The Last Home Game - Important game Abell sets the tone
By Farmer White et al November 1 2022
The final home game against Northants when we were still not certain of our future in Division 1 of the Championship - well no one was really - and we needed a solid victory. Heres Day 1 of the 4 "Farmer" wrote about - it was significant.
County Championship 2022. Division 1. Somerset v Northamptonshire. 20th, 21st, 22nd and 23rd September 2022. Taunton.
Jack Leach was unavailable for selection for this match.
Somerset. T.A. Lammonby, Iman-ul-Haq, T.B. Abell (c), G.A. Bartlett, L. P. Goldsworthy, J.E.K. Rew (w), L. Gregory, C. Overton, K.L. Aldridge, J.H. Davey, Sajid Khan.
Somerset entered this match, the penultimate of the season, locked in a relegation tussle with Kent, who they play at Canterbury in the final match, and Warwickshire, both eight points beneath them in the table. Yorkshire are nine points above Somerset and 17 above Kent and Warwickshire, and probably safe since all three of those counties would have to pass them for them to be relegated. Gloucestershire, 41 points below Kent and Warwickshire, are already effectively relegated. But, with eight points for a draw and 16 for a win, the situation around the second relegation spot is devilishly tight.
A good start for Somerset was crucial. It was not a day to be late. Tell the bus company that. My bus, or a bus, arrived 25 minutes after its due time. Twenty-five minutes is a very long time at a bus stop when you are waiting for a Somerset match to start. Instead of being in my seat in time for a leisurely survey of the scene, I walked through the Brian Rose Gates as the players walked onto the field. Northamptonshire players. Somerset were batting. Cue deep intake of breath. The anxiety level is always farther up the scale when Somerset are batting. A brisk walk behind the Somerset Stand took me to the block at the far end adjoining what was, at the start of the day, The River Stand. The River Stand was starkly empty with its name obscured by black sheeting. It too was waiting, to be formally re-named the James Hildreth Stand at lunchtime.
That end of the Somerset Stand is neither ‘behind the arm’ nor square of the wicket. An apparently odd angle from which to watch cricket. A little finer than deep backward point. And yet it is a curiously restful angle, at least, as far as any angle can be restful when watching Somerset, especially in a match potentially crucial to their survival as a first division club. In late September when the sun is shining as it was on this morning, it is also likely to be warm, as opposed to the autumnal chill usually felt in September in the shade at the top of the Trescothick Pavilion.
The anxieties associated with potential relegation are even more acute this year because English domestic cricket is facing a fundamental review of its structures to be implemented from the 2024 season. ‘Upheaval’ might be a better description than ‘review’. Finishing positions in the 2023 Championship may be crucial to where counties are placed in the first-class part of that structure in 2024. Starting 2024 in the second tier of the Championship with, based on current proposals, minimal opportunities for promotion back to the top tier will make it a precarious place to be for smaller counties without Hundred franchises.
This match, and the final one at Canterbury, could therefore be instrumental in determining Somerset’s long-term existence as a first-class county. That thought made my focus on the cricket even more acute than it normally is. The pitch was slightly tinged with green. In a match scheduled to finish on the autumn equinox, with a 10.30 start, batting first, even on what presumably looked a good batting pitch to Tom Abell, is a risk. The ball could be predicted to dart about for an hour or so on the first morning. It would be a typically anxious watch. The temperature at least was late summer rather than early autumn and the sun indeed shone on my seat.
There was a good-sized crowd, probably around 1,500 as Tom Lammonby and Imam-ul-Haq, Somerset’s left-handed openers, took up their positions. The crowd could be expected to grow towards 2,000. A Championship crowd always grows through the first half hour as people make their leisurely way to the ground, more so in September, for buses and trains do not accommodate their timetables to the earlier start time. As to the cricket, the openers caught the need of the moment, and played with the most studious of care, as if the ball were made of glass and they were fearful of breaking it. Balls were left and defended with the softest of hands. Scoring strokes were rare, and when played, were played with a lightness of touch which a glass ball would not have feared.
Northamptonshire have been the surprise team of the first division this year. A perennial second division side making one of its periodic visits to the first division but looking destined to finish mid-table. Their opening bowlers, Ben Sanderson and Jack White, were quickly on the mark. For all the care and application of the Somerset batters, playing and missing, beaten bats and leg before wicket appeals were sprinkled liberally enough to awaken the latent anxiety of the Somerset supporter, and must constantly have fired the hopes of Northamptonshire ones.
Soon, the Northamptonshire pressure told. Lammonby played and edged a ball from Sanderson chest high to the left of Emilio Gay at second slip. Gay reached the ball with both hands, the catch looked assured, Somerset breaths were caught, but the ball fell to earth. The sighs of relief among the home crowd were audible. And then the tightly probing bowling and meticulously careful batting resumed. The intensity, from bowlers and batters alike, the paucity of runs, the constant threat of a wicket all built tension. Eyes were fixed hard on the cricket, faces taut, conversation hushed, the prospect of relegation hanging over Somerset adding to the sense of apprehension.
