warehamgas
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Post by warehamgas on Jul 14, 2016 19:28:21 GMT
What a fantastic match, Somerset v Middlesex. Middlesex won with 3 balls to spare by 3 wickets. 4 very good days of high quality cricket. Every session was competitive, played with good spirit and went from Middlesex to Somerset back to Middlesex before Somerset looking as if they could do it before Middlesex came back with 302-7 after 46 overs. What a game! Goes against current thinking but far superior to bish bash 20/20. Unfortunately people can't do the time for 4 days which is a shame so 4-day cricket goes largely unappreciated, but that match like so many at Taunton this season will last in the memory. Middlesex look as if they have some good youngsters coming through, which will be good for England in time.
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irishrover
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Post by irishrover on Jul 15, 2016 13:06:22 GMT
What a fantastic match, Somerset v Middlesex. Middlesex won with 3 balls to spare by 3 wickets. 4 very good days of high quality cricket. Every session was competitive, played with good spirit and went from Middlesex to Somerset back to Middlesex before Somerset looking as if they could do it before Middlesex came back with 302-7 after 46 overs. What a game! Goes against current thinking but far superior to bish bash 20/20. Unfortunately people can't do the time for 4 days which is a shame so 4-day cricket goes largely unappreciated, but that match like so many at Taunton this season will last in the memory. Middlesex look as if they have some good youngsters coming through, which will be good for England in time. Wasn't it just?! I was listening to it on the radio at work and that last day was remarkable! The way the whole match switched momentum from one team to the other - exactly what 4 day cricket gives you. Trescothick's innings was an absolute stunner in the context of that game - one of his best. I don't think it's cricket fans that underappreciate the Championship, I think it's just that the administrators waved the white flag on promoting it many years ago and the media followed. It could easily be revitalised with a decent terrestrial TV contact for the digital era (divorced from the main Sky package). The BBC radio coverage has been fantastic but it has also highlighted that there is a clear market for this. Stick it on ITV4 in the middle of the day, wioth a highlights package thrown in and I think it would get decent viewing figures for daytime TV. Sky treat the Championship appallingly - I really think there should be a rule thrown in about sports rights that says if you don't use them then someone else can bid to show it. ECB is worried that anything that dilues Sky's monopoly would result in its income being slashed though. I think they're wrong but that's the real issue with promoting the Championship I think. Channels are desperate for filler during the day - 4 day Championship cricket is perfect because, not only does it take up time, it also comes with a guaranteed regular viewing audienc or you could try streaming games over the internet. There's so much potential for innovation here - they're just not interested. |
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warehamgas
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Post by warehamgas on Jul 16, 2016 19:50:10 GMT
Great result for Gloucs today beating top of table Essex by 61 runs. Mind you they were chasing 212 which shouldn't be too hard if you are top of table after getting nearly 350 in first innings. Sounds a bit of a disaster for Essex but well done Gareth Roderick, 4 catches behind from the seamers. Gloucs now only 11 points behind with a game in hand. Could be exciting!
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irishrover
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Post by irishrover on Jul 18, 2016 10:35:43 GMT
Great result for Gloucs today beating top of table Essex by 61 runs. Mind you they were chasing 212 which shouldn't be too hard if you are top of table after getting nearly 350 in first innings. Sounds a bit of a disaster for Essex but well done Gareth Roderick, 4 catches behind from the seamers. Gloucs now only 11 points behind with a game in hand. Could be exciting! That is a superb result - puts them right in with a chance at a pretty unlikely tilt at promotion. I'm going to try and watch a day against Leicester some time this week as I am in the area and going to the Villa game on Wednesday. |
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warehamgas
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Post by warehamgas on Jul 18, 2016 11:38:45 GMT
Enjoy it. I think it would be an excellent if Gloucs could conjure up a tilt at promotion. Is turning out to be a very good season with their 20/20 form.
