I Don't Like Tuesdays
By Grockle et al
September 21 2015
No Craig Overton in the squad for the last game of the season as Somerset look for the seven points that will keep them in the top tier of the Championship for another season at the expense of Hampshire. Rumours are that Alfonso Thomas may very well bowl his swansong in his place though Lewis Gregory must be expecting to play as well. We'll have to wait and see but the facts are pretty simple 7 is the number.
There's a Club party in 5 days time and it will be a pretty hollow 'celebration' if the wrong side turns up for the four day game starting against Warwickshire tomorrow at the ground. All year the first team have been frustrating the supporting public in all forms of the game and it is about time they arrived with a job to do and simply did it effectively.
We aren't asking them to destroy the Bears.... though it would be nice. All we want is a decent first innings with the bat OR the ball and enough bonus points to put the game past the 7 points required. We would be happy with a draw and three - the weather may have a say in that.
If Marcus, Tom, James and Pete Trego can duplicate the run performances of the last couple of games it could be enough. With a penalised and suspended Craig Overton not present in the game we will be looking at Tim and Jamie to do provide the special stuff with the ball. Or will this be a Leach game?
Will they be joined by Alfonso? I'm personally not sure how I feel about that. Is it his role to keep us up? It is probably his last game in a Somerset shirt if he is picked - I can't see him returning next year. He hasn't been picked for the late season CC1 games, he has been working in the seconds. He hasn't seemed to be happy with the club since the one day tournament when he was not selected and lost the short form captaincy to Jim Allenby. Reports are that his form for the seconds hasn't been awe inspiring but he has massive experience in these kinds of games and he has been there for us a number of times before.
Lewis Gregory was sidelined by the rota system last game and will obviously hope that the nod goes to him along with a nod to a youth policy but can Matthew Maynard afford to do that? Which is the gamble? Lewis or Alf?
In other places, Tom Cooper may also be performing for the last time as a Grocklee after looking more of the player we hoped he would be at the back end of this season. Too little too late one would expect but a match winning performance might just change that. We will say goodbye and thanks to Luke Ronchi who has been there for us when other international options have not been. It isn't his format but his experience behind the stumps must be to our advantage.
It is all on the line before the biggest rebuilding exercise Somerset has been through since the last time we were in this position and failed to stay on the right side of the line. Whatever happens, the winter will be one of replacement, restructure and restrategising the county's way of facing a County Championship campaign.
We've outlined how it has gone this far and the main reasons why the four day and the short form competitions have just been beyond us this year. IF we stay up then the top dfrasw will become harder and the weaker members will be fewer. We either buck up and get our collective act together or we could simply be putting off the inevitable and we will sink again at the end of the next round. If we sink now, we may never recover so first things first. SEVEN of the best please gentlemen and then we'll go from there.
Enjoy it all those of you who are lucky to be there. Let the rest of us know how it goes.
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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2015:10:02:18:02:24 by Grockle.
Is there the belief? Is there the consistency? Is there the ability? Is there a collapse left in the side and is there a Warwickshire man looking to make his highest score or haul with the ball as usually happens at our County Ground.
Get the nail nibbling going and hope we get the magic 7 points we need. Winter will be damn cold and miserable without them!!

Grizzzly

Lets hope the weather is good for the Warwickshire match.

If you are poor enough over the course of a season to leave yourselves in a position where a couple of days of bad luck with the weather doom you to the drop then cannot complain too much.
As it happens, I think the forecast for Trent Bridge is worse than that for Taunton.
No, maybe not.
Interesting that Alfonso, Adam H and Jamie O have all received fixed penalties this season.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2015:09:20:20:26:17 by AGod.
Quote:AGod
Good question. Answer have I none...
Bl00dy hell.
I think my computers broken.
Go for a win lads please,I do not fancy watching four days sitting out for a draw, even if it is the last game this season.
And that's a decision that MM will have been centrally involved in.
MM had no role in the recruitment of TG so he should have no intrinsic reason to favour TG over JD (I think managers in all sports often have a bias, conscious or otherwise, toward their own signings compared to those made by previous regimes).
My own view on TG is that I am unconvinced that he brings enough penetration to the table vs Div One batsmen in good batting conditions.
I don't know whether Josh Davey would bring more penetration or not in benign conditions but I think it's arguably worth a go, even in a match as important as this.
With plenty of cloud and showers forecast it's perfectly possible that conditions will actually favour seam bowling vs Warks. In those sort of conditions, Josh Davey does seem to have a serious wicket-taking knack.
I suspect that, if LoL's question were to be posed to Mr Maynard, then MM would say that we need to 'bank on experience,' for this sort of crunch game.
While it may be a punt to bring Josh in for this game, I am not sure he has done anymore than TG to deserve a place. (IMO)
He looked such a tremendous prospect when he first game on the scene. But I think he's played a surfeit of white ball cricket for Ireland and his international appearances have disrupted his SCCC career, IMO.
So Josh may be well advised to give up on Scotland and, equally so, George with Ireland, if they want to develop their County careers.
LoL
Seventy-eight Seasons a Somerset Supporter
Bell is in the Warwickshire squad.
[www.edgbaston.com]
To be honest, he might be required for his control with the ball anyway, especially if it there's little in conditions for Jack Leach.
What has Josh Davey done in any four day game to justify being considered for this match?
He takes early wickets in one day games and that is a good thing to have... for one day games. He's not ready for the tighter requirements of a four day game.
Alf? Probably but only because Cove is not available. Wish there was another viable option - extra batsman?

[www.espncricinfo.com]
If some people think Barrow's batting average 0f 20 entitles him to more chances then you could argue Davey should be in for his batting alone!

The job hunters nightmare- must have experience.
But how do you get experience if no one will give you that experience?
Bates, Barrow and Davey all have a first class average of 20.
Verdict on Bates seems to be 'not a batsman and never will be'
Verdict on Barrow (by some) 'He is a batsman but needs more chances'.
Verdict on Davey- 'He doesn't have enough experience, so don't pick him'.

If he needs some experience-
Give him some experience.
Otherwise he liable to remain inexperienced.


He'll have to wait until his place isn't one of eleven to keep us in the first division when more pressure experienced players are available.
Hey but play him Dave, you'll find a reason to blame Trecothick or Allenby or Maynard if it goes wrong anyway so he can't lose in your team.

Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 2015:09:21:17:45:23 by Grockle.
You say his place is not one of the eleven to keep us in the first division when more pressure experienced players are available. Well if those experienced players are must picks then why are we in a relegation battle? I would say we are in this position because they have not performed well enough this season.

