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"Being in Birmingham" Bob Willis v Warwickshire (A)

By Grockle et al
August 19 2020

The Third Bob Willis game is in Birmingham at Edgbaston.   George Bartlett is still out with concussion but Lewis Gregory is back in a Somerset team on a roll aftter two very impressive performances - here's "Farmer"....

Bob Willis Trophy. Central Group. Warwickshire v Somerset. 15th, 16th, 17th, and 18th August 2020. Edgbaston.

Warwickshire. R.M.Yates, R.M.H. Rhodes (c), S.R. Hain, I.R. Bell, M.J. Lamb, M.G.K. Burgess (w), T.T. Bresnan, A.T. Thomson, H.J.H. Brookes, C.N. Miles, O.H. Hannon-Dalby.

Somerset. E.J. Byrom, T.A. Lammonby, T.B. Abell (c), J.C. Hildreth, T. Banton, S.M. Davies (w), L. Gregory, C. Overton, R.E. van der Merwe, J.Overton, J.H. Davey.

Toss. Warwickshire. Elected to bat.

First day. 15th August – Oh, to be in Birmingham

The picture on the Somerset CCC website brought an immediate flood of memories. It was taken from the upper reaches of the five-storey Pavilion at Edgbaston. Beyond the far end of the ground can be seen the Birmingham skyline. If you know where to look you can pick out the iconic structure of the ultra-modern library. It is a view I have taken in from the packed members lounge on many an occasion on my annual visits to Edgbaston for Somerset’s Championship match there. I have had many an enjoyable chat in that lounge with Somerset and Warwickshire supporters both. Not today. Today, as the camera scans the empty stands it is another stark cricketing reminder of the times through which we are passing. The sun is shining, and the shadows of the players are clear on the pitch. It looks a perfect day for cricket. A perfect day to sit in my usual haunt at Edgbaston, square of the wicket in the Hollies Stand, where last year I and two or three other Somerset supporters formed an informal Somerset cricket symposium for the day. Not today. As it is, with the sun shining in Birmingham, I am ensconced in an armchair watching the Edgbaston live stream on an elderly laptop with a rain-filled sky obliterating my treasured view of the Blackdowns.

Lewis Gregory is back in the Somerset side in place of Jack Brooks after his long sojourn in the England COVID-19 protective bubble. Craig Overton and Josh Davey open the bowling, continuing what has been a very successful partnership for Somerset in this competition. The Somerset bowling has been disciplined, accurate and has constantly challenged the batsmen this year. They began the morning in the vein of form that has run through their performances since the start of the season. Runs there were from the Warwickshire batsmen, but they came in singles, and at barely one an over, mainly turned into the leg side. The singles were matched by an at least an equal supply of bowlers’ hands raised in supplication or clasped to heads as the ball went past the edge of defensive bats. Whether the supporter is sat in the Hollies Stand or in an armchair in the lee of the Blackdowns, the expanding feeling of anticipation in the chest at the prospect of a wicket as the bowlers pin the batsmen is impossible to control.

Then, as it does, the pressure of intensely accurate and testing bowling told on the batsmen. Craig Overton angled a ball across the left-handed Yates, it perhaps moved away a little more off the pitch. “Yes!” the only sound, as the ball feathered the edge and landed in the gloves of Steven Davies, and the sound came from me for the muted computer held its silence. I tend to make more noise watching cricket at home than I do at a match. That old English reserve applies less when I am on my own. Warwickshire were 12 for 1 in the ninth over. 15 for 2 when Sam Hain tried to clip Overton into the on side and was bowled by a ball which might have moved in off the pitch marginally, but which was essentially a straight ball. Now I was sitting up in my chair, my focus entirely at Edgbaston, the invisible Blackdowns blocked from my mind as much by the intensity of the cricket as by the mist and rain. 15 for 2 became 15 or 3 when Bell pushed into the covers and Rhodes sprinted for a quick single only for the ball to appear like an incoming missile from the edge of the screen, thrown from beyond the camera’s eye by Abell. Abell, that ever-present threat in the covers or at midwicket to the unwary batsman. The unerring ball hit the stumps with Rhodes’ bat still short of its ground. There is something about a run out from a direct hit that sets the blood racing, at least there is if it is not your side that is batting.

Warwickshire 15 for 3 was not a score that was out of the ordinary for the Somerset bowlers this season. It had come from the usual persistently and forensically accurate bowling of Craig Overton and Davey. Pressure tells and here it had told spectacularly. But pressure has to be sustained if top-quality batsmen are to be held in check and Ian Bell is a top-quality batsman. When Gregory dropped short, and by not very much, the ball was pulled mercilessly for four. When Jamie Overton dropped shorter the result was the same. In the 13th over Warwickshire were 15 for 3, but those two strokes were indicative of the two batsmens’ intent to progress against the new bowlers. By the 22nd over they were 59 for 3. Lamb had twice driven Jamie Overton straight and once through the covers for four. All three strokes deserved the soubriquet, “Emphatic!” as the batsmen began to assert Warwickshire’s claim to a foothold in the match. A height no ball from Overton to Lamb added to the sense that the pressure the opening bowlers had built up was being released. The Warwickshire scoring rate of five runs an over for those nine overs added to the feeling. The balance of power in a cricket match can be a fragile thing and it was threatening to shift.

The anxiety that starts to grip the watching supporter when runs start to flow from the opposition was beginning to take hold, for since the opening bowlers had retired to the outfield, those three wickets down notwithstanding, the threat from the Somerset bowlers was diminishing. I would have been shifting uneasily in my Hollies Stand seat in another year. And then, as can so often happen, Somerset’s grip was re-established through what might be called an innocuous wicket. Not that Bell is an innocuous batsman, far from it, and he had been, to the Somerset eye, establishing a base for an innings. But the way he was out might attract the term innocuous. The ball from Gregory veered so far across Bell from over the wicket that it would have missed leg stump quite easily. Bell followed it, tried to glance it, but only succeeded in getting the lightest of touches. Stephen Davies moved smoothly across and took the catch much as he would have taken the ball had Bell left it alone. But 59 for 4 is 59 for 4, and Somerset had re-established most of the advantage they had held at 15 for 3. And the wicket would have done Gregory no harm on his return.

As lunch approached, Craig Overton returned at the Birmingham End and immediately his quality showed. The ball was moving off the pitch in ‘areas’ as the coaches say these days, which constantly had the batsmen rushing their defensive strokes, looking anxiously for a run if the ball was squeezed into the infield, and I suspect hoping lunch would arrive sooner rather than later. I often say James Hildreth at his best looks as if he is batting on a different pitch to everyone else. Here, Craig Overton looked as if he was bowling on a different pitch. A pitch coated in venom.

Literally on the stroke of lunch, he struck. A full ball pitched outside off brought Lamb forward in defence. The ball cut in mercilessly. It gave the batsman no chance and shaved the off stump as neatly as a barber with a cutthroat razor would remove some stubble. I would have been on my feet in the Hollies Stand, along with every other Somerset supporter in the ground, to applaud Overton off. Figures of 9-6-5-3 speak for themselves. Of such bowling are great Somerset days made. From such figures might a great Somerset bowler grow. Warwickshire were 65 for 5 at lunch, and Lamb, the pick of the Warwickshire batsman in the morning, had been summarily dismissed for 24. The only pall over that score from a Somerset perspective, apart from the easing of the pressure on the batsmen after the opening bowlers came off, was the threatening-looking cloud hanging low over the Birmingham End of the ground. It had all the look, to the experienced cricket-goer, of rain to come. Dark, grey, smooth and from side to side of the view afforded by the camera. I had seen such cloud at Edgbaston before. It did not bode well for a full day’s play.

The afternoon session began where the morning had started, with Craig Overton and Davey homing in on or about off stump and constantly troubling the batsmen. The bowlers’ hands were going back on their heads again as the bat was beaten by some lateral movement, bounce and as often as not by the sheer quality of a good straight ball. A well-guided boundary past backward point to the Pavilion end of the Hollies Stand from Bresnan off Overton apart, the batsmens’ immediate post-lunch gruel was mainly served in singles. Meanwhile, the camera occasionally panned the lush green outfield and acres of neat rows of empty white seats, including one of my favourites about halfway up the Hollies Stand. Oh, to be in Birmingham now that summer’s there. That doesn’t have quite the same ring to it as Browning’s original, but when Somerset are playing cricket there it has the same bite.

