Somerset
Slow? Slow? Quick? Quick? Slow? Notts CC1
Are we missing him?
By Grockle
April 20 2010
The second away game of the season starts tomorrow. We are one down and face another important competitor at Trent Bridge. Do we need a slow bowler? Is Notts the place to play pace? Can we afford to get this one wrong? Who'd be a county captain in April? One problem has been sorted though...Craig Kieswetter has been cleared to play.
v Nottinghamshire CC1 @ Trent Bridge Wednesday 21 April 2010
The same 13 look to give us a better result in Nottinghmashire from Wednesday and to be honest the only question is the same one as at Headingley - eight places pick themselves in the squad provided;
Trescothick, Suppiah, Compton, Hildreth, de Bruyn, Trego, Kieswetter, Willoughby...
But what about the other three?
One would expect that our new VC Alfonso Thomas will take the ninth berth (but I don't think that is completely certain). It is probably more certain that the man picked to play in these games Damien Wright will be number 9. I'd expect those two to be there.
Will the selectors choose to play their spinner? Don't think so...though I've no doubt that if that man was Karthik then he would be in. Mike Munday will probably not get the nod and unless they want Stiff's out and out pace (which seemed to be worryingly absent in the first game) then it might be Ben Phillips who get the nod and the eleventh position.
The comments on the official website suggest that the question will be; "Which pacemen do we go in with" and the pace duties will be left again to our opening allrounder Arul. Swanny can't play for them but Broady probably will
It all kicks off at 11:00 tomorrow..... we'll follow it through and hope for sooooo much better!!
Day 1
No Munday. Stiff keeps his place. Notts won the toss and chose to field. Marcus leads his men out but goes early along with his partner Suppiah.
Although Compton gets to 42 this innings (a more solid start for the new boy) there is a regular fall of wickets once more with no real contribution from over half of our top 6 until Trego stops the rot and puts together a more solid contribution with Wright and Thomas at the tail. Compton went at 142 for 6 and the tail added 130 to that woeful total and took us to 272 with Franks and Broad doing most of the damage.
Notts got to bat on Day 1. Neil Edwards strode out to face his old compardres but lasted only 3 balls before being trapped in front by Willoughby. It didn't get much better and we had them at 17 for 2 at the end of the first stage.
Day 2
Got better as everyone pitched in and got to work removing the Notts front end. When the very dangerous Amla went we had them tottering at 129 for 6 and were hoping for a substantial first innings lead before the half way stage.
However Franks and Read fought the trend and with the addition of 32 extras, Notts staggered to 250 all out. Still we had them out and staggering a bit before 5 on Day 2 and a cushion of 22 runs to start out second smack about!
That isn't how it stayed though thanks to a brilliant spell from Stuart Broad - one of those that keeps him in the England frame even if he isn't working consistently at any point in time.
5 for not a lot had us at 43 for 6 with only the captain standing his ground. Our middle order failed again spectacularly with zeros from Hildreth, de Bruyn and Kieswetter not even bothering the scorers. We finished Day 2 at 120 for 6 and this game looked gone.
Marcus and Wright defended the county and even when the skipper fell 2 short of a well deserved century, the new Aussie kept the Notts bowlers at bay with a really spirited 78.
227 all out gave us a chance. Notts needed 250 again to beat us and had four sessions to do it. Could we do anything about it? Well the batsmen had not done the job so it was left to the pace attack to make a game of this. In fact the game had been mostly been fought by the bowling attack and their captain anyway.
Edwards went early again...not a great first game against his old county but we didn't take another wicket until Wright got Shafayat at 127. However Trigger gave us hope by taking Wagh at the same score. 171 saw the end of Patel to Thomas. Brown went to de Bruyn before they hit 200 and Read went 3 runs later ...still less than 200 up. The game was definitely on!!
Thomas had Franks at 233 and Broad went to Willoughby four runs short of the winning total. But Amla was still there and he saw the home side past the winning post with two wickets remaining.
Second loss and more disappointing because we gave them over 50 runs in extras and dropped a couple of catches that may have won it for us. But we didn't, the batting failed and Notts took 21 points.
We fought and we lost. Two down 14 to go. Remember this and let's make sure against Essex next Tuesday.
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StumbleuponSlow? Slow? Quick? Quick? Slow? Notts CC1
Discussion started by Grockles.com , 20/04/2010 21:05
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20/04/2010 21:05
20/04/2010 21:05
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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2010:04:25:11:37:58 by Grockle.
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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2010:04:25:11:37:58 by Grockle.
England all-rounder Stuart Broad is set to make his first appearance of the domestic campaign when Nottinghamshire entertain Somerset in the LV= County Championship this week.
However, Ryan Sidebottom and Graeme Swann, Broad’s international and county team-mates, will play no part on the instructions of the England management.
[www.ecb.co.uk]
However, Ryan Sidebottom and Graeme Swann, Broad’s international and county team-mates, will play no part on the instructions of the England management.
[www.ecb.co.uk]
Not too displeased by that. I think if I had to pick one of the three to face at TB in April, he'd be the one, to be honest.
Sidebottom is a dangerous customer at county level, even if he's lost a bit of nip for the international stage. And Swann.......well; what is there to say about the number one bowler in the world?
Sidebottom is a dangerous customer at county level, even if he's lost a bit of nip for the international stage. And Swann.......well; what is there to say about the number one bowler in the world?
I'd rather none of them were able to play but am overjoyed that Swann cannot do so.
Broad would be the one I'd be happiest facing.
But thankfully.
I don't have to face any of them.
Rip em up lads,the season starts now.
But thankfully.
I don't have to face any of them.
Rip em up lads,the season starts now.
Now confirmed on t'official site (starting to sound a bit Leeds-ish) Craig has been cleared to play in the Notts game (before flying out to the Caribbean Sunday, volcano ash permitting of course).
Caribbean Sunday sounds like a nice ice cream to fly across to Atlantic to enjoy, with a nice topping of volcanic ash.
LoL
Sixty-six Seasons a Somerset Supporter
LoL
Sixty-six Seasons a Somerset Supporter
Let's hope Craig is not distracted by the impending England tournament.
If Craig wants to progress to the Test team, then a big score in bowler friendly conditions vs a current member of the Test attack would be a terrific place to start advancing his case...
If Craig wants to progress to the Test team, then a big score in bowler friendly conditions vs a current member of the Test attack would be a terrific place to start advancing his case...
Forgive me for being hyper-critical AG, but that sounds a little like "let's hope he's not disctracteds by next week.......let's hope he's distracted by entirely hypothetical events even further in the future!"
I hope he's focussing on performing at his best in this (and every other) game for its own sake, and for what it will do for his team, as much as for where it may take him.
I hope he's focussing on performing at his best in this (and every other) game for its own sake, and for what it will do for his team, as much as for where it may take him.
I'd class it as motivated by a longer-term ambition, as opposed to distracted by an imminent tournament.
To put it another way, if his focus is on making the Test team, I think that could only benefit SCCC in the short-term.
Conversely, I hope he's not thinking too much about T20 as I think that Trent Bridge in the CC will be no place for any kind of T20 type innings! (I recall Ronnie saying that Craig seemed "frenetic," at Leeds.)
To put it another way, if his focus is on making the Test team, I think that could only benefit SCCC in the short-term.
Conversely, I hope he's not thinking too much about T20 as I think that Trent Bridge in the CC will be no place for any kind of T20 type innings! (I recall Ronnie saying that Craig seemed "frenetic," at Leeds.)
I know what you meant; and I did say I was being hypercritical. But I still say I'd hope his focus is on nothing other than the red leather thing the feller at the other is is flingin' at 'im!
dead right AG. All seemed frenetic and 100 mile an hour stuff, and thats what it looked like. His keeping on day 2 was also not the best.
However, as FE says lets hope he concentrates on that red thing getting propelled in his direction.......we all know he has the ability, and Im sure he will want a Somerset win before he heads off.
However, as FE says lets hope he concentrates on that red thing getting propelled in his direction.......we all know he has the ability, and Im sure he will want a Somerset win before he heads off.
It reamins by no means certain that Craig K and Stuart Broad will play at Trent Bridge tomorrow.
The contingency plan, if there is still no positive news about trans-Atlantic flights by the end of the week, is to set off overland to Dubai and fly out to the West Indies from there on Sunday.
I can`t see the ECB wanting to call players out of mid-week matches early to start the long haul to the Middle East.
The contingency plan, if there is still no positive news about trans-Atlantic flights by the end of the week, is to set off overland to Dubai and fly out to the West Indies from there on Sunday.
I can`t see the ECB wanting to call players out of mid-week matches early to start the long haul to the Middle East.
I got the impression from the commentators that CK's less than tidy keeping on Day One may have been attributable to his damaging a finger.
Give the guy a chance, please!
LoL
Sixty-six Seasons a Somerset Supporter
Give the guy a chance, please!
LoL
Sixty-six Seasons a Somerset Supporter
Further to my above posting about Craig K and Stuart Broad playing tomorrow, the International Cricket Council have now said that the ECB must decide by tomorrow whether to take up the offer of travelling to the West Indies via Dubai.
So that would definitely rule out all 15 of the England squad from this week`s round of matches.
So that would definitely rule out all 15 of the England squad from this week`s round of matches.
where was this mentioned LOL.......as far as I could see he was perfectly fit, no wringing of finger or checking it or anything like that............if he wasn't then why was he playing?
It was on the radio that I heard something to the effect that he might have hurt his finger - by the ball hitting him on its tip - and that his keeping then became a little untidy.
LoL
Sixty-six Seasons a Somerset Supporter
LoL
Sixty-six Seasons a Somerset Supporter
Thats not what I saw LOL but may have been true...who knows.
Maybe it affected his batting too?
Maybe it affected his batting too?
BBC are reporting that Broad plays for Notts today at his own request.
Good lad!
Good lad!
BEP reports that Kartik is contracted to Somerset from 17 May. That some rest hes getting then. He misses 5 yes 5 championship matches. Wright is her until then.
Also, we considered Mohammed Sami before signing Wright. Hes just been called into Pakistan's 20/20 team as repalcement for Gul so a good decision ther.
Also, we considered Mohammed Sami before signing Wright. Hes just been called into Pakistan's 20/20 team as repalcement for Gul so a good decision ther.
Here we Go.
Umpires: T E Jesty, G Sharp
Nottinghamshire: N Edwards, Shafayat, Wagh, Amla, Patel, Brown, Read (C/W), Broad, Franks, Adams, Fletcher
Somerset: Trescothick (C), Suppiah, Compton, Hildreth, de Bruyn, Kieswetter (W), Trego, D Wright, Thomas, Stiff, Willoughby
Nottinghamshire won the toss and elected to field
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2010:04:21:11:00:16 by everhopefull.
Umpires: T E Jesty, G Sharp
Nottinghamshire: N Edwards, Shafayat, Wagh, Amla, Patel, Brown, Read (C/W), Broad, Franks, Adams, Fletcher
Somerset: Trescothick (C), Suppiah, Compton, Hildreth, de Bruyn, Kieswetter (W), Trego, D Wright, Thomas, Stiff, Willoughby
Nottinghamshire won the toss and elected to field
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2010:04:21:11:00:16 by everhopefull.
Cricinfo indicates that the temperature is 6 degrees?! It's a darn sight warmer than that in Jersey today I can tell you... that's inhumane!
BVI Grockle
BVI Grockle
I'm always warmer in a jersey, too, BVIG!
Nurse.........Nurse!
Where are my pills?
