Metrobank Semi - A little Fox Hunting or Hunt Sabotage?
By Grockle
August 18 2024
The same side as Middlesex faces the high scoring Foxes. Kasey and James Rew are back and the sun is out. Let's see how this one goes today. Have a good day however you are cnsuming this one. We'll update as the day unfolds. Farmer has also put together a report on this game so if you want to check that out it is on his website www.farmerwhite.co.uk. I'll put a link into the frontpage as well.
Metrobank Cup Semi v Leicestershire @ Taunton Sunday 18 August 2024
The side is tyhe same as the one that turned out at Lord's last weekend with the return on both Rew and Aldridge to the frontline. The side is;
Umeed, Thomas G, Goldsworthy (veteran of both sides :-), Rew, Dickson, Vaughan, Green (also veteran), Davey, Leach, Aldridge, Meredith
Alfie Ogborne was on the list instead of Kasey but it seems they were a little concerned with the Foxes scoring rate and thought they might need his batting skills as well. Depends which one turns up whether that will be a net gain. The opposition have won the toss and will bowl first.
Somerset have sold over 3000 tickets for this game and that does not include any that Leicestershire sold so it will be a decent crowd one hopes
Ian Holland opens from the MT to George Thomas and he does his job with a maiden. Chris Wright takes the new ball from the River end and Umeed gets off the mark and then Thomas follows suit and its 3 for 0 after the first 2. This is a tight start from the opposition and we are in a game today as Holland only gives away a single in the third.
Umeed opens up on a rare loose ball to score the first boundary to the Caddyshack in the next Wright over and we move into double figures as a last ball streaky four takes us to 16 with most of the runs from the 'number 1' bat.
Holland is asking questions of George and the answers aren't all good though he is working hard to deal with a decent new ball attack this morning and with 5 goen we have 18 on the board. The crowd is smaller than expected given that the club had sold 3,372 tickets locally as of yesterday Saturday (not including Leicestershire buyers it seems). There are certainly not that number presently.
As we finish 10 overs the opening pair of bowlers have done a decent job in holding the opening pair of bats. Both our guys are on the same score of 18 until Umeed guides the last ball of the first 'Powerplay' through the infield for a single. 42 for 0 after 10 with good fielding and bowling keeping the score in check.
Tom Scriven comes on for the 12th from the River end with Somerset still shy of 50 by 6 runs. We are still 1 run short afterwards. Roman Walker takes over at the MT for this one. 49 bowls with the score on 49. Thomas drives his first for a straigh boundary and the 50 partnership arrives at 53 off 73 balls with both bats on 24.
As we move past 15 with Scriven taking the next from the River end the score moves into the 60s with the Leicestershire 'press' still in fine form but a couple of openers working hard to keep the score moving. It will be a task to get a defendable score agianst this very good bowling attack and then keep the also excellent batting ordser in check when we get the ball in hand. 67 for 0 at he end of the 16th
Liam Trevaskis is introduced from the MT end for the 18th. George Thomas fires 2 boundaries from Scriven's next over as Somerset target 3 firgures and the younger bat sets his sights on a 50 as his side moves into the 90s. He doesn't get there as he misses a straight one and is out LBW to Scriven's last ball and it's 91 for 1. In comes Lewis Goldsworthy to a load of people he knows!!
The 100 arrives at the end of the 21st. Walker moves to the MT with 108 on the board and Umeed takes a very rapid 2 to move him to 49. He then takes the single for his 50 from 69 balls and 3 fours but it takes the score to NELSON for 1!! Thank God we're past that to 112. That is Andy's 10th 50 in his last 14 innings - not a bad completion rate really. At the half way stage Somerset are at 113 for 1 - not enough for a competitive score but we have 9 wickets in hand for the second half of the innings. Most people are saying we need south of 300 today to be in with a shout. It feels that way to be honest.
Umeed goes for broke off Walker's first ball of the 27th at 120 but he doesn't get all of it and Holland takes a tumbling catch on the boundary to dimiss the Somerset man for 57. In comes James Rew. He is immediately off the mark and we look to start again with Lewis on 10 and a long way to go.