Edited 3 time(s). Last edit at 2015:09:21:18:17:15 by Dave65.
But don't get all upset Dave. You have very right to blame him for everything and I have the right to say you do... It's a forum.
Did you post about his double hundred by the way? Just a question...can't remember if there was a positive comment or not. I know you dislike his captaincy (can't say I'm his biggest fan there either)... not sure whether that blinkers you to anything else he does.
As for Josh, he's a new name so of course you'll want him picked. Go for it man. I doubt you've got a chance in hell... but if Somerset don't make it you can use him sitting on the bench as a reason for it can't you. And if he plays and does well we'll all be happy but you will still probably find a way to use something along the lines of a 'despite being saved' kind of line.. with the odd usual surname thrown in.
All I said was I wouldn't pick him for this game and I don't really care why you think that is wrong because I believe your view is not a rational one where this team is concerned at this point in this specific season.
So have a nice evening and we can both wait for tomorrow and whatever destiny has in store.

Match Preview
Edited to change link...thanks Chunky
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2015:09:21:22:25:32 by Roger ivanhoe.
Quote:Dave65
I made no mention of Maynard and Trescothick Grockle so I don't know why you brought them up, you seem to be obsessed with defending Maynard and Trescothick even when there is no mention of them.
You say his place is not one of the eleven to keep us in the first division when more pressure experienced players are available. Well if those experienced players are must picks then why are we in a relegation battle? I would say we are in this position because they have not performed well enough this season.
So would Mr Maynard himself. Isn't that exactly what he said about this season - that too many experienced players have under-performed?
Ian Bell is in for Warwickshire, although he didn`t play in their last match when they struggled against Notts; also Oliver Hannon-Dalby, who usually only plays in the white ball game but has a good record against Somerset. Chris Wright is dropped.
Meanwhile, in the other key match at Trent Bridge, Notts are giving a debut to Billy Root, younger brother of Joe, and also include Stuart Broad. But they have left our Alex Hales and James Taylor. Hampshire add bowlers James Tomlinson and Mason Crane to their squad.
Jonny Bairstow, Liam Plunkett and Adil Rashid all return to the Yorkshire side against Sussex at Headingley, as does Ryan Sidebottom who missed the win at Hampshire
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2015:09:21:23:55:14 by cricketjerry-mouse.
Davey is hardly a new name is he, he's been at the club for two years now and he was the 8th highest wicket taker at the world cup. And I have stated numerous times on here that Davey has impressed me when he has played for the seconds this season and that I would have him in the team instead of Allenby who I would imagine nearly everyone agrees has been a dreadful signing and is not worth his place in the team.
As for staying up I would be stunned given the wickets at Taunton over the last couple of games if we could not get 7 points from this game.
Josh is just a solution you want them to try because he hasn't been tried before and that is your solution to most of this.
Blame the people who are in the team and shove anybody else in because they can't be worse well I'm afraid they can in some situations.
I'd rather see the people who got us here and have the PROVEN past ability to get us out get us out rather than shoving all the responsibility on a young bowler who has NEVER played a first class game for a county against another county. Josh Davey can't save our season and shouldn't be asked to.
The people who got us here know how to get us out and it is their responsibility to do their flaming jobs. Now please don't post anything else as daft because I must go to bed.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2015:09:21:19:27:59 by Grockle.
Edited 3 time(s). Last edit at 2015:09:21:19:34:28 by Dave65.
Re your 2nd paragraph. Usually if the people have picked have landed you in the relegation zone it is a good idea to try the other options you have.
I mean, with Allenby you know what you will get- and the general consensus seems to be what you will get is not good enough.
He's played 3 county games against other counties out of his 9 - all of them in 2010 some 5 years ago.
And yes you'd be right if we were three or four matches from the end of the season and we were trying an option... but we didn't do that and "Allenby" still has done more for the side this season in the CC1 than young Josh has.
Let the poor lad off the hook. He is too loose presently for CC1, he has hardly played for the team this season and you want to shove him in here and demand he saves our bacon. What's your hope? He takes a couple of early wickets and doesn't go for as much as Tim on a bad day?
Great plan. Good luck with it. Goodnight gentlemen don't let the frustration of not persuading me keep you up all night.

Do what you've always done, and you'll get what you've always got.
Also there is the saying "you made your bed so now you'd better lie in it"
"No point closing the door after the horse has bolted"
"you got yourself in this mess you'd better get yourself out of it"
blah blah blah......yawn yawn yawn

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2015:09:21:20:16:36 by Grockle.
I note that Barrow us in the 13 for tomorrow, though I'm sure he won't play unless there's any doubt or problem with Ronchi. I still think we will see Alfie making a farewell appearance alongside Lewis Gregory, with TG also missing out....although I also suspect we may not have an XI named until Wednesday.

