous evening.
We certainly did not match that sort of positivity for most of the morning.
Am I right in saying that when it seemed to be slowing down messages went out and told them to get on with it. The bit of commentary I did get this morning suggested someone had given Craig some kind of timetable.
Willis was on for ages about the follow on and invoking it but I think it was the Bear in him talking rather than sensible analysis.
What does it mean if we win this one? Does the captaincy assessment change? Not in CJM's opinion but....
Willis was on for ages about the follow on and invoking it but I think it was the Bear in him talking rather than sensible analysis.
What does it mean if we win this one? Does the captaincy assessment change? Not in CJM's opinion but....
[www.bbc.co.uk]
This forecast is not bad from a rain point of view but the obvious question if the forecast is right is how long will the light be playable for...
It might be that Petersen has to bowl in tandem with Jack?
This forecast is not bad from a rain point of view but the obvious question if the forecast is right is how long will the light be playable for...
It might be that Petersen has to bowl in tandem with Jack?
You bite? Like luis Suarez? I am not looking for any argument grockle but every post I make is met with one from your good self .....before you know it......need I say more. I recognise you were making reference to a post I made earlier so for that I did take it out of context and apologise for doing so.
If we get to that point and we haven't got there we may as well stick the seamers on and take the draw
Again I was very impressed with the way Leach kept to his task even though he hadn't got it quite right.
Again I was very impressed with the way Leach kept to his task even though he hadn't got it quite right.
Why is there always so much negativity. We're playing the champions , and have set them a target of over 500 in four and a half sessions.Wouldn't we take that in every game.
We've got three 19 year old bowlers,and two of our top 7 aren't firing with the bat at all yet.I couldn't be happier!!
We've got three 19 year old bowlers,and two of our top 7 aren't firing with the bat at all yet.I couldn't be happier!!
Leach seems to have an excellent temperament.
As for a message going out, Grockle, a message went out at about 2.25pm or something like that to tell NC exactly when the declaration was going to be made... I assume it was based on an exact number of overs to be left...NC told the Sky guys that he had to hit a six to bring up his ton, because he knew it was the last ball before Marcus was going to declare.
To be fair, we did manage a decent overall run-rate.... but equally there were a high number of dot-balls and, at times, it looked like Craig K and NIck were having a net.
I think there was an element of management wanting us to bat time in the hope that the pitch would deteriorate markedly.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2013:04:27:19:11:18 by AGod.
As for a message going out, Grockle, a message went out at about 2.25pm or something like that to tell NC exactly when the declaration was going to be made... I assume it was based on an exact number of overs to be left...NC told the Sky guys that he had to hit a six to bring up his ton, because he knew it was the last ball before Marcus was going to declare.
To be fair, we did manage a decent overall run-rate.... but equally there were a high number of dot-balls and, at times, it looked like Craig K and NIck were having a net.
I think there was an element of management wanting us to bat time in the hope that the pitch would deteriorate markedly.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2013:04:27:19:11:18 by AGod.
No worries Ron. I think you are too conscious of my replies specifically sometimes.
I thought I simply asked a question. I thought that is what you did on forums.
I answer quite a lot of posts when I'm around. I certainly don't go looking for yours but you do post some stuff that offers itself up for questions.
And not like Luis Suarez. Like the moderator of this site I'm afraid. But its sorted now I think.
I thought I simply asked a question. I thought that is what you did on forums.
I answer quite a lot of posts when I'm around. I certainly don't go looking for yours but you do post some stuff that offers itself up for questions.
And not like Luis Suarez. Like the moderator of this site I'm afraid. But its sorted now I think.
Posts that cause questions are good too though sometimes. Cheers have a good day and hopefully tomorrow the weather will give us the chance to win this thing. One thing we do agree in leachy looks good. Difficult for max now I feel. He's pigeon holed as a one day player and that won't be good enough for him!!
Well it might have to be good enough for him, Ronnie, depending on whether or not any other County is prepared to sign him on the basis that he will seriously contend for a CC place?
I don't think he's managed to address Brian Rose's main point that was made a few years ago now... that of needing to turn his stock leg-break more.
As a spinner you've got three things that can be strengths - accuracy, variety and the ability to turn the ball a long way.
I think you've got to have at least two of those three things to have a shot at success.
Max's strong-point is probably variety. He does have a decent googly and can bowl a top-spinner. But that leg-break just does not turn enough and if you're not going to rip your leg-break you need accuracy a la Kumble, IMO, which he certainly does not yet have.
I don't think he's managed to address Brian Rose's main point that was made a few years ago now... that of needing to turn his stock leg-break more.
As a spinner you've got three things that can be strengths - accuracy, variety and the ability to turn the ball a long way.
I think you've got to have at least two of those three things to have a shot at success.
Max's strong-point is probably variety. He does have a decent googly and can bowl a top-spinner. But that leg-break just does not turn enough and if you're not going to rip your leg-break you need accuracy a la Kumble, IMO, which he certainly does not yet have.
He probably has two aspects and has survived because he had one more than Michael Munday had.
Neither of them consistently take enough wickets but at least when used sparingly Max doesn't go for a bucketload so a one day game offers something for him
As you say, he may not have enough to get him a berth elsewhere and therefore he stays and takes what he can.
It is a great shame
Neither of them consistently take enough wickets but at least when used sparingly Max doesn't go for a bucketload so a one day game offers something for him
As you say, he may not have enough to get him a berth elsewhere and therefore he stays and takes what he can.
It is a great shame
That's true ag and I can't think of a county who would give him that opportunity at this present time. Real shame for us as I quite like him although it's mainly one day cricket I've seen him in.
Grockle you may be interested to know that the PA announcements in this match are being made a former colleague of yours in the commentary box , a Mr Julian Cattanach
I enjoyed a very nice afternoon in the sun today, when we appeared to have outplayed Warwicks at every level.
Judgement on our lads:
Trescothick Batting OK Fielding Brilliant Captaincy Perfect
Compton Batting back on song
Petersen What can one say
Hildreth The one problem - out of form or luck
Kieswetter Rightly took him time second time around and Wicketkeeping outstanding
Buttler Batting great Fielding great
Trego Batting disappointing but bowling dependable
Thomas Bowling up to his usual standard
C Overton Bowling impressive in first innings
J Overton Bowling OK but in second innings so far not making batsmen play enough, but he may be bowling to orders?
Leach Not sure that George would have done much better?
I don't understand the panic over the declaration - once the sensible not enforcing follow-on decision had been made it appeared obvious to most of the guys around me that the target was 500+ by about 3.00pm Saturday afternoon - they did it by 2.45pm. If we can't win from that position it is more likely to be because of stubborn or superb batting by the Warwick lads, and good luck to them!
By playing it the way we did Tres, Hurry and Nosworthy have ensured that almost everyone has got some decent form back.
I have no complaints. (Except possibly a certain umpire!!)
Judgement on our lads:
Trescothick Batting OK Fielding Brilliant Captaincy Perfect
Compton Batting back on song
Petersen What can one say
Hildreth The one problem - out of form or luck
Kieswetter Rightly took him time second time around and Wicketkeeping outstanding
Buttler Batting great Fielding great
Trego Batting disappointing but bowling dependable
Thomas Bowling up to his usual standard
C Overton Bowling impressive in first innings
J Overton Bowling OK but in second innings so far not making batsmen play enough, but he may be bowling to orders?
Leach Not sure that George would have done much better?
I don't understand the panic over the declaration - once the sensible not enforcing follow-on decision had been made it appeared obvious to most of the guys around me that the target was 500+ by about 3.00pm Saturday afternoon - they did it by 2.45pm. If we can't win from that position it is more likely to be because of stubborn or superb batting by the Warwick lads, and good luck to them!
By playing it the way we did Tres, Hurry and Nosworthy have ensured that almost everyone has got some decent form back.
I have no complaints. (Except possibly a certain umpire!!)
Julian. Were they sharp and to the point? Well done to him if they were because he desperately wants to talk the hind legs off the proverbial.
Good choice though. He is clear and precise. Do you know if this is a permanent move Roger?
Good choice though. He is clear and precise. Do you know if this is a permanent move Roger?
Not sure if he is on duty for full season, but certainly has done the first three days.
He is coming across very clear, and doing a good job.
The PA system itself seems to have been improved again this year, or maybe the winds directions are helping.
Last year of course Julian and his twin had the unenviable task of operating the temporary scoreboard brought in from Bath Rec ,when the main scoreboard failed.
He certainly enjoys being involved.
He is coming across very clear, and doing a good job.
The PA system itself seems to have been improved again this year, or maybe the winds directions are helping.
Last year of course Julian and his twin had the unenviable task of operating the temporary scoreboard brought in from Bath Rec ,when the main scoreboard failed.
He certainly enjoys being involved.
I've been travelling most of the day so it was the odd mobile phone update and it was only towards the end at 103 for 1 that I was disappointed. I assumed a target of 500:I assumed sensible batting ( 4 an over not 20/20 stuff);the last thing wanted was a clatter of wickets and a psychological boost to Warwick. I would have happily settled for where we are now- 96 overs to take 7 wickets while defending 371. If it's light /rain affected then bad luck. An earlier declaration could have meant 50 runs less as a target and 50 more scored tonight. 371 in 96 means the batting side play for a draw. 271 in 96 means lets see if we win.
I am delighted with the performance of 10 of our players for the whole 3 days and am gutted for James.
I am delighted with the performance of 10 of our players for the whole 3 days and am gutted for James.
3rd days photos.
Getting three late wickets made it Somerset's day. Still a cold wind.
Alviro Petersen hitting a six, I said jokingly he had to fail sometime in only scoring 43.
A good decision by the umpire in giving Alviro out lbw off the bowling of Chris Woakes.
Nick Compton played some good attacking shots, you can't accuse him of not moving his feet.
Not to be outdone by Alviro, Craig Kieswetter also hit a six (one of two)
Nick Compton celebrating scoring 100 runs.
We were so desperate for a wicket for a while as you can see from Craig Kieswetter when he appealed for a lbw against William Porterfield off the bowling of Jack Leach. (not given)
Celebrations after Jos Buttler caught William Porterfield off Jack Leach, I hope Marcus got out of that crush okay.
Jim Troughton head down after he was out lbw off Jack Leach.
Getting three late wickets made it Somerset's day. Still a cold wind.
Alviro Petersen hitting a six, I said jokingly he had to fail sometime in only scoring 43.
A good decision by the umpire in giving Alviro out lbw off the bowling of Chris Woakes.
Nick Compton played some good attacking shots, you can't accuse him of not moving his feet.
Not to be outdone by Alviro, Craig Kieswetter also hit a six (one of two)
Nick Compton celebrating scoring 100 runs.
We were so desperate for a wicket for a while as you can see from Craig Kieswetter when he appealed for a lbw against William Porterfield off the bowling of Jack Leach. (not given)
Celebrations after Jos Buttler caught William Porterfield off Jack Leach, I hope Marcus got out of that crush okay.
Jim Troughton head down after he was out lbw off Jack Leach.
Quote:Grockle
Julian. Were they sharp and to the point? Well done to him if they were because he desperately wants to talk the hind legs off the proverbial.
Good choice though. He is clear and precise. Do you know if this is a permanent move Roger?
I understand he will be doing it all the time this season.
I will go as far as to say he is the best announcer I have heard
Thanks for the photos and your comments earlier, ob - I was feeling positive about the day from thes scores I had on my phone as the day went on - until I read this thread!
We scored 266 at 4.4 per over, built a platform then accelerated towards the declaration, only losing 3 batsmen (plus Jack - is he the guy with the beard?), only James "failed", Nick got 100 (has he ever got there with a six before?), while three other batsmen got good runs at a good pace.
I guess their opening partnership may have been aided by the heavy roller...then our young spinner gets three wickets at very little cost.
I call that an excellent day, against the county champs, who now need 370+ at 3.8 per over (if we get a full day) - if they get there, good luck to them, but I'd rather be where we are. Go lads - I'll tuned in during the sermon in the morning!
We scored 266 at 4.4 per over, built a platform then accelerated towards the declaration, only losing 3 batsmen (plus Jack - is he the guy with the beard?), only James "failed", Nick got 100 (has he ever got there with a six before?), while three other batsmen got good runs at a good pace.
I guess their opening partnership may have been aided by the heavy roller...then our young spinner gets three wickets at very little cost.
I call that an excellent day, against the county champs, who now need 370+ at 3.8 per over (if we get a full day) - if they get there, good luck to them, but I'd rather be where we are. Go lads - I'll tuned in during the sermon in the morning!
Batting looked easy enough before the roller, SP.
I don't think we needed a 515 run lead and, if we did, I think we could have got there more quickly than we did.
I think they deliberately did not push much in the morning not because they thought we'd lose wickets by doing so (after all we started the day at effectively about 300 for 1!) but because they were deliberately trying to bat time in the expectation that the track would deteriorate.
Those hopes have not been realised - it doesn't really look as though those 60 overs that we batted made any difference at all in terms of increased turn or the uneven bounce that Andy Hurry had forecasted. Indeed, I saw no evidence whatsoever of uneven bounce.
Hopes of victory tomorrow may rest primarily with a weather related balancing act - fairly heavy cloud cover without the light being too poor for play is probably what we want as that may then give our pace bowlers some help in terms of swing - at least with the second new ball.
In terms of conventional swing, it may be too late with this ball and, apparently, Marcus has been shining it specifially with a view to trying get reverse swing, with the track being so dry.
If we get a full day, I think we ought to still do it.
If we don't get a full day tomorrow, I think we'll look back on today as a day where we did not push home our advantage with as much zeal as we could have done.
I don't think we needed a 515 run lead and, if we did, I think we could have got there more quickly than we did.
I think they deliberately did not push much in the morning not because they thought we'd lose wickets by doing so (after all we started the day at effectively about 300 for 1!) but because they were deliberately trying to bat time in the expectation that the track would deteriorate.
Those hopes have not been realised - it doesn't really look as though those 60 overs that we batted made any difference at all in terms of increased turn or the uneven bounce that Andy Hurry had forecasted. Indeed, I saw no evidence whatsoever of uneven bounce.
Hopes of victory tomorrow may rest primarily with a weather related balancing act - fairly heavy cloud cover without the light being too poor for play is probably what we want as that may then give our pace bowlers some help in terms of swing - at least with the second new ball.
In terms of conventional swing, it may be too late with this ball and, apparently, Marcus has been shining it specifially with a view to trying get reverse swing, with the track being so dry.
If we get a full day, I think we ought to still do it.
If we don't get a full day tomorrow, I think we'll look back on today as a day where we did not push home our advantage with as much zeal as we could have done.
Given conditions, their long tail, our attack and history we are nailed on to win this without question.
Just try and turn this whole thing around, would we give ourselves a sniff tomorrow? I think not.
As soon as we get Chopra that's game over.
Even if we don't a very conservative 2 wickets in first 2 sessions would leave then xxx-7 at tea, Wright and OHD are fighting for number 11 and Patel can have a swing but last 20/30 overs?
I predict we'll be pretty much done by lunch and we'll all be home in time for the footy!
Just try and turn this whole thing around, would we give ourselves a sniff tomorrow? I think not.
As soon as we get Chopra that's game over.
Even if we don't a very conservative 2 wickets in first 2 sessions would leave then xxx-7 at tea, Wright and OHD are fighting for number 11 and Patel can have a swing but last 20/30 overs?
I predict we'll be pretty much done by lunch and we'll all be home in time for the footy!
Quote:Grockle
Julian. Were they sharp and to the point? Well done to him if they were because he desperately wants to talk the hind legs off the proverbial.
Sharp and to the point?
