warehamgas
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Post by warehamgas on Aug 24, 2020 20:22:41 GMT
Yes, Worcestershire v Somerset is the last match.
Do you think Worcestershire v Warwickshire can get a result tomorrow? It will need one of the teams to make it attractive to the other to manufacture a result tomorrow I would imagine. But from what the commentators have said the pitch at Worcester was a great batting surface where the bowlers toiled. If Worcestershire need a result next week they will need a result pitch. Yes Worcestershire may have lost an opportunity against Glamorgan but I guess that was within their ability to do something about. The weather has been outside our control.
But it’s good that this competition is going to go to the last match. I like the thought of Derbyshire getting to the final. I’ve really enjoyed the conference format of this competition and I wonder if some thought will be given to looking to constitute the County Championship in this way. Some thought would need to be given to perhaps a semi-final before a final. Giving some thought to doing that may create more interest as the league comes to the final few matches. As I said earlier on England appear to have created their own club bubble and I wonder again if that’s something that they may keep for next season. They choose the players in April /May and those players become “club England” for the season. Not perfect because then certain players could have a whole season and play little if no cricket. With Yorkshire and Surrey and Somerset (spinners at least) losing their best players it has evened up the competition. Essex a very good team, but few England players, have maintained their premier position but overall it’s been a close competition.
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irishrover
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Post by irishrover on Aug 24, 2020 21:27:48 GMT
Yes, Worcestershire v Somerset is the last match. Do you think Worcestershire v Warwickshire can get a result tomorrow? It will need one of the teams to make it attractive to the other to manufacture a result tomorrow I would imagine. But from what the commentators have said the pitch at Worcester was a great batting surface where the bowlers toiled. If Worcestershire need a result next week they will need a result pitch. Yes Worcestershire may have lost an opportunity against Glamorgan but I guess that was within their ability to do something about. The weather has been outside our control. But it’s good that this competition is going to go to the last match. I like the thought of Derbyshire getting to the final. I’ve really enjoyed the conference format of this competition and I wonder if some thought will be given to looking to constitute the County Championship in this way. Some thought would need to be given to perhaps a semi-final before a final. Giving some thought to doing that may create more interest as the league comes to the final few matches. As I said earlier on England appear to have created their own club bubble and I wonder again if that’s something that they may keep for next season. They choose the players in April /May and those players become “club England” for the season. Not perfect because then certain players could have a whole season and play little if no cricket. With Yorkshire and Surrey and Somerset (spinners at least) losing their best players it has evened up the competition. Essex a very good team, but few England players, have maintained their premier position but overall it’s been a close competition. My boss is Derbyshire fan - they are very excited about their chances. Lancs and Yorkshire largely seemed to have passed on this season for some reason which has opened up opportunities for someone to come through that group. |
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warehamgas
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Post by warehamgas on Aug 25, 2020 21:45:13 GMT
The weather stayed kind for enough time to get the two wickets. Well deserved in the end. It seems a shame that James Bracey wasn’t playing in this match, has he played at all this season or is he part of club England? Really needs to be playing cricket with some meaning and not just nets.
The two division County Championship will continue in 2021 so Gloucestershire will still be there which I’m pleased about but does anyone think they’ve had a lucky escape this season in the sense that had it been a normal season they may well have finished in the relegation places? I’ve watched them bat in this match via the Somerset You Tube channel and in this second innings they batted very poorly. Has it helped Richard Dawson realise that they need some extra batsmen in place for 2021? Hopefully Bracey will be back, but a bit of a wasted year.
Another point, and I expect others to disagree with me: the bonus points allocation seems unfair to me. Had rain stopped us winning at yesterday’s evenings score the bonus point situation would have been,
- Worcestershire 410-7 13 points v Warwickshire 355-9 dec 13 points. yet
- Somerset 237 and 223-1 It would have been 12 points v Gloucestershire 76 ao. and 63-8. It would have been 11 points.
