No Gale Forecast at Taunton (Thanks CJM)
Finally!!
By Grockle
May 17 2010
Wonderful heading courtesy of "cricket jerrymouse" and the day Mr Kartik actually starts his Somerset career. We welcome the usual bunch of Yorkshire supporters to one of the most friendly of fixtures with lots of people from both sides re-acquainting themselves for the second time this season. We need lots of points and that means a victory at the very least...can Kartik help - gotta hope so!
v Yorkshire CC1 @ Taunton Monday 17 May 2010
"Yorkshire" and "victory" don't always go together easily although last year's fixture provided one of the most brilliant home wins I've seen in all my time watching Somerset.
Today's side is;
Trescothick, Suppiah, Compton, de Bruyn, Hildreth, Buttler, Trego, Kartik, Thomas, Phillips and Willoughby
The Tykes are missing a number of their international men and their captain while we are coming together as a side picked from almost a full roster for the first time - only the great Kieswetter to return this week. But can we get a side in and out twice in four days - presently the form says NO butfor this game the answer has to be YES.
Ball by ball is on the Somerset site or 87.7FM around the town and besides the forum on Grockles there is another live blog operated by Mr Nathan Jones for the local papers (link above).
I'll be on the radio after Tea each day with Roy Kerslake so if you want to comment and be mentioned on the box then send your forum posts in and I'll deal with them with the great man.
More on the game to come.....
If you do not already have an account Click here to Register.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2010:05:23:23:11:40 by Grockle.
As I am travelling down tomorrow (Friday 14th) I wonder what clothes I need to pack. Will there be a heatwave or will there be a cold wind as there was at both Scarborough and Canterbury?
Also hope to see a few of you - possibly Tractor will be on Gimlett's Hill. If so,no doubt I'll track him down from the shouts of "Come on me Babbies"
Hoping for a good game with a more favourable result than last year's slog-fest (hopefully with boundaries longer than 25 yards!)
Cheers TykesRUs
I watch the seconds play for a while yesterday at a more exposed ground and I have never felt so cold in May before, if only the wind would change direction then it would feel warmer.
The link to my Photos on Photobucket - [s1152.photobucket.com]Bring several layers and a waterproof!
Yorkshire will be without captain Andrew Gale, who scored a century against us in the opening match of our season at Headingley, and who plays for the England Lions against Bangladesh at Derby starting on Wednesday.
The Tykes will select from a 13-man squad: Sayers, Lyth, McGrath, Rudolph (capt.), Balance, Bairstow, Rashid, Pyrah, Best, Patterson, Hannon-Dalby, Wainwright and Lilley.

No,I do you an injustice.
That headline should be up there with the effort from Wickers.
I had thought of something like Gale Blows Himself Out.
It just doesn't work as well as yours though,and some may consider it ris-kay.
Stunning stuff,Sir.
Take a bow.
Can anyone that is listening confirm whether (or not) we have at least managed to cause them any alarm? Or has it just been plain sailing for them.
Let's hope Kartik quickly gets into the swing because the very last thing I would ever expect from him would be for him to go around the park at five an over!!! I would imagine he will tighten up considerably after lunch. If not, it could be a very long day indeed.
As you say, Yorks are full of confidence and in great CC form , so this is the very worst kind of start that we could have had (in the sense that it will have done absolutely nothing to puncture their confidence.)
We have to hit back in the second session and hit back very hard indeed if we want to have any realistic hope of winning this game because a second session like this one would leave Yorks on course for the kind of total, batting first, which means that they cannot then lose, unless of course they declare and leave us a run chase, but I do not think they will be doing that this year....
p.s. GM - Kartik is infamous for no-balls. I cannot understand how and why it is that his coaches have not stamped them out.
AGod, Tractor, WTE and others will remember it well.
LoL
Sixty-six Seasons a Somerset Supporter
LoL
Sixty-six Seasons a Somerset Supporter
Don't say I didn't warn you lot.
Prepare to be wound up by him for his persistent offending.
He won't change now ,he's over 30.
Having said that ,he is a class act.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2010:05:17:18:44:29 by beehappy.
OLDBOYBA!
The link to my Photos on Photobucket - [s1152.photobucket.com]Back to bed for me.
If anybody gets the sickness bug doing the rounds then just abandon hope.

