Somerset
Dealing with the Horn in Wormsley!
Will he play?
By Grockle
May 1 2011
The CB40 game where both sides are of interest - the Unicorns match. Keith Parsons welcomes his old county to a new venue - Getty's pad at Wormsley in Bucks for the first meeting of the two sides this year. They may open with one of our up and comers Michael Thornley. The big debate is whether Gemaal Hussain will be in the starting eleven after a bit of a beating last week and few wickets to his name yet.
v Hampshire CC1 @ The Rosebowl Wednesday 27 April 2011
We arrive at Wormsley straight from the confidence boosting win against Hampshire which featured a stunning return to form for Marcus Trescothick with a double hundred in our first innings plus support from Craig Kieswetter and Jos Buttler with fifty plus scores each. The bowling heroics were supplied by Charl Willoughby and Gemaal Hussain with four fers in the first dig (especially important to G) while Pete Trego got his reward in the second for some really aggressive and on the spot bowling by ripping Hants to shreds in their second innings with a four fer himself. Steve Kirby and Arul Suppiah got braces (SK in both innings) and there was a debut wicket for new boy Alex Barrow who found himself playing because of minor injuries to Ajantha Mendis and Lewis Gregory
v The Unicorns CB40 @ Wormsley Sunday 1 May 2011
Commentary (Radio Bristol)
The Somerset squad for this game has some interesting aspects to it;
Trescothick, Suppiah, Compton, Hildreth, Kieswetter, Trego, Buttler, Mendis, Gregory, Hussain, Kirby, Meschede and Dibble
Thirteen men for eleven places with only possibly Craig Meschede missing out (though this might be the game to blood him and see what he is made of).
The questions revolve around the places of Gemaal Hussain who was outshone last Sunday at Hove by Lewis Gregory who offered more with the ball and certainly adds to the batting (if we needed that). Hussain needs the boost of having faith put in him but he may simply not be a one day bowler. As Charl Willoughby is rested for these games we could see both players on the pitch.
The second question is whether the niggle that Steve Kirby is carrying might make this a match to protect him a little for the important home CC1 game next week against Worcestershire. I personally think they will and Adam Dibble may be picked for his one day debut today.
Thirdly although the batting first seven almost pick themselves, is this the day to take Nick Compton out of the mix and try out Meschede?
I would not be surprised at a side that was listed as;
Trescothick, Kieswetter, Hildreth, Buttler, Trego, Suppiah, Gregory, Meschede, Mendis, Dibble, Hussain (with the possibility that Kirby may replace one of the bowlers to add experience if his injury has healed).
But after yesterday's dismissive use of the bat to get the 114 total we required from Compo I'm quite happy to be wrong.
The game starts at 1:45...more to come.
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Discussion started by Grockles.com , 01/05/2011 12:40
Grockles.com
01/05/2011 12:40
01/05/2011 12:40
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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2011:05:02:13:28:16 by Grockle.
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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2011:05:02:13:28:16 by Grockle.
Took a little while though CP! Didn't quite make it for the match itself did it?
I'll merge the two now and see what happens.
I'll merge the two now and see what happens.
As seems to becomeing usual, SN administration has let me down again and I cannot put a thread related to the story on the messageboard (thanks for letting me know Mike)
This is Mike's attempted post.
In the Unicorns full squad there are some familiar names.
C Benham played for Sussex seconds.
J Miles played for the MCC.
R Lett played for Somerset.
M Thornely played for Somerset
And Keith Parsons Somerset
You'll just have to post here and keep checking back to the story one as the afternoon goes on.
Once again with a sigh of resignation - apologies!!
This is Mike's attempted post.
In the Unicorns full squad there are some familiar names.
C Benham played for Sussex seconds.
J Miles played for the MCC.
R Lett played for Somerset.
M Thornely played for Somerset
And Keith Parsons Somerset
You'll just have to post here and keep checking back to the story one as the afternoon goes on.