With the end of the 30th over from Louis Kimber Somerset have reached 135 for 2 with Rew on 12 and Goldsworthy one better at 13. It is not fast enough but there are 20 overs left to sort that if we can. Lewis looks to be trying to do that but there is good outfielding by the Foxes and the opinion is that the ball is not coming on at all presently. He moves on to 24 after the 32nd as his side (for today) looks at the 150 mark coming up. He certainly gives the impression of a 'man on a mission' today as he looks for the gaps and sprints between the wickets trying to turn ones into twos. The 150 arrives from a well struck boundary from the man to the Ondaatje stand. 155 for 2 after 33 with the bulk coming from LG.
Holland returns at the River for over 34. But it is in the 35th from Wright that Goldsworthy hits the first six of the innings straight into the MT to bring up the 50 partnership (51 balls and mostly from Lewis Jr) between hims and James as they move to 170 for 3.
As we move into the last 15 with Golders on 40 and Rew into the 20s we could do with a 10 an over run in. But 200 is the first objective without losing any more wickets. Scriven returns at the MT to try and change that plan and we all start worrying as Rew starts reverse sweeping not a good sign in his last few innings. Lewis goes to 50 from 52 balls with 3 fours and a six at 193 for 2 and he is going for 'it' whatever 'it' is. Well played sir!!
A Rew over the top four brings up the 199 and a single straigh after it takes us to 200 in the 39th over. Trevaskis and slow stuff comes back for the 40th and he is greeted by our keeper moving into the 40s courtesy of a driven four. He then reverse sweeps him for another (ahhhhhhhh!!) He hooks one to the Ondaatje for a 44 ball 7 four 50 at 213 for 2 in the 40th. We finish the over on 215 with 10 overs to go and our target has to be to add 100 to that in the last bit.
The 100 partnership arrives at 220 for 2 from 88 balls in the 41st over. After which Lewis puts a second six into the Botham stand. Lewis is going for it as he moves us to 250 in the 43rd and moves himself to 66 with Rew outscoring him for the first time. James finally dies to a very very good catch on the Caddy boundary Kimber for a very good 71 off 57 at 251 off the bowling of Wright. In comes Sean Dickson
Lewis goes for six number 3 to the Caddy and gets it in the 45th to move Somerset to 265 off Holland. He goes again in the same over to the same place 2 balls later to move to 86 himself and the over ends at 271 for 3 with 5 overs remaining. That 300 target looks likely but it's not there yet though it won't be from a lack of Lewis trying as he moves to 95 in the 46th. He almost goes to a heroic attempt at a diving catch from Kimber that saves the boundary. He moves to 98 as his skopper gets in the six act with one into the MT car park followed by a four to move his side to 298 with 3 to go.
Walker is back on at the River end as the last two overs went for 31. Lewis goes to a superb 100 with 4 fours and 5 sixes in an 79 ball knock he seemed to be determined to get from ball 1. 301 for 3 and it's thanks to the small man at one end. The 50 partnership comes up off 23 at 303 but Dickson goes from the next ball caught in the deep for 18 off 9 by Handscomb off the bowling of Walker. The other 'Leicestershire' guy comes in to partner Lewis as we send in Ben Green with 14 balls to go.
304 with 12 balls to go. When has it ever happened before that 2 bats have had partnerships for two counties in the same season? At the end of the 49th it is 315 and Lewis is 1 run from his career best List A score which he passes with a boundary with 4 balls left in the innings.
Green uses his long levers to send the ball for six with 3 balls to go and follows that with a four to move the county to 331. The last ball goes for a well run 3 and we finish with 334 - not a score expected at the halfway point. The Foxes need 335 to win. Lewis finishes with 106 from 86 and has set this semi alight.
Well they played him into form and hopefully that has put us in the driving seat. Can we defend this and will Lewis' bowling also help us.
The Reply
Holland faces Davey from the MT at the start of the reply. A good start is essential for what many seem to believe is a 'par' score here even though it is the highest we have ever scored in a List A game against Leicestershire. Both he and Budinger get off the mark the second with the first boundary to the Caddyshack. It is 5 for 0 after 1.
Riley opens from the River to Holland - a significant opening spell from him would help the cause no end. After 3 the score has moved to 16 for no loss. After the first 5 overs the Maths people will tell you that the Foxes are on target to win this with loose legside balls from both openers going for boundaries when they needed to be tight. The score of 32 for 0 is pretty much where they need to be after 10% of the overs have been bowled. Riley has gone for 26 off 3 as they move to 43 from 6. It is not a promising start unfortunately
There's a conversation about the bowler of the 8th and Riley puts his cap back on and the ball goes to Ben Green at 47 for 0. The 50 arrives in the over a parternship from 46 balls which does not bode well. Ben goes for 6.