As the afternoon started to settle, the Warwickshire batsmen began to bring more force to their strokes, but most went scoreless to a fielder in the inner ring, or occasionally, for a single to a deep fielder. Otherwise, as the ball left the bat a speculative step or two might be taken up the wicket followed by a raised arm of deterrence to the other batsman as the fielder closed on the ball. Tighter and tighter it felt the Somerset net was drawing. Perhaps the pressure told again. Gregory pitched up, outside off at some pace. Burgess drove hard. One of those drives that would have looked glorious had it gone through the covers. I am not sure there was much deviation, but the ball took the inside edge and crashed into the stumps. 88 for 6.

88 for 7 when, off the next ball, Thompson turned Gregory towards square leg, set off for a run whilst closely watching the track of the ball, hesitated slightly as he ran, then accelerated as the throw from Banton hit the stumps with him perhaps two feet short of his ground. The Somerset fielders descended on Banton rather as a flock of sparrows might suddenly descend on a garden feeder at feeding time. I only saw two throws at the stumps all day from the Somerset fielders. Both hit. Now, that does build pressure. And Banton’s throw warranted the celebration that followed.

Tim Bresnan is a Test player of some experience. He has probably seen it all, or most of it, before, and set about trying to rescue something from the crumbling wreckage of the Warwickshire innings. He picked the balls to attack and began to forge a partnership with Henry Brookes. As the innings had progressed there was just a seed of doubt in this Somerset mind. Regular readers of my reports will know there usually is. It had struck me that there might be something of the same conditions as there had been in the first two matches Somerset had played. Both had been relatively low scoring. The impression had built up through the morning of some balls moving in the air, more moving off the pitch and others going straight through. The overhead conditions had closed in too as the morning had worn on. Somerset might have to be on their metal when their turn to wield the bat came.

Bresnan, meanwhile, began to gather runs where he could and to find the boundary too. A pull in front of square to the Hollies Stand for four as did an edged pull which went high over Davies’ head. It brought perhaps a flicker of light to the Warwickshire cause, but it was a light that was quickly snuffed out by the Somerset bowlers. Or more to the point by one of Abell’s periodic forays against opposition tails. In 2018 he ended the Nottinghamshire innings with a hat-trick. There was no hat-trick here, but there were three wickets. They fell in the space of eight runs and eight balls from Abell and reduced Warwickshire from 113 for 7 to 121 all out. Notetaking is a frantic occupation when Somerset are in this form.

“Ov. 43.2. Abell to Brookes, just outside off, swinging away, drive, edge, into Hildreth’s hands chest-high.” “Ov. 43.4. Abell to Miles, on off, angled in, swinging straight, defensive push, edge, straight to Davies.” “Ov. 45.2. Abell to Hannon-Dalby, across batsman, drive, edge, through to Davies.” The same Hannon-Dalby who has frustrated Somerset with the bat so often in the past from number eleven. It was a stunning overwhelming of the end of the Warwickshire innings by the Somerset captain.

Eddie Byrom and Tom Lammonby have opened for Somerset in all three matches this season. Busier than the Warwickshire openers, after a couple of exploratory overs they began to look for runs. Singles where they could find them but also testing the fielders’ legs by playing through the gaps towards the boundary, although they reached it only twice in the ten overs before tea. Both came off Bresnan; an off drive from Byrom to the gap between the Pavilion and the Hollies Stand, and an edged drive through backward point to the other end of the Hollies Stand from Lammonby. 24 for 0 at tea under a still-threatening sky represented relief for this Somerset supporter.

After tea Byrom and Lammonby began to attack the ball more purposefully. The overall scoring rate began to climb from the two and a half an over it had been at tea towards three. Singles and threes were run hard and the pair began to find the boundary with some precision. They had too some good fortune. Twice in succession Byrom drove at Hannon-Dalby only for the ball to fly through the air wide of third slip, although too wide for the fielder to dive. Twice too he drove perfectly, square of the wicket, and Lammonby drove a ball equally well, square on the on side, all for four.

At 56 for 0 Somerset were just 65 runs behind Warwickshire and thoughts of a sizeable first innings lead refused to lie down in spite of my attempts to suppress them for fear of provoking a wicket, the eternal anxiety of the lifelong supporter. I could hear the voices of those Somerset supporters with whom I have shared the Hollies Stand in the past saying, “Don’t say it. Don’t say it!” And I didn’t, I promise you. But there can be no denying I thought it. It was enough. Hannon-Dalby, around the wicket, directed a ball to just outside off stump. The ball seemed to do little but Byrom had to play it and edged it straight to Bresnan at slip. 56 for 1 and an opportunity for some sanitizer at Edgbaston and some beating of the chest in the lee of the Blackdowns.

The Warwickshire bowlers, Hannon-Dalby in particular, were finding their mark, applying some of their own pressure. Once, Abell leaned into an on drive off Brookes which, crisp off the bat, reached the boundary with ease, but Lammonby, was less secure with the thickest of edges between backward point and third man for three. Then he drove at a ball from Hannon-Dalby which was bound for off stump and edged it to Hain at second slip. Hannon-Dalby danced a little jig on his way through to celebrate. Somerset 67 for 2. Lammonby 33.

Hannon-Dalby had not looked threatening in the opening overs, but he was looking a real threat now. He and Bresnan, from whom a wicket would not have been a surprise, were asserting a Warwickshire bowling claim for the first time in the match. Abell and Hildreth were having to battle hard just to hold their wickets. In nine overs the partnership yielded 13 runs, of which Hildreth scored only a single from 24 balls. It would be a long search to find a time when Hildreth was 1 not out after 24 balls. It was a measure of the intensity of the Warwickshire bowling and what appeared, from the sky, to be darkening light. Although a pair of square drives in a Miles over to the Hollies Stand boundary from Abell lightened the growing anxiety that a wicket was beckoning. Apart from that it was grim defence, and a huge lbw appeal from Miles and the cordon against Hildreth would not have surprised had it been successful.

My anxious glances at the score in those overs yielded little respite beyond those two boundaries. The relief for Somerset, when it came, came not from the bat but from the heavens. The dense lowering cloud finally overwhelmed the floodlights and ended play for the day. When the players went off Somerset were 80 for 2, 41 runs behind. I have seen those clouds at Edgbaston more than once in years gone by. The view from the camera at the top of the Hollies Stand was one I know well. You can see a long way. It would have been very dark, and had I been there I would have had no hope of a resumption.

‘Quit while you are ahead’ is a well-known aphorism, and the weather had allowed Somerset to do just that. Craig Overton had continued his astonishing start to the season. Davey had continued with the persistent quality he has purveyed in every match. Lewis Gregory had taken two wickets after his England COVID-19 bubble-enforced absence and perhaps worked through some of the resulting rust, Byrom and Lammonby had succumbed to the increasingly effective Warwickshire bowling but not before they had fashioned their best opening partnership to date, and Abell and Hildreth had survived the toughest of examinations in failing light to leave Somerset in as good a position as they could dared have hoped for when they lost the toss. Only Jamie Overton struggled at times, but he will not have lost his ability to deliver a devastating spell. The morrow will bring its own story, but Somerset will start the day with the pen with which it will be written in their hand.

Close. Warwickshire 121 (T.B. Abell 3-4, C. Overton 3-17). Somerset 80 for 2. Somerset trail by 41 runs with eight first innings wickets standing.

For more on this match you can log onto Farmer White's website via the link

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"Being in Birmingham" Bob Willis v Warwickshire (A)
Discussion started by Grockles.com , 19/08/2020 18:13
Grockles.com
19/08/2020 18:13
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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2020:08:19:18:20:27 by Grockle.

AGod
11/08/2020 13:12
Anyone remember the last time we went to Edgbaston after a mini heat-wave?

Warks produced a pitch that was unfit for first-class cricket, with numerous batsmen being hit on the head by deliveries that just reared off a length, includng LG.

