And on the Third Day" Farmer comments on Day 3 of Notts CC1
By Faarmer White et al April 25 2024
Farmer sat through Day 3 of the Notts game which started with what looked like a victory was in the offing and then....not a lot hapened for the home side while the visitors broke records on a wicket that went ultra flat. Here is what he took from a Notts batting day in a pretty 'Nordic' wind.
County Championship 2024. Division 1. Somerset v Nottinghamshire 19th, 20th, 21st and 22nd April. Taunton.
Jack Leach, (knee injury) and Tom Abell (hamstring) were unavailable.
Somerset, M.T. Renshaw, S.R. Dickson, T.A. Lammonby, L.P. Goldsworthy, T. Banton, J.E.K. Rew (w), L. Gregory (c), C. Overton, J.H. Davey, M. Pretorius, S. Bashir.
Nottinghamshire. H. Hameed (c), B.T. Slater, W.A. Young, J.M. Clarke (w), M. Montgomery, J.A. Haynes, L.W. James, C.G. Harrison, B.A. Hutton, L.J. Fletcher, D. Paterson.
Overnight. Nottinghamshire 193 and 38 for 1. Somerset 454. Nottinghamshire trail by 223 runs.
Third day 20th April – A bitter wind blows
On 25th and 26th May 1903, William Gunn and his nephew, John Gunn, added 367 for Nottinghamshire’s third wicket against Leicestershire at Trent Bridge. The nephew reached 294, the uncle 139, and Nottinghamshire declared on 739 for 7. The 367 for the third wicket beat the then Nottinghamshire record. It remained the record until the third evening of this match when Will Young (156 not out) and Joe Clarke (209 not out) passed it in the last over of the day. It deadened Somerset’s chances of victory. It would also, if pitches which produce this sort of cricket in the latter parts of a match return to Taunton, risk doing the same to interest in Championship cricket. At least, that was the view of a number to whom I spoke. That said, the two Nottinghamshire batters batted with prolonged discipline, skill and immense concentration to make the most of the conditions which they were offered. The same could also be said of the Somerset bowlers. With a modicum of luck, they might have taken a wicket or two, but against such disciplined batting on such a pitch, no more than one or two.
The day had begun with hope for Somerset. In the third over, a stunning ball from Craig Overton had zipped inside Haseeb Hameed’s defensive push and knocked his middle stump askew. Nottinghamshire were 48 for 2, still 213 behind with Hameed gone for 20. They were under intense pressure, the crowd was buzzing and Somerset were pressing hard. So tight was Somerset’s hold, it was 14 overs after Hameed walked off before Nottinghamshire reached the boundary again, and only 26 runs were scored in those overs. Migael Pretorius, in his second match after getting off the plane from South Africa, was finding his feet and beating the bat to wincing gasps. He found the inside edge of Clarke’s bat too in another heart stopping moment. The expected wicket though did not come. Instead, as Clarke and Young dug deep, the runs began, if only steadily, to mount, but all too easily it seemed to a Somerset supporter. A push through cover or midwicket here, an open-faced steer to backward point there while any ball of the necessary length and favouring leg stump was turned behind square. Along the way, the fifty partnership came from a neatly controlled off drive.
Then Nottinghamshire began to find the boundary. When Clarke leaned into successive and identical on drives off Josh Davey they scythed like meteors across the grass to the Caddick Pavilion. Someone picked up on growing Somerset anxiety with, “We could do with a wicket.” Shoaib Bashir was now bowling from the River End, the traditional spinner’s end at Taunton, but an inside edge from Young apart, he showed no sign of taking that elusive wicket. He did though keep Nottinghamshire to two an over until, as lunch approached, there was an ominous indication of what might follow when he was driven firmly through the off side for four twice in an over by Clarke. Ominous too was Lewis Gregory calling on Lewis Goldsworthy and Tom Lammonby to bowl the final three overs before lunch from the other end. Nottinghamshire eased to the interval on 140 for 2, Clarke having reached his fifty in the penultimate over when he drove Bashir quietly through the on side for a single. It had been a morning in which Somerset had bowled consistently well despite the mounting evidence of a Taunton last-two-days flat top of the old type. In response, and doubtless conscious of their large first innings deficit, Nottinghamshire had played carefully within themselves to reduce their deficit to 121.