I was at the ground until tea, and in between the innings Mr Cattanach said - "The match will reach a positive conclusion when either Warwickshire have scored 515 runs or when Somerset have taken 10 wickets."
There followed a volume of derisory laughter from all those around me, so I would suggest that Mr Cattanach attempts to curb his unwarranted loquaciousness on future occasions. Do members of the public really need to be made aware as to the point when one side or the other will win the game?
Having said that his diction was very clear.
Clarence when I heard that I did say there could be somebody watching the match who haven't been to a cricket match before.
Just back in after a day celebrating the life of one of Swansea's brightest stars, Badfinger's Pete Ham.
I'd like to thank most of you for the informative comments, when you're desperately trying to keep up with what's happening on the field it's always nice to get a balanced view...cheers.
As for tomorrow?
I think we'll win comfortably by mid afternoon, as stress free as a final day against the County Champions can be.
Go Somerset.
I'd like to thank most of you for the informative comments, when you're desperately trying to keep up with what's happening on the field it's always nice to get a balanced view...cheers.
As for tomorrow?
I think we'll win comfortably by mid afternoon, as stress free as a final day against the County Champions can be.
Go Somerset.
Quote:AGod
I think they deliberately did not push much in the morning not because they thought we'd lose wickets by doing so (after all we started the day at effectively about 300 for 1!) but because they were deliberately trying to bat time in the expectation that the track would deteriorate.
You have your opinion, but I really don't think there were such Machiavellian thoughts gone in the batting. Both Compton and Kieswetter particularly were not in the greatest of form and it was an ideal opportunity to get some form into their batting. Subsequently, when one read of Root knock today, it was very opportune for Compton to make a good tun.
Well that might be the result of my 'bite' Grizz but it might not work quite the same way.
Well, Old Boy, I thought Nick looked in really good touch in the first innings so it seems unlikely to me that he'd have lost touch for dig number two.
As for today, I think the aim should be to bowl as many balls as possible at guys other than Chopra.
We ought to be able to get Evans fairly quickly.
Then we'd be into their engine room of Ambrose, Woakes and Clarke.
Other than Chopra, those are their three most dangerous guys with the bat.
As for today, I think the aim should be to bowl as many balls as possible at guys other than Chopra.
We ought to be able to get Evans fairly quickly.
Then we'd be into their engine room of Ambrose, Woakes and Clarke.
Other than Chopra, those are their three most dangerous guys with the bat.
I don't always thank posters for their comments on my photos, so I now doing that, I do appreciate all of your comments.
The eagle eyed amongst you will have notice I am taking them from the other side of the ground and not from the Gimblett's Hill seats, the first day the wind wasn't too bad but during the second day I moved to the other side of the ground out of the cold winds.
The eagle eyed amongst you will have notice I am taking them from the other side of the ground and not from the Gimblett's Hill seats, the first day the wind wasn't too bad but during the second day I moved to the other side of the ground out of the cold winds.
Quote:SP
There followed a volume of derisory laughter from all those around me, so I would suggest that Mr Cattanach attempts to curb his unwarranted loquaciousness on future occasions. Do members of the public really need to be made aware as to the point when one side or the other will win the game?
The members of the public should read Grockle's then, because it happens all the time on this forum, and not from Mr Cattanach.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2013:04:28:09:32:09 by Roger ivanhoe.
Don't blame you moving round the ground Mike.Probably a 20 degrees difference from in front of the new pavillion and Gimblett's Hill.
Today looks like ideal bowling conditions.Very overcast with slight winds, but not ideal from a watching point of view.
Today looks like ideal bowling conditions.Very overcast with slight winds, but not ideal from a watching point of view.
If the winds are lighter than yesterday that should help when we take the second new ball... It looked like bowlers at one end had to run into a gale yesterday..
Looking forward to future home games.
If we can regularly produce dry tracks like this one then I think it surely makes sense to consider picking two front-line spinners, especially given Leach's performance.
For home games we could pick Pete and Alf as two pacemen that can bat and rotate Kirby and Jamie Overton in the 3rd seamer role, then pick both George and Jack until Rehman arrives?
Such a scenario would build in good rest for each of the ageing Kirby and young Overton. And the competition between the spinners could be great as we'd probably only play one of them in most away games, what with the Oval already in the rear-view mirror, and no game at Hove this season.
It turned out that, regrettably, the reason Jack was in the squad was probably because George had a bit of a knock, rather than because there was any thought of playing both of them;
However, as things turned out...would we have been any worse off (and possibly better off) if we'd have been able to field both for this one?
Suspect Marcus might quite like to be able to bowl spin from both ends today!
Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 2013:04:28:10:36:03 by AGod.
If we can regularly produce dry tracks like this one then I think it surely makes sense to consider picking two front-line spinners, especially given Leach's performance.
For home games we could pick Pete and Alf as two pacemen that can bat and rotate Kirby and Jamie Overton in the 3rd seamer role, then pick both George and Jack until Rehman arrives?
Such a scenario would build in good rest for each of the ageing Kirby and young Overton. And the competition between the spinners could be great as we'd probably only play one of them in most away games, what with the Oval already in the rear-view mirror, and no game at Hove this season.
It turned out that, regrettably, the reason Jack was in the squad was probably because George had a bit of a knock, rather than because there was any thought of playing both of them;
However, as things turned out...would we have been any worse off (and possibly better off) if we'd have been able to field both for this one?
Suspect Marcus might quite like to be able to bowl spin from both ends today!
Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 2013:04:28:10:36:03 by AGod.
Be interesting to see how the Overtons go today...neither seemed very happy yesterday and both were some way off their first innings efforts, so would be really good to see them hit back today.
It strikes me that a quickie who can cut his pace and bowl some medium-paced off-cutters (cf. Trueman, Lillee, Gough, Craig White) would be quite useful on a day like today.
Has Pete ever tried his hand at this? A classical outswinger's occasion seems to need very little modification for the purpose.
Has Pete ever tried his hand at this? A classical outswinger's occasion seems to need very little modification for the purpose.
I expect Pete is capable of exactly that, Mikeindex.
And I think Pete is most likely vs Chopra (lbw).
And I think Pete is most likely vs Chopra (lbw).
Quote:old boy!
Both Compton and Kieswetter particularly were not in the greatest of form and it was an ideal opportunity to get some form into their batting.
Maybe, but it seems silly to risk not winning a Championship match for a chance for some form when our next match is against Cardiff University. Surely that would be a better time to let Kieswetter scratch around for runs to find form.
That said, I'm reasonably happy with how we batted yesterday morning. Could have maybe been a bit more positive but you can't argue that we should still comfortably win.
I think I'd be fetching Jack back on pretty quickly.
Nothing in this for the pacemen at all at the moment.
Leach did nearly deceive Evans with the final ball of his only over today.
Nothing in this for the pacemen at all at the moment.
Leach did nearly deceive Evans with the final ball of his only over today.
Well, I'm afraid this is soooooooo flat that a draw is looking probable even if we get a full afternoon.
And, yes, I'll admit that even if we'd declared 45 mins or so earlier than we did, as I'd have liked to, it probably would have made little difference.
Some people advanced the theory that ' moving on,' a "truculent," Groundsman had helped to end our problem of tracks getting progressively flatter. Others said the move away from the heavy roller was key. I favoured the latter explanation at the time and I suspect that, regrettably, a 2013 season with the heavy roller will prove the point with too many tracks that are too flat for the second half of games.
And, yes, I'll admit that even if we'd declared 45 mins or so earlier than we did, as I'd have liked to, it probably would have made little difference.
Some people advanced the theory that ' moving on,' a "truculent," Groundsman had helped to end our problem of tracks getting progressively flatter. Others said the move away from the heavy roller was key. I favoured the latter explanation at the time and I suspect that, regrettably, a 2013 season with the heavy roller will prove the point with too many tracks that are too flat for the second half of games.
Leach seems to be like George in that he seems to have a 30+ year old cricketing brain contained in the head of a very young man.
Quote:Mike TA1Quote:Grockle
Julian. Were they sharp and to the point? Well done to him if they were because he desperately wants to talk the hind legs off the proverbial.
Good choice though. He is clear and precise. Do you know if this is a permanent move Roger?
I understand he will be doing it all the time this season.
I will go as far as to say he is the best announcer I have heard
I concur. Such a pleasure to hear the tannoy announcements carried out in such a professional manner, by a man who obviously knows his stuff.
Just a pity about the cricket and the negative tactics we've shown after a very good first 5 sessions.
Jos warming up as keeper which may be very bad news in terms of a thumb injury to Craig K.
We cannot really afford to be without Craig K with the bat, given that NC will soon be returning to England.
Hope Craig k is okay.
We cannot really afford to be without Craig K with the bat, given that NC will soon be returning to England.
Hope Craig k is okay.
I gathered from the radio commentary this morning that Somerset were very chirpy in the field. Enthusiasm is fine but can, in my opinion, be overdone, serving chiefly to irritate spectators who have come to watch good, competitive cricket not childish mind games. Some of us at The Oval last week did not appreciate the Surrey fieldsmen shouting out even when the ball hit the middle of the bat; it sounds as if Somerset are behaving in exactly the same way today.
And the nonsense is that reacting noisily to every ball eventually becomes meaningless and therefore unproductive.
All of the above clearly demonstrates that I am now far too old to comprehend what modern cricket is all about...
And the nonsense is that reacting noisily to every ball eventually becomes meaningless and therefore unproductive.
All of the above clearly demonstrates that I am now far too old to comprehend what modern cricket is all about...
Not sure about this morning, LoL, but I thought SCCC were pretty "chippy," as opposed to 'chirpy,' in the field in the final session yesterday, at least until we got that first wicket thanks to the Cook error.
AGod: I don't know the extent of Kieswetter's injury, but it seems a bit early to panic, given that we don't have another CC match until 7th May.
I do not know the extent, either, LoL.
One hoped that it was just painful due to getting a thwack during the cold. If it just that, I'd expect to see him back keeping this afternoon.
If we don't see him this afternoon then I'd suggest that would imply that something more significant is wrong with his thumb in which case nine days will probably not be sufficient time to recover.
One hoped that it was just painful due to getting a thwack during the cold. If it just that, I'd expect to see him back keeping this afternoon.
If we don't see him this afternoon then I'd suggest that would imply that something more significant is wrong with his thumb in which case nine days will probably not be sufficient time to recover.
"chirpy" was, I think, the word the commentators used. Their first allegiance is clearly to Warwickshire, but I didn't feel they mentioned the matter in a spirit of complaint; my impression was that they were just telling us what was actually happening, with a little hint about the pointlessness of it all.
I don't think such behaviour bothers opposing batsmen one little bit, but I am sure it can irritate the umpires, as Panesar has learned to his cost.
LoL
Sixty-six Seasons a Somerset Supporter
I don't think such behaviour bothers opposing batsmen one little bit, but I am sure it can irritate the umpires, as Panesar has learned to his cost.
LoL
Sixty-six Seasons a Somerset Supporter
I suspect that that type of behaviour, LoL, does the opposite of bothering batsmen that have much experience.
In my eyes, when the opponents start being overly vocal, then you know, as a batsman, that the fielding side are not happy with how things are going..
In my eyes, when the opponents start being overly vocal, then you know, as a batsman, that the fielding side are not happy with how things are going..
We'd better stop this exchange, AGod, or Grockle will accuse us of trespassing on his bickering territory.
LoL
Sixty-six Seasons a Somerset Supporter
LoL
Sixty-six Seasons a Somerset Supporter
And we also need to stem the flow of runs.
Looks like seamers would be unlikely to get a wicket on this if they bowled until next Sunday.
I HATE the heavy roller.
Looks like seamers would be unlikely to get a wicket on this if they bowled until next Sunday.
I HATE the heavy roller.
I have just got in. Please could someone explain to the batsmen that they can't win.
Very, very good catch from James Hildreth.
Bit of a give-away from Ambrose who will be bitterly disappointed.
Bit of a give-away from Ambrose who will be bitterly disappointed.
Trescothick has just done that, Wickham
LoL
Sixty-six Seasons a Somerset Supporter
LoL
Sixty-six Seasons a Somerset Supporter
If you want to get something done, do it yourself. Couldn't someone else have explained to Ambrose earlier that they couldn't win?
I may be wrong about Trescothick: the radio men say it was Trescothick who took the catch but at the moment Cricinfo says it was Hildreth.
LoL
Sixty-six Seasons a Somerset Supporter
LoL
Sixty-six Seasons a Somerset Supporter
It was Hildreth. He slightly misjudged it, so it ended up as a very good catch taken almost flat on his back.
Leach seems able to effortlessly switch between going round the wicket to going over .. and to instantly land the ball on the right line from either side. Very impressive.
Hildreth does well again.
Having told us that Craig K is back from his x-ray, one would have thought that Sky could send somebody to find out what the outcome was?
Having told us that Craig K is back from his x-ray, one would have thought that Sky could send somebody to find out what the outcome was?
What today has shown is how well we bowled in the first innings. We only need 5 good balls. (make that 4...go Jamie!!). I am glad as I posted yesterday that we didn't declare earlier. 50 runs fewer at this stage changes the equation. One of CLarke and Woakes gone and we should be OK.
Jove suddenly up to 90 mph the ball after the Evans wicket.. so must have been bowling well within himself.
Quote:AGod
I think Leach will get Evans in due course.
What course would that be? It wasn't the first or the second...
LoL
Sixty-six Seasons a Somerset Supporter
It was the cheese course, LoL. Shortly after the reblochon, but before the camembert.
Idle question, has Thomas not earned his county cap yet? Or is he just using the second's one out of preference? Hard to see, but looks like a black one on his head- same as Leach and the Overtons.
Kind of surprises me, especially as they gave one to Peterson on Day 1.
Kind of surprises me, especially as they gave one to Peterson on Day 1.
On closer look, it is just newer and darker than, say, Tres's. I think.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2013:04:28:15:20:11 by SillyMidOn.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2013:04:28:15:20:11 by SillyMidOn.
Would take a huge effort to get four more in just one session, especially if the light compels us to bowl Alviro.
If the light is good enough, I'd think Tres would like to try and wind Jamie Overton up again, and have him have another blast. Clarke did NOT look secure against Jamie.
If the light is good enough, I'd think Tres would like to try and wind Jamie Overton up again, and have him have another blast. Clarke did NOT look secure against Jamie.
Credit to Warwick for their second innings - if Woakes and Clarke are still there at the end they could be very close!
Always annoys me when these spectators put their umbrellas up ... and no doubt they will moan when the umpires take the players off.
Well, a strong effort in the first half of this game - particularly with the ball.
I would think Tres and Dave N will be more than a little concerned that this track has flattened out so much in the second half of this game... suggests it will be difficult to get a significant number of home wins this season if future home tracks play like this.
By the end of the match at Leeds we will have played 25% of our CC season, so I'd suggest we really do need to win the next one in Leeds if we are going to expect to mount any kind of challenge to win the CC.
I would think Tres and Dave N will be more than a little concerned that this track has flattened out so much in the second half of this game... suggests it will be difficult to get a significant number of home wins this season if future home tracks play like this.
By the end of the match at Leeds we will have played 25% of our CC season, so I'd suggest we really do need to win the next one in Leeds if we are going to expect to mount any kind of challenge to win the CC.
About 20, I think, and Leach has just got another!!
Maybe we can/will do it in the end!?
Maybe we can/will do it in the end!?
Thx AG - sounds like a nail biter.
I notice they had a short break for bad light - I guess Marcus will have to be careful re using the quickies.
Grizzzly
I notice they had a short break for bad light - I guess Marcus will have to be careful re using the quickies.
Grizzzly
Must admit I didn't think Patel had nicked that - well done, Cook!!
Awful drop by Hildreth.
Awful drop by Hildreth.