Nurse.........Nurse!
Where are my pills?
FE: a jersey is not enough; for heaven's sake put your trousers on.
our much vaunted batting line up certainly working this morning-NOT.
Seems they cant defend against the seaming/swing ball.
Seems they cant defend against the seaming/swing ball.
Is Phil the new groundsman up there?
We're in control of this boys and girls.
Fear not.
We're in control of this boys and girls.
Fear not.
I'd probably say less.
We did look a team which wasn't very confident last week and it looks like its continuing today.
Doesn't look good I must say. Wicket will probably lose green touch and we will struggle and give up a first innings lead of about 300.
We did look a team which wasn't very confident last week and it looks like its continuing today.
Doesn't look good I must say. Wicket will probably lose green touch and we will struggle and give up a first innings lead of about 300.
Can someone contact radio brain dead (notts) to let them know that its TREGO and not TRAYGO!!!
I have no idea how to go about it but i am close to turning this rubbish off if i have to hear it said again.
COACH
I have no idea how to go about it but i am close to turning this rubbish off if i have to hear it said again.
COACH
They just said "pete can put bat to ball and this was proved last year when he scored a 54 ball 100,there must have been a decleration around the corner!!!" What do these guys actually know about the game?
Keep going bro.
COACH
Keep going bro.
COACH
What a strange season this is. Our noted batting line up can't score a run and the noted Durham attack can't take a wicket.Does the title of this thread describe a Compton/Trig partnership. Thank good ness for it any way
These people simply get the gig because of who they know,Bo.
They know very little about the game,having spent so long the sport you should know that by now.
Same as rugby,they're all failed players who think they know best.
Oh for a nice ruck,Kiwi style.
They know very little about the game,having spent so long the sport you should know that by now.
Same as rugby,they're all failed players who think they know best.
Oh for a nice ruck,Kiwi style.
Its that good we now have a player called Peter Wright!!!
What a pair of muppets!!!
Keep going bro.
COACH
What a pair of muppets!!!
Keep going bro.
COACH
Disappointing for your Brother BO but a good effort neverthe less. If we can just squeeze to 300 here I think that will be a good effort. Need a couple early though and to steam into them regardless what we get.
Well played Pete! So - that's tea.
Nathan reported early this morning that 300 would be a good score on this pitch.
So with 36 overs left in the day, I'd take anything over 250 which gives us time to have them 2 or 3 down before the close.
What d'ya reckon guys?
Nathan reported early this morning that 300 would be a good score on this pitch.
So with 36 overs left in the day, I'd take anything over 250 which gives us time to have them 2 or 3 down before the close.
What d'ya reckon guys?
Aye,anything over 250 would be workable.
First innings flop again on the cards though,it's becoming a habit.
First innings flop again on the cards though,it's becoming a habit.
Oh aye,Ronnie.
I just want the full batting points see.
Greedy thing really.
Home and hosed I think.
I just want the full batting points see.
Greedy thing really.
Home and hosed I think.
Blink and we lose a wicket, or three, but it looks a lot better than an hour ago. Wouldn't it be nice dominate the opposition for more than the odd hour?
I said it last season and the season before, etc. Can our 'spokesmen' be it skipper, coach or manager please keep their comments to a modest level - eg: we'll do our very best etc rather than we can win the league this year. It just puts undue pressure on everyone. And just for once COULD we please pick a BALANCED attack. How on earth our young spinners are ever going to progress unless they ARE picked in important matches is a mystery to me. Even the Kartiks etc had to be put in the hot bed at the start of their careers. We CANNOT expect WALLER or MUNDAY to come in for the odd match and perform immediately.
OLDBOYBA!
OLDBOYBA!
To be fair to the commentators, there was a phase shortly before he was out when PT was indeed having difficulty putting bat to ball. He seemed to have lost his touch or his concentration and it was no great surprise that his frustration got the better of him and that he was out shortly afterwards. At other times the commentators had been full of praise for him as an outstanding allrounder.
LoL
Sixty-six Seasons a Somerset Supporter
LoL
Sixty-six Seasons a Somerset Supporter
I think pete will take 60 odd each innings,it did not sound like it was the greatest of shots he played,but thats now 3 innings in a row that he has come in not very much for 5.
Top order need to have a good look at thereselves one feels.
COACH
Top order need to have a good look at thereselves one feels.
COACH
272 is what we make every time we are invited to bat first this season.
Just wait till be make our own decision to bat... They'll need a fourth digit on the scoreboard.
Just wait till be make our own decision to bat... They'll need a fourth digit on the scoreboard.
All out 272,we will have them 2 down at the close,maybe 3 if pete can get a couple of overs in.
I remember him taking 6 wickets at trent bridge while playing for middlesex.
COACH
I remember him taking 6 wickets at trent bridge while playing for middlesex.
COACH
lets hope so mate.
LOL...I think we chose to bat last week when we won the toss and scored 272.
LOL...I think we chose to bat last week when we won the toss and scored 272.
Eleven Somerset men out already - now let's get nine men of Botts out.
Ronnie: I think you are correct; sorry about that. I think 272 was quite a respectable score after the bad start we made and could still prove match winning.
LoL
Sixty-six Seasons a Somerset Supporter
Ronnie: I think you are correct; sorry about that. I think 272 was quite a respectable score after the bad start we made and could still prove match winning.
LoL
Sixty-six Seasons a Somerset Supporter
Chaps, don't forget these first two games are Headingley and Trent Bridge - places where 270-odd (esp after being put in) can be good scores. It's not some cricket-killing shirt-front you know!
PS Notts have only picked one spinner, and not really a front-line one at that, and he only bowled 6 of their 76 first-innings overs - for 0 wickets.
4/2 seems a pretty good start to me. Two more tonight, please.
LoL
Sixty-six Seasons a Somerset Supporter
LoL
Sixty-six Seasons a Somerset Supporter
Great start boys. Get the ball in Trgger's hand before the close to have a see what he can do. Get Amla.........game on!
game about even I would say. If we can knock a couple over tomorrow early (Amla especially), we would be looking good. Need a good nights kip and pep talk from Marcus and then get at them.....please!!!!
Quote:old boy!
I said it last season and the season before, etc. Can our 'spokesmen' be it skipper, coach or manager please keep their comments to a modest level - eg: we'll do our very best etc rather than we can win the league this year. It just puts undue pressure on everyone. And just for once COULD we please pick a BALANCED attack. How on earth our young spinners are ever going to progress unless they ARE picked in important matches is a mystery to me. Even the Kartiks etc had to be put in the hot bed at the start of their careers. We CANNOT expect WALLER or MUNDAY to come in for the odd match and perform immediately.
OLDBOYBA!
Well said, oldboy - I could not agree with you more, and have said something very similar in the past. All too often, the pre - season hype dissipates into thin air, as soon as the first game gets under way, and as you so correctly say, "it just puts undue pressure on everyone."
The present attack, under any conditions, is far from being a well - balanced one. I was hoping to see either Munday or Waller given an outing today, but alas the selection committee thought otherwise.
It's about horses for courses. The ball swings at Trent Bridge in the middle of August, let alone in the middle of April where it will likely seam around as well. Selection committee took the decision (which may have been supported by Notts' selection and their bowling performance?) that the seamers would be more effective on the pitch. I think it's too early to start second-guessing the selection until we see how the pitch plays - by all means if it flattens out and starts turning later on we can criticise. Until then, surely it's about picking the best team to win the game?
BVI Grockle
BVI Grockle
No it's not,BVIG.
It's about picking the best team to keep the fans happy.
The fans you see.
Know best.
It's about picking the best team to keep the fans happy.
The fans you see.
Know best.
What an intriguing idea.
If that were the case we'd have to name about 20 players in a side, so we had enough locals to keep some happy, enough spinners for others, enough seamers for others, and enough Tregos for you (can you ever have enough Tregos? Probably not) playing on three different wickets to keep all of us rabble happy!
BVI Grockle
If that were the case we'd have to name about 20 players in a side, so we had enough locals to keep some happy, enough spinners for others, enough seamers for others, and enough Tregos for you (can you ever have enough Tregos? Probably not) playing on three different wickets to keep all of us rabble happy!
BVI Grockle
You can never have enough Trego's.
We'd also need someone with a shovel to dig the pitch up for KT and for others a simple return to good old fashioned family values.
Modern society,it's morally bankrupt.
It wasn't like this in my day I tell you.
We'd also need someone with a shovel to dig the pitch up for KT and for others a simple return to good old fashioned family values.
Modern society,it's morally bankrupt.
It wasn't like this in my day I tell you.
struggling badly this morning. This was not in my script although part of me thought it may happen.
not so great now..........why is Trego not bowling. DebRyun and Stiff seem to be letting them back in it.
We are in danger of letting a good position slip. I can see a first innings defecit here which will not be good in context of the game.
We are in danger of letting a good position slip. I can see a first innings defecit here which will not be good in context of the game.
Come on,Ronnie.
None of this stuff,we're clobbering them.
Big win coming up.
None of this stuff,we're clobbering them.
Big win coming up.
i'd like to meet you Jim...........just to have taste of what you are on. A slight sip would do me.
well done BJ....between my question and your positive outlook between us we got rid of Read.
C Big Jim B Ronnie sabre
C Big Jim B Ronnie sabre
Pete has answered our prays with the wicket of read lbw.
30 odd behind and 3 wickets left,close game on the cards one feels.
COACH
30 odd behind and 3 wickets left,close game on the cards one feels.
COACH
Looks like it BO.
Hopefully we can come out on top but we need to bat a lot beter than Leeds and here too. I mean Compton, Hildreth and Kieswetter when I say that. Willoughby has got almost as many as CK this season. Time for him and the rest to step up
Hopefully we can come out on top but we need to bat a lot beter than Leeds and here too. I mean Compton, Hildreth and Kieswetter when I say that. Willoughby has got almost as many as CK this season. Time for him and the rest to step up
Meet me on Gimblett's Hill later this Summer,Ronnie.
You can have a sip,a slice or whatever else of it I have on me.
We're stuffing them.
Our man of the match will see to that.
You can have a sip,a slice or whatever else of it I have on me.
We're stuffing them.
Our man of the match will see to that.
will do BJ..........I''l be there from 15-28 May for Yorks/Warks/Suussex games. I will be the one with the Scottish accent
Happys days,all out 250.
Time to knuckle down and build the lead to 300+.
COACH
Time to knuckle down and build the lead to 300+.
COACH
So, we lead by 8.8% on first innings, or almost one wicket.
As you say, BO......happy days!
As you say, BO......happy days!
Aye,spot on Bo.
Superb work boys,fantastic effort.
What more can we say about Charl?
The man is a superstar.
See you there,Ronnie.
Now lets do as the main man says.
Let's ave em.
Superb work boys,fantastic effort.
What more can we say about Charl?
The man is a superstar.
See you there,Ronnie.
Now lets do as the main man says.
Let's ave em.
Who's running the sweepstake on how long it'll be before AG is on here bemoaning us letting Notts get a batting point for 250? 
With Supps and Compton gone this has to be Hildreth's day. I don't know why we are moaning about the bowling... it's runs that seem hard to get.
Chris Jones anyone? Hildreth just not doing it and hasn't for years now.
This is rapidly turning into a complete shambles and I'm not a happy bunny.
This is rapidly turning into a complete shambles and I'm not a happy bunny.
33-5 Excuses now please - unless Tres and Trego can perform miracles!!!
OLDBOYBA!
OLDBOYBA!