The personnel, comments and posting styles will remain on here come what may.
a) We haven't won a home game batting first for at least two years (and I think it's more than three full years - July 2012, I believe).
b) It's forecast to be an on and off day in between the rain, meaning that batsmen may have to stop and start repeatedly.
c) Cloud cover should, presumably, assist the bowling side today, but the forecast for the remainder of the match is much better.
Unless we think it's extremely dry and are a bit scared of batting last vs Patel on this surface, then it looks a baffling decision to me.
Hants are all over Notts in the early going at Trent Bridge. The visitors won what could be a very important toss.
Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 2015:09:22:10:52:23 by AGod.
IN my opinion, Trescothick's decision to bat first will only be justified if:
a) We make a decent total - including a decent bonus point haul in our first dig.
AND
b) Batting does not become conspicuously easier as the match moves along (as usually happens at HQ).
FCOL
You know as well as I do that our track, in recent times, tends to have most life in it first up and then progressively less life as time goes on.
One doesn't need any amount of time "in the professional game," to be aware of this.
Moreover, the so-called experts are seldom good at "reading pitches," based on the notion of closely inspecting it before it starts anyway. Past experience is usually a better guide than trying to guess what a track will do based on what the track looks like. And past experience here says that - unless it's starting exceptionally dry as with the Derbyshire track from 2013 - then this track tends to be better to bat on as a match wears along, rather than the reverse.
Same is why it's so hard to win games, batting first at Taunton and why we haven't won one in that manner for ages.
Visiting sides have also seldom won batting first in recent times, although one that has done is, er............ Warwickshire.
Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 2015:09:22:12:17:52 by AGod.
And our usual strategy at home is to put the opposition in because we know, full well, how difficult it is to win batting first (and bowling last).
With Jeetan Patel in the Warks side, I would be surprised if we'd intentionally prepared a very dry track. Unless the weather in the SW has been uncommonly dry (as distinct from the weather here in the SE!) then I doubt that we've inadvertently produced a bone dry track.
Maybe it's such a total road that no help for the bowlers is anticipated at any time?
But, really, it's only if the track is bone dry that our chances of winning the match would usually be increased at Taunton by batting first. Worse, our chances of losing a CC match at Taunton usually increase if we bat first (witness the season-opening home defeats to both Durham and Middx).
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2015:09:22:12:29:12 by AGod.
Coopers gone.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2015:09:23:03:37:50 by Grockle.
I think a good deal of rain is forecast early afternoon, so if that materialises then it might be some time before play resumes after lunch.
So far, his confidence in his own batting has been justified. But, will the team as a whole get to a total that nets us a lot of batting bonus points?
The name of the game is for Somerset to get at least 350 (4 batting points), then get oppo 9 down before 110 overs are up = the 7 points you need.
Or, better still, make 400 in 110 overs- then you only need to take 6 wickets in 110 overs.
Winning the match is less important than getting 350+
But, equally, if we were to actually win the match, then bonus point calculations would become entirely moot.
Regardless, if the pitch behaves in a typical fashion then it will get progressively flatter, meaning that it would be relatively easier to make either 350 or 400 in the second innings of the match and relatively easier to take 9 or more wickets in the first innings of the match.
Therefore both the narrow immediate objective of looking for 7 points AND the usual objective in any cricket match (win the game) would usually be best served by batting second at Taunton.
First innings average score 2015 Taunton 366
Somerset First innings average score 2015 Taunton 424
Potentially control the game and put pressure on Warwicks also Hants and Sussex aswell. If things went well we could bat as long as we like
If we conceed big bowling first to Warwicks it will leave us with only the draw option if other games start going against us. Plus lift the spirits of Hants and Sussex. It could potentially leave us batting last to stay in the division either following on or for a nervous few sessions
Even if we dont get the points we need batting first we will still know if we need to put the brakes on early in Warwicks first innings or chase wickets and still have the security of the third innings to either set up a win or bat the game into a draw
Your analysis seems very plausible to me, Joelsberg.
On course for 400 in 110 overs at the moment.
If the track gets flatter still as the game wears on, we'd still be better off batting second.
As I'd already said the acid test for whether batting first is a good move is not only what total is made batting first, but rather whether or not batting becomes trickier as the match proceeds. If the opposite occurs, and batting becomes easier and easier then a decent SCCC first innings total does not, in and of itself, vindicate a decision to bat first.
Equally, if SCCC made a bad total batting first that alone would not necessarily imply that we'd made a mistake in batting first.... if the track got progressively more difficult as the game went on, then batting first would have been justified in spite of the fact that people might, initially, think that it wasn't due to a low first-innings score.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2015:09:22:15:40:36 by AGod.
Much easier to dictate terms if you bat first.
AG, I DO agree with you that we are usually better off and have more chance of winning a game at Taunton if we bat second. However, with you and I both today stuck in the damp South East, a good 100+ miles from Taunton, it's not unreasonable to expect those charged with the responsibility of getting the seven points required, there on the ground and with all their experience, to have a rough idea what they're doing.
SP, still bending over backwards to get over myself.
Only a really bad first dig collapse negates that thinking and thankfully that has not happened. I am pretty confident as at now that we will stay up - THANK THE LORD !
New ball available in about 15 overs' time.
If Matthew Maynard continues to ask Jim Allenby to bat as high as number five (which, IMO, is beyond JA's abilities), then I would imagine that Mr Maynard will have to concede defeat on this point by about the mid-point of next season.
In an ideal world, he's not really a CC1 number six either. Neither is Peter Trego, IMO. These two guys should effectively be competing for one place in the SCCC CC1 side, with that place being at number 7.
From our available personnel, then ideally JM would bat at number three which would allow Cooper to bat at five and Allenby or Trego to bat six or the two of them to bat 6 and 7.
Marcus also enjoying a very strong batting run in the latter part of the season, so well done to him as well.
Grizzzly
AG - what happened to JM anyway? I saw him injured at a T20 game but for the life of me i can't remember seeing him since
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2015:09:22:18:26:43 by chunkyinargyll.
'
Re Allenby 'failure' - surely 29 today is not, 'in and of itself', a failure for a Div1 number 5, but his CC record over the season surely is. I know somebody will tell me how wrong I am, but from my remote viewpoint, MM and JA have looked out of their depth in about equal measure.
When MM said a month or so back that he had underestimated how difficult it was all going to be, wasn't at least part of that a suggestion that he had not expected such a difference in standard from Div 2? He obviously genuinely thought Allenby could manage the step up. Little evidence that he's right so far.
By the way, I've had an email from the club which implies that, as there's a Macmillan fundraising event on, it's free to get in for everyone on Friday. Anyone know if I've read that correctly?
We're nearly there. Order of the day tomorrow is bat, bat, bat. If we can get nearly half way through the day, then I would have thought it would pretty much assure the draw without worrying about bowling points.
Same again tomorrow would put us in a pretty safe place I think.
Quote:rodders12
..........and Allenby fails again - other than a fair bit of economical bowling this guy has brought nothing to the party and I wonder what goes on between him and MM that makes him indispensable and undropable as far as Somerset are concerned - anyone got any ideas ?
I may be wrong but I think Allenby has played every single game for us this season !! Including the New Zealand tour game !!
I think that the team showed a lot of character today, given our position in the Table. The skipper led from the front, once again.
I am delighted too for Matt Maynard, who has taken stick from some quarters, but who has seen the team he is building have a good finish to the season.
What we've done recemtly is get three draws on flat tracks against our fellow strugglers and get thumped on a less flat track against the Champions.
I sincerely hope that Matthew Maynard himself does not consider this 'a good finish to the season.'
What we've done is the bare minimum required to stay up and not a lot more.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2015:09:22:20:08:07 by AGod.
360 for 5 in 84 overs at the close, most of us would have grabbed at that score at 10.35 this morning, good knocks from Tres, and James, great to watch when they are in form
.
400 plus tomorrow and another point,It will be down to Alfonso, to get stuck into the Wark's batsmen tomorrow and go out on a high, and then AGod will be saying yet again its a mistake not offering him another RED BALL contract.
Apart from watching all the wonderful youngsters in the "stable" there can be no greater pleasure than watching JH somehow stroking the ball to the boundary with unsurpassed timing. Long may he survive and play for us over the next few years. Why the devil is anyone complaining?
Old Boy!
Because of the unsettled weather today the camera was in the bag for a lot of the time.
I could still watch a very satisfying day cricket, we did exactly what was required by batting first, go for the most points option first. Unfortunately Tom Abell was the only one to miss out on the good batting pitch.
Tommy Cooper was batting well enough until Rikki Clarke decided to replace his middle stump with the ball.
Marcus played brilliant today with shots from the book and some not in the book.
Marcus playing a bit cover drive but unfortunately getting a fine edge to Tim Ambrose off the bowling of nineteen year old Mark Adair, and what a wicket to get for a nineteen year old in I believe to be his first first class match.
I was privileged to watch James Hildreth bat today in what I can only describe as a near perfect innings, nearly if not all his shot were played along the ground, I can't remember him giving a chance.
James Hildreth, this is the nearest I can find to a false shot, inside edge through his legs.
I hope it is warmer tomorrow, and we get all five batting points.
Old Boy! The way to stay off "the naughty step" is to talk about the CRICKET and not the POSTER exclusively.
Whoever made the point (and it might have been AG) about the fact that Allenby has been playing out of position all season is quite correct, he deserves some credit for taking the flak he has for that during the season.
The answer to the question why he hasn't been dropped would probably be... who would have done that number 5 (or even number 7) job? We had no-one except Barrow or Bates early on. I would have liked to have seen Hose get a chance at the back end of the season and then maybe you could have at least moved Allenby but resources have been limited and no one else has really shown any more reason to be credited with faith that they could do better this season - or have they?
No comment from Dave today - obviously travelling from somewhere to somewhere without access to wifi and the internet once again? It is so unfortunate that this seems to happen on good Somerset days. Good to see your faith has returned Rodders but for a Somerset supporter aren't you expressng it a little too early? (TiC) I'd agree with you if this was day 3.
How can James Hildreth hit 1500 runs on a season and have no winter work? I know he has had lean seasons and all that but most of these were very classy 1500 runs and only Voges has done better I think I heard. One of the only joys of this season was watching the man bat at his best, there are few better to watch when the Emporer is in his pomp.
Many people here also voice criticism with the 'hope I am wrong' ending and I am no exception to that. I am SOOOOOOOOO glad I was wrong in my assessment of the Boss at the start of the season. He may not be the Somerset 'Boss' next season (by no means a bad thing) but he has yet to give up that title in terms of batting. The work of Tom, Marcus, James and the other Tom I have to admit when the chips are very firmly down has been very nice to see. Some fight from Pete wasn't unwelcome either. Has Cooper done enough? Probably not but he has notched up a little more respect from me at least and probably learned a few things from his time with a bat in the South West. If he goes I hope that new experience helps him find another spot somewhere and moves his game along.
So, slightly smug today, Hope to be positively beaming by this time tomorrow and a little more optimistic about 2016 for a while after that if all things continue in this vein.