Well done, Alfie.
Hildreth dropped Clarke, SP. Easy looking chance.
Probably does not matter now (and Hildreth took two very good ones earlier).
Hildreth dropped Clarke, SP. Easy looking chance.
Probably does not matter now (and Hildreth took two very good ones earlier).
Well I can - it was too damn high on first look. Warwickshire have been very badly served by at least one umpire in this game.
Quote:Grockle
Well I can - it was too damn high on first look. Warwickshire have been very badly served by at least one umpire in this game.
It was Saggers that gave that one, though.
I would think that Leach into the rough outside off should be the call to Hannon-Dalby?
So by both umpires then. I thought Cook was more to blame for their position but there you go. Must be catching.
I suppose the drops make the bad decisions a little easier to swallow... as long as we do get this sodding wicket!!
Got to get Leach on versus Hannon-Dalby.
Unlike the seamers, Leach is likely to make the number 11 play every single ball.. he's been that accurate...
Unlike the seamers, Leach is likely to make the number 11 play every single ball.. he's been that accurate...
YOu have to say fair play to Hannon-Dalby, bowled like a drain but looks like he might save them with the bat...
flaming hell, Cook.
Warks will say that evens things out.
But, really, this guy is not good enough.
Warks will say that evens things out.
But, really, this guy is not good enough.
NOW he takes it from us. I don't think I've seen a performance as bad as this for a considerable time.
I would say "Jamie, number 11 is never going to nick those," except he somehow did nick one.
Still, I think aiming to bowl him has to be the game?
Still, I think aiming to bowl him has to be the game?
Grizzly - only 8 overs left unless we can get more in before 6:07.
Unfortunately looks as though Warks may see it out.
Unfortunately looks as though Warks may see it out.
Quote:AGod
But, really, this guy is not good enough.
My original thoughts near the start of the match. How bad has an umpire got to be before it is suggested that he would be better employed filling shelves at Tesco??
I can only think he knows where the bodies are buried in relation to whoever allocates umpires!!
Alf has done a brilliant job in preventing Clarke from getting singles off the last ball of the over .. superb.
At least he has been utterly useless against both teams.
It's those Hildreth and Petersen drops that will really haunt us.
It's those Hildreth and Petersen drops that will really haunt us.
Yeah, especially the Hildreth one.
If that had been taken, as it should have been, we'd have a tail-ender at each end for their final pair.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2013:04:28:17:43:57 by AGod.
If that had been taken, as it should have been, we'd have a tail-ender at each end for their final pair.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2013:04:28:17:43:57 by AGod.
Last throw of the dice with Craig Overton.
Surprised Pete has not bowled for ages?
Surprised Pete has not bowled for ages?
If Jove has got anything left, I'd be tempted to give him at least the final over.
Amazing game.
Can't compare to T20 can it? (TIC)
Very well done to Warks.
Very well done to Somerset.
ECB.. back to the drawing board with the heavy roller decision.
N G B Cook.. refresher umpiring course, please.
Can't compare to T20 can it? (TIC)
Very well done to Warks.
Very well done to Somerset.
ECB.. back to the drawing board with the heavy roller decision.
N G B Cook.. refresher umpiring course, please.
Wonder who is going to be first? Great game, great advert for the young guys at our place. Blood on the walls from both sides and I think you are right AG. Who's brilliant idea was the roller to give results pitches... bloody idiots.
Good entertainment for the crowds but it may be another bridesmaid season if the luck is going to go this way.
No whining from me though. Two sides thoroughly examined each other and a very enjoyable game went down to the wire. This really is what it is all about isn't it? Intense sports entertainment.
Good entertainment for the crowds but it may be another bridesmaid season if the luck is going to go this way.
No whining from me though. Two sides thoroughly examined each other and a very enjoyable game went down to the wire. This really is what it is all about isn't it? Intense sports entertainment.
And, Grockle, that surely is the sort of game that should enourage Sky to cover more CC cricket?
A thoroughly absorbing game. I sincerely hope that it doesn't define our season.
The dropped catches have hurt us. And maybe Tres is too conservative in his field placing to keep the pressure on.
Great credit due to to the Overtons esp. Jamie and Jack Leach. For them Ricci Clarke, Chopra and Hannon-Dalby can take credit today.
The dropped catches have hurt us. And maybe Tres is too conservative in his field placing to keep the pressure on.
Great credit due to to the Overtons esp. Jamie and Jack Leach. For them Ricci Clarke, Chopra and Hannon-Dalby can take credit today.
I hope Pete does not have any kind of knock.
If he's fine, I think he might be surprised to have not had any kind of bowl anywhere near the end of the game?
If he's fine, I think he might be surprised to have not had any kind of bowl anywhere near the end of the game?
And that ladies and gentlemen is why we haven't won a trophy for 8 years. After 5 sessions, we were totally in control, then we made the strange decision not to make them follow on, we took our foot off the jugular instead of killing them when they were on the floor, instead of giving them 13 awkward overs to negotiate on Friday evening, we let them re group.
By worrying about batting last, we concentrated more on the negatives than the positives.
The new DOC tweets about playing cricket in a positive way, but that was hardly very positive was it. 0 wins so far...
It's our home ground so there should be no excuses for misreading our own pitch.
Ok, so we were a bit unlucky with that last bad umpiring decision but you can't control the umpires. You can only control the controllables. To blame the umpiring is to ignore the 2 fairly easy slip chances we put down. Once again, we buckled when the winning line was in touching distance. Deja vu anybody?
Some fine individual performances..congratulations to Jack and Jove and Jos, in particular. Just a pity their efforts counted for nothing in the end because of the negative way we went about our business after tea on the 2nd day.
Sadly, all too predictable.
By worrying about batting last, we concentrated more on the negatives than the positives.
The new DOC tweets about playing cricket in a positive way, but that was hardly very positive was it. 0 wins so far...
It's our home ground so there should be no excuses for misreading our own pitch.
Ok, so we were a bit unlucky with that last bad umpiring decision but you can't control the umpires. You can only control the controllables. To blame the umpiring is to ignore the 2 fairly easy slip chances we put down. Once again, we buckled when the winning line was in touching distance. Deja vu anybody?
Some fine individual performances..congratulations to Jack and Jove and Jos, in particular. Just a pity their efforts counted for nothing in the end because of the negative way we went about our business after tea on the 2nd day.
Sadly, all too predictable.
I like that Marcus is so honest.
99% of captains would have replied "No, not at all," when Atherton said would he look back on the follow-on decision and/or the timing of the declaration.
99% of captains would have replied "No, not at all," when Atherton said would he look back on the follow-on decision and/or the timing of the declaration.
A fine game and no real complaints. I think that Ambrose and Evans will have been given get-out-jail cards by Clarke and Hannan-Dolby for two dreadful shots which put us back on top. Unfortunately it appears that it may have encouraged more balls to be bowled outside the off stump which could be left. I wonder if anybody took note of the number of balls which were left alone outside stump after Evans went? What was needed of course was everything ball having to be played.
Still thats what its all about. As they say onwards and upwards!
Still thats what its all about. As they say onwards and upwards!
Naxxar: Did you predict that the last two would survive for more than an hour?
LoL
Sixty-six Seasons a Somerset Supporter
LoL
Sixty-six Seasons a Somerset Supporter
Naxxar ... I would assume that Dave N probably deferred to Marcus/AH when it came to assessing the wicket and thus deciding about the follow-on... same would certainly be a reasonable thing f9or DN to do as he's probably never seen a competitive match at Taunton before.
Having said that, next time AH and Tres tell DN that the pitch will'break up and go up and down,' on the last day, DN may not believe them...
Having said that, next time AH and Tres tell DN that the pitch will'break up and go up and down,' on the last day, DN may not believe them...
Cricket, the best game in the whole wide world.
A brilliant four days, well done boys....a shame we couldn't quite win, but hey ho, that's life.
A brilliant four days, well done boys....a shame we couldn't quite win, but hey ho, that's life.
And the prize goes to....in less than half an hour!! At least there is a positive sentence at the end.
Spot on Naxxar let's all cry about our season NOW rather than waiting to see how the next four-ish months go.
All it did for me was to make me want to come home and watch good hard fought cricket (well with one other umpire probably).
But you go girl or boy!
Spot on Naxxar let's all cry about our season NOW rather than waiting to see how the next four-ish months go.
All it did for me was to make me want to come home and watch good hard fought cricket (well with one other umpire probably).
But you go girl or boy!
Quote:old boy!
A fine game and no real complaints. I think that Ambrose and Evans will have been given get-out-jail cards by Clarke and Hannan-Dolby for two dreadful shots which put us back on top. Unfortunately it appears that it may have encouraged more balls to be bowled outside the off stump which could be left. I wonder if anybody took note of the number of balls which were left alone outside stump after Evans went? What was needed of course was everything ball having to be played.
Still thats what its all about. As they say onwards and upwards!
Old Boy - in terms of Jamie O to Hannon-Dalby I think there were about 9 balls on the stumps - 3 of which were in the final over. Jamie possibly should have bowled more straight stuff earlier at H-D, but that will come with experience, I am sure.
You warned us about Cook, Old Boy, and boy were you right..
Jove looks excellent . Is kieswttr ok? I have a bad feeling in our next game Reagan will be keeping wicket if not!!!
Quote:Where have you been all the match? You are entitled to your opinion like us all, and I could have won a lot of money if betting on what you would post if we didn't win!Naxxar
And that ladies and gentlemen is why we haven't won a trophy for 8 years.
By the way what would yhou have posted if we had won? "Just plain lucky?"
I'm not crying about the rest of the season.
I'm saying we have just drawn a game we should have won.
We made the wrong decision with the follow on, then dropped two catches near the end.
We got our tactics wrong.
We will probably get better as the season goes on, and the experience our younger players picked up this week will only serve them in good stead.
But this is the Warks match thread and I'm commenting on the Warks match. It was a great game of cricket but it was one we blew.
Again.
I'm saying we have just drawn a game we should have won.
We made the wrong decision with the follow on, then dropped two catches near the end.
We got our tactics wrong.
We will probably get better as the season goes on, and the experience our younger players picked up this week will only serve them in good stead.
But this is the Warks match thread and I'm commenting on the Warks match. It was a great game of cricket but it was one we blew.
Again.
Quote:old boy!Quote:Where have you been all the match? You are entitled to your opinion like us all, and I could have won a lot of money if betting on what you would post if we didn't win!Naxxar
And that ladies and gentlemen is why we haven't won a trophy for 8 years.
By the way what would yhou have posted if we had won? "Just plain lucky?"
If you care to read back through the thread, you will see I have posted regularly. I cannot post during a home game as I do not possess a mobile phone with Wifi.
No..if Somerset had won, I'd have been ecstatic. I support them. I want them to win.
If you've come away from the ground tonight thinking more about plucky failure than how we managed not to win that match, you cannot complain that we are so rarely winners.
Actually, Naxxar, I think I probably belong to a majority here who do NOT complain that we are so rarely winners. Maybe you are disposed to complain; for my part I am disposed to be pleased when we play so well - and delighted that we play this great game at all.
Phrases such as "all too predictable" are so easy to utter but in reality are meaningless. I've already asked whether you predicted such a defiant last wicket stand. Did you also predict that Petersen AND Hildreth would drop catches (and was Trescothick guilty of not predicting that they would?).
The word predictable is a far from appropriate word to use in sport, particularly as far as Division One of the CC is concerned. (Presumably you also predicted that Collingwood had declared too early on Friday and that Yorkshire would win on Saturday)
LoL
Sixty-six Seasons a Somerset Supporter
Phrases such as "all too predictable" are so easy to utter but in reality are meaningless. I've already asked whether you predicted such a defiant last wicket stand. Did you also predict that Petersen AND Hildreth would drop catches (and was Trescothick guilty of not predicting that they would?).
The word predictable is a far from appropriate word to use in sport, particularly as far as Division One of the CC is concerned. (Presumably you also predicted that Collingwood had declared too early on Friday and that Yorkshire would win on Saturday)
LoL
Sixty-six Seasons a Somerset Supporter
Congratulations to Warwicks and especially their last pair.
A pity we did not win, but we must remember that our attack consisted of 3 very inexperienced players and two very experienced ones who are both best on greenish tracks and are nearer the end of their career than the start.
It will doubtless be said that we should have strengthened our bowling over the winter, but we must remember that if an overseas one, presuming a suitable one was available, we would have no Petersen and as to the home ones who were available, Brooks, Harris, when fit, and Plunkett have not pulled up any trees.
As to the follow on, I would have preferred us to enforce it, so that if it had come down to a chase against the clock, our strongest suit, our batting would have been on the field, but that wouldn't have guaranteed a win.
Much good in this match; on to the next with our heads held high.
A pity we did not win, but we must remember that our attack consisted of 3 very inexperienced players and two very experienced ones who are both best on greenish tracks and are nearer the end of their career than the start.
It will doubtless be said that we should have strengthened our bowling over the winter, but we must remember that if an overseas one, presuming a suitable one was available, we would have no Petersen and as to the home ones who were available, Brooks, Harris, when fit, and Plunkett have not pulled up any trees.
As to the follow on, I would have preferred us to enforce it, so that if it had come down to a chase against the clock, our strongest suit, our batting would have been on the field, but that wouldn't have guaranteed a win.
Much good in this match; on to the next with our heads held high.
You're the one complaining Naxxar.
Most other people seem to have had a fairly decent four days.
Most other people seem to have had a fairly decent four days.
Oh and we are not 'rarely winners' we are rarely trophy winners and that is an entirely different thing to a Cricket supporter who comes to watch his side play more than just finals.
Another reason I am NOT complaining is that for our first three CC games we have secured points as follows:
3
9
11
That looks like quite a nice trend to me.
LoL
Sixty-six Seasons a Somerset Supporter
3
9
11
That looks like quite a nice trend to me.
LoL
Sixty-six Seasons a Somerset Supporter
Have to say regretably I agree with Naxxar !
No problem with not enforcing the follow on although with hindsight bad decision.
Big problem with not quicker scoring in our second innings - no reason to go gung oh as I posted earlier but we really were not very positive.
Marcus is a great guy and has been a great test player - as a captain I am not so sure.
We really should have won today and we didn't - it happens but not to teams who win the title.
Never mind - onwards and upwards and I am still hopeful but not optimistic for my 58th season !
No problem with not enforcing the follow on although with hindsight bad decision.
Big problem with not quicker scoring in our second innings - no reason to go gung oh as I posted earlier but we really were not very positive.
Marcus is a great guy and has been a great test player - as a captain I am not so sure.
We really should have won today and we didn't - it happens but not to teams who win the title.
Never mind - onwards and upwards and I am still hopeful but not optimistic for my 58th season !
Nick Knight won the CC with Warwickshire when they simply drew.
The first rule is 'don't lose' everything after that is a bonus.
I'm in the patient 'our time will come' seats.
It seems so much more sedate that the 'our time will never come because of XYZ,ABC,DEF and so forth' seems so defeatist and miserable a stance.
It's support Jim....
The first rule is 'don't lose' everything after that is a bonus.
I'm in the patient 'our time will come' seats.
It seems so much more sedate that the 'our time will never come because of XYZ,ABC,DEF and so forth' seems so defeatist and miserable a stance.
It's support Jim....
Quote:Ronniesabre
Jove looks excellent . Is kieswttr ok? I have a bad feeling in our next game Reagan will be keeping wicket if not!!!
Is Jos not available for the trip to Leeds, Ronnie?
I think he should be?
But, we'd have to fetch a new batsman in for that Leeds trip if Craig K has a broken digit, and that would be a concern with Pete not yet firing (and Hildreth).
Suggest Hildreth and Pete should play as batsmen only vs Cardiff?