In terms of weather, it had been a bittersweet morning. Bitter in my seat in the top of the north facing Trescothick Pavilion, warm in the Hildreth and Ondaatje Stands or the Colin Atkinson Pavilion whenever the sun broke through the gradually thinning white cotton wool clouds. In terms of the crowd, it was well down on those of a few years ago and, to my eye, clearly down on 2023 Championship crowds. By my rough count, there were about 750 in the ground. Bitterly cold though my April seat was, and those around it, an old workmate joined me for the morning session and two more latterly met acquaintances joined me for the lunch interval. We talked about current cricket matters specific to Somerset, but mainly about the bitter wind that is blowing through the future of county cricket in a buffeted domestic cricket world. The conversation held us to our seats, but the wind blowing from the Quantocks was every bit as chill as the one blowing through cricket.
My afternoon began on the terrace at the top of the Trescothick Pavilion. It gives a slightly different perspective on the cricket, you stand for one thing and, because it has no roof, the sun does visit. As I stood there, limbs numbed by the fridge-like shade of the morning began to show signs of tingling life again. Someone joined me for a couple of overs and commented on the joys of looking at the sunlit Quantocks despite the northerly wind they were visiting upon us. They did provide an occasional relief from watching the bitter cricketing wind of Nottinghamshire systematically piling up runs in the middle. It was difficult not to concentrate on the cricket most of the time though because Pretorius was bowling a particularly good spell, again beating the bat several times. But, as I watched, worryingly from a Somerset perspective, Nottinghamshire began to find the boundary more often despite the efforts of the Somerset bowlers who continued to maintained their discipline against the mounting pressure.
It was particularly noticeable that Bashir, Somerset’s run-block at The Oval, was conceding more runs having been the bowler who had most held Nottinghamshire in check before lunch. Noticeable too because the batters proceeded to pass milestones with some rapidity. Each milestone caused the announcer to remind Somerset supporters of Nottinghamshire’s inexorable progress. “The one hundred partnership for Joe Clarke and Will Young,” brought a desperate gasp because it came from an edge from Clarke off Pretorius which James Rew got both hands to and dropped, the ball running far enough off his gloves for the single. “That is one hundred and fifty for Nottinghamshire,” came when Clarke drove Bashir softly through extra cover for two. “Fifty for Will Young from 135 balls,” came from a neat turn to the deep square leg boundary off Bashir and reminded of Young’s air of permanence at the wicket. Boundaries came increasingly rapidly too, mainly from Clarke and mainly off Bashir, one being lofted over long on and into the covers store for six.
I spent nine overs on the terrace. By the time I returned to my seat and that bitter north-easterly wind, Nottinghamshire had added 40 runs and immediately proceeded to add another nine in the over after I sat down, Bashir being struck for two more boundaries, one swept behind square to the Colin Atkinson Pavilion scoreboard and one lofted over straight midwicket to the Ondaatje boundary. Nottinghamshire’s deficit had now shrunk from its original 261 to 72, still only two wickets down. At the start of the day, there had been talk of the match being over by its end. There was none now.
The Somerset bowler who had shown most threat, was Pretorius. He had beaten the bat several times to gasps, had that catch dropped by Rew and been denied one or two loud leg before wicket appeals. Now Clarke struck him for three boundaries in an over. The first seemed designed to demonstrate the dominance of the Nottinghamshire batting. Pretorius bowled short and straight. Clarke pointed the bat straight down the wicket and played the perfect ramp shot back over his own head and Rew’s to the boundary in front of the Trescothick Pavilion sight screen. He followed that with two sharp cuts, one through the covers and one through backward point, each bringing four. The 14 runs which came from the over brought two more announcements, “That is Nottinghamshire’s 200,” and, “The 150 partnership,” reducing Somerset’s lead to 56 in the process. With Nottinghamshire still only two wickets down, Somerset’s advantage was fast slipping away.
