2022 Domestic Season

Hang on a cotton picking minute! Last Saturday we had 10cm of snow! I am not mentally prepared for the new cricket season.

Who in their right mind would want to be playing cricket in weather like this,howling and bloody cold wind [in Cheddar awyway] to boot....it's summer... Somerset 21-2!!!

Lunch on the first day..61-5, not too promising 🤔

The top division is too close to call I reckon. I'd be surprised if Glos, Kent or Northants won it (in fact I'd be amazed if the later don't finish bottom) but any of the rest of them could win it and really it depends on England call ups and in Yorkshire's case, possible sanctions.

If you had to push me, I'd probably go for Hampshire. Ben Brown looks like exactly the kind of player they need. The chink in their armour is their opening batters but if they have decent seasons, then I expect Hampshire to be really close.

I reckon Lancashire will do well too, but I think Alex Davies is a big loss. I know Phil Salt has replaced him, but Davies is a better red ball cricketer at the moment (I am amazed Warwickshire haven't picked him). I reckon Warwickshire over-achieved a touch last year, and whilst I think they will do well, I don't expect them to win the title this year unless a couple of their batsmen really have breakthrough years (which the likes of Sam Hain have been threatening for a while).

Surrey will score plenty of runs, but I think there are better bowling attacks, Essex might struggle to fill voids that may or may not be left by Harmer and Lawrence and sadly. I agree with your Somerset assessment Wareham, although I think Renshaw and Siddle are good signings.

Glos have recruited really well and it feels like they've really got their act together after some really depressing years. They are progressing on the pitch, have £3.5m cash reserves, made a profit last year, are attracting good players from other counties, have a core of home grown talent and players who are around the England set up. The acquisition of Steve Snell from Somerset looks really astute. They've got plenty of strength in depth and their bowling attack is full of variety. The signing of Gohar is probably the most exciting one we've made in a decade. I can't remember Glos ever having a an attacking spinner (although those with a few years on me might remember the likes of Mortimore and Allen). Dent, Harris, Bracey, GVB & Higgins should represent the basis of a decent top 7, but Glos will need the likes of Hammond, Charlesworth, Scott and Lace to start to deliver too if Glos are going to do anything more than survive.

In Division Two, Notts look nailed on for one of the top two spots don't they? I reckon Durham might finish second, but Middlesex and Glamorgan might be in with a shout too. Given that the division has shrunk by two, it feels like there is some decent quality in that division this year. Even Leicester and Derby (who are thought were sunk when they lost Matt Critchley) seem to be reasonably well run.

My local side are Worcester. I found it astonishing that Alex Gidman was shortlisted for the Middlesex job. They have gone backwards in all formats since Steve Rhodes left. They have a decent bowling attack on paper, but it would help a lot if they could get Josh Tongue and Pat Brown fit. Other than Jake Libby and Ed Barnard, I am not sure where the runs are coming from.

Is it time for the annual structure chat? With a couple of exceptions, there are plenty of runs around today. This was the case last April too. I wonder whether it's preparation time that affects the quality of pitches, rather than the time of year? If counties (and the dreaded franchises) are playing every week, it must be difficult for groundsmen to find the time to prepare a suitable surface.

Getting rid of the hundred would help, but that isn't going to happen. Change is clearly coming. I think the least bad scenario is two divisions, one of 12 and one of 6 with promotion and relegation between each. I am a little bit concerned that they might go with the same set up but with no promotion and relegation. It's relatively easy to pick 3 counties who might even welcome this change (Derby, Leicester, Northants) but finding another 3 to chop is much harder. I can't see a franchise model happening. Where would the ECB find the money to buy off the counties?

Just got back from the Ageas. Blimey, it was freezing because of the wind and despite the sun. Well our batting was so predictable although it was good to see James Hildreth bat so calmly and hold the innings together. Tbh Hampshire bowled well without being special, they just bowled a consistent middle and off / off stump line on a good length and earned their wickets. I’d say only Hildreth, Davies and Van de Merwe gave their wickets away through poor shots. And our bowlers bowled tidily but not much threat, conditions in the afternoon and evening were far better than the morning.
To answer Nobby, Somerset batted first because last year we won the toss in the first match and then just avoided the follow on v Middlesex. And tbf the wicket didn’t do anything. I was sat directly behind the umpires, great view, in the Main Stand and the bowlers just bowled well. Not sure Somerset could do much except for the mid innings wickets given away as I’ve said.
To answer jack, the Hampshire openers looked decent though it was quite easy to bat at that stage.
Never mind, long way to go yet. And it was great to be watching live cricket at a ground (or rather a library, blimey, there is no atmosphere at the Ageas, quietest team Hampshire and quietest crowd).

Did you drive to the Ageas Wareham?
I am going to see Gloucestershire play there in a few weeks, and was thinking of getting the train from Bournemouth, then the bus.
I have heard it is an awkward place to get to, and park, but is a ground I have never visited before.

Thanks for the advice.
If there’s not much cover if it rains, for non members, and no cover if it’s blazing hot, I will feel quite at home, sounds just like the County Ground in Bristol!

Gloucs finished on 164-8 with only 56.5 overs bowled.

Cook got exactly 100 in a 220 opening stand for Essex.

A lot of matches were weather affected today.

Bit of a collapse at Hampshire...they have lost a wicket!! Lead by 90!!🏏..who said that Somerset wished to avoid last seasons innings defeat by batting first here this week 🤭

Fresh Saturday morning and Somerset complete there second highest partnership of the game 25! Ask yet no wickets ,need about another 450 I think to avoid defeat and still batting at lunch Sunday 🏏🏏
Day on the beach it is then!!!