Somerset
Tom Abell Somerset's Eddystone Rock Surrey Day 1
By Farmer White et al
April 28 2022
Surrey at the Oval with a dodgy batting line-up in terms of form and a bowling atyack with some injury worries as Lewis Gregory misses out. Farmer gives us Day 1 and the return to form of the Somerset skipper at an opportune moment.
County Championship 2022. Division 1. Surrey v Somerset. 21st, 22nd, 23rd and 24th April 2022. The Oval.
Lewis Gregory and Sonny Baker were unavailable for selection by Somerset through injury.
Somerset. T.A. Lammonby, M.T. Renshaw, T.B. Abell (c), T. Banton, J.C. Hildreth, S.M. Davies (w), C. Overton, J.H. Davey, J. Leach, P.M. Siddle, J.A. Brooks.
Surrey. R.J. Burns (c), R.S. Patel, H.M. Amla, O.J.D. Pope, B.T. Foakes (w), S.M. Curran, W.G. Jacks, J. Overton, J. Clark, J.P.A. Taylor, R.J.W. Topley.
Toss. Somerset. Elected to bat.
First day 21st April – Tom Abell – Somerset’s Eddystone rock
There are better places to stay in London than Greenwich, or at least more convenient ones, if the purpose of your visit is to watch Somerset at The Oval. They are both in South London, but South London is a big place and there is quite a lot of it between the two. There is some consolation I suppose if the road that runs alongside your hotel is called Waller Way. I wonder what he did to impress himself upon the citizens on the meridian. Part of the expanse of South London that lies between Greenwich and The Oval, if you are dependent on public transport, is London Bridge station. Ten minutes by train from Greenwich and 15 minutes by bus from The Oval so it has its uses.
The first thing you discover, if you haven’t been to the newly transformed station, is that it is itself a big place within the big place that is South London. Its seemingly endless walkways are lined with retail outlets, food outlets, people outlets too if you count the exit barriers which, to the uninitiated, seem to be everywhere. Awash with people too, moving in every direction, at speed, forever on collision courses but never colliding. All knowing exactly where they are going, and all going in different directions. Bewildering for the uninitiated. Simplicity itself for the initiated. During the days of my eastern exile, I was one of the initiated. Not at London Bridge, but at another major London station. It is like riding a bicycle. You never lose the knack. Find a landmark, get your bearings, I told myself.
‘Tooley Street’ said the sign. Tooley Street. Now I knew where I was. Instantly, I was walking at pace, on a collision course with endless others, but never colliding. Tooley Street takes you to London Bridge itself. It was a landmark from the days of travelling about London for work. People who have worked in London for any length of time never forget such landmarks. The 733 bus stops at the stop on the South London end of the bridge. I had found my old London commuter’s feet and they carried me straight there. The 733’s final destination, southbound, is Oval Station, about 100 yards from the entrance to the ground. I arrived at the entrance with dozens of other men of a certain age carrying back packs, none on collision courses for we all had the same destination. My world was back on its axis.
Perhaps by the end of the day, Tom Abell’s world felt like it was back on its axis. Before this match it had been wobbling in the face of six bewildering Championship defeats, and his own form had deserted him. Abell had been in similar circumstances in 2017 when he had dropped himself through lack of form. Here, on the first day of this match he turned his form around, scored an unbeaten century and gave the Somerset innings direction and substance. At the end of the day, Somerset were still behind in the game, for the pitch seems true if slow, and a par score might perhaps be 400. But, in comparison with the team performance with the bat in the first two games of the season, this was a quantum leap forward.
If you looked up, it was a day perfect for cricket. Blue sky with strands of wispy cloud and a few aircraft contrails. Summer beckoned. If you took your coat off in the shade, the wind brought with it a reminder that winter still had an interest in proceedings. As I walked along the concourse under the old Peter May Stand, now absorbed, with the Laker and Lock Stands, into the Galadari Stand as the world of cricket and its engagement with sponsorship moves on, I was met by a couple of familiar Somerset faces. The smiles of greeting soon became serious as the question on any cricket supporter’s mind before play on the first day was asked, “Who won the toss?” None of us were far enough into the ground to know the answer to that question and so, like hundreds of others on arrival, we scurried on in pursuit of the information. It was a scene which would have been repeated up and down the country at any first-class cricket ground on the first morning of a match.
The answer to the question, I discovered from the electronic scoreboard on reaching my seat halfway up the stand, square of the wicket, was that Somerset had won the toss and would bat. W.G. Grace and I sat more easily in our seats, he in his sepulchral one, me in my fold-down plastic one ubiquitous in modern grounds, and somewhat more comfortable than the wooden benches which adorned grounds in W.G.’s day. I have yet to come to terms with the modern penchant for bowling on winning the toss. To the heat of the sun too. The Galadari Stand faces west. The wind was blowing from the east. Halfway up was a suntrap, protected from the wind. The thermal T shirt hidden under my ordinary shirt turned into a furnace as the day wore on and the sun beat down unmoderated by the wind.
Somerset began carefully with Tom Lammonby and Matt Renshaw, left handers both, Surrey with the right-arm Jordan Clark from the Pavilion End and the left-arm Sam Curran from the Vauxhall End. A pattern soon developed. Clark, the Somerset openers tended to leave alone, occasionally prodding the ball back. Curran was played, but defensively, and with care. It was three overs before a run was scored, Renshaw gently driving Clark to mid-off. Such runs as came were occasional singles carefully placed wide of the inner ring. The play held the attention, for with runs leaving the bat at such a leisurely rate the loss of wickets would be particularly costly. One Surrey supporter though was the epitome of unconcern as he quietly read a newspaper.
Occasionally the bat was beaten until Lammonby came forward in defence to Topley, who had replaced Curran, and edged the ball to Pope at second slip, Lammonby’s tenure as an opener continuing to raise questions. It was here that Abell came to the wicket and remained all day looking as permanent as the Eddystone rock against the tide. The Somerset score had reached 15 for 1 in 16th over with four of those coming from overthrows as Jamie Overton, who had replaced Clark, prepared to bowl his second. This was cricket of the old sort, of a type often played when the gasometer held gas and Peter May held sway beneath it.
The first boundary of the innings came on the stroke of noon when Abell leaned into a ball from Overton and drove it through wide midwicket to near where the re-named Peter May and Laker and Lock Stands met, now the centre of the Galadari Stand. The stroke marked the beginning of some acceleration for Somerset, 47 runs coming in the second hour of the morning. Abell followed up by turning Topley behind square to the boundary in front of the Archbishop Tenison School of Text Match Special fame, now partly obscured by the Bedser Stand as The Oval’s appetite for swallowing spectators has grown with the times. He and Renshaw, adjusting to the bowling, began to push for singles as the score climbed through the 30s. In response, “Oh, that’s quick mate,” an attempt to encourage from the slips after an Overton delivery drifted down the leg side, Foakes behind the stumps moving inside the line of the stumps to take the ball. Before the over was out, Renshaw had glanced through fine leg to the boundary in front of the Oval Conference Centre. “C’mon Surrey,” the urging from the crowd as Curran bowled a maiden to Abell who showed no intent to hurry unless the ball presented itself.
The chatter in the crowd had grown noticeably along with small outbreaks of applause if the bat was beaten, applause for Somerset too if the ball reached the boundary. “Shot!” sounded out when Abell drove Clark off the back foot with an angled bat and the ball raced through backward point to the far boundary. The stroke brought up Somerset’s fifty in the 27th over as Somerset’s scoring rate increased from one an over in the first hour to three in the second. Renshaw, steadily pushing singles, gave the scoreboard regular nudges and drove it forward as lunch approached with a clip off the toes which ran so quickly through square leg it struck the rope, jumped over the boundary board, crossed the walkway in front of the stand and clattered into the back of a seat in the second row. “Shot!” conceded a Surrey voice. When Abell drove Will Jack’s off spin to extra cover for a single the players walked off for lunch with Somerset on 62 for 1, their best start of the season by some way.
“Spectators are welcome to come onto the outfield. Please do not walk onto the square and please stay at the Pavilion End of the ground,” was a welcome and increasingly less common announcement at a first-class cricket match these days. Large numbers took it up, many having their photos taken in front of the pitch, most just enjoying the experience. I made my way out there from the far side of the ground having conducted half my usual anti-clockwise circumnavigation. Childhood days at Taunton in the early 1960s came flooding back as I found myself negotiating mini games of cricket among a veritable multitude of milling spectators. I fielded three balls which had escaped from the necessarily narrow confines of their own games. Two I threw back, one overarm, one underarm along the ground, and one I kicked back with my instep. I can report that my kicking was as well-directed as a Marcus Trescothick cover drive, my under-arm roll would probably have resulted in overthrows and my overarm throw was a public embarrassment. Being invited onto the outfield is one of the timeless joys of attending a County Championship match, although it is becoming less common as the years tick by. I was so lost in my thoughts during this one it took a couple of Somerset supporters seated just inside the exit gate I was walking towards some considerable time to attract my attention.
Back in my seat, Matt Renshaw had my attention firmly back on the cricket with a drive through extra cover off Taylor which crossed the boundary below the Laker and Lock balconies in the Galadari Stand, above where their old stands stood. An over later he pulled Topley towards the Peter May part of the Galadari Stand. This time the ball rose from the rope with such force it landed ten rows back. It was a fearsome hit. From there Taylor and Topley gained some traction and reined Somerset in with the scoring being mainly limited to singles. With Somerset painstakingly building on 78 for 1 after 38 overs and Renshaw on 48 on what looked to be a slow, if true, pitch, Surrey turned to Overton. He delivered an over which suddenly produced punch and counterpunch. His first ball was quick, lifted, rushed Renshaw and flew off the edge to Pope at second slip. His second found the inside edge of the newly arrived Banton’s bat, Banton taking a single. The third was driven through the on side for four by Abell, the fifth through the covers to the boundary in front of the Archbishop Tenison scoreboard and the sixth was short and found Abell taking evasive action. It was an over which had the ground buzzing.
But, with Curran bowling opposite Overton, Somerset began to advance. Banton drove Curran through extra cover for four to generous applause, the Surrey crowd giving due credit to opposition good play. Abell, continuing to steer the Somerset innings, guided Overton through backward point for two and clipped him to fine leg for four. An over later the ball was flying through backward square leg, bisecting the converging deep midwicket and long leg fielders as it went. When Jacks replaced Curran, Banton was down the pitch driving him straight back to the Vauxhall End boundary beneath the gargantuan Oval Conference Centre. Banton, settling nicely to the task, came forward in defence to Clark. As the ball flew through to the keeper, Banton walked towards square leg as a huge appeal went up and seemed startled when the umpire raised his finger. Whatever the reality of the proximity of bat edge and ball, Banton was out for 16, Somerset were 120 for 3 and the match was in the balance.
James Hildreth joined Abell and, as is so often the case with Hildreth, immediately found the boundary, this time with a perfectly executed steer to third man. In Clarke’s next over he clipped him to fine leg at the Vauxhall End. When Overton replaced Clark at the Pavilion End he cut him behind square for three and, an over later, drove him through the on side to the boundary beneath the Laker and Lock balconies. Next, it was a lofted pull off Overton in front of square to the old Peter May section of the Galadari Stand. It was vintage Hildreth and Somerset joy. Abell meanwhile was assiduously gathering singles where they presented themselves. Among the singles, he swept Jacks for two causing the short leg fielder to take urgent evasive action and reached his fifty with a single driven to long on. It had taken him nearly three and a half hours of intense concentration. He had though shepherded Somerset out of the doldrums of their first two matches of the season and to tea at 163 for 3. He had 58, Hildreth 28 and their partnership had grown to 43.
There was now not a cloud in the sky, and with the stand protecting me from the wind and my thermal T shirt I stillfelt the full heat of the sun. My arms and face were encased in Factor 50 and I was very thankful for my wide brimmed wyvern hat. Thankful too that at last Somerset were making progress with the bat. Slowly, at barely two and a half runs an over, but with everything pointing to a slow pitch with both wickets and runs difficult to gather, 163 for 3 brought some comfort after the tribulations of the last six games.
As tea settled into the background Somerset continued their pre-tea acceleration. Hildreth, typically positive, tended to favour the off side, although not always without finding the edge, the first of which flew low, wide of first slip to the Vauxhall End boundary, the second went well over third slip to the same end, both off Taylor. His singles came off the middle of the bat and were struck all around the wicket before a cover drive raised the heartbeat as it raced to and across the Archbishop Tenison boundary. That brought up Hildreth’s fifty to extended applause in less than an hour and a half. Along the way he passed 18,000 first-class runs. Abell too was making progress. His innings had grown in stature as the day progressed. In the process he passed 5,000 first-class runs. With Hildreth he kept the scoreboard rotating with singles, repeatedly found the boundary, driving Jacks through extra cover, an off drive off Taylor to the Bedser Stand drawing appreciative applause, while an on drive outpaced the chasing mid-on fielder to the boundary and brought up the century partnership.
Somerset reached 222 for 3 in the 80th over, with Abell on 89, Hildreth on 54 with Somerset now progressing at four runs an over. It was the apogee of Somerset’s day. Then, before the hope of a truly commanding total could be realised, Hildreth cut a wide ball from Jacks, the final delivery with the old ball, and connected with the top edge. The ball barely carried to Amla at backward point, but he dived well forward and infiltrated his fingers beneath it. Two balls later, Davies reached to drive a suspiciously wide ball from Clark and edged it to Foakes. The Surrey players were cock-a-hoop, their celebration having all the hallmarks of a plan hatched to perfection. It was Foakes’ 300th dismissal as wicketkeeper and outfielder combined, the third player milestone in the course of an hour. Within three overs Craig Overton had tried to cut a rising ball from Topley but pushed it limply into Curran’s hands at cover. Somerset had fallen from 223 for 3 to 237 for 6. From apogee to perigee in the space of three overs. It could have been worse. Josh Davey was the subject of two leg before wicket appeals before the over in which Overton had been dismissed was out. Both were declined, but the message from the online watcher in South America said, “The second Davey appeal looked pretty plumb from here.”
There were more appeals as Surrey tried to press home their sudden advantage, one for caught behind from Topley when Abell attempted his trademark, if heart stopping, glance. But Somerset regained their footing, as for the most part Abell went steadfastly on, at least to the distant eye. Davey too looked his normal imperturbable self, once quietly clipping Overton off his legs to the Bedser Stand boundary and steering him through third man to the boundary below the Lock and Laker balconies before driving him for all the world like a top order fixture off the back foot through the covers to the Peter May part of the Galadari Stand. It was exhilarating stuff from a number eight who by common consensus among Somerset supporters I spoke to was batting at least one place too high. It was also worrying, given what Davey’s success signified the Surrey top order might be capable of when their turn came.
Abell meanwhile continued to build despite the brief period of mayhem which had engulfed the other end before Davey’s arrival. He placed a cut off a delivery from Clark just wide enough of a diving backward point to find the boundary. A ball turned to fine leg was cut off feet short of the boundary and Abell ran two. A single, again turned behind square, this time off Topley, brought up his century from 214 balls in a minute short of five hours. It brought Somerset supporters to their feet, extended applause from Surrey ones and it gave those standing Somerset supporters hope. “C’mon Surrey,” shouted one of their supporters, for the crowd had not stopped shouting encouragement to their team all day.
As the close approached and the April chill began to overpower the heat of the sun, Abell pushed on. In the course of an over against Clark he drove hard along the ground to the Galadari Stand boundary and attempted to hook. He connected only with the top edge, but the ball cleared Foakes and raced back to the Vauxhall End for another four. A pull behind square off Overton, who had switched ends, to the Archbishop Tenison boundary followed and Somerset closed on 283 for 6, riches in comparison with their first four innings in this competition in 2022. There was though a tinge of disappointment when the mind compared that with what might have been after Somerset had reached the heights of 223 for 3. The story of whether that stumble of three wickets in three overs would affect the outcome of the match would begin to unfold on the morrow with, on The Oval pitch, Somerset still having much to do.
Close. Somerset 283 for 6.
For more of this story you can check out the thread of the game here or go to Farmer's own site by clicking the link
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StumbleuponTom Abell Somerset's Eddystone Rock Surrey Day 1
Discussion started by Grockles.com , 28/04/2022 11:55
Grockles.com
28/04/2022 11:55
28/04/2022 11:55
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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2022:04:29:13:06:53 by Grockle.
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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2022:04:29:13:06:53 by Grockle.
Team Vs Surrey, The Oval.
So.. imagine everybody bar Banton (who I don’t think is expected back?) is available.
Who are you picking?
Personally, I’d like to go:
Renshaw
Davies (when he did the job before he did it well)
Abell
Hildreth
Lammonby
Rew (wkt)
Gregory
Cove
Siddle
Davey
Leachy
No novice batsmen in the top four and a full-strength bowling attack. We won’t pick that team, of course, but I think it’s the one that would give us the best shot.
Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 2022:04:25:10:45:41 by Grockle.
So.. imagine everybody bar Banton (who I don’t think is expected back?) is available.
Who are you picking?