A simple solution for everyone involved please - including selectors - ACTIONS speak louder than WORDS
OLDBOYBA!
OLDBOYBA!
Blimey 40-6 - can we stay until tomorrow morning. Suggest early start back to Taunton and 3 days in the nets - without any food!
OLDBOYBA!
OLDBOYBA!
2 defeats to start makes it really difficult. Not only from the number of points we have but from a confidence point of view. Where is the confidence of Compton/Hildreth? I'll tell you no-where.
As for CK, just don't start me. He obviously now is thinking elsewhere and we need stability more than ever, As I said earlier Charl Willoughby will have more runs than him by the end of this game
As for CK, just don't start me. He obviously now is thinking elsewhere and we need stability more than ever, As I said earlier Charl Willoughby will have more runs than him by the end of this game
hopefully people will take notice about our batting. Ive been saying for a while I dont think its as strong as everyone thinks it is. Nothing this season has changed my mind
I'm thinking - if Tres & Rosey get their way with more bowler friendly Taunton tracks, we could be seeing a few 2 day matches!
Another solution? - Ring WES and ask him if he would like to come for a chat!
OLDBOYBA!
Another solution? - Ring WES and ask him if he would like to come for a chat!
OLDBOYBA!
Shocking is the only word i can use,obviously stuart broad is bowling "one of those spells" but we have to be mentally tougher than this.
The confidence of Hildreth from last year seems to have run into this year!!!
COACH
The confidence of Hildreth from last year seems to have run into this year!!!
COACH
I have a bath and this,what are you lot up to?
Of course we're on top,Ronnie.
In the bag this baby.
Of course we're on top,Ronnie.
In the bag this baby.
TRES IS DOING BRILLIANTLY - good job he slipped Neil a fiver to drop him earlier on!
OLDBOYBA!
OLDBOYBA!
I'm loving this counter-attack!
Two defeats, Ronnie?
Says who?
Not while Tres is alive and kicking!
Two defeats, Ronnie?
Says who?
Not while Tres is alive and kicking!
needs to carry on for a bit more in the morning FE. If it does Im with you.
Great effort as you say.
Great effort as you say.
Another Test Match ground, and 26 wickets have fallen in 2 days! Only 5 fewer than that much - maligned strip just up the M5 motorway in Bristol.
Come back to Taunton - it will take 2 complete 4-day games to match that number of wickets.
Come back to Taunton - it will take 2 complete 4-day games to match that number of wickets.
I think another 75 could make it interesting, but my fear is that EDWARDS will make that ton I suggested he might get. Unfortunately he has been shown how to do it by his old mentor - TRES.
Of course, if we were still batting at lunch tomorrow, Notts might have play for a draw! Then the lads can forget my nets idea without food!
OLDBOYBA!
Of course, if we were still batting at lunch tomorrow, Notts might have play for a draw! Then the lads can forget my nets idea without food!
OLDBOYBA!
Absolutely, Ronnie.
If these two can stay put for the first hour (even at 3 rpo rather than 7!), we should be 180 or so in front. That'll allow Alfie and Stiff to play their natural games from there, and anything over 220 will be a challenge. If we can set 250, I'd genuinely make us favourites.
Keep the faith lads!
And "Come on my Babbies!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
If these two can stay put for the first hour (even at 3 rpo rather than 7!), we should be 180 or so in front. That'll allow Alfie and Stiff to play their natural games from there, and anything over 220 will be a challenge. If we can set 250, I'd genuinely make us favourites.
Keep the faith lads!
And "Come on my Babbies!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
Haven't had the chance to post recently, but a few points spring to mind. Apologies for stating the obvious:
1) Tres is a hero, which is just as well at the moment.
2) Our much vaunted batting line up looks fragile at best.
3) A little more application when at the crease would be welcome. The skipper deserves a bit of support please lads !
4) James Hildreth is in the last chance saloon (again).
5) Fitness means nothing if you can't perform when it matters.
6) Is there anything wrong with the pitch, or is it just good bowling &/or poor batting ?
7) Did someone say earlier on this thread that they didn't mind Broad playing against us ??!!
8) If only IDB were still with us (oh sorry, I forgot, he was fat & scored the wrong kind of runs didn't he ?).
Grizzzly
1) Tres is a hero, which is just as well at the moment.
2) Our much vaunted batting line up looks fragile at best.
3) A little more application when at the crease would be welcome. The skipper deserves a bit of support please lads !
4) James Hildreth is in the last chance saloon (again).
5) Fitness means nothing if you can't perform when it matters.
6) Is there anything wrong with the pitch, or is it just good bowling &/or poor batting ?
7) Did someone say earlier on this thread that they didn't mind Broad playing against us ??!!
8) If only IDB were still with us (oh sorry, I forgot, he was fat & scored the wrong kind of runs didn't he ?).
Grizzzly
If Trescothick can see off the first few overs in the morning I will be a lot happier, he often takes a few overs to get started.
No,and I'd still say that out of the ones mentioned I'd be happier with Broad playing.
Hindsight wins arguments of course.
I forget.
Hindsight wins arguments of course.
I forget.
8) If only IDB were still with us (oh sorry, I forgot, he was fat & scored the wrong kind of runs didn't he ?).
Grizzzly
He top scored for Durham today.
Grizzzly
He top scored for Durham today.
Ok......I'll put my hand up.
I said that OF THE THREE of Broad, Swann and Sidebottom, if we had to face one at TB in April, I'd take Broad.
I still stand by that. Broad was awful first up yesterday, and we were still reduced to 78 for 5. If Sidebottom had taken the new ball in those conditions who can tell where we might have been!?!?!?!?!
I said that OF THE THREE of Broad, Swann and Sidebottom, if we had to face one at TB in April, I'd take Broad.
I still stand by that. Broad was awful first up yesterday, and we were still reduced to 78 for 5. If Sidebottom had taken the new ball in those conditions who can tell where we might have been!?!?!?!?!
Come on,FE.
No good now,like me you're supposed to be grovelling an apology which shows just how little we know about the game.
Best to save an opinion until afterwards,and join the great club I'm making some badges for.
They'll be known as the Toldyaso's.
Having quite a few made.
No good now,like me you're supposed to be grovelling an apology which shows just how little we know about the game.
Best to save an opinion until afterwards,and join the great club I'm making some badges for.
They'll be known as the Toldyaso's.
Having quite a few made.
No prizes for guessing which posters would set sail yet again on the good ship `if only IDB was still with us.`
More predictable even than today`s mass newspaper assault on Nick Clegg.
More predictable even than today`s mass newspaper assault on Nick Clegg.
Almost as predictable as your acidic & utterly pointless response CJ-M.
Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 2010:04:22:20:59:29 by Grizzzly.
Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 2010:04:22:20:59:29 by Grizzzly.
On another thread I suggested that Hilda's problem was more Slocombe than Lathwell, in other words it was more a question of faulty technique than mental attitude. I note that in four innings he has been lbw three times (the other was a run out). Any thoughts anyone?
Quote:Grizzzly
Almost as predictable as your acidic & utterly pointless response CJ-M.
Yes, that response surprised me Grizzly. He usually sticks to facts, but this must have hit a nerve.
What strikes me about this and the Yorkshire match is; what a cracking closely fought contest.
A real balance between bat and ball where 272 is a par score, bowlers have a decent chance and batsmen must graft for their runs.
Yes our batsmen have struggled, though don't discount the value of say Compton's hard fought 42 in a match like this.
The lower order have responded well, especially Thomas and Wright. The bowlers now need to deliver in the final innings.
At Taunton we've grown used to huge totals with our batsmen cracking big scores as a matter of course.
This is the stuff that gives the CC a good name, balanced, closely fought stuff. We just have to have the steel to close the game out.
As for people calling for Hildy's head I say early days, not least because we have no experienced cover; can a summer contract for Durston be far away? Our batsmen must at least be challenegd for their places.
A real balance between bat and ball where 272 is a par score, bowlers have a decent chance and batsmen must graft for their runs.
Yes our batsmen have struggled, though don't discount the value of say Compton's hard fought 42 in a match like this.
The lower order have responded well, especially Thomas and Wright. The bowlers now need to deliver in the final innings.
At Taunton we've grown used to huge totals with our batsmen cracking big scores as a matter of course.
This is the stuff that gives the CC a good name, balanced, closely fought stuff. We just have to have the steel to close the game out.
As for people calling for Hildy's head I say early days, not least because we have no experienced cover; can a summer contract for Durston be far away? Our batsmen must at least be challenegd for their places.
Rose, in my opinion has really messed up by leaving us, effectively with no depth or competition for places amongst the batsmen. This situation has arisen, in no small part, because, we just kept picking the same top six last season, even though 50 percent of them did not really do a consistently good job in the cc during 2009. This meant the likes of Edwards and durston did not get a look in.
Who is going to push this top six now?
In theory there are young up and coming guys,but I don't think any of our top six will take their claims seriously, unless and until brian rose shows a willingness to shake the batting line-up up.
Who is going to push this top six now?
In theory there are young up and coming guys,but I don't think any of our top six will take their claims seriously, unless and until brian rose shows a willingness to shake the batting line-up up.
Actually, sp, cannot remember ever saying anything about us letting the oppo get a batting point.
What I did say last season - and it's going to be the same story this season, by the look of it, was that we were leaving far too many batting bonus pts on the table for a team that, supposedly, has a good batting line-up.
Truth be told that whilst it's true that we don't have a bowling line-up that causes huge problems for people on good batting tracks, it's even more true to say that we don't have a batting line-up that can be relied upon other than when conditions are heavily in their favour.
What I did say last season - and it's going to be the same story this season, by the look of it, was that we were leaving far too many batting bonus pts on the table for a team that, supposedly, has a good batting line-up.
Truth be told that whilst it's true that we don't have a bowling line-up that causes huge problems for people on good batting tracks, it's even more true to say that we don't have a batting line-up that can be relied upon other than when conditions are heavily in their favour.
If only Andy Caddick of 1995 was still with us then we'd have no problems at all :-)
Whether Banger keeps us in this one or not (it may have to be Alfonso showing how to do it with a third tailend 40) they have to be worried about the front end and it's tendancy to collapse - thought we'd sorted this.
The pressure has to be put on James to get his number 4 act together and if that means someone else comes in then what have we got to lose - a novice couldn't do much worse. It does make you wonder about the decision relating to Wes though. Maybe the bosses had the same kind of faith as we had and are also going "oh bother"
Grizz...aren't you being a little niaive? Did you assume that dropping the IDB bomb would not cause a response and arre you really shocked and dismayed by that response? Did you read these fora last year?
I personally don't understand the 'wrong kind of runs' comment but it's a long time ago now and probably doesn't need explaining any more.
Would say though that Ian rarely held an innings together when it fell apart up front. He tended to destroy attacks when the base had been laid and he could bat naturally. When we fell in droves, IDB tended to follow the other sheep. Still think he's probably a little overweight but playing well and good on him.
I checked the score at just after Tea and they were 8 down. 8 wickets gone in the last session - must have been some spell from Young Broad (I'd call him a name but I know he DOES have a father!!)
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2010:04:22:22:49:56 by Grockle.
Whether Banger keeps us in this one or not (it may have to be Alfonso showing how to do it with a third tailend 40) they have to be worried about the front end and it's tendancy to collapse - thought we'd sorted this.