Once again with a sigh of resignation - apologies!!
and these two fom Mikeindex
Didn't Benham also play for several seasons for Hants with reasonable success, including one brilliant televised 150+? Or is it a different C. Benham?
(Answering myself) same one according to Cricinfo (but what do they know) - apparently Hants let him go at the end of last season.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2011:05:01:13:00:27 by Grockle.
Didn't Benham also play for several seasons for Hants with reasonable success, including one brilliant televised 150+? Or is it a different C. Benham?
(Answering myself) same one according to Cricinfo (but what do they know) - apparently Hants let him go at the end of last season.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2011:05:01:13:00:27 by Grockle.
You could be correct Mike, I have a photo of a C C Benham playing in a FPT match for Hampshire in 2008
Well, appears to be a pretty good start by Dibble but Hussain already leaking too many boundaries.
Kirby rested, though, so perhaps they had little choice other than to keep going with Hussain if they rested Kirby?
I wonder if this will be Thornely's best chance to win a contract at SCCC?
Kirby rested, though, so perhaps they had little choice other than to keep going with Hussain if they rested Kirby?
I wonder if this will be Thornely's best chance to win a contract at SCCC?
Never mind the control, anyone got any commentary? The link to Radio Bristol doen't work for me.
Looks like Mendis is starting to live up to his billing.
Looks like Mendis is starting to live up to his billing.
Cant get an y Radio Bristol commentary from either the link on Grockles or going via BBC site. Commentary from other matches seems to work.
Don't read too much into boundaries at the beginning of The Unicorns' innings. If anyone has seen Jackson Thompson play, they will realise he swings hard at everything, scores from good balls and bad, makes a lot of fast starts and rarely goes on to make a big score.
Part of it might have been they want to look at some of the other bowlers? Of course, that's assuming that the score that Unicorns have made is considered by Marcus to be easily within our compass.
The CEEFAX score seems to have stopped after 39.1 overs, though.
Where is Wormsley anyway?
The CEEFAX score seems to have stopped after 39.1 overs, though.
Where is Wormsley anyway?
219 to win.
Let's hope that this is not a banana skin on which we could slip.
Let's hope that this is not a banana skin on which we could slip.
Wormsley is the most beautiful little ground, on the Getty estate just outside the village of Ibstone, between Stokenchurch and Henley in, I think, Bucks. It's quite small (ie Taunton size, rather than the Oval), so I'd guess 218 might be assessed on that sort of basis. Minor Counties play there quite often, and it has a full programme of charity/touring games (Australians always play there nowadays) as well as the Wormsley village side.
It's only about 15 miles from where I live, and I had planned to be there, but family commitments precluded that delight.
I'd agree with AG's assessment of Suppiah only having four overs, though counteance against the complacency theory; I'd also suggest that Arul may be the most economical at least in part because he didn't bowl more, esp towards the end. Bowling figures would indicate a decent bowling performance by quite a young attack.
It's only about 15 miles from where I live, and I had planned to be there, but family commitments precluded that delight.
I'd agree with AG's assessment of Suppiah only having four overs, though counteance against the complacency theory; I'd also suggest that Arul may be the most economical at least in part because he didn't bowl more, esp towards the end. Bowling figures would indicate a decent bowling performance by quite a young attack.
Wormsley is on the Oxfordshire/Buckingham border just off the M40 - sort of in the middle of an area between Oxford, Aylesbury, High Wycombe and Reading.
SP your description so much prettier than mine!
Incidentally I have just noticed that Josh Knappett is yet another wicketkeeper that shares my birthday - think I may have missed my vocation!
Incidentally I have just noticed that Josh Knappett is yet another wicketkeeper that shares my birthday - think I may have missed my vocation!
Poor TRES! Feast or Famine with him at present! He is, hopefully, keeping the Feasts for more important occasions!
