Up for it?

Swansong??
By Grockle
August 29 2003

Ian Blackwell follows Neil Edwards in smashing Hampshire's bowling to all corners but is it an indication of a fighting spirit or the last fling of a batsman looking elsewhere? Irrespective of which one, can our bowlers give us the game on Day 4?

A massive 705 for 9 declared is a damn rare sight at the best of times but it's been like rocking horse droppings in this Somerset season! However, Ian Blackwell has built on the brilliant innings we witnessed yesterday from young Neil Edwards of 160 (184 balls and 27 massive fours). His 189 came from 211 balls with 32 fours and two sixes. God I bet the hampshire seamers were bores to death of seeing the ball going!

Have we enough about us to put them out in the day we have left? They are 306 behind and it could be a really good last day if we make early in-roads and the light lasts long enough to give us the game. A draw seems likely.

What of Ian Blackwell then? Is this a last gasp from the big man before he moves on? Rumours of moves to Sussex and Yorkshire are prevalent and no-one seems surprised. Having come from the war zone that was the Derbyshire dressing room, it maakes you wonder what has forced him to look elsewhere when he seemed to be making such progress here. Will we ever know why?

Whether he stays or goes, it can't take away from the impressive form of Mr Edwards who looked remarkably like a Mr Trescothick did at the same age. He dispatched the best Hampshire could offer with such disdain on Wednesday that we all wondered where he's been all season (mostly with the Under 19 England squad it seems). Looking forward to more from him.

Excellent support from James Bryant who showed in his 73 off 74 balls what he can do if he just lets himself go. This was the strokeplayer we all thought we'd got in the pre-season, why has he taken so long to put it together and has it destroyed his chance of another season at Taunton?

We also need to mention the solid support given to both centurions by Tom Webley who played second fiddle to both of them. Aarron Laraman and Roob Turner both contributed well as Blackie took the bowling to pieces.

Oh for this in the early season! Let's hope for a win and some pride at home.