The pressure has to be put on James to get his number 4 act together and if that means someone else comes in then what have we got to lose - a novice couldn't do much worse. It does make you wonder about the decision relating to Wes though. Maybe the bosses had the same kind of faith as we had and are also going "oh bother"
Grizz...aren't you being a little niaive? Did you assume that dropping the IDB bomb would not cause a response and arre you really shocked and dismayed by that response? Did you read these fora last year?
I personally don't understand the 'wrong kind of runs' comment but it's a long time ago now and probably doesn't need explaining any more.
Would say though that Ian rarely held an innings together when it fell apart up front. He tended to destroy attacks when the base had been laid and he could bat naturally. When we fell in droves, IDB tended to follow the other sheep. Still think he's probably a little overweight but playing well and good on him.
I checked the score at just after Tea and they were 8 down. 8 wickets gone in the last session - must have been some spell from Young Broad (I'd call him a name but I know he DOES have a father!!)
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2010:04:22:22:49:56 by Grockle.
I'm not being naive in the slightest Grockle, any more than you are being provocative with your comments.
Nor was I "shocked or dismayed" - (hence the comment re predictability). I simply responded in kind to what I felt was a needlessly acid comment by CJ-M.
As for the original post, I wasn't aware that mentioning IDB represented a "bomb" ?
As you know full well, I read pretty well every thread in full last year.
It's a pretty sad state of affairs if a poster can't even refer to the talents of a former player, - even if his initials are those which obviously mustn't be aired.
Would not ANY player who could likely contribute 1000 runs or so a year, at 40+ be welcome in our team, whatever their shape or size ?
Clearly not.
Grizzzly
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2010:04:23:05:06:59 by Grizzzly.
Nor was I "shocked or dismayed" - (hence the comment re predictability). I simply responded in kind to what I felt was a needlessly acid comment by CJ-M.
As for the original post, I wasn't aware that mentioning IDB represented a "bomb" ?
As you know full well, I read pretty well every thread in full last year.
It's a pretty sad state of affairs if a poster can't even refer to the talents of a former player, - even if his initials are those which obviously mustn't be aired.
Would not ANY player who could likely contribute 1000 runs or so a year, at 40+ be welcome in our team, whatever their shape or size ?
Clearly not.
Grizzzly
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2010:04:23:05:06:59 by Grizzzly.
Yep, Grockle, if Rose is not worried about the top six, then he should be.
After 3.5 innings of the new season, I'd grade our units as follows;
bowling unit: 8 out of 10
nos 7-11 batting: 9 out of 10
nos 1-6 batting: well, I think a 4 would be generous, given that banger has a 50 percent ratio of decent scores and the rest either 25 percent or 0, depending on how one views compton's 40 and hildreth's 30.
After 3.5 innings of the new season, I'd grade our units as follows;
bowling unit: 8 out of 10
nos 7-11 batting: 9 out of 10
nos 1-6 batting: well, I think a 4 would be generous, given that banger has a 50 percent ratio of decent scores and the rest either 25 percent or 0, depending on how one views compton's 40 and hildreth's 30.
Blimey... if some people who contribute here were running the CAA, we'd have dismantled all out planes last week because the sky was falling in....
For all the Chicken Lickens out there
Fact - SCCC took a first innings LEAD in this match
Fact - it's April....
Fact - Neil Edwards (the prodigal saviour of our top six) scored a very healthy 2 runs.
Fact - the top order got blown away yesterday by an international bowler on a very sporting pitch, who bowled, by all accounts, an awesome spell
Waaaaaay too early to start calling for heads I think.
We still haven't lost this game. A lead of 200 may be very competitive.
A couple of low scores on bowler friendly April wickets doen NOT make Brian Rose's policies worng, doesn't make good players bad, and certainly doesn't make the sky fall down
For all the Chicken Lickens out there
Fact - SCCC took a first innings LEAD in this match
Fact - it's April....
Fact - Neil Edwards (the prodigal saviour of our top six) scored a very healthy 2 runs.
Fact - the top order got blown away yesterday by an international bowler on a very sporting pitch, who bowled, by all accounts, an awesome spell
Waaaaaay too early to start calling for heads I think.
We still haven't lost this game. A lead of 200 may be very competitive.
A couple of low scores on bowler friendly April wickets doen NOT make Brian Rose's policies worng, doesn't make good players bad, and certainly doesn't make the sky fall down
Oh, and if JH deserves to be dropped, should we not also tell the England managament not to bother taking Craig to the 20/20 world cup because he needs some batting practice in a second eleven vs. University game at Back of Beyond CC?
NOTB, What it does do though is knock confidence, and another defeat today will do just that. I am all for giving players the chance as you correctly state but Hildreth to me is totally bereft of it.
Quote:Angell Face
On another thread I suggested that Hilda's problem was more Slocombe than Lathwell, in other words it was more a question of faulty technique than mental attitude. I note that in four innings he has been lbw three times (the other was a run out). Any thoughts anyone?
Well, Angell Face, I believe that you and I discussed James Hildreth on here a couple of years ago.
I have just retrieved a part of what I said then, because the comments and opinions of the two former Somerset players (who shall continue to remain anonymous) concerned me then, and continue to do so to this day!
Quote:Palairet
Date: 29 October, 2008 12:13
Again, I have said before that I have every confidence in Brian Rose as Director of Cricket. I applauded his appointment at the time that it was made and still do.
However, I am not confident that Brian has the right set up either alongside him or beneath him. In the past few months, I have discussed this with two well known and respected former Somerset players - one of them a now retired and noted first-class umpire and coach.
Two comments that the latter made were to the effect that the appointment of Jimmy Cook to come over here and coach was "an utter waste of time" (and presumably money?) and the other was (to me anyway) a much more disconcerting opinion.
This former player, who still has close links with what is happening at Taunton, acknowledged that James Hildreth was a very good player who was "just having a poor season" in 2008. What was of concern to me though, was that he believed that Hildreth would not develop "under the current set up."
O.K. that was his considered observation, and the second ex player thought along similar lines. These are two men for whom cricket has been their lives.
You have probably seen more county cricket than I have been able to during the course of the past few years, Angell Face, so if Hildreth (or others come to that) has a faulty technique, why is nobody able to correct it, or at least identify it, so that the player can work to overcome any perceived problem?
I agree with the ex - player that Hildreth is a very good player, but will he ever realise his full potential at Somerset?
Sadly, time is running out, I fear!
I shall now look on the bright side. We are 149 ahead.
We have 5 batsmen still to contribute, so an extra 37 from Marcus, 20 from Wright, 30 from Alfie 30 from Stiff and 4 from Charl. Add 5 extras and we end 275 ahead which when we bowled them out for 250 in the first innings is a winning lead.
What's the problem????
We have 5 batsmen still to contribute, so an extra 37 from Marcus, 20 from Wright, 30 from Alfie 30 from Stiff and 4 from Charl. Add 5 extras and we end 275 ahead which when we bowled them out for 250 in the first innings is a winning lead.
What's the problem????
Notb- 3 of the top six not doing a consistent job last season and bringing in no extra competition for the following season - 1 in and 3 out - always looked a bad idea to me and I said so at the time, so my comments are not solely or even mainly based on just these first two games.
Hear hear Geordie (though I feel that expecting as many as 4 from Charl again may be pushing our luck).
My fear is that even if we make 200+ our attack lacking a spinner will not be sufficient to roll them over. Lets hope I'm wrong.
Dreaming again, but wouldn't it have been great to have IDB in the 'engine room' with a run a ball eighty and 2-33 in 15 overs. Good for him - he's landed on his feet.
An awful amount of pressure is building on Kartik to be the saviour - I just hope he makes it - we certainly won't be using the other slow men it seems.
The position at lunch today will decide who is going to win.
OLDBOYBA!
Dreaming again, but wouldn't it have been great to have IDB in the 'engine room' with a run a ball eighty and 2-33 in 15 overs. Good for him - he's landed on his feet.
An awful amount of pressure is building on Kartik to be the saviour - I just hope he makes it - we certainly won't be using the other slow men it seems.
The position at lunch today will decide who is going to win.
OLDBOYBA!
"We certainly won't be using the other slow men it seems."
But we should, old boy, shouldn't we?
But we should, old boy, shouldn't we?
It's obvious now that some are doing the IDB thing to get a response,it's actually making me laugh at how sad it is.
NotB is right,and it's something a few of us have been banging on about since ball one.
Our boys are fighting for a game out there,doing their best.
A few things go wrong and suddenly the toys start getting chucked out of the pram,dummies spat out and fingers of blame being pointed.
If that's what you want then there's a sport ready made for you,it's called football.
Or Wendyball as it's lovingly known.
Get behind them.
Go on.
Give support.
If you don't want to then keep it to yourself,at least whilst the game is going on.
NotB is right,and it's something a few of us have been banging on about since ball one.
Our boys are fighting for a game out there,doing their best.
A few things go wrong and suddenly the toys start getting chucked out of the pram,dummies spat out and fingers of blame being pointed.
If that's what you want then there's a sport ready made for you,it's called football.
Or Wendyball as it's lovingly known.
Get behind them.
Go on.
Give support.
If you don't want to then keep it to yourself,at least whilst the game is going on.
I'm confused. Did we get the wrong Wright ?? I thought we had brought in a bowler who batted a bit. We seem to have a batsman who bowls a bit !! Not that I'm complaining. More power to both his elbows.
BJ....you are so right, they are fighting like mad out there and deserve backing, even though its only from a keyboard at the moment.
Blimey ,You lot should lighten up a bit.
Just think what it's like being a Middlesex supporter....
Just think what it's like being a Middlesex supporter....
You're right, bee - all is well with the world, esp as Gloucs are rubbish as well.
Gloucestershire are rubbish? Surely not. They've scored 45 this morning already and only lost five wickets.
LoL
Sixty-six Seasons a Somerset Supporter
LoL
Sixty-six Seasons a Somerset Supporter
tresco gone.........if anyone deserved a ton it was him.
Im amazed actually how many times he gets out in the nineties.....happend a few times last season if I remember.
Im amazed actually how many times he gets out in the nineties.....happend a few times last season if I remember.
I am still looking on the bright side. If we can bowl them out for 250 in the 1st innings, why can't we bowl them out for 250 in the second innnings.
What do you means "still"?
This has been in the bag since the first ball.
Start the car.
Controversial,Shep.
No mun.
A joke.
Lightening Up sessions available here soon.
This has been in the bag since the first ball.
Start the car.
Controversial,Shep.
No mun.
A joke.
Lightening Up sessions available here soon.
I said before start of play
We have 5 batsmen still to contribute, so an extra 37 from Marcus, 20 from Wright, 30 from Alfie 30 from Stiff and 4 from Charl. Add 5 extras and we end 275 ahead which when we bowled them out for 250 in the first innings is a winning lead.
What's the problem????
At this moment
Marcus added 35
Wright 41
Alfie 12
Stiff has got 5
Charl is on 4!!!!
and we have had 10 mo0re extras
They now have to make 250 to win. WE are acapable of doing it.witht the bowlers who are playing.Every run from now in is a bonus
We have 5 batsmen still to contribute, so an extra 37 from Marcus, 20 from Wright, 30 from Alfie 30 from Stiff and 4 from Charl. Add 5 extras and we end 275 ahead which when we bowled them out for 250 in the first innings is a winning lead.
What's the problem????
At this moment
Marcus added 35
Wright 41
Alfie 12
Stiff has got 5
Charl is on 4!!!!
and we have had 10 mo0re extras
They now have to make 250 to win. WE are acapable of doing it.witht the bowlers who are playing.Every run from now in is a bonus
if they get 250 they will win.........lets bowl them out for less than 200. I think we only did that once all of last season v Sussex. Now is a good time for another.