I hope Mr Rose Knows what he's doing or there will be a lot of explaining to do.
I brought bucket loads of sand from Weston beach to spread on the square during the winter.
Oh for a return of those County Championship games which were all over in two days.
Boring? You didn't have time to be bored whilst you were bring your scorecard up - to - date.
If Harold (Gimblett) didn't hit the first ball of the match over extra cover for six, but was bowled, most of the other lads (or gentlemen farmers etc) were turned quickly and Somerset collapsed in second innings for not many -those were the days.
At least we knew our place - usually near the bottom!
OLDBOYBA!
The link to my Photos on Photobucket - [s1152.photobucket.com]Sorry guys and gals we had no computer access today so couldn't involve you at all.
Have to say when I arrived at 4:00 and it was 201 for 1 I thought 'oh dear' but at least the bowlers had kept them at bay all day at around 3 an over. Alf bowled well in the morning it was said and went past the bat a number of times.
The slip catch miss was pretty glaring from the boss I'm afraid.
Ben Phillips bowled really well at the end and got a little movement to add to his extra bounce.
Kartik had nothing going. He's got a good action and bowls a nagging length. He's not easy to get away and Lyth had no intention of trying. But few balls worried the Yorkies.
Arul struggled in the field. He was not easy on his feet - tendonitis in his knees can't be fun.
de Bruyn did his KP role. His middle pace looked like nothing and had Lyth fooled all the way. Phillips really got Rudolph and that was excellent.
Can this lot bowl a side out twice? Not sure but they do make it harder for sides to score off them than last year. Very very few four balls.
Last session to us...over the day? I'd have taken under 300 with about 6 down so JUST Yorkshire's day. If our batting holds up we can do this in a day.
Tomorrow morning is very important - get rid of Mcgrath and DONT let Bairstow score anything big. We really do not want a wagging tail.

Let's hope that (for whatever reason) those days don't return again too quickly.
Unfortunately, Buttler dropped McGrath and Trescothick missed Lyth, both off Phillips. These proved to be expensive misses.
There are no stumps flying out of the ground today so this is the best of the rest.
G Balance ct Butler bld Phillips.
A Lyth ct Phillips bld De Bruyn, it is no wonder he got caught looking at the photo.
I may have a problem with the details on this photo in my book I had details of two wickets but only one photo (I must have deleted one of them) I hope I picked the correct one.
A Lyth did play some nice shots; he scored his highest championship score today.
M Kartik bowling.
Even Compton had a bowl today, Marcus used eight bowlers today.
I must add Phillips was far the best of the bowlers today he caused a lot of trouble with his pace.
The link to my Photos on Photobucket - [s1152.photobucket.com]I didn't see Alf bowl today - good choice to bring Ben back at the end with the new ball.

The link to my Photos on Photobucket - [s1152.photobucket.com]
I think it was Rudolph helped me out.
The link to my Photos on Photobucket - [s1152.photobucket.com]
Perhaps I was lucky, but he always seemed to bowl well.
I guess they have Hannon-Dalby who is of a Phillips type size.
They also have extra pace in the form of Tino Best. Best has caused Tres quite a few problems in the past (in international cricket.)
I cannot make my mind up whether we've done quite well to restrict their run-rate on a flat-track or whether there is something in it for the bowlers and we have been nowhere near penetrative enough to take full advantage.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2010:05:18:12:24:45 by Grockle.
Sorry to say but I feel that one of this morning's commentators is too poorly informed about county cricket to justify his position. For example, he had no idea of Compton's background until the other many told him and he said he didn't know anything about Best "because he isn't in the book."
Bring on Grockle and Kerslake.
LoL
Sixty-six Seasons a Somerset Supporter
I guess the Yorks total here is looking likely to be extremely similar to our first innings total vs Essex, which is the only other first innings on this ground this season.
I'm sure the target this morning would have been all out for less than 350. It happens too often I'm afraid.

Could be a struggle to avoid the follow-on, if we are not careful.
I think life has changed, as far as tails are concerned. But it does happen too often to us.
Having said that, Wainwright is no bona fide tail-ender.
Still, I'd rather be 100-2 than 200-6 at this stage.
Grizzzly
According to the blog, Tino Best is bowling with real pace and Arul is fighting, tooth and claw.
The Taunton track will help also he's a top fielder and all round good geezer. Look after him....

