A front line bowler recovering from a back injury, a third change all rounder partnering him taking the new ball, young Overton C debuting at first change and the all rounders completing the seam attack. That is what we find ourselves putting out with George Dockrell on spin duty against the 2011 CC1 champions. Marcus is out so Lewis is also makeshift opener. The weather suggests a shortened game... possibly a good thing from our point of view
With Steve Kirby, Adam Dibble and Gemaal Hussain unfit for bowling duty the weight of carrying the attack falls heavily n the shoulders of the hero of Trent Bridge - Peter Trego - and the returning (but possibly only 75% ready) Vernon Philander. Marcus Trescothick is also on the surgeon's table as the game starts to have his ankle sorted finally so Lewis Gregory will be asked to fill take two roles; opening with Arul AND bowling as part of the seam attack. It doesn't look all that healthy and we have to all hope it doesn't become a nightmare on an April Taunton pitch. It does however give a very early first clas debut to one of the Overton twins as the third Craig (Overton) joins the ranks. James Hildreth will take over the captaincy.
Lancashire batted first and lost Horton to Philander not offering a shot to ball 5. Trigger also looked on line and length at the beginning of the day. Overton found life hard at first losing 4 off his first two Championship deliveries and pitching a little short as he and Meschede took over change bowling duties. Moore and Brown took the Lankies to a boundary from 3 figures before Brown was LBW to Gregory's first ball at 97 before lunch.
Straight after lunch and an interesting BBC interview with Guy Lavender who set a few minds at rest about certain aspects of Somerset's plans for the future;
The club are looking to put in place capacty improvements to allow 15,000 spectators to watch at Taunton and open up the possibilities of one day or T20 international games on the ground. This may not necessarily be permanent seating but a capacity that can be achieved for certain games.
The Chief Exec categorically stated that the club had no intention of taking financial risks to obtain international fixtures as other clubs seem to have done.
The club is still hopeful that Chris Gayle will be available for the T20 campaign.
Meanwhile on the the pitch Peter Trego waved goodbye to Mr Moores with his first second session delivery, an LBW we needed. It could have been an even better start had James held on to a low slip chance from Ashwell Prince when he was on 7 but that was not to be and heralded a change in the game as Prince and Croft went after the bowling, especially that of George pressed into service on a non turning pitch because of the lack of penetration from the second level seam attack. By the end of the session the visitors were well ensconced at the crease and even though Overton took Prince as his first Championship scalp courtesy of a good Nick Compton catch at mid wicket, we are facing a Lancashire side with over 350 to their name and only 4 wickets down on the second day.
Not a great start to this game and Rose is already saying the club are looking quickly into the loan situation until our bowling resources start to come back on stream. Hussain will bowl for the seconds in their next game Dibble is some way off fit and I'm presently not sure of the situation regardingh Kirby but the weather could probably give us a hand to avoid a defeat in this game even though one would expect the in form batting to be an equal match to thet of the men from the red rose county. The forecast is not brilliant but it did predict no play at all on Day 1 and we had a full day with Lancashire at 363 for 4 at stumps
Short against Lanks CC1
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Date: 27/04/2012 08:13
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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2012:05:03:06:46:22 by Grockle.
I suggest nobody looks at Grockles weather link, if you do you will see we have had 31mm (what ever that is in English) of rain in Taunton in the last twenty four hours.
NW5Somerset Kirby out for 4 weeks, one of the Overton's will play.
Sorry if old news.
No it is not, I was going to post this anyway.
Twins Jamie and Craig Overton have been named in a Somerset squad of 12 for the LV County Championship match with Lancashire at Taunton, starting on Thursday.
Their inclusion follows news that Steve Kirby has joined Marcus Trescothick on the long-term injury list. The experienced pace bowler is likely to be out for at least four weeks with a torn quad muscle. [www.somersetcountycc.co.uk]
Steve wasn't expecting that when I spoke to him yesterday before he had his scan.
I think that, philosophically, we've "done a Barcelona."
Barcelona often have a subs' bench that looks less good than those of several other major European sides. But, on most days, their first XI is better than anyone else's and they have invested very heavily in it.
I get the impression that SCCC have followed that same sort of policy. The presence of predatory counties such as Surrey and Warks has, I imagine, pushed up the price of the new contracts that have been meted out to guys like Kieswetter and Buttler.