This game was in 2016 and Neil Mallender reported the pitch as unfit but the ECB, in its infinite wisdom, decided that, since Warks were a TMC, they were not at fault*

As if to add insult to injury, the game was rained off with Warks almost certainly having zero chance of avoiding defeat, facing a large target on an unsafe pitch.





* sorry, the offiical ECB reasoning was that the weather was such - varying from extreme cold to extreme heat - in the days leading up to the game, that there was nothing that poor Warks could have done about it..



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 2020:08:15:15:15:53 by Grockle.

Grockle
11/08/2020 13:17
Do you mean a circumstance like putting a game close to a knock out in another competition with adverse weather shortening prep time to get the wicket ready.... where have I heard that reasoning being ignored by the same authorities on a non TM ground in recent years?

(Sm72)



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2020:08:11:15:21:16 by Grockle.

AGod
11/08/2020 14:05
That would be exactly the circumstance that I describe, yes, indeed...

nelliec
12/08/2020 18:15
I wonder at what stage they will release Jack from the England set up to allow him to play any red ball cricket.Seems ridiculous unless they decide to rest Dom

wsm fan
12/08/2020 18:43
They need concussion replacements.
Being a bubble they cant just send for a player a few hours drive away.
Also anyone could pull up lame during the pre match warm ups.
Not huge fun for Bracey Lawrence Foakes & Jack but they "may" get their chance if in Ageas & ready.

cricketjerry-mouse
13/08/2020 15:06
Warwickshire, already missing injured England seamer Olly Stone (one Test against Ireland) against Somerset at Edgbaston on Saturday, will also be without former Gl;o`shire seamer Liam Norwell, who has only played four times since joining at the end of 2018. He is struggling with disc trouble in his back.

They will include medium fast bowler Craig Miles, however. He joined from Glo`shire at the same times as Norwell, but also has a low return of just six first-class appearances for the Midlands county.

Hamez
14/08/2020 17:32
Worrying news that Bartlett is still feeling the effects of the concussion. Head injuries can be hard to shift and lead to complications so hope he's ok.

Somerset LaLaLa
14/08/2020 19:23
From -
Tom Abell (c), Tom Banton, Jack Brooks, Eddie Byrom, Josh Davey, Steve Davies, Ben Green, Lewis Gregory, James Hildreth, Tom Lammonby, Craig Overton, Jamie Overton and Roelof van der Merwe

mikeindex
15/08/2020 10:02
Looks like a fair chance of a reasonable day's play today but very little after that. Bowl first and at least nail three bowling points?

cricketjerry-mouse
15/08/2020 10:55
Warwickshire won toss and bat. Lewis Gregory in for Jack Brooks.

It appears there is only a live stream if you are an Edgbaston member.

Nailsea_Fizz
15/08/2020 11:08
Official Site suggests a live feed is coming.

mikeindex
15/08/2020 11:12
Live stream appears to be running now.

Grockle
15/08/2020 11:36
Live stream but no commentary it seems... COve strikes with Yates caught behind. We seem to have some 'mumbling' as a soundtrack as dort of ambient crowd but nothing else

(Sm72)

Grockle
15/08/2020 11:39
Tune In BBC Live Event 9 (sorry)for those looking It's a ball behind the video as COve bowls Hain with an inswinging yorker. 15 for 2

(Sm72)



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 2020:08:15:12:42:08 by Grockle.

Roger ivanhoe
15/08/2020 11:52
Might be a silly posting , but I assume people with Smart TV's are aware they can watch YouTube on their TV;s

So much better than a laptop

AGod
15/08/2020 12:06
We're really not going to hold onto Cove for long. Comparing him to Sam Curran is like comparing a Ferrari to a Trabant, for my money.

RadstockRob
15/08/2020 12:31
I can’t find it on youtube

Grockle
15/08/2020 12:41
Quote:
RadstockRob
I can’t find it on youtube

If you go through the Match Centre on the website first Rob and get it up on Youtube.

If you then go to your Youtube and look in your LIBRARY or HISTORY you will find it there then.

(Sm72)

Roger ivanhoe
15/08/2020 12:44
Rob...(I can’t find it on youtube)

While on the live feed on your Laptop, at the bottom right hand corning you have a series of tabs, if you scroll over them, first one on the right is for full screen view on laptop, next to it should be a tab saying watch on TV, click on this tab.
Hope that helps

RadstockRob
15/08/2020 12:48
Thanks

Grockle
15/08/2020 12:49
It is a live feed. It isn't on Youtube until YOU watch it on Youtube. Then it is on YOUR Youtube so you have to watch it there first.

(Sm72)

Grockle
15/08/2020 12:55
Interesting comments from Anthony Gibson about Jamie leaving.

Commentary will hopefully be linked after lunch. Seems it ls for want of a 'longer lead'. As I posted somewhere else it is all a bit 'cobbled' together at some places.... though I'm sure SKY wouldn't have any problem at Edgbaston of course, it being a Test Match venue of course (TiC)

As Bagpuss tweeted earlier, there are 'livestreams' and then there are SOMERSET livestreams. Little comparison.

(Sm72)



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2020:08:15:12:56:20 by Grockle.

mikeindex
15/08/2020 13:00
I don't think the Warw live stream is anything like as good as ours, but it's better than nothing.

AGod
15/08/2020 13:03
Ridiculous bowling from Craig Overton.

Absolutely ridiculous.

Looking every inch - quality-wise - ready to take on the mantle of the GREAT Andrew Richard Caddick as Somerset's next England opening bowler.

Couldn't have been better. Far, far, far too good for county level batsmen on this form.

The rest were actually a little below-par, I thought (compared to their usual standards, I mean, rather than just compared to Craig).

But, in a way, that's good, since the oppo are not many for 5 with room for improvement from 3 of the 4 main bowlers after lunch!

AGod
15/08/2020 13:09
As Mr Gibson commented, the case of Craig O might be the first time, in living memory, that an England coaching intervention has actually benefited a bowler and (at least temporarily) their county. Usually they are a disaster. But a bit more pace allied to everything he already had, and Craig looks tickety-boo.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2020:08:15:13:09:59 by AGod.

Grockle
15/08/2020 13:21
He has found a quicker ball from somewhere and is too damn 'on the money' for the batsmen at the moment.

Good but of umph between Jamie and Lamb as well though I think JOve lost a bit of control for a while.

As Mikeindex says the Warks feed is a hell of a lot better than nothing but it is good that we get and therefore expect better

(Sm72)

Wickham
15/08/2020 13:45
I agree with AG about Cove - it is difficult to believe that there has been a better session by a pace bowler this season.
What did Anthony Gibson say about Jove's departure?

AGod
15/08/2020 13:51
For those that are unaware, the Beeb commentary has now been added to the livestream.

sfwithers
15/08/2020 14:30
Normal service has been resumed – Somerset's seamers doing their sterling stuff. Though given the weather forecast it does appear chances of a result (either way) look slim. And Somerset's batsmen haven't exactly shone yet this season.

Come on!

Grockle
15/08/2020 14:30
He said that he desperately wanted to stay... no info as to why that failed to happen though.

(Sm72)

Grockle
15/08/2020 14:42
A good point that 2 shys at the stumps has resulted in 2 run outs. Not usual.

(Sm72)

Wickham
15/08/2020 14:51
Thanks, Grockle (re Jove). What a pity that his wish wasn't fulfilled.

AGod
15/08/2020 14:54
Grockle - I think you caught only part of what Ant Gib said:

He said Jamie is desperate to NOT be sent to Surrey early (i.e. on loan).


Desperately wants to play out the season here and win the BWT.


He didn't say that Jamie desperately wanted to stay at SCCC permanently, though perhaps that is implied by the fact that Jamie, in no way, shape or form, wants to go to Surrey early if Mr Gibson is to be believed.

Tom Abell running through Warks now..



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 2020:08:15:14:56:01 by AGod.

Grockle
15/08/2020 15:11
Not what I heard AG... confused then by the 'but it wasn't to be' after it but I'm really not all that bothered by it any more as it is a done deal as they say. There was a later conversation about Adam Hose being effectively told he could go straight away.

