Kiwi. Can we? Can't we?

By Grockle et al
May 8 2015

A tourist game that was supposed to be a good money spinner at the start of the season has become a little more of a test game for the Somerset squad than expected. With a poor to appalling start (depending on which game you want to talk about) to the county's Championship season and more CC1 games coming that we really cannot now afford to lose, Matthew Maynard is having to re-assess his resources to try and find a way out of the spiral his present first eleven seems to have got itself into. This offers chances to do a little more than just impress to the likes of Josh Davey. It also offers an opportunity for some of the players struggling for form to get a handle on their game and work to turn the problem around. It isn't just a game any more ladies and gentlemen!!

v New Zealand Tourist @ TAUNTON Friday 8 May 2015

Scorecard

Commentary

OK Matthew, what are you going to do to make the most of this game? It really no longer matters about the strength of the opposition, it has become more about assessing the strength of the cricketers playing in Somerset colours. As such it is time to rest some, let others find form and assess the alternatives, limited though they are.

The team for this game consists of;

Tom Abell, Johann Myburgh, Tom Cooper, James Hildreth, Jim Allenby, Alex Barrow, Peter Trego (capt), Josh Davey, Craig Overton, Tim Groenewald and Abdur Rehman

It's interesting that Pete got the skipper's armband. Though it probably has more to do with needing to rest Alf than a choice between them. Tom Abell returns and this time he is back to start his 2015 campaign. He has finished studies for the summer and should now be fully available for first team duty. His first entry was not exactly brilliant so we must all hope this gives him a chance to get his eye in. As Banger is being rested there is no surprise that Johann and the other Tom play. Both need the time at the crease in their relatively new positions.

James has an outside chance of hitting 1000 runs early in the season - not something we've said all that often so he plays We also may need his present stability in the 4th bat position. Jim Allenby may be playing for his place at the moment, his bowling is not all that much of an asset if he can't hold the 5th batting spot. A surprise that Alex has the gloves. Many expected that this was the chance for James Regan to show what he can do but it seems not. We sometimes forget that a number of these second team players are not all that old. Maybe James is not ready to make a claim yet. I personally expected Alex to play but maybe not keep. He needs some crease time because he has been unimpressive up to this point - though nowhere near on his own in that.

With Lewis Gregory (taken but not used it seems) and George Dockrell on international duty in Ireland, Pete takes the allrounder spot with Josh Davey as backup. The younger man had a very good World Cup but has questions about whether he is a tight enough bowler for long format cricket. Well here is the chance he has been waiting for. He knows some of the opposition and bowls balls that take wickets...can he cut down the number of four balls and show the same promise with the bat he has been showing in the seconds this season? We ought to all hope so because we need some backup. Craig Overton needs the overs but Tim Groenewald will be conscious of the presence of Davey because the ex Deryshire seamer has not been at all impressive in his games so far and must know his position is one where questions are being asked and others are available. Finally Abdur has also not lived up to early expectations and only got 10 overs against our last Championship opposition at New Road. There is probably a justified argument that he is only playing in this game because George is not available and Jack Leach has managed to crack his skull open in a non sporting accident.

With Worcestershire to face before the first Test and this being a 4 day game, we have little idea what kind of side the Kiwi's will offer us but it really doesn't matter. Cory Anderson does get a chance to have a feel of the Taunton pitch for later in the season (well actually he doesn't because although he is on the scorecard on Cricinfo he is still in India playing in the IPL!) but Somerset presently would struggle against any kind of quality and that has to change. So whatever kind of team the tourists put on the pitch we have to perform to our potential against it. If it is poor, we need to show it little compassion and if it is anywhere near what NZ can offer then a win or even a competitive none result would boost our confidence and give Maynard something to work with to model a side that can show Nottinghamshire some quality in our next away CC1 match.

The weather is against us from the outset and the game will not start on time. There is an inspection at 11:15 and doubt about the amount of play on Day 1. Somerset just have to take what they can. This game must be used for our needs and not those of the visitors I am afraid.