I'd be interested to know if we still have one of the highest wage bills in the country (I assume the answer is probably still yes?) despite what may be one of the smaller professional squads?
Ronniesabre It will be a young team we put out then!!! Need Hussain to get fit shortly for the games v Durham and Surrey.
By my reckoning the average will be just over 23, must be the youngest of all the teams in the CC.
The Kirby injury may very well all but force Brian to consider a very short-term overseas signing (pace bowler) to fill the post-Philander, pre-Alf window?
Problems piling up? Seems a bit of a harsh prejudgment until the boy - whichever one - has shown us what he can do.
Two years ago, as I recall, not a few posters on this site were bemoaning the possible consequences of Craig K's England call-up, and asking whether we should try and get someone else's third-choice keeper on loan rather than give the job to some kid who'd only ever played for Glastonbury.
Now the kid in question is playing for England. Looks to me like a good omen for Jamie or Craig.
Trivia query: how many county staffs have ever had three Craigs?
[/quote]Problems piling up, then. Not that a result looks at all likely from this game anyway.[/quote]
[quote mikeindex]Problems piling up? Seems a bit of a harsh prejudgment until the boy - whichever one - has shown us what he can do.
Two years ago, as I recall, not a few posters on this site were bemoaning the possible consequences of Craig K's England call-up, and asking whether we should try and get someone else's third-choice keeper on loan rather than give the job to some kid who'd only ever played for Glastonbury.
Now the kid in question is playing for England. Looks to me like a good omen for Jamie or Craig.
Trivia query: how many county staffs have ever had three Craigs?
[/quote]Problems piling up, then. Not that a result looks at all likely from this game anyway.[/quote][/quote]
The problem is the injury to Kirby. He's employed as a spearhead of the attack.
So being without him for four weeks is likely to be a problem. Even if either Overton does relatively well for a young man playing their first few games, I believe it has already been said that they are likely to be required for England Under 19 for most of the season?
... and they no longer serve honey at the Tavern Bar, that corner of a foreign field in this the cruellist of months with one soote shower after another.
I have just been over to have a look at the ground (mad fool I am) the square is covered and also the outfield --- with water, actually it was not that bad there was several pool of water in some areas and also where there was no grass you could see water on the top.
Lancashire have added all-rounder Tom Smith, who has recovered from a hamstring injury, and fast bowler Sajid Mahmood, to the 11 who lost both their opening championship matches.
If Mahmood is playing that is good for us. I am quite sanguine about our 12. It has a nice Somerset feel to it and I am not despondent.
The weather here is very wet very cold and very blustery.
Mike TA1 I have just been over to have a look at the ground (mad fool I am) the square is covered and also the outfield --- with water, actually it was not that bad there was several pool of water in some areas and also where there was no grass you could see water on the top.
Mike are you saying the outfield is not too bad, or not too bad considering the amount of rain?
If we get a dry night and miss most of the showers tomorrow then maybe play at some point or am I clutching at straws?
To be honest I can’t see any play tomorrow if we get any more rain overnight, even if the rain stops now I can’t see any play until late in the day. (if we are lucky).
So what time do I leave Liverpool in the morning? Had planned 6.30 but if we aren't going to play till the afternoon.
Re Lancs team - Saj Mahmood didn't play against Warwickshire; Lancs decided to go with both left arm spinners - probably correctly as if their batsmen could've mustered another 50-70 runs they could have made it a tough chase for the Bears. Mahmood can blow hot or cold; you can never tell which until he plays. Tom Smith is coming back from a hamstring injury sustained at the start of the season. He looked quite sharp bowling during the lunch interval at Aigburth on Sunday.
I hope Somerset aren't going to try to produce a similar pitch to the one used for the Middlesex match hoping George can repeat his 2nd innings performance - I fear that Keedy-Kerrigan would trump Dockrell-Suppiah in any left-arm-spin wars. Having said that, looking at the weather, I would be amazed if the groundstaff could come up with a 'bunsen'....
Lancashire's failures this year have been in their batting. Ashwell Prince did hang in to reach 50 in their second innings on Sunday but there have been few other batting performances of note. What I've seen of their bowling (mainly against Warwickshire) has been good. Chapple has lost the toss in both of Lancashire's matches tthis season and been invited to bat first each time. I would expect Tom Smith to come into the side possibly for Procter - he will provide a boost for the batting as well as the bowling (as anyone who remembers his innings againstt somerset at Aigburth last year will concur).