Personally, I’d like to go:
Renshaw
Davies (when he did the job before he did it well)
Abell
Hildreth
Lammonby
Rew (wkt)
Gregory
Cove
Siddle
Davey
Leachy
No novice batsmen in the top four and a full-strength bowling attack. We won’t pick that team, of course, but I think it’s the one that would give us the best shot.
Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 2022:04:25:10:45:41 by Grockle.
1) Renshaw
2) Davies
3) Smeed
4) Hildreth**Capt.
5) Lammonby
6) Rew
7) Gregory
8) Cove
9) Davey
10) Leach
11) Siddle
Time to go with Rew & Smeed I think. Also perhaps the right time for Tom A to take a rest for a while. He appears shot to bits & it's surely now impacting on those around him.
I see Jamie Overton got eight wickets for Surrey, so he'll be fired up for what will be a tasty but very tough game for us.
Grizzers
2) Davies
3) Smeed
4) Hildreth**Capt.
5) Lammonby
6) Rew
7) Gregory
8) Cove
9) Davey
10) Leach
11) Siddle
Time to go with Rew & Smeed I think. Also perhaps the right time for Tom A to take a rest for a while. He appears shot to bits & it's surely now impacting on those around him.
I see Jamie Overton got eight wickets for Surrey, so he'll be fired up for what will be a tasty but very tough game for us.
Grizzers
Bold, Grizz!
Poor Tom looked like his dog had died after the North Marine Road debacle last year (when he had to speak to the media) so we know that he really feels it.
Personally? I think we have to use the probability of a good batting track to try to get Tom back into form.
But if he has another bad match, to give him 7 in a row (albeit over two seasons, then I think he’ll have to have a little break).
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2022:04:16:19:16:08 by AGod.
Poor Tom looked like his dog had died after the North Marine Road debacle last year (when he had to speak to the media) so we know that he really feels it.
Personally? I think we have to use the probability of a good batting track to try to get Tom back into form.
But if he has another bad match, to give him 7 in a row (albeit over two seasons, then I think he’ll have to have a little break).
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2022:04:16:19:16:08 by AGod.
Smeed hasn't made a red ball run at all so not sure what has promoted him to number 3.
No one seems to have any info about James Rew's keeping though his batting has a little more pedigree
Also no idea why a seemingly limitedly motivated James Hildreth finds himself as captain surely Gregory would be the go to if you plan to drop club captain Abell
I'm all for looking at other batting options but they are pretty limited when it comes down to it and are determined by, one would hope a longer planned move than some crisis management involving debutants in positions of quite large responsibility all at the same time
You could throw more paint on the wall and some could stick or it could just make the mess worse.
Will they change the openers? Think they'll let Tom L work at it as it's moving forward. Ben Green may give way but if they use Davies up front they have to have Renshaw in the top 3
Does Hildreth survive at 4? Abell?
Perm any number at 5 Depends on further up the order and the desire to give Bartlett a go.
If they open with Davies will they tey giving the gloves to Rew and extending the batting order with Rew instead of e perimenting with Goldsworthy.
Gregory @7
8 - 11 pick themselves if they are all fit.
Radical? Conservative? Probably somewhere in between veering towards a stable boat I would imagine.
No one seems to have any info about James Rew's keeping though his batting has a little more pedigree
Also no idea why a seemingly limitedly motivated James Hildreth finds himself as captain surely Gregory would be the go to if you plan to drop club captain Abell
I'm all for looking at other batting options but they are pretty limited when it comes down to it and are determined by, one would hope a longer planned move than some crisis management involving debutants in positions of quite large responsibility all at the same time
You could throw more paint on the wall and some could stick or it could just make the mess worse.
Will they change the openers? Think they'll let Tom L work at it as it's moving forward. Ben Green may give way but if they use Davies up front they have to have Renshaw in the top 3
Does Hildreth survive at 4? Abell?
Perm any number at 5 Depends on further up the order and the desire to give Bartlett a go.
If they open with Davies will they tey giving the gloves to Rew and extending the batting order with Rew instead of e perimenting with Goldsworthy.
Gregory @7
8 - 11 pick themselves if they are all fit.
Radical? Conservative? Probably somewhere in between veering towards a stable boat I would imagine.
Why not go with 2 spinners?
Renshaw
Davies
Lammonby
Hildreth
Abell
Rew
Gregory
Roeoff
Cove
Leach
Siddle
Renshaw
Davies
Lammonby
Hildreth
Abell
Rew
Gregory
Roeoff
Cove
Leach
Siddle
Squad will be:
Green
Lammonby
Renshaw
Hildy
Abell
Davies
Gregory
Overton
Siddle
Leach
MDL
Goldsworthy
RVdM
I expect the top 11 to play
Green
Lammonby
Renshaw
Hildy
Abell
Davies
Gregory
Overton
Siddle
Leach
MDL
Goldsworthy
RVdM
I expect the top 11 to play
Impossible, Blue!
We are not allowed to field 3 overseas players in the same XI.
We are not allowed to field 3 overseas players in the same XI.
There's a small number of players who would be assessed as definitely keeping their places next Thursday
Matt Renshaw
Craig obviously
Pete Siddle I would assume
Steve Davies- though keeping?
Lewis Gregory
Tom Abell
Jack if they play a spinner - which I would expeect them to
Probables would be
Tom Lammonby
Josh Davey if fully fit
The rest and the order is a thing of more speculation
I think you can probably go for Lewis at 7.
The others? Who the hell knows
Matt Renshaw
Craig obviously
Pete Siddle I would assume
Steve Davies- though keeping?
Lewis Gregory
Tom Abell
Jack if they play a spinner - which I would expeect them to
Probables would be
Tom Lammonby
Josh Davey if fully fit
The rest and the order is a thing of more speculation
I think you can probably go for Lewis at 7.
The others? Who the hell knows
Aye, GGG, if either Siddle needs a breather or Davey isn’t fit enough to resume, then VDM might be a better option than Brooks or one of the young seamers, assuming it’s the typical dry Oval track.
Tom Banton is in 2ndX1 squad v Middlesex at Taunton Vale starting today,
Always think RVDM is worth including. He certainly is a better shout with the bat than some recently and it gives us the option of a second spinner .
Quote:AGod
Impossible, Blue!
We are not allowed to field 3 overseas players in the same XI.
Just testing! May be Davey or Aldridge as the extra bowler.
I cannot see Rew being included as he is still at School! Bartlett unlucky in yesterday’s 2s innings.
Isn't it still the school Easter break or is it one of those years where the long wrekemd comes after the Spring term holiday ends?
Could be Davey's return to the fold. Wonder if they'll consider Banton?
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2022:04:22:18:41:17 by Grockle.
Could be Davey's return to the fold. Wonder if they'll consider Banton?
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2022:04:22:18:41:17 by Grockle.
Having stated, at the start of the thread, the team that I’d like to see picked, here is what I suspect management will actually pick:
Lammonby
Renshaw
Abell
Hildreth
Bartlett
Banton
Davies
Gregory
Cove
Siddle
Leachy
It’s a frontline pace bowler light but I expect they’ll be so concerned about the batting that that is what we will end up with.
Green and Goldsworthy will be able to consider themselves unfortunate in that they will have played the first two on seaming tracks and then Bartlett and Banton are likely to get to come in on what is usually the easiest batting track in the land.
Speaking of which, I wonder what the team plan is for Ollie Pope, with his ridiculous split averages of more than 100 at the Oval and about 32 everywhere else!?
Lammonby
Renshaw
Abell
Hildreth
Bartlett
Banton
Davies
Gregory
Cove
Siddle
Leachy
It’s a frontline pace bowler light but I expect they’ll be so concerned about the batting that that is what we will end up with.
Green and Goldsworthy will be able to consider themselves unfortunate in that they will have played the first two on seaming tracks and then Bartlett and Banton are likely to get to come in on what is usually the easiest batting track in the land.
Speaking of which, I wonder what the team plan is for Ollie Pope, with his ridiculous split averages of more than 100 at the Oval and about 32 everywhere else!?
Not sure Hampshire will agree it’s the easiest batting track in the land!
Their cricket manager certainly did not blame the pitch, noting that they “Had not batted at all well,” as well as blaming his bowlers for “giving away 100 too many in the first innings.”
Bizarrely, the Surrey website in some kind of awful “Dumbing down for the Hundred crew,” initiative, has taken to displaying match scores based on cumulative run totals.
For example, Surrey 495, Hants 480 “Surrey won by an innings and 15 runs.
Therefore, a game that Surrey won by 15 runs would also say “Surrey 495, Hants 480.”
Pure idiocy!!
Anyway, If you overlook that, you can see how many flat track draws there have been in recent times:
[www.kiaoval.com]
In all my years of seeing Somerset there, I recall a grand total of ONE match that wasn’t a draw. And I must have seen nine or so such CC games, I think.
Admittedly, we’ve probably not gone there off the back of six straight defeats very often and so Surrey might fancy their chances this time.. and might attempt to engineer a result pitch as they might view a home draw with this particular incarnation of Somerset as a poor result for them.
For example, Surrey 495, Hants 480 “Surrey won by an innings and 15 runs.
Therefore, a game that Surrey won by 15 runs would also say “Surrey 495, Hants 480.”
Pure idiocy!!
Anyway, If you overlook that, you can see how many flat track draws there have been in recent times:
[www.kiaoval.com]
In all my years of seeing Somerset there, I recall a grand total of ONE match that wasn’t a draw. And I must have seen nine or so such CC games, I think.
Admittedly, we’ve probably not gone there off the back of six straight defeats very often and so Surrey might fancy their chances this time.. and might attempt to engineer a result pitch as they might view a home draw with this particular incarnation of Somerset as a poor result for them.
Should Peter Siddle be deemed in need of a breather, then it’s not impossible that MDL might have bowled himself into contention, with strong figures for the twos today.
It is noticeable that the two bowlers in our side with the most height and pace were the most successful in the innings. Perhaps the groundsman has done a good job of getting some pace and bounce into this Taunton Vale track. Josh went wicketless, Leonard seems to have had a nightmare. Five for MDL, and two each for Aldridge and Sale.
It is noticeable that the two bowlers in our side with the most height and pace were the most successful in the innings. Perhaps the groundsman has done a good job of getting some pace and bounce into this Taunton Vale track. Josh went wicketless, Leonard seems to have had a nightmare. Five for MDL, and two each for Aldridge and Sale.
A pretty dismal second innings dismissal for Bartlett at T Vale - a poor shot and barely troubling the scorers in the innings. Whilst he might be parachuted in for the Oval, he hardly looks in the form to prove an asset.
Agree AGod, judging by Jove bowling last week and MDL this week it could happen. MDL actually bowled a couple of peach deliveries in the seconds, has his time come?
Well, the squad has been announced.
Looks like we’re only taking 13.
Gregory’s back is playing up, so he’s out. Josh Davey replaces him.
Banton is back. No place for Bartlett. Goldsworthy is dropped. Green retained in squad.
I guess, maybe, it will be like this:
Renshaw
Lammonby
Abell
Hildreth
Banton
Davies
Green OR VDM
Cove
Siddle
Davey
Leachy
Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 2022:04:20:14:24:52 by AGod.
Looks like we’re only taking 13.
Gregory’s back is playing up, so he’s out. Josh Davey replaces him.
Banton is back. No place for Bartlett. Goldsworthy is dropped. Green retained in squad.
I guess, maybe, it will be like this:
Renshaw
Lammonby
Abell
Hildreth
Banton
Davies
Green OR VDM
Cove
Siddle
Davey
Leachy
Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 2022:04:20:14:24:52 by AGod.
Is RvdM in as the extra bat or are they looking at a 2 spin side?
Gotta think Bants will play if they are including him so on that basis Greener misses out.
That being the case does Banton open with Lammonby or is this the game for the top 5/6/7 shift around?
Gotta think Bants will play if they are including him so on that basis Greener misses out.
That being the case does Banton open with Lammonby or is this the game for the top 5/6/7 shift around?
Me too. It isn't where he would be best placed...
We're then back to the Davies/Renshaw question
We're then back to the Davies/Renshaw question
If they’re feeling bold about the batting / expect the pitch to be flat, they could play four frontline seamers, including Brooks, rather than VDM/Green.
But, let’s face it, they have little reason to feel good about said batting and the above move would be a big gamble.
Ben Green bowled very well (very tightly) on a typically unyielding Oval surface last year in the corresponding fixture and it’s possible that that may play a part in team selection for this one.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2022:04:20:17:31:09 by AGod.
But, let’s face it, they have little reason to feel good about said batting and the above move would be a big gamble.
Ben Green bowled very well (very tightly) on a typically unyielding Oval surface last year in the corresponding fixture and it’s possible that that may play a part in team selection for this one.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2022:04:20:17:31:09 by AGod.
Great to welcome Banton & Davey back but shame about Gregory. Be nice if we could have some good news for once without it being tempered by something bad.
Surrey have, surprisingly, not parachuted in an extra overseas bowler to replace Kemar Roach. Sam Curran is, supposedly, going to be the very much NON like-for-like replacement for Kemar.
Surrey choosing not to select a real spinner so far this season 🤔🤔
Can't see us leaving out a batter so expecting Banton at 6 & Josh/Brooks in for Gregory.
So Craig 8 Siddle 9.
Could be plenty of overs for Green Abell Leach if we take 100+ overs to bowl them out.....
Sunny clear sky already in south London ☀️☀️
Can't see us leaving out a batter so expecting Banton at 6 & Josh/Brooks in for Gregory.
So Craig 8 Siddle 9.
Could be plenty of overs for Green Abell Leach if we take 100+ overs to bowl them out.....
Sunny clear sky already in south London ☀️☀️
Hopefully it will be the usual straw-coloured track because we need to stop the rot and, whilst they would not publicly admit it then I suspect that Andy, Jason and Tom would take your right arm off at the shoulder if you were to offer them, right now, a high-scoring draw.
How could Somerset, theoretically, actually win this game?
Two scenarios, I think
A) Surrey decide that the usual home Oval draw Vs Somerset would be a poor result. So they gamble on a green top, lose the toss and Cove, Siddle and Josh run riot. The pitch then dries out under the sun and becomes placid after the Surrey first innings. Sample scores in scenario: Surrey 180 and 350. Somerset 330 and 200/5.
It’s the usual track. A slow, abrasive, turner offering nothing for seamers unless they bowl cutters. We win the toss and bat properly, as we did last year, making 400 or so. Leachy then slowly throttles them. Sample scores in this scenario: Somerset 400 and 200. Surrey 300 and 250.
If we don’t win the toss, I think a draw (which we might manage to get under the above scenario B would be our best hope).
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2022:04:21:09:42:53 by AGod.
Two scenarios, I think
A) Surrey decide that the usual home Oval draw Vs Somerset would be a poor result. So they gamble on a green top, lose the toss and Cove, Siddle and Josh run riot. The pitch then dries out under the sun and becomes placid after the Surrey first innings. Sample scores in scenario: Surrey 180 and 350. Somerset 330 and 200/5.
It’s the usual track. A slow, abrasive, turner offering nothing for seamers unless they bowl cutters. We win the toss and bat properly, as we did last year, making 400 or so. Leachy then slowly throttles them. Sample scores in this scenario: Somerset 400 and 200. Surrey 300 and 250.
If we don’t win the toss, I think a draw (which we might manage to get under the above scenario B would be our best hope).
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2022:04:21:09:42:53 by AGod.
The awful truth that they have the potential to bat us out of the game whatever scenario you present.
Situation Report:
A) Weather glorious
Pitch *not* its usual beige colour.
The pitch looks reasonably well grassed.
Looking at it? I hope *they* win the toss and bat first.
If we win the toss and bat due to the weather? I could foresee a somewhat hairy first session.
The pitch colour is such that, if it were overcast, you would bowl upon winning the toss, I think.
A) Weather glorious
Pitch *not* its usual beige colour.
The pitch looks reasonably well grassed.
Looking at it? I hope *they* win the toss and bat first.
If we win the toss and bat due to the weather? I could foresee a somewhat hairy first session.
The pitch colour is such that, if it were overcast, you would bowl upon winning the toss, I think.
Scrumper nailed the team - we’ve gone two spinners.
Dunno whether that would have been the case, had LG been fit but it’s surely a better move than picking Brooks.
We’ll have to hope it turns, as it usually does, since I can’t see Tom A being much of a threat under these sorts of skies, should they persist.
Dunno whether that would have been the case, had LG been fit but it’s surely a better move than picking Brooks.
We’ll have to hope it turns, as it usually does, since I can’t see Tom A being much of a threat under these sorts of skies, should they persist.
What's the batting order, BBC has Cove as 11th. Would it not be Cove, Josh, Siddle?
Guys sat behind me saying track looked greener than this for the Hants game, but did precious little anyway.
Keeper and slips pretty close and second ball reached keeper at ankle height. So it looks like the expected lack of pace is there.
Looking straight up and down, thus far.
So the priority is focus and doing nothing daft. Do that and a fair total ought to be there for the taking.
Throw wickets away? Well, the Surrey batting line-up looks strong and so we must make the Surrey bowlers earn each wicket.
So the priority is focus and doing nothing daft. Do that and a fair total ought to be there for the taking.
Throw wickets away? Well, the Surrey batting line-up looks strong and so we must make the Surrey bowlers earn each wicket.