There was brief relief from a beautifully straight-driven four to the Lord Ian Botham Stand from Imam, but it was the eighth over before Somerset reached double figures, Imam turning White behind square towards the Ondaatje Stand for two. From there, such runs as came continued to be scored off the most carefully constructed strokes, the ball still, for the most part, treated with the utmost delicacy. A straight drive off Williams, perfectly stroked by Lammonby, finished a languid, decelerating run before it reached the Trescothick Pavilion boundary as the batter kept tight control of the stroke and settled for three well-run runs. Overhead, high white cloud had softened the effect of the sun and was gradually thickening, although not yet enough to work in alliance with the green in the pitch.
The smooth gracefulness of stroke which marked the partnership gave the impression of a ballet being played out before us. The ball, played with such care, eased its way into the gaps, although only slowly raising the score as the morning wore on. After 16 overs Somerset were 25 for 0. And then, with tension still gripping hard, Gay dropped Imam off Williams. Again, he was at slip. This time the ball arrived head high and was on the ground before breaths could be held, the batters taking a single before the ball could be retrieved. Again, the tense, tight bowling, often supported by four slips, and meticulously careful batting resumed. When Lammonby drove Williams straight the stroke was exquisite, but it was hauled in before it could cross the Trescothick Pavilion boundary. In his next over, the 13th since the last boundary, Imam twice cut Williams, once backward of point and once through point, both for four to the Priory Bridge Road boundary, but then, as if that were enough adventure for the session, the balletic pace of the game resumed.
In the half hour before lunch not a single boundary disturbed the scene. Just nine runs were scored with only a glance for two from Lammonby off Sanderson being worth more than a single. But, just as it looked as if Somerset might reach lunch with all their wickets intact, the persistence of the Northamptonshire bowling finally paid a dividend. Imam, on 23, after over an hour and a half at the crease finally edged another defensive stroke to Gay at second slip. This time Gay held the catch and Somerset were 49 for 1. Looked at on the unforgiving scoreboard it was a middling start. In the late September conditions, a first wicket partnership persisting for as long as this one had was gold dust. It had given Somerset a base when, so easily, several wickets might have fallen in that first hour and a half. By lunch, the score had reached 55 for 1, Lammonby 23, Abell 1, and the afternoon on a pitch which might become easier to bat on stretched before them.
James Hildreth has played 705 matches for Somerset across all formats, 277 of them first-class. He has scored 45 first-class centuries for the County, including that remarkable one on a broken ankle in an attempt to keep Somerset in the hunt for the 2016 County Championship. Apart from a few matches for the England Lions, he played only for Somerset. Over 20 seasons he finished with a first-class average of 40. In return, the River Stand was re-named in his honour during the lunch interval with spectators being invited for a rare foray onto the outfield. As we waited for the short ceremonial opening of the stand to begin someone said to me, looking at the scoreboard, “Would you have settled for that?” “Absolutely,” my reply. “A good base. We just need to keep it going now.” The ceremony was low key, but the applause from the crowd for Hildreth was loud, long and heartfelt. Enough at one of the many folk concerts I attend to have earned an encore. There will be no encore from Hildreth. His professional cricketing days are over, but I doubt there was a single Somerset supporter in the ground who would not have paid a princely sum to see him batting at his best one more time.
Lammonby fell soon after lunch, caught at second slip by Gay off Sanderson as he tried to defend the ball. He had made 30 in nearly two and a half hours. His wicket left Somerset on 72 for 2 after 35 overs. It was an anxious moment, for it is a score from which a match can go either way, particularly in conditions which still retained some help for the bowlers. But his and Imam’s hard work of the morning was not wasted. Over the next two hours, anxiety steadily metamorphosed into anticipation, although the tension never went away. Abell, in consort with George Bartlett, imposed himself on the game despite continuing tight and testing Northamptonshire bowling.
Abell struck early with an on drive off Williams which rifled through midwicket to cross the Somerset Stand boundary, hitting the boards to my right. It was a stroke typical of Abell when he is in form, full of classical power which sets the heart and the hope pumping. Bartlett showed style of a different stripe, less imposing, but effective while he remained at the crease. An uppercut off Williams over backward point flew to the Ondaatje boundary. Bartlett is not always the best of starters, and his uppercut was followed by a quiet period before three boundaries in an over from White added to rather than broke the tension. None convinced, and one nearly cost him his wicket. The first was safe enough in the end, a thick edge off the back of the bat which flew fortuitously between third slip and backward point without being at risk of troubling either. It ran down to the Hildreth Stand boundary. The second was edged low and wide of the keeper, Ricardo Vascencelos, perhaps closer to the slip fielder. Vascencelos dived for the ball, but it flew over his straining arm and ran to the Lord Ian Botham Stand for four. The third was cut through the air off the middle of the bat but flew two yards square of the backward point fielder before curving around him to the Somerset Stand boundary in front of me.
Abell also found the boundary, either side of White’s over, with a stunning square drive off Tom Taylor, bowling from the River End, which crossed the rope in front of the Caddick Pavilion and another, also off Taylor, a classical off drive to the Colin Atkinson Pavilion boundary. An edge fell short of second slip, but the Somerset score was beginning to mount. 106 for 2 after 46 overs was a score most around me would have settled for at this time of year. And then, as if taking breath before advancing again, Somerset consolidated under gradually thickening cloud. Nearly a dozen overs slipped by without another boundary, but singles and occasional twos steadily pushed the score along. At 134 for 2 a glance at the scoreboard revealed that Abell had 36 and Bartlett 34, both scores accumulated faster than the watching eye had realised. Together, they had added 62 in 22 overs. Three an over to the two of the morning, but the play, and the Northamptonshire bowling, had been no less intense, Bartlett’s single over foray apart.