It would be great if JH managed to top score overall at the end of the season.
James Hildreth has the highest first-class aggregate this season. (I believe that Voges' runs this calendar year include runs in the winter.)
It tends to highlight how woefully we have been let down in other areas of the side over the whole season I'm afraid. However both those pieces of the correct puzzle are in place for 2016 at least.


Jove may well slog us to the final batting point anyway, IMO.
I think he'll get the job done.
They are not usually a side, IMO, that lacks for resolve but the chances of them developing end-of-seasonitis are now higher than nil.
More generally, SCCC may wish to look at allowing Jamie to bat higher than number 11 next season, IMO.
Let's hope that his reJovenation with the ball continues shortly.
Hants 3 down.. 350 is looking a long way away for them now.

Quote:Following on
Am I right in thinking that if Hampshire fail to reach 300, we are safe?
350 I think. However if they don't even make 200 they are relgated regardless.
Doesn't appear that there was much in it for Patel so may be a tall order, but I hope he can do it.
IF (& it's a big if bearing mnd there's over 2 days to go still) we finished 6th, I'd say that's a more than reasonable position when you bear in mind that we lost Compton & Kieswetter who would walk into pretty much every other side in the country bar Yorkshire.
But it's not all over yet of course, though Hants are doing their best to stop the excitement lasting 4 days....
You cannot fail to love 'em.
Well done to Jove and Leach.
Quote:AGod
Jamie will get the job done.
great shout AGod
I suppose, with the 10:30 start, it's possible that there might have been some dew that livened it up for half an hour?
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2015:09:23:14:17:14 by AGod.
Time to come out from behind the sofa ?
Grizzzly
Grizzzly
And that makes me very happy indeed.
LoL
Seventy-eight Seasons a Somerset Supporter

Cider o clock anyone?
Quote:AGod
Other than the obvious goal of survival and of wanting to actually win a CC match for the first time since the Rose Bowl, my biggest desire from this game would be to see Jack Leach end the season with a good number of wickets from this game to boost his confidence and give him something to take into his winter/next season.
Doesn't appear that there was much in it for Patel so may be a tall order, but I hope he can do it.
Great shout AGod

Quote:AGod
Why on earth elect to bat first when:
a) We haven't won a home game batting first for at least two years (and I think it's more than three full years - July 2012, I believe).
b) It's forecast to be an on and off day in between the rain, meaning that batsmen may have to stop and start repeatedly.
c) Cloud cover should, presumably, assist the bowling side today, but the forecast for the remainder of the match is much better.
Unless we think it's extremely dry and are a bit scared of batting last vs Patel on this surface, then it looks a baffling decision to me.

Having seen Jack nearly crock Cove when celebrating his first Championship wicket recently, I dread to think what he is up to this afternoon over there !
With figures of 12-6-10-5, he's has definitely earned the right to do whatever he wants !
Well done SCCC on surviving the drop. Quite a few positives to end the season on.
Now, I suppose we'd better start the debate as to whether to enforce the follow on.......
Grizzzly
Quote:AGod
Get over yourself, SP.
You know as well as I do that our track, in recent times, tends to have most life in it first up and then progressively less life as time goes on.
One doesn't need any amount of time "in the professional game," to be aware of this.
Moreover, the so-called experts are seldom good at "reading pitches," based on the notion of closely inspecting it before it starts anyway. Past experience is usually a better guide than trying to guess what a track will do based on what the track looks like. And past experience here says that - unless it's starting exceptionally dry as with the Derbyshire track from 2013 - then this track tends to be better to bat on as a match wears along, rather than the reverse.
Same is why it's so hard to win games, batting first at Taunton and why we haven't won one in that manner for age.




Quote:chunkyinargyll
Begining to look as though Marcus Trescothick and Matthew Maynard know more about cricket than AGod.
On course for 400 in 110 overs at the moment.


Quote:AGod
Not really, Chunky.
If the track gets flatter still as the game wears on, we'd still be better off batting second.
Out of interest, does Dockrell have a contract for next year? And also bearing in mind that Waller is a very good limited overs player, it certainly helps MM with deciding what type of overseas player to go for next year
Everything that I've heard seems to indicate that MM is after an overseas batsman.
But it's a huge bonus for Jack to go into his winter programme on the back of this kind of performance.
Oh dear, somebody neglected to tell either Jack or his team's own batsmen...
Quote:Grizzzly
Now, I suppose we'd better start the debate as to whether to enforce the follow on.......![]()
Grizzzly
Come on, Grizzzly, you can do better than that. Surely the debate must start at once as to how we can possibly avoid relegation next year with this lot.
As for Leach, I fail to see what he's for. He's already conceded two more runs than he scored and only taken five wickets so far.
LoL
Seventy-eight Seasons a Somerset Supporter
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2015:09:23:16:37:59 by Loyal of Lhasa.
As Hants refuse to rollover, and Yorks start to build a lead, Sussex must be beginning to feel a tad uncomfortable right now.
Grizzzly

LoL
Seventy-eight Seasons a Somerset Supporter
It would be nice for Thomas to be part of a winning side in this match against the county that thought he was not worth retaining.
LoL
Seventy-eight Seasons a Somerset Supporter
LoL
Seventy-eight Seasons a Somerset Supporter
Quote:rodders12
Never in doubt my friends as I posted yesterday !