LaLaLa - if you’ve seen the speed gun in games where Jamie is playing, 90mph is more myth than reality, anyway. On the speed gun, he’s usually about 86mph or so.
As you’ll have seen, Topley has extracted some bounce from the surface, so Jamie might extract some too. In last year’s game, Jamie posed Lammonby lots of problems - but that’s obviously not going to happen in this innings.
As you’ll have seen, Topley has extracted some bounce from the surface, so Jamie might extract some too. In last year’s game, Jamie posed Lammonby lots of problems - but that’s obviously not going to happen in this innings.
Guardian reports Somerset gave their hosts an incorrect team sheet. (Brooks playing not VDM, as above)
Another one through to the keeper on the second bounce.
Largely a case of stalemate, thus far today with the slow surface inhibiting both run scoring and wicket taking.
Largely a case of stalemate, thus far today with the slow surface inhibiting both run scoring and wicket taking.
Suffice to say, La La La, that we should have stuck with the “erroneous,” team sheet.
There’s less than nothing, here, for a Brooks-type bowler.
I can only assume this is going to get even slower and even lower. It figures to be back-breaking work for the seamers, throughout.
There’s less than nothing, here, for a Brooks-type bowler.
I can only assume this is going to get even slower and even lower. It figures to be back-breaking work for the seamers, throughout.
Lunch.
Neither side will be unhappy with the first session, for both played disciplined cricket, yet both will have nagging doubts as they leave the field.
If you’re Gareth Batty, your team talk goes like this:
“They’ve not got away from us at all. Go at them hard after lunch and get a couple of wickets in the first hour and they’ll be miles behind the eight ball, given the conditions.”
Jason Kerr’s spiel?
“You’ve focused really well. Do that again through the second session and then we might expect that stamina might wane, heads might drop and run scoring might get a good deal easier after tea.”
Neither side will be unhappy with the first session, for both played disciplined cricket, yet both will have nagging doubts as they leave the field.
If you’re Gareth Batty, your team talk goes like this:
“They’ve not got away from us at all. Go at them hard after lunch and get a couple of wickets in the first hour and they’ll be miles behind the eight ball, given the conditions.”
Jason Kerr’s spiel?
“You’ve focused really well. Do that again through the second session and then we might expect that stamina might wane, heads might drop and run scoring might get a good deal easier after tea.”
Tom A frustrated as he fails to time/place a shot Vs a short and wide one from Clark earlier in the over.
It was a passage of play that said everything about this surface, which is the type of surface that the ECB needs to drum out of the county game. This entire square needs to be dug up, by ECB mandate.
It was a passage of play that said everything about this surface, which is the type of surface that the ECB needs to drum out of the county game. This entire square needs to be dug up, by ECB mandate.
Tom gets his 50 off Jamie.
Comment earlier by Ant Gib (from a lunchtime conversation) that Jamie left Somerset because he couldn’t open the bowling. And that Tom was instrumental in this. Ant Gib speculated that Kerr and Hurry would’ve also been involved with the bowling decision
Comment earlier by Ant Gib (from a lunchtime conversation) that Jamie left Somerset because he couldn’t open the bowling. And that Tom was instrumental in this. Ant Gib speculated that Kerr and Hurry would’ve also been involved with the bowling decision
Surrey seldom open the bowling with Jamie, either, even preferring the utterly moribund Sam Curran here today.
Tea at 163/3.
With the exception of one nasty little fiddly waft from Hildreth, which thankfully did not make contact, we’ve maintained very good focus and discipline with the bat.
From Surrey’s point of view, they will think that if they can have us at about 230 for 4, or possibly even 5 when the new ball comes around, then they will still be pretty happy with that.
These two really need to see us all the way through the rest of the day, for my money, if we’re to post a really good total for the conditions.
Tea at 163/3.
With the exception of one nasty little fiddly waft from Hildreth, which thankfully did not make contact, we’ve maintained very good focus and discipline with the bat.
From Surrey’s point of view, they will think that if they can have us at about 230 for 4, or possibly even 5 when the new ball comes around, then they will still be pretty happy with that.
These two really need to see us all the way through the rest of the day, for my money, if we’re to post a really good total for the conditions.
Absolute giveaway from Hildreth and exactly what we didn’t need.
Surrey cock-a-hoop with a wicket for their part-time spinner.
Surrey cock-a-hoop with a wicket for their part-time spinner.
AAAAAAWWWWWOOOOOGGGGGAAAA
First time in a long time I've been to the gym during a Somerset first innings and not had to switch off BBC notifications.
Hildreth loses concentration with last ball of old ball.... ho hum
First time in a long time I've been to the gym during a Somerset first innings and not had to switch off BBC notifications.
Hildreth loses concentration with last ball of old ball.... ho hum
And the wheels are off and we will finish with an inadequate total for the conditions.
We will be losing our seventh successive CC match from here, I’d imagine.
Another giveaway, this time from Craig.
Will total only about 280 or so on a track where I’d think par must be at least 400.
Will take a miraculous bowling performance in terms of discipline, heart and consistency to bail us out here (no, we won’t be running through Surrey quickly).
Another giveaway, this time from Craig.
Will total only about 280 or so on a track where I’d think par must be at least 400.
Will take a miraculous bowling performance in terms of discipline, heart and consistency to bail us out here (no, we won’t be running through Surrey quickly).
Very good shot from Josh. Perhaps the best of the whole day.
Then disgraceful behaviour from Foakes.
Then disgraceful behaviour from Foakes.
How about we wait until both teams have batted until announcing the result on day 1......
Did you see Craig last week!? And Siddle? We have England's no1 spinner too 👍
We might get 300 yet, (we might not!)
Anyway I hope you have enjoyed your day in the sun watching us, looks a bit chilly in your spot mind 🙈
Did you see Craig last week!? And Siddle? We have England's no1 spinner too 👍
We might get 300 yet, (we might not!)
Anyway I hope you have enjoyed your day in the sun watching us, looks a bit chilly in your spot mind 🙈
Hopefully our No 1 spinner will get his first bowl of the season in this match!
Only caught the last hour but it was obviously a superb knock from the skipper, he really is different class when on song. Nice little knock from Josh at the end, a most satisfactory day. This one's coming home.
Good to see Tom A leading from the front. We’ll done to him & also Matt & James.
At least we’have some batting points on the board and are in the game.
Grizzers
At least we’have some batting points on the board and are in the game.
Grizzers
We never get an measured assessment after the two innings from AG unless we bat second and whatever the timing the assessment is at best 'could do better'.
My advice? Ignore it. It's 1 poster's usually biased assessment (or ignore this... your choice in the end)
Well set up Matt Renshaw. Shame Hildreth did the hard work and then pulled the plug on the middle order at just the wrong time. Steve Davies took the bait unfortunately... they knew him too well.
Excellent knock from the skipper when it was needed
A few less than possibly hoped for but immeasurely better than anything remotely recently.
A lot of reasons to look forward to a Day 2 and I haven't posted that many times on a CC thread for quite a while.
My advice? Ignore it. It's 1 poster's usually biased assessment (or ignore this... your choice in the end)
Well set up Matt Renshaw. Shame Hildreth did the hard work and then pulled the plug on the middle order at just the wrong time. Steve Davies took the bait unfortunately... they knew him too well.
Excellent knock from the skipper when it was needed
A few less than possibly hoped for but immeasurely better than anything remotely recently.
A lot of reasons to look forward to a Day 2 and I haven't posted that many times on a CC thread for quite a while.
Nonsense. My assessment has nothing to do with whether we bat first or second. And I’m certainly not “biased.” Just not delusional.
How many times did the ball beat the bat all day? Perhaps 12, if we’re being generous.
That’s an indication of how tough it is to take wkts unless the batsmen make presents of their wickets.
Abell and Hildreth had the chance to take us through to the close at 280 or so for 3. In that case, the assessment would have been very good day but still need to back it up tomorrow in order to be sure of getting to a par score.
But Hildreth, with his trademark lack of ruthlessness, threw it away in lamentable fashion and opened an end for the new ball, promptly costing us two more wickets.
Josh did play well at the end. And we did show the requisite discipline in the first half of the day.
But 400 looks an awfully long way off and I can’t see us getting Surrey out on this pitch for less than that unless we bowl absolutely out of our skins.
How many times did the ball beat the bat all day? Perhaps 12, if we’re being generous.
That’s an indication of how tough it is to take wkts unless the batsmen make presents of their wickets.
Abell and Hildreth had the chance to take us through to the close at 280 or so for 3. In that case, the assessment would have been very good day but still need to back it up tomorrow in order to be sure of getting to a par score.
But Hildreth, with his trademark lack of ruthlessness, threw it away in lamentable fashion and opened an end for the new ball, promptly costing us two more wickets.
Josh did play well at the end. And we did show the requisite discipline in the first half of the day.
But 400 looks an awfully long way off and I can’t see us getting Surrey out on this pitch for less than that unless we bowl absolutely out of our skins.
Was sat in the sun all day, WSM, and at near pitch level for most of the day, so not remotely chilly. Unless you sat inside then I can’t imagine you found anywhere notably warmer to sit.
Did we really intend to go in with Cove at 7 and Davey at 8, rather than RvdM at 7 and those two one lower down, and with four seamers plus Abell, at the Oval?!
Well played Tom; I'm disappointed Tom and Tom didn't get more on this track.
Well played Tom; I'm disappointed Tom and Tom didn't get more on this track.
Well the story is that Tom Abell gave them the wrong team sheet to start with. The “Wrong,” team sheet had VDM on it.
Was there a last minute change of heart?
Did we lose the courage of our convictions when we saw that Surrey were picking zero frontline spinners?
Jack Brooks will not prove a sensible pick on this track. Let’s be honest, Jack is now well past his best but even when he was really good (which was before he joined Somerset), he was never a patient bowler. And this deck is all about patience. You have to bowl a defensive length (one Brooks is habitually loath to bowl) and hope for a mistake. Brooks is the kind of bowler who might bowl two on a defensive length, but then will get bored and will go searching for a wicket with a fuller length.
To be honest, if they didn’t want VDM, I’d have picked Green as BG showed, last year, that he can bowl dry on this road.
Was there a last minute change of heart?
Did we lose the courage of our convictions when we saw that Surrey were picking zero frontline spinners?
Jack Brooks will not prove a sensible pick on this track. Let’s be honest, Jack is now well past his best but even when he was really good (which was before he joined Somerset), he was never a patient bowler. And this deck is all about patience. You have to bowl a defensive length (one Brooks is habitually loath to bowl) and hope for a mistake. Brooks is the kind of bowler who might bowl two on a defensive length, but then will get bored and will go searching for a wicket with a fuller length.
To be honest, if they didn’t want VDM, I’d have picked Green as BG showed, last year, that he can bowl dry on this road.
Has Brooks bowled a single ball in this game yet?
It probably would have been between Green and him. They were going to try Brooks at some time and early seems the better bet if they are going to do it. We'll see what a fully fit Brooks can do tomorrow. It will be suprising or it won't be.
More analysis tomorrow I am sure but it will be actual performance rather than from the AG "Book of what bowlers will alwats do without fail".
You'll be able to compare the two if that's what floats yer particular boat.
Meanwhile they've got to get rid of that 'poor choice' at number 7 before Brooks, Siddle and Jack to come.
With Tom over the ton it might be quick or it might be awkward.
Hope it's awkward
It probably would have been between Green and him. They were going to try Brooks at some time and early seems the better bet if they are going to do it. We'll see what a fully fit Brooks can do tomorrow. It will be suprising or it won't be.
More analysis tomorrow I am sure but it will be actual performance rather than from the AG "Book of what bowlers will alwats do without fail".
You'll be able to compare the two if that's what floats yer particular boat.
Meanwhile they've got to get rid of that 'poor choice' at number 7 before Brooks, Siddle and Jack to come.
With Tom over the ton it might be quick or it might be awkward.
Hope it's awkward
Number 7 is out. He was dismissed by Reece Topley, who bowled pretty well all day.
Jordan Clark, speaking after the day’s play confirmed my impression - that the pitch is so slow that it hinders batsman and bowler alike. As he said “it’s slow, so if you hit your line and length, you will be difficult to score off.”
Jordan Clark, speaking after the day’s play confirmed my impression - that the pitch is so slow that it hinders batsman and bowler alike. As he said “it’s slow, so if you hit your line and length, you will be difficult to score off.”
Yep silly me. The 'poor choice' of a number 8 batted quite well also.... supporting the skipper. So hope he can go on against the 'expert' assessment.
Who said Davey was a “poor choice”?
I said he’s not an ideal number 8 and I think quite a few folks would probably agree with that.
“Not ideal,” and “poor,” are not the same thing.
I already said that, in fact, he batted well when he came in yesterday.
I said he’s not an ideal number 8 and I think quite a few folks would probably agree with that.
“Not ideal,” and “poor,” are not the same thing.
I already said that, in fact, he batted well when he came in yesterday.
Oh they are in your world don't do.your over statenent of the woes of Somerset down.
But who knows the world may turn a different way today. It's a new day full of possibilities that may be different to your usual grey tinged predictions.
Day 2 one and all
But who knows the world may turn a different way today. It's a new day full of possibilities that may be different to your usual grey tinged predictions.
Day 2 one and all
No.
Ideal in a role = 10/10
Less than ideal = anything less than ten.
Poor = 3 or less out of ten
On a typical Oval track, Jack Leach is an ideal selection (as he demonstrated last year).
Josh Davey is not an ideal number 8.
Jack Brooks is a poor choice, by management, for any game on anything resembling an archetypal Oval track.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2022:04:22:07:35:31 by AGod.
Ideal in a role = 10/10
Less than ideal = anything less than ten.
Poor = 3 or less out of ten
On a typical Oval track, Jack Leach is an ideal selection (as he demonstrated last year).
Josh Davey is not an ideal number 8.
Jack Brooks is a poor choice, by management, for any game on anything resembling an archetypal Oval track.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2022:04:22:07:35:31 by AGod.
Surrey obviously start early.
Off on hols today (booked before the fixtures came out) and said hols entail a trip to Waterloo. Saw Jordan Clark (whom I would never have recognised had he not given the close of play interview) on the same train - on his way to Oval at 7.15am.
Anyway, let’s hope that Tom and the lower order show the necessary resolve to get us up to at least 350.. and then that Surrey’s team selection (no proper spinner) is proven comprehensively wrong as the track starts to turn for Leachy.
Off on hols today (booked before the fixtures came out) and said hols entail a trip to Waterloo. Saw Jordan Clark (whom I would never have recognised had he not given the close of play interview) on the same train - on his way to Oval at 7.15am.
Anyway, let’s hope that Tom and the lower order show the necessary resolve to get us up to at least 350.. and then that Surrey’s team selection (no proper spinner) is proven comprehensively wrong as the track starts to turn for Leachy.
I always rather like the victims of Jordan Clark's hat-trick against Yorkshire: Joe Root, Kane Williamson and Johnny Bairstow.
If anyone can name 3 more distinguished victims of a hat-trick I shall be seriously impressed.
If anyone can name 3 more distinguished victims of a hat-trick I shall be seriously impressed.
I think he wins, chiefly on account of the quality of his first two victims.
There have been a couple of other good hat-tricks:
Pigeon: Sherwin Campbell, Brian Charles Lara and Jimmy Adams
D Cork: Richie Richardson, Carl Hooper and… er.. Junior Murray
In white ball cricket?
Take a bow, Aaqib Javed : M Azharuddin, S R Tendulkar and R J Shastri.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2022:04:22:08:10:47 by AGod.
There have been a couple of other good hat-tricks:
Pigeon: Sherwin Campbell, Brian Charles Lara and Jimmy Adams
D Cork: Richie Richardson, Carl Hooper and… er.. Junior Murray
In white ball cricket?
Take a bow, Aaqib Javed : M Azharuddin, S R Tendulkar and R J Shastri.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2022:04:22:08:10:47 by AGod.
Well lets hope the lower order continue to provide the support that we have been told endlessly they have over the last 5 years.
No reason for the lack of faith this time surely, they even have a batter to hang on to this time.
No reason for the lack of faith this time surely, they even have a batter to hang on to this time.
Yes, hopefully they will get the job done once again.
I personally fear that, when the match is viewed in the rear view mirror, the Hildreth, Davies and Overton mini-clatter of wickets to three poor shots will look like a pivotal moment. I mean had Tom and James got us through, at 280 for 3, then not getting 400 would be a disappointment from there. Whereas from 283 for six, I’m sure Andy, Jason and Tom would be thrilled with 400. The mini clatter was disappointing because our batting discipline had been *exemplary* to that point.
Still.. there’s always a chance that Surrey will donate some wickets to us - Burns, Amla and Pope committing hari-kari would be nice!
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2022:04:22:08:36:57 by AGod.
I personally fear that, when the match is viewed in the rear view mirror, the Hildreth, Davies and Overton mini-clatter of wickets to three poor shots will look like a pivotal moment. I mean had Tom and James got us through, at 280 for 3, then not getting 400 would be a disappointment from there. Whereas from 283 for six, I’m sure Andy, Jason and Tom would be thrilled with 400. The mini clatter was disappointing because our batting discipline had been *exemplary* to that point.