Need to bowl well though!!!
Need to bowl well though!!!
... and we're off, with Edwards gone in the first over again.
LoL
Sixty-six Seasons a Somerset Supporter
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Sixty-six Seasons a Somerset Supporter
You have a quiet rest (with nurse) this afternoon, BJ, and we'll wake you at 4.30 with the good news.
LoL
Sixty-six Seasons a Somerset Supporter
LoL
Sixty-six Seasons a Somerset Supporter
Calm down BJ.
By just screaming - 'you are the greatest' to our team does not necessarily get the best of them. Sometimes telling them off, and putting them in the naughty corner is best.
Thank goodness for Tres who will be a captain who leads by example. 3 or 4 by tea and we could be looking good, but if they are 1 for plenty, it could be a struggle for us.
OLDBOYBA!
By just screaming - 'you are the greatest' to our team does not necessarily get the best of them. Sometimes telling them off, and putting them in the naughty corner is best.
Thank goodness for Tres who will be a captain who leads by example. 3 or 4 by tea and we could be looking good, but if they are 1 for plenty, it could be a struggle for us.
OLDBOYBA!
Does dragging up the Blackwell name up time and time again do any good.
Sorry,I obviously missed soemthing.
Let's do it all the time shall we?
You support your way,I'll support mine.
Fair enough?
Sorry,I obviously missed soemthing.
Let's do it all the time shall we?
You support your way,I'll support mine.
Fair enough?
What's all this about not being able to win this match without a spinner? Of the 31 wickets to fall so far, 31 have been to medium fast bowlers!
They got a similar score easily in this fixture last season. We now have Wright, fantastic effort with the bat by him, but they now have amla who, IMO, is 100 times better than Adam voges.
They don't really have a tail. Andre Adams would probably bat nine for most counties. I think we need at least six wickets - including Amla within the first 40 overs to win.
They don't really have a tail. Andre Adams would probably bat nine for most counties. I think we need at least six wickets - including Amla within the first 40 overs to win.
Stop.
Stop.
We can't have facts.
We can't.
Maybe Blackie could bowl some seam for us.
There's a thought.
Stop.
We can't have facts.
We can't.
Maybe Blackie could bowl some seam for us.
There's a thought.
Must be time for PT now.
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Sixty-six Seasons a Somerset Supporter
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Sixty-six Seasons a Somerset Supporter
Great effort to get ourselves back in this.
Time for a breakthrough - cue PT ?
Grizzzly
Time for a breakthrough - cue PT ?
Grizzzly
A spinner would have been a better bet than Stiff.
The pitch is probably easing now.
The pitch is probably easing now.
Predictable 4th innings so far - just like last yr on same ground. Likely to lose heavily and looks like we are intent on making charl earn a season's worth of money by the end of April!
Let's not overplay the 'it was Broad angle' in defence of our top six. Good bowler? Yep. Great of the world game? No, certainly not yet. Sir R J Hadlee in his pomp this is not. Not,IMO, even F D Stephenson yet.
Let's not overplay the 'it was Broad angle' in defence of our top six. Good bowler? Yep. Great of the world game? No, certainly not yet. Sir R J Hadlee in his pomp this is not. Not,IMO, even F D Stephenson yet.
this is extremely disappointing. Hardly surprising since Suppiah, DebRuyn, Hildreth Stiff and Kieswetter have contributed nothing to the game whatsoever. You aint going to win games with 6 men.
Its gong to take a Broadesque spell from one of ours now.........
Its gong to take a Broadesque spell from one of ours now.........
Stiff going at over 7 an over? - is it 20/20? - we will soon have to come to the conclusion that the previous - was it four? counties came to. Sorry he is probably a very nice lad but he doesn't cut the mustard for me!
OLDBOYBA!
OLDBOYBA!
I wish I were so knowledgeable that I could be utterly dismissive of young Mr Broad. This is a man capable of occasional brilliant performances, as those of us confined to the Old Pavilion one day last season during a rain break, while Test play continued elsewhere, will remember rather well. Somerset had to cope with a similar purple patch yesterday evening and fared no better than Australia in that Test. Nothing terribly disgraceful in that, in my opinion.
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Sixty-six Seasons a Somerset Supporter
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Sixty-six Seasons a Somerset Supporter
I say bring in the youngsters and start preparing for winning the CC next season.
Very sound thinking, Botham, but I fear that we may have to concentrate on surviving in Division 1 in the first instance.
Don't worry - we are down amongst the tail - enders now.
Edited for spelling error.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2010:04:23:15:57:17 by Clarence Parker.
Don't worry - we are down amongst the tail - enders now.
Edited for spelling error.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2010:04:23:15:57:17 by Clarence Parker.
de Bruyn...hes a had good game!!!
A lot of people disliked Langer but one thing you can say about him is he had them playing as a team. Now we seem to be playing as individuals and with him not to be faced when you are out or put in poor bowling dispaly maybe its easier. This is nothing against Marcus but maybe Langer had an effect more than any of us knew.
I think we are missing his influence more than anything.
A lot of people disliked Langer but one thing you can say about him is he had them playing as a team. Now we seem to be playing as individuals and with him not to be faced when you are out or put in poor bowling dispaly maybe its easier. This is nothing against Marcus but maybe Langer had an effect more than any of us knew.
I think we are missing his influence more than anything.
For goodness' sake - we're only halfway through game 2! I agree it's not great so far, but there's a whole summer ahead of us - cheer up chaps!
It will be interesting to see what effect these two away games will have on the choice of eleven for the first home game against Essex.
As much as I'd love to be in the BJ camp for this one and will be over the moon if they pull something out of this, I think Notts will manage just over 100 with 9 standing in four sessions and we will lose tonight or early tomorrow morning.
I like Damien Wright, he seems a hard working bowler and a gritty fighter with the bat. Alf has done the same with the wood.
The bowling has been moderately tight - except for Stiffy who has pulled back bad sessions but still gone for too many when we don't have many on the board.
The problem with playing Stiff is that he will go for some. So you have to give him a bed of runs to bowl into. We haven't done that and so he is ineffective.
Why haven't we done that? Well no-one has really supported the batsmen making runs. Trescothick has been fighting rearguard actions while those about him die horribly or the tail has been digging in to make a reasonable score after the skipper has gone. We aren't getting those 40 to 60 scores in the middle from Zander, Nick, James and Craig.
As someone said further up this thread. CK is no real loss at all at the moment and I'll personally welcome Jos into the side at Taunton and hope that a spell with England will get Craig back up to fighting as his proper weight.
Zander is a surprise, not only because of his batting but his lapses in the field. He did start to come good in the second match and I hope this will be the start of the improvement.
Nick Compton is in that horrible situation of wanting to establish himself in a new side and not getting the luck or form to allow himself to do that effectively. At the same time he is not being supported by the efforts of his batting team mates who are also not doing the business.
And then there's James. I think we are victim of the press he gets from others. He can score 300's and people say he's a good bat...but he has been 'Teflon Boy' now for three seasons. Would his spell of scores guarantee Wes Durston, Neil Edwards, Matt Wood or John Francis a regular place in this side? If those boys had produced his scores would they still be walking out at Number 4 in the first team?
Will dropping him just compound the problem? Maybe but it will become a second team problem. I don't personally know what to do about him and I don't have any idea about what is going on off the pitch to look at why he has not settled into a more predictable rhythm. I don't even know if we have an option for ANY of the front end should we want to introduce a new factor into the line-up.
But it isn't working at the moment and we have Essex on Tuesday. Ho Hum.
As much as I'd love to be in the BJ camp for this one and will be over the moon if they pull something out of this, I think Notts will manage just over 100 with 9 standing in four sessions and we will lose tonight or early tomorrow morning.
I like Damien Wright, he seems a hard working bowler and a gritty fighter with the bat. Alf has done the same with the wood.
The bowling has been moderately tight - except for Stiffy who has pulled back bad sessions but still gone for too many when we don't have many on the board.
The problem with playing Stiff is that he will go for some. So you have to give him a bed of runs to bowl into. We haven't done that and so he is ineffective.
Why haven't we done that? Well no-one has really supported the batsmen making runs. Trescothick has been fighting rearguard actions while those about him die horribly or the tail has been digging in to make a reasonable score after the skipper has gone. We aren't getting those 40 to 60 scores in the middle from Zander, Nick, James and Craig.
As someone said further up this thread. CK is no real loss at all at the moment and I'll personally welcome Jos into the side at Taunton and hope that a spell with England will get Craig back up to fighting as his proper weight.
Zander is a surprise, not only because of his batting but his lapses in the field. He did start to come good in the second match and I hope this will be the start of the improvement.
Nick Compton is in that horrible situation of wanting to establish himself in a new side and not getting the luck or form to allow himself to do that effectively. At the same time he is not being supported by the efforts of his batting team mates who are also not doing the business.
And then there's James. I think we are victim of the press he gets from others. He can score 300's and people say he's a good bat...but he has been 'Teflon Boy' now for three seasons. Would his spell of scores guarantee Wes Durston, Neil Edwards, Matt Wood or John Francis a regular place in this side? If those boys had produced his scores would they still be walking out at Number 4 in the first team?
Will dropping him just compound the problem? Maybe but it will become a second team problem. I don't personally know what to do about him and I don't have any idea about what is going on off the pitch to look at why he has not settled into a more predictable rhythm. I don't even know if we have an option for ANY of the front end should we want to introduce a new factor into the line-up.
But it isn't working at the moment and we have Essex on Tuesday. Ho Hum.
I don't think - based on last season - that we will see any change, bar the enforced buttler one, in our top six all season, unless there is an injury. We did not make any such change last yr when we had Edwards and durston in reserve, so I don't think we will with novices in reserve.
I would not have picked stiff for either of the first two games, because I always thought runs would be at a premium. But I would pick him vs Essex, because I think our top six will fill their boots on a belter (and will then pray that they carry it onto another result game on the best pitch in the land at old Trafford)
I would not have picked stiff for either of the first two games, because I always thought runs would be at a premium. But I would pick him vs Essex, because I think our top six will fill their boots on a belter (and will then pray that they carry it onto another result game on the best pitch in the land at old Trafford)
think you've just hit the nail on the head AG. Taunton a belting wicket??....does that mean 8 draws?
If so we have 6 games to do the necessary.
And thats before the weather. Looks good eh. All this and its only April.
Please take a wicket!!!!
If so we have 6 games to do the necessary.
And thats before the weather. Looks good eh. All this and its only April.
Please take a wicket!!!!
I took a day off work and went to Trent Bridge yesterday, (Somerset fan in exile). You have probably all noticed this before, but for what it's worth my impressions were:
Goodish team spirit
Bowling lacks penetration
Too many fairly good but not very good bowlers and batsmen
Fearsome spell from Broad
Tresco is a master batsman, not so sure about captain
D Wright brings additional energy and bounce to the team
Goodish team spirit
Bowling lacks penetration
Too many fairly good but not very good bowlers and batsmen
Fearsome spell from Broad
Tresco is a master batsman, not so sure about captain
D Wright brings additional energy and bounce to the team
Back in with a chance here folks, albeit perhaps a slim one.
Come on lads........one more big effort!
Come on lads........one more big effort!
Ronnie, I still think it will be the driest summer since 1976. If I am right, then I think a combo of tresco and kartik on turning tracks will save us from the drop. If I am wrong, I really fear for us.
Come on,mun.
This is nailed on.