Well after a stormy old season in more ways than one Mr R we both got what we wanted in the end.... another season to comment on that will be worth the effort 


We will win the thing next year for sure!!
Quote:Loyal of Lhasa
I've just noticed that we have scored 438 in each of our most recent innings.
It would be nice for Thomas to be part of a winning side in this match against the county that thought he was not worth retaining.
And am I right on thinking that last time wee took 100 overs and this time 100 overs and one ball?
Old Boy!
And on this highly cheerful day we can take note that in just three months from now the nights will be getting shorter and the next season will be almost upon us.
LoL
Seventy-eight Seasons a Somerset Supporter
The way to avoid Jack being involved in a 'Jos Episode' is to make sure he wants to stay not sign him up so he can't go. It's been shown many times that if a cricketer wants to go, a contract won't stop him.

Sleep content, everyone.
Can we also stop the calls for AG to eat humble pie.
He says it as he sees it, he's truly passionate about all things SCCC and adds a huge amount to this forum.
It's a night to raise a glass and celebrate....not pick on one of our own.
I wasn't aware that Cook or Root were playing today?
I suppose Warks should be grateful that Mr Bell didn't run down the wicket and yahoo Jack's first ball up in the air to mid-off as has become his wont in international cricket...
A day of delight and relief , and no longer having the need to ask how the other matches are going.
What was so good about today apart from staying in division one was the applause Alfonso got when he came out to bat, it started when he set foot on the grass and didn't stop until he reached the other batsman.
Lets get this out the way first, Alfonso Thomas getting an edge off the bowling of Rikki Clarke and was caught by Ian Bell.
At one time I thought we were not going to get our five batting points, but we did thanks to the partnership between Jamie Overton and Jack Leach, this four by Jamie brings up their fifty partnership.
Although Lewis Gregory didn't look like taking a wicket and went off the field holding his back, he did cause Ian Westwood a bit of trouble with this ball.
Ian Westwood, one of Jack Leach's five wickets, if it wasn't for the bail in the air I wouldn't have known he was bowled.
Ian Bell pulling a short ball.
Even though Alfonso Thomas must have mixed feelings playing in this match, there was no doubt in the delight on his face when he had Ian Bell out lbw.
Jack Leach was mobbed so many times after taking a wicket it looks like after Varun Chopra was caught by Jim Allenby he was trying to get away from being mobbed this time, it didn't work they caught up with him.
Freddie Coleman caught by Lewis Gregory, another one of Jack Leach's wickets.
Tim Ambrose looks like he was bowled around his legs by Jack Leach.
I do worry some times about mob rule (joke) Rikki Clarke lbw Jack Leach.
Jeetan Patel decided the best form of defence is attack by going down the pitch and hitting a six.
Apparently, according to the Radio WM crew, Warks have struggled badly with the bat since the T20 Finals. So it remains to be seen whether they will have the necessary resolve and skill to bat the match out from here.
Whilst we're all understandably delighted for Jack and relieved about dodging the drop, I do think it important that we polish this match off as we've had a number of frustrating occasions at home where we've been unable to force victory and I think our bowling unit would derive confidence for the future from a win but probably lose confidence if we don't win this from here.
Quote:Shepton Paul 2
Very pleased with today, especially as I got in the car with score about 95-1 and got out of the car with 105-6 on the board.
SP: I suspect the manufacturer has been fiddling with your car's software, for I can't believe that that collapse could really have happened.
LoL
Seventy-eight Seasons a Somerset Supporter
Sounds a bit worrying if he left the playing arena holding his back, though. Hope it's merely a niggle.
LoL
Seventy-eight Seasons a Somerset Supporter
A great day and sad I had to miss the JL show! #TauntonVettori
Most of the posts you refer to came from a regular but 'visitor' to the site.
I was suprised no-one picked him up or asked for my official stance. It was a bit over the top even though there is a bit of a case of opening yourself up to it.
Still a decent point we should take note of.


Saying it once might have been enough perhaps?
You don't like it a lot when people do it at your expense so you should be able to see the point made by others?
I simply said I was surprised not to be asked.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2015:09:24:09:25:39 by Grockle.
Back to the usual today I see. AG's batting second not looking so bad now I suspect.

Just as well we got it sorted yesterday by the looks of it !
Grizzzly


Though you are also probably right that the relief of yesterday may not have helped get the spark going today.



All looks fairly wretched otherwise.
Jack said it did not do all that much much yesterday.
I doubt it's suddenly become a bunsen.
Rather I suspect the problem is that batsmen face so little quality spin that if it's turning even a little bit (as Jack said it was yesterday) then batsmen tend to fold. And not only our batsmen.
When we did last win a FC game, was it June time?
Double it up guys. Stick the winnings on "excreble"

And unless Jack can produce more magic then we'll end the season with 3 wins vs 7 defeats.
On balance this is our worst season since 2006.
2013 was dire but at least we actively pulled ourselves out of the mire that season, courtesy of late season wins vs Middx and Surrey.
This time we've done not much more than rely on others to fail.
It's Execrable it seems

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2015:09:24:16:57:16 by Grockle.
Quote:AGod
I'm not in the habit of making up words that don't exist.
The same can't be said of some of your scenarios :-)
We seem to have finished how we started - with a collapse.
Quote:AGod
For the umpteenth time this season, the Beeb have just described our batting as 'brainless.'
We seem to have finished how we started - with a collapse.
Well, we keep asking for consistency.
I'm with the guys on the new thread re 2016 who want to see a new DOC. I just cannot see (admittedly from a remote view) what if anything has been achieved or improved by the current incumbent.
Somebody please tell me I'm wrong - and that MM has just been unlucky with signings that have not delivered - and he'll sort it through the winter.....

What was it that MM said about the team "backing off," when we were on top of teams???
Doesn't look as though that's been fixed.
I have the impression that Matthew Maynard thinks we need more combative characters on the field. When the Van Der Merwe signing was made a particular point was made about how much RvDM would add in that respect.
It may be that "naturally combative people," will be the common streak that unites the various players that Matthew Maynard will attempt to sign this winter.
He tried to sign David Willey, too, and few are more combative than Mr Willey (except maybe his dad).

have batters who have been better than MT, JH, lower down the potential of JO and CO plus Tom Abell - the potential of bowlers such as CO, JO, JACK and LG, tell me! The one thing that I admire above all else is the youngsters being brought through during MM's regime. I still think that we should have persisted with Bates (allegedly not far behind Foster and Read).
Unless it was a one-off yesterday Ronchi found it very difficult to keep to JACK, and IMO looked like a batter trying learn how to keep wicket.
Old Boy!
.
Presently there are few on their day but those others do less more often than we do and that has to stop and soon.
It's no good being good one day in 5.
It's the difference between James' averages most seasons and this season.
Big scores in small groups and small scores for most of a season gives a fairly decent overall average but does little to win matches
Consistently good scores in most games gives the same but does so much more for the overall season.