Now, Clarke went to his century, cutting Gregory, who had replaced Pretorius, through backward point for four. A straight drive for four, also off Gregory, prompted a request for the ball to be changed to which the umpires acceded. With the changed ball, Gregory did force an edge from Young, but it flew, frustratingly for Somerset, through second slip when, in the modern fashion when batters are making progress, there was only a first and a fourth slip. Then, Overton beat Young to gasps to add to Somersrt’s frustration as the Nottinghamshire score continued its perpetual rise.
A further nine overs spent on the Trescothick Pavilion terrace brought a further 40 runs and had taken Nottinghamshire four runs into the lead by the time I sat down again, still with Clarke and Young marching on. While I was on the terrace, Somerset tried to exert some control with Bashir, this time at the Trescothick Pavilion End. A six back over his head into the sight screen, the flow of runs was now so persistent I didn’t notice from which batter, soon put that plan into perspective. A glance at the scoreboard revealed that Bashir’s steady two runs an over had extended beyond three, although the batters reined themselves in as tea approached. My second sojourn on the terrace looking at the Quantocks left me with the impression that a wicket was as far away as the Mendips. By then, I doubt if anyone would have bet against the Gunns’ record being passed had they known about it. Somerset’s use of Tom Lammonby in the run up to tea, with still ten overs to the new ball, suggested Gregory may have been of a similar opinion, at least until his bowlers could get their hands on that new ball.
Nottinghamshire began the evening session 20 ahead. By then I had not completed my customary anticlockwise teatime circumnavigation of the ground, too many people to talk to, too little time to talk to them in. It made no difference to what was happening in the middle. With people to talk to the cricket became the background to conversation rather than the centre of attention. Out of that background sounded one huge, extended leg before wicket appeal and an impression of bowlers gaining some control over the batters. A glance at the scoreboard when I regained my seat confirmed my impression. Nottinghamshire had added just 23 runs in 12 overs, but crucially wicket had come there none. “The Nottinghamshire 300,” announcement had passed me by too. “By this time tomorrow, we shall be hanging on,” from another Somerset supporter didn’t.
And then, back in my seat, perhaps I should stay out of it, acceleration from Nottinghamshire, “One hundred for Will Young,” the next announcement. Somerset’s fielding was a sharp as ever, and the shouts of encouragement from the field, from Matt Renshaw and Lammonby in particular, continued unabated. But the ball began to fly, straight drives for four, one for each batter off Josh Davey. An off drive for four for Clarke off Bashir, four for Young, lofted over square leg off Bashir followed immediately by a straight six into the Trescothick Pavilion sightscreen below me. That was 29 runs in four overs, Nottinghamshire on 365 for 2, over a hundred into the lead with no sign of any let up. “The 300 partnership,” announcement had come and gone along the way too.
When Goldsworthy was tried with his slow left arm spin, a lofted straight drive for four from Clarke into the River End sightscreen was followed by an inconspicuous single turned to the fielder at backward square leg. Inconspicuous except that it brought the announcement, “Two hundred in 284 balls for Joe Clarke.” The steady stream of Nottinghamshire runs which had flowed through the day had become a torrent. Then, as the end of the day approached, the batters seemed to take breath. There were no boundaries in the final eight overs, just a steady trickle of ones and twos as 28 more runs took Nottinghamshire to 418 for 2, the overthrow of the Gunns’ record and a lead of 157 with Clarke on 209 and Young on 156.
It had been an astonishing day of batting. That the wicket was made for it, that it provided not a gram of assistance to the Somerset bowlers despite their never flagging and producing their best efforts throughout the day, should not detract from the efforts of the Nottinghamshire batters. Every one of those runs had to be scored. That required no small amount of skill, a modicum of luck to be sure, but also immense, unbroken amounts of concentration. From a spectator viewpoint though, it brought memories of the Taunton featherbeds of the first decade of the current millennium on which falling wickets in the latter part of a match were as rare as Championship matches are in high summer today. Initially, it was enjoyable if your own side was batting, but recollections of those days suggest that, after a while, even that interest pales and dies.
Close. Nottinghamshire 193 and 418 for 2. Somerset 454. Nottinghamshire lead by 157 runs with eight second innings wickets standing.