And then, Abell further built Somerset’s momentum. He signalled his intent by hooking Williams fine to the Trescothick Pavilion for four. He followed by cutting of Rob Keogh’s off spin fine, also to the Trescothick Pavilion boundary. A fast-run two in the next over from a square drive to the Somerset Stand off Sanderson and a flurry of pushed and steered signals from both batters kept the scoreboard turning. An edge off Sanderson, short of first slip, which ran to the Lord Ian Botham Stand and a classical cover drive off Keogh through the covers to the Priory Bridge Road boundary took Somerset to within a run of tea which was taken at 163 for 2 with the last seven overs realising 29 runs. Abell’s late surge had taken him to 59 with Bartlett on 37 and the Somerset heart was now beating with some optimism.
A teatime perambulation revealed a happy Somerset crowd. A lot rested on this match, and everyone knew it. Although better in the second part of the season there was still considerable anxiety about the potential brittleness of Somerset’s top order. No-one would have been surprised at a lunch score of 75 for 5 in the conditions Lammonby and Imam had faced. A score of 55 for 1 was heavenly in comparison with some of the starts at the end of last season and the first half of this. Somerset’s 163 for 2 at tea had been achieved against some excellent Northamptonshire bowling too. “We have batted, and they have bowled very well. They have a good attack,” was one succinct opinion which summed up the rest. It did not remove the anxiety about what might be to come. “There is a long way to go in this match,” one noted. But Abell and Bartlett had generated a feeling of anticipation. The pitch too was beginning to feed optimism. It was turning white, generally associated with runs, and the progressive acceleration in the scoring through the afternoon had lifted spirits.
The Taunton buzz was very evident after tea. Tension was still in the air, but Somerset were now clearly ahead in the game and Abell and Bartlett had looked, for the most part, in control. The surge in runs before tea continued in the overs immediately afterwards. There was another classical on drive from a dominant Abell off White. It reached the Ondaatje boundary and brought applause for the stroke and for the hundred partnership. An off drive off the slow left arm of Saif Zaib reached the Somerset Stand boundary and Bartlett cut Taylor hard. The ball cannoned into the turf and bounced over the head of gully before running to the covers store. Beyond that, the scoring came from singles, twos and a three turned behind square off Zaib to the Somerset Stand by Abell and completed to a shout of, “Well run!” as the batters ran in hard ahead of the returning ball. It all gave the impression of Somerset on the charge and beginning to break through the Northamptonshire bowling as it tired in the final session. It was now that the work of Lammonby and Imam in the morning showed dividends, for the lack of wickets then must have greatly reduced the pressure on Abell and Bartlett. The 200 and Somerset’s first bonus point came up from a leg bye off Bartlett’s pads in the 74th over, 37 runs coming in the ten overs after tea.
With the lights suddenly on, although from the stands the light looked quite playable, Bartlett was hit on the head by Taylor causing a short delay while he underwent concussion tests. He was fit to carry on, but it was not the first time I have seen Bartlett hit on the head, the last being at Edgbaston. Almost immediately, he dropped to one knee and lifted Keogh’s off spin over the long on boundary where the ball landed next to the broadcasting van which sits between the Ondaatje Stand and the covers store. The next ball pitched a foot outside off. Bartlett left it. It turned sharply, leaving batter and keeper looking startled as it almost clipped the top of off stump. Bartlett came forward to cover the next ball. It took the outside edge and was caught low to his right and coming forward by Will Young at slip, Bartlett perhaps playing for spin that did not materialise. He was applauded off for 62 having added 134 in 40 overs with Abell. It left Somerset on 206 for 3, and the thought emerged that if the pitch was taking turn Somerset might be building a very useful score.
With the lights still on, the sun came out and Lewis Goldsworthy joined Abell. They added 42 runs in their first eight overs together as Somerset continued the cumulative acceleration which they had pursued throughout the afternoon and evening. Three fours in an over, two reverse sweeps from Abell and a drive to Gimblett’s Hill from Goldsworthy saw Keogh removed from the attack. Sanderson was welcomed as his replacement by Abell turning him through midwicket towards the Caddick Pavilion for three and Goldsworthy turning him off his legs to the Priory Bridge Road boundary for four. In Sanderson’s next over we had the unusual phenomenon of three threes as the batters continued to press Somerset’s advantage. Goldsworthy drove square to the Somerset Stand and turned the ball behind square to the Priory Bridge Road Stand. Abell’s three was more fortuitous, a thick edge wide of the slips towards the River Stand. It mattered not to Abell or to any of the Somerset supporters in the ground for his bat was held aloft and they were on their feet applauding his century. They included a group of about thirty youths sat at the far end of the Somerset Stand in smart school uniform who had cheered him on vociferously throughout his innings.