I may have the advantage over you, Baggie, of having been to Wormsley a few times - generally for Sunday charity games, when Neil Burns always seemed to be playing.
In case anyone wondered, the Getty who lived there (and recently died, in his 50s) was, I believe, John Paul Getty III - the one who was kidnapped in the 70s, had his ear cut off and was a benefactor of the 'new' Lord's - also the father of the actor Balthazar Getty ) of Brothers and Sisters). [PS Treat this info with a pinch of salt - I think I'm correct, though can't be bothered to check!]
In case anyone wondered, the Getty who lived there (and recently died, in his 50s) was, I believe, John Paul Getty III - the one who was kidnapped in the 70s, had his ear cut off and was a benefactor of the 'new' Lord's - also the father of the actor Balthazar Getty ) of Brothers and Sisters). [PS Treat this info with a pinch of salt - I think I'm correct, though can't be bothered to check!]
Gregory better bat than Buttler or Suppiah? I just hope they are right because things could go awry very quickly otherwise!
7.55 runs an over required, I'm not sure Compton is up to that. I feel we need something special from Jos again 
Suspect they are keeping Buttler back in the hope of a late blitz as we are well behind the rate.
Unless we've batted really badly or they have bowled uncommonly well, then I'd guess that this might be a painfully slow pitch that our inexperienced pace bowlers possibly did not adapt that well too (and that their attack is rather better suited to)
p.s. SP .. the complacency theory wasn't my personal complacency, I was just suggesting that Marcus might have decided to look at other bowlers IF he thought the game was well in hand.
It's funny how folks can have 'trots,' in certain competitions, though. Marcus scored very few runs in this 40 over thing last season and has started with two eggs this time around, too.
Unless we've batted really badly or they have bowled uncommonly well, then I'd guess that this might be a painfully slow pitch that our inexperienced pace bowlers possibly did not adapt that well too (and that their attack is rather better suited to)
p.s. SP .. the complacency theory wasn't my personal complacency, I was just suggesting that Marcus might have decided to look at other bowlers IF he thought the game was well in hand.
It's funny how folks can have 'trots,' in certain competitions, though. Marcus scored very few runs in this 40 over thing last season and has started with two eggs this time around, too.
At last - one of them is out. Lets hope Jos isn't too fed up with being demoted below two inferior batters.
Seems the BBC DO speak with forked tongue and there is no commentary at all! Disappointing to say the least.
All I can tell you from Twitter is that Nick Compton seems to have provided a solid base but others have gone around him. But he did do that thing he does so well - get involved in a daft run out with James. No idea whose call/fault it was (yes I do it seems it was a bad Compton call). Hilda is having awful luck.
Mendis bowled very well and deserved his figures and its a slow pitch with the ball not coming on - not all the batsmen's fault but we may very well run out of overs or perish trying to push the score along.
All I can tell you from Twitter is that Nick Compton seems to have provided a solid base but others have gone around him. But he did do that thing he does so well - get involved in a daft run out with James. No idea whose call/fault it was (yes I do it seems it was a bad Compton call). Hilda is having awful luck.
Mendis bowled very well and deserved his figures and its a slow pitch with the ball not coming on - not all the batsmen's fault but we may very well run out of overs or perish trying to push the score along.
Unbelieveable - he's done it again! Pinched the bowling for the fourth time in same number of overs.Now over 10 an over.
I still think we can do this - so long as these two stay together pretty much to the end.
Gregory 11 runs off 22 balls while NC 'accumulates' and Jos and Arul are on the bench. What a bizarre experiment.
Don't give up yet if these stay in we have a chance but if one of these go I am not so sure.
I don't think I would have said that last year.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2011:05:01:18:50:07 by Mike BOS.
I don't think I would have said that last year.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2011:05:01:18:50:07 by Mike BOS.
Thank goodness - seems Querl has cracked - 6 overs 2 for 18 then next spell 2 overs for 29.