Old Boy!
If its as many as I think then the only difference between us and other counties is that our "teens" are older than theirs. I know Jos debut was one day after his 19th birthday

But whilst it is true that all teams collapse sometimes (in Warks' case this was the second time this season that they had lost five wkts for 0 runs!), but I doubt any team has lost wickets in bunches with the frequency that we have this season.
We've collapsed in almost every innings of every away game apart from Hants and Sussex and our first innings at Notts. On top of that we've collapsed at home to both Durham and Middx, in our second innings at home to Sussex and then today in our second dig vs Warks.
So I make that 10 matches this season in which we have collapsed (4 home games, and 6 away as we collapsed in our second dig at Trent Bridge). I make that 62.5% of our matches.
Generally speaking, that pretty much guarantees you a first team contract, and a first team debut the following season.
[www.middlesexccc.com]
We have heard of a season of two half's Somerset's game are all to often a match of two half's, one good and one bad.
Alfonso Thomas beating Jeetan Patel bat.
Jeetan Patel and Laurie Evans didn't look in any trouble until this ball from Jack Leach clean bowled Laurie Evens.
And the other batsman Jeetan Patel charge down the pitch off the bowling of Jack Leach and was stumped by Luke Ronchi.
Jack Leach leading the team off the field after taking 7 wicket for 106 off 40 overs.
Not the type of shot I wanted to see Marcus Trescothick play again after that excellent first innings score.
Marcus Trescothick's thick outside edge to first slip Varun Chopra bowled by Keith Barker, that started a steady flow of batsman walking back to the pavilion.
Is that a similar shot from Tom Abell? Only he never got an outside edge off the bowling of Keith Barker.
Tommy Cooper just manage to stop the ball rolling back onto his stumps, off the bowling of Jeetan Patel.
Peter Trego not playing a shot given out lbw off Jeetan Patel, I would have loved to have seen that from behind the bowlers arm, he looks a long way across.
We can still do it tomorrow, with a following wind.
But the report that Evans and Patel looked entirely untroubled is rather worrying... are we really supposed to believe that the track was flat whilst they were batting and then morphed into some raging cobra when we went into bat? It does not sound very likely?
p.s Great photos, Mike, thanks as always.
Quote:old boy!
Question! If we had been relegated this year how many of our good youngsters would not have been snapped up by other well-endowed counties with more money on offer?
Old Boy!
Answer- none!! You forget we pay high wages. Or so Nash is fond of telling us . So we pay them high wages and they finish towards the bottom of everything going . Something is wrong. You answer that?
But saying that we do have MT and JH on the payroll, and we had CK, NC and a little earlier Jos, I will be very surprised to hear at the presentation of the accounts at the next AGM in January that we had one of the top three or four wage bill for players for the current season..
Really wish Bates was 'keeping instead.
Catches win matches.
Ronchi made something like 56 in this match. But that drop cost us as many runs from Patel's bat alone (before you factor in the runs scored from the other end).
Always pick your best wk ESPECIALLY if you are expecting a spinner to play a leading part in your attack.
As usual loads of guess work
It would be a shame to end the season on a downer.
Grizzzly
Bates is simply a better gloveman so the odds are he would have done better.
We had the opportunity to finish the season a high, taking the feel good factor throughout the winter, but now leave with doom and gloom.
What we need is a 'Mr Motivator' type character to kick a few butts.
Let's hope today brings better fortune.
He has dropped so many straight forward, 'takes', not catches although I think he did drop Patel.
If that is international standard, Bates and indeed Barrow have been let down, he is no better. Both would be doing a better job IMO...Runs... Ronchi averages 24 or thereabouts in his time with Somerset...a waste of opportunity for the Somerset lads and a waste of the counties money on an expensive overseas player Done simply to 'please the crowd'.
I can see that MM wanted to strengthen the batting for obvious reasons.
But it would have made more sense to sign a batsman to replace a batsman i.e. Cooper, IMO, rather than sacrificing wicket-keeping ability. Alternatively, one could have looked at getting a decent batsman to replace one of the all-rounders that have been batting at five or six. We don't need BOTH of Allenby and Trego as bowling options, IMO, as evidenced by the fact that there have often been games where one of them has not bowled very much.
Perhaps absolutely no batsman was available and/or willing to come?
But if any were and we passed them over for Ronchi then I'm afraid that was probably another error of judgement, IMO.
Personally, I find it hard to believe that there was nobody available with superior batting ability to Ronchi, irrespective of whether or not they could keep wicket.
But, I think Messrs Maynard, Trescothick and whoever else was involved in the decision decided that:
(
(runs scored by Ronchi minus runs scored by Bates) > (runs scored by A N Other overseas minus runs scored by Cooper, or Allenby or Trego.)
But the above calculation, even if a reasonable appreciation, takes no account of the runs liable to be lost by a keeper who struggles standing up.
Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 2015:09:25:11:02:34 by AGod.
Career best for both Leach and Cooper in this match.
I imagine they'll attempt to hit their way out of this mess as soon as play resumes after lunch, or possibly even before.
Sounds like we've dried up the runs almost completely.


With hindsight, I suppose management may wish that they had picked GD or MW. Although I suppose that they would counter by saying that if we'd made more runs in our second dig then one specialist spinner should be sufficient.
Cooper's bowling in his final game has been a huge bonus!
But, regardless, Hants do deserve plenty of credit for the way they have turned their season around.
As AG said, it is very good that Jack Leach will go into the winter with a sizable haul of wickets in this match.
Quote:I suppose I shouldn't quote myself but I couldn't resist it.geordie moonraker
I think we have a good platform for a win!!!!

Well done to Tom Cooper as well.

That must have been quite the game to watch (well, maybe apart from yesterday
).
Jack will be in great spirits for the winter & hopefully will come back refreshed for next season. Don't suppose we'll be signing any overseas spinners next year !
Well done all.
Long winter ahead unfortunately !
Grizzzly
Makes you wonder how you can get where we got with the rubbish we've been providing. Then again I don't really give a toss at the moment!!
It'll be a good party tonight. Jack Leach has arrived with 11 for 180 in this game. NOW play the boy and keep him in cotton wool at the start of the season so he doesn't do something stupid OFF the cricket pitch.