Anthony did say again that they were interested in Jamie going as they wouldn't pay his wage.

(Sm72)

Grockle
15/08/2020 15:12
All out for 121. Now in the words of Richard Sharpe "Can you stand?"

(Sm72)

Grizzers
15/08/2020 17:06
Amazing bowling performance. Cove is on fire this 'season'.

Can't bring myself to check the score again until close of play.....!

Grizzers

Owain Glyndwr
15/08/2020 20:07
Just seen the highlights from today's play, and you're all right, Craig was unplayable. Different class. World class.

Farmer White
15/08/2020 22:08
Quite some day again. I have called my report "Oh, to be in Birmingham ..." with due acknowledgement to Robert Browning in the text. I quite hankered after my seat in the colossal expanse that is the Hollies Stand as the Warwickshire wickets fell and Eddie Byrom and Tom Lammonby produced their best opening partnership to date. A brilliant finishing burst from Tom Abell and the usual quiet effectiveness from Josh Davey. Impossible not to award the palm to Craig Overton though. Oh to be in Birmingham on such a day.

Here is the link to my First Day report:

[farmerwhite.co.uk]

Farmer

Wickham
16/08/2020 09:50
Great stuff, JCW. I hope that we can re-establish the symposium next year.

(Incidentally, there is a "Bantom" instead of a "Byrom" in the first paragraph of the Somerset reply.)

AGod
16/08/2020 09:58
Warks' captain, Rhodes, said much the same thing about Cove.. namely that county batsmen simply aren't used to being confronted with bowling of that calibre.

Farmer White
16/08/2020 10:28
Thank you Wickham.

Corrected.

Farmer

Farmer White
16/08/2020 11:43
Inspection at 12.

Farmer

Wickham
16/08/2020 12:15
Lunch at 12.30. Play due to resume at 1.10.

Des Platt
16/08/2020 12:28
Quote:
AGod
Warks' captain, Rhodes, said much the same thing about Cove.. namely that county batsmen simply aren't used to being confronted with bowling of that calibre.

Ever since he gave me such pleasure with his nine wickets at Scarborough in 2017, I’ve always thought Cove had the capability to be an absolutely fearsome bowler. I came back from the break telling friends that I hoped he would get on the ashes tour which he did but of course he was a bit unlucky there.

It really all seems to be coming together now.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2020:08:16:12:30:03 by Des Platt.

Grockle
16/08/2020 14:24
One of the advantages of streaming on rain affected days is that you do not have to sit waiting to see if they get back on. You can go out and then run the Youtube back to watch the bit of play later. Covers are on but I can watch the little bit that took place an hour ago I think.

Hildreth really did not look at all comfortable at the crease.

I assume Autumn has arrived early because of the announcement of a late summer T20 tournament and the requirement of an 'Indian' Summer in early October!!

Murky afternoon. Not expecting to see much more after this little bit today at either Brum or Southampton.

(Sm72)



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2020:08:16:14:26:52 by Grockle.

mikeindex
16/08/2020 15:35
Tom A really needs to work on his technique of playing balls down the leg side. Getting 'strangled' like that once in a while may be regarded as a misfortune, but to do it as often as he does looks like carelessness.

Grockle
16/08/2020 16:10
Yep. If opposing commentators are noticing how often he is in trouble with it then you can guarantee opposing captains will have noticed.

Anthony is also talking about a Steve Davies 'favourite' shot he struggles to keep down. Well. Maybe Steve should make it less of a favourite if that is the case.

(Sm72)

Bobstan
16/08/2020 16:37
You know these days that when the fifth wicket falls we're down to the batsmen.

Streeter
16/08/2020 17:19
Could someone please help me out here ? Why do the umpires take a reading the first time they take the players off ? Surely there is light intesity at which point it can be considered dangerous to play. I don't understand why that should vary. And a suplementary for the physicists, Could the tone of the light from floodlights be altered to pick out the red ball better ?

AGod
16/08/2020 18:01
Well done Steve Davies and Cove (whose lbw I thought was going down the leg-side). Some very nice strokes from both men.

It was frustrating to see our leader caught down the leg-side once again. I thought he had played beautifully until that point, with some excellent back foot stroke play.

James HIldreth's dismissal was ghastly. Suffice to say that trying to pull a ball from some way outside off-stump, in poor light, and when one has been out in the middle for all of about six minutes (when has but one run to one's name) was an example of very poor decision-making. Clearly the execution didn't work, either.... but then poor execution happens .. it's poor thinking that drives me crazy.

Overall, I think a very satisfactory day from a Somerset perspective. The forecast isn't great, but if we can get even 2.5 of the scheduled six remaining sessions in, it *may* be sufficient to get the Bears beaten.

Looking at the competition, barring contrivance a result in the Yorks vs Derbys table-topping game looks most improbable. So that's good.

I suspect Northants may still fold vs Worcs, though.

AGod
16/08/2020 18:04
Mikeindex - I suspect that a coach would tell Tom A that he goes too far over to the off-side - effectively moving too early and ends up playing the ball "too early," as well. I think the advice would be to stay still and side-on and then turn the wrists on the ball, whenever possible.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2020:08:16:22:36:09 by AGod.

wsm fan
16/08/2020 19:14
I expect 8 contrived finishes in the other games.
There is no fear, no relegation so almost no sense in not doing so.

Unless you are top already you NEED to win NOW. And even if you are top it may still be worth trying to fudge a win this round than bank on trying to be in a position to win the next 2 rounds.

Every chance there will be a host if fun & games in the last 10 Bob Willis days of action.

Grizzers
16/08/2020 19:30
Weather is a blasted nuisance, particularly given all the glorious weather during the early part of the (non) season.

Meantime, it's baking hot & 30C here for the next few days (not that it has any relevance !).

Really hope we can get on the field tomorrow and press home our advantage.

Grizzers

Wickham
16/08/2020 19:38
LG showed his captain how to play the leg-glance.

Isn't Steve Davies a beautiful stroke-maker.

mikeindex
16/08/2020 20:20
I didn't have the commentary on, figured it out all by myself (though I see Farmer White comments on it in his match reports too).
Re bad light, it does seem rather overdone at present. I can't imagine club teams going off in 90% - at a bare minimum - of the conditions where play is interrupted at top level.
OK, top-level bowlers bowl faster than club ones.
On the other hand, shouldn't top-level batsmen be expected to bat better and have better reflexes than club ones?

mikeindex
16/08/2020 20:32
Btw I'm sure this info must be available on Cricinfo or thereabouts (if you're prepared to click on enough links) - but by way of a shortcut, is the final to be played on neutral ground?
Or on, e.g., the home ground of the team with the most league points?
Nothing like the home advantage of playing on a ground where you know which colour empty seats are in which part of the ground.

mikeindex
16/08/2020 20:41
PPS I thought COve's lbw was missing leg too, though not by much - might have been Umpire's Call if reviewed.
@Wickham yes he most certainly is, as so engagingly evoked by our Farmer in his various match reports.
Slightly surprised Cove came in ahead of Lewis - seems to have worked, well played TA.

Sloop John B
16/08/2020 20:51
Batsmen have very good protection these days and lights are pretty good so why not play on? If it is the risk of injury from bouncers then declare Bad Light and ban bouncers until light improves.
Btw Why do umpires not seem to consult their meters first up Before calling a halt for bad light?

Farmer White
16/08/2020 22:03
More play than I expected on the second day in Birmingham. Less play than I wanted. But, if the day lacked quantity, there was no lack of quality from Somerset. I have called my report Glowering skies - Glorious Cricket. I have tried to capture some of it in my Second Day Report here:

[farmerwhite.co.uk]


And here, for ease of access, is the link to, Oh, to be in Birmingham ... my report on the First Day of this match:

[farmerwhite.co.uk]


Farmer



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2020:08:16:22:40:14 by Farmer White.

Grockle
16/08/2020 22:31
The Final is at Lord's I do believe

(Sm72)

AGod
16/08/2020 22:33
That's my understanding as well.... and it's a *five*-day final.

cricketjerry-mouse
16/08/2020 23:04
Matt Lamb has only 50/50 chance of batting in Warwickshire`s second innings. He has split his right big toe. Sounds painful.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2020:08:16:23:06:07 by cricketjerry-mouse.