Still.. there’s always a chance that Surrey will donate some wickets to us - Burns, Amla and Pope committing hari-kari would be nice!
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2022:04:22:08:36:57 by AGod.
Hildreth dismissal was not a rash stroke, it was a juicy half volley that deserved the treatment that Hildy mis-timed. Overton played the right shot but failed to keep it down, only Davies played an unforgivable shot which, I’m afraid, he does far too often. Banton judging by still shot camera work was nowhere near edging his dismissal.
In fact, Davies batted very responsibly when promoted to open and, hence, I’d like to see that repeated.
Hildreth failed to get over his shot or get any power into it - hence Hash had to dive forward for the catch. I put it down to a lack of focus against a part-time spinner who did not seem to be turning the ball even one iota.
Craig got nowhere near getting on top of his shot. Getting on top of a ball of that length from a 6’7 bowler is not an easy thing to do. Perhaps a shorter man (than Craig) might have hit it up and over the fielder? But since the ball posed no threat to either Craig’s wicket or person, simply letting the ball go would have been prudent after a couple of quick wickets.
Hildreth failed to get over his shot or get any power into it - hence Hash had to dive forward for the catch. I put it down to a lack of focus against a part-time spinner who did not seem to be turning the ball even one iota.
Craig got nowhere near getting on top of his shot. Getting on top of a ball of that length from a 6’7 bowler is not an easy thing to do. Perhaps a shorter man (than Craig) might have hit it up and over the fielder? But since the ball posed no threat to either Craig’s wicket or person, simply letting the ball go would have been prudent after a couple of quick wickets.
There were a number of looks at the Banton one which suggested pretty strongly that he was nowhere near it. Let's hope he makes em pay next time.
I sometimes wonder if batsmen contribute to their own fate when they respond to an appeal by immediately walking to square leg (as Banton did) when square leg happens to also be the direction of the pavilion (as it was yesterday). The ump might have thought that TB was giving himself up .. it was a delayed decision - no quick trigger. TB walked hurriedly to square leg, then abruptly turned and came back and only then did the finger go up. I suspect that the umpire thought Tom was walking and then had opportunistically noted that the finger hadn’t gone up and so was trying to “re-instate himself.”
Had Tom simply stood still.. or, perhaps, walked towards point instead, then I wonder whether the finger would ever have gone up.
Had Tom simply stood still.. or, perhaps, walked towards point instead, then I wonder whether the finger would ever have gone up.
Irrespective how Davies performed when opening, that was a terrible shot to get out with and hard to argue against it I suggest.
The Surrey based commentators predicted the bowler's plans for Steve BEFORE he started his innings.
If they could predict what was going to happen you might have expected an experienced batsman to be ready for it as he knows them as well as they know him. Made it particularly disappointing that it worked so easily and quickly.
If they could predict what was going to happen you might have expected an experienced batsman to be ready for it as he knows them as well as they know him. Made it particularly disappointing that it worked so easily and quickly.
My point, Whome, re: Steve was not to deny the annoying nature of the dismissal but rather to suggest that, when Steve opened:
A) He seemed better for it as he cut back on that “irresponsible,” side of his game
And
The team was better for it as it addressed a key team weakness.
That’s what I call a win-win situation and hence why I think it would be better to re-instate it.
A) He seemed better for it as he cut back on that “irresponsible,” side of his game
And
The team was better for it as it addressed a key team weakness.
That’s what I call a win-win situation and hence why I think it would be better to re-instate it.
There was plenty of vintage James Hildreth yesterday, as well as some poor shot selection. The commentary team raised the question whether he would extend his contract beyond this season. Comparison was made with the last few years of Marcus Trescothick.
It was interesting to learn his proficiency in so many other sports: hockey, tennis, squash, football and rugby
It was interesting to learn his proficiency in so many other sports: hockey, tennis, squash, football and rugby
A wicketkeeper should not open the innings especially when getting on in years, never out of the game when batting second.
Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 2022:04:22:10:25:09 by Whome.
Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 2022:04:22:10:25:09 by Whome.
We have other individuals who could, potentially, keep wicket, if necessary.
(Although Steve did both jobs before and, if I recall correctly, specifically volunteered to do the role).
(Although Steve did both jobs before and, if I recall correctly, specifically volunteered to do the role).
Not sure James has cricketing plans past the end of this contract ie end of this season.
No reason why there can’t be a flexible approach to a keeper opening the batting. I agree, if he has just spent extensive time in the field going straight out to open is not sensible and someone else should do it but if you are batting first surely it’s entirely possible, even desirable for a keeper to open up. Just needs a bit of imagination and pre planning.
Jack in at number 9... 🤪
Take your point Railboy it's our first innings where the problems lie. Is it necessary for the same opener to start the second if the fielding is decidedly hard?
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2022:04:22:11:17:18 by Grockle.
Take your point Railboy it's our first innings where the problems lie. Is it necessary for the same opener to start the second if the fielding is decidedly hard?
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2022:04:22:11:17:18 by Grockle.
Leachy hás, in the past, batted for a long time on this type of track. Two innings at Old Trafford spring to mind. I think Leachy made fifties on both occasions.
Does this batting improvement tell us something about the Taunton pitch in the last match.
There has been talk about the heavy roller not being used enough in preparing the pitch.
There has been talk about the heavy roller not being used enough in preparing the pitch.
Well, we got 3 points, which is a start.
I suspect we’re a good 50-75 short of par BUT if we bowl at our best then that might not prove a serious problem.
Have a quick dart with Craig, Peter and Josh and, if that doesn’t work then sit in and conduct a war of attrition led by Matthew Jack Leach.
I suspect we’re a good 50-75 short of par BUT if we bowl at our best then that might not prove a serious problem.
Have a quick dart with Craig, Peter and Josh and, if that doesn’t work then sit in and conduct a war of attrition led by Matthew Jack Leach.
Goodbye Hashim as Brooksy goes off on a victory run. Excellent lines from Somerset.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2022:04:22:14:47:12 by Grockle.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2022:04:22:14:47:12 by Grockle.
Now if this was yesterday we'd be on post n about how we weren't going to get enough and would be lucky to get bonus points and this one was already lost.
300 was criticised as below par... blah blah blah.
Surrey at 54 for 3. Any speculation on their possible score? Any comments on the good seam bowling/fielding. Any suggestion that Surrey may be undercooking their response?
It's a bit sparse... so a suggestion of a slightly negative Somerset bias may have some legs. Bet it'll all be...'we can't say anything until both sides have batted etc.'
Surrey may get back on track but Somerset in the driving seat at this moment in time.
Foakes has just been dropped! That would have been even more interesting.
On the flip side there are less posts to deal with when we're doing better. 😀🤗👍
300 was criticised as below par... blah blah blah.
Surrey at 54 for 3. Any speculation on their possible score? Any comments on the good seam bowling/fielding. Any suggestion that Surrey may be undercooking their response?
It's a bit sparse... so a suggestion of a slightly negative Somerset bias may have some legs. Bet it'll all be...'we can't say anything until both sides have batted etc.'
Surrey may get back on track but Somerset in the driving seat at this moment in time.
Foakes has just been dropped! That would have been even more interesting.
On the flip side there are less posts to deal with when we're doing better. 😀🤗👍
Maybe the afore referenced poster is out of WiFi range on his holiday travels.
Maybe they are taking an extended dip in healing waters at weymouth.
Maybe they are taking an extended dip in healing waters at weymouth.
Well we'll wait for a 'plethora of praise' later today then. Not sure breath holding will be involved.
Jack Brooks giving away some though did get Amla
Jack Leach looking interesting
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2022:04:22:16:46:23 by Grockle.
Jack Brooks giving away some though did get Amla
Jack Leach looking interesting
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2022:04:22:16:46:23 by Grockle.
Yes Brooks is heading for the 'i told you so' moment. The Amla wicket is a nice gift, even the best players lose concentration it would seem.
Over to Leach for the last session hopefully.
Over to Leach for the last session hopefully.
Gone off the boil unfortunately. Could do with a couple more before the end.
On hols, Grockle. Saw about 3 overs of the day’s play while waiting for somebody earlier.
Sorry to burst your self-righteous bubble.
Sorry to burst your self-righteous bubble.
It's OK AG... we've still got yours as a spare!🤪
Having said that the jury is probably no longer out about Jack Brooks' position in the Championship bowling pecking order. He has been the pressure valve Surrey has needed today.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2022:04:22:18:26:13 by Grockle.
Having said that the jury is probably no longer out about Jack Brooks' position in the Championship bowling pecking order. He has been the pressure valve Surrey has needed today.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2022:04:22:18:26:13 by Grockle.
Just saw the final 5 overs.
Rather surprised to see the weather looked somewhat inclement. Very pleasant sunshine here on the IOW.
It doesn’t seem to have altered batting conditions, there, very much, though, from the 5 overs that I just saw.
So 200 odd for 5?
About 13 or so overs to the new ball?
Well if we can get one end open before the new ball, like they did, and then a couple of quick wickets with it, then maybe we might emerge with a lead of 40 or 50 or so?
If neither part of the above equation comes to pass, then there is probably unlikely to be any lead.
At least Brooks got a wicket, which is one more than I was expecting and one more than he usually gets on this ground (having also had some unproductive visits with Yorks) but 5.15 runs per over?
The side that wins this game will be the one that maintains the best discipline / makes the fewest mistakes, not the one that does something brilliant for this pitch is made neither for lethal deliveries, nor for scintillating strokeplay… that being the case, I’d suggest that Tom Abell should think very carefully before throwing Brooks the ball again in this one. Or put a defensive field in if we must bowl him because we cannot afford to leak five an over from one end!
I’d far, far rather see Leachy.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2022:04:22:18:31:35 by AGod.
Rather surprised to see the weather looked somewhat inclement. Very pleasant sunshine here on the IOW.
It doesn’t seem to have altered batting conditions, there, very much, though, from the 5 overs that I just saw.
So 200 odd for 5?
About 13 or so overs to the new ball?
Well if we can get one end open before the new ball, like they did, and then a couple of quick wickets with it, then maybe we might emerge with a lead of 40 or 50 or so?
If neither part of the above equation comes to pass, then there is probably unlikely to be any lead.
At least Brooks got a wicket, which is one more than I was expecting and one more than he usually gets on this ground (having also had some unproductive visits with Yorks) but 5.15 runs per over?
The side that wins this game will be the one that maintains the best discipline / makes the fewest mistakes, not the one that does something brilliant for this pitch is made neither for lethal deliveries, nor for scintillating strokeplay… that being the case, I’d suggest that Tom Abell should think very carefully before throwing Brooks the ball again in this one. Or put a defensive field in if we must bowl him because we cannot afford to leak five an over from one end!
I’d far, far rather see Leachy.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2022:04:22:18:31:35 by AGod.
You’ve got to say fair play to Abell the batsman, though - by far the highest score of the match, to date.
Anthony is probably right that we will still feel better about the position but that only remains if we can get into them tomorrow morning and go into the second half with a lead on first innings
Otherwise it back to the start. So a good pre lunch on Day 3 is what we need because they probably got 30 to 40 more than they ought to have.
Otherwise it back to the start. So a good pre lunch on Day 3 is what we need because they probably got 30 to 40 more than they ought to have.
I see Gloucs are parachuting in Mohammad Amir, who I was sure had “retired from first-class cricket,” to… er..play first class cricket against us in the CC.
Quote:Nailsea_Fizz
Yes Brooks is heading for the 'i told you so' moment. The Amla wicket is a nice gift, even the best players lose concentration it would seem.
Over to Leach for the last session hopefully.
Brooks horsed . A poor signing and for this game too . But you guys know better 😂
Not sure who 'you guys' are.
Somerset tried him (they were going to do that) and they now know what they needed to know. What that means for Brooks this season is not just down to 1 red ball performance. I have no idea what the details of his signing were so can't make the certain assessment you have. Though the extra year seemed a bit ambitious at the time and didn't make others particularly happy
No one here as far as I can see is defending a poor bowling spell today so no real idea what your point is.
You seem to know 'best' about most of our bowlers. Sometimes people are right and sometimes people are wrong but everyone is certain in hindsight.
Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 2022:04:22:21:43:09 by Grockle.
Somerset tried him (they were going to do that) and they now know what they needed to know. What that means for Brooks this season is not just down to 1 red ball performance. I have no idea what the details of his signing were so can't make the certain assessment you have. Though the extra year seemed a bit ambitious at the time and didn't make others particularly happy
No one here as far as I can see is defending a poor bowling spell today so no real idea what your point is.
You seem to know 'best' about most of our bowlers. Sometimes people are right and sometimes people are wrong but everyone is certain in hindsight.
Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 2022:04:22:21:43:09 by Grockle.
You said, earlier, Grockle that it would “make sense to try Brooks earlier than later.”
The reality is surely that it would have made much more sense to have tried him in conditions that might be conducive to success for him.
The Oval has never been that place for him. It wasn’t when he was at the peak of his powers and winning CCs with Yorks* so quite why anyone in the SCCC management thought it might suddenly suit him now, heaven only knows.
* For example, 2013: Surrey 700 and Brooks zero wkts
The reality is surely that it would have made much more sense to have tried him in conditions that might be conducive to success for him.
The Oval has never been that place for him. It wasn’t when he was at the peak of his powers and winning CCs with Yorks* so quite why anyone in the SCCC management thought it might suddenly suit him now, heaven only knows.
* For example, 2013: Surrey 700 and Brooks zero wkts
I don't think they know what those conditions are to be honest and with the front guys on fire after Essex they may have thought the bad scenario was going to be covered here.
This is probably what most expected but there were only some 'fully fit' performances to go on so I simply expected them to see what he had early.
It's not enough for a red ball game on today's run and there was little indication he's going to worry Championship batsmen over a long game. Personally I'm not sure all he has is there yet but still don't think it's enough for CC. Was willing to see though.
I'm not sure Kasey or Ben have offered much more as of yet but Ben suggests more. They don't seem keen to mix the 4th seam with Abell & Lammonby (probably a good thing) and obviously Gregory would be the go to. Not sure where Ned has gone or why
It probably does mean MdL will get a run out soon too.
This is probably what most expected but there were only some 'fully fit' performances to go on so I simply expected them to see what he had early.
It's not enough for a red ball game on today's run and there was little indication he's going to worry Championship batsmen over a long game. Personally I'm not sure all he has is there yet but still don't think it's enough for CC. Was willing to see though.
I'm not sure Kasey or Ben have offered much more as of yet but Ben suggests more. They don't seem keen to mix the 4th seam with Abell & Lammonby (probably a good thing) and obviously Gregory would be the go to. Not sure where Ned has gone or why
It probably does mean MdL will get a run out soon too.
Well.. only if they deem Peter to be in need of a rest, in the case of MDL as I highly doubt they’d leave out Renshaw so that they can play both overseas bowlers. However, if both Overton and Leach are called away to England, then I suppose that then becomes a possibility.
Yep... not sure if they have considered resting Siddle from CC games - that may also have been a reason for running Brooks early. I assumed MdL was a white ball option with Renshaw not taking part in Blast.
Can't see us leaving Renshaw out for MdL in any but a major injury scenario.
Would Ben Green have been a better option? Would Ben be happy with a bowling responsibility and a number 7 batting berth? May be what he has to look at for a first team 4 day place
The combinations are interesting but until the front end stabalises it's all up in the air really.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2022:04:22:22:02:28 by Grockle.
Can't see us leaving Renshaw out for MdL in any but a major injury scenario.
Would Ben Green have been a better option? Would Ben be happy with a bowling responsibility and a number 7 batting berth? May be what he has to look at for a first team 4 day place
The combinations are interesting but until the front end stabalises it's all up in the air really.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2022:04:22:22:02:28 by Grockle.
Answered above in my case Scrumper. We only have 2 for T20 and unless Siddle has to be rested then no MdL for 4 day. Even then i'm personally not sure Marchant would be my first choice
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2022:04:22:22:06:17 by Grockle.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2022:04:22:22:06:17 by Grockle.
I wouldn't play Siddle in the T20, stick with glamour boys like MdL Sale and Waller.
Tom A. certainly has welcome runs in his wallet after that innings.
Not sure how to read the game right now. About even I would guess.
Hoping we can get a first innings lead and then build on it.
Grizzers
Not sure how to read the game right now. About even I would guess.
Hoping we can get a first innings lead and then build on it.
Grizzers
As I stated before the game started, Grockle, Ben Green would very likely have been a better choice, yes.
Item A as evidence is last year’s game at the same venue:
[www.espncricinfo.com]
In the first innings?
Jack Brooks: 14 overs for 59 runs. Shock, horror, track didn’t suit him last year. Brooks by far our most expensive bowler - Brooks 4.2.. next worst? MDL 2.2
Ben Green: 12 overs for 19 runs. I saw Ben bowl in the game. He bowled accurately and was bowling cutters.
In the second innings:
Ben Green: 7 overs for 7
Jack Brooks: James Hildreth thought better of it.
Item A as evidence is last year’s game at the same venue:
[www.espncricinfo.com]
In the first innings?