Well it was 59 needed off 36 and it is now 34 off 25 so it is coming down!!
Compo has hit 42 off 34 and they now need less than a run a ball at 18 off 20
Compo has hit 42 off 34 and they now need less than a run a ball at 18 off 20
Well done Compo. 100 off 102 balls 9 fours 2 sixes and the second 50 off 35 - he seems to know how to hit a cricket ball after all!!
13 off 18
13 off 18
20 runs off Querl's last over including a 6nb . .
The unicorns will be getting nervous.
And a hundred for Compo at about a run-a-ball- his 1st ton for Somerset I believe.
The unicorns will be getting nervous.
And a hundred for Compo at about a run-a-ball- his 1st ton for Somerset I believe.
Great ton from the much maligned Compo!
I'm as guilty as anyone with the maligning by the way. always happy to be proved wrong!
I'm as guilty as anyone with the maligning by the way. always happy to be proved wrong!
Fair dos! Very good effort, but I wish they had pushed on a bikt earlier to save me panicking!!!
NC bowled for 104 with the side needing 10. Saved the game (if we win it) and maybe we all ought to not forget it for a while!!
I haven't maligned NC at all - and am equally delighted for him. oldboy, did Querl and the Unicorns go to pieces, or did our batsmen, Nick especially, always have it under control, and accelerate when needed / able?
104 off 105 balls - shocking - don't know why he was picked - I bet he's even a rubbish fielder...
104 off 105 balls - shocking - don't know why he was picked - I bet he's even a rubbish fielder...
When I said earlier about not being so sure about winning if we lost a wicket I forgot that Arul was still on the bench.
I still think we are missing a trick with our best striker in one day cricket (average over 62) batting at 7.
Arul hits two consecutive fours and we scrape home. We win by four wickets with 7 balls to spare.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2011:05:01:19:06:25 by Grockle.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2011:05:01:19:06:25 by Grockle.
Judge an innings not at the start or the middle but at the end! Well Done Compo..this could be the making of you at Somerset 
5 matches now this season..all lost by the side winning the toss!
5 matches now this season..all lost by the side winning the toss!
What's more pleasing about Compo's innings was his strike rate.
Well done also to Mendis.
Well done also to Mendis.
Today I was happy with NC, when he was mentioned I kept looking at his SR it was between 80- 90 most of the time, that is good enough for me.
Just looked at last seasons stats - Compton's highest scores in the CC was 72, in the CB40 73, and in the T20 74. So way surpassed these.
Coming in in only the 6th over with both of the openers gone for diddly-squat I think he played an immaculately paced innings! Hopefully a platform for more to come in all forms of the game.
Coming in in only the 6th over with both of the openers gone for diddly-squat I think he played an immaculately paced innings! Hopefully a platform for more to come in all forms of the game.
NC and JB put on 79 in 8.2 overs - I'm very happy that Nick kept nicking the strike - this 100 could do him the power of good - always great to know you've got someone like Jos left in the hutch.
It seems that Adil Rashid's brother bowled a couple of mare overs that were murdered and once we'd got the bit between our teeth we put the game away.
As said in the preview, Nick showed some of this yesterday in the 114 chase. I hope this gives him and the side a huge boost of belief. Now all I want to see is Hidreth get a start and some luck!!
Well done to Ajantha getting this one off and running and congratulations to Adam Dibble for his first first class wicket - on a par with Alex Barrow now my boy!!
As said in the preview, Nick showed some of this yesterday in the 114 chase. I hope this gives him and the side a huge boost of belief. Now all I want to see is Hidreth get a start and some luck!!
Well done to Ajantha getting this one off and running and congratulations to Adam Dibble for his first first class wicket - on a par with Alex Barrow now my boy!!
Yes, well done that man, hopefully the first of many this season.
Did we ever doubt they would do it? Hell no!
Did we ever doubt they would do it? Hell no!
I wonder if the batting PP was kept to the end, if so that may have helped.
