No Thanks Northants!!

Another Hamstring!
By Grockle
May 3 2002

Why does Hussey make it look so easy and our blokes make it look so hard? We lose a second B&H game chasing a big score that we simply couldn't match.

BYE BYE B&H?

Well we've made it hard work for ourselves then haven't we?

We get Caddick and Trescothick back for the last two games of the regional phase but we didn't show anything that suggested that we are going into the next stage.  Putting this bit together in the Press Box I'm listening to reporters writing our performance off as "inept" and " barely competent".  We certainly have bowling issues which are made worse by seeing Richard Johnson batting with a runner to try and decrease the run rate problems that this defeat made for us.

an expectant crowd...but for what?

the dog had the best idea!!

When Jamie Cox went after three balls to Gordon Greenidge's son with nothing on the board, we were in trouble.  Needing 6 an over to start with, we were looking for Peter Bowler to anchor one end and other batsmen to put the ball to all points for 50's and above.  Didn't happen!  Burns tried to hit himslef into the record books and succeeded in leaving the scene with 33 on the board.  Blackwell was promoted but seemed to decide that 45 in the first 10 overs was not quick enough.   After a long time on 0, he got off the mark with a six, scored a two and then put the ball into orbit...but vertically and left for 8 with the score on 54.  Keith Parsons seems to be in as a batsman at the moment, I still think he is carrying the knee injury.   With the side needing a solid score from him supporting Mr.Peter Bowler it was not good when the point man became the first LBW victim of the day and we were left waiting for the end of a game we couldn't win 56 for 4.

One good thing about the afternoon, Rob Turner arrived in positive mood and put bat to ball effectively and that has to be a plus point for the season.  He has done great things with KP before but not this time.  Parsons was comprehensively bowled by Penberthy with only 2 more runs added.  But, we don't give up any more and Keith Dutch came out to sell his wicket dearly.  Too damn late but that wasn't his fault.  The two middle order players added 33 before the spinner became victim 6 LBW for 16.  Peter Trego at 91 for 6.  All this time the D/L score was rising.  In the 24th with our score reaching 103 with a Turner four, the D/L score was telling us we should be on 195!!  What is the value of this system if it turns every second innings into a farce?

Resident 'faculty' lecturers explained the difficulties of early season form prediction!

and then gave up!

Two runs later, it became irrelevant as Trego played all around a delivery and we were 7 down.  Matt Bulbeck can bat (everyone who walked out could bat...just wish they'd all decide to do just that once or twice) and came out to put up a score.  Rob T was putting away anything he could at the other end and our second hour had gone better than the first...we'd only lost two wickets as opposed to FIVE in the first 60 minutes.  Another 26 were added before Matt left the stage at 131 for 8.   The tailenders were doing what they should do...15's or 20's...it is just that there was no run base to add this to.

Simon Francis is not a recognised bat.  he had not had a great day with the ball either and that seemed to push him to do something.  He came out and smacked the ball as hard as anyone else all day.  He nearly took one Northants fielder's head off as he tried to catch a fierce back up the wicket drive.   He nearly got it too.  Some good shots but it was all too late.  Turner was the next to go with the score on 146 and many expected the game to end without Johnson batting.  However, we may need to qualify on run rate so the bowler hobbled down the steps with his runner and got to the wicket - it will be miracle if he is fit for Sunday and that makes more problems for our B&H progression chances.

Anyway...farce follows farce.  Johnson is there to smack some big shots and get the score up.  What happens?  Big shot straight drive and the bowlers end is run out backing up!!  154 all out and a defeat by 145 runs.   Not really what was required I think.

Problems? besides the traffic!!  

Bowling is a problem.  With the loss of Jones we seem to have lost the edge.  Johnson looks unfocussed and Trego and Francis are too expensive for this form of cricket.  They don't trouble the batsmen enough and are too loose.  If Johnson is out and Jones is not ready to return then who will act as first change for the attack of Caddick and Bulbeck on Sunday and Monday?   Marcus Trescothick may trundle a few but where is the back-up?  Can we afford Keith Parsons as a batsman?  Why isn't Burns bowling at least as a change in times of trouble?  The only other option is Graham Rose.  Tucker is still injured I believe and wouldn't really be a replacement for the other youngsters - he's likely to suffer in the same way.  If Rosey is fit we need his experience I think.  If he isn't, why doesn't he call it a day.

Batting shouldn't be a problem But is.  Just pray that we aren't back into our 2001 early form.  The top five made 58 today, and when the innings started the 300 total was not a worry for many supporters, we were capable of   getting that.  Top order failure was a problem last year...it will be a disaster this season.

Maybe early exit from the B&H will be a good thing.  It might put some feet back firmly on the floor again.  The squad doesn't look as strong as the form book suggests and targets may have to be revised if these types of performances continue.   The media predicts no trophies for us this year.  We'll come 3rd in the Championship, 4th in the NUL and make the second stages of the one day competitions.   Not on this level of performance we won't.

First priority?  Survival in First Division cricket.  Second priority?  The Championship Third priority? The NUL.   Let's see what the next fortnight brings along shall we and then re-assess the situation?  Ho Hum....who'd be a Somerset supporter?

OH YES....for those of you who are looking forward to the Viv Richards gates...Here they are; (I'll keep my finger out of pictures in the future honest)     

I have to say I expected more somehow.. but they're nice I suppose....just not what I was expecting.