From what I saw I would make the following observations:
Philips was very very lively without the best of luck - also Thomas.
Is age catching up with Willoughby. He seemed to think the best line was a foot outside the off stump - didn't cause any of the batters any problems.
Kartik seemed OK but a lot of his were on or outside leg stump.
For the first time Buttler's keeping didn't look too clever.
Should Tres give up first slip and move to mid on or off. He seems to be prone to a few lapses these days. Out in the field would give him more time to do his thinking. I didn't see Compton out, but his performances with the bat are not inspiring overall. Sorry chaps but I would still have preferred WES.
With a bit of luck we should be up and over the 400 by tea tomorrow, and a lead of 100 would be very useful as we are batting last.
OLDBOYBA!
The only points I would add are that Trescothick made batting look ridiculously easy until he was out; Suppiah batted grittily and with increasing fluency; Hildreth played well until he gave his wicket away (lofting Rashid to mid-off); de Bruyn was unluckily out, when the ball spun back onto his stumps from a defensive push; and Buttler again looked very composed - I don't suppose that he faced too many of Best's pace when he played schools cricket last season.
Zander De Bruyn hit on the helmet the bowler T Best.
S Patterson batting, this ball must have swung so much it evaded Buttler and went for four byes off Thomas.
Marcus Trescothick out lbw Hannon-Dalby
James Hildreth played positive from the start; this was one of his fours.
D Wainwright missing the ball from Thomas. Thomas bowled well today.
Another four for Hildreth.
Edited to add another photo.
The link to my Photos on Photobucket - [s1152.photobucket.com]Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2010:05:18:22:25:55 by Mike BOS.
I have had several people asking what I do with my photos, I have told them about this site (I thought everybody knew about this site) and told them about the forum.
I hope to see during the season Jim, it would be good for you to have a break from your home duties.
The link to my Photos on Photobucket - [s1152.photobucket.com]Sadly I've had the most awful stomach bug,I'm as weak as a rugby union back.
Drizzle here in Taunton South at 7pm. Wife says 'Should I put the washing out??'
OLDBOYBA!
Could Petes place be in jeopardy? Yeah lets axe the guy who on a regular basis over the past 3 years has dug us out of many a hole with the bat.
There i have bitten for both of us!!!
COACH
COACH
I left it,I couldn't think of a reply.
As you say,leave out the best allrounder in the country.
Makes a lot of sense.
I seem to recall that one of our number was at the Rose Bowl, where Charl has superb figures... Did things look much better (from a how he was bowling point of view) down there? Could the person that went please weigh in on this?
If the rain stops then I guess batting might be more difficult today. I wish the game was in London - it's PERFECT cricket weather here today - simply glorious.
Displeased to hear that Hildreth rather threw his wicket away. It seems to happen to him quite often - makes a blistering start and then gets (I assume) carried away. The blistering starts are what probably have the likes of Justin Langer raving about him but the careless endings are surely the main reason that, to date, he has not pushed on to international type honours.
It seems Compton has made fewer Pro 40 runs than I had thought. Perhaps Craig will open at Bath and Arul might bat at three, with Compton dropping out? I know Arul once had a tremendous game batting at three in a one-day game at the Oval.
However, if someone bites each time any poster discusses possible team changes, it would be a very lively forum.
What's Pete's form been like this season? I really haven't taken much notice, but he doesn't seem to have taken too many wickets or scored many runs. Are we to drop in-form players in favour of those who have done brilliantly in the past?
I am not advocating dropping Pete, just discussing who might make way for CK & JB in the same side.
works for me. Hope it does for you too.
LoL
Sixty-six Seasons a Somerset Supporter
LoL
Sixty-six Seasons a Somerset Supporter
LoL
Sixty-six Seasons a Somerset Supporter
LoL
Sixty-six Seasons a Somerset Supporter
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2010:05:19:12:14:35 by Loyal of Lhasa..
1 run from 24 balls?
Could any of you that are listening offer an opinion as to whether, for some reason, batting is proving extremely difficult today? Is the pitch suddenly turning a lot? I note two wickets for Wainwright, who bowled badly against us in Leeds.
An excellent performance by Arul Suppiah.
LoL
Sixty-six Seasons a Somerset Supporter
LoL
Sixty-six Seasons a Somerset Supporter
Pressure on Mr Kartik then....
LoL
Sixty-six Seasons a Somerset Supporter
And REALISTICALLY he's here as the overseas player with a brief (one assumes) to make a decisive contribution in victories. With their guys having 7 wickets under their belts, I'm sure Mr Rose will be expecting big things from Kartik in their second dig.
And I'm sure Mr Rose, Marcus Trescothick and everyone in the ground will be harbouring that same hope.
Let's hope he can deliver and, in doing so, lay down a marker for subsequent games.
I have to say that I'm quite content with SCCC's overall performance in this game, so far. We saw when we got promoted how critically important momentum and confidence can be (many games for us that year became walk-overs) and Yorks had every reason to come into this game in that kind of frame of mind. And yet we've pretty much slugged it out on even terms. Good effort overall, I think, with particular "merits," to Suppiah and Phillips, not to mention another good effort from young Jos.
quote]
You're the only one to mention "blind faith", AGod. SP said he felt that the situation presents an opportunity for Kartik and I agreed with him. I don't think either of us are expecting a miraculous demolition of the opposition.
LoL
Sixty-six Seasons a Somerset Supporter