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warehamgas
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Post by warehamgas on Aug 8, 2016 8:25:02 GMT
Wow I thought I'd seen some cracking matches at Taunton against Surrey and Middlesex but this one against Durham. I only saw the first two days because I was going up to Scunthorpe on the Saturday morning so missed the 17 minutes when we took 5 wickets for 10 runs! I don't think I've ever seen a match at Taunton when the four scores were 180, 185, 175 and 136. No score over 200, incredible! I think it was 15 ducks in the match and of our openers 4 innings, 3 of them were golden ducks. Nvever seen Somerset 0-3 in an innings. Very strange match in all aspects but what really intrigued me was Durham taking all their wickets, except 1 with pace bowlers and Somerset taking all the wickets with spin bowlers, Leach and van de Merve. Very strange. Just hope we don't get a call from the pitch inspectors. 2nd in the table, yet I still have the nagging feeling that every county with the exceptions of Middlesex and Yorkshire are vulnerable to getting drawn into a relegation battle. Think we should be ok now but you never know. Come on Somerset!
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irishrover
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Post by irishrover on Aug 9, 2016 11:38:03 GMT
Wow I thought I'd seen some cracking matches at Taunton against Surrey and Middlesex but this one against Durham. I only saw the first two days because I was going up to Scunthorpe on the Saturday morning so missed the 17 minutes when we took 5 wickets for 10 runs! I don't think I've ever seen a match at Taunton when the four scores were 180, 185, 175 and 136. No score over 200, incredible! I think it was 15 ducks in the match and of our openers 4 innings, 3 of them were golden ducks. Nvever seen Somerset 0-3 in an innings. Very strange match in all aspects but what really intrigued me was Durham taking all their wickets, except 1 with pace bowlers and Somerset taking all the wickets with spin bowlers, Leach and van de Merve. Very strange. Just hope we don't get a call from the pitch inspectors. 2nd in the table, yet I still have the nagging feeling that every county with the exceptions of Middlesex and Yorkshire are vulnerable to getting drawn into a relegation battle. Think we should be ok now but you never know. Come on Somerset! It's been a mad season really - Somerset have had some amazing finishes at Taunton this year. It just seemed as though they battled like crazy and somehow managed to turn it around right at the end. Just when I thought Durham were going to do their usual thing of coming through the pack to win it right at the end. |
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warehamgas
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Post by warehamgas on Aug 10, 2016 0:00:22 GMT
A totally bizarre match from the start on Thursday morning. Taunton wickets have been a good hunting ground for spins in August over the past few years. Not so much in early months but once the really hot weather comes Jack Leach has had a good end to the season, but this match for Somerset to get 17 wickets with spin (I think) was just incredible. It should be interesting next week with Hampshire there for a 4-day match. Mason Crane and Liam Dawson may both play after this result and Dawson especially is bowling very well at the moment.
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irishrover
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Post by irishrover on Aug 10, 2016 12:35:31 GMT
A totally bizarre match from the start on Thursday morning. Taunton wickets have been a good hunting ground for spins in August over the past few years. Not so much in early months but once the really hot weather comes Jack Leach has had a good end to the season, but this match for Somerset to get 17 wickets with spin (I think) was just incredible. It should be interesting next week with Hampshire there for a 4-day match. Mason Crane and Liam Dawson may both play after this result and Dawson especially is bowling very well at the moment. Has the nature of the Taunton track changed somewhat? Can't really remember it being a massively helpful track for spinner - wasn't that part of the reason that Mushtaq left? |
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warehamgas
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Post by warehamgas on Aug 10, 2016 14:32:19 GMT
I don't think it has basically changed, it is still a good batting strip. In recent years there have been results in games that took place in August and September and Leach over the last two years has got some good figures in August. Of course Mushtaq left some years ago so it will have changed since then but not massively. Last winter they relayed the whole playing area to improve drainage and that might have had an effect. Certainly this year we have had a higher ratio of results in 4 day cricket, of the 5 matches, there have been 3 results and 2 draws. Of the 3 results they were 2 wins for Somerset, by 1 wicket and by 36 runs and a loss by 3 wickets which indicate close matches. All 3 results could have gone the other way. The 2 draws against Lancs and Yorks would have had results had the weather kept away. So overall the grounds men are producing wickets that will produce results which may explain why the attendances are good. Looking at it statistically my original assumption that the wicket hasn't changed may be wrong because I'm pretty sure most seasons the draws would have been high scoring- no chance of a result type of draws. After the recent Durham match Rogers came out and said the grounds men got it wrong by producing a too- dry pitch that had spin on it on day one. I've rarely heard a Somerset captain criticise the grounds men but as I've said Rogers is a fairly uncompromising character who tells it as it is openly!