Fortunately we won but even if we hadn’t it seems unfair that we would have had less points than two teams who had batted out for a high scoring draw and only 1 more point than a team we had effectively thrashed! I’d say it was time to even up the bonus points for batting and bowling. Although even then the difference between Somerset and Gloucestershire points would still have been 1 point. I think it’s very strange!
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irishrover
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Post by irishrover on Aug 26, 2020 22:28:08 GMT
The weather stayed kind for enough time to get the two wickets. Well deserved in the end. It seems a shame that James Bracey wasn’t playing in this match, has he played at all this season or is he part of club England? Really needs to be playing cricket with some meaning and not just nets. The two division County Championship will continue in 2021 so Gloucestershire will still be there which I’m pleased about but does anyone think they’ve had a lucky escape this season in the sense that had it been a normal season they may well have finished in the relegation places? I’ve watched them bat in this match via the Somerset You Tube channel and in this second innings they batted very poorly. Has it helped Richard Dawson realise that they need some extra batsmen in place for 2021? Hopefully Bracey will be back, but a bit of a wasted year. Another point, and I expect others to disagree with me: the bonus points allocation seems unfair to me. Had rain stopped us winning at yesterday’s evenings score the bonus point situation would have been, - Worcestershire 410-7 13 points v Warwickshire 355-9 dec 13 points. yet - Somerset 237 and 223-1 It would have been 12 points v Gloucestershire 76 ao. and 63-8. It would have been 11 points. Fortunately we won but even if we hadn’t it seems unfair that we would have had less points than two teams who had batted out for a high scoring draw and only 1 more point than a team we had effectively thrashed! I’d say it was time to even up the bonus points for batting and bowling. Although even then the difference between Somerset and Gloucestershire points would still have been 1 point. I think it’s very strange! I don't know. I think it's quite hard to read too much into this season. Glos had invested in a strong overseas and would have had Bracey. Plus it's quite conceivable they might have signed a few more in the run up to the season given that they seemed prepared to spend a bit this time. Also, even though Somerset embarrassed them, they actually are quite a decent side in some ways. They're flawed but they have a decent battery of seamers and the batting has some potential. So I'm not sure they'd have been nailed on to go down especially in a league of 10.
I think the whole bonus point system needs to be overhauled. It makes no allowance for conditions/relative state of the game and creates some weird situations.
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jackthegas
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Post by jackthegas on Aug 27, 2020 11:28:34 GMT
The weather stayed kind for enough time to get the two wickets. Well deserved in the end. It seems a shame that James Bracey wasn’t playing in this match, has he played at all this season or is he part of club England? Really needs to be playing cricket with some meaning and not just nets. The two division County Championship will continue in 2021 so Gloucestershire will still be there which I’m pleased about but does anyone think they’ve had a lucky escape this season in the sense that had it been a normal season they may well have finished in the relegation places? I’ve watched them bat in this match via the Somerset You Tube channel and in this second innings they batted very poorly. Has it helped Richard Dawson realise that they need some extra batsmen in place for 2021? Hopefully Bracey will be back, but a bit of a wasted year. Another point, and I expect others to disagree with me: the bonus points allocation seems unfair to me. Had rain stopped us winning at yesterday’s evenings score the bonus point situation would have been, - Worcestershire 410-7 13 points v Warwickshire 355-9 dec 13 points. yet - Somerset 237 and 223-1 It would have been 12 points v Gloucestershire 76 ao. and 63-8. It would have been 11 points. Fortunately we won but even if we hadn’t it seems unfair that we would have had less points than two teams who had batted out for a high scoring draw and only 1 more point than a team we had effectively thrashed! I’d say it was time to even up the bonus points for batting and bowling. Although even then the difference between Somerset and Gloucestershire points would still have been 1 point. I think it’s very strange! I don't know. I think it's quite hard to read too much into this season. Glos had invested in a strong overseas and would have had Bracey. Plus it's quite conceivable they might have signed a few more in the run up to the season given that they seemed prepared to spend a bit this time. Also, even though Somerset embarrassed them, they actually are quite a decent side in some ways. They're flawed but they have a decent battery of seamers and the batting has some potential. So I'm not sure they'd have been nailed on to go down especially in a league of 10.