Somerset now pressed on past 250 and a second bonus point. No-one knew how crucial that might be, or if it would be crucial at all, but the applause it attracted marked its potential importance amidst the uncertainty engendered by playing in the relegation zone. And then something inexplicable happened, unless it be explained by a break in concentration driven by tiredness. Abell drove through the covers to the Caddick Pavilion boundary. Williams retrieved the ball just inside the rope as Abell completed his first run. As Williams shaped to throw, Abell turned and set off hard for a second. “There isn’t a run there,” the immediate thought. The same thought must have occurred to Goldsworthy because he ran the first run as if he had no thought of a second. Abell turned back from halfway with Goldsworthy looking on bemusedly from the other end. The ball reached the stumps with Abell well short of his ground and Somerset were 259 for 4. It was an unfortunate end to an outstanding innings and one which, even with four wickets down, had put Somerset firmly in the ascendancy.
Another dozen carefully gathered runs saw Somerset to the close with Goldsworthy on 22 and James Rew on a typically carefully gathered six. With most supporter’s thoughts focused on the safety of a draw, a score of 271 for 4 at the close was seen as an excellent day for Somerset, although Kent had taken an unexpected first innings lead of 108 over title-chasing Hampshire on a low-scoring first day at Southampton. That Kent were 20 for 3 in their second innings brought some relief, for it suggested Hampshire were fighting their way back into the match. With Warwickshire 255 for 8 against Gloucestershire it was difficult to judge which way that match might go. There was regret about the nature of Abell’s dismissal, but this was overshadowed by the acknowledgement that it had been an exceptional innings when seen in the context in which the match is being played. Most Somerset supporters I saw leaving the ground were carrying smiles as they went, for Somerset’s first division status would still be very much alive on the morrow.
Close. Somerset 271 for 4.
The rest of the game can be found on Farmer's website reached by clickinghere
The Last Home Game - Important game Abell sets the tone
Posted by: Grockles.com (IP Logged)
Date: 01/11/2022 22:39
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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2022:11:06:14:09:11 by Grockle.
Our home 22 Championship campaign ends on Tuesday with a game against Northants. We are nowhere near the top and too close to the bottom of the league. Our opponents are contenders.
It has been a very disappointing red ball year for us despite Renshaw and Siddle providing some bite to the side. We have collapsed too many times to be anywhere near the trophy and although we may avoid relegation it is to a great extent because 2 other sides are worst than us rather than Somerset improving to any huge extent over the summer.
This week we may be able to call.on the services of Craig Overton and Jack Leach if he is released to play. Will he join Sajid Khan? Or will he replace him?
George Bartlett has made a place his after the Warwickshire game so one would expect the batting front 5 to stay the same - Ul Haq, Lammonby (still not a number 2 to me), Abell Rew, Bartlett. So no place for Tom Banton.
If Craig plays can we rest the obviously struggling Lewis Gregory?
One would assume Lewis Goldsworthy will remain at 6 and Kasey, Jack Brooks and Josh will be in the side so the questions are Craig and Jack L or Sajid and A.N.Other I would assume.
Can we hold against Northants? If we do we stay up. We don't want to go to Canterbury still wondering. Interesting week.
Edited 3 time(s). Last edit at 2022:09:25:12:00:14 by Grockle.
I donāt think Leach will play if available and the fact heās not played much cricket over the last few weeks will be used as an excuse. I canāt see Somerset doing another MDL with Sajid Khan, especially as heās likely to score more runs than Leachy
I just had a look to see where the pitch is tomorrow, it looks very central.
Also, there is an area in front of the Stragglers fenced off, with an odd looking bus, also something that looks like a shuttle. I made a note of the name on the bus, and it was āAurrigoā never heard of it. Google helpfully gave me a link. [www.youtube.com]
Exactly Hants.
We clearly knew Jack wasn't to be available hence the Khan signing.
Agod your idea of "needing to practice" isn't the modern way.
Jimmy rarely practices
Root or Stokes rarely ever play for their counties.
It's the modern way of doing things.
England have zero interest in the county game or the effects of allowing or not some to play or not.
The fact you not thinking it makes sense will not have come into their thinking.....
And that's to say nothing of the fact we have the likes of Strauss spewing out stupid reports, whingeing about how spinners aren't bowling in the CC!!!
Seems to me (& I could be completely wrong of course),,that Jack has lost some of his rhythm and spark over the last year or two. A combination of covid, plus inept management, amongst other things.
Surely he needs match practice, not just nets.
Donāt get it. And not just because he plays for us !
Grizzers
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2022:09:19:21:09:03 by Grizzers.
Ahhh but it is the way it is we must just accept it because it 'isn't going to change'. Maybe we need to look elsewhere and let England find other places for their players to 'practice'
Agree with you Grizz.. Jack has looked less than he was - then again, other than bowling some ocassional overs in a couple of Tests, one lasting a few days, Jack has bowled very little since playing for us in our last 4 day game in late July.
Seems now he won't bowl again competitively for the next couple of months. I'm sure Enjland know best and anyway 'its the way it is and it isn't going to change' because of anything the counties could possibly do... it seems.
It does explain the interest in Khan... though (no disrespect to Sajid) I'm still not sure he can do anything on these autumnal strips that Roelof couldn't do.
But we need to understand Jack is no longer a Somerset employee.
What we may think suits him is one thing.
But we no longer own Jack, we don't pay his wages.
We feel he is our player because of his history, upbringing, loyalty to our club.
But he is no longer our property.
We do have to accept "that is the way it is" grockle yes.