If Craig K not fit for Leeds then I think, perhaps, that Craig M should be the replacement? Hopefully Craig M will score well vs Cardiff.
Suggest Hildreth and Pete should play as batsmen only vs Cardiff?
If Craig K not fit for Leeds then I think, perhaps, that Craig M should be the replacement? Hopefully Craig M will score well vs Cardiff.
England lions play the same time we play yorks AG. I suspect he will be in that unless we can ask fog him not to be which I would doubt!! Lets hope he's not picked or ck is okay? Or both!!!
Hey Grocks I love the " our time will come " philosophy - I really do !
When you - like me and LoL - reach 70 years of age and have had over 60 years of waiting for " our time will come " you may ( just may ) be a little less optimistic and a little more likely to be critical - just a thought !
When you - like me and LoL - reach 70 years of age and have had over 60 years of waiting for " our time will come " you may ( just may ) be a little less optimistic and a little more likely to be critical - just a thought !
But you are still here Rodders so there must be something else going on :-)
The same old answer comes up for the Marcus doubters - pick the captain who develops this side through the next 5 years. Anyone else is just a stopgap
So who is the "Mike Burns" of 2013?
The same old answer comes up for the Marcus doubters - pick the captain who develops this side through the next 5 years. Anyone else is just a stopgap
So who is the "Mike Burns" of 2013?
You shouldn't have to regret anything rodders. It's your opinion. It's as valid as anything else on here!!
Yeah, Grockle, Warks had a couple of years when that happened - one of which was last year's absurdly rain-curtailed season.
But I think that the "norm," is that you need to win at least 8 or so of 16 CC games to win a CC.
We don't tend to get the driest weather in TA1. And if the heavy roller is going to lead to tracks getting flatter as our home games wear on...
I think the ECB should allow for mutual agreement between teams on the heavy roller on a game-by-game basis ie there should have been provision for SCCC and Warks to agree beforehand that no heavy roller would be used. Obviously, teams coming here and hoping to draw wouldn't agree but hopefully most teams would come here and be positive and thus agree that the heavy roller should not be employed.
I'm sure there are some grounds in England where the balance between bat and ball is enhanced by the heavy roller, but our ground is not one of them.
But I think that the "norm," is that you need to win at least 8 or so of 16 CC games to win a CC.
We don't tend to get the driest weather in TA1. And if the heavy roller is going to lead to tracks getting flatter as our home games wear on...
I think the ECB should allow for mutual agreement between teams on the heavy roller on a game-by-game basis ie there should have been provision for SCCC and Warks to agree beforehand that no heavy roller would be used. Obviously, teams coming here and hoping to draw wouldn't agree but hopefully most teams would come here and be positive and thus agree that the heavy roller should not be employed.
I'm sure there are some grounds in England where the balance between bat and ball is enhanced by the heavy roller, but our ground is not one of them.
I suppose there is a possibility/probability that Jos may be needed for the lions.
I agree " our time will come," especially as we have the best crop of young bowlers I can remember and bowlers win championships.They will only get better through playing.
We'll get over today.
I agree " our time will come," especially as we have the best crop of young bowlers I can remember and bowlers win championships.They will only get better through playing.
We'll get over today.
Quote:Ronniesabre
England lions play the same time we play yorks AG. I suspect he will be in that unless we can ask fog him not to be which I would doubt!! Lets hope he's not picked or ck is okay? Or both!!!
Booger.... oh the irony of them asking us to let Jos keep in the CC and then there might be a game where he could and yet he can't becuase they won't let him...
And after that performance on the TV? Don't be surprised if Jamie Overton is playing for the Lions too.
Of course, if he isn't injured, Craig K may play for the Lions as well (!)
16 points for a win, 3 points for a draw doesn't really support that view Grockle.
Huge chance missed this week, but lots of positives.
There is still a negative cautiousness that prevails within the squad (and principally our skipper), but I hope DN can rectify that. Sadly it probably only comes with winning those clutch games.
A terrific game of cricket, played by 2 very good sides; exactly how the LVCC should be.
We got lucky with a few decisions so can't really bleat about that last one. Catches are dropped, it's just a shame we saved all ours for the last day.
Very excited to see more of Jove. Hard to believe he and Cove are only just 19.
Great control from Leach. Shame there wasn't the grip and turn we clearly expected there to be.
The heavy roller might redress the balance between bat and ball in other parts of the country, but it might kill competitive cricket in TA1.
Huge chance missed this week, but lots of positives.
There is still a negative cautiousness that prevails within the squad (and principally our skipper), but I hope DN can rectify that. Sadly it probably only comes with winning those clutch games.
A terrific game of cricket, played by 2 very good sides; exactly how the LVCC should be.
We got lucky with a few decisions so can't really bleat about that last one. Catches are dropped, it's just a shame we saved all ours for the last day.
Very excited to see more of Jove. Hard to believe he and Cove are only just 19.
Great control from Leach. Shame there wasn't the grip and turn we clearly expected there to be.
The heavy roller might redress the balance between bat and ball in other parts of the country, but it might kill competitive cricket in TA1.
For Yorkshire, I guess Bairstow will probably play for the Lions, but they presumably won't bother making Root do so (saving him for the full squad?)
And I'm probably luckier than you in the early days Rodders because in your 58 seasons how many years have you felt Somerset had a chance?
How many of those seasons have occurred in the last decade?
I'm more optimistic because I watch a better side than you did for a considerable part of your time and I've watched that side for a long period of time and I see no reason why that side should get worse in the forseeable future - so I sit in the 'happpy' seats.
I'm nearly 60 mate - I came late to Somerset and I'm having a very good time thanks. Maybe I'll get to where you are in a decade... and maybe my optimism will be vindicated.
How many of those seasons have occurred in the last decade?
I'm more optimistic because I watch a better side than you did for a considerable part of your time and I've watched that side for a long period of time and I see no reason why that side should get worse in the forseeable future - so I sit in the 'happpy' seats.
I'm nearly 60 mate - I came late to Somerset and I'm having a very good time thanks. Maybe I'll get to where you are in a decade... and maybe my optimism will be vindicated.
Intense disappointment aside, that over from Jamie Overton when Nick Cook made that howler was as good as fast bowling gets. Magnificent.
Delighted amongst the disappointment that a wider audience got to see some of the young talent we have at the club.
Delighted amongst the disappointment that a wider audience got to see some of the young talent we have at the club.
No complaints from me, or pessimism. Have seen eight wonderful days cricket between Somerset and Warwickshire in the last nine months or so. Of course I wish we had won both matches and as always there are 'if only' thoughts but looking forward to the rest of the season.
I'm complaining because at 5pm on Friday, we had a first innings lead of 266.
Of course, we will never know what would have happened had we enforced the follow on. But this forum exists for opinions to be expressed, and mine is that it would have given us a better chance of victory.
If you trawl back to that point, you will see I posted something like 'I would have put them in again but we should still have enough time to win'.
And that was true. We should have done. But then we started dropping catches.
My summary of 'all too predictable' is not meaningless..we have choked several times when close to victory. We probably should have won at Durham. We should have won today. We let Warks off the hook last season.
Personally I do not feel we are ruthless enough.
The sad thing is that everybody, seemingly personally affronted by me expressing a different opinion to the majority tonight, seem to be able to criticise my opinion simply because it's more negative than theirs, without actually debating the points I made.
Of course, we will never know what would have happened had we enforced the follow on. But this forum exists for opinions to be expressed, and mine is that it would have given us a better chance of victory.
If you trawl back to that point, you will see I posted something like 'I would have put them in again but we should still have enough time to win'.
And that was true. We should have done. But then we started dropping catches.
My summary of 'all too predictable' is not meaningless..we have choked several times when close to victory. We probably should have won at Durham. We should have won today. We let Warks off the hook last season.
Personally I do not feel we are ruthless enough.
The sad thing is that everybody, seemingly personally affronted by me expressing a different opinion to the majority tonight, seem to be able to criticise my opinion simply because it's more negative than theirs, without actually debating the points I made.
I thought we should have enforced the follow on, though I undersatnd the reasons for not doing so.
Could we have declared earlier?
Probably, but those who make the decisions obviously had their reasons not to, they also reckoned we'd have enough time to bowl them out, which we probably did.
However, sport is not an exact science, it never was, it never can be.
We performed brilliantly for four days, we won every session, if the last pair hadn't batted so well we'd have won the match, which simply shows the decision not to make them bat again was the right one.
Life is like that sometimes, it doesn't always work out how you'd like it to.
But rather than be critical let's applaud what has been a marvelous effort by everyone.
Could we have declared earlier?
Probably, but those who make the decisions obviously had their reasons not to, they also reckoned we'd have enough time to bowl them out, which we probably did.
However, sport is not an exact science, it never was, it never can be.
We performed brilliantly for four days, we won every session, if the last pair hadn't batted so well we'd have won the match, which simply shows the decision not to make them bat again was the right one.
Life is like that sometimes, it doesn't always work out how you'd like it to.
But rather than be critical let's applaud what has been a marvelous effort by everyone.
Well you only make negative points most of the time Naxxar so you'll just have to get used to some of that.
You blame the side for nearly everything and credit it with very little. So its probable that in hard fought games where both sides got the swing in their favour at different times and the result goes thinly against your side you may find people who see your semi catastrophe in a slightly less Armageddon type way.
I personally really don't understand the number of times people need reminding that this is a supporters site. It isn't going to be perfectly logical.
Or the fact that you struggle to understand that not everyone is here for the sole furtherance of Somerset's elevation to Godhood in English domestic cricket. Some on here can appreciate a well fought and excellent game between two sides that furthers the wider aims of the game as well.
Some fail to understand you as much as you fail to understand them. Try and deal with it as best you can.
You blame the side for nearly everything and credit it with very little. So its probable that in hard fought games where both sides got the swing in their favour at different times and the result goes thinly against your side you may find people who see your semi catastrophe in a slightly less Armageddon type way.
I personally really don't understand the number of times people need reminding that this is a supporters site. It isn't going to be perfectly logical.
Or the fact that you struggle to understand that not everyone is here for the sole furtherance of Somerset's elevation to Godhood in English domestic cricket. Some on here can appreciate a well fought and excellent game between two sides that furthers the wider aims of the game as well.
Some fail to understand you as much as you fail to understand them. Try and deal with it as best you can.
We wasted a chance to give a team on their knees a tricky 13 over stint on Friday night, with one of their openers on a pair.
Having lost a wicket, we then brought in a nightwatchman for goodness sake! Thus wasting time on Saturday morning.
We then allowed a player to get a ton, instead of declaring sooner.
YES YES YES we were unlucky we still didn't win..YES YES YES we were unlucky with Cook's shocking decision...
but you HAVE to give yourself as much of an opportunity as you can to win a match, and I don't feel we did because we were too negative.
What would u all have been saying had Bad Light/Rain stopped play today at 4-30pm?
We took a gamble and it didn't quite come off..and we need not have taken it in the first place
Having lost a wicket, we then brought in a nightwatchman for goodness sake! Thus wasting time on Saturday morning.
We then allowed a player to get a ton, instead of declaring sooner.
YES YES YES we were unlucky we still didn't win..YES YES YES we were unlucky with Cook's shocking decision...
but you HAVE to give yourself as much of an opportunity as you can to win a match, and I don't feel we did because we were too negative.
What would u all have been saying had Bad Light/Rain stopped play today at 4-30pm?
We took a gamble and it didn't quite come off..and we need not have taken it in the first place
So you think the whole game swung on that.
Others don't and there's an end to it surely.
What are you trying to do? Make them accept that your reasoning is the only right way to look at it.
Most don't seem to see this game you're way. Can I suggest you try and get over it?
Others don't and there's an end to it surely.
What are you trying to do? Make them accept that your reasoning is the only right way to look at it.
Most don't seem to see this game you're way. Can I suggest you try and get over it?
It wasn't me that started debating my posts. I posted my opinion and you immediately felt the urge to reply, criticising not the actual content but just it's prevailing mood.
You might note that at no point on this thread have I criticised anybody else's opinions. I leave that to you and some of the others.
I only replied to Old Boy as he was personal towards me.
Yes I do think the entire game swung on not enforcing the follow on.
You might note that at no point on this thread have I criticised anybody else's opinions. I leave that to you and some of the others.
I only replied to Old Boy as he was personal towards me.
Yes I do think the entire game swung on not enforcing the follow on.
With hindsight, BJ and Wickham may well have been right that we ought to have enforced the follow-on.
Having decided not do that, I think we then deliberately batted time in our second innings... hoping that the track would deteriorate.
I felt we could have really put the Warks attack to the sword second time around on what by then was a belter of a batting track.. and Marcus began our innings as if that was the intention.
Above all, I just hope that we're not going to find that the track gets flatter for all of the home games.
Because, let's be honest, if we had not bowled brilliantly in their first dig (and if they had not batted somewhat poorly in that first dig) then this game - thrilling climax though it had - would have been nowhere near a result by the end.
Having decided not do that, I think we then deliberately batted time in our second innings... hoping that the track would deteriorate.
I felt we could have really put the Warks attack to the sword second time around on what by then was a belter of a batting track.. and Marcus began our innings as if that was the intention.
Above all, I just hope that we're not going to find that the track gets flatter for all of the home games.
Because, let's be honest, if we had not bowled brilliantly in their first dig (and if they had not batted somewhat poorly in that first dig) then this game - thrilling climax though it had - would have been nowhere near a result by the end.
N G B Cook.. refresher umpiring course, please
But can he first go to Spec Savers.
I thought he was shocking, and this is not the first time.
But can he first go to Spec Savers.
I thought he was shocking, and this is not the first time.
Yep, I'd have enforced the follow on, I firmly believe you have to back yourself in situations like that...though I don't see it as a mistake not to.
As I've already said, as did Esther, that's life.
As I've already said, as did Esther, that's life.
Quote:Reverse Swing
Is there any news on Kieswetter's thumb?
Not yet, though the official site notes simply that 'an injury to Craig K compounded the disappointment.'
This turn of phrase worries me somewhat because if the x-ray had not shown a problem then I wouldn't think the injury would merit mention as a 'disappointment.'
I don't think I was the first or the last. You are another poster who really has to get over the fact that I post on a site I started. I comment on lots of posts. I really don't wait for yours with fingers poised over the keyboard.
Yes I commented on yours. If you look back before your post you'll see I expected one - and there you were. I think you need to read back. If you come out with these posts then people will comment. If you don't want the comments.... don't post on a forum about Somerset cricket.
I think you are the one debating your posts. People commented and you have spent that last hour justifying why you are right. I don't think many people said you were wrong. They might have questioned your quite negative approach and your view of what the objective of watching the game was but that was about it. Most of the people debating the content of your post have been ...well you.
Yes I commented on yours. If you look back before your post you'll see I expected one - and there you were. I think you need to read back. If you come out with these posts then people will comment. If you don't want the comments.... don't post on a forum about Somerset cricket.
I think you are the one debating your posts. People commented and you have spent that last hour justifying why you are right. I don't think many people said you were wrong. They might have questioned your quite negative approach and your view of what the objective of watching the game was but that was about it. Most of the people debating the content of your post have been ...well you.
Naxxar - no complaints from me - I pretty much agree with you !
For those who criticise the likes of you and I and a few others, that is fine and the whole purpose of the forum.
Trouble is we still haven't won anything much have we.
And Grocks, I was there in the Botham / Richards / Garner days when hope was way above where it is now - we still won nothing though did we !!
For those who criticise the likes of you and I and a few others, that is fine and the whole purpose of the forum.
Trouble is we still haven't won anything much have we.
And Grocks, I was there in the Botham / Richards / Garner days when hope was way above where it is now - we still won nothing though did we !!