Jack Brooks: 14 overs for 59 runs. Shock, horror, track didn’t suit him last year. Brooks by far our most expensive bowler - Brooks 4.2.. next worst? MDL 2.2
Ben Green: 12 overs for 19 runs. I saw Ben bowl in the game. He bowled accurately and was bowling cutters.
In the second innings:
Ben Green: 7 overs for 7
Jack Brooks: James Hildreth thought better of it.
Clearly, we may have got some runs out of Greener, too. We got 46 of them in last year’s fixture, for example.
The other option here was VDM and it seems somebody wrote his name onto our official team sheet and gave it to Rory Burns, only for that to be superseded by one with Brooks’s name some 5-10 mins later.
Given that Leachy has bowled only 7 overs, it seems that VDM wouldn’t have been used much in this first innings. Then again, his fielding is always an asset and he, too, might have been more likely to score runs than JV. Bowling usage wise, there is a second innings to come, of course.
The other option here was VDM and it seems somebody wrote his name onto our official team sheet and gave it to Rory Burns, only for that to be superseded by one with Brooks’s name some 5-10 mins later.
Given that Leachy has bowled only 7 overs, it seems that VDM wouldn’t have been used much in this first innings. Then again, his fielding is always an asset and he, too, might have been more likely to score runs than JV. Bowling usage wise, there is a second innings to come, of course.
Where is Lewis Goldsworthy in the reckoning, good last season, he would have suited for this pitch?
As for this match?
With only 15 wickets down in two days and no obvious prospect of the pitch deteriorating, then the draw has to be considered a warm favourite.
Somerset’s only plausible path to possible victory would be likely to involve wiping out the rest of the Surrey order within 70 or so mins of the start today, taking a lead of 65 or so in the process.
We’d then need to bat for 2.5 sessions, extending the lead to 270 or so (but being bowled out, as we would not declare) and then we’d need to bowl Surrey out for less than that 270 on the final day.
For Surrey?
They would seem to have two possible avenues to victory:
A) Achieve approximate parity on first innings but do it quickly (in 1.5 sessions) and then limit Somerset to a poor second innings total of less than 200 in 2.5 sessions, leaving them 2 sessions to try and get 180 or so.
Make these last five wickets last for two sessions today, achieving a lead of 75 or so in the process and then bowl us out for no more than 200 in 2.5 sessions, leaving them about 125 to get in 1.5 sessions.
With only 15 wickets down in two days and no obvious prospect of the pitch deteriorating, then the draw has to be considered a warm favourite.
Somerset’s only plausible path to possible victory would be likely to involve wiping out the rest of the Surrey order within 70 or so mins of the start today, taking a lead of 65 or so in the process.
We’d then need to bat for 2.5 sessions, extending the lead to 270 or so (but being bowled out, as we would not declare) and then we’d need to bowl Surrey out for less than that 270 on the final day.
For Surrey?
They would seem to have two possible avenues to victory:
A) Achieve approximate parity on first innings but do it quickly (in 1.5 sessions) and then limit Somerset to a poor second innings total of less than 200 in 2.5 sessions, leaving them 2 sessions to try and get 180 or so.
Make these last five wickets last for two sessions today, achieving a lead of 75 or so in the process and then bowl us out for no more than 200 in 2.5 sessions, leaving them about 125 to get in 1.5 sessions.
Lewis Goldsworthy was our choice of Young Player of the Year. He tended to perform with the bat nearly every time he was asked to in 2021.
Is he a bowler or a batsman who turns his arm? I'm sure there is a place in our final side for him but he may have to wait for the others to settle for a consistent one. He doesn't seem to be our more 'batty' Dom Bess though... second spinner aka Arul Suppiah 2
Is he a bowler or a batsman who turns his arm? I'm sure there is a place in our final side for him but he may have to wait for the others to settle for a consistent one. He doesn't seem to be our more 'batty' Dom Bess though... second spinner aka Arul Suppiah 2
I thought the draw was a warm favourite before the start of play and it’s moving into hot favourite territory now.
Superb bowling from Siddle, a fiery spell on what seems to be a pretty benign track. Rattle up a sharpish 300 and we're in business.
Trivia question: who has taken most wickets in Div 1? Bonus: third most wicket taker?
A first innings lead is a pleasant change. Do we get points for that. - 
Surrey appear to have found a replacement for Waqar Younis.
Jamie O will never bowl a better ball in his life than the one that castled Renshaw.
Jamie O will never bowl a better ball in his life than the one that castled Renshaw.
Mind you, that bumper first up to Tom Banton was pretty tasty too.
Four runs!
Four runs!
Bizarre that Jamie Overton took himself off, just as he seemed about to have Tom Banton for breakfast?
Some disconcerting bounce from both Jamie and Reece Topley. A pity, then, perhaps that we have only the one tall bowler playing?
If Lachlan Stevens saw that Jamie to Banton sequence then I suspect a request may be going out to MDL for him to do a good deal of net bowling at Banton.
It seems that Surrey have their share of bowler injury issues - reportedly down two seamers and, of course, with nothing more than a part-timer by way of a spinner.
That being the case, it seems that - thank God - we will stop the rot here by avoiding defeat.
We have scored more quickly than I anticipated in this second innings so, perhaps, an outside chance of victory is back in the equation, albeit it would need us to continue in the same vein for, perhaps, another 90 minutes and then collapse, since Tom will *not* be declaring anytime soon.
Some disconcerting bounce from both Jamie and Reece Topley. A pity, then, perhaps that we have only the one tall bowler playing?
If Lachlan Stevens saw that Jamie to Banton sequence then I suspect a request may be going out to MDL for him to do a good deal of net bowling at Banton.
It seems that Surrey have their share of bowler injury issues - reportedly down two seamers and, of course, with nothing more than a part-timer by way of a spinner.
That being the case, it seems that - thank God - we will stop the rot here by avoiding defeat.
We have scored more quickly than I anticipated in this second innings so, perhaps, an outside chance of victory is back in the equation, albeit it would need us to continue in the same vein for, perhaps, another 90 minutes and then collapse, since Tom will *not* be declaring anytime soon.
As I just said, it seems that we won’t lose for the first time since the last time we played at the Oval.
I saw only the ten overs before tea today.
It would appear that Peter Siddle’s performance was absolutely exemplary, across the innings. Certainly he was superb in the first two matches too.
When was the last time that somebody became so important to the club within such a short space of time after their debut?
I saw only the ten overs before tea today.
It would appear that Peter Siddle’s performance was absolutely exemplary, across the innings. Certainly he was superb in the first two matches too.
When was the last time that somebody became so important to the club within such a short space of time after their debut?
Well done, Tom Banton. Good comeback from a torrid start.
Please get another 50 now!
Please get another 50 now!
Pathetic from Davies. Horrendous and deeply irresponsible and, I’m afraid, I spoke too soon and defeat may be back on, now.
Not really enjoyed this post tea session, some very poor batting, some quite tidy bowling.
Well I suppose there’s a small chance that Craig and Peter may yet save us (with the ball), but we can forget the draw now.
If the probable defeat happens?
When the post-mortem is conducted?
Forget Jack Brooks.
He is what he is. Not suited to this deck or this type of match but he did his best and the blame for his situation belongs full square with management.
But Steve Davies?
Still oodles of natural talent.
BUT in this particular match? A mind-numbing inability to apply any cricketing or situational intelligence whatsoever. He showed the cricketing intelligence of an 8-year-old.
First innings? You’ve just lost Hildreth and it’s the second new ball.., show some responsibility!
Second innings? You’ve lost Abell and Hildreth in fairly short succession … what oh what should your approach be!? Not rocket science!
If the probable defeat happens?
When the post-mortem is conducted?
Forget Jack Brooks.
He is what he is. Not suited to this deck or this type of match but he did his best and the blame for his situation belongs full square with management.
But Steve Davies?
Still oodles of natural talent.
BUT in this particular match? A mind-numbing inability to apply any cricketing or situational intelligence whatsoever. He showed the cricketing intelligence of an 8-year-old.
First innings? You’ve just lost Hildreth and it’s the second new ball.., show some responsibility!
Second innings? You’ve lost Abell and Hildreth in fairly short succession … what oh what should your approach be!? Not rocket science!
We all have bad games, Davies is a class act, it just hasn't been his match.
Enjoying watching the live stream, including Peter Trego’s witty observations in the commentary box, all coming through very clearly to western Canada.
It’s the first chance I’ve had to watch for any length of time this season. A shame it co-incided with a bad session after what must have been a tremendous effort from Peter Siddle and again from Tom Abell, whose batting demons have been laid to rest, hopefully for a long time to come.
That was a nasty collision between Jamie & Ben Foakes. Hopefully no lasting damage.
Steven D. and James are such elegant and talented batsmen, just incomprehensible that they would get out in that manner. Guess the same used to be said regularly about a certain David Gower.
Still, we remain very much in this game. Let’s hope our bowlers sleep well and are up for another battle tomorrow.
Meantime, we can’t complain about lbw decisions of late. There have been half a dozen in the last half hour that could have gone against us !
Grizzers
It’s the first chance I’ve had to watch for any length of time this season. A shame it co-incided with a bad session after what must have been a tremendous effort from Peter Siddle and again from Tom Abell, whose batting demons have been laid to rest, hopefully for a long time to come.
That was a nasty collision between Jamie & Ben Foakes. Hopefully no lasting damage.
Steven D. and James are such elegant and talented batsmen, just incomprehensible that they would get out in that manner. Guess the same used to be said regularly about a certain David Gower.
Still, we remain very much in this game. Let’s hope our bowlers sleep well and are up for another battle tomorrow.
Meantime, we can’t complain about lbw decisions of late. There have been half a dozen in the last half hour that could have gone against us !
Grizzers
The shots Steve was out to here were ones he was lucky to miss on more than one occasion in the Essex match.
The question was how long can we wait for his 'class' to re-appear in a line-up that needs some middle order solidity?
If James and Steve aren't going to hold the middle then who will after they retire? Identify them and possibly get them in early. They demoted Steve last game... didn't do much unfortunately.
Still keeping well though.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2022:04:23:18:31:29 by Grockle.
The question was how long can we wait for his 'class' to re-appear in a line-up that needs some middle order solidity?
If James and Steve aren't going to hold the middle then who will after they retire? Identify them and possibly get them in early. They demoted Steve last game... didn't do much unfortunately.
Still keeping well though.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2022:04:23:18:31:29 by Grockle.
I’m a huge fan of Steven Davies and advocated for him to open, long before it actually happened, but I don’t think he’ll look back on this game as one of his finest with the bat !
Grizzers
Grizzers
Grockle - Peter Trego’s view was that both sides were guilty of passive and meek batting in the Essex game, which contributed to their own downfall. His take was that the pitch was so lively that there was going to be “a ball with your name on it at any moment,” and - therefore - both sides needed to be positive.
I don’t necessarily agree with Peter but it’s an understandable view of the Essex game. To that extent, one could argue that Steve going after the bowling - even wide bowling - vs Essex made some sort of sense.
Nobody sensible would view this Oval deck in the same light, and Peter T certainly didn’t advance that argument in the brief bit I heard this afternoon.
If this match ends the way I now think it will then we should probably double Peter S’s salary, by way of compensation to him. I bet Peter will never before have bowled this well in three straight defeats.
Somerset’s record is now two decent team innings in our past 16 CC innings, both of them
first innings at the Oval.
I don’t necessarily agree with Peter but it’s an understandable view of the Essex game. To that extent, one could argue that Steve going after the bowling - even wide bowling - vs Essex made some sort of sense.
Nobody sensible would view this Oval deck in the same light, and Peter T certainly didn’t advance that argument in the brief bit I heard this afternoon.
If this match ends the way I now think it will then we should probably double Peter S’s salary, by way of compensation to him. I bet Peter will never before have bowled this well in three straight defeats.
Somerset’s record is now two decent team innings in our past 16 CC innings, both of them
first innings at the Oval.
Yes, Grizzly - Davies’s performance here has reminded me of Gower at his very worst. I was thinking the same earlier.
Good aggressive bowling by Surrey and gritty batting from our tail.
Looks well set up for a tremendous finish tomorrow.
Grizzers
Looks well set up for a tremendous finish tomorrow.
Grizzers
It will take a cracking bowling performance to win it from here. Too many wickets, across the two innings, thrown away.
Quote:Nailsea_Fizz
Davies the latest on the naughty chair i see.
What is this nonsense ?
I saw about half the day today on YouTube. Slept about 90 mins including through our collapse because sleeping is what I do on Saturdays since Covid 2. You wonder why some of the earlier batsmen couldn’t apparently show the application that Joss and Jack did.
I thought Jamie Overton looked mighty impressive in what I saw. Certainly looked a better bowler than when I last saw him bowling for us. The commentators were also speaking highly of how well he had settled into the dressing room which I was pleased to hear. I don’t want to see people go elsewhere to fail. It was also interesting to me to see how highly they spoke about Jordan Clark who I was thought was a very good cricketer in his days at Lancashire but sometimes just seemed to get out of bed the wrong side. They must do some things right at Surrey. I’m reminded of when he left Lancashire and that charmless nerk Allott said “ I wish him luck; he’ll need it”.
Great to see Tom Abell batting well again. Even if it hasn’t transmitted itself to the rest of the batting, it has to be good for morale for the captain to be performing.
The level of some of the commentary disappoints me. The female commentator asking was it 2018 or 19 that Jamie Overton left, for instance . I really would expect somebody at a game in a journalistic capacity to have a bit more knowledge and know that last year was his first full season there and he left at Bob Willis time the year before. Watching Lancs last weekend at Kent , they failed to notice new ball had been taken and indeed that a pace bowler had replaced Parkinson.
I thought Jamie Overton looked mighty impressive in what I saw. Certainly looked a better bowler than when I last saw him bowling for us. The commentators were also speaking highly of how well he had settled into the dressing room which I was pleased to hear. I don’t want to see people go elsewhere to fail. It was also interesting to me to see how highly they spoke about Jordan Clark who I was thought was a very good cricketer in his days at Lancashire but sometimes just seemed to get out of bed the wrong side. They must do some things right at Surrey. I’m reminded of when he left Lancashire and that charmless nerk Allott said “ I wish him luck; he’ll need it”.
Great to see Tom Abell batting well again. Even if it hasn’t transmitted itself to the rest of the batting, it has to be good for morale for the captain to be performing.
The level of some of the commentary disappoints me. The female commentator asking was it 2018 or 19 that Jamie Overton left, for instance . I really would expect somebody at a game in a journalistic capacity to have a bit more knowledge and know that last year was his first full season there and he left at Bob Willis time the year before. Watching Lancs last weekend at Kent , they failed to notice new ball had been taken and indeed that a pace bowler had replaced Parkinson.
There can be no excuse for the way Davies has batted in this match, he must make way for Banton in the short term and Rew in the long term.
Jamie Overton?
Well he had a very good spell at Tom B but, with the wicket apparently there for the taking, he suddenly elected to go off. Heaven knows why? It let Banton off the hook and, should Craig and Peter bowl us to victory, it is likely to prove to have been a significant moment, given that Tom B went on to get a 50.
In the first innings, Jamie was no great shakes - too expensive. However, he has done for Renshaw in both innings and I’m sure he’ll be pleased with that.
Well he had a very good spell at Tom B but, with the wicket apparently there for the taking, he suddenly elected to go off. Heaven knows why? It let Banton off the hook and, should Craig and Peter bowl us to victory, it is likely to prove to have been a significant moment, given that Tom B went on to get a 50.
In the first innings, Jamie was no great shakes - too expensive. However, he has done for Renshaw in both innings and I’m sure he’ll be pleased with that.
Lachlan Stevens was trotted out for the post match interview. Ant Gib asked him if he thought he was making progress with our batsmen as batting coach and, after making the very fair point that he’s only been there for three weeks, he basically implied that he’s not going to judge himself based on how many runs our batsmen score “batsmen make their own decisions and it’s my job to help them with their method.”
🤔 hmmmm…
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2022:04:23:21:12:20 by AGod.
🤔 hmmmm…
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2022:04:23:21:12:20 by AGod.
Looks like we’ll be out of luck with the weather tomorrow.
Seemed to swing a bit today under overcast skies?
But forecast to be back to sunshine tomorrow.
Seemed to swing a bit today under overcast skies?
But forecast to be back to sunshine tomorrow.
Lachlan wasn't 'trotted out' He's the batting coach. The Press ask for people to talk to. More often than not they get who they ask for. So the press asked for him.
When he first arrived he made 3 things clear. He was always willing to talk to the press. He had only just arrived and it wasn't going yo be a quick fix and a point I repeated some time this week.
Once the batsman crosses the boundary rope the coach's role is done.
And if you are going to go after the bowling then make sure you are in the form to get it. Steve rode his luck against Essex. Surrey set him up. They knew him too well and he took the bait
The question remains irrespective of the strategy that isn't working. How long can we afford to wait for the 'class' to return?
Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 2022:04:24:00:09:50 by Grockle.
When he first arrived he made 3 things clear. He was always willing to talk to the press. He had only just arrived and it wasn't going yo be a quick fix and a point I repeated some time this week.
Once the batsman crosses the boundary rope the coach's role is done.