He has come of age. If we can get this type of wicket at Taunton most games, and some additional batsmen to cope with it then that would be the correct recipe for winning games at HQ.
I can savour the victory for 6 months- brilliant. Bye all.!!
Great effort again today. If we could cut out the bad sessions.....
Very well done to the Cooperman and the TauntonVettori!!!!!
Should quieten the Trolls for a short while.
Many thanks to the great Alphonso for the memories. And to Tom C for his late season form with bat and ball.
If MM can secure two or three very good players for next season perhaps next year we can challenge the likes of Yorkshire.
Quote:Grockle Jack Leach has arrived with 11 for 180 in this game. NOW play the boy and keep him in cotton wool at the start of the season so he doesn't do something stupid OFF the cricket pitch.[/quote
A fine end to the season.
You never can tell with us what is about to unfold. Quite exciting really.

Quote:cricketharris
Fancy us ending up with the most batting points in the 1st Division.
If we could cut out the middle order collapses and habbit of not finishing off a side 6/7 down we'd go places. I live in hope.
Quote:Grockle
And I hope Dave can pop on later tonight after his obvious wifi issues over the last few days and tell us all about it.
Well done to Tom Cooper as well.
A fantastic 4 days of cricket that went one way and then the other right up until the end. I don't know what it is about Warwickshire but over the last 5 or 6 years at home particularly we have had some fantastic tense and exciting games against them. Fantastic bowling from Leach through the match and today Cooper (watching him bowl today you have to wonder if Cooper has been under used this season, particularly when you think about the trundling rubbish that we have had to put up with from Allenby and Trego). Nice for Alf to chip in with the big wicket of Bell in the first innings and then to get the breakthrough this morning and a great send of for him from the crowd at the end.
A couple negatives from the game another batting collapse ending the season how we started, yes the wicket turned and deteriorated but it was certainly not a 110 all out pitch. And the other negative was 6 dropped catches (2 from Allenby, 2 from Trescothick, 1 from Ronchi and 1 from Hildreth) in the first innings. These are two things that we have to improve on during the winter.
Finally I remember after the last game Grockle told me on here that there was no quick fix to the flat dead pitches that end in boring draws due to long term structural problems. Well the fix is prepare wickets like that as that wicket contributed to a excellent 4 days of cricket and if we play on wickets like that more often at home then we will win more games and as a result finish higher up the table.
I hope that this post is sufficient for you Grockle.
You were at Sussex (it was mentioned elsewhere)? or were you at Taunton. Just checking on whether you saw the 'catches' that were dropped. It does seem to be something you look at a lot but we have discussed your definition of a 'chance' before and found sometimes what you classify as a drop is not actually seen by many others. If you were at Sussex that goes double I suppose.
I did say there were no quick fixes to flat slow pitches. I did not however agree that Taunton suffered from that to the degree that you and others seems to think and referred people to the 8 year thread debating this issue where my views are expressed along with others so please don't take my comments out of context and look to score some kind of point with it on a good day.
Good to see you found something positive to say. Nice to see you got it in before the end of the fourth day. Hasn't been such a problem for you on the bad days... more to say I suppose,
Nevertheless... progress... something for you to work on in the winter perhaps. A better balance between ball and bat on the pitch and a better balance between damning criticism and decent praise off it
Edited after post below because I found a little more to say.

Edited 4 time(s). Last edit at 2015:09:25:18:08:25 by Grockle.
Well done to Jack, and Tom Cooper, and the enthusiasm from the rest of the squad today, lets see plenty of that next year.
Would have been nice to see more spectators in the ground, but there you go.
Fantastic response to Botham's posting of this morning 6.49, and AGod has not posted for 5 hours, he must be in shock at todays win.
When I posted my photos yesterday I did say 'We can still do it tomorrow, with a following wind' well we didn't need the wind only two spinners.
What a way to end the season on a high.
Freddie Coleman was stumped Luke Ronchi bowled Tommy Cooper, you can see the batsman foot was not grounded.
You can see the disappointment Ian Bell showed when bowled by Tommy Cooper.
Keith Barker is a big hitter, but you always feel he would give you a chance of getting him out.
Here he is winding up to hit a six.
I told you so (smile) Keith Barker stumped Luke Ronchi bowled Jack Leach.
A big celebration when the final wicket was taken of Oliver Hannon-Dalby caught Tommy Cooper bowled Jack Leach, not out batsman Mark Adair in the foreground.
Alfonso Thomas leaving the field for the last time, it almost look like he was looking towards Tractor.
The final scoreboard of the match (and season) I wonder if some people's views on Tommy Cooper has changed?
Guy Lavender and Matt Maynard gave the players and staff an end of season talk,
That's all the cricket photo for this season, I will try and keep you informed with photos with any happenings at the ground during the winter, starting with the Installation of the drainage system.
Vic Marks? Brian Langford?
Sign him up!
Yes the player has to PUT IT DOWN. Not fail to reach it or have it bounce in front of them or other aspects. I think you get the concept of a 'chance' wrong occasionally but you do use them as reasons for players being poor even though you don't seem to go looking for them.
Really? You were there all four days, yet no comments on the game until today? Not your usual at Taunton.... but the side was doing well for some of that I suppose.
Anyway your greatest fears weren't realised so you must be happier. Enjoy the bleak midwinter Dave and hopefully there'll be a better summer next year when you will have much more to say on a positive vein or less to say... whichever you choose.
Edited to point out definition in first paragraph.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2015:09:25:20:02:15 by Grockle.
As for the drops Trescothick dropped 2 at short leg (I don't know why he puts himself in there) Allenby dropped 2 at slip, Ronchi dropped 1 standing up to Leach and Hildreth dropped a skyer at deep mid on but if you had a better view than me that suggests that they were not dropped catches then fair enough.
He puts himself there because he catches there - have you a record of how many he has held... I think someone did give you the details a couple of games ago.
Have you never seen a catch dropped at slip before this game Dave? Did Allenby hit any boundaries? Did he go past the bat? Did he field well other wise? Hildreth did he make any runs in this game?
You see the problem is you only tell us what the players didn't do well. The contribution of a player to a game can be very good but you'll tell us how many things you identified as chances were put down or other things they didn't do - and only that mostly..
I don't care when you post but I'll bet you if I went back I could tell you about all the time you posted on bad days... I'd struggle to balance that out with good day posts.
Even though there were less of them I could almost guarantee that the percentage of days when you posted positive aspects in relation to good performances was significantly less and probably not in anyway positive but rather grudging in their praise if praise at all
The makes your contribution to this site so much less relevant' But that is your issue rather than ours.
People who want a balanced debate don't go to your posts to find it. It simply isn't there. And eventually your posts go un-noticed because they are irrelevant due to their negative bias.
Work on it, don't work on it. I'd hope to be surprised... others here have learned the lesson. No one is asking for only one side be it light or dark. For most of us yours is a pointless exercise but if it keeps you off the streets you tell us the worst.