Scrumper
16/08/2020 23:42
It's just a flesh wound.

Grockle
17/08/2020 11:21
Live feed finally appears at about 11:10

Why can't people get stuff ready on time or at least let people know that there is an issue?

Still has that impression that this is something unimportant in the whole process at some places rather than the way people get to see what is going on.

"What? You mean you want us to provide visual live cover of a game you can't come in to see? You reckon the technology exists? But that means we have to get someone to organise that voodoo stuff we didn't have in the days of 'jumpers for wickets'. Why can't you just listen to the audio coverage... we already have that and the BBC may sometimes hide it but it is there somewhere."

Cottage bloody industry at a "Test Match state of the art venue"

(Sm72)

Scrumper
17/08/2020 12:08
Declare O'Clock.

Grockle
17/08/2020 12:10
50 partnership between SD and JOve

(Sm72)

Grockle
17/08/2020 12:47
Well played Steve Davies and Jamie Overton who is sticking it to the Bears especially. Declaration at lunch one would expect.

(Sm72)

sfwithers
17/08/2020 12:47
Well, looks like they're playing for maximum bonus points at maximum speed, which makes sense; the forecast (an imperfect science at best) suggests a reasonable amount of play today (40% chance of rain at 3pm, 30% at 6pm) and up until 3pm tomorrow, though this has already changed since this morning. So I'd probably support a declaration sooner rather than later, especially with a lead of 200+, a century for Davies and 50 for JOve. Lunch would make sense as you won't lose 10 minutes between innings.

Also, it's good to see Davies batting so well this season. He was brought in for his batting as well as his keeping, but as far as I can recall (without the aid of Google) this is his most consistent run in four-day cricket with Somerset.

Sloop John B
17/08/2020 12:54
A fine century for Steve Davies anchoring the Somerset innings. Great support to from Jamie who has raced to 67 as I type. Hundred partnership.

Grockle
17/08/2020 13:03
Yeah maybd pop back out for the 350 and the batting point. Though lunch is delayed ot seems so we'll pass it before then.

(Sm72)

Tumbles
17/08/2020 13:10
4 batting points up. If anything would rather we stayed out with momentum on our side and get as close to 400 as possible. A pause for lunch maybe will refocus Warks. Continue the onslaught, Jamie.

AGod
17/08/2020 13:13
Thank you, Steve and Jamie for a tremendous morning's entertainment!!

Jamie has absolutely murdered poor Craig Miles, who doesn't seem the smartest bowler around, trying to bounce Jamie, as a medium pacer and being repeatedly rifle-cracked over mid-wicket.

I suppose there may be a question of how much is left in this deck for the bowlers.. BUT.. if Craig O bowls anything like he has been doing, then I think he'll wring something out of the deck anyway. There's also the suggestion of something in the track for young Thomson, who has bowled presentably well, and that may be of interest to Mr Van Der Merwe.

Mr Overton, J, may also be feeling thoroughly inspired by his batting efforts too.

As Mr Gibson keeps saying, Warks have nothing left for which to play other than pride... and I guess we'll shortly find out how much of that commodity they have...



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2020:08:17:13:16:04 by AGod.

cricketjerry-mouse
17/08/2020 13:14
Are Somerset about to lose the best No.10 batter on the county circuit?

AGod
17/08/2020 13:18
... Having already lost "The best number 11 in the world," (to Kent, in that case).

Phrench Phil
17/08/2020 13:22
Good Afternoon All.
I turned off the live commentary just after14H00 (13H00 local time) assuming lunch was about to be taken, only to see (but not hear) that another over was being played - sufficient to get our fourth batting point.
Whilst I am grateful for the extra over, does anybody know why we were afforded it? Was it due to what appeared to be an element of timewasting by Warwickshire?

Tumbles
17/08/2020 13:37
Quote:
Phrench Phil
Good Afternoon All.
I turned off the live commentary just after14H00 (13H00 local time) assuming lunch was about to be taken, only to see (but not hear) that another over was being played - sufficient to get our fourth batting point.
Whilst I am grateful for the extra over, does anybody know why we were afforded it? Was it due to what appeared to be an element of timewasting by Warwickshire?

I presumed they played an extra 15 minutes because we were 8 down.. although usually its an extra 30 isn't it?

sfwithers
17/08/2020 13:42
I know JOve is on a personal best with a century tantalising but surely Somerset's greatest chance of winning is to declare now and try to bowl out Warks in however many sessions remain out of the five that there could be (though almost certainly won't be). The wicket may have lost its life but Somerset's bowling line-up is strong and Warks have nothing to play for.

Get a couple of early wickets and hope the weather holds...

RadstockRob
17/08/2020 13:43
It was because we are playing extra overs today

Grizzers
17/08/2020 13:49
Just wow.

What a classy batsman Steve Davies is. And as for Jamie, that must have been some onslaught !

Couldn't dream of a morning like that. Fantastic stuff.

Grizzers

Tumbles
17/08/2020 13:51
Quote:
sfwithers
I know JOve is on a personal best with a century tantalising but surely Somerset's greatest chance of winning is to declare now and try to bowl out Warks in however many sessions remain out of the five that there could be (though almost certainly won't be). The wicket may have lost its life but Somerset's bowling line-up is strong and Warks have nothing to play for.
Get a couple of early wickets and hope the weather holds...

We really could do with a full quota of points however, we don't want to be the side that misses out on the final due to not having as many points as the others.. granted we could regret that if we don't win today/tomorrow but I don't think and extra 20-30 minutes of smashing it around post lunch would make much difference.

Tumbles
17/08/2020 13:55
Not sure Jamie needs 20 minutes..

sfwithers
17/08/2020 14:00
It's a trade-off – and either or both methods (declaring/playing on) could either fail or succeed. I'd declare now but can see the logic of playing on until 400 or all out... as long as Somerset win!

Grizzers
17/08/2020 14:06
Tremendous Jamie.

Simply wonderful !

Grizzers

sheffieldsabre
17/08/2020 14:06
That was close ... I turned on the livestream with Jamie on 99*, which would normally be the cue for me to jinx everything and get him out. But it looks like we got away with it - well played, young man!

Tumbles
17/08/2020 14:06
Right now swing the bat and get those extra 25 or so

Tumbles
17/08/2020 14:12
Don't think Bresnan is JamieO's biggest fan

Grockle
17/08/2020 14:16
Maximum bonus pointd. NOW get em in!!

(Sm72)

Tumbles
17/08/2020 14:17
Whyyy are we not declaring.. come on.

sfwithers
17/08/2020 14:20
I can see no reason for batting on now, with max batting points and a huge lead, unless it's to demoralise Warks for a few more mins...

cricketjerry-mouse
17/08/2020 14:20
Jamie Overton, 120, highest ever score by a Somerset No.10.

Phrench Phil
17/08/2020 14:27
Declared!

Wickham
17/08/2020 14:52
What fun! And what elegance at one end and brutality at the other.

Good to see Steve Davies and Jove make up for the loss of runs with Jack Brooks being out of the side.

AGod
17/08/2020 15:18
An absolutely excellent opening spell with the new ball from Josh Davey here.

Contrary to what the commentators are claiming, the Hain edge off Cove's bowling really didn't seem, to me, to carry to slip (perhaps they should come up slightly).

I don't how Hain survived his lbw vs Cove.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2020:08:17:15:48:52 by AGod.

AGod
17/08/2020 15:48
Absolute pearler from LG to rip out I R Bell.

Tumbles
17/08/2020 15:56
Amazed that Egbaston has seemingly avoided the rain. Rain either side of the ground it seems looking at radar

sfwithers
17/08/2020 16:09
And Bell has gone! I still remember his match-winning century at Lords in 2010, an elegant piece of innings building if ever there was – and the Hildreth run out on the same day haunts me, I tell you.

If we get enough playable conditions between now and close of play tomorrow we should win from this position and hopefully make up for some of our 'missing' bonus points from the first two games. I'm counting on nothing, though, and it's fingers crossed...