And if you are going to go after the bowling then make sure you are in the form to get it. Steve rode his luck against Essex. Surrey set him up. They knew him too well and he took the bait
The question remains irrespective of the strategy that isn't working. How long can we afford to wait for the 'class' to return?
Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 2022:04:24:00:09:50 by Grockle.
Looking at the weather at the Oval more closely, the humidity is very low, that will dry the track out more than usually expected.
Maybe the great man may yet have a significant part to play then? We can but hope.
I think they left the extra grass on to spike Leachy after he destroyed them last year.
I have heard that Surrey’s spinner, Amar Virdi, has become the latest cricketer to be ruined by the execrable Execrable Cricket Board / Team England coaching staff.
I think they left the extra grass on to spike Leachy after he destroyed them last year.
I have heard that Surrey’s spinner, Amar Virdi, has become the latest cricketer to be ruined by the execrable Execrable Cricket Board / Team England coaching staff.
Ré: Lachlan Stevens , Grockle:
I thought Anthony’s question was patently unfair (after only 3 weeks) and barely even intended as a question but more an implied statement I.e “Our batting is still sub-par, isn’t it, what are you going to do about it?” was what he meant with the “Do you think you’re making progress with the batsmen?”’ question.
Mr Stevens has his work cut out for him and I’d say there’s a fair amount of pressure surrounding the role.
Even Peter Trego seems impatient for results;
Ant Gib: “Have you met Lachlan Stevens yet, Peter?
“He seems a very nice guy”
Peter: “That’s nice. But he’s not here to be a nice guy, is he?”
Wonder if the implication, there, is that there may have been too many kid gloves, for too long, with the batsmen?
I thought Anthony’s question was patently unfair (after only 3 weeks) and barely even intended as a question but more an implied statement I.e “Our batting is still sub-par, isn’t it, what are you going to do about it?” was what he meant with the “Do you think you’re making progress with the batsmen?”’ question.
Mr Stevens has his work cut out for him and I’d say there’s a fair amount of pressure surrounding the role.
Even Peter Trego seems impatient for results;
Ant Gib: “Have you met Lachlan Stevens yet, Peter?
“He seems a very nice guy”
Peter: “That’s nice. But he’s not here to be a nice guy, is he?”
Wonder if the implication, there, is that there may have been too many kid gloves, for too long, with the batsmen?
The last comment on commentary was a throwaway quip.with very little deep meaning. Coaches have to do their job. I wouldn't get too deep into Trigger's radio stints.
I can't remember if it was a comment on mike or off during the Essex match that he said he was enjoying the experience and hoped to find a balance between fun and summary. Quite a dryly witty man is Mr T and not always as serious as he sounds.
Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 2022:04:24:12:57:34 by Grockle.
I can't remember if it was a comment on mike or off during the Essex match that he said he was enjoying the experience and hoped to find a balance between fun and summary. Quite a dryly witty man is Mr T and not always as serious as he sounds.
Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 2022:04:24:12:57:34 by Grockle.
Surrey will put the pitch back in its proper perspective.
We probably won’t have many games with both Cove and Leachy available. It was vital to our season to take advantage when they were available. We’re already 0 for 1 on that score and, one imagines, about to become 0 for 2, as we chalk up our seventh successive defeat since management took the inspired decision to not bother trying to beat Surrey on this same ground last season.
Perhaps it’s a curse!? It was a decision sufficieicently poor to have deserved a curse by way of reprisal.
We probably won’t have many games with both Cove and Leachy available. It was vital to our season to take advantage when they were available. We’re already 0 for 1 on that score and, one imagines, about to become 0 for 2, as we chalk up our seventh successive defeat since management took the inspired decision to not bother trying to beat Surrey on this same ground last season.
Perhaps it’s a curse!? It was a decision sufficieicently poor to have deserved a curse by way of reprisal.
Commentator Duncan rambling on about Dame Edna and Midsommer Murders whilst Craig giving Burns a mouthful!
You have to wonder how much the Essex defeat took out of Craig both physically and mentally. Seems like Burns has done a good job in winding him up
He's not been hard to wind up in the past and he does give as good as he gets.
In the same way some struggle with certain Trade Nation commentators, I struggle with some of the Surrey ones but it's presently a free service at the point of sale (I know we pay a licence for the stuff but...) so you gets what you gets and I'm sure others love them.
There's always the mute button of course for 20 odd minutes when it gets too much.
Think this is important as Jack Brooks comes on for the first time in this innings. He MUST stay tight. Bowled much better yesterday.... but maybe still not good enough.
In the same way some struggle with certain Trade Nation commentators, I struggle with some of the Surrey ones but it's presently a free service at the point of sale (I know we pay a licence for the stuff but...) so you gets what you gets and I'm sure others love them.
There's always the mute button of course for 20 odd minutes when it gets too much.
Think this is important as Jack Brooks comes on for the first time in this innings. He MUST stay tight. Bowled much better yesterday.... but maybe still not good enough.
ECB Will withdraw him from the next games then.
Frankly, with our batting line-up we need Waqar, Wasim and Mushtaq to win games, anyway. A couple of England Test bowlers not enough to overcome the world’s most collapsible batting line-up, the latest instalment of which, in the second innings here( losing wkts 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 for only 32 runs) has cost us yet another game of cricket.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2022:04:24:15:04:27 by AGod.
Frankly, with our batting line-up we need Waqar, Wasim and Mushtaq to win games, anyway. A couple of England Test bowlers not enough to overcome the world’s most collapsible batting line-up, the latest instalment of which, in the second innings here( losing wkts 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 for only 32 runs) has cost us yet another game of cricket.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2022:04:24:15:04:27 by AGod.
87.5%.
That’s the collective batting failure rate across the most recent 8 CC games, with only the 2 first innings on this ground here not having been poor scores in the context of those various matches.
That’s the collective batting failure rate across the most recent 8 CC games, with only the 2 first innings on this ground here not having been poor scores in the context of those various matches.
Essex annihilated, putting last week’s result into some perspective, as well.
Essex made it only to Div Two last year and do not seem the force of old.
Essex made it only to Div Two last year and do not seem the force of old.
Do we really need to put the Essex game in context? Our batting was insufficient to say the least and our bowling was very good. Not sure what else we need.
I haven't seen anyone who read last week's game as anything but that. Against a mediocre Essex batting line up our bowlers had a fiield day but unfortunately our batting line up could not stand against their bowling line up to an extent that we came out on top.
So... we are comparable with Essex in the sense that we have a better bowling attack but a less 'impressive' batting line-up
Have you been talking to people who think Somerset were robbed last week or something?
Is anyone suprised that another county gave them the trouncing that county would probably also give us unless our batting turned up?
I haven't seen anyone who read last week's game as anything but that. Against a mediocre Essex batting line up our bowlers had a fiield day but unfortunately our batting line up could not stand against their bowling line up to an extent that we came out on top.
So... we are comparable with Essex in the sense that we have a better bowling attack but a less 'impressive' batting line-up
Have you been talking to people who think Somerset were robbed last week or something?
Is anyone suprised that another county gave them the trouncing that county would probably also give us unless our batting turned up?
Robbed? No
But some may have assumed that Essex were still really good.
That doesn’t really seem to be the case anymore.
But some may have assumed that Essex were still really good.
That doesn’t really seem to be the case anymore.
As for Somerset?
Our only hope of not being relegated would appear to lie with getting up off the mat to beat Northants (twice), Gloucestershire (twice) and Kent (twice). They’d have been the pre-season relegation favourites. There’s nothing, presently, to suggest we should be favoured to beat them but they are the three weakest other sides in this league.
Our only hope of not being relegated would appear to lie with getting up off the mat to beat Northants (twice), Gloucestershire (twice) and Kent (twice). They’d have been the pre-season relegation favourites. There’s nothing, presently, to suggest we should be favoured to beat them but they are the three weakest other sides in this league.
Quote:We only play them once, and in the autumnAGod
Northants (twice) and Kent (twice).
Quote:Grizzers
Feeling a little sorry for Tom A. after that game.
Grizzers
I feel more sorry for Peter Matthew Siddle.
At age 37 or 38 or whatever it is, as had to put in an awful lot of hard yakka already. Couldn’t really have bowled any better across the season so far. Hasn’t had much luck. May be wondering just what exactly he has got himself into with this Somerset contract..
Quote:AGod
Robbed? No
But some may have assumed that Essex were still really good.
That doesn’t really seem to be the case anymore.
Really? Chasing 80 odd and making it for the loss of 9 wickets... not sure many think much of that.
We've been a much bigger part of this game.
The task from our experience in Week 3 is to compete for the whole of 4 days
We lost this in the middle of our second innings and let them off the hook in the middle of theirs.
More competition than in Week 2 though so slowly moving in the right direction. Still loads to do in a short time frame however but there are seeds/sproutings to work on along with experiments that didn't and some difficult decisions to take.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2022:04:24:17:31:02 by Grockle.
Doesn’t sound like we will see Gregory much this year then . Fitness test tomorrow which if he doesn’t pass he’s out for a lengthy period . Doesn’t sound even close What’s the attack for Warks then ? Siddle, brooks , Leonard Aldridge and leach . Also some tail for a already weak batting line up !! 8 defeats in a row then 😉👍🎣
Quote:Nailsea_Fizz
Final session on day 4, a bit of progress.
Just a defeat not an absolute tonking .
Quote:Whome
Hantssabre, it will be us and one other for the drop.
It's going to be a long season for some then while the rest of us enjoy some cricket whatever format it is.
Quote:Angell
Decent performance from Brooks!!!!
Not sure Angell. Was it good or did it become solid and lucky after a loose first spell?
It's an assessment they will need to make before next Thursday because they may be a bowler short. But he isn't the only option.
Despite the hard work he may not be a good choice for our 4 day team but other things may make a decision for the selectors though they may need to look at the other options.
Quote:Goonie goo gooQuote:Nailsea_Fizz
Final session on day 4, a bit of progress.
Just a defeat not an absolute tonking .
Unless Hants are involved, this is what happens at the Oval. It’s slow-paced and attritional cricket and games go the distance, the majority of them ending in draws.
Isn't a fitness test designed to see if the player can play that game? What info suggests Gregory is in danger of being out for a prolonged period? Has that come out today?
There were suggestions after Lewis' injury at the end of last season and into the winter that it might make him a bowling doubt. These were 'poo poo'd' by the some as there would be no problem. Not sure what the issue is but at the start of this game it was portrayed by the radio as a 'narrowly missing the game' kind of thing - has there been some more information?
Craig stiffened up this afternoon but came back and bowled, a little loosely towards the end. Hope he is OK after a breather - again the certainty with which it is predicted that he will be immediately withdrawn from the Warwickshhire game is based on what?
The doubts about Siddle as a choice seem to be unfounded but he is being used a lot so the question seems to be more definite that if possible we will use him in the CC games and then not as much in the T20 - MdL may have a role yet!!
What about Green? Aldridge & Leonard however? Do they still have a role in the 4 dayers?
Green has shown the most reason to be considered though Leonard was sent to the seconds after the first one - not sure why. Aldridge has been mentioned but hasn't really been prominent and may not be for this format. The question then is which format if any?
Batting wise - Renshaw looks like he'll open now, assuming Abell's form has turned a corner and he can be trusted as the 3.
Banton applied himself and was unlucky in the first innings so he may stay at 4 - where James Hildreth then?
(Again Anthony suggested - not for the first time this season - that if he doesn't get runs he may consider retirement - what level is his commitment to the season at then? He has been dealing with this for 20 years to be ffair to the man)
Maybe they ought to put Green in with Renshaw as Steve Davies really does need some form before they even think of consideriing him as the other first bat. Is the test of Lammonby as an opener over yet?
Move him to 5 if Davies still plays? If Davies doesn't who keeps? Goldsworthy made some runs with the seconds so he is a consideration and what is the plan for George Bartlett if he can't get in this side when it struggles?
The side IS making progress but as things move the number of questions doesn't dimiinsh because it isn't making enough progress. We have 11 games to stop the predicted inevitable relegation and we need to be moving in the right direction before the middle of June!!
No pressure guys
Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 2022:04:24:18:55:40 by Grockle.
There were suggestions after Lewis' injury at the end of last season and into the winter that it might make him a bowling doubt. These were 'poo poo'd' by the some as there would be no problem. Not sure what the issue is but at the start of this game it was portrayed by the radio as a 'narrowly missing the game' kind of thing - has there been some more information?
Craig stiffened up this afternoon but came back and bowled, a little loosely towards the end. Hope he is OK after a breather - again the certainty with which it is predicted that he will be immediately withdrawn from the Warwickshhire game is based on what?
The doubts about Siddle as a choice seem to be unfounded but he is being used a lot so the question seems to be more definite that if possible we will use him in the CC games and then not as much in the T20 - MdL may have a role yet!!
What about Green? Aldridge & Leonard however? Do they still have a role in the 4 dayers?
Green has shown the most reason to be considered though Leonard was sent to the seconds after the first one - not sure why. Aldridge has been mentioned but hasn't really been prominent and may not be for this format. The question then is which format if any?
Batting wise - Renshaw looks like he'll open now, assuming Abell's form has turned a corner and he can be trusted as the 3.
Banton applied himself and was unlucky in the first innings so he may stay at 4 - where James Hildreth then?
(Again Anthony suggested - not for the first time this season - that if he doesn't get runs he may consider retirement - what level is his commitment to the season at then? He has been dealing with this for 20 years to be ffair to the man)
Maybe they ought to put Green in with Renshaw as Steve Davies really does need some form before they even think of consideriing him as the other first bat. Is the test of Lammonby as an opener over yet?
Move him to 5 if Davies still plays? If Davies doesn't who keeps? Goldsworthy made some runs with the seconds so he is a consideration and what is the plan for George Bartlett if he can't get in this side when it struggles?
The side IS making progress but as things move the number of questions doesn't dimiinsh because it isn't making enough progress. We have 11 games to stop the predicted inevitable relegation and we need to be moving in the right direction before the middle of June!!
No pressure guys
Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 2022:04:24:18:55:40 by Grockle.
Hope it was just a small bruise then because he came out and bowled with it again.
Maybe he should do what Caddy used to do and cut the fronts off his bowling boots?
Assuming that the certainty about his withdrawal will be beecause of the 'injury' and the ECB wanting him put in mothballs for his tray duties during the tests this summer then? Doesn't need his toes for that necessarily.
As an aside it was good to see Jamie's career on an upward turn again this game. It can't have been an easy time for him in the last 18 months or so.
Maybe he should do what Caddy used to do and cut the fronts off his bowling boots?
Assuming that the certainty about his withdrawal will be beecause of the 'injury' and the ECB wanting him put in mothballs for his tray duties during the tests this summer then? Doesn't need his toes for that necessarily.
As an aside it was good to see Jamie's career on an upward turn again this game. It can't have been an easy time for him in the last 18 months or so.
Lammonby?
Wasn’t an opener through the pathways then, by the time he got through to the first team it was a case of:
“Oh, we don’t really seem to have any specialist openers, so you’re up, sunshine.”
Tough ask!
Wasn’t an opener through the pathways then, by the time he got through to the first team it was a case of:
“Oh, we don’t really seem to have any specialist openers, so you’re up, sunshine.”
Tough ask!
So the BBC are suggesting that Gregory may have a longer term problem. Overton may have bruised a toe though it may bother him rather than stop him facing Warks and Josh Davey is 'sore'.
Well we have 3 days 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
Well we have 3 days 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
And 33,000 bananas a day or no, Peter Siddle is presumably not indestructible and might need a rest.
Is it a home game Vs Warks? If so, might be time to gamble on a turner!
Is it a home game Vs Warks? If so, might be time to gamble on a turner!
Kerr suggested in his interview that if Gregory didn’t pass it he would be out longer term. Strange that I thought too would be for next game but perhaps it’s a season defining test . Doesn’t look hopeful to me anyway
Sounds utterly bizarre.
Logically:
A) LG has yet another stress fracture in his back. Ergo… he needs to rest… what would be with a fitness test!?
Or
Lewis’s scan was clear (no stress fracture) but he’s dealing with some stiffness or pain anyway… in which case, you rest him for a few weeks anyway and then maybe scan him again if the discomfort persists? Once again, the point of a “fitness test,” is less than obvious.
Logically:
A) LG has yet another stress fracture in his back. Ergo… he needs to rest… what would be with a fitness test!?
Or
Lewis’s scan was clear (no stress fracture) but he’s dealing with some stiffness or pain anyway… in which case, you rest him for a few weeks anyway and then maybe scan him again if the discomfort persists? Once again, the point of a “fitness test,” is less than obvious.
Doesn't sound like a fitness test at all. It's an injury assessment surely to determine how lpng Lewis will be unavailable for. If it is another fracture one would assume that is Gregory's bowling career over.
Jason Kerr blaming “tactical shortcomings during the Surrey first innings allowing them to get a good 30 or so more than they should have.”
Anyone care to comment on that? What was it that we apparently got wrong, tactically?
Anyone care to comment on that? What was it that we apparently got wrong, tactically?
Well, I've enjoyed my first cricket of the season - days 2, 3 and 4 at The Oval - much appreciating the company of old and new friends. And I always find the staff at the ground particularly courteous and cheerful and efficient.