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warehamgas
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Post by warehamgas on Sept 7, 2016 21:02:29 GMT
Spent the last two days in Taunton watching Som v Warks. What a match....again. Somerset 36-6 by 12.00 and all out by lunch on day 1 and Warks all out by 4.00. We set them a target of 180 odd and had them 69-8 before they rallied to 130-8 at the end. Should be an exciting hour tomorrow! The cricket was enthralling with Chris Rogers battling his way to 58 which might yet be a match winning innings. Trescothick 5 catches in the slips, not much wrong with his reactions, great fielder. Most ironic part was when Jetan Patel, after last weeks semi final, was given out LBW which he didn't like! But the match has been great and played, as ever, in a good spirit.
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Post by lostinspace on Sept 9, 2016 19:48:09 GMT
well this result will certainly confirm SCCC's status as a first div' county for next year, as i noticed in the [mail?] the previous week they were looking to avoid a close run thing to avoid a drop to the 2nd Div'!!... Possibility of Rogers opting out for next year as he has not been up to his [and others!!] expectations this summer............Win at Yorks next time out and that elusive title could be a very good possibility
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warehamgas
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Post by warehamgas on Sept 10, 2016 20:16:48 GMT
Yes. It's so close in the Championship that up until this week didn't know whether to look down and worry or look up and hope! When we beat Warks we really had a chance to win it. If the rain that poured down today had come yesterday and stopped Middlesex and Yorkshire from winning I would have said we had a real chance. But both winning means it's unlikely that we'll win it now. I saw that about Rogers as well. Whilst he hadn't scored the runs some expected, I've seen at least two days of every home match this season and a couple of away matches and his captaincy has been excellent. He makes good decisions, sets a good field and I haven't seen a better spirited side this season and that includes Yorkshire. If we could beat Yorkshire next week we would have a good chance against already relegated Notts in our last match. But I think it's unlikely.....still we can hope.
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irishrover
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Post by irishrover on Sept 13, 2016 19:57:22 GMT
Well things are getting interesting now!
What a great job Somerset have done at Headingley. If they can finish the job from here then they are right in the hunt especially if Lancs can hold Middlesex up at Old Trafford. I have been down for parts of the first 2 days at OT. Yesterday I thought Middlesex batted too slowly in the afternoon and evening sessions and robbed themselves of a chance at maximum batting point. However, they hit back hard with the ball today and at one stage it looked like the afternoon session might be the definitive one in terms of the Championship's ultimate destination when Lancs were reduced to 6-4 and then 32-5. However, Manchester weather then intervened with players going on and off for bad light and Middlesex having to switch to spin to stay out on the field. I think that messed up their rhythm and intensity right at the point when it looked like they were going for the kill. As it is Livingstone and the young inexperienced opener Jones (who did marvellously well to survive the carnage at the other end in the circumstances) have steadied the ship somewhat. While the weather up here has been apocalyptic tonight (see Man City's call off - and it really was that bad they weren't being precious) we're due for 2 sunny days so it's very much game on. Kerrigan did some damage for once in the first innings so if Lancs can get a competitive score they could put Middlesex under a bit of pressure and then time might begin to seep from the game. This partnership is big though as Lancs have a very long tail. But if they can get up near 200 and take another session (and perhaps a bit more) out of the game then it's going to become much harder for Middlesex to force a result I think. So it's looking a lot better for Somerset than it did at 2.30 this afternoon but they need to finish the job in Leeds. |
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warehamgas
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Post by warehamgas on Sept 14, 2016 10:31:02 GMT
Yes as you say things are getting interesting. Whatever happens we have to beat Yorkshire, without doing that......Now if Lancs can avoid defeat and scrape a draw then it will become much closer. TBH I'm not hopeful of that. In 2010 we had it won at 5.00 on the last day until they played at OT and Lancs collapsed in 10 minutes and gave away 3 wickets which gave Notts an extra bonus point to pip us by one point! Somerset fans were not happy that minutes were manufactured, in our opinion, to allow Notts the chance to do it. DUrham certainly didn't go out of their way to get play where we were playing. LAncs have a habit of collapsing when Somerset don't want it!! Yesterday afternoon we were fearful at 6-4! At the moment we are still third favourites but if Middlesex don't win and we do then in the last match I wouldn't expect either Yorks or Middlesex to give anything away or manufacture a result. They will do everything to avoid losing and I would expect the ground staff to play a big part! We are playing Notts at Taunton which looks.... easier but hey we are Somerset and when we are favourites I know what happens and it's not usually good! But as you say it will be a very interesting week coming up.