This is a desperately depressing and disappointing result. How on earth were we unable to bowl out the oppoosition in more than four sessions at the end of the game (and allow them to score 450 into the bargain.)
It's the same old problems cropping up again where we had made progress in the last couple of seasons.
In the CC you have to bowl sides out twice and yet we had a pitch that didn't deteriorate and actually got better for batting. This is not how it's meant to happen. he heavy roller ruling this season is insane and could have been invented to disadvantage somerset. Peter Trego was rightly fulminating against this.
What we can change and I've been asking for this for years is result pitches. We start with a massive disadvantage in this respect. Virtually every season preview I read referred to the Taunton pitch and the difficulty of winning the CC playing there. And still we don't fix it. The rules favour teams who take wickets and win a few and lose a few not those who draw.
It's all so familiar and frustrating. I thought we'd moved on from this after the fiasco of bat friendly pitches in the naughties. A shame because we have such a talented squad. We cannot have the Taunton wicket holding them back.
It's the same old problems cropping up again where we had made progress in the last couple of seasons.
In the CC you have to bowl sides out twice and yet we had a pitch that didn't deteriorate and actually got better for batting. This is not how it's meant to happen. he heavy roller ruling this season is insane and could have been invented to disadvantage somerset. Peter Trego was rightly fulminating against this.
What we can change and I've been asking for this for years is result pitches. We start with a massive disadvantage in this respect. Virtually every season preview I read referred to the Taunton pitch and the difficulty of winning the CC playing there. And still we don't fix it. The rules favour teams who take wickets and win a few and lose a few not those who draw.
It's all so familiar and frustrating. I thought we'd moved on from this after the fiasco of bat friendly pitches in the naughties. A shame because we have such a talented squad. We cannot have the Taunton wicket holding them back.
Bristol Evening Post...
But Somerset’s decision not to enforce the follow-on on the second day – instead building a lead of 514 before declaring on day three – always seemed as if it might return to haunt them. And that proved the case.
SOMERSET’S problem in the past few seasons has been taking the final step to glory – and their inability to finish things off reared its head again as Warwickshire held on for a draw in an extraordinary game at Taunton.
But Somerset’s decision not to enforce the follow-on on the second day – instead building a lead of 514 before declaring on day three – always seemed as if it might return to haunt them. And that proved the case.
SOMERSET’S problem in the past few seasons has been taking the final step to glory – and their inability to finish things off reared its head again as Warwickshire held on for a draw in an extraordinary game at Taunton.
It's a tough one really.
If you were going to draw up a blue-print of how to win the CC, you'd sign a squad of experienced players all of whom are considered either too old or not quite good enough to ever be called up for England. Then, fitness permitting, you could pick a settled team and have every chance of winning a CC.
But that would be less exciting, for many, than having promising talents like Craig K or Jos or Jamie Overton or Leach (who can now be added to the list).
But in the era of central contracts an irony is that the more really good players you produce, the harder it might be to actually win the CC.
If you were going to draw up a blue-print of how to win the CC, you'd sign a squad of experienced players all of whom are considered either too old or not quite good enough to ever be called up for England. Then, fitness permitting, you could pick a settled team and have every chance of winning a CC.
But that would be less exciting, for many, than having promising talents like Craig K or Jos or Jamie Overton or Leach (who can now be added to the list).
But in the era of central contracts an irony is that the more really good players you produce, the harder it might be to actually win the CC.
I thought we won 5 in that era rodders? Was I dreaming? Or were you talking cc titles?
I don't think the heavy roller is an issue. Had we held either of those 2 dropped catches in the final session or got a better decision off Cook near the end, we'd have won.
KT - the problem was fixed -- as soon as we got rid of the heavy roller just as Phil Frost said it would be.
The ECB needs to develop the intelligence to realise that blanket rules are not necessarily good for the competition. In terms of developing good young batsmen it would not be good for them to bat on the pitch that we had on day three and day four of this game. Too many bad habits would creep in. Great for developing young bowlers, but not for young batsmen.
The ECB needs to develop the intelligence to realise that blanket rules are not necessarily good for the competition. In terms of developing good young batsmen it would not be good for them to bat on the pitch that we had on day three and day four of this game. Too many bad habits would creep in. Great for developing young bowlers, but not for young batsmen.
Quote:Naxxar
I only replied to Old Boy as he was personal towards me.
Sorry Naxxar, nothing nasty personal intended I assure you. But I have noted that some people and IMO you are one of several - tend to jump on the players etc if we don't win.
I just thought it was a reasonable question - what would you have posted if we had won?
Naxxar - the way I see it you can cancel out the two dropped catches/bad decision by Cook with other bad umpiring decisions that unjustly sent Warks' batsmen on their way.
If we'd held all our (easy) catches and the umpiring had been correct, it would still have been touch and go whether or not we would have won, despite having 140+ overs to bowl.
If we'd held all our (easy) catches and the umpiring had been correct, it would still have been touch and go whether or not we would have won, despite having 140+ overs to bowl.
Quote:old boy!Quote:Naxxar
I only replied to Old Boy as he was personal towards me.
Sorry Naxxar, nothing nasty personal intended I assure you. But I have noted that some people and IMO you are one of several - tend to jump on the players etc if we don't win.
I just thought it was a reasonable question - what would you have posted if we had won?
No need to apologise.
I rarely posted last season. But I did make a special point of coming on after the nailbiting victory against Warks to praise the team to the hilt.
I try to see each session as it is. If we do well, I post accordingly.
Even on my first post tonight, I did say there were several encouraging performances.
But I stick by my belief that our negativity, and bottling near the finish line, cost us this match.
If I didn't care so much or want us to win, I'd not be so upset.
Taunton will certainly provide good practice in discipline for our young bowlers. Jove appeared to learn quickly.
He will need that discipline if one day he is to make the step up to international bowling.
That was a great Test Match wicket this week. Trouble is we only get 4 days not 5 to get a result.
He will need that discipline if one day he is to make the step up to international bowling.
That was a great Test Match wicket this week. Trouble is we only get 4 days not 5 to get a result.
Well done Naxxar go that man/woman. Hope you feel better now.
Rodders yeah - Botham Richards - lots of people did but it didn't build into anything did it.
I've seen a side build over more than a decade and it still is building. I think I'm luckier and maybe I've not been bitterly disapointed so I'm open to seeing success for what it is (little by little but on an upward trend)..
I've seen Trescothick, Langer, Ponting, Jayasuraya, Mushtaq, Johnson, Caddick, Blackwell, Buttler, Kieswetter, White, Pollard, Lee, Rose, Smith, Rehmman, Compton and now Petersen
Not so concentrated but little baby steps. Oh and 2 seconds in the CC (one in the whole thing and last year), been to a number of finals and all in just under 20 years.
I didn't see the Holy Trinity but the last twenty years have seen this side build into one that can and has beaten anyone who stands against it. Yeah they can improve and yeah it would be nice to win something. But I come down here to watch the best English cricket can offer and some of the best international talents as well and I never know if we'll win or lose but I know we'll probably be in a fight more often than we are totally outplayed.
As I said I bet my time watching has seen Somerset more competitive for a larger proportion of the time than you have. But in both our cases the last decade has probably been Somerset's most consistently competitive in their history in all forms.
You may disagree because after all you did see Botham and Richards (and please don't forget Garner) and that must keep your memories alive. Not sure that isn't a problem for some.
Rodders yeah - Botham Richards - lots of people did but it didn't build into anything did it.
I've seen a side build over more than a decade and it still is building. I think I'm luckier and maybe I've not been bitterly disapointed so I'm open to seeing success for what it is (little by little but on an upward trend)..
I've seen Trescothick, Langer, Ponting, Jayasuraya, Mushtaq, Johnson, Caddick, Blackwell, Buttler, Kieswetter, White, Pollard, Lee, Rose, Smith, Rehmman, Compton and now Petersen
Not so concentrated but little baby steps. Oh and 2 seconds in the CC (one in the whole thing and last year), been to a number of finals and all in just under 20 years.
I didn't see the Holy Trinity but the last twenty years have seen this side build into one that can and has beaten anyone who stands against it. Yeah they can improve and yeah it would be nice to win something. But I come down here to watch the best English cricket can offer and some of the best international talents as well and I never know if we'll win or lose but I know we'll probably be in a fight more often than we are totally outplayed.
As I said I bet my time watching has seen Somerset more competitive for a larger proportion of the time than you have. But in both our cases the last decade has probably been Somerset's most consistently competitive in their history in all forms.
You may disagree because after all you did see Botham and Richards (and please don't forget Garner) and that must keep your memories alive. Not sure that isn't a problem for some.
Thanks Grockle! Now I've received praise from you, I feel I can sign off happy.
Good Evening one and all
Good Evening one and all
Well take it as praise if you want mate/darling. Whatever gets you through the night.
Glad I've helped you put away your demons. On to the next game aye?
Glad I've helped you put away your demons. On to the next game aye?
Yep, Grockle, I think you are probably right about this being the most competitive spell for Somerset in terms of consistently being there or thereabouts.
Indeed so, RS. We most certainly do NOT want test friendly pitches at Taunton.
What a fantastic 4 days cricket.
2 good teams, great pitch, best ground in the country.
Gutted we couldn't force a win.
We had 3 bowlers whose combined ages were 59.
Tresco made right call in my opinion to bat again, and declaration proved about right in 515 off 143.
Jamie Overton really is one for the now let alone next 10 years.
Leach was excellent, great control for one so young.
Fairplay to Warwickshire, to bat for 144 overs, they deserve credit.
1 rubbish umpiring decision and 2 slip catches down proved crucial in the last 80 mins.
If that is the standard of four day cricket we are to see for rest of the season at Taunton roll on May 15th,
2 good teams, great pitch, best ground in the country.
Gutted we couldn't force a win.
We had 3 bowlers whose combined ages were 59.
Tresco made right call in my opinion to bat again, and declaration proved about right in 515 off 143.
Jamie Overton really is one for the now let alone next 10 years.
Leach was excellent, great control for one so young.
Fairplay to Warwickshire, to bat for 144 overs, they deserve credit.
1 rubbish umpiring decision and 2 slip catches down proved crucial in the last 80 mins.
If that is the standard of four day cricket we are to see for rest of the season at Taunton roll on May 15th,
4th and final day photos
Credit must go to Warwickshire for batting out the day for a draw.
Oliver Hannon-Dalby played a vital role in staying with Rikki Clarke at the end, here he is facing Jack Leach
Rikki Clarke making sure his bat was well out of the way of the ball.
Alfonso Thomas getting a hug from Jack Leach after trapping Chris Wright lbw.
Chris Woakes watching how close the ball went to the stumps after not playing the ball.
Jamie Overton celebrating after bowling Chris Woakes.
Tim Ambrose making the close fielder jump.
James Hildreth all smiles after catching Tim Ambrose off the bowling of Jamie Overton.
Varun Chopra well bowled by Jack Leach.
Disappointing not to win but it was still a good match to watch.
Edit- spelling
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2013:04:28:22:57:45 by Mike TA1.
Credit must go to Warwickshire for batting out the day for a draw.
Oliver Hannon-Dalby played a vital role in staying with Rikki Clarke at the end, here he is facing Jack Leach
Rikki Clarke making sure his bat was well out of the way of the ball.
Alfonso Thomas getting a hug from Jack Leach after trapping Chris Wright lbw.
Chris Woakes watching how close the ball went to the stumps after not playing the ball.
Jamie Overton celebrating after bowling Chris Woakes.
Tim Ambrose making the close fielder jump.
James Hildreth all smiles after catching Tim Ambrose off the bowling of Jamie Overton.
Varun Chopra well bowled by Jack Leach.
Disappointing not to win but it was still a good match to watch.
Edit- spelling
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2013:04:28:22:57:45 by Mike TA1.
"The standard of umpiring was so low as to jeopardise the meaningfulness of the encounter."
"There were so many bad decisions that there was a chaotic air of random chance about proceedings."
"By the time that Cook asked the TV umpire to look at two decisions, it seemed that even he had lost confidence in his ability to make decisions."
The above from George Dobell's report on the game.
"There were so many bad decisions that there was a chaotic air of random chance about proceedings."
"By the time that Cook asked the TV umpire to look at two decisions, it seemed that even he had lost confidence in his ability to make decisions."
The above from George Dobell's report on the game.
If we had enforced the follow-on and it had taken us until lunch-time today to bowl them out, I think we would have been strong favourites to win. However, that's speculation on my part.
Leach was very tidy. But I think we may look back at this as the match when Jove came of age.
Leach was very tidy. But I think we may look back at this as the match when Jove came of age.
The thing with Leach is that his accuracy was relentless.
If that's a standard thing with him then one wonders how dangerous he will be as and when we get him on turning tracks?
Indeed, with AP batting so well and Leach looking so good and George being such a talent, it's possible that when the time comes for AP to come home and AR to arrive, we end up wishing that we had not scheduled such a swap.
Then again, I'm sure both George and Jack can potentially learn a lot from Abdur.
If that's a standard thing with him then one wonders how dangerous he will be as and when we get him on turning tracks?
Indeed, with AP batting so well and Leach looking so good and George being such a talent, it's possible that when the time comes for AP to come home and AR to arrive, we end up wishing that we had not scheduled such a swap.
Then again, I'm sure both George and Jack can potentially learn a lot from Abdur.
I agree with what you said Wickham about follow-on and Jove's ability. I do hope that he is not picked for the Lions, he is only just 19 and needs 2 years developing in County cricket. I also felt that Jack L was very controlled, but as George Dobell said he is not yet a big spinner of the ball, George Dockrell managed twice last year v Durham and Middx to spin us to victory. But in time I think both could play together.
Wsm if you think thus was 'a great pitch, best ground in the country', you are indeed deluded.
The Taunton wicket has been a barrier to our progress for many years.
How many times has a team bowled 144 overs in the final innings of a CC game- and not won? Very few I would think.
The whole basis of the game is that pitches deteriorate.
The Taunton wicket has been a barrier to our progress for many years.
How many times has a team bowled 144 overs in the final innings of a CC game- and not won? Very few I would think.
The whole basis of the game is that pitches deteriorate.
AGod, I'm under the impression Leach certainly learned a lot from him last summer.
I'm not getting into this with you.
A 4 day game is surely intended to end with a positive result at 6pm on the final day.
This game was as close to that as possible without it quite happening.
Granted in the old days of frosty our pitch was over weighted in favour of batsmen (however Caddick and Mushy always seemed to do fine on it)
These days it is perfectly fair and in my opinion a perfect track for 4 day cricket.
I would suggest a 4 day game should produce 400 runs per day and 10 wickets per day.
This game produced around 1250 runs, 34 wickets, and a 6.07pm finish on the last day.
If anyone would prefer 200 a side matches on ropey tracks that end in 2.5 days then I hear Durham is the place to go! or several other counties.
A 4 day game is surely intended to end with a positive result at 6pm on the final day.
This game was as close to that as possible without it quite happening.
Granted in the old days of frosty our pitch was over weighted in favour of batsmen (however Caddick and Mushy always seemed to do fine on it)
These days it is perfectly fair and in my opinion a perfect track for 4 day cricket.
I would suggest a 4 day game should produce 400 runs per day and 10 wickets per day.
This game produced around 1250 runs, 34 wickets, and a 6.07pm finish on the last day.
If anyone would prefer 200 a side matches on ropey tracks that end in 2.5 days then I hear Durham is the place to go! or several other counties.
Agree with the defense of the pitch.
Nice green tinge to start, with some seam movement to on the first day, settling down into a good batting track but with some pace and carry. That's what you want.