I think the whole bonus point system needs to be overhauled. It makes no allowance for conditions/relative state of the game and creates some weird situations.
They have just signed Tom Lace from Middlesex. The batting unit is really inexperienced, especially when Roderick leaves at the end of this season. I think there is a lot of potential though if they can keep hold of them. I am not quite so optimistic about the state of the seam bowlers though, aside from Payne and Higgins. Not sure they have much strength in depth if they pick up an injury or two, and probably lack a bit of pace. I know they signed Jerome Taylor, but he's 35 and I think he's past his best. I think they could have done a bit more towards the back end of the Pakistan series to get Bracey, Leach and Wood some cricket. They could have swapped the reserves after the West Indies series. I actually think though, that Bracey will have benefited from spending the summer in that set up. Netting against the best bowlers in the country, being around the best batters and coaches in the country is not a bad opportunity for a 23 year old. You wouldn't want to do it every season, but as a one off, I think it will have done him some good. Should be an interesting last round in the Bob Willis Trophy. I am not in favour of scrapping relegation, because it leads to too many dead matches, but I quite like the playoff idea as a compromise. Worcester have remembered how to bat this year, and the top 3 have been in really good form. Tom Fell in particular is a really good news story. I think they could give Somerset a game at New Road. |
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warehamgas
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Post by warehamgas on Aug 27, 2020 13:02:40 GMT
Gloucestershire bowled neatly in the only match I’ve seen to base my thoughts on. But it was quite a helpful pitch. This season has been quite unique in that every county has had a free run insofar as whatever league they were in at the start they will be in the end. And that was why I said Richard Dawson will have had the chance to see where he needs to recruit for next season. This season will also allow counties to see their home grown players more because there are no overseas players. Some players will grasp that opportunity to get more experience and it will make them better players.
Was Jerome Taylor going to play Championship cricket this year? He played T20 only for us over the past few years but was very effective in that. But at 35 or 36 next year he will not be getting any better. However it’s best not to write players off. Peter Trego didn’t play red ball for us last season and then was released yet he said been opening the bowling for Nottinghamshire this season and getting wickets. It’s a great story. I’m pleased for him because he wouldn’t be able to do that in the Somerset team. He’s a fit and competitive guy but the Nottinghamshire attack must be much weaker than in previous years for him to be able to do that. Really surprising.
I’m sure Worcestershire v Somerset will be a proper game. Two good teams going for the win. Being a few points ahead the onus must be on Worcestershire to prepare a result wicket and not the flat track they did for the Warwickshire match. An interesting stat from the Somerset games so far: Glamorgan scored 131 and 166, Northamptonshire scored 67 and 154, Warwickshire scored 121 and 140-8, Gloucestershire scored 76 and 70. No team has scored over 166 against us and obviously no team has scored a batting bonus point against us! Cue Worcestershire to get 401-6 and get 5 bonus points!