Just seen local weather forecast and I'd be surprised if we get any play at all in this game.I'm certainly not making any plans to watch cricket over the next four days.
BristolRob Just seen local weather forecast and I'd be surprised if we get any play at all in this game.I'm certainly not making any plans to watch cricket over the next four days.
Supposedly the forecast for the whole May is also diabolical.
It might be that neither Tres nor Kirby miss much actual cricket.
Dry here in town at the moment, full cloud cover but not too ominous right now. Pavements just about completely dry around town...
If the drainage of the outfield is working I'd expect them to start assuming there is no rain in the next hour, and then from mid afternoon there will be no play for the rest of hte match.
According to BBC (who are covering match online and on 5 live sports extra) umpires are happy to start on time. Rasio coverage from 10.45am.
My assumption that ground would be way too wet for play to start anythime before lunch so I needn't get up at 5am ws blatently wrong. Still in Liverpool!
Oh, and definitely no play before lunch at the Oval
If they do get on we'll have to pray for a toss win and then bowl them out before mid afternoon to try and get our bowling points.
If we get sent in then, with almost zero prospect of a result in the game, then you could argue that our strategy should be based very heavily indeed on defence, for no other purpose than denying Lancs bowling points.
Unless Lancs have a very different forecast or looked at one for a different Taunton then they've potentially just set up the following equation;
To get 3 points, we need nine wkts in maybe 50 or so overs.
To get 3 points, they need 300 runs in maybe 50 or so overs.
I can only assume that our ground staff have managed to provide a Bunsen after all, confounding Bagpuss in the process, and that Lancs daren't bat last in case the forecast proves to be bunkum.
Craig O goes for 2 4's from his first 2 balls. Implies that the batsman has targetted the youngster which gives increased chance of a wicket in his first 2 overs.
Rehilander in the Torygraph it says the SA team doctor claims that there is an agreement that VP will play two games, then rest, then play two, then rest.
Brian is quoted as denying this, saying simply that we are 'actively working with SA to manage his workload.'
geordie moonraker Craig O goes for 2 4's from his first 2 balls. Implies that the batsman has targetted the youngster which gives increased chance of a wicket in his first 2 overs.
A typically optimistic comment, GM, though it sounds to me that CO's first two balls were demonstration of his nervousness - and he seems to have settled down well since then.
LoL
Sixty-six Seasons a Somerset Supporter
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2012:04:26:12:26:26 by Loyal of Lhasa..
Too short too often would be my summary of what I listened too this morning.
In the case of those that played at T Bridge, then I wonder if this track has a bit more pace to it and so bowlers have dragged their length back and over-compensated? (TBridge track was slooow.)
AGod Too short too often would be my summary of what I listened too this morning.
In the case of those that played at T Bridge, then I wonder if this track has a bit more pace to it and so bowlers have dragged their length back and over-compensated? (TBridge track was slooow.)
Just a mention for those struggling to find weather information and linking in websites... The weather very locally and anywhere in the world can be accessed by clicking on 'The Weather' on the left hand menu of every page of the forum... as it has been for the past decade and a half :-)
AGod Rehilander in the Torygraph it says the SA team doctor claims that there is an agreement that VP will play two games, then rest, then play two, then rest.
Brian is quoted as denying this, saying simply that we are 'actively working with SA to manage his workload.'
About 5 days late AG - mentioned in the Notts game.
Amusing that the BBC and Guy L are in the Potting Shed while the vounteers are in the much more sensible Media Centre below which they only seem to give up for SKY!
Guy seemd very sensible at lunch.
We aren't going to bankrupt ourselves to offer international cricket.
Still hoping Gayle is coming for the T20
Looking to increase capacity to 15000 including non permanent seating for certain events
Lavender certainly came over very well, but it is a serious embarrassment that the scoreboards on the ground sound to be so inadequate (and hardly strengthen our chances of hosting international matches).
LoL
Sixty-six Seasons a Somerset Supporter
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2012:04:26:14:19:19 by Loyal of Lhasa..
There's a story on BBC Sport today that BR still not sure whether Gayle is coming or not, and hopes to have it confirmed one way or the other in the next few days.