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warehamgas
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Post by warehamgas on Sept 14, 2016 17:23:20 GMT
Wow we won and Lancs are making a good show of it. Could be interesting tomorrow.
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irishrover
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Post by irishrover on Sept 16, 2016 19:20:52 GMT
Wow we won and Lancs are making a good show of it. Could be interesting tomorrow. Well - there you go Lancs did the business. I went back on the 3rd day and there was a brief moment where Kerrigan had Middlesex in trouble and it looked like Lancs might have a shot at an unlikely. But Middlesex came back the next morning determined to protect what they had and ground out the draw. Glad I couldn't go back on the 4th day as it looked like an anti-climax and to be honest I think Somerset would probably be happiest with the bore draw. In some ways had Lancs taken the 10 wickets and been set 240-250 I think it would have been a 50/50 game which they could have lost. Still if Somerset do go on to win the title from here they owe young Rob Jones a medal I think! |
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warehamgas
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Post by warehamgas on Sept 17, 2016 10:10:28 GMT
Wow we won and Lancs are making a good show of it. Could be interesting tomorrow. Well - there you go Lancs did the business. I went back on the 3rd day and there was a brief moment where Kerrigan had Middlesex in trouble and it looked like Lancs might have a shot at an unlikely. But Middlesex came back the next morning determined to protect what they had and ground out the draw. Glad I couldn't go back on the 4th day as it looked like an anti-climax and to be honest I think Somerset would probably be happiest with the bore draw. In some ways had Lancs taken the 10 wickets and been set 240-250 I think it would have been a 50/50 game which they could have lost. Still if Somerset do go on to win the title from here they owe young Rob Jones a medal I think! And if we do I am sure they would happily give him one! Going to be an exciting 4 days that's for sure. |
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irishrover
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Post by irishrover on Sept 18, 2016 0:59:14 GMT
Well - there you go Lancs did the business. I went back on the 3rd day and there was a brief moment where Kerrigan had Middlesex in trouble and it looked like Lancs might have a shot at an unlikely. But Middlesex came back the next morning determined to protect what they had and ground out the draw. Glad I couldn't go back on the 4th day as it looked like an anti-climax and to be honest I think Somerset would probably be happiest with the bore draw. In some ways had Lancs taken the 10 wickets and been set 240-250 I think it would have been a 50/50 game which they could have lost. Still if Somerset do go on to win the title from here they owe young Rob Jones a medal I think! And if we do I am sure they would happily give him one! Going to be an exciting 4 days that's for sure. I hope so. Let's just hope weather doesn't intervene - that would be disappointing. I think Somerset have a potential 'contrivance' problem here in those circumstance. Given that Notts have nothing to play for at all and will be unlikely to want to add to the embarrassment tally after what has been a disasterous season for them. Meanwhile Middlesex and Yorks may have an incentive to set up a finish if Somerset look likely to win v Notts.
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warehamgas
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Post by warehamgas on Sept 18, 2016 6:14:35 GMT
Yes, on the last point you are right. But no captain will want to lose the championship because they gave away a soft declaration or made it too hard like Middlesex did at Lancs. I guess any of the scenarios could happen. I just hope Somerset go into therir match with the same mentality that they've had since August, forget about the others and just concentrate on our own performance and make sure we win! Weather forecast for next week appears dry, at the moment. Fingers crossed!
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