Well done, Nick Compton! Phew! Follows on from a not out yesterday... hopefully he is now feeling fairly good about his cricket and can push on, somewhat, from here.
Is it just me or do Unicorns seem to be consistently better than the lesser County sides?
As for Jos, we've clearly got him nailed down in the 'finisher,' role. It's hard to argue with it when it keeps working.
You do wonder though what he could do if he had a bit more time to bat!
We are relying, at the moment, on other folks getting out early enough to leave him with a fair amount of time to bat (as happened vs Notts.)
It's not impossible to conceive a situation where he does not get to the crease at all, leaving us with a good total whereas, if he got to the crease with, say, 10 overs to go, that good total might have been an unassailable one.
Is it just me or do Unicorns seem to be consistently better than the lesser County sides?
As for Jos, we've clearly got him nailed down in the 'finisher,' role. It's hard to argue with it when it keeps working.
You do wonder though what he could do if he had a bit more time to bat!
We are relying, at the moment, on other folks getting out early enough to leave him with a fair amount of time to bat (as happened vs Notts.)
It's not impossible to conceive a situation where he does not get to the crease at all, leaving us with a good total whereas, if he got to the crease with, say, 10 overs to go, that good total might have been an unassailable one.
Well done, Somerset, and may I also say well done to the Unicorns.
Back to home soil now to try to slay the Welsh dragons tomorrow.
From reading your posts old boy!, I think that this game must literally have put years on you. Indeed, I had visions of you changing your name to old old boy!
Not to worry, there was no banana skin after all, and I hope that all those who travelled to Wormsley today had a great day out.
Back to home soil now to try to slay the Welsh dragons tomorrow.
From reading your posts old boy!, I think that this game must literally have put years on you. Indeed, I had visions of you changing your name to old old boy!
Not to worry, there was no banana skin after all, and I hope that all those who travelled to Wormsley today had a great day out.
I would describe it more as rotating the strike rather than pinching it - NC and JB were taking a single offpretty much every ball once JB was in, then making sure they got boundaries when they had the chance. A better tactic I think than just getting JB on strike and expecting him to hit every ball out .of the park as this wont always come off
Quote:Grockle
......and congratulations to Adam Dibble for his first first class wicket - on a par with Alex Barrow now my boy!!
The pedants on here would point out to you Grockle that Adam has yet to take a wicket in "First Class" cricket, whereas Alex has.
I know what you mean though, and yes congratulations to him also.
I've never really understood why batting orders have to be set in stone especially in the shorter formats. If Jos is to be looked upon as the finisher then plan for him to come in when there are say 8-10 overs to go, no matter how many wickets are down.
Ahh sorry thought he got one today but of course this is an A game so not the same. It's just that he was commenting on it yesterday. Barrow still has the upper hand then for a while.
But they are both off and running (along wth Lewis of course) and that has to be a good thing for the county.
But they are both off and running (along wth Lewis of course) and that has to be a good thing for the county.
Counties should underestimate the invited teams at their peril - the Netherlands won their first two matches last week agaqinst Yorkshire and Derbyshire, then today fell just a run short of chasing down 286 against Middlesex.
Well done unicorns....so close! Maybe Somerset should look closer to home for next year's sellection!! Happy b'day Keith for tomorrow. I'm going to be in so much trouble for this!!
I agree Sharon well done to the Unicorns, you will be ok you never said how old he will be.
I said similar to my wife this evening, Sharon. He always does well against us, as he did for us.
Well done to all the Somerset Unicorns Both the young and the "more mature". Looking forward to another joust at Taunton later in the year.
Quote:Bagpuss
Counties should underestimate the invited teams at their peril - the Netherlands won their first two matches last week agaqinst Yorkshire and Derbyshire, then today fell just a run short of chasing down 286 against Middlesex.
One wonders how much the World Cup has helped them to improve? They have really been tremendous in this CB40, thus far.