By the way, listening to R5 Sports Extra comms, Charlie Dagnell (who seems OK to me) keeps referring to bowlers bowling "up" or "down" the hill at Taunton. I've never heard this of our HQ before - when I went regularly in the 80s, there was never an uphill or downhill slope. Has the ground moved, or is he merely suffering from optical illusion?
Clearly, if there is any slope at Taunton, it runs downwards from the Old Pavilion to the river. I think Dagnall is recalling how it felt to him when he bowled at the ground. It's certainly nothing like as pronounced as at Hove.
We shouldn't despair. Things can change very quickly, and anyway, when our lads were making many at Trent Bridge, was that because Notts attack was depleted? They have done pretty well without Swann and Broad previously.
If we have removed most by the close - good. If not, lets trust our batters will do the same. I still think, of course (wouldn't I!!) that Max's alternative form of attack would be useful for Hildreth at present!
Yeah, psychologically batting without Tres in response to a good score may well be a different game to batting without him in response to the rubbish one posted by Notts.
Victor sounds a bit underwhelmed with it all at the minute.
old boy! We shouldn't despair. Things can change very quickly, and anyway, when our lads were making many at Trent Bridge, was that because Notts attack was depleted? They have done pretty well without Swann and Broad previously.
If we have removed most by the close - good. If not, lets trust our batters will do the same. I still think, of course (wouldn't I!!) that Max's alternative form of attack would be useful for Hildreth at present!
We batted brilliantly. But as far as Notts are concerned, their key man is Andre Adams. Without him it was certainly very, very tough for Notts.
old boy! We shouldn't despair. Things can change very quickly, and anyway, when our lads were making many at Trent Bridge, was that because Notts attack was depleted? They have done pretty well without Swann and Broad previously.
If we have removed most by the close - good. If not, lets trust our batters will do the same. I still think, of course (wouldn't I!!) that Max's alternative form of attack would be useful for Hildreth at present!
We batted brilliantly. But as far as Notts are concerned, their key man is Andre Adams. Without him it was certainly very, very tough for Notts.
NOTTS - a one man team??? Crikey - that takes some believing!!
AGod Yeah, psychologically batting without Tres in response to a good score may well be a different game to batting without him in response to the rubbish one posted by Notts.
Victor sounds a bit underwhelmed with it all at the minute.
Whereas you merely READ as if you are enjoying every minute of your side's discomfort and looking forward to more when we bat - my opinion only of course :-)
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2012:04:26:16:39:18 by Grockle.
Nope, not enjoying our present position one iota, Grockle, are you?
It does sound as though Overton has bowled better than Meschede and far better than Gregory who, I fear, is experiencing a battle to come back from that nasty back injury of his.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2012:04:26:16:43:38 by AGod.
My opinion of how I read you has nothing to do with whether I'm enjoying this or not.
Have to agree with the view of Overton.
Sorry I don't have your inside information about Gregory's "battle" so I find it difficult to comment on anything to do with that other than what I hear as I'm not there to see how his action is. Are you?
Don't agree with your assessement of Somerset sans Trecothick in the batting and give them more credit for their Trent Bridge batting performance than you obviously do.
I know that Lewis struggled with pitching it up in the last game. And it sounds like a similar story today. It was said the other week that the back remains an on-going concern, so I don't imagine that it's helping him.
I haven't made an assessment of the batting without Tres, other than to observe that it's easier psychologically to respond to a smaller total - or do you not agree? Remember Jamie Cox's 'scoreboard pressure.'
I already said we batted brilliantly at Trent Bridge. So if you giving them 'more credit,' you have obviously found a stronger superlative. If you refer to what I said about Adams, it would be folly to suggest that Notts did not badly miss a man who had taken 135 CC wickets over the past two seasons. I also happen to remember that you were there for the home game with Notts last season, so I know that you saw, firsthand, what he can do.
P.s Very well done to young Mr Overton.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2012:04:26:17:02:25 by AGod.
It's the contradictions old man. It's a "battle" then it might be a worry. Somerset were great then Notts were weak and the small total was more psychologically easy.
Plus of course your regular implication that what ever can go wrong will inevitably go wrong and anything going right is short lived while anything going wrong is the start of the much predicted slippery slope.
Never mind - its a kind of support in some way I suppose
There is no inherent contradiction in us having been brilliant and Notts well below par.
Didn't George Dobell's report say much the same? As I recall the only real difference is that he was far more scathing than I about Notts' performance.