And Kartik's economy is much more along the lines of what I would hope for from him. Whilst he was by no means expensive in the first innings, he was, nevertheless, more expensive than I expected him to be.
6 overs for 9 is very much the kind of thing that other people can bowl around.
LoL
Sixty-six Seasons a Somerset Supporter
I've now asked him whether we played poorly vs their spinners or whether their guys were able to get turn?
Was encouraged by Kartiks batting, he looks like he'll be good for a few runs this season.
I can't see beyond a draw really now though, unless Yorkshire fancy setting another declaration at lunch time tomorrow
Pete T will be hoping they do.IF there are links to blogs (that don't change everyday) or commentary or anything else AND I've had the chance to put a frontpage story up THEN they are all on that story which is usually the starting point for each match thread.
IF someone takes the time to simply click on the story rather than a page reference they will be taken to the frontpage and ALL the links to anything happening are there for people.
That's what I do...it would be nice if people had a look occasionally...maybe I should just let the forum run and forget the rest as it seems regulars go nowhere near it.
The trouble is that the very minor pittance that Grockles earns is 10 times higher for frontpage hits than forum ones.
BUT primarily Grockles is a Somerset suppoerters site. If there is stuff available for the Somerset suppoter then it endeavours to provide it for said people so it might, occasionally, be worth looking on it for the stuff you need?

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2010:05:19:21:28:11 by Grockle.
Somerset could easily have taken more wickets - there were some near misses. But generally the Yorkshire batsmen looked comfortable.
OLDBOYBA!
Jos Butler showed his talent today, doesn’t matter who the bowler is, this was Wainwright bowling.
This is somebody with confidence it was a short ball by T Best that went for four runs. I feel like I will be saying in the future I was there at the beginning.
You always have to smile when watching Willoughby facing a fast bowler, he bats altogether differently against the slower bowler, he even hit a six.
Ben Phillips got in on the act by hitting a four.
A Lyth finding batting difficult against Zander De Bruyn’s bowling.
The link to my Photos on Photobucket - [s1152.photobucket.com]
Anything that help you feel what you do is apprecated, and it is.
The link to my Photos on Photobucket - [s1152.photobucket.com]Not looking for appreciation just think maybe every now and again people might realise that we do have some idea what we are doing and might be providing more services for Somerset supporters than those only using the forum realise.