There were definitely some positives to be found:
Siddle's first innings stint was outstanding.
I was impressed by how Banton settled in to what was for him a long four-day innings after a difficult start.
It is great that Abell has found some form at last.
Lammonby looked good in his second innings 30.
Davey batted very usefully.
Apart from one dropped catch (the only one of which I was aware), the fielding was hugely energetic and effective and we made the relatively small target chased by Surrey become much tougher than the home side probably expected.
At teatime on Saturday we appeared to be moving into a dominant position and likely to set a tough target. Then came a too familiar collapse in the final session of the day, with the dismissals of Hildreth, Davies and Overton appearing rather limp, though I know that none of them actually intended to get out!
Despite the result it was a most entertaining match and I am glad I was able to be there.
LoL
Seventy-eight Seasons a Somerset Supporter
There were definitely some positives to be found:
Siddle's first innings stint was outstanding.
I was impressed by how Banton settled in to what was for him a long four-day innings after a difficult start.
It is great that Abell has found some form at last.
Lammonby looked good in his second innings 30.
Davey batted very usefully.
Apart from one dropped catch (the only one of which I was aware), the fielding was hugely energetic and effective and we made the relatively small target chased by Surrey become much tougher than the home side probably expected.
At teatime on Saturday we appeared to be moving into a dominant position and likely to set a tough target. Then came a too familiar collapse in the final session of the day, with the dismissals of Hildreth, Davies and Overton appearing rather limp, though I know that none of them actually intended to get out!
Despite the result it was a most entertaining match and I am glad I was able to be there.
LoL
Seventy-eight Seasons a Somerset Supporter
Quote:I think telling Steve Davies to practice his golf swing was a bad idea.AGod
What was it that we apparently got wrong, tactically?
The fielding was exceptional from both sides. LoL pointed out that loss of impetus on Saturday in our batting but we also lost it by letting them get from 100 for a few to nearly 200 for not much more on Friday as well. We gave them 70 odd when it should have been 35 odd and let them settle. So we gave them 35 more than we should and then didn't pull those back in our own innings.
But Renshaw, Abell, Banton, Siddle have continued something started by Craig last week.
Josh is coming back but slowly. We may need a Gregory replacement with the ball and we may need a Hldreth & Davies replacement with the bat.
Lammonby has to progress - not as an opener? Goldsworthy, Green, Aldridge, Bartlett? Are they up to it?
Leonard, Rew? Are they ready? Smeed, Thomas? Will they be red ball options? Do Brooks & MdL have a role and will we possibly have to use them whether or not that is the case?
But Renshaw, Abell, Banton, Siddle have continued something started by Craig last week.
Josh is coming back but slowly. We may need a Gregory replacement with the ball and we may need a Hldreth & Davies replacement with the bat.
Lammonby has to progress - not as an opener? Goldsworthy, Green, Aldridge, Bartlett? Are they up to it?
Leonard, Rew? Are they ready? Smeed, Thomas? Will they be red ball options? Do Brooks & MdL have a role and will we possibly have to use them whether or not that is the case?
Easiest of those questions to answer?
Is Smeed a red ball option?
Answer? No
Reasoning? If you can’t score in the seconds, you do not deserve a chance in the firsts.
Is Smeed a red ball option?
Answer? No
Reasoning? If you can’t score in the seconds, you do not deserve a chance in the firsts.
Wasn't "Is he" it was "Will he (and George Thomas) become"
Some work presently but a solid season of work on his shot selection & patience and who knows? Think George might be a better bet in a 4 day middle order... bowls a bit too.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2022:04:25:11:30:03 by Grockle.
Some work presently but a solid season of work on his shot selection & patience and who knows? Think George might be a better bet in a 4 day middle order... bowls a bit too.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2022:04:25:11:30:03 by Grockle.
Admittedly against a good team, but the most obvious reasons we lost were losing 75/8 in our second innings and not being able to get the pinch hitter out early enough in the last innings. Other than that we seemed more than a match for a team with loads of international quality. As with the Essex game we have come very close but ultimately have nothing to show for it, which puts the pressure on us for Warwickshire.
I think you are right Mr Dredge. Many of the bits seem to be there but the recipe for putting them together properly and consistently is as elusive as it has been for many a season.
We tend to get some of the recipe right within most seasons and we can only hope for the same this year. Oh for the season when they get the mix right early.... been waiting a while.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2022:04:25:12:03:54 by Grockle.
We tend to get some of the recipe right within most seasons and we can only hope for the same this year. Oh for the season when they get the mix right early.... been waiting a while.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2022:04:25:12:03:54 by Grockle.
As to another of the questions:
MDL
I guess it’s assumed that he may only play if Peter needs a rest.
One pertinent question is around what promises, if any, May have been made to Renshaw?
If he averages what he averaged last time, it won’t matter.
But if he averages the 25 or so that he’s averaging over his first two games? And, at the same time we have a litany of bowling injuries, but MDL is fit? Well then there might be some sort of decision to be made?
MDL
I guess it’s assumed that he may only play if Peter needs a rest.
One pertinent question is around what promises, if any, May have been made to Renshaw?
If he averages what he averaged last time, it won’t matter.
But if he averages the 25 or so that he’s averaging over his first two games? And, at the same time we have a litany of bowling injuries, but MDL is fit? Well then there might be some sort of decision to be made?
Highly doubtful Renshaw will be sidelined for MdL unless there are major injury issues including to him.
Also thought Marchant was here to get the franchise to pay part of his salary and for Blast games. If he gets citizenship then they may consider sometjing else at the season end but that is not hugely likely.I wouldn't have thought unless we are desperate for a 'shock & awe' pace man because he still generates some.
Not a huge consideration really
Also thought Marchant was here to get the franchise to pay part of his salary and for Blast games. If he gets citizenship then they may consider sometjing else at the season end but that is not hugely likely.I wouldn't have thought unless we are desperate for a 'shock & awe' pace man because he still generates some.
Not a huge consideration really
Who said Marchant was here to get a franchise would pay part of his salary? He signed a 2 year contract before any franchise picked him up so I guess we’d need to honour that .
No one did. This year his cost is offset by getting a franchise contract
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2022:04:25:17:04:56 by Grockle.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2022:04:25:17:04:56 by Grockle.
What is the “ also thought he was here so the franchise could pay part of his contract “ comment then. He is only here because iof that? I think he’d be here regardless !!
Just doing a bit of aimless meandering through some stats on the coach trip back from The Oval. Looked at another way the current first division table looks like this:
The 5 Test ground teams - Played 12 - Won 8 - Lost 1 - Drawn 3 - Points 210
The 5 Non-Test ground teams - Played 12 - Won 1 - Lost 8 - Drawn 3 - Points 105
An interesting, if worrying, symmetry.
On Hamez's point about Tom Abell, I once found myself in conversation with a retired Somerset cricketer. He expressed his concern about the preparation of result wickets early in the season because in his view it gave the batsmen no opportunity to find form.
Edit: Apologies - Hamez made his point on the Warwickshire thread. Not easy to gather stats, switch threads, drink tea and type whilst balancing my laptop on my knees whilst sitting at 45 degrees to the back of the seat on a moving coach. And our batsmen think they have problems.
Farmer
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2022:04:25:17:45:06 by Farmer White.
The 5 Test ground teams - Played 12 - Won 8 - Lost 1 - Drawn 3 - Points 210
The 5 Non-Test ground teams - Played 12 - Won 1 - Lost 8 - Drawn 3 - Points 105
An interesting, if worrying, symmetry.
On Hamez's point about Tom Abell, I once found myself in conversation with a retired Somerset cricketer. He expressed his concern about the preparation of result wickets early in the season because in his view it gave the batsmen no opportunity to find form.
Edit: Apologies - Hamez made his point on the Warwickshire thread. Not easy to gather stats, switch threads, drink tea and type whilst balancing my laptop on my knees whilst sitting at 45 degrees to the back of the seat on a moving coach. And our batsmen think they have problems.
Farmer
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2022:04:25:17:45:06 by Farmer White.
Quote:Goonie goo goo
What is the “ also thought he was here so the franchise could pay part of his contract “ comment then. He is only here because iof that? I think he’d be here regardless !!
Already explained this to you once a while ago when you were demanding to know why we were keeping him in your inimitable pleasant manner.
MdL will be paid whether we play him or release him (2 year contract). Therefore the obvious thing to do was keep him as a white ball Blast option and hope part of his contract would be picked up by the franchise.
Either you or AG were not convinced this was going to happen and he wouldn't be kept by his franchise but he has been so - cost offset.
👍🤪
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2022:04:25:18:56:55 by Grockle.
Viz the pitches, Farmer:
A) According to Jason Kerr it was a pure accident that the pitch for Essex turned out as it did.
Last season, most of the home pitches in the first stanza were good batting tracks - Gloucestershire, Surrey, Leics and Hants. Our specialist batsmen still fell off a cliff in the “Div One,” part of the season, despite having spent most of the season playing on good pitches. I forecast that we will attempt to prepare a good batting surface Vs Warks, too.
C) Up until about the time when Chris Rogers came on board, we used to play on the best batting tracks in the land, really. To be sure, at that time our batsmen scored many more runs at HQ than they do now (however, they were different batsmen!). Moreover, I’m not convinced that playing on flat tracks helps batsmen when it comes to playing elsewhere - I think they get into bad and lazy habits on the flat tracks, that then bite them - HARD - once they find themselves on tracks that move around. One thinks of trips to CLS, most of which ended in tears, Headingley (where I think things always ended in tears) and the absolute debacle that was Cricketfield Road, for example.
Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 2022:04:25:19:21:49 by AGod.
A) According to Jason Kerr it was a pure accident that the pitch for Essex turned out as it did.
Last season, most of the home pitches in the first stanza were good batting tracks - Gloucestershire, Surrey, Leics and Hants. Our specialist batsmen still fell off a cliff in the “Div One,” part of the season, despite having spent most of the season playing on good pitches. I forecast that we will attempt to prepare a good batting surface Vs Warks, too.
C) Up until about the time when Chris Rogers came on board, we used to play on the best batting tracks in the land, really. To be sure, at that time our batsmen scored many more runs at HQ than they do now (however, they were different batsmen!). Moreover, I’m not convinced that playing on flat tracks helps batsmen when it comes to playing elsewhere - I think they get into bad and lazy habits on the flat tracks, that then bite them - HARD - once they find themselves on tracks that move around. One thinks of trips to CLS, most of which ended in tears, Headingley (where I think things always ended in tears) and the absolute debacle that was Cricketfield Road, for example.
Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 2022:04:25:19:21:49 by AGod.
The point that seems to be missed here is we are paying for 3 overseas players knowing only 2 can play.
This is a COMPLETE TOTAL & UTTER waste of money.
We panicked when Jamie left & are now paying for it, literally.
We begged for member donations, and are trying to turn the ground more into a hospitality premier member club.
Yet can afford to waste money on a 3rd overseas to make up for last year's panic signing.
But nobody seems to be pinning this absolute disaster on anyone.
I've no idea on his salary but it won't be cheap, and we are using him at Taunton vale in the 2s.
We are now stuck with 2 seamers who don't bat for the T20 unless we spend even more money & employee a 4th overseas.
This is a COMPLETE TOTAL & UTTER waste of money.
We panicked when Jamie left & are now paying for it, literally.
We begged for member donations, and are trying to turn the ground more into a hospitality premier member club.
Yet can afford to waste money on a 3rd overseas to make up for last year's panic signing.
But nobody seems to be pinning this absolute disaster on anyone.
I've no idea on his salary but it won't be cheap, and we are using him at Taunton vale in the 2s.
We are now stuck with 2 seamers who don't bat for the T20 unless we spend even more money & employee a 4th overseas.
Don't think we panicked at all when Jamie left. Few were even suprised.
But whatever the view of MdL and his contract, once he was signed he was signed and anything that cuts that cost cuts that cost.
What MdL has become is one of our T20 international choices who.happens to be on a larger contract... bit of a mess but this is better than simply releasing him.
More questions might be asked about Jack Brooks 3rd year extension... were we hoping a fit Brooks would be better? Think that had more influence on Jamie's decision...
But whatever the view of MdL and his contract, once he was signed he was signed and anything that cuts that cost cuts that cost.
What MdL has become is one of our T20 international choices who.happens to be on a larger contract... bit of a mess but this is better than simply releasing him.
More questions might be asked about Jack Brooks 3rd year extension... were we hoping a fit Brooks would be better? Think that had more influence on Jamie's decision...
Nothing cuts that cost.
He isn't in the IPL or any other competition that spans our season so we pay him.
Apart from the 100 where most of our main 11 are missing aswell.
Having 3 overseas is a mess and a total waste of money, it's that simple.
Brooks is one of our 4 senior domestic seamers.
Available for all 3 formats at our choice.
MDL isn't available to even select whilst we have Renshaw & Siddle fit & selectable.
He isn't in the IPL or any other competition that spans our season so we pay him.
Apart from the 100 where most of our main 11 are missing aswell.
Having 3 overseas is a mess and a total waste of money, it's that simple.
Brooks is one of our 4 senior domestic seamers.
Available for all 3 formats at our choice.
MDL isn't available to even select whilst we have Renshaw & Siddle fit & selectable.
I think we’ve / we’d long been attracted to the idea of signing overseas players available for the whole season, if possible, a la Chris Rogers.
It so happened that MDL offered extra pace - which is really what Jamie Overton’s role in the side was supposed to be - and ticked the “should be available for the whole red ball season,” box.
The signing hasn’t really worked out. Counties get seduced by the idea that “you have to have extra pace to win games on flat pitches,” but - in truth - out and out quick merchants seldom win matches in county cricket. The best speed merchants, of course, are busy with international cricket. The rest - be they Marchant De Lange or Jamie Overton - do not obtain enough movement consistently enough to win games of cricket for their counties *especially* given the fact that most tracks do not provide much pace or bounce (neutralising the best assets of such speed merchants).
To be honest, I even wonder if we got caught out with the MDL signing in terms of not doing our homework thoroughly. He was not an official overseas player at Glamorgan since his wife has a British passport.. I wonder if we originally entered into negotiations to sign him on that basis, only for the rules to be switched on us. MDL’s record at Glamorgan was not good enough to suggest he’d be the best use of an official overseas slot, although his career figures were exactly the same as Jamie Overton’s in terms of average and things (albeit from more games played).
It so happened that MDL offered extra pace - which is really what Jamie Overton’s role in the side was supposed to be - and ticked the “should be available for the whole red ball season,” box.
The signing hasn’t really worked out. Counties get seduced by the idea that “you have to have extra pace to win games on flat pitches,” but - in truth - out and out quick merchants seldom win matches in county cricket. The best speed merchants, of course, are busy with international cricket. The rest - be they Marchant De Lange or Jamie Overton - do not obtain enough movement consistently enough to win games of cricket for their counties *especially* given the fact that most tracks do not provide much pace or bounce (neutralising the best assets of such speed merchants).
To be honest, I even wonder if we got caught out with the MDL signing in terms of not doing our homework thoroughly. He was not an official overseas player at Glamorgan since his wife has a British passport.. I wonder if we originally entered into negotiations to sign him on that basis, only for the rules to be switched on us. MDL’s record at Glamorgan was not good enough to suggest he’d be the best use of an official overseas slot, although his career figures were exactly the same as Jamie Overton’s in terms of average and things (albeit from more games played).
That's right wsm.
The ECB franchise pays part of our bill for MdL because they take him away. Therefore whether you like it or not our cost of Merchant is less. It's better than releasing him and not getting paid that. Not by a lot but in the situation the club found itself it is the best option available under present circumstances.
Being upset about it is fine refusing to see that it is the case well that's something else.
The ECB franchise pays part of our bill for MdL because they take him away. Therefore whether you like it or not our cost of Merchant is less. It's better than releasing him and not getting paid that. Not by a lot but in the situation the club found itself it is the best option available under present circumstances.
Being upset about it is fine refusing to see that it is the case well that's something else.
Situation the club find themselves?
We weren't forced into this.
We created this, it's our fault.
All our own making.
I am very clear what the situation is and why.
The club are wasting much needed money through its own failing.
The 100 cost saving is irrelevant.
We are compensated for all players in that blasted thing domestic & overseas.
It has nothing to do with the fact we are paying an overseas to NOT play 1st team cricket.
We weren't forced into this.
We created this, it's our fault.
All our own making.
I am very clear what the situation is and why.
The club are wasting much needed money through its own failing.
The 100 cost saving is irrelevant.
We are compensated for all players in that blasted thing domestic & overseas.
It has nothing to do with the fact we are paying an overseas to NOT play 1st team cricket.
MDL was a Kolpak at Glamorgan and they didn’t appear to want to keep him as an overseas when the rules changed so we must have known what we’re signing up to when we signed him as an overseas player
I assume players and COACHES obtaining a contract for the 💯are not paid by their respective clubs during the number of days away at the 💯. But I cannot find any confirmation on the net.
De Lange went for £32k last year so his payback to Somerset from his Salary @ 12.5% would have been £4k, So not a very large amount.
De Lange went for £32k last year so his payback to Somerset from his Salary @ 12.5% would have been £4k, So not a very large amount.