If we don't pay for him why should we expect to control what he does?
Because it is a long held arrangement with the England squad that the counties provide competitive playing opportunities for the English squad members when internationals are not taking place and in most cases that is a reciprocal arrangement. We teach em the skills, England benefits from that and they are available when not required internationally
If the ECB want to change those long held arrangements then I'm sure they can sort out their own playing opportunities and employ the squad members full time and the counties can get on with their seasons knowing what resources are available to them
If it is no longer a reciprocal arrangement then let the counties know and they can act accordingly next season rather than waiting for ECBs whims. Not sure how that would work with the non central contract people or those needing competitive cricket to get back to match fitness but I'm sure the ECB can sort that out internally.
Fletcher learned that the needs of the counties and the needs of the national side work in tandem... maybe someone needs to either remind those in charge or come up with a different system for keeping present internationals match fit
Somerset seem to not have been involved in this but probably knew well in advance. Can't think a fit Jack Leach is happy about this but there may be more to it of course. Usual 'mushroom syndrome' in terms of information.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2022:09:20:10:51:03 by Grockle.
Another great example was the Ollie Robinson fiasco.
England were forced to admit that, when playing county cricket regularly, OR's fitness was sufficient.
Problems arose when they withdrew him from the county system and then found that the workload at international level (unless supplemented by intermittent county games) simply wasn't enough to keep the man fit unless he became an absolute gym bunny (something which he took some persuading to become).
But Ollie had a good record of being available for Sussex when playing regularly then, when the ECB removed him from Sussex, all of a sudden he joined the never-ending list of England crocks.
Nevermind the so-called "HPR review," .. what should have been reviewed is the role of the ECB in ensuring an injury epidemic among England seamers!?
Beautiful day at Taunton this morning. Tom won the toss and will bat. Jack Brooks left out for Craig Overton but the side is the same as the Warwickshire one besides that I think.
The River is closed until it gets opened as the Hildreth at lunchtime with visiting celebrities
Ref Brooks... Is it a strange decision? Will we be expecting more from Aldridge over a longer period of time than from Brooks? How is Kasey going to learn his trade if we don't play him as part of our frontline attack?
Jack has performed well at the front end and back end of seasons but he is a 'fill in' bowler surely and not a permanent front 4 seamer in the team plan is he? He hasn't been that all season really.
Bat ānormally,ā for another 16 overs or so and then, I think, we ought to probably spend 20 overs moving things along to try and accrue batting bonus points?
After looking in little trouble this afternoon Keogh suddenly becomes the mystery spinner for GB.. He was lucky to watch the ball before go past his stumps as he offered no shot.
A Kent win would take them to 134 points, 11 ahead of where we were before the start of this match, though we've managed two points here, so nine ahead of us as things stand (or 1 ahead if this match proves a bore draw but we somehow get no further bonus points). If we can get to four batting points and get our bowling bonus points, that woudl give us 15 points, leaving us only four ahead of where Kent will be if they get a 19 point win. That will certainly mean a result pitch at Canterbury, surely.......
So......... I think we're going to have to find a way of somehow taking 20 wickets on this match, or be right up against it, going to Kent for the final game.
Praying for a Hants recovery.
Their attack is capable of shooting Kent out for a terrible second innings total but... they might have quite a big first innings deficit to make up, even so., on top of whatever Kent get second time around.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2022:09:20:17:24:48 by AGod.
Can only play the game we are in - the rest is irrelevant until it becomes a reality. It's Day 1 of a set of games so we'll have to see where we are on Friday
Fridayā¦ well, yeahā¦ so far as the other games are concerned?
We might well know all of those results by tomorrow evening!?
I suppose itās true that IF Kent win, then we canāt be more than 16 ahead of them going to Canterbury whatever we do (even if we win with full bonus points)ā¦ that would still mean we couldnāt afford to lose a game on a result track (19 points to 3) as I think weād then lose out due to having won fewer games.
Looks like plenty of turn at Bristol by the looks of the scorecard, so I assume that Warksā Indian spinner, mediocre through he looked against us, May be quids in there, sadly.
Iāve watched more of Lancs than Somerset today as I could see the way it was going at Taunton. Was going to post under other county news but youāve said it all for me on here. They snitched on Taunton and then produce a far worse pitch today .
I see, Des, that the Lancs authorities have moved against their members - I just read that Lancs' members will no longer have the right to attend all days of cricket and will instead by limited to 30 days per season.
Yes, there are posts on Lancs Forum about that AGod ; I donāt understand full implications but they appear to be being spun on the basis of different membership packages to attract a more ādiverseā membership. They want to get up to 10000 members by 2030. They had 13000 some years ago before dropping to 3000.
Imam Ul-Haq ct Emilio Gay bld Jack White.
Out of focus fielder in the way.
Tom Lammonby ct Emilio Gay bld Ben Sanderson
Again fielder in the way.
Tom Abell sweeping 4 runs
Imam Ul-Haq dropped by Lizaad Williams
Not a good lot today.
Slow at the first part of the day, around two an over or less but picked up later on.
It was good to see Somerset batting like this in their first innings, more tomorrow.
Despite an excellent day for Somerset at Taunton yesterday, it was a bad day for Somerset elsewhere. Hampshire throwing away their season really does us no favours. And we know Gloucestershire have no interest. Our September hoodoo has been banished, but we need to force the win
In no way do I rule out a Hampshire win.