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jackthegas
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Post by jackthegas on Aug 27, 2020 13:22:51 GMT
Gloucestershire bowled neatly in the only match I’ve seen to base my thoughts on. But it was quite a helpful pitch. This season has been quite unique in that every county has had a free run insofar as whatever league they were in at the start they will be in the end. And that was why I said Richard Dawson will have had the chance to see where he needs to recruit for next season. This season will also allow counties to see their home grown players more because there are no overseas players. Some players will grasp that opportunity to get more experience and it will make them better players. Was Jerome Taylor going to play Championship cricket this year? He played T20 only for us over the past few years but was very effective in that. But at 35 or 36 next year he will not be getting any better. However it’s best not to write players off. Peter Trego didn’t play red ball for us last season and then was released yet he said been opening the bowling for Nottinghamshire this season and getting wickets. It’s a great story. I’m pleased for him because he wouldn’t be able to do that in the Somerset team. He’s a fit and competitive guy but the Nottinghamshire attack must be much weaker than in previous years for him to be able to do that. Really surprising. I’m sure Worcestershire v Somerset will be a proper game. Two good teams going for the win. Being a few points ahead the onus must be on Worcestershire to prepare a result wicket and not the flat track they did for the Warwickshire match. An interesting stat from the Somerset games so far: Glamorgan scored 131 and 166, Northamptonshire scored 67 and 154, Warwickshire scored 121 and 140-8, Gloucestershire scored 76 and 70. No team has scored over 166 against us and obviously no team has scored a batting bonus point against us! Cue Worcestershire to get 401-6 and get 5 bonus points! Yep, Taylor was signed to play in all formats. Definitely not writing him off, but Taylor and Trego are completely different types of bowler. Taylor was all pace and not a lot else. If he's lost that then how effective will he be? You are right about Notts. Ball and Fletcher have both been injured. In previous years they have seen a lot of Broad and they've also had James Pattinson. They have also lost Luke Wood to Lancashire who I think is a terrific cricketer. Worcester will want to win, but as you say, this year is a bit of a free hit. I think they are determined to play proper long format cricket this season, even if it isn't in their immediate interests. Worcester are in Division 2 and were terrible last season. I think they would view a draw against the second best team in the Country as a really good result. I actually think, weather depending they will still try and produce a flat pitch. The issue at New Road over the last few years, is that the pitch doesn't deteriorate. If there is something in it on day 1, then the toss becomes really, really important. I think Worcesters best bet is to play on a flat track and hope they can exploit Somerset's weaker suit, their batting. If the game is played on a green pitch, I think Somerset will win comfortably. I think the Blast starts today doesn't it? Lovely weather for it! |
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warehamgas
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Post by warehamgas on Aug 27, 2020 21:07:38 GMT
Jack, it’s a good point about preparing a flat track and hoping that our batsmen do a very common thing and collapse. For all our consistently good bowling we do have a collapse in us. But in the last two matches 5 different batsmen have scored centuries, Bartlett’s when under pressure so we’ve certainly improved our batting over the last two games. But it should be an exciting match.
Yes the weather wasn’t very kind. Down here it was raining stair-rods from about 3.00 to 4.00 and then it stopped suddenly and was a beautiful sunny late afternoon and evening. I bet Kent were angry having got to 50-0 after 4.1 overs chasing 140. I think you need to have 5 overs to make it a match, so 5 balls short.
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jackthegas
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Post by jackthegas on Sept 7, 2020 11:08:39 GMT
Very even game at the moment at New Road with Worcester 67/1 in reply to 250. Really good to see Leach playing some cricket. I think he's bowling quite nicely at the moment but Worcester have battled hard. I think Somerset got a decent score on the board yesterday in tougher than expected conditions. I wouldn't like to predict a winner at this stage, but Somerset usually find a way. I didn't see too much play yesterday, just a few overs after lunch, when I thought Pennington bowled really well and got Worcester back in to the game with a hostile spell.
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warehamgas
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Post by warehamgas on Sept 7, 2020 14:21:49 GMT
Very even game at the moment at New Road with Worcester 67/1 in reply to 250. Really good to see Leach playing some cricket. I think he's bowling quite nicely at the moment but Worcester have battled hard. I think Somerset got a decent score on the board yesterday in tougher than expected conditions. I wouldn't like to predict a winner at this stage, but Somerset usually find a way. I didn't see too much play yesterday, just a few overs after lunch, when I thought Pennington bowled really well and got Worcester back in to the game with a hostile spell. I watched most of yesterday but very little of today so far. Worcestershire were unlucky first off esp Leach who made the Somerset players play and miss a lot. But then they bowled too wide and didn’t take advantage of the conditions. But I thought it was a good score but today Worcestershire are playing well I presume. Still a long way to go but I’d say Worcestershire will be happier than Somerset. Btw, the stream from Worcester was very good to watch with local commentators making for a more interesting day than listening to Sky! I presume at the moment the weather is unlikely to come into this. edit: just looked again and Worcestershire have lost 3 wickets in 5 runs. It’s an old adage but wickets do change matches, get one and others follow just like yesterday. |
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warehamgas
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Post by warehamgas on Sept 7, 2020 14:28:06 GMT
One further point and I know I bang on about this but it is great to see two counties playing a red ball game with so many academy graduates or youngsters who’ve progressed through the ranks. 17/22, 9, I think from Worcestershire and 8 from Somerset.