Stating the facts changes nothing. You not being happy about it also changes nothing.
There is a bill for the situation the club 'finds itself in' doesn't matter how they got there there is a bill.
If MdL plays for someone else we pay less or they pay us for his services. It may be a small amount but it's not what we pay so like it or don't like it, the best situation for Somerset is to employ MdL use him if we can to our advantage and take the money when he is elsewhere.
The rest is immaterial to that position
Sorry it sticks in some craws but that is how it is and will be irrespective of the opinions of the merits/demerits of it all
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2022:04:25:22:31:03 by Grockle.
There is a bill for the situation the club 'finds itself in' doesn't matter how they got there there is a bill.
If MdL plays for someone else we pay less or they pay us for his services. It may be a small amount but it's not what we pay so like it or don't like it, the best situation for Somerset is to employ MdL use him if we can to our advantage and take the money when he is elsewhere.
The rest is immaterial to that position
Sorry it sticks in some craws but that is how it is and will be irrespective of the opinions of the merits/demerits of it all
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2022:04:25:22:31:03 by Grockle.
Quote:Grockle
Stating the facts changes nothing. You not being happy about it also changes nothing.
Did I say I was not happy, but sorry I posted if you feel that way.
Wasn't replying to anyone in particular Roger.
I'm sure you aren't alone in uour feelings about it but all I was posting was that given the position we have with Marchant at the moment the "best' we get is that some of his cost is discounted by his franchise time. No more than that.
How people feel about the situation we are in or who they blame or don't blame for it has no effect on that position
If he plays well in the Blast it may lessen the frustration but not his wage I'm afraid.
I'm sure you aren't alone in uour feelings about it but all I was posting was that given the position we have with Marchant at the moment the "best' we get is that some of his cost is discounted by his franchise time. No more than that.
How people feel about the situation we are in or who they blame or don't blame for it has no effect on that position
If he plays well in the Blast it may lessen the frustration but not his wage I'm afraid.
The situation may be worse even than you outline, WSM, depending on what is or isn’t in Renshaw’s contract.
It isn’t hard to envisage a situation where, due to England calls and injuries, we end up down to only 3 fit seamers with much experience, 2 of whom are Siddle and MDL but where - perhaps - we may still feel we can’t play MDL anyway, as have to play Renshaw (it depends what promises, if any, we gave him).
I mean looking at the potential unavailabilities:
Craig - England control / actual call-ups.
Gregory - ongoing back nightmare
Josh - struggling for fitness at the start of this season
Brooks - long career injury history and has struggled for fitness since he joined us.
Peter - good fitness record (touch wood(
So it’s perfectly plausible we may quickly find ourselves down to, say, Peter, one of Josh or Brooks and MDL as our only available senior seamers.
It isn’t hard to envisage a situation where, due to England calls and injuries, we end up down to only 3 fit seamers with much experience, 2 of whom are Siddle and MDL but where - perhaps - we may still feel we can’t play MDL anyway, as have to play Renshaw (it depends what promises, if any, we gave him).
I mean looking at the potential unavailabilities:
Craig - England control / actual call-ups.
Gregory - ongoing back nightmare
Josh - struggling for fitness at the start of this season
Brooks - long career injury history and has struggled for fitness since he joined us.
Peter - good fitness record (touch wood(
So it’s perfectly plausible we may quickly find ourselves down to, say, Peter, one of Josh or Brooks and MDL as our only available senior seamers.
As for Andy Hurry, ggg, he should be considered to be on thin ice, I should say.
He can celebrate Peter S as, so far, a big success but he’s only batting at .333 on bowler signings as neither Brooks nor MDL can be described as successful signings for the club.
Other Hurry red ball signings:
Renshaw (first time) : Success
Azhar Ali (various times) Failed
Renshaw (second time): TBD
So, Andy is batting .400 so far, pending an assessment of how Renshaw does this time around.
I’m not counting guys that only played 2 or 3 games in total. If folks want to? It’s one who did decently (Babar) and one who failed miserably (Murali Vijay).
He can celebrate Peter S as, so far, a big success but he’s only batting at .333 on bowler signings as neither Brooks nor MDL can be described as successful signings for the club.
Other Hurry red ball signings:
Renshaw (first time) : Success
Azhar Ali (various times) Failed
Renshaw (second time): TBD
So, Andy is batting .400 so far, pending an assessment of how Renshaw does this time around.
I’m not counting guys that only played 2 or 3 games in total. If folks want to? It’s one who did decently (Babar) and one who failed miserably (Murali Vijay).
Then, of course, there’s the absence of anything but overseas signings to prop up Somerset’s perpetually failing batting line-up, which is also on Andy’s docket.
Let’s just say that, if there were an external review of the recruitment part of Andy’s brief, I doubt the reviewer would produce a glowing report.
Let’s just say that, if there were an external review of the recruitment part of Andy’s brief, I doubt the reviewer would produce a glowing report.
And then there is the endless negative speculation that leaves anything hypothetically possible in terms of improvement out of any assessment of the situation. That can also be a little wearing.
What improvements are you expecting, Grockle?
Sadly, I don’t think there’s a magic bullet remedy for Lewis’s back.
Craig isn’t under our control.
Brooks has always been injury prone and so it seems pretty unlikely that he’ll suddenly be fit all season.
Hopefully Josh will get fit and stay fit.
Sadly, I don’t think there’s a magic bullet remedy for Lewis’s back.
Craig isn’t under our control.
Brooks has always been injury prone and so it seems pretty unlikely that he’ll suddenly be fit all season.
Hopefully Josh will get fit and stay fit.
Oh I don't know
The 150 from the skipper doesn't get much of a mention
I see Banton's 50 plus and his lack.of luck in the first innings at the Oval as forward movement
The return of Josh Davey was a step forward
The bowling of Peter Siddle wasn't bad
They are all things that are facts
Lewis' 'perpetual nightmare' injury may be a problem... don't know yet
Craig is how fit for Thursday? Don't know yet
Josh Davey? Don't know yet
The 'promises' we gave Renshaw? Not been a problem yet if they actially exist
So there are issues and there are movements... now let's just flip back through the posts shall we and see where the concentration of posts has been directed since Sunday and measure the level of balance between the 2 assessments of prospects for Thursday?
There's discussion and there"s obsession. I know where I stand and it's not at the edge of 'perpetual nightmare'.
Really not sure about some on here. They possibly need to get out more?
🤣🤣
The 150 from the skipper doesn't get much of a mention
I see Banton's 50 plus and his lack.of luck in the first innings at the Oval as forward movement
The return of Josh Davey was a step forward
The bowling of Peter Siddle wasn't bad
They are all things that are facts
Lewis' 'perpetual nightmare' injury may be a problem... don't know yet
Craig is how fit for Thursday? Don't know yet
Josh Davey? Don't know yet
The 'promises' we gave Renshaw? Not been a problem yet if they actially exist
So there are issues and there are movements... now let's just flip back through the posts shall we and see where the concentration of posts has been directed since Sunday and measure the level of balance between the 2 assessments of prospects for Thursday?
There's discussion and there"s obsession. I know where I stand and it's not at the edge of 'perpetual nightmare'.
Really not sure about some on here. They possibly need to get out more?
🤣🤣
And then there is the endless very thinly veiled ' sack the coach' agenda
There’s no agenda. People are judged on results.
And Andy Hurry’s position is, surely, rapidly becoming untenable, with zero red ball wins in nearly a year, seven straight defeats, representing our worst run since 1960, apparently, paying an overseas player that we probably can’t play etc etc
And Andy Hurry’s position is, surely, rapidly becoming untenable, with zero red ball wins in nearly a year, seven straight defeats, representing our worst run since 1960, apparently, paying an overseas player that we probably can’t play etc etc
Just to lighten the grim mood of this thread...
At The Oval I noticed the world's most incongruous sign:
The Peter May Pie Shop
Presumably, Headingley boasts:
The Fred Truman Paté de Foie Gras Brasserie
LoL
Seventy-eight Seasons a Somerset Supporter
At The Oval I noticed the world's most incongruous sign:
The Peter May Pie Shop
Presumably, Headingley boasts:
The Fred Truman Paté de Foie Gras Brasserie
LoL
Seventy-eight Seasons a Somerset Supporter
Quote:AGod
There’s no agenda. People are judged on results......paying an overseas player that we probably can’t play etc etc
So are we looking for a new CC coach only, have you done stats on the T20 and 50 over performance, have you suggestions for a likely replacement complete with appropriate stats. Is there a standout candidate.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2022:04:26:19:56:20 by Grockle.
50 over Cricket no longer exists as a meaningful entity. It is, in effect, a second team development competition, thanks to the Blundred.
I’m not that bothered about T20. The CC is, surely, the one that we all want to win, above all.
Andy Hurry is not “the coach.”
He is the Director of Cricket.
To the best of my knowledge no County has ever simultaneously employed more than one DoC with different DoCs for different forms of the game.
So, no It isn’t practical to look for a red ball only DoC.
It isn’t possible for fans to know which former cricketers (for example) May or May not be interested in a DoC job and it is unlikely that any would declare their interest whilst the incumbent remains in post.
I’m not that bothered about T20. The CC is, surely, the one that we all want to win, above all.
Andy Hurry is not “the coach.”
He is the Director of Cricket.
To the best of my knowledge no County has ever simultaneously employed more than one DoC with different DoCs for different forms of the game.
So, no It isn’t practical to look for a red ball only DoC.
It isn’t possible for fans to know which former cricketers (for example) May or May not be interested in a DoC job and it is unlikely that any would declare their interest whilst the incumbent remains in post.
The biggest problem with Andy’s tenure, as I see it, is an apparent lack of proactivity.
A good example is the Lachlan Stevens situation.
Our top six have struggled for years and years.
But AH seems to have waited until we hit rock bottom (the final four games of last season) before deciding to finally grasp the nettle abs try to do something about the batting.
In delaying trying to do something? He has probably allowed technical faults to become more deeply ingrained in the batsmen and their confidence to be further eroded and, in só doing, made Lachlan’s job more difficult than it may otherwise have been.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2022:04:26:17:19:20 by AGod.
A good example is the Lachlan Stevens situation.
Our top six have struggled for years and years.
But AH seems to have waited until we hit rock bottom (the final four games of last season) before deciding to finally grasp the nettle abs try to do something about the batting.
In delaying trying to do something? He has probably allowed technical faults to become more deeply ingrained in the batsmen and their confidence to be further eroded and, in só doing, made Lachlan’s job more difficult than it may otherwise have been.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2022:04:26:17:19:20 by AGod.
So that's a no idea to a replacement.
You may not like or care about the other two competitons but others do and the club for financial and youth progression reasons do to.
You clearly think that the DoC has done a poor job and should be replaced on CC performance alone. In fact from memory you've taken against the last three.
I'm also who this royal we is you keep using but it doesnt include me.
You may not like or care about the other two competitons but others do and the club for financial and youth progression reasons do to.
You clearly think that the DoC has done a poor job and should be replaced on CC performance alone. In fact from memory you've taken against the last three.
I'm also who this royal we is you keep using but it doesnt include me.
“Royal we”?
What tosh.
We = Somerset
This really isn’t complicated.
We (Somerset) have hit rock bottom with the worst run of results since 1960.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2022:04:26:17:20:49 by AGod.
What tosh.
We = Somerset
This really isn’t complicated.
We (Somerset) have hit rock bottom with the worst run of results since 1960.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2022:04:26:17:20:49 by AGod.
Your "Somerset" isn't necessarily other supporters Somerset
Your comment about the results is only related to CC games
Our record in other formats is not the worst and there will be those who see the backroom as getting us to a Final last season
You may not value the 50 over but a number of squad members being demanded to be included in the first team made their first appearances in that tournament of 'no value'. Not everyone sees the season the way you do.
White ball supporters may not assess the coaching staff achievements as you do. Grockles has a posting population with red ball majority I would venture but our reading population increases in the white ball months and is significantly different
You are not the voice of Somerset any more than I am or WSM or GGG is. The balance is somewhere between the poles of which you are one heading further from the middle wherever that is
You just post more and you know what they say about those who shout loudest.
Your comment about the results is only related to CC games
Our record in other formats is not the worst and there will be those who see the backroom as getting us to a Final last season
You may not value the 50 over but a number of squad members being demanded to be included in the first team made their first appearances in that tournament of 'no value'. Not everyone sees the season the way you do.
White ball supporters may not assess the coaching staff achievements as you do. Grockles has a posting population with red ball majority I would venture but our reading population increases in the white ball months and is significantly different
You are not the voice of Somerset any more than I am or WSM or GGG is. The balance is somewhere between the poles of which you are one heading further from the middle wherever that is
You just post more and you know what they say about those who shout loudest.
It’s the worst run of Championship results since 1960.
That is a fact.
It’s also the only cricket we’ve played at all recently.
I didn’t say the 50 over has “no value,” but it isn’t meaningful for assessing management performance because the whole thing is a lottery with player availability not under our own control. I mean was management of the 50-over last year good, bad or indifferent? I think, at times, the team picked itself since they were the only players we had left and so one can’t assess the team selection abilities of management if there are only 11 players available!
That is a fact.
It’s also the only cricket we’ve played at all recently.
I didn’t say the 50 over has “no value,” but it isn’t meaningful for assessing management performance because the whole thing is a lottery with player availability not under our own control. I mean was management of the 50-over last year good, bad or indifferent? I think, at times, the team picked itself since they were the only players we had left and so one can’t assess the team selection abilities of management if there are only 11 players available!
As you would say. Tosh. Much more to the management than just team selection, which you seem to apply to CC games on a daily basis.
Batting order, bowling tactics etc, etc.
Batting order, bowling tactics etc, etc.
Quote:Nailsea_Fizz
So that's a no idea to a replacement....
I'm also who this royal we is you keep using but it doesnt include me.
Certainly hope not as you rarely post on the cricket just about others posts . Hope you are are happy in your averageness / mediocrity you obviously revel in !!
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2022:04:26:19:54:41 by Grockle.
I've always been rather proud of the fact that for73 years nobody has been able to accuse me of being a 'glory hunter' !
That's when I first started really following the progress - or for a number of years after that lack of progress - of my Somerset - albeit from exile in Hertfordshire, so that I saw Edrich and Compton more than Gimblett and Tremlett.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2022:04:26:20:22:14 by Bobstan.
That's when I first started really following the progress - or for a number of years after that lack of progress - of my Somerset - albeit from exile in Hertfordshire, so that I saw Edrich and Compton more than Gimblett and Tremlett.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2022:04:26:20:22:14 by Bobstan.
Can we please get back to using the quote function for its proper use rather than simply repeating a post usually within easy reading distance with no reference to it in the post made. We'd got so much better at it recently.
I've edited a couple of posts here to show the space saved with no.change in the meaning of the post made. It does affect the mobile site badly and repeats stuff without enhancing it.
Lastly, more than one poster on site at the moment does not discuss the cricket content of another's post Goonie.... the term 'glass houses' comes to mind when reading yet another criticism. There's quite a bit of non cricket personal posting at the moment please watch it everyone
Now we've all had a little bleat. Can we get back.to cricket content which is what this forum is supposed to be for?
I may also have to moderate some posts as I am being asked in the PM system whether I can do something about posters who simply repeat the same points over and over in slightly different ways. I would need some help from posters to identify what they acutally mean by that so if you see something like this please refer it to me by PM identifying what is bothering you and I'll consider what appropriate action I moght be able to take. I will keep posters involved informed should I be asked to moderate.
I've edited a couple of posts here to show the space saved with no.change in the meaning of the post made. It does affect the mobile site badly and repeats stuff without enhancing it.
Lastly, more than one poster on site at the moment does not discuss the cricket content of another's post Goonie.... the term 'glass houses' comes to mind when reading yet another criticism. There's quite a bit of non cricket personal posting at the moment please watch it everyone
Now we've all had a little bleat. Can we get back.to cricket content which is what this forum is supposed to be for?
I may also have to moderate some posts as I am being asked in the PM system whether I can do something about posters who simply repeat the same points over and over in slightly different ways. I would need some help from posters to identify what they acutally mean by that so if you see something like this please refer it to me by PM identifying what is bothering you and I'll consider what appropriate action I moght be able to take. I will keep posters involved informed should I be asked to moderate.
My first day report on the Surrey match: Tom Abell - Somerset's Eddystone Rock is now on my website. Link here:
[farmerwhite.co.uk]
Second day report: On a knife-edge
Link: [farmerwhite.co.uk]
Third day report: "Why are they all wearing white?"
Link: [farmerwhite.co.uk]
Final day report: An outstanding day of cricket
Link: [farmerwhite.co.uk]
Farmer
Edited 3 time(s). Last edit at 2023:02:06:18:29:42 by Farmer White.
[farmerwhite.co.uk]
Second day report: On a knife-edge
Link: [farmerwhite.co.uk]
Third day report: "Why are they all wearing white?"
Link: [farmerwhite.co.uk]
Final day report: An outstanding day of cricket
Link: [farmerwhite.co.uk]
Farmer
Edited 3 time(s). Last edit at 2023:02:06:18:29:42 by Farmer White.
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