Out all day, so pleased to come home to see this result.
Depending on how you look at it, we either got out of jail thanks to Compo (thanks for ramming my doubts about you down my neck !), or timed it superbly !
Either way, will happily take the win. I'm sure the Unicorns will upset more than a couple of Counties again this year.
Given KP's one day pedigree, a bit surprised he didn't bowl when the chips were down, (or maybe his knees have gone ?).
Grizzzly
Depending on how you look at it, we either got out of jail thanks to Compo (thanks for ramming my doubts about you down my neck !), or timed it superbly !
Either way, will happily take the win. I'm sure the Unicorns will upset more than a couple of Counties again this year.
Given KP's one day pedigree, a bit surprised he didn't bowl when the chips were down, (or maybe his knees have gone ?).
Grizzzly
Yep Grizzz I think you'll find his 10 over days are really over though I think he bowled a few last year.
Shame it was in Wormsley, not becuase it isn't a lovely place, but because it has become aq bit of a South West fest with the main protaganists being all Somerset based at certain times during the game.
I really enjoyed this game at Exmouth last year and I hope it returns there in future seasons.
Shame it was in Wormsley, not becuase it isn't a lovely place, but because it has become aq bit of a South West fest with the main protaganists being all Somerset based at certain times during the game.
I really enjoyed this game at Exmouth last year and I hope it returns there in future seasons.
I have no problem with NC scoring 100 at a run a ball. The others around him should be able to push on even more and well done to him- we needed it yesterday. The difficulty is if he gets out for 40 at a strike rate of 70, but every team needs one solid platform player. I think it was right to put Gregory in when we did. Less pressure and a chance to build rather than a need to get a small number very quickly. I liked the batting order. Pete ought to be 3. Perhaps today he might not have to come in in the first over. Arul at 8 is a wonderful back stop position.
Excellent day and top performance.
May have been closer than most expected but big character to come through the dodgy position we got ourselves into.
Same goes for Saturday, the start of play position was one we have often failed to convert in past seasons.
2 very encouraging days for the future of both campaigns i feel.
Unicorns will definitely cause an upset or 2, maybe at Bristol today hopefully.....
Another victory todayt and the season start will become a whole lot better
May have been closer than most expected but big character to come through the dodgy position we got ourselves into.
Same goes for Saturday, the start of play position was one we have often failed to convert in past seasons.
2 very encouraging days for the future of both campaigns i feel.
Unicorns will definitely cause an upset or 2, maybe at Bristol today hopefully.....
Another victory todayt and the season start will become a whole lot better
I agree with most of that WSM but I'll feel a little less nervous if we do the same thing to Worcestershire as Hampshire this week. Then I personally will think we are back on track and moving forward.
Marcus said it was a really slow track which was what I had guessed from the way our innings went. We often struggle a bit on such surfaces with the bat in the one-day stuff. Perhaps Compton showed yesterday that he will become a man for games played on that type of surface?
Strokemakers that rely on timing are often neutralised on very slow surfaces. The guys that succeed on those type of surfaces are usually either guys that are adept at pushing ones and twos a la Parsie or guys that can bring immense power to bear a la Jos.
Given the slowness of the pitch, it does make it a bit more suprising that Arul did not bowl a greater number of overs.
Strokemakers that rely on timing are often neutralised on very slow surfaces. The guys that succeed on those type of surfaces are usually either guys that are adept at pushing ones and twos a la Parsie or guys that can bring immense power to bear a la Jos.
Given the slowness of the pitch, it does make it a bit more suprising that Arul did not bowl a greater number of overs.
What a lovely ground Wormsly is and a very good result as WSM has stated with the postion we were in.
On a different note Tractor has awoke from his winter slumber and was seen alive and drinking at Wormsley
Wurz
On a different note Tractor has awoke from his winter slumber and was seen alive and drinking at Wormsley
Wurz
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