In a perfect world, you'd have it spin a bit more on day 4, but I hardly think it a fault of the groundstaff that a pitch in April doesn't turn much/
Nice green tinge to start, with some seam movement to on the first day, settling down into a good batting track but with some pace and carry. That's what you want.
In a perfect world, you'd have it spin a bit more on day 4, but I hardly think it a fault of the groundstaff that a pitch in April doesn't turn much/
I saw Craig K when he returned to the ground after his xray (or whatever diagnostic imaging test he had). He said he had to wait for results.
This does not surprise me. Any A&E intern can spot a masive displaced fracture; more subtle undislaced or hairline defects take an expert eye. I doubt if there was a consultant radiologist on dite on a unday afternoon.
In fact in some cases a small fracture will not show up on xray until a few days after the injury has taken place.
Fingers crossed then.
This does not surprise me. Any A&E intern can spot a masive displaced fracture; more subtle undislaced or hairline defects take an expert eye. I doubt if there was a consultant radiologist on dite on a unday afternoon.
In fact in some cases a small fracture will not show up on xray until a few days after the injury has taken place.
Fingers crossed then.
Maybe you'd like to apologise to Phil Frost now, KT.
You see Phil was was simply preparing the wicket to the best of his ability as per the guidelines set by the ECB.
He, along with a few from this site, had argued that it wasn't the preperation of the wicket that was to blame for the glut of runs, but the use of the heavy roller once the game got under way.
Can you now see what he, what we meant?
The decision to allow the use of the heavy gear is a disaster, it's almost as if the powers that be want the four day game to lose its appeal to those turned on by the slogfest that is T20.
You see Phil was was simply preparing the wicket to the best of his ability as per the guidelines set by the ECB.
He, along with a few from this site, had argued that it wasn't the preperation of the wicket that was to blame for the glut of runs, but the use of the heavy roller once the game got under way.
Can you now see what he, what we meant?
The decision to allow the use of the heavy gear is a disaster, it's almost as if the powers that be want the four day game to lose its appeal to those turned on by the slogfest that is T20.
Terrific team & individual performances in this game, from which we rightly can "take the positives" as Marcus puts it.
From my distant viewpoint however, it is disconcerting that we still struggle to put matches to bed,long after we get into clear winning positions.
I too would like to see a more ruthless approach,and wonder whether the decision not to enforce the follow on sent the wrong message. At that time, we clearly had massive momentum in our favour, which we then lost somewhat.
Our strategy sometimes appears a little too defensive. As perhaps in this 2010 game :
[www.cricketarchive.com]
146 ahead with 7 wickets left, going into the last day.
Instead of pressing on & declaring in the hope/belief that we could bowl Kent out, we elected to bat all day & take the draw.
For some reason, I remember seeing Glamorgan win the County Championship at Taunton some years back:
www.cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/64/64620.html
My feelings that day were mixed. Admiration for Glamorgan whose body language & passion burst through every vein throughout the day, mixed with a tad of jealousy that it wasn't us.
I am in no postion to make any definitive statements, but I still wonder whether we have the absolute passion and hunger to win when it matters ?
Or perhaps I just had a bad weekend.
Grizzzly
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2013:04:29:03:42:12 by Grizzzly.
From my distant viewpoint however, it is disconcerting that we still struggle to put matches to bed,long after we get into clear winning positions.
I too would like to see a more ruthless approach,and wonder whether the decision not to enforce the follow on sent the wrong message. At that time, we clearly had massive momentum in our favour, which we then lost somewhat.
Our strategy sometimes appears a little too defensive. As perhaps in this 2010 game :
[www.cricketarchive.com]
146 ahead with 7 wickets left, going into the last day.
Instead of pressing on & declaring in the hope/belief that we could bowl Kent out, we elected to bat all day & take the draw.
For some reason, I remember seeing Glamorgan win the County Championship at Taunton some years back:
www.cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/64/64620.html
My feelings that day were mixed. Admiration for Glamorgan whose body language & passion burst through every vein throughout the day, mixed with a tad of jealousy that it wasn't us.
I am in no postion to make any definitive statements, but I still wonder whether we have the absolute passion and hunger to win when it matters ?
Or perhaps I just had a bad weekend.
Grizzzly
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2013:04:29:03:42:12 by Grizzzly.
If you are right grizzly then surely that s what nosworthy has been brought in to look at and change? He hasn't had time to do much as yet but in time hopefully.
To be honest, the fact that we ultimately did not get rid of Warks in 140+ overs probably means that future declarations at Taunton this season - both from our opponents and ourselves are likely to be pretty conservative.
I still can't help thinking that this game would have been a result game had the ECB stayed with their policy of last year and NOT taken the retrograde step of re-introducing the roller regulations.
But it was a close run thing and the bowlers did very well to get as close as they did on the carpet that the strip became. They also did themselves an awful lot of good in terms of doing it in front of the media as well.
But it was a close run thing and the bowlers did very well to get as close as they did on the carpet that the strip became. They also did themselves an awful lot of good in terms of doing it in front of the media as well.
Quote:AGod
"By the time that Cook asked the TV umpire to look at two decisions, it seemed that even he had lost confidence in his ability to make decisions."
The above from George Dobell's report on the game.
As you said before, I did warn about Mr Cook's umpiring abilities at the start of the game! I wonder whether he may have had a bad experience when he was bowling for Northants here a few years ago, and it is affecting his judgement on this ground. I wonder whether there have been any "bad days at the office" for him at other grounds?
They should have done just that; two catches were shelled off Clarke, who ended on 61, and umpire Nick Cook surprisingly failed to raise the finger when Hannon-Dalby clearly edged the outstanding Jamie Overton behind. [www.ecb.co.uk]
Bad umpiring cost us the match also our fielding later in the match didn't help.
Question should be asked who is not taking catches and why, if it is the same fielder most of the time should that fielder field in a different position.
Bad umpiring cost us the match also our fielding later in the match didn't help.
Question should be asked who is not taking catches and why, if it is the same fielder most of the time should that fielder field in a different position.
Nick Cook had a bad match to say the least.
Did he not have health issues back in 2010?.
Not sure any of the fielders are out of position, James held three catches, and dropped one, Tres will continue to field second slip, and Craig put down one, this in what could be described a very cold conditions,as those spectators on the ground will appreciate or not as the case was.
Did he not have health issues back in 2010?.
Not sure any of the fielders are out of position, James held three catches, and dropped one, Tres will continue to field second slip, and Craig put down one, this in what could be described a very cold conditions,as those spectators on the ground will appreciate or not as the case was.
We bit harsh Mike, Hildy has taken several quality catches at first slip this season and as far as I am aware this was his first shelling. Pieterson is regarded as a specialist gulley. There was much about our performance and in particular tactics that deserve review but selection of fielders in positions is not one of them.
Does anyone actually weigh the rollers? is there an ECB definition of what constitutes a "Heavy Roller"? Would anyone notice if we replaced the drums with alluminium!
Does anyone actually weigh the rollers? is there an ECB definition of what constitutes a "Heavy Roller"? Would anyone notice if we replaced the drums with alluminium!
I am not picking on any one player, I couldn't remember who had missed all the catches chances during the match. My point was if it is one player that keep missing chances then that player should be moved to a different position.
But from what you said it wasn't mainly one player that missed catching chances, players who once were good fielders are not always so good when then get older their reaction time slows down.
But from what you said it wasn't mainly one player that missed catching chances, players who once were good fielders are not always so good when then get older their reaction time slows down.
IMO we had 21 overs to bowl at the last man and I think we simply did not bowl enough that forced him to play.
When Clarke first got in he simply couldn't deal with Jove either.. I really think he should have been given one last over in that spell as he may have prized him out.
I enjoyed the last two days, as frustrating as the last hour and a half was.
When Clarke first got in he simply couldn't deal with Jove either.. I really think he should have been given one last over in that spell as he may have prized him out.
I enjoyed the last two days, as frustrating as the last hour and a half was.
That's spot on really, Tumbles.
Not enough balls on the stumps.
It was a miracle, really, that Hannon-Dalby nicked that fast reverse swinging outswinger from Jamie Overton. I reckon he'd nick that only once in 1,000 goes. Plenty of specialist batsmen would probably have missed it! If I'm right about that, it goes without saying that it was highly improbable that he'd nick any more of them.
In the final over, Jamie held it cross seam, apparently, to stop it swinging and produced three or four balls on the stumps.
I don't know if somebody had a word, or if he decided to do that off his own bat. If the former, then somebody should have a word a few overs earlier, IMO.
Not enough balls on the stumps.
It was a miracle, really, that Hannon-Dalby nicked that fast reverse swinging outswinger from Jamie Overton. I reckon he'd nick that only once in 1,000 goes. Plenty of specialist batsmen would probably have missed it! If I'm right about that, it goes without saying that it was highly improbable that he'd nick any more of them.
In the final over, Jamie held it cross seam, apparently, to stop it swinging and produced three or four balls on the stumps.
I don't know if somebody had a word, or if he decided to do that off his own bat. If the former, then somebody should have a word a few overs earlier, IMO.
Agreed with the last over AGod, I think it tested Wright more than any other over in his innings.
I'm sure Jamie will have learned a lot from this game - he's also showcased his talents to a TV audience and gained huge praise. We can take the positives along with the negatives - Jos, Jack & Jamie certainly had good games. Can we field a team exclusively of J's?
I'm sure Jamie will have learned a lot from this game - he's also showcased his talents to a TV audience and gained huge praise. We can take the positives along with the negatives - Jos, Jack & Jamie certainly had good games. Can we field a team exclusively of J's?
I think Jamie is very likely to be called up for the next Lions' game. It clashes with our trip to Yorkshire.
To be honest, if it's a "traditional," Headingley track then Steve Kirby's knowledge of local conditions may be preferable for that match anyway.
Of more concern, may be the batting.
We really could do with Hildreth and Trego finding real form before that trip, given that we are likely to be without Jos and may well be without Craig K (whether due to selection for Lions or a digit injury).
Arul will, presumably, come back in although not sure where - presumably might slot in at five in between Hildreth and Trego? So we don't really want a guy coming back into the team after a couple of games out being sandwiched by two out of form guys.
Regan would presumably keep wicket and I'd assume we'd possibly look at bringing in somebody like Craig Meschede at number seven.
To be honest, if it's a "traditional," Headingley track then Steve Kirby's knowledge of local conditions may be preferable for that match anyway.
Of more concern, may be the batting.
We really could do with Hildreth and Trego finding real form before that trip, given that we are likely to be without Jos and may well be without Craig K (whether due to selection for Lions or a digit injury).
Arul will, presumably, come back in although not sure where - presumably might slot in at five in between Hildreth and Trego? So we don't really want a guy coming back into the team after a couple of games out being sandwiched by two out of form guys.
Regan would presumably keep wicket and I'd assume we'd possibly look at bringing in somebody like Craig Meschede at number seven.
@Tumbles - As and Js we can do!
As for yesterday's result, the umpiring didn't help (though there were shockers both ways, so who knows what difference that ultimately made), the dropped catches certainly didn't help, bowling straighter more often at the last man would have helped, but I tend to think that more positive strategy would have overridden all of those.
I would have enforced the follow-on, largely on the grounds of the uncertain weather forecast; assuming a full day's play on Sunday, which, as it happened, we very nearly got, I can see the sense of batting again. I think the real strategical blunder was delaying the declaration (and this is not hindsight, as anyone in my vicinity around 2.15 on Saturday can confirm!)
I didn't expect it, at the time, to be as crucial as it turned out (let alone at 4.50 yesterday - who could ever have expected a No.11 like H-D to hold out that long?) - I so wish it hadn't been.
(I quite fancied giving Alviro an over or two at H-D - wonder how that would have turned out).
At a tangent, I can hardly believe that this one fourth-day outcome is being made an excuse for the 'Taunton is killing cricket' argument to be dragged out again, after three years of sporting wickets and silence on the issue, as if nothing had changed!
Edited for typos.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2013:04:29:11:06:46 by mikeindex.
As for yesterday's result, the umpiring didn't help (though there were shockers both ways, so who knows what difference that ultimately made), the dropped catches certainly didn't help, bowling straighter more often at the last man would have helped, but I tend to think that more positive strategy would have overridden all of those.
I would have enforced the follow-on, largely on the grounds of the uncertain weather forecast; assuming a full day's play on Sunday, which, as it happened, we very nearly got, I can see the sense of batting again. I think the real strategical blunder was delaying the declaration (and this is not hindsight, as anyone in my vicinity around 2.15 on Saturday can confirm!)
I didn't expect it, at the time, to be as crucial as it turned out (let alone at 4.50 yesterday - who could ever have expected a No.11 like H-D to hold out that long?) - I so wish it hadn't been.
(I quite fancied giving Alviro an over or two at H-D - wonder how that would have turned out).
At a tangent, I can hardly believe that this one fourth-day outcome is being made an excuse for the 'Taunton is killing cricket' argument to be dragged out again, after three years of sporting wickets and silence on the issue, as if nothing had changed!
Edited for typos.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2013:04:29:11:06:46 by mikeindex.
Also anyone know why the club have backtracked on the lunchtime pitch access - disappointing after they took it on board at last years AGM.
I only was able to get to the first day on Thursday, but some very good batting particularly as Warks bowling seemed to improve as the day went on. I don't subscribe to any of the Murdoch empires, and as the radio commentary packed up too, I've had to rely on 'Grockles' to keep in touch. As always some excellent posts and superb pics - thanks Mike.
Interested to read all the 'Heavy Roller' comments, and I have long agreed with others on here that its reintroduction is a massive backward step and just plain bonkers for the 4 day game. Over recent years we have seen great improvements in the grass cultivars being used for Cricket Squares with the result that they bind the surface much better and it won't break up. Pitches now should last for the majority of the 4 days giving good batting conditions early in the game and something for the bowlers as it wears later in the game. The effect now of the extra use of the heavy roller will IMO just compact and deaden the playing surface - not needed.
Also good to read the comments about Jove's bowling in the game. I first saw him bowl for the Under 19's in the game at Taunton vs South Africa in 2011. He looked potentially special then, and with Craig's successes on the Lions tour in the winter, they could well one day be a first - the first twins ever to play in the same England team. The Bedsers never did, so hope they do.
Even a comment in the 'i' this morning about Nick Cook's umpiring yesterday, and this from a paper that barely seems at times to recognise that cricket exists.
Interested to read all the 'Heavy Roller' comments, and I have long agreed with others on here that its reintroduction is a massive backward step and just plain bonkers for the 4 day game. Over recent years we have seen great improvements in the grass cultivars being used for Cricket Squares with the result that they bind the surface much better and it won't break up. Pitches now should last for the majority of the 4 days giving good batting conditions early in the game and something for the bowlers as it wears later in the game. The effect now of the extra use of the heavy roller will IMO just compact and deaden the playing surface - not needed.
Also good to read the comments about Jove's bowling in the game. I first saw him bowl for the Under 19's in the game at Taunton vs South Africa in 2011. He looked potentially special then, and with Craig's successes on the Lions tour in the winter, they could well one day be a first - the first twins ever to play in the same England team. The Bedsers never did, so hope they do.
Even a comment in the 'i' this morning about Nick Cook's umpiring yesterday, and this from a paper that barely seems at times to recognise that cricket exists.
Tumbles, the announcer said work had been done on the outfield that was why nobody was allowed on the outfield.
why that work was done so close to the first match being played on the ground I do not know.
why that work was done so close to the first match being played on the ground I do not know.
To be fair the commentators on SKY were less critical than some on here regarding the catches. Hilda's was regulation but he had dimissed others in the game with semi miraculous ones so he can be allowed the odd lapse. I don't know about all the others but Alviro's was like a rocket and he did very well to get himself anywhere near catching it. I think we were mostly agreed that all the fielding glitches and umpiring gaffs pretty much rubbed each other out.