Up at the top you will see Grockle sitting in a deckchair where it says “Grockle.Com” click on that and it will take you to the front page.
I should add this extra bit.
Click on “Read Article” and there you have all Grockle’s links near the top.
It did take me a while to remember it.
The link to my Photos on Photobucket - [s1152.photobucket.com]Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2010:05:20:08:01:11 by Mike BOS.
Anyway a few clicks on the front page from me, plus the thousands of lurkers could mean the sky's the limit.
Thanks
Your friend from Bridgwater was looking for you yesterday.
The link to my Photos on Photobucket - [s1152.photobucket.com]Why else would we be bowling Hildreth and Compton?
Or is it a sign that we've resigned ourselves to a draw and cannot be bothered bowling front-line bowlers?
I'd have thought we should be bowling Kartik as much as possible to try to get him into form, dead game or not?
LoL
Sixty-six Seasons a Somerset Supporter
I assume that I shall shortly be blacklisted for breaking the cardinal rules.
LoL
Sixty-six Seasons a Somerset Supporter
LoL
Sixty-six Seasons a Somerset Supporter
I believe that should have been an entirely realistic approach to the morning session. Supposedly there is a deal and we will chase about 360 in about 70.
If Tres bats for, say, 40 overs, then I'd say the Yorkies will be in a huge amount of trouble...
LoL
Sixty-six Seasons a Somerset Supporter
I've just left at 11.40 and cycled home. Yorks 100 added in 40 minutes, and that is with blocking three donkey drops each over. My grandchildren bowl better donkey drops on my lawn. Yorks should have a lead of 500+ by lunch giving us 50-60 overs to get them - lightning doesn't strike twice, and after their first innings performance, I can see Wainwright and Rashid bowling us out.
I might have stayed a bit longer IF Somerset had looked interested, but everything was done at walking pace, or slower. I can't believe this is Tres's idea, but it is clearly taking money under false pretences - I saw somebody PAYING at the gate this morning!!!!.
Sorry, I don't mind losing but at least lets have some pride in performance.
The implication must be that we've got no chance of bowling teams out twice in a match, and intend to rely on our powerful batting. In which case lets start blooding some of BR's 'excellent young bowlers!'.
OLDBOYBA!
The thing that strikes me is this;
How can what we are doing possibly be good preparation for the next time we take the field in a CC game? If we'd just played out the day in an attacking way, trying to take wickets, then that would surely have kept us in the right frame of mind for the next time that we have to bowl?
Now we will have to switch from sloppy "marking time," cricket back to proper cricket, when next we bowl. I'm not sure it's so easy to just "flip the switch," like that.
LoL
Sixty-six Seasons a Somerset Supporter
But that is by no means a given.
If we lose a couple of early wickets (especially Tres) then I'd imagine the crowd will be treated to us blocking the final 60 overs or so.

This is the kind of situation that the introduction of 4 - day cricket was supposed to eliminate.
"Joke bowling"? Isn't the whole thing a joke.
It's looking more and more like Division 2 cricket for Somerset next year.
And if it is a draw, with the end coming early then that will certainly mean that the joke bowling phase was a waste complete waste of everybody's time and that we should have carried on playing proper cricket since the very worst that could have happened would have been, er.. a draw!
I'm truly amazed, and must now get my bicycle clips out again and go down to ground again. Asking us to get 360 at about 6 an over seems very very generous. I was expecting at least another 100 to chase.
I'm happy to eat my words - lets go for the win, and if we fail, then good luck to Rudolph for giving us a chance.
OLDBOYBA!
No-one wants to see joke bowling, but if circumstances dictate, so be it. Go for it, lads.
LoL
Sixty-six Seasons a Somerset Supporter
OLDBOYBA!
Get Trigger in next.
Not sure whether we'll try to push from here or not. If we do, then I'd suggest that we'd send Hildreth in, rather than Zander, if trying to score quickly.
Either that or Banger has made a great deal!!!
COACH
We are up for a win me thinks.
If not they are giving it a dam good go.
I just cannot see how they could have thought they could win the game in only 68 overs!?
Yep we stuffed em.
Quick fire knock from Jos, no holding the lad back.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2010:05:20:17:48:43 by everhopefull.
He's getting the message slowly.
Stonking win BTW.....

