jackthegas
David Pritchard
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 313 
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Post by jackthegas on Sept 26, 2020 10:58:04 GMT
The final is well set up at the moment. The fact that Essex have a (notional) first innings lead means if the game is drawn, they win the trophy. However, the weather forecast looks dry and so you would think there is a decent chance that one of these sides will win the match.
Having got past Somerset's score, I am surprised Essex haven't tried to push on and up the scoring rate. Suggests they have half an eye on the draw, which can be a dangerous mindset.
Can Somerset put a score on the board? I think a target north of 200 will put Essex under pressure. The lord's pitch doesn't tend to break up much though so they will want more than that.
Edit: actually, the forecast doesn't look great this afternoon, which would really put Somerset up against it
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warehamgas
Predictions League
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Posts: 3,600
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Post by warehamgas on Sept 26, 2020 12:00:26 GMT
Yes, there are lots of subplots here. Winning the toss in September is always an advantage esp in the batting conditions on Wednesday. But that’s what you do make it work for you. Very even after that first two days and yesterday Sir Alistair did what Sir Alistair does, he scored off his legs and when he was in scored more freely on the off side as well. It was a great innings in context for his side. I thought Somerset bowled very well esp as there was little in the pitch for bowlers in the third days conditions. Somerset kept at it and came back into it after tea.
You are right jack we are up against it. I’m not sure setting a 200 total would be enough. Sir A would just settle in and it would be an attritional innings to take Essex over the line. That first innings lead was crucial and I wasn’t even aware until the match started that those were the rules but fair enough. I don’t think they thought that would come into it with a five day match but it has certainly changed the mood of the match. Essex’s experience against the youngsters of Somerset. I think we’ve missed Hildreth.
I’m looking for a lead of 250 and Coverton to take Sir Alistair out in the first over, then we could hope! Whatever I think this has been a good advert for red ball cricket between the best two sides in the country.
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Post by lostinspace on Sept 27, 2020 12:30:56 GMT
Cookie goes just after lunch... big wicket taken, is this the nervous time for Essex, Somerset's big chance to rattle a few and prey on the tension now
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warehamgas
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Post by warehamgas on Sept 27, 2020 14:23:37 GMT
And Leach’s first wicket not just of the season but of 2020. All very strange. 100 odd off 31 overs looks easy enough but Essex are happy to play for draw. With those figures I’d say no way but at the moment the only runs they’re scoring are mainly behind square. I’d say that Essex are being too cautious but I understand why. Essex look very nervous but it would be a major cock up not to win from there.
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jackthegas
David Pritchard
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 313
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Post by jackthegas on Sept 28, 2020 10:17:25 GMT
Somerset finish as runners up again then. Very little between these two teams, and it really is pretty astonishing that Somerset haven't won the Championship at some point in the last few years. They just couldn't get the couple of quick wickets they needed yesterday to really put Essex under pressure. I wonder whether, on that type of pitch, Jamie Overton's out and out pace might have made a difference?
Ultimately, Somerset's regret may well be that they collapsed in the first innings. Given the weather, the flat pitch and the rules that first innings lead was always likely to prove crucial.
On the plus side, if the proposed conference based format is implemented next season then Somerset's points deduction will count for relatively little. I find it very hard to believe that they won't qualify for the top league in the second stage
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warehamgas
Predictions League
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Post by warehamgas on Sept 28, 2020 11:30:20 GMT
Yes, it looked good when we got Sir A at 68-3 but the pitch was dead and just got worse. Regarding the Jamie O comment I completely agree. Why was he let go on loan. I appreciate that he had signed a contract for 2021 with Surrey but he is quicker than any other if our bowlers and he did make a difference when he played. He didn’t need to have been let go early. He could easily have made the difference in this match. I suspect it is a question that may be asked at the Somerset AGM if it’s possible to ask any question. For the same reason, he would have brought something valuable to our 20/20 side, as he did for Surrey. They qualify, we don’t. It’s seems a decision made for the benefit of JO and Surrey not Somerset CCC. And it’s decisions like that which make me think we may be in contention again but I think a change in attitude is required to ensure that all decisions are made for the good of Somerset CCC, not the player and his wishes.
Regarding the decision over first innings lead. We all knew what the rules were so no real complaints about it.
However some thoughts are: Why have a rule which is more akin to a one day match as a decider rather than considering the way teams had played over the season. Total bonus points over the season, batting and bowling combined could have been seen as fairer and something that reflected the whole season as a competition which it was. Possibly more fair than first innings lead in a late September match with all the weather ramifications after a lost toss. That toss with the weather that happened over the next 5 days gave Essex a great advantage. Somerset had the worst of the batting conditions and the worst of the bowling. But I wouldn’t want that to come over as sour grapes. A great match-winning innings that was the only difference by Sir A made it a memorable end to the season. Unfortunately for the future I think the ECB have been spoiled over the past two years with their final games, it’s almost been a one-day type finish, winner takes all, with Essex v Somerset and they will try and arrange for something similar rather than an ending that should reflect the season, the team finishing with most points being County Champions. I’ve liked the Conference format and hope they look to arrange something around it but if it’s to be a final then please let the criteria in the event of a draw reflect the whole season, not something that reflects the toss made at 10.15 on a late September morning when conditions will vary considerably.
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