Pitches change.
Take Edgbaston last week.
A few early wickets and the target could still be 200/220.
Kent's season pretty much all rides on today.
Big big pressure.
We are properly alive until next week whatever happens this week, Kent & Hamps might not be if either blow up.....
Yep there may very well be results today that tell us what we need to do in our game but presently all we can do is move towards the 300 score in the next 13 and 350 if we can get there then assess as we move - a win in this one would be good but can we take 20 on this? It's as flat as the proverbial breakfast fare or will be after the first hour or so as we have another lovely sunny day - pray for a bit of moisture tomorrow morning people.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2022:09:21:10:37:53 by Grockle.
Well that was a 'push on' innings from Lewis G Jr - 7 and a bit overs and no addition to his overnight score with 2 bonus points on offer. We'll get one I assume and then bat until we stop.
We are in danger of NOT getting the 16 runs we need in the 5 and a half overs we have left!! Putting pressure on ourselves once more and no push to get points on offer at all. It is moving about a bit but not enough to stop them pushing the score on.
So if Kent win and we draw then, assuming we get this third batting point and ALL bowling points? Weāll go to Canterbury three points ahead of them ā¦ a lead that is liable to prove meaningless unless:
A) The whole thing is rained off
Or
Kent somehow fail to produce a low-scoring result pitch and that match ends up a high-scoring draw.
If we win Vs Northants?
I think weāll go there 11 points ahead of them ā¦ but even that would make little difference, probably, assuming itās a low-scoring result pitch since thatās likely to be 19 or 20 points Vs 3 or 4 points, winner Vs loser wise.
After the initial couple of fliers from Holland, the extra bounce seems to have subsided at the Ageas. Still movement off the pitch. Still a tricky pitch. Kevan James saying itās now a difficult pitch as opposed to borderline unplayable, as it was yesterday.
Glenn Chapple says that the track at Chelmsford āhad a surface that was clearly not intact before the start.ā
Iām beyond sick of Essex. They should get a 25 point deduction for next season. Every single pitch at Chelmsford this season has been unacceptable as either a road or impossible to bat on.
Lewis swings and misses at one that is so wide that he spins, falls on his backside with his bat still in his crease and so survives. At the end of the over Craig makes a comment, walks straight past him and does excessive gardening on the spot that the ball hit. Nice to see people enjoying their job.
Apparently there are 45 batsmen averaging 40+ this season, but only one of them plays for Hants. For this reason, the Hants Beeb crew are not confident of chasing very many.
Good point about the Hants batting, though I wish it werenāt true. Iāve been persuading myself that Hants are still favourites, but at 230-odd behind and only 5 down, I donāt think I can any more.
Trouble is, thanks to Hants, even a good win here probably makes little or no difference in that weāre still left with a straight shoot out at Canterbury (Warks will presumably prepare a road Vs Hants on the basis that itās very unlikely that both us and Kent will get lots of points next week).
Caddy had a lot to say about the ECB having no idea on any aspect of the game yesterday. Love to see him in a room with our South African Kevin.... that would be a joy
Interestingly poised - we could do with getting them out for less than 239... then it would be game on.
Not sure why Josh has changed ends unless it was just to have a look at Sajid before the Tea break - he needs to go back to the River (Hildreth? Botham?) end.
To be fair if Kent win this one they deserve to stay up, beating a team only defeated once all season is good going. Probably riding on the weekends cup victory but fair play to em.
Hopefully the ECB will give Essex a 200 point deduction and we can just play out for a draw next week.
Don't look at the weather forecast for the start of next week then. But it is the end of September. We need every bowling point now. If Kent are above us going into the final game, they would take the draw. We are not out of the woods by any means
Well the weather deciding placings in September will be nothing new and if you leave it until then to work at deciding your own fate then you have to throw the dice and take the score I'm afraid.
He is immediately replaced with Kasey Aldridge who then proceeds to go for 42 off his 7 overs - why did they take off the bowler who had just taken a wicket?
How long are we staying with the bowler providing menu bowling to the new batsman? What IS the strategy here?
How about a spinner who provides the ball at a speed that allows it to turn if it is going to. Sajid needs to slow the ball down to have any kind of effect on it. It's all too speedy.
As someone in the box says - a spinner who keeps getting played off the back foot on the onside isn't getting the most out of the ball - though he said it in less but more 'florid' words
But there's always Craig!!
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2022:09:21:17:13:44 by Grockle.
As I said before, itās obvious from watching Sajid that his main wicket taking ball is his top-spinner. Thatās a ball that is going to be pushed through. Sadlyā¦ even that hasnāt really worked for him for us.
Craig Overton hitting four runs, it is always good to see Craig back in the side, it did look like there was a restriction on how many overs bowled in each spell of bowling.
Josh Davey batting, 31 not out.
Kasey Aldridge batting, attempted stumping, foot well grounded.
James Rew, 32 runs, he did try to increase the run-rate.
Luke Procter, Craig Overton took a good catch, bowled by Josh Davey.
Ricardo Vasconcelos, all eyes on James Rew catching the ball, bowled by Craig Overton.
Apologies if this has been covered to death but Iāve been looking everywhere and I canāt find any definitive statement about how many teams will be relegated this season.