Please stop poking and prodding Dave.
He hasn't said anything out of order.
If I get bored I might start poking and prodding you for my own amusement.
I can simply choose not to reply and you can poke and prod yourself to your hearts content.
I'm prodding no-one I have an opinion and I am expressing it to another poster. If he wishes to reply I have that same right as you do. He isn't crying as far as I know and is quite capable of fighting his own battles without your interference.
I think I've said all I need to say anyway, To Dave and certainly to you. But I reserve the right to reply to anything else you want to prod my way.... if I feel like it.

The next ten overs were the best cricket I've seen for ages , yes even better than last Saturday 😉 and even better for being unexpected. Great to be there for such a great victory, to see some good spin bowling (always more interesting than pace) and to witness Alfonso's last moments as a Somerset player - he definitely had a smirk at something Tractor shouted near the end. A few small observations based on the ten overs I saw, when pretty much every ball was four, six or out:
- Ronchi looked perfectly good against both spinners - the stumping were straightforward, but anyone can panic in the moment.
- there were no visible signs of regret at not picking GD or MW.
- dropped catches are never good and do stick in the memory. However, we rarely get comment on particularly good ones. Gregory's to dismiss Ambrose was apparently excellent, before I showed up, while Cooper's to win the game was very low, diving forward, never easy.
- Alfie led the team off, clearly emotional, while Tres and others applauded the spectators as they followed him.
Loved it, a real bonus to be there for half an hour or so.
Edited due to idiotic spellcheck.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2015:09:25:21:52:42 by Shepton Paul 2.
The only snag is that as we can't win the CC from Div 2 and as I am not allowed to die before we win it I am now at greater risk of dying in a year from now than it looked quite recently.
LoL
Seventy-eight Seasons a Somerset Supporter
Mind you life wouldn't be worth living then anyway.
Many thanks for all your splendid photos this summer - and for the witty captions. I am already looking forward to seeing you next summer.
LoL
Seventy-eight Seasons a Somerset Supporter
Quote:Grockle
......It'll be a good party tonight. Jack Leach has arrived with 11 for 180 in this game. NOW play the boy and keep him in cotton wool at the start of the season so he doesn't do something stupid OFF the cricket pitch.
Not sure if 'something stupid,' was somehow meant to allude to the previous incident, but it wasn't remotely 'stupid,' the guy simply fainted in his bathroom due to it being really hot in his flat - or at least that's my understanding.
He's not going to be in cotton wool over the winter because he's going to be playing Down Under - in Western Australia, I believe.
Quote edited... and as I'm here. No it wasn't meant to "allude" to anything except he seems accident prone (the faint was the second event) and cotton wool is available in Western Australia and he only has to be in it when OFF the pitch.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2015:09:26:05:44:55 by Grockle.
Quote:cricketjerry-mouse
Who was the last off-spinner before Tom Cooper to win a match for Somerset by taking five top-order wickets on the last day of a match?
Vic Marks? Brian Langford?
Sign him up!
Harvey Trump took 7-52 in each innings of a game vs Gloucestershire. I think it may have been at Cheltenham. I don't recall the exact distribution of wickets but if you are taking 14 in the match, there must be a very high chance that a large number of top-order wickets were involved in at least one of the innings.
Why should a team receive more money for being the 10th best team in the country than teams finishing 5th, 6th and 7th in the land?
The collapses will be greatly addressed by having a stable top 4 and an overseas batsman. Squad depth and a rejigging of the order especially 5 and 6 could completely alter the way we perceive the batting line-up. And we are far from the only team to collapse. Twice in 2 matches warks have lost 5 wickets for 0 runs. Even in their second innings they lost several in a row and damningly (with the best will in the world) to our part time spinner. Dougie Brown was seriously miffed about that in interview. Its so easy to be fixated by Somerset, but Notts lost at home to Hants, Middlesex were trounced by Worcs Warks lost 3 and drew 2 of their last 5, and Durham had a nightmare second half of the season.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2015:09:26:04:33:18 by ChenorTom.
From experience on this site. If a poster simply criticises all the time, even in times of decent play then their posts become irrelevant because people read the first couple of lines and then move on.
Sometimes the debates are worth having but they don't come from purely negative posts but from your kind of posting style because the constant critic a) can't get out of the blinkers and find themselves looking almost constantly for something bad to talk about and b) they marginalise themselves on site.
As I say some have realised the folly of one sided posting. Some never will I'm sorry to say.


"Some days you eat the Bear and some days the Bear eats you"

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2015:09:26:08:46:53 by Grockle.
Quote:ChenorTom
....... And we are far from the only team to collapse......
Well said CT. I believe overall we have been as well as most and better than some. Its a game called CRICKET!
Old Boy!
I thoroughly subscribe to your comments about balance in postings. This site has been the poorer this season for all the very negative postings and I , and I am sure , others have switched off to some subscribers and wish there was Hide button!
Thanks for your work on this site this season, to Mike the Lens and to positive posters like Lol, Wickham et al. Winter well all!
Today is a thank you and goodbye day on Twitter for many nice people to say things directly to many other nice people or talk about third party nice people.
I will make my usual apology. I get frustrated, I say the wrong thing, I wind people up. Apologies to those third parties who have suffered in silence while those little excerpts have gone on.
Thank you very much this year FOR suffering in silence. The amount of criticism of each other's little foibles of style has been significantly lower this year and whole threads have not been hijacked by people complaining about their own sensibilities.
The almost total lack of official complaints seems to confirm my assertion that if you leave people alone they will find their own way out of these things without it blowing up into a site wide free for all.
I don't apologise for LoL's definition of my style as 'combative'. It is the nature of this place as is Mike's style, )AG's style. Rodders style, Goonie's style, LoL's style, Shepton's, Sloops, Wickhams, Georgie's, WSM's, Dave's, brt's, Rob.s, Old Boy!, Clarence's and many many more (sorry if I didn't get your specific monicker down but you know who you are.
You don't have to like them but you may very well have to talk to them and the blood may boil and the keyboard may tap loudly and the reference sites may be hit for detail and you may or may not count to ten before you hit enter.
However, we float through the year, we debate the things that need debating, we inform each other and we fail marvellously to solve the question "What is the state of Somerset cricket?" to any satisfactory level while loads of readers pop on and off to see what is being said in silent appreciation.
Those who winter elsewhere be safe... those who stay we'll be continuing through the dark winter months with some insights hopefully into the England tour of "Pakistan" (globally known as the UAE) and maybe even the glory of Oman in T20 India. Any other articles for frontpages gratefully received by me.
See you all clutching your shiney new membership cards next wet and windy April for another ride on the Somerset Rollercoaster.

Quote:Grockle
I will make my usual apology. I get frustrated, I say the wrong thing, I wind people up. Apologies to those third parties who have suffered in silence while those little excerpts have gone on.

Pop by anytime

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2015:09:26:09:53:02 by Grockle.

Well said Sir!! I've always I thought you WERE human!
Old Boy!