For more from 'Farmer' log on to his website by clicking HERE
In relation to the game as a whole, Day 4 flattened even more than the pitch. The last gasp for Somerset was the new ball which came early on the last morning. It brought very little and after less than an hour, the expected rain arrived, an early lunch was taken and the light and drizzle continued causing an early abandonment of the game and a draw with Somerset taking 15 points.
And on the Third Day" Farmer comments on Day 3 of Notts CC1
Posted by: Grockles.com (IP Logged)
Date: 25/04/2024 11:37
What do you think? You can have your say by posting below.
If you do not already have an account Click here to Register.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2024:04:29:17:33:28 by Grockle.
The Somerset red ball home season starts on Friday.
We've had 2 away games, we've done quite well despite weather and a first innings collapse. Promising signs of a better performing batting line-up.
Will we go one better than the 2 draws? Will Andy Umeed be ready to push for a starting spot (Sean Dickson and Tom Banton may be a little worried). Tom Abell won't be pushing but Josh Davey and Jake Ball might be asking questions. Don't think Kasey Aldridge will be giving up his place.easily so it might be interesting.
Assuming we don't decide to rest him or something (!) it will be interesting to see what the "new KA," can do with the Dukes ball.
Disappointing to see that Sonny Baker bowled only 5 overs for the seconds - hope there's not another flaming problem there. Leachy opened the batting and it seems that Ned Leonard in batting at 3 (!)
Umeed next in.
I imagine management will deem two games too few to cause a change to the first XI, but if Umeed scores vs Yorks twos, then it's possible that Dickson and Banton could find themselves in a shoot-out, vs Notts, to decide who keeps their place for game four. This assumes that nobody else emerges from the twos as a battting threat, such as George Thomas or maybe even Archie Vaughan.
The Brian Rose Gates are the ones that will be closed. Jack White (St. James St) Gates and Viv Richards (Priory Bridge Road) Gates will be open.
This is a copy of the post which I put on the Taunton Tripadvisor thread as the focus for this match is on this thread:
For Championship matches, non-members and visiting supporters may wish to note the following from a recent email to members from the CE:
1) The Brian Rose Gates will be closed.
2) Blocks 1-4 of the Somerset Stand will be closed on the first two days of the match, and the entire Somerset Stand will be closed on the final two days, although the toilets will remain open. If the pitch is towards the Somerset Stand, the Somerset Stand may be open and the Ondaatje Stand closed.
3) Catering: Minimum outlets open will be: Stragglers and County Room Bar for the whole match and The Great Catch Fish and Chip Shop on days one and two only.
4) Bag searches may be in operation.
You're right... no changes to the batting by the look of it:
TEAM NEWS
Somerset are still without Jack Leach and Tom Abell but Josh Davey returns to the squad.
Somerset have named the following squad for the fixture: Lewis Gregory, Sean Dickson, Matt Renshaw, Tom Lammonby, Tom Banton, James Rew, Lewis Goldsworthy, Craig Overton, Josh Davey, Migael Pretorius, Kasey Aldridge, Jake Ball and Shoaib Bashir.
Wouldn’t be the first time that someone not named in the squad suddenly appears in the starting lineup. If the time isn’t right for Umeed now I struggle to think when it will be (assuming there hasn’t been any injury situation scenario since the 2ndXI game finished. )
I think it's more they are likely to want to give Dickson and Banton more than just the two games. But I hope they don't decide to give both of them more than three!!!
What about continuing Andy's run from the end of last year when he was at least as successful as both Tom and Sean?
His form seems to have remained, except for the injury. One of the two incumbants is in the line-up because of that injury effectively.
Umeed is either a serious option or not part of whatever plan Somerset has to win the CC1. Is that the plan or just first team 'net' time for the Vitality Blast side?
Still unconvinced that we have any real aspirations about winning the Championship
I didn't think Gregory instigating the rest all the bowlers for the Hants CC game policy last year before the T20 was terribly promising viz his attitude to the CC either (well though the other bowlers did in that game) BUT he showed a ton of determination at the Oval so maybe he's a bit more ambitious in respect of winning the CC.?
Jamie Cox might have more ambition on the CC front, who knows?
For anyone who fancies a read before this match gets underway, I have popped a link to a report on the final day of the Surrey match on the end of the Surrey match thread.
