No Braveheart this time! - Scotland TSL2

3 for 42 and 53
By Grockle
May 8 2004

This was the beginning of our season's humiliation last year...looking a whole lot better in 2004. Some very commendable performances in a 55 run victory...but the Scots got close-ish and we've yet to do it against heavy opposiition.

Somerset win the toss and decide to BAT! Shock Horror probe!  The confidence of the early season is such a contrast to last year..would we have put our batsmen in front of any attack last year?  Now they have runs behind them and the feeling that they can occupy the crease and they did it again today.

John Francis still needs to turn a start into something special, he was once again out in the teens.  If he doesn't get something soon it will start to prey on his mind but Gazzard  got it right today with 43 in this opening role of his.  Jamie Cox seems to be on course and added 51 to his excellent 131 off 124 balls against Derbyshire earllier in the week.  Matt Wood was a starter for this one but didn't get started in terms of his innings making only 2.  t was therefore left to Parsons to get the innings going again with a quick fire 53 off 45 before the run chase through Dutch and Nixon promoted to Number 7 to hit a few.  It was also good to see James Hildreth for the first time, although he didn't have a lot of opportunity to shine before the innings was over.  248 for 7...gettable for most sides in 45 overs...it needed the bowlers to perform as well.

McLean and Caddick were partnered today by the hero of the C&G Francis S and Dutch, it was expected that the other seam provision would come from Hildreth and Parsons.  The dream team haven't really fired yet and today was another surprising session with the cheapest bowler being Nixon with a tremendous 3 for 31 off 8.  Caddy came in with what we expect...few runs when he isn't taking wickets 1 for 29. Frankie kept up the pressure on his teammates and the opposition with 2 from his 6.1 overs...bit expensive though at 37.  The pick of the bowling was KP with 3 off 7 overs for 42.  Scotland all out for 193...lots of starts that were stopped by pressure from our bowlers who kept taking wickets.  Four points and on to Yorkshire on Sunday.  Now that is a whole different kettle of fish and a much better indicator of our prospects this year.

Good win but let's keep it going...the easy bit is well and truly over!