Rose looks to loan market to boost exposed Somerset
We will look into the loan market very quickly at the end of this game," Brian Rose, Somerset's director of cricket told ESPNcricinfo. "I only have one more bowler in reserve - James Overton
Big Jim Superb pictures, Michael.
Many there today?
Not very many Jimmy, the weather kept away the travelling public, no Bristol Rob and no Bagpuss we did have our travelling Cornish supporter here for the match.
Frome Exile Is that the Charl Willoughby who now can't get a game in Division 2?
I agree Charl Willoughby hasn’t had a very good start with Essex through injury, but that doesn’t necessarily mean he would have been injured if he stayed with us, every clubs fitness setup is different.
I had hoped I wouldn't hear the words "we didn't stick to our game plan", again. Surely if the bowlers aren't doing what they should, tell 'em to buck their ideas up.
It will be nigh impossible to win from here, which is a waste of early morning conditions.
No problem with letting Charl go, in my book. He was great for us for years, but was, I believe, well past his best and had a better offer from Essex. Good luck to him, but I'd rather be where we are, albeit injury-hit and with some youngsters with plenty to prove.
I don't think it's at all certain that Charl would have improved upon young Overton's 1-59 today. He, Gregory, Dockrell and Meschede will - eventually - be all the better for their tough day today.
Botham I bet our bowlers wish it had rained all day.
I had hoped I wouldn't hear the words "we didn't stick to our game plan", again. Surely if the bowlers aren't doing what they should, tell 'em to buck their ideas up.
It will be nigh impossible to win from here, which is a waste of early morning conditions.
I assume, Botham, that you have read some BR/AH comments?
It sounded from the commentary that we bowled too short.
I'm not sure that novice (in first class terms) bowlers can sensibly be expected to automatically hit a planned length?
We've made certain decisions as a club. They are, presumably, influenced by available financial resources and by the availability of players from elsewhere.
The net effect of those decisions is that we possibly have as few experienced bowlers as any other CC1 county.
Whilst I have huge respect for George Dobell, and enjoy his writing, I think that in this case he is being a little "wise after the event" in describing our squad as "too thin". (And wasn't he talking up our Championship chances just last week?)
I challenge him to come up with another County, save Durham, who could cope any better with injury to one new ball regular, major restrictions in their use of another*, the absence of a third at the IPL, and injury to their first-choice first-change.
Strip Lancs of Chapple plus three, and how would they look?
edit : * I am putting VP's poor show today down to his being a rhythm bowler who is better off bowling regularly.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2012:04:27:00:21:34 by Frome Exile.
Well said FE. We started the season with Philander, Kirby, Hussain, Trego, Dibble backed up by Meschede and Gregory. How many more do we need? D, M and G lack experience but half the time we're crying out for the youngsters to be given a chance to show what they can do. Well, injuries have given them that chance. Lets give them some encouragement.
FE - re: Philander commentators seemed to think he looked stiff as a board walking back to his mark, presumably a combination of minor back ailment and the cold.
I don't think they thought he was poor, though.
No doubt that we'd have liked more wkts from him both here and in Birmingham, though.
Hildreth certainly pinning responsibility on the support bowling rather than VP/PT.
Sounds like he is very much of the view that there was too much short stuff. Has also offered the hostage to fortune of 'it is now a very good batting wicket.'
I wonder if we can read anything at into him talking matter of factly about a six game captaincy stint.
The Radio 5 commentators definitely weren't questioning the efforts of VP yesterday - he was still passing the bat pretty regularly.
I have wondered in the past what effect on young bowlers coming into the side on short notice the decision for the seconds not to play games at the County Ground has. If young Overton was called up late I wonder when he last bowled on his 'home' strip. I'm unsure how much it should bother a bowler but getting the length right on an unfamiliar wicket has bothered more than one bowler.
Just in case people get a little too engrossed in this can I remind them of the fact we are playing our fourth choice change bowler alongside our third choice new ball bowler against the 2011 County Champions - it was never going to be particularly pretty.
Philander is a 'corridor,' bowler. Generates pressure through accuracy. And pretty much all accuracy bowlers are most effective when the support bowling is exerting similar pressure.
In answer to various questions, I would estimate that there were around 300 at the ground. It was the smallest first-day “crowd” that I can recall – no doubt, many were put off by the recent poor weather and the adverse forecast.