IMO Somerset's championship ambitions had been to finish mid-table each season. Never to challenge for the top and never to get relegated. There are football teams that do this year upon year...
Either way, it's our club, there is a game to be won today and the dream of being champions
It’s nuts, really, although I did fear they might choose to “rest him,” for this one.
KA gets to do all the hard yakka with the unresponsive ball then misses out on this Duke that has already done more than we saw in the whole of the K ball stint!
Lovely to see the ground and Quantocks for first time this year, albeit on screen. I wish I could say the same for Old Trafford which I thought looked an absolute tip for the Surrey game with no temporary stand in place.
"Otherwise 1 or 2 of them may get 'rested' for Kidderminster."
I strongly suspect that Kidderminster will be slow and low - and missing that game will not prove any kind of penalty for any of the bowlers.. so poor old Aldridge really will have drawn the short straw in terms of the game he missed.
I shall be attaching a mental asterisk to KA's bowling average for the season to reflect the fact that he's not been given the opportunity to bowl in juicy conditions this morning.
As Peter Trego said, our batting is not sufficiently consistent to justify quite such a high percentage, but we certainly appear to be firmly in the box seat, as of right now.
Cracking day on the field. That looked like a terrific bowling performance, with the batting also offering encouragement. Hope we can continue like this tomorrow.
As for the off the field stuff, as I understand the situation, the Somerset stand is closed, Brian Rose gates firmly shut, tea & coffee is apparently £3.50 a go, with a sausage roll costing a fiver. Oh & no alcohol allowed to be brought in unless it's in very limited quantities & decanted into plastic before entering the ground.
Really Gordon, why not just close the flippin' ground entirely, to everyone except a few Corporate sponsors ?
So hope that Jamie Cox brings a more enlightened approach.
Yep. Quite a lot of unrest on the member benches. Not a lot of point in saying that unreasonable aspects of a visit are clearly on the tickets & website. Doesn't make them less unreasonable unfortunately.
One cost cutting exercise is scorecards without names on. Members get one mailed to them. An empty scoring book is probably a damn sight cheaper and I'vr no idea what use a blank.one on Days 2,3 or 4 is if you happen to be a member making a weeken or single day visit and wanting a quick summary of the state of play.
More myopic "cost v convenience" service from a regime that really hasn't ever got the balance particularly right
Blank pieces of paper are not scorecards they are blank pieces of paper. Presumably and sadly it's hoped that everyone uses smartphones to keep (temporary) track of the score. Shame for those who like to keep their own record and mind you turn your phone off in the stands!
Hopefully tea and coffee will be boycotted until the price is reasonable but then, of course, they will stop selling it altogether saying that it just wasn't selling.
Gone, for no sensible reason, are those grand days when I was able to bring a bottle of wine into the ground and enjoy it in the sunshine before lunch.
Why are so many stewards on duty all day? Five at the Richards Gate at times.
The Joel Gates have been completely covered now preventing anyone walking along the river path having a cursory look at play.
What a miserable ground it's become.
That really does all sound very sad ; sounds as if they are modelling themselves on Old Trafford. I paid £3.50 per tea at Lancs game at Southport last year ; ordered two without looking at price and was astonished to be asked for £7; never again. I will never pay for anything at Old Trafford again but got caught out there.
In the Cricket Paper there was a female journalist last week saying that cricket needs a peace between traditionalists and the money gougers as I see them. She mentioned the gripe of the money gougers that members come along with their sandwiches and flasks. I’d say pretty sensible at those prices.
And another thing.... all the excellent photographs of our past greatest players have been removed from the rear of the Somerset Stand and replaced by a few miserable plaques. What the hell is happening?
And yet, Grockle, at lunchtime the crowd were treated to an absolutely nauseating kind of “ceremony,” type thing to pay homage to the “massive contributions of Gordon Hollins.”
Des will have been pleased to hear Matt Renshaw say on comms that, even these days, batters still get “looked at funny,” if they get out reverse sweeping.
Thanks for that AGod. Out and about today so didn’t hear that. Hate the shot anyway but when there is a slip and backward point as yesterday it is completely brainless .
Agod you change tack like the wind.....
Quite often within the same day!