AGod
17/08/2020 16:20
Essex struggling, badly, at Hove...

AGod
17/08/2020 16:25
Burgess looking quite good here - looks quite impressive - and very strong square of the wicket on the off-side.

Tumbles
17/08/2020 16:59
Thanks for coming, Tim.

Rod1883
17/08/2020 17:22
6 runs that shouldn't have been in that last Jove over - 2 byes when imo no shot was played, and then 4 wides when the ball wasn't wide when it passed the batsman, and again no shot was offered so it shouldn't have been byes either.
Come on Somerset, another wicket now and they will fold I'm certain

Bobstan
17/08/2020 17:33
To be fair, Rod, it was a very poor over.

Angell Face
17/08/2020 17:36
Unless they've changed the laws without telling me, whether or not the batsman is playing a shot is only relevant in the case of leg byes.

Tumbles
17/08/2020 17:40
Time for Tom to bowl a few overs

Tumbles
17/08/2020 17:40
Time for Tom to bowl a few overs

Rod1883
17/08/2020 17:44
Ahhh - thanks for that AF. That's a piece of Cricket knowledge that I should have known, but didn't.
Yes, it was a poor over

Grockle
17/08/2020 17:44
The games in reality are looking similar to the fantasy games with big tail contributions to first innings Somerset scores and Steve Davies standing his ground.

That then followed by a very good bowling performance to clear out the opposition without having to bat again or score very few on the morning of Day 4

One ought to hope that the result at the end of the season was something along the same lines as well but that would be tempting fate of course.

Warks presently putting up something of a fight though so this game is not yet over - the weather was not a factor in the fantasy season to any great extent

(Sm72)

Grockle
17/08/2020 17:46
And as you say Tumbles - on comes Tom. Let's hope he does the same as he did in the first innings

(Sm72)

Rod1883
17/08/2020 17:55
Two great balls from Lewis, then a wicket from a poor shot by Rhodes - the one we wanted.
But now they're off for a light shower. Hope we can get back on tonight as tomorrow doesn't look too good.

sfwithers
17/08/2020 18:03
Met office forecast tomorrow for Brum presently not too bad, and we did well today to get the amount of play we did. As I mentioned earlier, Met Office forecasts at the moment are very flexible. At the moment there's a 40% chance of rain at 1pm and that's about it. As I also said earlier, fingers crossed!

That could prove to be a very important wicket by Gregory. Here's hoping...

Rod1883
17/08/2020 18:12
The live feed shows heavy rain now so unlikely to get back on I would have thought.
The latest BBC forecast for tomorrow doesn't look as bad as it did earlier. Hope the outfield isn't too wet for a prompt start tomorrow and the three or four wickets we need are quickly taken.

Grockle
17/08/2020 18:15
Highly unlikely they will be back on tonight.

(Sm72)

AGod
17/08/2020 18:23
hmmm... six down overnight.

Let's hope we don't live to regret, rain-wise, batting on beyond the 400 mark... I rather think we should have declared as soon as the fifth batting bonus point was secured.... or, if not, the moment that Jamie was dismissed (at the rate Jamie was scoring, one could have justified another 25-30 minutes or his batting, on the basis it could allow you to set an even more attacking field than would otherwise have been the case.

I thought Josh Davey's bowling this afternoon was superb. Craig was very good again, but not much luck. Jamie had an absolutely tremendous over in the mix. Lewis, unsuprisingly, looks like he needs some bowling, but had a smattering of very good balls in amongst some looser stuff.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2020:08:17:18:30:26 by AGod.

Farmer White
18/08/2020 04:29
There are times when you see things on a cricket field that you might see but once or twice in a decade or more. We saw one on the third day at Edgbaston. Truly remarkable. My record of it, and of what else passed, is in my Third Day Report: The Broadsword and the Rapier available via this link:

[farmerwhite.co.uk]


For ease of access the links to my reports on the first two days are added here:

First Day Report:

[farmerwhite.co.uk]


Second Day Report:

[farmerwhite.co.uk]

Farmer

Grizzers
18/08/2020 04:37
A nocturnal, original, atmospheric delight FW !

Grizzers

Farmer White
18/08/2020 04:41
Thank you Grizzzers.

Now I'm off to bed before I have to wake up before I go to sleep.

Farmer

Sloop John B
18/08/2020 08:48
Nice one Paul. Like the rapier and broadsword analogy!

Loyal of Lhasa
18/08/2020 12:21
I wasn't able to follow a single ball of yesterday's dominance over Yorkshire Reserves as I was on grandad duty all day but was delighted at what I read when I checked the score late at night. It all sounds a bit tougher this morning and we just have to hope the rain stays away for a sustained period.

LoL

Seventy-five Seasons a Somerset Supporter

nelliec
18/08/2020 12:25
Need a wicket soon .Starting to get a bit Nervy .Maybe Roelof could do the trick

Scrumper
18/08/2020 12:40
Gregory strikes and it starts raining again. Good time to have lunch, looking at the rainfall radar there's quite a bit of rain moving over and then it's clear.

Rod1883
18/08/2020 12:52
Absolutely chucking it down now. Hope the groundstaff can get the outfield dry quickly if/when it brightens up

Tumbles
18/08/2020 13:28
On the radar that looks to be the worst of it now. Might be a while before they're out again but once they are they should see it through.

Phrench Phil
18/08/2020 13:45
It appears to have stopped raining and the webcam picture shows the sun starting to peek out from the clouds.
Apparently, there is an inspection planned for 14H00.

Grockle
18/08/2020 13:45
No big hurry to get the covers off and players back on. We'd probably be the same. Grey overhead but it is only 1:45 and we probably only need 2 wickets as Lamb probably won't bat unless there is a possibility of drawing the game.

Would be a shame to not get home but had you offered Somerset maximum bonus points in a draw given the weather forecast on Saturday they probably would have taken it.

(Sm72)

Grockle
18/08/2020 13:49
More rain on the live feed so I don't think the 2:00 inspection will have any effect on play... maybe a 3pm one might perhaps.

(Sm72)

Grizzers
18/08/2020 14:28
Patience is a virtue.

Wish I had some !

Grizzers

Farmer White
18/08/2020 14:34
Not that I like to crank up the tension but ... Essex and Worcestershire are beginning to look ominous in their matches.

Farmer

Rod1883
18/08/2020 14:44
Frustrating isn't it. Pitch inspection at 14.30 decides a restart at 15.00 - why not straight away, get that hover cover off and get on with it!

Farmer White
18/08/2020 14:45
Start at 3. 40 overs.

Essex 28 for 0 chasing 196. Northants 83 for 5 chasing 262 v Worcs.

Farmer.

Rod1883
18/08/2020 14:50
...and tea to be taken at 3.40pm!
Cricket is infuriating when the weather is threatening.

Angell Face
18/08/2020 14:51
I have never understood why if the pitch was playable at 2.30, which presumably it was or they would have ordered another inspection, we have to wait 30 minutes before play starts. Teams should be ready to play at 10 minutes notice. That's all the time they get between innings.

Rod1883
18/08/2020 15:00
Thank goodness they started a few minutes early. Well bowled Jove



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2020:08:18:15:01:43 by Rod1883.

Phrench Phil
18/08/2020 15:00
Well Done Jove - 2 to go.

Rod1883
18/08/2020 15:07
Off again! Those delays between inspection and play starting!!!!!

Tumbles
18/08/2020 15:09
This looks like last rain so hopefully tea early and then finish them off

AGod
18/08/2020 15:09
For the second time in four years, it looks like these jammiest of Brummies are going to escape with a draw, having been totally outplayed, from start to finish (as they were in 2016 when they produced a pitch that was unfit for first-class cricket, got totally smashed on it for two days, then sat in the pavilion for 2 days, got their draw and got exonerated by the ECB who decided that a TMC couldn't possibly be punished as the poor darlings had had to cope with some weather).

There'll be another unseemly delay for this bit of rain. They'll insist on having tea (never needed when players have been in paviliion all afternoon) and then there'll be bad light after that, no doubt.



Edited 3 time(s). Last edit at 2020:08:18:15:15:10 by AGod.