Is this awful Strauss review, if voted in, due to kick in for next season where the top tier will have 6 teams or the following year?
Itās such an unholy mess and really unfair on all the clubs involved at the bottom end.
Thought they'd said that there would be no changes until 2024, in which case presumably it's two to go down.
But I'm sure the ECB also said recently that no meaningful votes regarding the future structure of the season/championship, would be held until 2023, to ensure adequate time for Counties to consult with their membership. But that now appears to be wrong, with votes seemingly to be contemplated shortly.
Assuming Kent win today we will still be above them if we only draw our present match and if Yorkshire lose we climb above them also. No predictions regarding Bristol it could go either way there still.
Yorkshire are, very clearly, going to get beaten at the Oval.
Our problem remains that - unless Warks totally screw up their game with Gloucs - Kent are surely going to prepare a result pitch which will mean a low-scoring game which will mean that we simply must win it, as there'll be no high-scoring draw or prospect of getting lots of points as part of a defeat.
The other problem - even if Warks lose to Gloucs - is that Hants may be totally demoralised and go in the tank at Edgbaston next week, having totally blown their title hopes with an absurd innings of 60 odd all out vs Kent!!
Well looking at the resources on show in this first hour I'm afraid we do not have the bowling to win this game because we cannot force the follow on.
Sajid offers no spin, Kasey has gone for 60 off less than 10 overs, Tom has brought himself on and they seem to have no faith in Tom Lommonby it seems. Craig, both Lewis's and Josh will be used very sparingly if at all and on that basis Northants will pass the follow on and probably bat well into the afternoon
Thanks for the replies about the Strauss report. I guess it means that relegation this year could potentially lead to at least two seasons out of the top fight so all the more important. Letās get Craig rested up for the rest of the day and pile on the runs. I fancy we can still take this match - and cāmon Gloucesters!
We shall indeed. I didnāt think I would ever be in a position on wanting Glos (of all people) to win more passionately than I want Somerset to - but it really is looking like our D1 status depends on them. Possible Warwick will miss Siraj more than Glos will Harris (now Dent is back)?
Yeah, Treviskey.. spin seemed to be key in the first half of that Bristol match but when Warks were destroyed by seam second time around and Zafar didnāt go that well..
Warks have the Indian spinner and Briggs. They have OHD and Brookes but, beyond that, only Rhodes and Sidebottom for seam.. so it might better suit out purposes if there is now more help for seam and less for spin, possibly.
That would leave us needing a notional 8 points from Canterbury (and with them now well ahead of Warks they would presumably switch from a result pitch to one of the roads theyāve been playing on all year at home?)
But itās only a notional 8 points, because Warks, who would be 14 points behind Kent, would surely need to prepare a result pitch and so they shouldnāt get more than 20 or 21 points, even if they win, reducing our needs to five points..
Anything can happen. Obviously weād be in a strong position but Iāve seen unlikely relegations happen before. Iād dearly love us to get the win tomorrow. Obviously it will be safety first.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2022:09:22:15:29:48 by 9th brother Dredge.
They'll be alright. We seem to be throwing the bat a bit more. Unrealistic to say we could try and be 400 in front by stumps? I guess 5 an over might be a tough ask. But we should be able to do similar to last week and be 400 in front by 11.15am
I donāt think I have ever stopped listening to a Somerset commentary & switched to Gloucestershire before, but that is indeed what I have just done !
Nope we are on 129 now ( 6 bonus points already added) 8 for a draw will take us to 137 (17 clear of Warks) so we'll need 8 points from the Kent game to put us past Warks maximum of 144
It will almost certainly turn out to be only 4 or 5 points, the actual requirement..
ā¦ needing more than that would imply Warks winning a game on a pitch flat enough for them to get more than one or two batting points Vs Abbas, Barker and Abbott.
Well batted the Tomās thought it was a fair ask to be 400 by tonight but managed it. Do we declare first thing or bat for 45 mins and aim for 450-475
Tom Abell, two hundreds in the match. And still batting.
Tom Lammonby, 4 runs and his 50, also hitting a hundred not out.
Imam Ul-Haq, 4 runs, scored 52, more to come in the last match, I hope.
Jack White, caught James Rew (out of shot) bowled Craig Overton, his 5th wicket in the innings.
Tom Lammonby batting, the ball did not carry to Emilio Gay.
Most batmen did not like facing Craig Overton, Tom Taylor did better than most, seen facing a rising ball, he stayed not out at the end of the innings.
The big question, what do we do tomorrow? Bat on and on and on, or declare setting a target of 450 +
I would like to add, this one of the best county match I have watch for a long time.
I reckon with 9 wickets in hand we can swing hard till 11:15 like last week. We should be somewhere like 450 infront by then. Of course it depends on our bowlers fitness tho. The gamble is a days pain for potential safety or having to go with a patched up side next week to Kent to get the 5-6 points weāll need.
I'd go to midday and 500 ahead. Two short spells with the new ball, and if nothing comes from either, then Cove and Gregory can be sent to graze and keep sound for next week. Handshakes shortly after tea, and no one knackered.
Declare any earlier and I'd worry that it could turn into either a desperately long day of fast bowlers giving their all, or a disaster where Cove and/or Gregory succumb to their aches and pains, and Northants, with nothing to lose, find scoring as straightforward as Tom Abell did this evening.