You wanted Sean & Dickson dropped last week 🤔
I support ALL our players. I definitely believe Banton is more suited to middle order than opening for sure. Hence my equal support to persevere with Sean as a specialist opener. And not fudge Green Davies Banton into doing it.
Anyway another quite superb day all around (bar a brain fade from Bash!) Banton Craig Migael all took responsibility and put us in a great position.
Such a shame the countless errors we are making off the field, alcohol policy, stands, gates, crazy pricing, no members discounts etc etc
Absolute nonsense, WSM - I’ve “changed tack,” on nothing viz Banton. What I actually said was that it was fair enough for management to give him and Dickson one more game (this one) but that both needed a performance and, if one was not forthcoming, then Umeed should get a chance.
You and I both know that, on various occasions when people have been suggesting the team that they think should play in a CC game, you have made comments along the lines of “Why would we pick Banton in red ball, what has he done to justify it?”
Anyway, what has become of your bestie? “Rested,” injured or not selected after his wicketless outing at the Oval?
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2024:04:20:20:35:10 by AGod.
Well that was an excellent day for Somerset and I hope it will get a proper mention in the Sunday newspapers. Last week's Observer gave just two lines to the match, mentioning that my two favourite batsmen had put on an opening stand for Surrey, while giving several pages to some horses that jumped over fences despite their riders (secret of horse racing: the one in front wins) and to a few dozen pampered Americans (and perhaps a few others) hitting a little white ball with skinny sticks.
With Umeed and Aldridge knocking at the door, Green having gone out the door, it was a massive game for Dickson and Banton. Both responded superbly. Now just need the bowlers to wrap this up
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2024:04:20:21:05:33 by Somerset LaLaLa.
Aldridge really not related to Dickson or Banton? I mean neither is in the team in preference to Kasey.
They’re in ahead of Umeed, for now. The two Toms will be available at some point. Renshaw may or may not be replaced after his stint which, I believe, is 7 or 8 games?
Children! Play nicely! You can disagree on things without the sarcasm that isn't really all that hidden these days
If you can't then it may get out of hand and things might have to be taken away. Bits will start to disappear from posts
You both have valid points to make and you don't have to agree or even like each other but if you want to spend time in petty bickering please do that on the DM section where the rest of us don't have to be the unwitting audience.
The way I look at it is that our top 5 are in by default with Toms and Umeed out, so there's pressure to perform which is good. Who's the next batsman on the taxi rank, George Thomas, Vaughan?
I’m here, never fear, LoL - also hoping that our heroes’ heroics today get plenty of column inches in the morning - not much equine galloping or American golfing for them to prattle on about, though I suspect pig-leather kicking may get some prominence.
I’m not too worried about that - my ire will be raised more by Div Two teams like Yorkshire or Middlesex getting more coverage than our higher-quality and more exciting efforts today.
Anyway, as I say, I’m here - tomorrow, I shall be there, assuming I can find an open entrance gate, a reasonably priced coffee and an available seat from which to watch, I hope, a home victory.
Think you are right Scrumper... the way to stay in this side should be consistency. We'll see whether that is the case when Tom Abell, TKC and Andy Umeed are all fully fit and looking for games.
Archie Vaughan got some time in AD. George may be a medium term middle order white ball option presently. His brother Josh is also starting to show some things.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2024:04:21:07:00:06 by Grockle.
To judge from his semi-mournful tone in his interview with Banton, Ant Gib seems to think it will be very difficult to bowl Notts out again today. Hopefully, Shoaib Will come to the fore with the ball, not that there’s loads in it for him.. and maybe some scoreboard pressure can tell.
Maybe it's a Somerset thing but somehow we need to lose this term DROPPED.
Whilst I love my packed county summers it is not realistic for bowlers to play every game from April to September uninjured at full pace.
Surrey never DROP anyone, they have a rotation policy, a big squad & all of them buy into it.
Kasey misses this match & many on here & other platforms are up in arms. None of us know Kasey personally I assume, or what small niggles he "may" be carrying.
We have Jake & Josh fresh from last week so I have no issue at all resting in form players if it's part of a sensible bigger plan.
Hurry & Kerr have said on record we need to rest & rotate our bowlers, if they are going to do it properly & that means they are all fit & fresh still come July August September great.