AGod
18/08/2020 15:10
Not to mention when the cheating of Hannon-Dalby (everyone in the ground save for the umpire knew he'd hit it but he didn't walk) and the total and utter incompetence of N G B Cook cost us in the home game as well..

grrrrrrrrrrrr

Rod1883
18/08/2020 15:16
It seems they are taking Tea - but really why should there be a tea interval with all the time off the pitch anyway!
Just hoping the weather holds for the overs we need after Tea to finish them off

AGod
18/08/2020 15:19
It's an absolutely preprosterous stipulation that "tea must be taken."

Just idiotic. Cretinous even.

Rod1883
18/08/2020 15:29
Looks like it's raining again on the live feed. If they hadn't taken tea, they might have been back out for 10 or 15 minutes by now. It really is all a nonsense.
Edit - not just raining absolutely chucking it down. Unless this rattles through really quickly, I think we're set for a frustrating end to the game I'm afraid



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2020:08:18:15:31:09 by Rod1883.

AGod
18/08/2020 15:37
Scrumper called it at the time yesterday - I think it was him.

Batted on too long, given amount of weather around. Who knows, even saving 3 or so overs that we batted on for after 400 *might* have made a difference and, with hindsight, should have settled for the 4 batting points anyway.

Northants are about to subside to a predictable defeat to Worcs, too.

So the scenario that Mr Gibson outlined yesterday is liable to come to pass...

Somerset will go to New Road needing to win to qualify for the final... only to be greeted with the kind of pitch that would make Karachi look like a sporting track...

AGod
18/08/2020 15:42
Pathetic, woeful Surrey are getting absolutely hammered again.

Jamie must look at some of their scores and think "ugh."

Looks like Essex have turned their game at Hove around and will, almost certainly, end up being one of the finalists for Lord's... that group's "race," will be run if Essex win that one, with Middx and Kent heading for a draw.

AGod
18/08/2020 15:44
It's actually raining at Northampton...... so we'll have to do a rain dance for conditions there to continue to match those here....

Rod1883
18/08/2020 15:47
I agree we should have declared as soon as Jove was out. Who's to say the two overs extra(?) would have made a difference though - we might not have got the six we did yesterday evening.
The weather forecast looks pretty poor till after 5pm now - might we get five or six overs before 6pm??
If we do, will Lamb bat if he only has a couple of overs to survive?

AGod
18/08/2020 15:47
Pouring down again - game over.

AGod
18/08/2020 15:48
Nah, Rod, the umpires won't be up for a late one and the ground staff will hardly hurry to clean up. It's over.

somexile
18/08/2020 15:50
If they were nine down tea would have been delayed. I presume their injured player is actually at the ground

sfwithers
18/08/2020 15:51
I was one who said yesterday to declare at 350 - risk vs reward (I play poker occasionally) and a dodgy weather forecast meant we were chasing one bonus point while potentially reducing the chance of winning. No guarantees either way but I very much wanted the earlier declaration.

One more wicket should do it but I don't like the fact that it's raining in Brum at present.

Rod1883
18/08/2020 15:51
You're probably right AG, but perhaps there should be a law/rule that says if the game is that close to a positive result being achieved every effort should be made.

AGod
18/08/2020 15:54
There should definitely be a change to the playing conditions to say that there should never be a tea interval when there has been less than one hour of continuous play before its scheduled start!

Loyal of Lhasa
18/08/2020 16:09
May I recommend that everybody closes down their access to this site immediately as I am about to swear VERY VERY LOUDLY.

LoL

Seventy-five Seasons a Somerset Supporter

Phrench Phil
18/08/2020 16:21
Well, the webcam/live feed really is showing rays of sunshine and the moppers are out.
I am calling a resumption at about 17H30/18H00; plenty of time for the last wicket - I don't think Lamb will bat unless there are black clouds hovering overhead when the ninth wicket falls.

Scrumper
18/08/2020 16:25
The fat lady isn't in the frying pan yet.

somexile
18/08/2020 16:32
Watching the 'live feed'. Though it seems to be a hive of inactivity. Anyone know whet the man kneeling down top left of covers with both hands in the puddle is doing?

Farmer White
18/08/2020 16:37
Helping the water from the covers into a drain?

Farmer



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2020:08:18:16:39:08 by Farmer White.

Phrench Phil
18/08/2020 16:39
He appeared to be fiddling with something, whilst the cover started to billow slightly: it is now blowing fully, almost a storm.

Angell Face
18/08/2020 16:41
What is the latest time for the finish?

Phrench Phil
18/08/2020 16:46
I think Farmer is correct (re. the kneeling fiddler).
He is now lifting up a section of the cover, whilst one of his colleagues is sweeping water in to something - a drain seems most likely.

AGod
18/08/2020 16:48
Northants all but beaten by Worcs... 9 down.

AGod
18/08/2020 16:49
Inspection at 5pm.

Best-case scenario, I'd imagine, would be on at about 5.50pm or so... but god knows how long for? How many overs we'd be allowed to bowl and heaven knows how long the light would hold for (even assuming no more rain)?

AGod
18/08/2020 16:54
Jamie Cox beat LoL to it:

"Sanguine Birmingham, does the sun *ever* shine there?"

(Tweet on official site)

Farmer White
18/08/2020 17:00
I think it is CC conditions of play, except 90 instead of 96 overs in the day.

If so that would be a 6.00 p.m. finish plus maybe an over or so depending on how long it took us to bowl our 16 overs to date.

IF no more rain we might just get back on before 5.50. In my experience from a few drenchings there, Edgbaston drains pretty quickly after downpours. Putting my head on the block my guess would be 5.30. That of course based on looking at the scene on a laptop ... The greater problem I have found at Edgbaston is light.

Farmer

AGod
18/08/2020 17:06
Looks like Tom out there trying to convince the umpires that we can start at some point.. the fact that he feels the need to do so may not bode well, in terms of their reluctance to do so.

Rod1883
18/08/2020 17:07
Lot's of shrugging of shoulders as they stand there in bright sunshine!
Come on, get the game played to completion, that's the whole point!

AGod
18/08/2020 17:07
Umpires look like they're trying to give Tom lots of reasons why they'd like to get home for an early dinner.

Farmer White
18/08/2020 17:08
And it lookd like we have a particularly wet patch where they are standing and water being squeezed up by the blotter behind.

Farmer

hantssabre
18/08/2020 17:11
Not looking good with great puddles on the outfield

Angell Face
18/08/2020 17:11
There's standing water in places.

AGod
18/08/2020 17:12
Tom doesn't look impressed.

hantssabre
18/08/2020 17:14
All over now

AGod
18/08/2020 17:16
Abandoned.

Grizzers
18/08/2020 17:16
I think the word LoL is looking for rhymes with grit.

:-(

Grockle
18/08/2020 17:16
Yeah live feed looks that way.

(Sm72)

cricketjerry-mouse
18/08/2020 17:16
Who was the umpire ((the dark-haired one) who kept yawning during the 5pm inspection? Little doubt which way he voted.

Grockle
18/08/2020 17:17
Beautiful blue skies now

(Sm72)

AGod
18/08/2020 17:18
Worcs beat Northants, and top the group.

We will have to beat Gloucs and hope they fail against whatever lot they are playing (presumably this poor Warks side?) .. otherwise it's that trip to New Road, needing to win to be greeted with a track that would be apt on a ground of that name... KT eat your heart out type of pitch.

Rod1883
18/08/2020 17:18
Yes, the wider shot showed those puddles (and the half hearted attempts to drain them!).
Oh well, one point behind Worcs now I think.

AGod
18/08/2020 17:20
Surrey are an embarrassment to the game, really:

[www.bbc.co.uk]

somexile
18/08/2020 17:21
Why does the machine to mop up water only come out after the rain has stopped. Why not be working when it is raining?if pitch and surroundings are OK and problem is the outfield isnt that something the fielding side could say they are happy to put up with?

hantssabre
18/08/2020 17:22
Umpire was Tom Lungley CJM

Loyal of Lhasa
18/08/2020 17:25
Now I know why it's called the Bob Willis Trophy!

LoL

Seventy-five Seasons a Somerset Supporter

AGod
18/08/2020 17:28
Worcs and Derbys 57 points.