I hold my hands up and acknowledge a very, very fine win.
Well done to everyone, and I heap a personal load of shame upon myself for being overly pessimistic.
Clarence Parker


Superb.
459 runs, two hundreds, 57.37 average, 657 balls faced, 69.86 strike rate. All this with four out of our six matches to date away from home.
Wonderful controlled knocks by Zander & James with a cameo by Jos.
The bribery chief Flanagan is on the case - Jack Rudolph was kidnapped by the Somerset SA contingent (there are a lot of them1) last night - ploughed with Fosters and promised to be kind to us as he backed a SCCC win at 15/2 - or did I just dream all that up!!
Well played lads. Sorry for Nick but surely it must be Jos as batter at 6 at the weekend.
OLDBOYBA!
And as for Brian Rose - don't get me started...
I wonder if they will go for the hat trick next season!!!
COACH
It was never in any doubt in my opinion,I think a few of us felt the same way.
But.
What on earth were Yorkshire thinking of?
They had no need or reason to declare leaving us such a target.
Not complaining,it was very sporting and generous.
But,if this costs them the CC then questions will surely be asked.
Proud of you all,well done boys.
Kick on now,let's build and win every game left.
Add this to his 19 overs for 95 runs in our first knock - without a wicket in sight either time - and his runs per over came out at 5.28.
Hmm......
(County - played - won - pts)
Nottinghamshire 5 4 96
Yorkshire 6 3 89
Lancashire 5 3 83
Durham 5 2 59
Somerset 6 1 58
Warwickshire 5 2 56
Essex 6 1 53
Hampshire 6 1 51
Kent 6 0 44
With the average victory getting a team about 21 pts, only 52 between top and bottom place = all to play for!
I see that both clash with the Bangladesh Test matches, so there will certainly be no Ian Bell in the opposition, and possibly not Jonathan Trott either, depending on England`s selection for the No.3 batting position.
Great batting from Zander, Jos and esp The Emperor who, indeed, looked imperious today.
Our pacing of the win was inpressive and there was a lot of good running between the wickets. Later The Emperor in particular showed great shot selection and hit boundaries almost at will.
A very generous declaration as acknowledged by TykesRUs who I was pleased to bump into with Tractor as we left the ground.
Tino Best was injured and left the field, returned for a while but then exited for good. The Yorks fielding became rather scratchy as we took ascendency.
The Tykes must be shell-shocked afetr a second fourth innings mauling in two years. But what great cricket these two sides seem to serve up at the moment!
I didn't see Best on field while I was there this afternoon - injured?
OLDBOYBA!
The result I loved.
I knew all along there was an agreement between the captains, the surprise was the target at 5.8 per over, in the end we also gained 3 extra overs.
A win is a win is a win.
The link to my Photos on Photobucket - [s1152.photobucket.com]Hug me Jos

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2010:05:20:19:16:10 by fRed.
At least it minimises disappointment. Perhaps it also maximises the pleasure of being wrong, as today and in the Sussex match.
Well done to Clarence Parker for his mea culpa letter.
Mind you, there have been enough results in the last fortnight of cricket to discourage undue pessimism I should have thought!
Great and very welcome win. It seems Yorkshire wanted 410 as the target and MT negotiated them down to 360...we would have got 410 as it happens.
Tino Best injured and really mucked up their three prong attack. Pattersen really struggled at the end with the workload. No work at the end for Hannan-Dalby so it was down to two spin (Rashid and Wainwright) and the one pace man. Rudolph between a rock and a hard place.
Last year ZdB rotated. This year he attacked and pushed. Hildreth looks so confident, though he does have to learn another stroke to the spinners - bowler bowls, Hildreth sweeps.
Jos - being sent in with the pressure on - just amazing. Needing 12 off 6 we expected singles. six, four, four and it is all over swith 5.1 overs to spare.
Excellent work over 4 days. Big message to the counties though....don't set Somerset a target at home!!
Really enjoyed the boring cricket at HQ - would like some more please.

The link to my Photos on Photobucket - [s1152.photobucket.com]Anyone want to put their house on the line-up for Sunday? What a selection problem..

Day 4 photos.
Zander De Bruyn played his part.
N Compton 4 runs off Patterson.
Marcus Trescothick giving the start we needed.
James Hildreth 6 runs, keep going all season James this could be your year.
Arul Suppiah bld Patterson, the only one not to get going today
The link to my Photos on Photobucket - [s1152.photobucket.com]
Tres
Kieswetter
ZDB
Hildreth
Buttler
Suppiah
Trego
Kartik
Thomas
Phillips
Willoughby or Waller if Charl's not 100% fit
Quote:Mike BOS
The only thing I ask is for certain posters to remember how this win was achieved at Taunton.
It wasn't acheived by taking 20 wickets though, was it?
Prefereably in a day and a half!
Disgraceful!!!!!!!!!