As for Jamie I would imagine 2 championship medals, numerous winter franchise deals, 3 hundred contracts, (now being selected in the top bracket possible) & being strongly tipped for a world cup squad spot in a few weeks, he will be feeling pretty pleased with life and grateful for your continued interest in his career 👍
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2024:04:21:08:10:17 by Grockle.
It was 2 games and one and a bit bowling innings in the second one. Unless there are fitness doubts, we really should be in the business of picking our best possible attack this early in the season! And that includes Kasey.
Always good to hear from you, SP, and your ever courtous responses to my juvenile assaults on one of my least favourite sports (though it has to be slightly superior to dressage). If you tell me you also think the Grand National is a thing of substance, then expect further insults within hours!
Now back to the serious issue of the day, the need to take nine wickets before close of play. I shan't be able to follow the match live for some hours (no, I am not off for a session in Surrey's bunkers or a day at the races) but hope to catch up before the day is done.
Got the worst of conditions against a very good team AGod but I’m long past being depressed by Lancashire cricket. I just can’t identify with the set up there. Atherton wrote an article recently about Lancs aiming to be the Surrey of the north. Because Emirates plc put on a good show for the Test they con a few journalists into saying the place is well run. In reality, almost nothing is done well there. For this match , the website under the heading Essex v Lancs said “ watch coverage of Lancs game against Hants at Southampton. “ They sorted that in a couple of hours but still left it showing Lancs team against Hants. Place is run by clueless charlatans and spivs, much like much of the country.
I was also lucky perhaps not to follow today's play at Taunton. I was with my grandsons who wanted to watch the ManU game against Coventry (on telly of course) and so I chose to join them. I generally find football pretty turgid but this proved quite an exciting affair from about halfway through the second half, though I find the matter of decidind matches on spot kick shootouts (they are NOT penalties!) very unsatisfactory, turning as they usually do on the failure of one player in what is supposed to be a team game. My grandsons are ManU supporters as is their dad and quite knowledgeable, but I thought it greatly to their credit they felt sorry for Coventry.
Shall I feel sorry for Nottinghamshire tomorrow if they are robbed of victory by a brilliant Somerset fightback or by the rain? We shall see...
It's been said before, preparing flat lifeless pitches offers nothing for the emerging Bashir (and Leach). Even LoL reverted to watching football instead !
I left at 5 and missed NOTHING related to Somerset. I'll be there at 11 and will be hopefully welcoming the rain mid afternoon unless something has happened overnight climatically
So, if it hoops around corners early on this might get a little interesting, the light isn't wonderful but Tractor's full throated roar is floating across the ground
So, amazingly we are once again second in the table, though I think Surrey will probably overtake us if they succeed in defeating an obdurate Kent (and the weather).
Clark's innings was apparently the highest ever in the CC by a wicket-keeperbatting the second innings.
Prob not - really no sign of any turn or bounce - a tiny bit for Cove and other seamers first thing (and seemingly again this morning), but really dead as…
Best part of the day was when the fielders (I think instigated by a slightly peeved Coverton) started taking the mickey out of “Barry” Banton as he rested in the dugout and Josh Thomas fielded for him.
Clarke batted really well, Young was solid and our guys couldn’t do anything about it. It was ice cold until 4pm, too.
Today didn't seem as cold because of the lighter winds. I think they could have played when the rain stopped.
I don't know if this is allowed to happen, I'm imaging the two captains getting together and saying “do we really want to carry on playing on a pitch like this” and going to the umpires and begging them to call it off.
I am only partly serious.
The attendance for this match was way down, it could have been the weather or something else!!
Side information – my return visit to the hospital to the Trauma department for a doctor's appointment is on the 21st May, if given the all clear to use my left arm as normal I will be able to take photos again.
Sorry, only registered users may post in this forum.
We record all IP addresses on the Sportnetwork message boards which may be required by the authorities in case of defamatory or abusive comment.
We seek to monitor the Message Boards at regular intervals.
We do not associate Sportnetwork with any of the comments and do not take responsibility for any statements or opinions expressed on the Message Boards.
If you have any cause for concern over any material posted here please let us know as soon as possible by e-mailing
abuse@sportnetwork.net