I did feel sorry for Cook in the end, his confidence was obviously shot and I did myself wonder whether he was fully fit because he looked very tired and by no means sure of anything by the end. If you could sub an umpire easily he would have been subbed.
I did feel sorry for Cook in the end, his confidence was obviously shot and I did myself wonder whether he was fully fit because he looked very tired and by no means sure of anything by the end. If you could sub an umpire easily he would have been subbed.
This will be something, for the end of the season, but I wonder if SCCC will make representations to the ECB in respect of the heavy roller?
No doubt the ECB would say that they cannot make policy specifically with Somerset in mind.
But, perhaps, they could be persuaded to introduce some flexibility in respect of the heavy roller?
For example, perhaps the heavy roller could only be made compulsorily available for those grounds where the pitches averaged below a certain minimum score on the ECB (umpires') marking schemes over the 3 year period during which the heavy roller was banned?
In other words, counties whose pitches were sub-standard when the heavy roller was banned would be obliged to make it available to the visiting team.
Those where the pitches were rated highly when the roller was banned (which I'm sure would include SCCC) are not obliged to use a heavy roller?
Would that seem reasonable?
No doubt the ECB would say that they cannot make policy specifically with Somerset in mind.
But, perhaps, they could be persuaded to introduce some flexibility in respect of the heavy roller?
For example, perhaps the heavy roller could only be made compulsorily available for those grounds where the pitches averaged below a certain minimum score on the ECB (umpires') marking schemes over the 3 year period during which the heavy roller was banned?
In other words, counties whose pitches were sub-standard when the heavy roller was banned would be obliged to make it available to the visiting team.
Those where the pitches were rated highly when the roller was banned (which I'm sure would include SCCC) are not obliged to use a heavy roller?
Would that seem reasonable?
I didn't post yesterday as I thought it would be best left until the dissapointment faded a little.
Tresco's follow on no descision was always going to be a talking point (either way), if were playing more hardened seamers he may well have enforced it. But if was to protect Jove and Cove, then I will happily accept it.
The umpiring was terrible, we had actually done enough to win it, Warks were hard done by as well and we had our own chances to win the game.
I was always more confident of our young bowling prospects than our batters. On a spinning track in 5 years time you wouldn't mind this as tail end;
Meschede
C Overton
J Overton
Dockrell
Leach
hopefully Gregory figures out what he is as well.
On another positive note, I think this could be classified as a good start for us!
Tresco's follow on no descision was always going to be a talking point (either way), if were playing more hardened seamers he may well have enforced it. But if was to protect Jove and Cove, then I will happily accept it.
The umpiring was terrible, we had actually done enough to win it, Warks were hard done by as well and we had our own chances to win the game.
I was always more confident of our young bowling prospects than our batters. On a spinning track in 5 years time you wouldn't mind this as tail end;
Meschede
C Overton
J Overton
Dockrell
Leach
hopefully Gregory figures out what he is as well.
On another positive note, I think this could be classified as a good start for us!
The talk a few years ago from Brian and Marcus was the Gregory would be a "top quality," number four or number five batsmen.
What he's shown thus far, but only before his back injury, has instead been top quality pace bowling in limited overs games.
I hope he can get that top quality one-day bowling back because that looks like his strong suit to me.
But if he can't get back to 100% in terms of his back and bowling, then perhaps he should concentrate solely on trying to become the batsman that Marcus and Brian seemed to think he would become?
What he's shown thus far, but only before his back injury, has instead been top quality pace bowling in limited overs games.
I hope he can get that top quality one-day bowling back because that looks like his strong suit to me.
But if he can't get back to 100% in terms of his back and bowling, then perhaps he should concentrate solely on trying to become the batsman that Marcus and Brian seemed to think he would become?
Disappointing not to win: but there was a worthy opponent out there giving everything for the cause too, let's not forget.
And for what it's worth, whilst I think discussion of the follow-on is fair (and I would probably enforced it, myself), suggestions that the declaration came later than it should have are not. Whilst I would have declared earlier, subsequent events indicate that that decision would very probably gave cost us the draw, let alone the win.
And for what it's worth, whilst I think discussion of the follow-on is fair (and I would probably enforced it, myself), suggestions that the declaration came later than it should have are not. Whilst I would have declared earlier, subsequent events indicate that that decision would very probably gave cost us the draw, let alone the win.
The ECB havve said they are going to make no comment about the umpiring issues at Taunton in recent days.
Except in their report on the final day where they obviouly have...
Except in their report on the final day where they obviouly have...
In theory, the ECB were probably delighted at Sky agreeing to cover a full CC match..... but in exposing Mr Cook's errors to a television audience it may have given the ECB a problem.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2013:04:29:13:44:48 by AGod.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2013:04:29:13:44:48 by AGod.
We could see why Warks are champions, that is the mentality we have to try and emulate. I can't think of many teams who would have kept going like that.
Quote:Mike TA1
Tumbles, the announcer said work had been done on the outfield that was why nobody was allowed on the outfield.
why that work was done so close to the first match being played on the ground I do not know.
Thanks Mike, I thought the outfield looked far better than previous 2 seasons.. much thicker coverage.
Dougie Brown hailed Warwickshire's "incredible strength of character" as their tenth-wicket pair survived for 21.1 overs to deny Somerset victory at Taunton.
“They showed exactly what Warwickshire is about," Brown, Warwickshire's director of cricket, told ESPNcricinfo afterwards. "They showed that we play as a team and for the team and we never accept defeat. We have something at Edgbaston that you just can't buy: it's called team spirit and we leave here taking great encouragement from this performance."
Marcus Trescothick for Somerset said “we take positives from the game.”
In my opinion, there is a lot of difference between the two statements.
Much has been made of the refusal to enforce the follow – on; the timing of Somerset’s declaration; poor umpiring decisions; the return of the heavy roller; dropped catches; not bowling enough at the stumps to the tail – enders; the return of the ‘Motorway, pitches at the County Ground, lack of ruthlessness etc., etc.
I was in attendance on Friday and Saturday – but not yesterday.
Did I see the team spirit that Dougie Brown enthused about in his side evident within the Somerset team?
IMO, sadly, No!
Perhaps others did, and I am wrong, but this malaise would appear to have been hanging over the side for some years. If so, why?
We are not County Championship winning material on the basis of both the Durham and Warwickshire games this season. Practically 20% of the CC season has already come and gone!
Mr Nosworthy has much to do.
“They showed exactly what Warwickshire is about," Brown, Warwickshire's director of cricket, told ESPNcricinfo afterwards. "They showed that we play as a team and for the team and we never accept defeat. We have something at Edgbaston that you just can't buy: it's called team spirit and we leave here taking great encouragement from this performance."
Marcus Trescothick for Somerset said “we take positives from the game.”
In my opinion, there is a lot of difference between the two statements.
Much has been made of the refusal to enforce the follow – on; the timing of Somerset’s declaration; poor umpiring decisions; the return of the heavy roller; dropped catches; not bowling enough at the stumps to the tail – enders; the return of the ‘Motorway, pitches at the County Ground, lack of ruthlessness etc., etc.
I was in attendance on Friday and Saturday – but not yesterday.
Did I see the team spirit that Dougie Brown enthused about in his side evident within the Somerset team?
IMO, sadly, No!
Perhaps others did, and I am wrong, but this malaise would appear to have been hanging over the side for some years. If so, why?
We are not County Championship winning material on the basis of both the Durham and Warwickshire games this season. Practically 20% of the CC season has already come and gone!
Mr Nosworthy has much to do.
Yes, Monkey Butler, Warks consistently over-achieve and have done for the past couple of years.
In 2010, I think it was, their batting was absolutely shocking but they've really knuckled down and they tend to fight hard nowadays.
In 2010, I think it was, their batting was absolutely shocking but they've really knuckled down and they tend to fight hard nowadays.
Palairet - I thought the team spirit looked absolutely fine at the Oval.
I’m also unsure what else one could have expected Marcus to say?
It didn’t matter what he said, IMO.
A picture speaks a thousand words and all that.... and our slip cordon rooted to the spot and staring at the ground at the end told folks all they needed to know about how we really felt about the outcome of that game, IMO.
Warks’ players said it felt like a win and there’s little doubt that it will have felt like a defeat to our guys.
A big job, I think , for Dave Nosworthy to pick everyone up and get them going again in time for Leeds.
As for Marcus? I’m sure he’s incredibly determined to lead the County to success but one does wonder whether he might, at some point, reach the same conclusion that Brian Rose reached....... that a different “messenger,” is needed to get this group over the line?
If we don’t win something this season, I would not be shocked if Marcus reached the same conclusion as Brian, although one would obviously hope that Banger would remain in the ranks.
I’m also unsure what else one could have expected Marcus to say?
It didn’t matter what he said, IMO.
A picture speaks a thousand words and all that.... and our slip cordon rooted to the spot and staring at the ground at the end told folks all they needed to know about how we really felt about the outcome of that game, IMO.
Warks’ players said it felt like a win and there’s little doubt that it will have felt like a defeat to our guys.
A big job, I think , for Dave Nosworthy to pick everyone up and get them going again in time for Leeds.
As for Marcus? I’m sure he’s incredibly determined to lead the County to success but one does wonder whether he might, at some point, reach the same conclusion that Brian Rose reached....... that a different “messenger,” is needed to get this group over the line?
If we don’t win something this season, I would not be shocked if Marcus reached the same conclusion as Brian, although one would obviously hope that Banger would remain in the ranks.
Mike, the point that the Taunton pitch is a limit on our progress is unfortunately a live one.
It was a huge problem five years ago. When the club took concerted action to producing sorting pitches, guess what? We started challenging for the title.
The crazy heavy roller ruling has helped make this an issue again. The reality is the CC rewards teams who can take 20 wickets consistently and who have a home ground that is conducive to producing results.
It was a huge problem five years ago. When the club took concerted action to producing sorting pitches, guess what? We started challenging for the title.
The crazy heavy roller ruling has helped make this an issue again. The reality is the CC rewards teams who can take 20 wickets consistently and who have a home ground that is conducive to producing results.
I've waited (almost) 24 hrs before posting to let it all settle. Most on here have said what I felt: extremely frustrating and disapponting not to win, I don't think not inviting them to bat again was either right or wrong but I do think it was defensible and a reasonable choice, and that we should still have bowled them out in 140 overs, including 20 at the last pair. We didn't manage it, all credit to Rikki Clarke and the others for holding out.
At the end of the Surrey game, I posted that, given the form of our batters in particular, I'd be happy for a high-scoring draw with the county champions with runs for more of our top six and some wickets for the young bowlers. Well, we got all of that, so I can't complain. Frustrating in the end not to win, but hey ho...
On " a draw that feels like a loss" - in football that does apply (eg as a Liverpool fan I was delighted with Suarez's 97th minute equaliser v Chelsea last week in mirror image to how Chelsea fans would have felt - and each team ended with 1 point)...but it wasn't quite the same at Taunton yesterday. Somerset still get points-based recognition for being on top during the game as we got 11 points to Warks' 6 - not as good as 21 v 3, but we do at least have that consolation.
I too am worried about the heavy roller's disproportionate effect on our chances of getting victories at Taunton, but I'm sure those in a position to do something about that will be doing all they can - that's all I ask.
Onwards and upwards...
At the end of the Surrey game, I posted that, given the form of our batters in particular, I'd be happy for a high-scoring draw with the county champions with runs for more of our top six and some wickets for the young bowlers. Well, we got all of that, so I can't complain. Frustrating in the end not to win, but hey ho...
On " a draw that feels like a loss" - in football that does apply (eg as a Liverpool fan I was delighted with Suarez's 97th minute equaliser v Chelsea last week in mirror image to how Chelsea fans would have felt - and each team ended with 1 point)...but it wasn't quite the same at Taunton yesterday. Somerset still get points-based recognition for being on top during the game as we got 11 points to Warks' 6 - not as good as 21 v 3, but we do at least have that consolation.
I too am worried about the heavy roller's disproportionate effect on our chances of getting victories at Taunton, but I'm sure those in a position to do something about that will be doing all they can - that's all I ask.
Onwards and upwards...
Well put, SP. Nothing to disagree with there (save perhaps any acknowledgment of the talents of Suarez, but I'm not a football fan anyway).
If, say, Trego and Leach had held on for over an hour to secure us a draw, we would all have said it was a triumph and I doubt that more than one or two among us would have said it was due to the failings of the other side.
LoL
Sixty-six Seasons a Somerset Supporter
If, say, Trego and Leach had held on for over an hour to secure us a draw, we would all have said it was a triumph and I doubt that more than one or two among us would have said it was due to the failings of the other side.
LoL
Sixty-six Seasons a Somerset Supporter
The heavy roller must be like water to a dying man for you KT. Your favourite subject for so long had been totally disproved by many on here over a long period of time though you kept coming back and banging oon about it and now the idiotic ECB have provided you with what you seem to think is a comeback chance.
But it hasn't you see because the reason you have been quiet about this for a while is because the issue was never as big as you made it out to be and the disparities that did exist had been dealt with by Phil Frost and after him Simon to the extent that your 'road' theory had even stopped being the urban myth it was in the first place.
The heavy roller issue is one that every county will face and every county should be up in arms about BUT
IT HAS NOT RETURNED THE TAUNTON WICKET TO THE STATE YOU CLAIMED IT WAS IN SOME FIVE YEARS AGO
The pitch being affected by the roller regulation bears no resemblence to the fictitious strip that you so firmly believe has stopped us winning the Championship over such a long time.
If the regulation is removed at the end of the season, which I very much hope it will be, one of the extra benefits will be that you will not be able to go on about the state of the Taunton pitch again because it will return to the wicket many of us have enjoyed in your absence. Happy days.
So nice try but never mind aye?
But it hasn't you see because the reason you have been quiet about this for a while is because the issue was never as big as you made it out to be and the disparities that did exist had been dealt with by Phil Frost and after him Simon to the extent that your 'road' theory had even stopped being the urban myth it was in the first place.
The heavy roller issue is one that every county will face and every county should be up in arms about BUT
The pitch being affected by the roller regulation bears no resemblence to the fictitious strip that you so firmly believe has stopped us winning the Championship over such a long time.
If the regulation is removed at the end of the season, which I very much hope it will be, one of the extra benefits will be that you will not be able to go on about the state of the Taunton pitch again because it will return to the wicket many of us have enjoyed in your absence. Happy days.
So nice try but never mind aye?
Maybe KT works for the ECB and brought the heavy roller back precisely for this purpose...
Quote:Monkey Butler
We could see why Warks are champions, that is the mentality we have to try and emulate. I can't think of many teams who would have kept going like that.
With a friend like Cook who needs enemies!
I can think of one.
Whatever our body language situation might be, Somerset rarely give up a game abjectly.
They may throw games away through shot selection etc but they never give up fighting. That is a positive trait inherited and still alive from the Langer days and long may it remain. Come to think about it, how could you give up with Steve Kirby in your side?
Whatever our body language situation might be, Somerset rarely give up a game abjectly.
They may throw games away through shot selection etc but they never give up fighting. That is a positive trait inherited and still alive from the Langer days and long may it remain. Come to think about it, how could you give up with Steve Kirby in your side?
So Grockle, this was the 'totally disproved' issue that virtually every preview of the season has raised, viz can Somerset win the title playing on non result friendly wickets?
The rest of the cricketing world is therefore wrong when it points to Taunton being a potential barrier to success is it?
I actually take some credit that after banging on about the problem a few years ago the club did actually take action. And guess what? We started winning games at home.
My real concern is that we are returning to the bad old ways at Taunton, albeit partly through idiotic regulations by the ECB.