It looked a good wicket. I suspect that the new ball lost its shine very quickly, given the damp conditions: thereafter, there was little in the pitch for the bowlers. The wicket looks easy-paced and short balls (of which there were quite a few) sat up to be hit.
Craig Overton has never previously played at the ground.
Three hundred?
Dear me, Glamorgan don't get that sort of attendance on a fine day in mid-summer.
Not only are we the best side in the land, we're also the best supported.
Amazing.
Big Jim Dobell's just a hack, the same as any other.
Take everything they say with a pinch of salt.
Well he's the best 'hack' you'll read on cricket BJ.
He certainly isn't the same as any other. He's a very decent and fair cricket writer with a sense of integrity, honesty and a lack of the cynicism you see in so many.
He also quite likes the county you support and I don't remember him using salt at all during the winter.
Grockle Here's a debate from Mr Nash - T20 has improved the quality of cricket. Discuss
Fielding - maybe.
Otherwise? I don't see how?
I suppose some would argue that it has made the Test game quicker. But unless we were in a situation where loads of games were being drawn as five days were insufficient then I don't necessarily see that as some sort of goal that should have been aimed for?
I'd certainly agree with the fielding aspect. It may mean a jobbing bowler gets smashed more often but they don't necessarily get the overs in a CC match (unless they play for Somerset at the moment) but I doubt the Indians would agree that their Test performances have been enhanced by a domestic season full of T20.
Covers coming off and the sun's out. Inspection taking place now.
Testing spells from VP and PT this morning. The former deserved his wickets and the latter deserved more. Good catches (only one of them routine) by CK and by JH.
Just had a mail from Eric Cole in the Media centre at Taunton saying that they have Grockles up and will happily answer questions on the match etc once play starts again on the Somerset commentary feed.
That was the impression I got from the 5Live guys - it was going to be a long wait and probably futile.
The umpires were talking about the rain before the game pushing the water table up so there was nowhere for new water to go and Simon was concerned which suggests they will err on caution and save the pitch for tomorrow.
Grockle Just had a mail from Eric Cole in the Media centre at Taunton saying that they have Grockles up and will happily answer questions on the match etc once play starts again on the Somerset commentary feed.
Crikey - watch your 'Ps' and 'Qs' if they are looking at us!! At least they aren't 'hacking' into the site - ARE they???
No OB it just means they are logged on and picking up comments!! The club dn't have computer access for the comentators but they also don't have an e-mail account they can access to read coments as some of the other more established BBC commentating teams do.
They just have Grockles and if a commentator has their laptop or pad with them they log in to see if there is anything interesting they can discuss as tyhe game goes on or any questions they can anser from people out of the county like yours truly.
It's not the Somerset Thought Police or anything Orwellian your thoughts are safe..... honest :-)
I think it's a little bit more than a mere implication. I don't think anyone on here has said that play is definitely off for the day, but that expectation has certainly been expressed.
Fascinating to see that the Warwickshire tail, which our bowlers were lambasted by some posters for failing to `clean up` two weeks ago, virtually doubled the score from 284 to 545 at Hove today.
Those 261 `complementary` runs were made up of 75 from No.8; an undefeated 78 from No.9; 33 from No.10; and 16 from No.11.
So could it just be that tails are getting better and better rather than bowlers less and less street-wise at the end of innings?
After bowling seven consecutive overs this morning, VP held up one finger to JH to indicate that he wanted one more over (which, naturally, he was duly given - though sadly, he was not able to take his fifth wicket). So, VP is - as one would expect - playing a leading role in determining his own workload within an inings.
cricketjerry-mouse Fascinating to see that the Warwickshire tail, which our bowlers were lambasted by some posters for failing to `clean up` two weeks ago, virtually doubled the score from 284 to 545 at Hove today.
Those 261 `complementary` runs were made up of 75 from No.8; an undefeated 78 from No.9; 33 from No.10; and 16 from No.11.
So could it just be that tails are getting better and better rather than bowlers less and less street-wise at the end of innings?
Possibly. I personally think that it does not even have to be that complicated. Guys like Jeetan Patel are very, very handy lower-order batsmen. I think almost everyone knew that Patel would go on the attack and was dangerous.
Personally, I still look at the two run outs in that game. In a two wicket loss it's hard to argue that two run outs were not significant.
Bagpuss Mike if tthat is the ball that I'm thinking of it wouldn't have been Kerrigan's wicket if it had been caught - the umpire signalled it as byes.
