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Briggs taking two wickets on the first morning - makes our decisions to play two spinners and bat first look like very good ones...

Jon

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Jon Steer
Technical Director
sportnetwork.net

Yes, a good solid start. Just a shame Stoneman yet again failed to convert a half century into a ton but it would be unfair to criticise him for that after the first session of the season.

Yes, DiVo and Stoneman both getting good starts, now it's down to Muchall to show that he can make it as number 3... probably feeling the pressure a bit...

Jon

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Jon Steer
Technical Director
sportnetwork.net

289-4 at tea. Half-century for Muchall, he must have been in the last chance saloon when he returned to the team during last season but all credit to him-he performed well and even though he's another player today who failed to convert a half-century it's another solid contribution.
A century for Benks and a good last session will just finish the day off nicely.

So, after a wonderful first day the injury jinx has returned! Harmy getting hit on the wrist when he was batting and Stoneman has fractured a finger. The injury curse has returned but, all things considered, it was a good day on the field. Hampshire 6 down at the close and we should be confident of taking a decent first innings lead.

Apparently Harmi was injured by one of his own team mates according to Steve James in S.Telegraph-struck by a drive from the colonel!

That must be one of the most unlucky ways to get injured. I think there's a curse on this club, only possible explanation for the ridiculous number of injuries!

Strange decision not to enforce the follow-on!!! I suppose it gives Harmy time on the treatment table but with Stokes on fire it seems an opportunity lost.

If Stoneman needs his fingers wired and can't bat and Harmy is doubtful it seems doubly strange!!

Never captained a team in my life,so what do I know!



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2011:04:10:12:00:51 by scotter.

I think it's down to not wanting to have to bat last on a wearing pitch. If Hampshire followed on and batted well we could have had a tricky chase on the last day whereas this way Hampshire will be batting on the final day and hopefully our two spinners will cause real problems.

Bang on the button Mark!
I was never captain material QED!!!!

I hope this doesn't jinx things but everything seems to be going well-scoring quickly and building a good lead. I wonder when the declaration will come?

Looking at Stokes 5 6's off of Dawsons over [worth the admission money alone - truely magnificent ]- a spot of good batting practice for the lads. Trialing Scotty as an opener and all that. And today at the Rose Bowl was perfect batting weather.

This way it is more in our hands to get the draw by not taking wickets. The ball should still be very useful tomorrow.

Looking at the weather it is due to be overcast tomorrow - the best chance for seaming wickets early perhaps?

Lets hope so anyway!!!!

Must have been perfect batting conditions again today. Considering we were a bowler down and the pitch presumably remained flat throughout the game a draw isn't a bad start to the season although I'm a bit disappointed Hampshire saved the game so easily.

The batting couldn't have gone any better-regardless of conditions or strength of bowling the runs have to be made and all of the batsmen will take confidence from the game. Stokes will quite rightly get the headlines but it isn't often a batsman scores a century and unbeaten half-century in the same game and hardly gets a mention. Muchall did well-he's constantly under pressure for his place so a couple of half-centuries should make him feel more secure.

I feel if we are going to regain the title we'll need a strike bowler capable of taking wickets on benign surfaces-obviously a fit and firing Harmy should be the man for the job. Hopefully Bunny and Bob will be available soon but I still think Harmy is the key bowler because when he is on song he can get people out even on the flattest of pitches when other bowlers struggle to make an impact.

S