Somerset 56 points.

Yorkshire 55 points.

Essex 42 points... with result pending at Hove ....... Essex should win....

Hants 45 points

Kent 42 points



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2020:08:18:17:29:58 by AGod.

AGod
18/08/2020 17:28

mikeindex
18/08/2020 17:29
Quote:
somexile
Anyone know what the man kneeling down top left of covers with both hands in the puddle is doing?
Fielding at second slip?
Was it in the Test or the Somerset live feed - I forget which but it was only a couple of days ago? - but a catch fell just short of wide 2nd/short gully and I immediately thought 'Marcus on his knees would have had that one'.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2020:08:18:17:33:04 by mikeindex.

hantssabre
18/08/2020 17:31
The area with puddles on was quite near the boundary. If the match had been played on a more central strip it would probably been outside the boundary so why with only a couple of matches played at the most was the match played on a strip almost on the edge of the square? Guess the answer will be because of the amount of T20 matches that will be played there at a later date that will have to be televised!

AGod
18/08/2020 17:35
Barn-burner at Hove .. Mitchell Claydon, whom I've always quite liked, with two quick wickets and Essex suddenly 7 down, 20 or so from home.

cricketjerry-mouse
18/08/2020 17:43
Bob Willis will be rubbing his hands with glee at the outcome, LoL. For he absolutely hated the county championship, both as a player and later a commentator, and was never afraid to say so.

On one famous occasion, when he had moved from Surrey to Warwickshire at great cost but had made only a handful of appearances at Edgbaston in two seasons, a classic cry was heard from the members` pavilion when he came on for a rare over.

"Bowler`s name?"

How on earth has that name been attached to a competition Willis despised?

mikeindex
18/08/2020 17:45
@hantsabre probably a pretty sound analysis.
With hindsight, of course it would have been a better idea to declare at 350, but judging by the forecasts I was seeing at that point we could easily have lost almost all the remaining playing time so maybe nailing the last point was, without hindsight, pretty sound.
What baffles me is, why bat on for another ten minutes after reaching 400?
I think we may have to beat Worcs at New Road.
One thought that does occur is, given AG's scenario, will it be that easy for the new Road groundsman to prepare a batting paradise even if that does suit his team's strategical requirements? Worcester is after all one of the most weather-prone county grounds on recent seasons' form.

hantssabre
18/08/2020 17:48
I think CJM the reason is Bob had a vision of reducing the number of Counties to make it a shorter more competitive competition and even though this version has all 18 counties it is a much reduced format and therefore associated to Bob’s idea.

AGod
18/08/2020 17:50
I think we can probably all agree that batting beyond the over in which the 400 was reached, was a complete waste of time.

Pitch preparation is an inexact science so let's hope that, if the situation arises, the Worcs' groundsmen gets it a bit wrong.

mikeindex
18/08/2020 17:51
Very good point @CJM.
Naming a county trophy after Willis makes, if anything, even less sense than naming a stand at Taunton after Botham.

hantssabre
18/08/2020 17:57
Essex win, now on 61 points

sfwithers
18/08/2020 18:00
Well, that's certainly made it a bit trickier – and I stand by my comments I made yesterday that going past 350 wasn't a risk worth taking at the time. We chased an extra point but reduced our chances of winning in what was almost certainly going to be a rain-affected final five sessions. Others may rue the 'dropped' bonus points in the first two games, while I will rue the one we went for – and reached – in this!

More positively, in three games we have two big victories and would have won that without the rain.

AGod
18/08/2020 18:01
Essex reasonably big favourites, at this stage, to be one of the finallists.

Grizzers
18/08/2020 18:02
Yesterday, the SCCC world felt like a juicy bowl of strawberries with fresh cream.

Today, the weather Gods have turned that into a bowl of rancid mush.

Ah well, life is never easy being a Somerset supporter.

Would be interested in Tom's thoughts as to why we batted on for a brief while after reaching 400 yesterday, but really, we played absolutely superbly in this game, so let's not beat ourselves up about it.

Time to channel our frustration in the direction of Gloucester & Worcs..

Grizzers

mikeindex
18/08/2020 18:07
My point was more that he might not even be able to get it 'right' (from the Worcs pov), however much he might wish to, if the conditions militate against it.
Surely even the most skilled groundsman is limited to a degree by the turf and weather conditions at his disposal. Could a Mumbai groundsman produce a green seamer to order?

AGod
18/08/2020 18:17
I think it would depend on the rules governing the preparation, Mikeindex?

I mean, given enough time with a hosepipe, I'd think said Mumbai groundsman probably could produce a green track... I bet the lawn in front of the US Embassy is resolutely emerald, for example!?

I think the hardest thing to do for a groundsman is to easily influence the *pace* of a track.

Feburary 2020 was the wettest month this country has ever seen.... and one doubts that New Road escaped that.., so I don't think the Worcs groundsman would be able to produce a fast pitch, if the club wanted him to (for any given game this season).

I do think there are some grounds where taking too much grass off a surface would leave a risk of a track breaking up and thus turning and/or becoming uneven.. if Worcs is one such ground, then their groundsman would probably have to leave at least some length of grass on the surface..... which may then give us some seam movement, with which to work.

Let's hope Warks can dust themselves off and allow Worcs to score fewer points than we score vs Gloucs..



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2020:08:18:18:19:27 by AGod.

Tom Seymour
18/08/2020 19:10
Quote:
mikeindex
Surely even the most skilled groundsman is limited to a degree by the turf and weather conditions at his disposal. Could a Mumbai groundsman produce a green seamer to order?

My 9 word response has been deleted on account of a fellow poster considering that it "might have been considered to be denigrating to people of a particular race."

There was never any intention of this on my part, but in the event of any further over - sensitive reactions, I have decided to delete it with good grace.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2020:08:19:10:46:00 by Tom Seymour.

Farmer White
19/08/2020 05:40
I have called my report on the final day "That was cruel" from a text I received at the end of the match.

Final Day report link:

[farmerwhite.co.uk]

And for ease of reference here are the links to my reports on the first three days play:

First Day: Oh to be in Birmingham ...

[farmerwhite.co.uk]

Second Day: Glowering skies - Gloious cricket

[farmerwhite.co.uk]

Third Day: The Broadsword and the rapier

[farmerwhite.co.uk]


Farmer



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2020:08:26:08:16:28 by Farmer White.

sfwithers
19/08/2020 09:22
Quote:
mikeindex
@hantsabre probably a pretty sound analysis.
With hindsight, of course it would have been a better idea to declare at 350, but judging by the forecasts I was seeing at that point we could easily have lost almost all the remaining playing time so maybe nailing the last point was, without hindsight, pretty sound.

Still not sure I agree with that – I proposed declaring at 350 at the time (without the benefit of hindsight), also making the point that weather forecasts recently have been very erratic. I do a lot of cycling and check the forecasts a lot and over the last few weeks they've not been that accurate on the timings or duration of rain. In those circumstances I'd have erred on assuming there'd be more rain than forecast. If there was less or no rain, we'd still have the option of batting again.

We went for the point but, as a result of that, the chance of a win went begging. Given Essex's lack of batting points in this round, that final batting point was potentially less crucial anyway. The win was everything and I think we'd have achieved it with a declaration at 350, which for me was always the best option.

Railboy
19/08/2020 11:16
Fantastic maiden 1st class ton from Jamie, boy are we going to miss the all round spectacular of him in full flight whether with ball, bat or in the field.
The tragic irony of course is that if he had been out for 0 we would probably have won the match!! Cricket can be a cruel game sometimes.

Grockle
19/08/2020 17:46
Quote:
Tom Seymour
Quote:
mikeindex
Surely even the most skilled groundsman is limited to a degree by the turf and weather conditions at his disposal. Could a Mumbai groundsman produce a green seamer to order?

My 9 word response has been deleted on account of a fellow poster considering that it "might have been considered to be denigrating to people of a particular race."

There was never any intention of this on my part, but in the event of any further over - sensitive reactions, I have decided to delete it with good grace.

This action was taken centrally I assume as it is the first I have heard of it

(Sm72)

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