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irishrover
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Post by irishrover on Sept 7, 2020 15:18:18 GMT
Very even game at the moment at New Road with Worcester 67/1 in reply to 250. Really good to see Leach playing some cricket. I think he's bowling quite nicely at the moment but Worcester have battled hard. I think Somerset got a decent score on the board yesterday in tougher than expected conditions. I wouldn't like to predict a winner at this stage, but Somerset usually find a way. I didn't see too much play yesterday, just a few overs after lunch, when I thought Pennington bowled really well and got Worcester back in to the game with a hostile spell. I watched most of yesterday but very little of today so far. Worcestershire were unlucky first off esp Leach who made the Somerset players play and miss a lot. But then they bowled too wide and didn’t take advantage of the conditions. But I thought it was a good score but today Worcestershire are playing well I presume. Still a long way to go but I’d say Worcestershire will be happier than Somerset. Btw, the stream from Worcester was very good to watch with local commentators making for a more interesting day than listening to Sky! I presume at the moment the weather is unlikely to come into this. edit: just looked again and Worcestershire have lost 3 wickets in 5 runs. It’s an old adage but wickets do change matches, get one and others follow just like yesterday. My Dad (who, unlike me, is a Somerset fan) has been trying to watch this game online but said Worcester had it behind a paywall. Is that right or is there another way to watch it? I don't think he thought he'd be able to watch enough overs to make it worth paying for.
Looks like Somerset have pulled it right back and should be favourites now if their batting holds up reasonably well in the 2nd innings. You'd back Leach to make a 200 run lead to stand up in the 2nd innings. Shame that Lancs seem to have scuppered Derbyshire's chances right at the end. That was shaping up to be the feelgood story of the cricket season.
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jackthegas
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Post by jackthegas on Sept 7, 2020 15:50:11 GMT
I watched most of yesterday but very little of today so far. Worcestershire were unlucky first off esp Leach who made the Somerset players play and miss a lot. But then they bowled too wide and didn’t take advantage of the conditions. But I thought it was a good score but today Worcestershire are playing well I presume. Still a long way to go but I’d say Worcestershire will be happier than Somerset. Btw, the stream from Worcester was very good to watch with local commentators making for a more interesting day than listening to Sky! I presume at the moment the weather is unlikely to come into this. edit: just looked again and Worcestershire have lost 3 wickets in 5 runs. It’s an old adage but wickets do change matches, get one and others follow just like yesterday. My Dad (who, unlike me, is a Somerset fan) has been trying to watch this game online but said Worcester had it behind a paywall. Is that right or is there another way to watch it? I don't think he thought he'd be able to watch enough overs to make it worth paying for.
Looks like Somerset have pulled it right back and should be favourites now if their batting holds up reasonably well in the 2nd innings. You'd back Leach to make a 200 run lead to stand up in the 2nd innings. Shame that Lancs seem to have scuppered Derbyshire's chances right at the end. That was shaping up to be the feelgood story of the cricket season.
It's complicated! Somerset's website simplifies matters a lot. It's free to register basically. Somerset are well on top but the pitch doesn't usually deteriorate. If anything, it has died in the 4th innings in recent years and there have been some monster chases. |
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warehamgas
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Post by warehamgas on Sept 7, 2020 17:10:15 GMT
I watched most of yesterday but very little of today so far. Worcestershire were unlucky first off esp Leach who made the Somerset players play and miss a lot. But then they bowled too wide and didn’t take advantage of the conditions. But I thought it was a good score but today Worcestershire are playing well I presume. Still a long way to go but I’d say Worcestershire will be happier than Somerset. Btw, the stream from Worcester was very good to watch with local commentators making for a more interesting day than listening to Sky! I presume at the moment the weather is unlikely to come into this. edit: just looked again and Worcestershire have lost 3 wickets in 5 runs. It’s an old adage but wickets do change matches, get one and others follow just like yesterday. My Dad (who, unlike me, is a Somerset fan) has been trying to watch this game online but said Worcester had it behind a paywall. Is that right or is there another way to watch it? I don't think he thought he'd be able to watch enough overs to make it worth paying for.