Get that car started,let's wrap this baby up tonight.
This is nailed on.
Get that car started,let's wrap this baby up tonight.
Seems like an early bus tomorrow morning for the lads. I feel really sorry for Tres as he is carrying the batting on his shoulders at present. I don't know whether he had the final pick for the selections, but in the next games, if he fails who is going to step up to the plate?
OLDBOYBA!
OLDBOYBA!
It's far too soon for me to join the gloom and doom brigade - in fact I am never likely to do so, for I'm here for the long haul - but whatever happens I am delighted that Somerset is making an excellent match of this. We could still lose, but it won't be by many [/b]and it won't be the end of the season[/b].
LoL
Sixty-six Seasons a Somerset Supporter
LoL
Sixty-six Seasons a Somerset Supporter
Well said, LoL!
Although the sentiment applies equally to Grizzzly.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2010:04:23:18:08:54 by Frome Exile.
Although the sentiment applies equally to Grizzzly.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2010:04:23:18:08:54 by Frome Exile.
Ref Mike BOS
'back them to the end, even if it is division two'.
As a life member, I'm in for the long haul.
Mike BOS - I agree - but at least lets blood our own youngsters so that we have some experience on board, and don't have to keep buying it in!.
OLDBOYBA!
'back them to the end, even if it is division two'.
As a life member, I'm in for the long haul.
Mike BOS - I agree - but at least lets blood our own youngsters so that we have some experience on board, and don't have to keep buying it in!.
OLDBOYBA!
Brave effort by the bowlers on a pitch that tends to flatten out. Overall, possibly a somewhat better team performance than at Leeds?
Still, likely to be two losses from two as Amla remains. Simply must win at Old Trafford. I do not expect a result either way vs Essex.
Still, likely to be two losses from two as Amla remains. Simply must win at Old Trafford. I do not expect a result either way vs Essex.
Seven down. Bring on BJ.
LoL
Sixty-six Seasons a Somerset Supporter
LoL
Sixty-six Seasons a Somerset Supporter
The doom and gloom merchants have always been here and will find the end of the world in any situation good or bad.
BUT there does to be a situation here where the powers that be had too much faith in the quality of our batting line-up and expected them to produce the size of first innings total that merited no need for a spinner for fourth day work while allowing them to gamble on the rawness of David to be a deciding factor one what they expected to be seaming wickets.
The first part of the plan did not happen and the batting did not exert the scoreboard pressure.
Stiffy did not seem to be the potent force they hoped for and leaked quite badly at times.
We gambled on waiting for Karthik...and we lost.
It is not the end of the world and it certainly isn't time for the advice from great experts on Championship cricket who advocate a youth policy and preparation for 2011.
But it does need a re-think. Taunton is not the same problem. But it is a different problem and solving itit won't provide a necessay solution to the issues we presently face during away games.
BUT there does to be a situation here where the powers that be had too much faith in the quality of our batting line-up and expected them to produce the size of first innings total that merited no need for a spinner for fourth day work while allowing them to gamble on the rawness of David to be a deciding factor one what they expected to be seaming wickets.
The first part of the plan did not happen and the batting did not exert the scoreboard pressure.
Stiffy did not seem to be the potent force they hoped for and leaked quite badly at times.
We gambled on waiting for Karthik...and we lost.
It is not the end of the world and it certainly isn't time for the advice from great experts on Championship cricket who advocate a youth policy and preparation for 2011.
But it does need a re-think. Taunton is not the same problem. But it is a different problem and solving itit won't provide a necessay solution to the issues we presently face during away games.
Pete Trego. Best economy rate and, but for a dropped catch, would have the best strike rate too!
What is it with him and apparently being underbowled?
What is it with him and apparently being underbowled?
Don't forget that, if we'd have had Karthik, we wouldn't have had Wright. Otherwise, you're pretty much there, Grockle.
But no doom and gloom from me - I'd rather be where we are than where more than half of the other counties are.
But no doom and gloom from me - I'd rather be where we are than where more than half of the other counties are.
Please tell me - if the youth isn't pitched in, at least partly, where on earth can they get better? They won't get it by net practice or second XI only.
OLDBOYBA
OLDBOYBA
A shame. Got so close. Tremendous match though.
Great effort over the last two days, but I guess we lost it with our middle order batting, or rather the lack of it.
Feel sorry for Marcus.
Grizzzly
Great effort over the last two days, but I guess we lost it with our middle order batting, or rather the lack of it.
Feel sorry for Marcus.
Grizzzly
I said at the end of the Yorks match that it was going to be the little things and I maintain that here. No balls...dropped catches.. and when you are that close they matter. If my hope of a 275 lead had happened who knows.
Pitching in the odd younger player (Buttler for example) is not a problem.
But please tell me which younger player is coming in at number 4? Who is ready for that presently in a side where 3,4,5 and 6 are not doing their job consistently?
Bring them in by all means, they get paid so they should be expected to stand and do their job. BUT
Are you suggesting we should abandon any hopes of a CC1 finish this year and therefore bring in;
Jones or Burke or Letts (or both) in the top 5
Buttler at keeper
Munday or Waller as a spin option
Turner or Dibble in for one of our older seamers
and do it all for the Essex game?
I'd like to see them all part of the set-up before the end of this year but 10 days into the season? Is a suggestion of such a thing any more than a WUM post?
But please tell me which younger player is coming in at number 4? Who is ready for that presently in a side where 3,4,5 and 6 are not doing their job consistently?
Bring them in by all means, they get paid so they should be expected to stand and do their job. BUT
Are you suggesting we should abandon any hopes of a CC1 finish this year and therefore bring in;
Jones or Burke or Letts (or both) in the top 5
Buttler at keeper
Munday or Waller as a spin option
Turner or Dibble in for one of our older seamers
and do it all for the Essex game?
I'd like to see them all part of the set-up before the end of this year but 10 days into the season? Is a suggestion of such a thing any more than a WUM post?
Wonderful effort in the field - now give the skipper the correct balance of ammunition for the next match.
OLDBOYBA!
OLDBOYBA!
Even a slightly more resolute start to our 2nd innings and we may well have won. Well done to tresco the skip and the bowlers( and with the willow, too). Congrats, also, to Amla and Franks, as well as Broad.
It was the contribution of Franks that was the wild card in this one ie probably unexpected.
It was the contribution of Franks that was the wild card in this one ie probably unexpected.
54 extras by Somerset in the match, against 26 is that good enough.
Somerset have an extra day off before Sunday's match, what would you have them do?
Somerset have an extra day off before Sunday's match, what would you have them do?
Tres, Trego, Willow, Wright & Thomas can have the day off.
The rest better get some practice in p.d.q..
Grizzzly
The rest better get some practice in p.d.q..
Grizzzly
54 extras is too many and is another reason that I would nt have picked Stiff for these two games. Highly doubt that 28 extras over two innings (difference) will make much difference at Taunton, though.
Stiff, Turner, Munday and Waller should all be considered as possibles for a game on the turning trampoline in Manchester, IMO.
I'd play Turner and Waller on Sunday to get them some cricket.
Stiff, Turner, Munday and Waller should all be considered as possibles for a game on the turning trampoline in Manchester, IMO.
I'd play Turner and Waller on Sunday to get them some cricket.
Team for Taunton?
IMO, we could at least consider Trego and Buttler, in whichever order 5 and 6. Wright 7, Alf 8. Charl 11. that creates two spaces to be filled by any of Phillips, Stiff, Turner, Waller and Munday.
Might as well get at least one spinner and one extra quick a run out before Old Trafford.
IMO, we could at least consider Trego and Buttler, in whichever order 5 and 6. Wright 7, Alf 8. Charl 11. that creates two spaces to be filled by any of Phillips, Stiff, Turner, Waller and Munday.
Might as well get at least one spinner and one extra quick a run out before Old Trafford.
Hi Everyone,
Well this is an extremely disappointing if not entirely unexpected start in my humble opinion. We are a weaker side from last season having lost some key people and not signed enough reinforcements.
The batting is the biggest problem for me, At the moment we have too many strugglers in the top order batting. I believe that we are too reliant on Marcus, that Arul should not be opening the batting but Compton should be Harsh possibly but compton has more experience at the top of the order and should partner Marcus.
Arul should bat in the middle order in Kieswetter`s position when he`s not with us. The bowlings better but Phillips surely should play instead of the unreliable and erratic Stiff and obviously Kartik will play instead of Wright when he arrives. I`m impressed with Wright He`s done well for us and the seam bowling will be weaker when he departs the scene.
The batting has no depth and that`s a big problem. There`s no pressure on the guys playing and struggling because who can come in, Our only choice appears to be trying the untried youngsters and surely we can`t do that en-bloc too much of a risk.
Finally this would be my team:
1. Trescothick
2. Compton
3. De Bruyn
4. Suppiah
5. Kieswetter(Buttler 9)
6. Trego()
7. Thomas
8. Phillips
9. Wright/Stiff/Kartik
10. Buttler
11. Willoughby
WCG
Well this is an extremely disappointing if not entirely unexpected start in my humble opinion. We are a weaker side from last season having lost some key people and not signed enough reinforcements.
The batting is the biggest problem for me, At the moment we have too many strugglers in the top order batting. I believe that we are too reliant on Marcus, that Arul should not be opening the batting but Compton should be Harsh possibly but compton has more experience at the top of the order and should partner Marcus.
Arul should bat in the middle order in Kieswetter`s position when he`s not with us. The bowlings better but Phillips surely should play instead of the unreliable and erratic Stiff and obviously Kartik will play instead of Wright when he arrives. I`m impressed with Wright He`s done well for us and the seam bowling will be weaker when he departs the scene.
The batting has no depth and that`s a big problem. There`s no pressure on the guys playing and struggling because who can come in, Our only choice appears to be trying the untried youngsters and surely we can`t do that en-bloc too much of a risk.
Finally this would be my team:
1. Trescothick
2. Compton
3. De Bruyn
4. Suppiah
5. Kieswetter(Buttler 9)
6. Trego()
7. Thomas
8. Phillips
9. Wright/Stiff/Kartik
10. Buttler
11. Willoughby
WCG
Sounds like an exciting game,just came up short in the end.
Far too early for finger pointing and table thumping,let's move on and build.
Things wil come right,we very nearly beat a very good side on their own turf.
Have faith.
Far too early for finger pointing and table thumping,let's move on and build.
Things wil come right,we very nearly beat a very good side on their own turf.
Have faith.
It's a closer result than we got against a weaker Notts side in the corresponding fixture last season.
Nevertheless, with our issues at Taunton we have to wonder how many result games there will be in our season. And Leeds and Nottingham were two games that seemed likely, before the season started, to be result games.
Nevertheless, with our issues at Taunton we have to wonder how many result games there will be in our season. And Leeds and Nottingham were two games that seemed likely, before the season started, to be result games.
Toward the end of last season and during the winter, there seemed to be the widely held belief that we were close to being a side strong enough to win the CC.
Without this perception, this season's start would have been more acceptable, but what is particularly disappointing is that so many highly paid individuals have let themselves, the supporters and their employer's down.
It's time for some self examination and application to support the seniors, lest we become relegation fodder.
Without this perception, this season's start would have been more acceptable, but what is particularly disappointing is that so many highly paid individuals have let themselves, the supporters and their employer's down.
It's time for some self examination and application to support the seniors, lest we become relegation fodder.
The bottom line is that we lost at least five good quality squad players last season and signed two replacements.
Langer, Edwards, Durston, Jones & Gazzard and relaced them with Compton & Kartik.