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2010:05:20:22:11:00 by Frome Exile.
The thinking may well be to again rest Willow, with Max Waller missing out from last weekend`s 40-over team.
Max`s excellent fielding and general enthusiasm will undoubtedly be missed - but those Bath boundaries are mighty small for a leg spinner.
Those of us who've retained confidence in The Emperor throughout the lean times are feeling rather pleased this season.
And Buttler already seems to be a fully fledged middle-order batsman.
Now I have to disappear in the direction of Central Africa for a few days and am reasonably confident that Taunton will not quite have killed cricket by the time I return.
LoL
Sixty-six Seasons a Somerset Supporter
Amazing !
Amazing batting from us.
Amazing negotiation skills from Marcus.
Amazing decision by Yorks !
Hope we can kick on from here. So pleased to see James coming good (I am enjoying copious quantities of humble pie !) & also JB, who looks immensely promising from the highlights available on the main site.
Grizzzly
OLDBOYBA!
It would be a good quiz question - how does a team win a match, without taking many wickets and being outplayed for most of it - unbelievable, but it must have been 'fun' for Tractor & co.
And some still haven't discovered that cricket is the greatest game in the world!
The link to my Photos on Photobucket - [s1152.photobucket.com]I guess we have to offer our thanks to all the Yorkies and Mr Rudolph for being such good sports. I still cannot believe they agreed to it as I thought it entirely inconceivable that they could bowl us out on a final day Taunton track in that time-frame so it seemed to be - literally - a no-win proposition for Yorkshire.
I wonder if they will go for the hat trick next season!!!"
Brother Of - my money says that Andrew Gale wins the toss and immediately asks Marcus to bat first at Taunton next year. Then they try to apply some "moral," pressure to Marcus to reciprocate with a similarly generous declaration on day 4!!
"welll.... we're taking about a weekit where my mum could score a run a ball ton with a stick of rhubarb and we're setting them a total that requires them to score at less than a run a ball even though one of our main pace bowlers has a bad thigh. He should never captain Yorkshire again, discgraceful."
Frankly I cannot see us bowling teams out twice in the 4 day games, home or away, and even defending a total in limited overs might be a problem.
OLDBOYBA!
Convention might say that a pitch should turn more for Kartik as the game goes on. But our pitch seems to get steadily better as a game wears on.
To reverse Cowdrey's old maxim, 9 times out of 10 we should unhesitatingly field first at Taunton. The other time we should think about batting, but then field anyway.
In terms of away games, I do not agree. I think there are still plenty of other tracks around the country that do tend to turn more as time wears on. And with a long and dry summer in prospect (IMO), I think Tres should probably bat first in most away games (unless the pitch starts damp.)

Otherwise a very enjoyable week in Taunton,with the Saturday game against Sussex a real victory for you and congratulations on that win,and a day at Wells on the Sunday.Sunday lunch in a pub that used to be the City jail.
Oh,and Big Jim if you read this.I asked Tractor to pass on my regards.Hope you are keeping a bit better.I suppose the result will have cheered you up even if it did nowt for me.
I'll be back next year for more punishment.
Cheers TykesRUs
Yorkshire knew we had Kartik and I expect they thought it would take spin on the last day, and having two spinners in their team thought they could bowl us out.
We all got mislead didn't we?
The link to my Photos on Photobucket - [s1152.photobucket.com]He sums it up beautifully in my opinion. As we have know for a long time, our batting strength is our main hope of winning any game - I'm not sure of the figures but I expect one of our stats will know - particularly in 4 day game - what % of games ha\ve we bowled a team out twice?.
I couldn't believe how generous Jack was to us - hence my joke about the infuence our SA brigade might have had on his thinking - perhaps after half a dozen Fosters.
Still lets not complain but be grateful that Christmas came early this year.
OLDBOYBA!
What about the Tino Best situation? Did the fact that he did not get the new ball in the 2nd dig mean that Rudolph already knew that Best had a dodgy thigh? If so would make the decision even more baffling.
Lovely to hear from you.
I'm still behind bars.
One day.
One day soon.