Looks like Somerset have pulled it right back and should be favourites now if their batting holds up reasonably well in the 2nd innings. You'd back Leach to make a 200 run lead to stand up in the 2nd innings. Shame that Lancs seem to have scuppered Derbyshire's chances right at the end. That was shaping up to be the feelgood story of the cricket season.
He’s right, it is behind a paywall. I only got access to it because apparently I’m what Somerset call a “2020 Hero”! I’m a member but got the normal letter saying, I could have a refund or waive the refund and get various stuff and a large discount on 2021 membership. They need the money! I opted for the latter and was consequently given access to various streams to watch every match so far which has been good when I wasn’t doing anything else. Yes we pulled it back in the last hour of the afternoon. But a Somerset collapse is never far away. Hoping we get 200-250 tomorrow to give them a target over 250. But we’ll see having already lost a wicket. |
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jackthegas
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Post by jackthegas on Sept 7, 2020 18:48:20 GMT
My Dad (who, unlike me, is a Somerset fan) has been trying to watch this game online but said Worcester had it behind a paywall. Is that right or is there another way to watch it? I don't think he thought he'd be able to watch enough overs to make it worth paying for.
Looks like Somerset have pulled it right back and should be favourites now if their batting holds up reasonably well in the 2nd innings. You'd back Leach to make a 200 run lead to stand up in the 2nd innings. Shame that Lancs seem to have scuppered Derbyshire's chances right at the end. That was shaping up to be the feelgood story of the cricket season.
He’s right, it is behind a paywall. I only got access to it because apparently I’m what Somerset call a “2020 Hero”! I’m a member but got the normal letter saying, I could have a refund or waive the refund and get various stuff and a large discount on 2021 membership. They need the money! I opted for the latter and was consequently given access to various streams to watch every match so far which has been good when I wasn’t doing anything else. Yes we pulled it back in the last hour of the afternoon. But a Somerset collapse is never far away. Hoping we get 200-250 tomorrow to give them a target over 250. But we’ll see having already lost a wicket. It's not behind a paywall. It's free to purchase a digital subscription from Worcestershire's website. The link I shared (to the Somerset website) is really useful. |
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warehamgas
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Post by warehamgas on Sept 7, 2020 19:11:16 GMT
I think you have to buy the package on the Worcestershire site which is what I meant. Sorry if it mislead anyone.
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irishrover
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Post by irishrover on Sept 7, 2020 19:15:22 GMT
He’s right, it is behind a paywall. I only got access to it because apparently I’m what Somerset call a “2020 Hero”! I’m a member but got the normal letter saying, I could have a refund or waive the refund and get various stuff and a large discount on 2021 membership. They need the money! I opted for the latter and was consequently given access to various streams to watch every match so far which has been good when I wasn’t doing anything else. Yes we pulled it back in the last hour of the afternoon. But a Somerset collapse is never far away. Hoping we get 200-250 tomorrow to give them a target over 250. But we’ll see having already lost a wicket. It's not behind a paywall. It's free to purchase a digital subscription from Worcestershire's website. The link I shared (to the Somerset website) is really useful. Thanks very much- I will send it to my Dad. He's normally more computer literate than I am so I'm sure he can figure it out. Appreciated.
Hoping Somerset finish it off. I think a Somerset-Essex final would be a good game. Evenly matched teams in many ways and probably have been consistently the best 2 counties in this format over the last 2 or 3 years. Assuming we do get to watch it? Will Sky cover it? (Appreciate that could be a good or bad thing depending on whether you have Sky - which I currently do since it's not like I'm spending money on anything else right now!).