If you bowl 140 overs at the end of a game and fail to get 10 wickets then some very serious questions have to be raised.
My concern is that promising young bowlers like Jamie Overton might not want to stay at Taunton if they can have more success and advance their international credentials elsewhere.
The rest of the cricketing world is therefore wrong when it points to Taunton being a potential barrier to success is it?
I actually take some credit that after banging on about the problem a few years ago the club did actually take action. And guess what? We started winning games at home.
My real concern is that we are returning to the bad old ways at Taunton, albeit partly through idiotic regulations by the ECB.
If you bowl 140 overs at the end of a game and fail to get 10 wickets then some very serious questions have to be raised.
My concern is that promising young bowlers like Jamie Overton might not want to stay at Taunton if they can have more success and advance their international credentials elsewhere.
Well from the look of the two pitches they've served up at the Oval so ar this season we can rest assured he won't be going to Surrey
You take some of the credit for the changes.....oh my dear soul, somebody make a note of the date, for this was the day KT finally lost any of the credibility he may have had left.
If you are gong to produce the same hogwwash again KT for another season then take it to the thread we set up for you to repeat yourself on. It wasn't relevant or true when you first proposed it. it isn't when you reproduce if for the nth time.
If you can provide these 'previews' from the last 5 years then please do and show us how wrong we mostly are but don't provide something from some London writer who couldn't find Taunton on a map. They operate in the same land of myths as you do. Many of us watch the cricket and assess it from first hand accounts of the actual position at the actual ground.
If you don't put it on the proper thread then I'm afraid I probably will if it becomes as 'tedious' as usualbecause it has all been said and disproved before. Anyone who wants to do the 2013 version is welcome to join you there.
If you can provide these 'previews' from the last 5 years then please do and show us how wrong we mostly are but don't provide something from some London writer who couldn't find Taunton on a map. They operate in the same land of myths as you do. Many of us watch the cricket and assess it from first hand accounts of the actual position at the actual ground.
If you don't put it on the proper thread then I'm afraid I probably will if it becomes as 'tedious' as usualbecause it has all been said and disproved before. Anyone who wants to do the 2013 version is welcome to join you there.
Atherton actually said, in his praise of Jove after the first innings, that having to get his wickets at Taunton would improve him as a bowler, and place him higher in the selectors thoughts than those who ply their trade on other pastures.
Doesn't quite sit with your view, KT.
Doesn't quite sit with your view, KT.
Since when has Mike Atherton been the definitive voice on first class cricket in this country, Frome Exile?
His opinions have been ridiculed many times on this site before, and no doubt will be in the future.
Or are you being selective in quoting him on this occasion simply to try to add weight to your own opinion?
His opinions have been ridiculed many times on this site before, and no doubt will be in the future.
Or are you being selective in quoting him on this occasion simply to try to add weight to your own opinion?
He isn't a definitive view. But a bowler with brains and heart should realise the truth in that view.
Conversely, of course, aspiring batsmen should perhaps NOT want to play many games on the sort of track that we saw for the second half of this game. They wouldn't learn much as batting would be too easy. If England selectors watched this match it won't have done SCCC hopefuls that much good in terms of having runs scored at Taunton treated with equivalence to, say, runs that Ben Stokes scores at CLS!
Hopefully, this a one-off and we find a way to get round the heavy roller problem... It is true that various work has been done on the track since the last time that the roller was a problem.
AH apparently believed that the track would turn and become uneven ... Perhaps that has happened in a pre-season game or something, even with the heavy roller?
Conversely, of course, aspiring batsmen should perhaps NOT want to play many games on the sort of track that we saw for the second half of this game. They wouldn't learn much as batting would be too easy. If England selectors watched this match it won't have done SCCC hopefuls that much good in terms of having runs scored at Taunton treated with equivalence to, say, runs that Ben Stokes scores at CLS!
Hopefully, this a one-off and we find a way to get round the heavy roller problem... It is true that various work has been done on the track since the last time that the roller was a problem.
AH apparently believed that the track would turn and become uneven ... Perhaps that has happened in a pre-season game or something, even with the heavy roller?
Can we assume you don't agree with the great Michael's assesssment then CP?
If the answer is Yes, does that then mean you agree with KT's assesment that James may be on his way some time soon after being destroyed by the unyielding Taunton pitch like so many others (we are led to believe).
If the answer is Yes, does that then mean you agree with KT's assesment that James may be on his way some time soon after being destroyed by the unyielding Taunton pitch like so many others (we are led to believe).
Can anyone actually name a decent, aspiring bowler that has left the club for a rival in the past decade despite being a first-team regular!?
Just a thought..
Just a thought..
Ahhh...
CP are you asking FE about his use of Atherton because you agree with KT's assessment that James may leave because of the unyielding Taunton pitch?
The discussion you are referring to AG has been done to death on the "killing cricket" thread. KT has been asked many times to back up this assertion and hasn't been able to.
CP are you asking FE about his use of Atherton because you agree with KT's assessment that James may leave because of the unyielding Taunton pitch?
The discussion you are referring to AG has been done to death on the "killing cricket" thread. KT has been asked many times to back up this assertion and hasn't been able to.
You've got to give credit to good old Clarence Parker, desperately trying to defend his old "Killing Cricket" chum, the Kentish Townie.
It's quite touching.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2013:04:29:20:15:20 by Big Jim.
It's quite touching.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2013:04:29:20:15:20 by Big Jim.
I think this probably needs to go to that thread gentlemen as it seems to have little to do with this one. I'll bring it back from the dead. Please send your pitch discusssions there;
Thanks
Thanks
Quote:Kentish Townie
I actually take some credit that after banging on about the problem a few years ago the club did actually take action. And guess what? We started winning games at home.
Crikey - this man must have some very great influence!!So it was he who helped ensure that the heavy roller was banned after the start of the match? Or was he behind the move to make our headgroundsman redundant because he produced the wrong type of pitch??
Clearly he IS a man of mighty influence! IMO of course!
Is Atherton not the Cricket Correspondent of the paper of record?
Seriously, though, I merely quoted him as relatively well-informed source who ahould have a reasonable feel for what selectors look at. On this matter, I also happen to agree with him. Surely historically it is runs made, rather than wickets taken, at Taunton which have been met with selectorial disdain?
Seriously, though, I merely quoted him as relatively well-informed source who ahould have a reasonable feel for what selectors look at. On this matter, I also happen to agree with him. Surely historically it is runs made, rather than wickets taken, at Taunton which have been met with selectorial disdain?
Odd that runs made at the Oval (or wickets taken at Headingley or CLS) don't seem to be treated with similar disdain!
Maybe they just don't rate Somerset - who'd've thought, eh!
Maybe they just don't rate Somerset - who'd've thought, eh!
Quote:Oh god no.Grockle
I think this probably needs to go to that thread gentlemen as it seems to have little to do with this one. I'll bring it back from the dead. Please send your pitch discusssions there;
Thanks
Quote:AGod
Can anyone actually name a decent, aspiring bowler that has left the club for a rival in the past decade despite being a first-team regular!?
Just a thought..
Ben Phillips? Mark turner?
Mark certainly not a first team regular.
Ben was about 36 or 37 when he left and probably no longer assured of a place either.
Ben was about 36 or 37 when he left and probably no longer assured of a place either.
Quote:RonniesabreQuote:AGod
Can anyone actually name a decent, aspiring bowler that has left the club for a rival in the past decade despite being a first-team regular!?
Just a thought..
Ben Phillips? Mark turner?
Well Ben would not have been a guaranteed first team regular during his last season had he stayed (part of the reason he left) and had injury issues the winter he went (which stopped him starting the next season) and Mark was not a first team choice all that often because he lacked control
So Ben was'nt particularly 'aspiring' and Mark wasn't (in some minds) 'decent' or a first team regular.
Those were the only 2 I could really think of so maybe there aren't any then
Well he was certainly 'aspiring' at the time. Not the player he is now though.
We picked him back up from the lower rungs as well so his career wasn't reaching towards new heights until he came back.
Yeah Ron, as was said yesterday this has been rumbling on for years now and everytime this questions is asked no-one offers up relevant names. Just restates the premis that they have been driven away after everyone has forgotten about it.
There aren't any good examples. Jamie Groves was a possible but he spent the last year's of his career saying he should never have left. Gareth Andrew is the only one I can put close to this category and he made his name as more of an allrounder once he left but he was not achieving anything here before he went really.
We picked him back up from the lower rungs as well so his career wasn't reaching towards new heights until he came back.
Yeah Ron, as was said yesterday this has been rumbling on for years now and everytime this questions is asked no-one offers up relevant names. Just restates the premis that they have been driven away after everyone has forgotten about it.
There aren't any good examples. Jamie Groves was a possible but he spent the last year's of his career saying he should never have left. Gareth Andrew is the only one I can put close to this category and he made his name as more of an allrounder once he left but he was not achieving anything here before he went really.
Yeah, Gareth also left, I would think, due to lack of consistent first-team opportunities.
It look like Somerset believe that not using the heavy roller during matches made a difference in the results at Taunton, if I remember correctly SKY said on the second day that Somerset decided not to have ANY roller used on the pitch on the morning of the second day, obviously Warwickshire had the heavy roller before they started their innings.
Unless the pitch/bowler discussions on this thread are related directly to the Warwickshire match just completed can I now ask you to move your discussions about rollers and unresponsive pitches to the threads already in existence for those purposes.
There is a 'Heavy Roller' AND a 'Killing Cricket' one
Thanks
There is a 'Heavy Roller' AND a 'Killing Cricket' one
Thanks
I think that's right, Mike.
What I'm not sure I understand is why AH was so confident that the pitch would turn and 'go up and down,' given that he must have known that Warks would put the accursed heavy roller on it?
Or perhaps that was just kidology from AH and he didn't really believe that? IN which case the decision to not enforce the follow-on must have been almost entirely about the notion that our young bowlers may have been tired?
What I'm not sure I understand is why AH was so confident that the pitch would turn and 'go up and down,' given that he must have known that Warks would put the accursed heavy roller on it?
Or perhaps that was just kidology from AH and he didn't really believe that? IN which case the decision to not enforce the follow-on must have been almost entirely about the notion that our young bowlers may have been tired?
Well they certainly looked it at times. But not as tired as one of the umpires looked on the final day.
AH could have been trying to kid Warwickshire ... put the thought in the batsmen's minds that the pitch would do all sorts.
Still, if we didn't really think the track would turn/go up and down, then it's less understandable as to why we didn't enforce the follow-on, given that there were only 13 overs left in the day.
Still, if we didn't really think the track would turn/go up and down, then it's less understandable as to why we didn't enforce the follow-on, given that there were only 13 overs left in the day.
Yes I know Mike. That was why I thought it was a good time to ask people talking about the other items to move because this thread was back on the track.
(though the title was quite apt for both I suppose.)
(though the title was quite apt for both I suppose.)
Unconfirmed reports that Oliver Hannon-Dalby sustained a fractured arm during his last wicket stand at Taunton on Sunday. Presumably when he was hit just prior to the last hour starting. Blimey.
So, that's Warwickshire down another seamer for the game that clashes with the Lions' game.
Wonder if they'll make a special plea to withdraw Wright or Woakes from that game, given that Barker is also injured?
If not, they'll probably have to patch it up with loan signings.
Wonder if OHB was not wearing an arm guard because his team-mates had told him how flat the desk was!?
Wonder if they'll make a special plea to withdraw Wright or Woakes from that game, given that Barker is also injured?
If not, they'll probably have to patch it up with loan signings.
Wonder if OHB was not wearing an arm guard because his team-mates had told him how flat the desk was!?
The good news for Warks is they have Jonathan Trott back - he can give them a few overs, surely! I can't see them getting one back from the Lions (and if I was one of the players involved I would be particularly unimpressed by such a move).
Somebody has probably already mentioned it, but it is not unlikely that the presence of television cameras had an effect on those engaged in the match, making them for example, extra cautious. If that applies to players, it may well apply to umpires as well.
LoL
Sixty-six Seasons a Somerset Supporter
LoL
Sixty-six Seasons a Somerset Supporter
The thing was, LoL, with the single exception of the nick off OHB that Nick Cook did not give, his errors were all of the "give them out when they should not have been given," variety.
In other words, he could not have been accused of exercising a surfeit of caution....
In other words, he could not have been accused of exercising a surfeit of caution....
Thanks for that clarification, AGod; you were following the match more closely than me, presumably watching much of it on television or in person, while I relied on the radio.
LoL
Sixty-six Seasons a Somerset Supporter
LoL
Sixty-six Seasons a Somerset Supporter
I wonder if Sky will press for a DRS system to be in use at the games that they are covering live?
There must be plenty of far more able umpires in the Minor Counties and Leagues around the country.
It is almost (but not quite) a closed shop- with clear preference given to former first class cricketers who are fast tracked into becoming first class umpires within two or three years from retiring as players.
Do poor umpires ever fall of the list? I think it may have happened once or twice (although I can't name one) so I expect people will feel sorry for him and not mark him down to badly, but why is the automatic assumption made that you can only be a good umpire if you played at first class level?
It is almost (but not quite) a closed shop- with clear preference given to former first class cricketers who are fast tracked into becoming first class umpires within two or three years from retiring as players.
Do poor umpires ever fall of the list? I think it may have happened once or twice (although I can't name one) so I expect people will feel sorry for him and not mark him down to badly, but why is the automatic assumption made that you can only be a good umpire if you played at first class level?
It would be interesting to see how both captains marked the match umpires.
Very good point.
I'm sure there are many people that could have done a better job than Mr Cook did in that one.
It will be interesting to see if the Sky cameras pop up at other games this season which Cook happens to be umpiring .... if he again performs really poorly on TV will he be subject to any kind of re-training or other corrective action?
I'm sure there are many people that could have done a better job than Mr Cook did in that one.
It will be interesting to see if the Sky cameras pop up at other games this season which Cook happens to be umpiring .... if he again performs really poorly on TV will he be subject to any kind of re-training or other corrective action?
Strangely, Jos is being trotted out vs Cardiff. But no game for Pete. Surely it would have made some sense to play him as a batsman only to find form?
Unsurprisingly, Hildreth plays.
Unsurprisingly, Hildreth plays.
Perhaps they want Jos to get some time with the gloves seeing as he will be the all format keeper for a good few weeks with Craig's injury. And I am sure he has no objection to getting all the glove time he can get, for obvious reasons.
I've moved the last post to the 'Killing cricket' thread after requestiing that the pitch discussion should continue on the thread related to it twice. I will do the same with any other posts of the same type.
Sorry, only registered users may post in this forum.
Somerset News 24/7
More Somerset headlines
- MetroBank Game 3 - v Warks and a change of Weather
- Metro50 Game1 - Welcome to the next stage - Notts at Welbeck
- Blast Finals Day Semi 1 - It's Northants Again!!
- Blast Quarter Final Here We Go at Headingley
- Blast Game 12 - Simple Beat the Pears!!
- Women's Blast Game 12 - Fanx Tara Towie
- Blast Game 11 - Northants Part 2 - Gregory Back?
- Women's Blast Game 11 - Blazing Away\!!
- Blast Game 10 - Derby to the Wire as well
Somerset latest threads
- MetroBank Game 3 - v Warks and a change of Weather
- Poll: 2026 Best Blast Player
- Poll: Best CC1 Player Part 1
- Metrobank 50 Game2 - Home Derby
- Members online forum - the future of SCCC
- Metro50 Game1 - Welcome to the next stage - Notts at Welbeck
- Blast Finals Day Semi 1 - It's Northants Again!!
- RIP the GREAT Gary Sobers
- Metro50 NOT "Developmental" by choice
- Blast Quarter Final Here We Go at Headingley