(Yes, I know that Tom Abell is brilliant, and Northants have no one comparable, but the stakes should things go wrong are gigantic.)
A fine line tomorrow between giving ourselves enough time to bowl them out pressing for victory, yet ensuring we don't knacker Messrs Overton, Davey & Gregory, if a draw becomes probable.
Just pray our season doesn't get decided by ending up a point or two short next week. If it does, our reticence to pursue bonus points with sufficient vigour throughout the season, will have played no small part.
During the winter, it would be good for an analysis of this, if anyone has the time or inclination.
Iāve always felt, on the whole, victories win you titles or get you promoted, draws keep you up and losses send you down - while bonus points decide whether youāre 5th or 6th.
Do we get bowled out for 246-249 or 296-299 any more than other counties, or is it all pretty even? Iām sure fans of other counties say their teams donāt try hard enough for bonus points either - but in general Iām sure the bigger picture of ensuring draws or having a better chance of winning after four days is more important than chasing 300 when youāre 275-6 off 105ā¦
Draws really should *not* keep a side up, but this yearās daft 8 points for a draw has led to a lot of boring and flat surfaces.
I would suggest that in those years where more of a football type ratio of points between the win:draw has been in force, draws havenāt much helped keep teams up.
Marvellous to see Craig firing and Josh raising his game in response. But Iām grateful also theyāre bowling to a fragile top order with nothing to play for.
Grockle Does anyone think there is another Somerset cricketer that gives more than Craig Overton does?
That was a brilliant piece of commitment to the cause!
Not more, no.
There are maybe one or two, like VDM, that are as rabid in their enthusiasmā¦. Though, of course, VDM Is not as good a red ball player as Craig.
Tom Abell, whilst perhaps less obviously fervent, I think cares as much, as evidenced by his āmy dog just died,ā interview following the debacle at North Marine Road last season.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2022:09:23:12:19:15 by AGod.
Overton, Davey, two overseas quicks, backed by Aldridge, hopefully Sonny and Ned. Weād have Brooks and Gregory still around too, I guess. I suppose whether the second overseas quick is absolutely necessary hinges on Craigās central contact (whether he gets another one).
There is talk, though, of a Kookaburra ball which might incline me to go two overseas quicks even if Craig not retained on central contract. Those that rely primarily on swing (Gregory and Brooks) likely to find the K ball disobliging.
Looked unlikely at the half-way stage of season and even more improbable after the poor effort Vs Gloucs and then big collapse at the start at Edgbaston
Excellent fight back at Edgbaston which then carried into something really good here.
Thanks to ECB for letting Craig play!!
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2022:09:23:14:11:37 by AGod.
Happy days, after last September's memories this is a most excellent performance. My memory of the season was Jove bowling to Cove, and CraigO certainly made the difference here. And thank you, Gloucestershire
Grockle, glad to see somebody else also uses bang-up-to-date cultural references!! (Says the man who went to see The House of Love last night in Bristol...)
A very fine end to the season.
I like the signings of TKC and Dickson for next season, Rew looks like he's secured the wicket-keeper's gloves, so there's the possibility of a more secure batting line-up, and boy, is it needed?!
Now we have to secure the services of a top-class overseas bowler who won't be required by his country at all...
We are becoming a different team in more ways. Finally we have started to look different & finally some players have marked out places in a team that wins for themselves. With Dickson and TKC arriving and with Baker & Leonard & Thomas coming through we are starting to suggest we may have that unit that will be hard to beat.
But we ain't there yet. Though at least we are where we need to be for 2023.
We have another keeper AG who may need something else to get into our red ball side. If he offers, do we take a 'lesser' keeper with better batting potential or not? He may not offer of course but it's a possibility
True - but he may not need that as an extra offer to get him a place in the side. But it does mean there are options.
There have been bits of conversation about loan deals for Davies - not sure who with but they've floated in and out over the last month or so. We'll have to see but it would provide more funds for other purchases
We are now confirmed above the drop zone and now we can plan to do 7 points better than Northants in the last game and finish 5th if at all possible -so we still have something to play for next week
Excellent win and an excellent team performance. Thoroughly loved my day at the ground yesterday - thatās three visits this season, the most Iāve managed for 20 years or so. Looking forward to more days watching our team and enjoying great company at the ground next summer - still in Div One! ššš
SP @ 17:30. Agree with looking forward to company. We might have to get used to more normal weather next year so some of company may be in the pub.
Absolutely delighted by today. Must admit I was amazed by some of the negativity last night e.g. get a 600 lead et cetera. It sounded like Lancashire style captaincy. I wish Iād said that I was confident we would win the game. I shouldāve had the same confidence that I had on Essex YouTube having seen them moaning about complaining Lancashire fans and I said Iād far from given the game up.
As a few people have said, the whole team is a different team with Cove in it. That would almost be true if he was restricted to six overs per innings ; just love his passion for the club.
Being semi-retired now, it would be great to manage two games rather than one at Taunton next year.
Here are my reports on the Northamptonshire match in reverse order:
Day 4: Somerset's most important victory so entitled because in the context of the HPR the consequences, if we had dropped to division two now, could ultimately have been terminal. There may be a need for even more important victories next year.
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