Josh continues from the MT and tempts Budinger to go high and handsome. But it's not far enough and he is caught by Archie Vaughan on the Somerset stand boundary for 33 at 54 for 1. "Things is looking up" - for a while anyway. In comes Lewis Hill and Josh goes for no more. Then a piece of mystifying strategy as they return the ball to Riley for the 10th over from the same end- so why did they use Ben for 1? Has he had a rethink or is this Sean's idea of 'variation'? Makes little sense to most of us. 54 for 0 as he takes the ball. It's 56 for 1 after so...maybe he has had a reality check?
On comes Jack Leach at an important point in the game for the 12th at 61 for 1. If Jack goes then we will lose this. It seems to be in the hands of the spinners so he needs to be effective and then be supported by Vaughan (big ask for the young man) and the keen and eager Goldsworthy. 66 for 1 at the end and another change with Ben replacing Josh at the other end. This is the time for an early 'press' with some wickets thrown in for good measure.
At 15 overs the rate has slowed and the visitors are on 82 for 1 with Holland on 27 and Hill on 16. The foxes move to 95 before Hill top edges one from Green and is caught by George Thomas who looked like he had misjudged it but leapt forward to take the catch 96 for 2 and the danger man arrives in Ajinka Rahane with a game set for him to take it if we don't work to get rid of him.
Kasey enters the fray at the same time for the 18th and nearly has Holland with his second ball which bounces over the stumps as the bat tries to drop down on it. A good first over by the Lion and we hold them at 97 for 2 .
The 100 arrives in Ben Green's next over (19th) just before Golden Arm takes out Holland with an absolute beauty at 101 for 3. In comes Handscombe to create the partnership we need to see the back of. After 20 overs it's 103 for 3 and Aldridge has bowled 2 overs for 2 runs.
Rahane takes on the Ben Green short ball fetching a ball he didn't need to chase straight to the Caddyshack boundary and into the hands of sub fielder Ned Leonard. Big wicket for Somerset at 106 as the big hitter goes for his shirt number 3. In comes Cox to join in the fun as Jack changes ends for the 23rd with 113 on the board.
25 overs down and the visitors are 126 for 4 when Somerset were 113 for 1. More runs scored but more wickets down... it's a 'Game On' situation one might suggest. They need 209 at 8.4 an over to win this. They are perfectly capable of doing that. We need 6 wickets and we are equally capable of that on our good days.
Kasey has bowled an excellent first 5 overs for a mere 11 runs and he is now joined by George Thomas who has been given the ball for the 27th at the MT end and he nearly gets a run out as Jack hits the stumps with Cox just in his ground at the non striker's end. A dcecent first over goes for 5 and the Foxes move on to 133 for 4 after 27.
This partnership starts to move a bit as the 150 comes up in the 29th and Handscombe moves into the 30s. So Somerset give Kasey a breather and bring back Riley Meredith for the 30th. We need a wicket please Mr M. So we turn to Lewis Goldsworthy for the first time at 159 for 4 with 20 overs to go. He is tight until a four ball at the end of it 165 for 4. At the other end another loose four ball plus a single is the addition to take them to 170.
Handscombe reaches a dangerous 50 from 42 balls in the 34th and the ball keeps going to the boundary as they move towards 200. Meredith has gone for 46 from his 7 - the short balls have gone to the boundary too often. 198 for 4 after 34 meaning there are 16 overs left and the visitors need 137 to beat us to Nottingham in September.
Ben Green is re-introduced from the MT and Handscombe puts him past the Caddyshack to move the Leicestershire score past 200. The 100 partnership arrives from 82 balls with the next single and this all looks ominous to those who saw the Derbyshire game here. Oooooeeerrr!!
They then bring Josh back from the River with 15 to go and 128 needed. By the 38th he has gone for 38 and Kasey is brought back to partner him at the MT. Somerset need a wicket to feel less pressurised with Coxx moving towards a 50 and Handscombe in the 70s. This game is still in the balance with Glkamorgan looking th likely opponents in the final.
With 10 overs to go Leicestershire need 99 runs. This is with the Foxes to lose from here. You'd put the ball in the batting side's hands with that score. Somerset have to take wickets or this one is a done deal with about 2 overs to spare. Aldridge who has bowled well sees the importance and gets Cox to snick one behind for 49 off 55 with the second ball of the 41st. The home side needed that one badly. 237 for 5 with Kimber the next man in. Kasey has deserved that one this afternoon, he has bowled so much better in this game. He finishes his 8th with 1 for 27 and nearly gets a wicket with his last ball. 240 for 5 with 9 to go.