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jackthegas
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Post by jackthegas on Sept 9, 2020 9:14:08 GMT
It's still pretty well poised today. I think Somerset will win, but I think Worcester have done well. Only side to score more than 100 in an innings against Somerset this season apparently. They were a bit unlucky that Josh Tounge had a back spasm and could only bowl off a shortened run up. Might have been the difference between chasing 200 and chasing 250. I thought Craig Overton looked lively yesterday. I can see why the selectors like him.
I also read that Durham have re-signed Scott Borthwick. I really hope this is a sign that they have come out of the other side of their financial difficulties and are in a position to build again. I think England, and English cricket in general are stronger for having a good Durham side.
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jackthegas
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Post by jackthegas on Sept 9, 2020 9:53:04 GMT
Interesting article from Mike Atherton in The Times today. I have mixed views about this. Promotion and relegation makes the end of the season really interesting for spectators, but I think it's difficult to argue that Counties like Notts and Hampshire haven't become short termist. It's also pretty clear to me that there are a number of Counties who have very little interest in First Class cricket as it stands at the moment. I guess you can argue either way, whether it's a good thing or not that Counties lose their best players to the big clubs. It's an interesting idea. Should still make for good cricket in Septemeber and I like the idea of maintaining a final. What do you guys think? www.thetimes.co.uk/article/good-news-this-county-conference-system-is-here-to-stay-possibly-permanently-l22w6ggvf |
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warehamgas
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Post by warehamgas on Sept 9, 2020 14:52:41 GMT
It's still pretty well poised today. I think Somerset will win, but I think Worcester have done well. Only side to score more than 100 in an innings against Somerset this season apparently. They were a bit unlucky that Josh Tounge had a back spasm and could only bowl off a shortened run up. Might have been the difference between chasing 200 and chasing 250. I thought Craig Overton looked lively yesterday. I can see why the selectors like him. I also read that Durham have re-signed Scott Borthwick. I really hope this is a sign that they have come out of the other side of their financial difficulties and are in a position to build again. I think England, and English cricket in general are stronger for having a good Durham side. All over now with Somerset winning by 56 runs, I think. A good game, good to watch. Somerset won because they had the better bowlers who used the conditions better I think. Worcestershire had us 9n the ropes in the first innings but didn’t bowl to make us play, bowled too wide and in the second innings Tom Lammanby batted very well for his century. At various times this season one of our young batsmen have come to the top and scored a century when it was needed. Despite my comments about the us being the better bowling side in this match it was Lammanby’s century that proved the difference and was a match winning innings. Thanks for posting that Times article regarding proposed changes to the County Championship. Having seen this conference style BWT play out this summer I think it should be considered. I’m dubious about it in that this year has been so unusual that I wouldn’t want to draw too many conclusions from an abnormal season. But I do like the idea of every county being in the mix if they are good enough. Obviously this year Yorkshire have a reasonable complaint that they won their group but don’t qualify for any final or semi final or play off. But under the proposed changes that issue would be addressed and the matches in August and September could lead to some exciting cricket. And if counties are guaranteed at least 14 matches that would be the same as it currently is. Another thing that I’d want to see avoided is the idea of red ball cricket being less important than white ball cricket. This proposal looks as if it could give a boost to the County Championship throughout the country which would be great. It could also give counties like Northampton, Leicestershire, Derbyshire and even Durham and others and their players the incentive that they could win the County Championship with their unfashionable counties. Of course you’ll never overcome the fact that some players will move to bigger counties for money and financial reasons which is fair enough when your career is so short. But overall I think it would be a good idea. I’m glad to see that two smaller counties, Sussex and Durham will be represented in the group looking at this. In the article it points out Surrey’s particular problem this year with the bio-bubble and then injuries which has led to their poor performances relatively, compared to previous years. I should have, but I can’t work up any sympathy for them nor Nottinghamshire over their issues this season. The latter especially have relied upon raiding Northamptonshire and Leicestershire to take their best younger players for years. Surrey have at least had a very successful academy that has produced excellent players for themselves and England. It’s just a shame that Surrey have been so arrogant and full of self-entitlement over the years. And that includes their players! And I agree, a strong Durham would be good for English cricket. |
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