So there are several points to make on the back of that statement.
a) That situation was always going to result in a serious lack of depth particularly in the batting.
b) If it was known that last season we would`nt or could`nt strenghen to the level required IMHO this year Why on earth did`nt we try to retain the players. I appreciate that some will say this is hindsight but the retention of these players would have given us far greater depth than we have now. Edwards did pretty well for us at Opener and is a specialist slip fielder. Durston is an excellent fielder close to the wickets with a strong arm and a good pair of hands and he would have been a good option for us in one day cricket particularly. A replacement should have been signed for Gazzard and we needed to sign a replacement for Jones whog is still a useful member of Derby`shire`s squad this year.
c) It is no use expecting the younger players to come in and make an immediate impact because they are unlikely to do so.
d) The delay to Kartik`s arrival has already cost us dearly
nothing that could be done but it`s too long to wait when he`s going to miss a third of the season. When Wright goes the seam support to Willoughby & Thomas will be weakened considerably.
Difficult season ahead.
WCG
Langer, Edwards, Durston, Jones & Gazzard and relaced them with Compton & Kartik.
So there are several points to make on the back of that statement.
a) That situation was always going to result in a serious lack of depth particularly in the batting.
b) If it was known that last season we would`nt or could`nt strenghen to the level required IMHO this year Why on earth did`nt we try to retain the players. I appreciate that some will say this is hindsight but the retention of these players would have given us far greater depth than we have now. Edwards did pretty well for us at Opener and is a specialist slip fielder. Durston is an excellent fielder close to the wickets with a strong arm and a good pair of hands and he would have been a good option for us in one day cricket particularly. A replacement should have been signed for Gazzard and we needed to sign a replacement for Jones whog is still a useful member of Derby`shire`s squad this year.
c) It is no use expecting the younger players to come in and make an immediate impact because they are unlikely to do so.
d) The delay to Kartik`s arrival has already cost us dearly
nothing that could be done but it`s too long to wait when he`s going to miss a third of the season. When Wright goes the seam support to Willoughby & Thomas will be weakened considerably.
Difficult season ahead.
WCG
Quote:c) It is no use expecting the younger players to come in and make an immediate impact because they are unlikely to do so.
Maybe so: but it is equally erroneous to exclude those who have signed their first professional contracts from your number of additions to the ranks of "squad players". I believe at least five players have been added in this way over the last 18 months or so, so that makes it 5 out, 7 in. But of course your 5 losses forgets a certain AR Caddick.
It has been a slow start and despite looking second best in our opener against Yorkshire,who were match fit and prepared,we upped the game enough to very nearly beat a very strong Nottinghamshire side on their own ground.
Of course it's not the perfect start to the season,we all know that,but there have been a lot of changes and things will take a little bit of time to bed in.
Marcus will be keen to get his first CC as Captain under his belt and those who haven't quite yet hit form will be chomping at the bit for another go.
We'll click very soon.
Mark my words.
Of course it's not the perfect start to the season,we all know that,but there have been a lot of changes and things will take a little bit of time to bed in.
Marcus will be keen to get his first CC as Captain under his belt and those who haven't quite yet hit form will be chomping at the bit for another go.
We'll click very soon.
Mark my words.
I'll ask the question because it's there begging to be asked. Why weren't we match fit and prepared for the Yorkshire game?
One has to assume that the people in charge matched the quality of those not being retained against the quality of those coming through and related that to the budget they had and decided that the younger list was the better one to go with.
We also have to assume (and there is no reason to question the logic of this) that they expected their frontline players to be fit and prepared to earn their corn. We needed few replacements in the batting line-up last year (in fact for the last couple I think) so allowing their newbies to integrate in over time was a resonable expectation.
Whether the balance should have been a mixture of old and new is a matter of debate and there are certainly arguments for both theories.
Hopefully this "wholesale" poor form in the middle order ranks will be short term and we'll be in the swing of the season by Friday
One has to assume that the people in charge matched the quality of those not being retained against the quality of those coming through and related that to the budget they had and decided that the younger list was the better one to go with.
We also have to assume (and there is no reason to question the logic of this) that they expected their frontline players to be fit and prepared to earn their corn. We needed few replacements in the batting line-up last year (in fact for the last couple I think) so allowing their newbies to integrate in over time was a resonable expectation.
Whether the balance should have been a mixture of old and new is a matter of debate and there are certainly arguments for both theories.
Hopefully this "wholesale" poor form in the middle order ranks will be short term and we'll be in the swing of the season by Friday
I think that's a fair question,but no team in any sport will be fully prepared and match fit for their very first competitive game.
I've watched and played in very good sides who couldn't string two phases together,despite hours of training,until at least the third or fourth game of the season.
It takes time.
They are not machines.
I've watched and played in very good sides who couldn't string two phases together,despite hours of training,until at least the third or fourth game of the season.
It takes time.
They are not machines.
Match fit usually mean playing game of cricket, this year as far as I know the MCC game was the only good work-out before the county cricket started.
What has happened to the friendly away games, there were always so many home and so many away.
The Taunton and Bath games were badly effected by the weather.
What has happened to the friendly away games, there were always so many home and so many away.
The Taunton and Bath games were badly effected by the weather.
Match fit doesn't only mean physically fit,it is also a state of mind.
County Championship cricket is a long,arduous game,many battles are played out in the head.
I'm not making excuses,I'm simply trying to explore reasons why we haven't hit the ground running as we would have liked.
And also,don't forget.
There is no Mr Langer pulling the strings.
I think we'll see a very different side now.
County Championship cricket is a long,arduous game,many battles are played out in the head.
I'm not making excuses,I'm simply trying to explore reasons why we haven't hit the ground running as we would have liked.
And also,don't forget.
There is no Mr Langer pulling the strings.
I think we'll see a very different side now.
As they already will require 250 at more than 4 rpo, It looks like the odds-on favourites for the title may well also remain winless after 2 matches.
And no Durham player has yet made a century or taken five wickets in an innings.
Do you think their fans have given up already?
Do you think their fans have given up already?
Only a few regulars have given up here FE.
And they tend to give up about this time every season :-)
And they tend to give up about this time every season :-)
I think, Grockle, that the fixture list itself conspired to make Yorks sharper than us. I said before the game that I expected them to have the edge as they had played one meaningful game beforehand vs our zero.
The question that can never be answered is how close would that game have been if we had each been playing our 2nd CC game, or indeed each been playing our first?
As to the younger players then, as far as the batsmen amongst them our concerned, we simply caanot know how they would fare since they've not appeared at first team level, with the exception of a couple of games for Letts about 3 years ago.
Unless we have financial issues that I am unaware of, then we have to assume that Mr Rose thinks they are good enough to step in if needed. But if poor form persists and changes do not come, then that guess will start to look wide of the mark.
It's all very well folks making statements like 'It's's April,' as if we should have low expectations for our batsmen in April, but Trego, Wright and Thomas seem to have been scoring runs in April. Apparently, Wright's great effort yesterday was ended only by a deplorable shooter.
The question that can never be answered is how close would that game have been if we had each been playing our 2nd CC game, or indeed each been playing our first?
As to the younger players then, as far as the batsmen amongst them our concerned, we simply caanot know how they would fare since they've not appeared at first team level, with the exception of a couple of games for Letts about 3 years ago.
Unless we have financial issues that I am unaware of, then we have to assume that Mr Rose thinks they are good enough to step in if needed. But if poor form persists and changes do not come, then that guess will start to look wide of the mark.
It's all very well folks making statements like 'It's's April,' as if we should have low expectations for our batsmen in April, but Trego, Wright and Thomas seem to have been scoring runs in April. Apparently, Wright's great effort yesterday was ended only by a deplorable shooter.
I have been to both matches, and the truth is we have one of the oldest and slowest opening attacks in the country.Where are our opening bowlers coming from? when Wright goes i presume Thomas will open with Charl and fearsome that ain't.We said it at the end of last season and I have seen no reason to change my mind we needa fast bowler as we have lost Caddick and Jones.
At present, in my opinion, there are too many players earning a comfortable living out of county cricket in England.
Too many players can lead to a surplus of ‘dead wood’ on county staffs, and too many of them all too easily find a new county (ies) without ever having proved anything at their previous one.
If a player has proven himself to be a capable asset at a county and then wishes to leave because of lack of first – team opportunities, personality clashes perhaps, or any other validly recognised reason, then providing he will fit into another county set – up, I think that such circumstances could result in a move which might prove to be in the best interests of both the player and his new county.
The problem that I find difficult to accept, are counties who sign a player who has either failed, or failed to impress at his old county, solely on the basis that he bats in a certain position in the batting order, or bowls in a certain style for which his new county perceive that they have a gap to be filled, and are therefore keen to recruit.
I think that the signing of Omari Banks, on a 2 – year contract, was a misguided signing. He, of course, had no record in county cricket to speak of. John Francis who was given a 5 – year contract, achieved very little after joining Somerset from Hampshire.
For the number of years that he has been a professional cricketer, Ben Phillips (3rd county) has not really played all that much, but was given a new contract at the end of 2009.
A lot of time and money has been invested in Mark Turner (now in his 4th season with us), and again Somerset do not have much to show for their investment, and sadly I do not think that they ever will.
David Stiff (with his 4th county) would appear to be as inconsistent as he was during his early days in the game.
Of course, there have been others in the past, and not everything is as ‘black and white’ as it always seems to be.
So, what is the answer?
Well, one answer could be that I am completely and utterly wrong, of course.
Too many players can lead to a surplus of ‘dead wood’ on county staffs, and too many of them all too easily find a new county (ies) without ever having proved anything at their previous one.
If a player has proven himself to be a capable asset at a county and then wishes to leave because of lack of first – team opportunities, personality clashes perhaps, or any other validly recognised reason, then providing he will fit into another county set – up, I think that such circumstances could result in a move which might prove to be in the best interests of both the player and his new county.
The problem that I find difficult to accept, are counties who sign a player who has either failed, or failed to impress at his old county, solely on the basis that he bats in a certain position in the batting order, or bowls in a certain style for which his new county perceive that they have a gap to be filled, and are therefore keen to recruit.
I think that the signing of Omari Banks, on a 2 – year contract, was a misguided signing. He, of course, had no record in county cricket to speak of. John Francis who was given a 5 – year contract, achieved very little after joining Somerset from Hampshire.
For the number of years that he has been a professional cricketer, Ben Phillips (3rd county) has not really played all that much, but was given a new contract at the end of 2009.
A lot of time and money has been invested in Mark Turner (now in his 4th season with us), and again Somerset do not have much to show for their investment, and sadly I do not think that they ever will.
David Stiff (with his 4th county) would appear to be as inconsistent as he was during his early days in the game.
Of course, there have been others in the past, and not everything is as ‘black and white’ as it always seems to be.
So, what is the answer?
Well, one answer could be that I am completely and utterly wrong, of course.
Well I think we all agree that the search for the replacement for ARC started a little later than most of the people posting here thought it ought to.
As Mamma Mia says above we need an injection of pace and Turner and Stiff were that hopeful injection. Stiff was a gamble that came off in a surprising way in 2009 - he fooled batsmen with the GOOD ball! Will he stay? If he doesn't do it then he has to go. Was he brought in because Turner wasn't doing it? Well the man is injury prone and has to go as well unless he breaks through this year.
That's why Phillips stayed I think but I really hope it was close between him and Steff. Phillips was brought in to tighten up our bowling and possibly got the nod simply on the fact that he was the lucky bloke in place and has that tighter line.