Jack returns at the River to try and tie them down for an over or so. He goes one better as Kimber tries to hit the leather off the ball and puts it straight down Kasey's throat in front of the floodlight near the Botham. 240 for 6 brings Trevaskis out with Handscombe on 85 and running out of partners to find the 95 runs his side need to win this. 244 after the 42nd and Kasey continues with the 43rd.
Kasey gets Trevaskis to top edge and waves everyone else away to take the catch himself after running square to pouch it. 245 for 7 and Scriven comes to the crease with 90 needed. 247 for 7 at the end and 87 needed from 7. There is a discussion at the River and it seems it has been decided to bring Riley back. He does need to earn his wages now!!
The 250 arrives from the second ball as Handscombe drives on in the air just past Dickson for four. It also takes the Foxes past 250 to 254. Riley is not doing it in this game and they have moved to 260 after this over as the Overseas keeps going for 7 and over. We will continue to bowl him though because we don't seem to learn that there are days when it doesn't work. Kasey will bowl out at the MT ands his first ball gives Handscombe the four he needed for a very good 100 to keep his side's interest in this game. While he is there the result is in considerable doubt. An excellent spell from the Lion sees his 10 overs with 1 maiden and 2 for 41. A good day from him. Definitely his best one day performance of 2024 and possibly the best spell of accuracy from him since the Kent 4 dayer right at the start of the season. But this game is not over yet. Leicestershire need 65 from 5 overs and they only really need one high scoring over. Somerset need tight sparing overs to push the scoreboard pressure up. Is Riley up to this?
277 for 7 means they need 58 from 4 as Ben Green returns for the 47 from the MT. This could go one of two ways as he has taken wickets as well as gone for bucketloads at this time in games this year. He nearly gets a wicket from the last ball as Scriven wafts at it and is cuaght but the umpire calls it a no for something - height? Not sure. Unfortunately that is costly as the next ball goes for 6 so it is 289 for 7 with 3 to go and the visitors need 46.
Josh takes the 48th and goes for four off the first as the score moves towards 300. But Handscombe 'hoicks' one to the safe hands of Andy Umeed and goes for 111 off Davey at 293 for 8. The wicket they wanted but is it enough? 298 for 8 with 37 needed from 2 overs. Josh finishes with 2 for 54 from his allocation.
Ben takes the penultimate one against Walker and Scriven who bring up the 300 from the second ball. He bowls out with 3 for 63 and Leicestershire need 31 from 6 balls.
Riley is to bowl the last one. Ball 1 Scriven on strike 2 runs. Ball 2 dot. Ball 3 single. Ball 4 GT misses the catch and then kicks it for four. Ball 5 fast yorker takes out Walker for 12. Out comes Wright needing 24 from 1 ball. Ball 6 is a single and we win by 23 runs!! We are in the Final!!
The Bats did that one plus excellent spells from Kasey and Jack and wickets from Ben Green but the performance of the game was Lewis Goldsworthy!!
The excitement got the better of him and Farmer has also penned his view of this game so you can also find that here
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Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 2024:08:22:12:54:33 by Grockle.
2 excellent 50 over games overshadowed the franchise evening stuff and we have a big crowd & LEICESTERSHIRE on Sunday. The other attempt to take away the best 50 over players by calling a Lions game at the same time also hasn't worked too well as they'll get past Sri Lanka today so both Kasey and Janes will be available for selection tomorrow
#wearesomerset and despite the 'best' efforts of our own national governing body we are still competing for ALL the relevant titles in 2024
#MetrobankFever
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2024:08:17:21:32:28 by Grockle.
Sean Dickson (c), George Thomas, Andy Umeed, Lewis Goldsworthy, James Rew, Josh Thomas, Archie Vaughan, Ben Green, Kasey Aldridge, Josh Davey, Alfie Ogborne, Ned Leonard, Jack Leach, Riley Meredith and Charlie Cassell.
[somersetcountycc.co.uk]
Farmer
He was replaced by 39-year-old pace bowler Chris Wright, but it will be interesting to see what they do tomorrow as Holland has been both opening the bowling and the batting in Leicestershire`s Metro Bank Cup campaign.