Omari was wierd because I could never quite work out how he ended up with us in the first place but we can't deny that he was our best spinner at the start of last season but he also seemed to have the faith of those in charge and few of us can understand why. A lack of competition I suppose until Max came through surprising most of us. Mike Munday just didn't seem to be at the party last spring.
But they are all 'gap fillers' trying to fill big boots and not doing it at all well. We have to hope that our Academy boys will do a better job - at least we have them.
Maybe that jobbing professional semi-'kolpak'situation is a thing of the past? But I've yet to see Caddy mark two....that is still a problem to me.
As Mamma Mia says above we need an injection of pace and Turner and Stiff were that hopeful injection. Stiff was a gamble that came off in a surprising way in 2009 - he fooled batsmen with the GOOD ball! Will he stay? If he doesn't do it then he has to go. Was he brought in because Turner wasn't doing it? Well the man is injury prone and has to go as well unless he breaks through this year.
That's why Phillips stayed I think but I really hope it was close between him and Steff. Phillips was brought in to tighten up our bowling and possibly got the nod simply on the fact that he was the lucky bloke in place and has that tighter line.
Omari was wierd because I could never quite work out how he ended up with us in the first place but we can't deny that he was our best spinner at the start of last season but he also seemed to have the faith of those in charge and few of us can understand why. A lack of competition I suppose until Max came through surprising most of us. Mike Munday just didn't seem to be at the party last spring.
But they are all 'gap fillers' trying to fill big boots and not doing it at all well. We have to hope that our Academy boys will do a better job - at least we have them.
Maybe that jobbing professional semi-'kolpak'situation is a thing of the past? But I've yet to see Caddy mark two....that is still a problem to me.
Some interesting points above.
Regarding the fitness issue, it seems curious to suggest the players aren't fit in April - what have they been doing all winter ?
These days 'pre season training' seems to start around November, and with the much vaunted fitness/diet checks that take place throughout the close season, I don't really see why there could be any excuse for not being in top condition by the time the season starts. Yes, the weather was crappy for the pre-season games, but was it so much worse for us than everyone else ?
I wonder whether 'lack of fitness' was an issue anyway in our two opening games, or was it simply that we didn't perform to anything like our (batting) capabilities ?
The decisons to let NE & Wes go look somehwat questionable at the moment, and I do feel that James career is rapidly heading for oblivion (which frankly would be tragic) unless he gets his act together pdq.. Quite who would take his place however is entirely unclear.
As for the bowling, I tend to agree with MM's comments above........ "I have been to both matches, and the truth is we have one of the oldest and slowest opening attacks in the country".
And yet, the bowlers performed admirably yesterday !
We are short of a fast bowler & the Club did seem somewhat complacent during the winter regarding this, (I recall BR saying he felt our existing resources were adequate). Finding a quickie who is available for anything more than a few weeks in the disjointed structure that faces clubs these days is of course a major challenge, but I do worry that our attack lacks speed and penetration. Just don't let Willow get injured please !
Hopefully, this is just early season angst, but we can't afford to go back to the bad old days of not hitting our straps until the end of May, especially as so many CC games are crammed into the early season to cater for the extended 20/20 jamboree.
Here's hoping for better in the next few games.
Grizzzly
Regarding the fitness issue, it seems curious to suggest the players aren't fit in April - what have they been doing all winter ?
These days 'pre season training' seems to start around November, and with the much vaunted fitness/diet checks that take place throughout the close season, I don't really see why there could be any excuse for not being in top condition by the time the season starts. Yes, the weather was crappy for the pre-season games, but was it so much worse for us than everyone else ?
I wonder whether 'lack of fitness' was an issue anyway in our two opening games, or was it simply that we didn't perform to anything like our (batting) capabilities ?
The decisons to let NE & Wes go look somehwat questionable at the moment, and I do feel that James career is rapidly heading for oblivion (which frankly would be tragic) unless he gets his act together pdq.. Quite who would take his place however is entirely unclear.
As for the bowling, I tend to agree with MM's comments above........ "I have been to both matches, and the truth is we have one of the oldest and slowest opening attacks in the country".
And yet, the bowlers performed admirably yesterday !
We are short of a fast bowler & the Club did seem somewhat complacent during the winter regarding this, (I recall BR saying he felt our existing resources were adequate). Finding a quickie who is available for anything more than a few weeks in the disjointed structure that faces clubs these days is of course a major challenge, but I do worry that our attack lacks speed and penetration. Just don't let Willow get injured please !
Hopefully, this is just early season angst, but we can't afford to go back to the bad old days of not hitting our straps until the end of May, especially as so many CC games are crammed into the early season to cater for the extended 20/20 jamboree.
Here's hoping for better in the next few games.
Grizzzly
Just one point of order Grizz - we didn't let NE go. He was out of contract, was offered a two year contract here and chose to go to Notts.
Having said that I would have gone as well given his chances of playing at Taunton but it was his decision.
Having said that I would have gone as well given his chances of playing at Taunton but it was his decision.
It is very interesting reading the many different solutions.
Solutions to what invites another question.
Whether it is playing, managing, umpiring, spectating, etc in any sport we are all looking for pride in performance. That then becomes a personal choice about what makes ME proud.
If I'm watching a 4 day match I am looking for OUR players to put in a good performance. As far as I'm concerned that can mean batting, bowling or fielding, or even captaining in a losing game. As long as the team did their very best I never complain.
If I feel that, in my opinion they are, or will not be good enough to add to the successful performance of the team, I'm entitled to say so.
Again from a personal point of view any pride in performance from the team is considerably enhanced if SCCC do it with the vast majority of the team being produced, with pride, by us locally.
Again from a personal point of view, SCCC in it's 'tip-and-run' vogue - 20/20 - to the uninitiated - can consist of the very best available batters, bowlers, etc in the world if we can afford them. I will watch and enjoy the spectacle but - pride? - sorry no.
The former will, hopefully produce some decent potential players for England, while the latter will be exhibition cricket from the world's best.
OLDBOYBA!
Solutions to what invites another question.
Whether it is playing, managing, umpiring, spectating, etc in any sport we are all looking for pride in performance. That then becomes a personal choice about what makes ME proud.
If I'm watching a 4 day match I am looking for OUR players to put in a good performance. As far as I'm concerned that can mean batting, bowling or fielding, or even captaining in a losing game. As long as the team did their very best I never complain.
If I feel that, in my opinion they are, or will not be good enough to add to the successful performance of the team, I'm entitled to say so.
Again from a personal point of view any pride in performance from the team is considerably enhanced if SCCC do it with the vast majority of the team being produced, with pride, by us locally.
Again from a personal point of view, SCCC in it's 'tip-and-run' vogue - 20/20 - to the uninitiated - can consist of the very best available batters, bowlers, etc in the world if we can afford them. I will watch and enjoy the spectacle but - pride? - sorry no.
The former will, hopefully produce some decent potential players for England, while the latter will be exhibition cricket from the world's best.
OLDBOYBA!
I take the point re NE choosing to go Grockle, but don't you think that, if we really WANT any player to stay, (be it NE, MW, or whoever), then we make them feel valued & make the offer sufficiently attractive to ensure they accept it.
Semantics maybe.
Grizzzly
Semantics maybe.
Grizzzly
I assume the club offered Neil what they thought he was worth. He liked the Notts deal better and took it. That is his perogative and his choice. At the time Richard Gould said they thought they had offered him a good deal.
It's a two way street. The club makes an offer and the player takes or leaves it. Any reason for the size of offer or reasons for refusing it is speculation and I'm not sure there's any real value in debating that.
The fact is that the club and Neil did not come to a deal that would retain his services. It happens. The club did not retain Wes - that was the club's action not Wes's.
It's a two way street. The club makes an offer and the player takes or leaves it. Any reason for the size of offer or reasons for refusing it is speculation and I'm not sure there's any real value in debating that.
The fact is that the club and Neil did not come to a deal that would retain his services. It happens. The club did not retain Wes - that was the club's action not Wes's.
Or maybe he thought he had a better chance of playing first team cricket.
There must be a few that move on or give it up all together because they can't into the first team,
some players must think next season I should be able to play in the first team when somebody leaves the club only to see the club sign on players from else where during the winter.
There must be a few that move on or give it up all together because they can't into the first team,
some players must think next season I should be able to play in the first team when somebody leaves the club only to see the club sign on players from else where during the winter.
Yeah Mike there are loads of reasons and loads of ways of interpreting them.
I was just making the point that Neil was offered the chance to stay and chose to go - he was not 'let go' by the club. Wes was not offered that chance and was 'let go'.
As I posted at the time it was simply a 'point of order' and wasn't designed to start some huge debate about why things happened the way they did.
IMHO Neil made the right choice but that's just my opinion.
I was just making the point that Neil was offered the chance to stay and chose to go - he was not 'let go' by the club. Wes was not offered that chance and was 'let go'.
As I posted at the time it was simply a 'point of order' and wasn't designed to start some huge debate about why things happened the way they did.
IMHO Neil made the right choice but that's just my opinion.
He may have failed twice vs Willow, but his score on debut was one of the higher scores by a Notts opener over the past 3 years or so. I think he has a more positive and attacking attitude than most that have opened for Notts of late.
Quote:Frome Exile
As they already will require 250 at more than 4 rpo, It looks like the odds-on favourites for the title may well also remain winless after 2 matches.
Fair play to Durham - I thought they would find this a stiffer task than they obviously did.
If I were feeling extremely mischeivous, I might remark upon the irony of the fact that the ease with which an opponent, led by a much-loved old-boy, chased down a stiff 4th day target is celebrated here, rather than seen as a cause for derogatory comment on the placid nature of the pitch in question.
What role would the pitch have played had we failed to defend 260 in 57 overs at home, and hed only taken five wickets in that time?
As I say, extremely mischeivous; so I won't say it.
I'll just say well played, Ian.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2010:04:25:11:14:40 by Frome Exile.
Ah, but many here have told us that Durham win all these games 'because they play on bowler friendly wickets'
Personally, I never bought that line of argument, but I'm just saying it seems that they are a good enough side to win games by various different methods.
Of course, it also seems that, when shorn of Harmison and Onions, those same wkts don't seem so 'bowler friendly' after all.
Personally, I never bought that line of argument, but I'm just saying it seems that they are a good enough side to win games by various different methods.
Of course, it also seems that, when shorn of Harmison and Onions, those same wkts don't seem so 'bowler friendly' after all.
It's the players on the park that win the game.
Alan Hanson (I can't believe I'm referring to him as an expert!) talking on MOTD this morning about the Hull captain blaming their relegation on man management after the Man City game 6 months ago (!) put it quite well.
(In a Scots acccent) "Once you cross the line onto the pitch then it's down to you and ten others and there's nothing anybody else can do about it"
FE be careful of your level of provocation and waffle. This will be your only warning :-)
Alan Hanson (I can't believe I'm referring to him as an expert!) talking on MOTD this morning about the Hull captain blaming their relegation on man management after the Man City game 6 months ago (!) put it quite well.
(In a Scots acccent) "Once you cross the line onto the pitch then it's down to you and ten others and there's nothing anybody else can do about it"
FE be careful of your level of provocation and waffle. This will be your only warning :-)
Poor Hull.
I wondered last night if Clarence was a closet Tigers fan.
So sad to see them go.
Great win for the mighty Irons though.
I wondered last night if Clarence was a closet Tigers fan.
So sad to see them go.
Great win for the mighty Irons though.
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