The crowd is 'staggered' presently but that is always the way until about 10:45... no big queues at the Jack White entrances as of yesterday the tickets sold was 3.372 and that doesn't include any Fox fans it seems.
Main comments if any on the game while in progress here please. Thanks
Pity that visitors seem to have got their kit muddled with that of another side...
LoL
Seventy-eight Seasons a Somerset Supporter
An ill timed family get together meant I had to leave after six overs of the Leics. response, but having previously been heavily critical of Kasey for bowling too short, it was a real pleasure to see that he did so well today.
The size of the crowd was disappointing, but in no way detracts from a superb performance, as many of our ODC games have been this year.
Hope we can wrap it up on 22nd September. And wrap up Lewis’s contract renewal meantime.
Grizzers
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2024:08:19:07:54:52 by AGod.
It is heartening to see how much our young players - including those such as Ogborne, Thomas and Leonard who didn’t play yesterday - have come on over the past twelve months. Once again, we beat a team which had a nucleus of very experienced players. And we won by playing very good cricket. Getting to the final is an absolute triumph, given how many of our players we lost to the 100.
Somerset would bat slowly at the start to keep their wickets intact until the last ten overs, then hit-out to get a good total.
It worked most of the time, not always.
The press guys from tge Midlands were very cimplimentary of both Lewis Jr and Greener as professionals and people.
Taking photos didn't last to the end of the match.
Ian Holland bowled by Ben Green.
George Thomas lbw Tom Scriven
this was a wide ball, I included it because it was a good stop by James Rew.
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George Thomas playing good shots, this was 4 runs.
Andy Umeed bring up his 50 runs.
After a good innings James Rew was caught by Louis Kimber bowled by Chris Wright.
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Lewis Goldsworthy hitting 6 runs.
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James Rew hitting 4 runs.
On to the final.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2024:08:19:11:48:52 by Mike TA1.
But there a host of favourable comments also about both the Somerset team and The County Ground - "a really good place to watch cricket. They get so many things right down there."
And throw in for good measure, identical views to ours` about the ECB and the Hundred - "if it wasn`t for the BBC, the Hundred would be dead on its a**e already."
I agree with all that has been said about the game - one of the best I've seen - and the two teams. I noted that both centurions were applauded by the opposition players which is not always the case these days.
I thought we deserved the win, but I wasn't quite so impressed with the bowling as some. The tactic of banging the ball in half way down the pitch allowing the batter to belt it to the boundary didn't seem to be overly sensible and lasted too long. Meredith came in for a fair bit of criticism from those around me as he seemed to be the worst culprit. I thought the opening Leicester bowlers showed admirable control and our opening pair did well to keep them at bay.
I'm not sure how many Leicestershire supporters made it to the game. Well done to any who did make it given they had only two days notice of the match. Well done, too, to SCCC for putting arrangements in place with only 4 days notice! Ludicrous scheduling, but then you knew that.
As an aside, I sat near a couple who came along thinking Somerset were playing Hertfordshire. This led to a rather confusing start to our conversation, but they eventually accepted that Leicestershire were the opposition and much enjoyed the game anyway. This said volumes to me for the way the 50 over game now is advertised - ie not much!
[farmerwhite.co.uk]
Farmer
I need not have wondered at all. Now that Mr Farmer has posted it, the report, just like the match itself, does not disappoint.
It may also be worth pointing out the impact that such a remarkable match can have on other people. I was sitting a few seats away, and within earshot, of a husband and wife. Their initial conversation upon arrival at their seats was to voice concern and worry about being bored during the long afternoon, they ended the match utterly enthralled and were speaking enthusiastically about becoming members next season!
Farmer
I have my train tickets, going Saturday, coming back Monday that cost a total of £42 with my senior railcard. Result!
Many thanks for all the work you put into your reports.
And now for some even better news. It is reported that an ancient ocean of Magnum has been found close to the Moon's South Pole. I am expecting Farmer and Bobstan to pass some of that to me...
LoL
Seventy-eight Seasons a Somerset Supporter
It was a fine match and a great advert for the 50 over format.
LoL, I posted the link to my report on the Leicestershire fans forum yesterday. As to the magnum, it is ready for you to collect. From the Moon's south pole.
Farmer
Much to be optimistic about at present at Somerset as far as any real cricket lovers can be hopeful with the game having so many enemies within. Do people think the new Chief Exec has had a positive influence down through the cricket too?
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2024:08:22:10:31:21 by Des Platt.