Thanks Bagpuss you are correct, I have been informed also by another poster, I was uncertain that is why I put a question mark!
May I just say that I was very impressed by the statement made to the 'Western Daily Press' by James Hildreth after play on Thursday.
"Stand-in Somerset captain James Hildreth used six different bowlers in a variety of combinations – and, short of attempting a rain-dance, experimented with most of the options available to him, only for his attack’s inexperience to be cruelly exposed."
He said:-
“Vern and Tregs bowled quite nicely most of the day really, we just let ourselves down a bit [in terms of our] back-up bowlers – and that’s an area we need to improve,” said Hildreth.
“We had pretty simple game-plans out there but unfortunately we didn’t execute those. But this is first-class cricket and we’ve got to stand up and everyone’s got to be accountable – we’ve got to go out there and improve in the morning.
“You’ve got to remember that we’ve got a lot of inexperienced players – one guy is a debutant and some others haven’t played a lot of first-class cricket. You have to take that into consideration.
“But they’re going to have to stand up. They’ve played for the second team a fair bit but maybe not had a lot of pressure on them – but we’ve got a few injuries and now is their chance to play for us. We can’t carry anyone – we need everyone to pull together and execute their skills and bowl well. Although they’re new, they need to come in and show their worth straightaway.”
Clearly a man prepared to speak in a forthright manner and who will not duck his responsibilities.
Yep CP lots of 'spade calling' there and that is good to see. Take into account weaknesses... now get over them and do your job.
Excellent.
I was thinking. Could there be a better time for James to take over the reins? If we want to know what kind of captain he is and how he inspires people to play for him then this is the perfect opportunity for him to set out his stall. He has new blokes in a side needing hard work, commitment and guts for a season that could become a real battle and he has to show who is in charge.
If he can get them working here then he can get anyone working anywhere. I tend to get the impression (and I'm very happy to be proved wrong) that the second eleven is all a bit too much about the lads having a good time around cricket when you've been doing it a while and this is "Welcome to the real world boys! Come in, get your hands dirty, sweat and bleed!"
Just how it should be in a county looking to go places.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2012:04:28:10:50:43 by Grockle.
Forthright, perhaps, but I am unsure as to how realistic those expectations are?
It would be a surprise if more than one or two youngsters in the whole country could make an almost instant transition from novice to fully-fledged CC1 bowler.
Realistically there will surely be growing pains for most or even all of these younger players.
When you've got a lot of youngsters all in the same side it becomes even more important, IMO, that the senior players stand up and be counted.
Whether they like it or not, I think James and other experienced players are going to have to do a good amount of the heavy lifting as the youngsters get their feet wet.
Very true AG and it will obviously take time but where are the 'novices'?
Overton (and his brother should he take a place) obviously
Is Lewis a novice? Opener yes, Championship player maybe but he's a first team player exp-ected to change role isn't he?
Will this be Alex barrow's first taste of pressure in a game? Will it be Chris Jones' for that matter?
Craig Meschede? not a novice as a first team member, again he may find Championship work a little different.
So there are young players, but young players who've had the first bloom of youth kicked off them a little and who should be looking to step up a level this season as part of their natural development. Not necessarily at this speed but certainly at this time in their career.
And haven't you seen evidence of the older pro's stepping 'to the plate'? Certainly Peter Trego has, Nick Compton has, James himself has.
So it isn't as if this is a complete start from scratch with a bunch of baby cricketers and older players who haven't worked with them before.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2012:04:28:11:16:34 by Grockle.
At 5.20pm on Thursday night, with Lancs 363-4 and play still in progress, I wonder what odds you'd have got on them failing to get maximum batting points?!
Well I don't intend to get bogged down in terminology, Grockle.
Suffice to say that Dobell said, I think, that 4 members of our attack have played about 25 games between them.
Pete has certainly been stepping up with the ball. And Compton has had a fine start to the season.
All I meant, really, was that I would think that decision-makers at the club will be looking closely at how senior players respond to the extra demands placed upon them in the next 4 or so games.
The youngsters have an opportunity to stake a claim. But they won't all immediately prosper and that will transfer extra pressure to some of the more experienced men.
I think that to win the CC you need a lot of mettle and character in your team and I think the next few games may be revealing .. Which of the experienced guys can deliver extra performance in extremis?
Well, James has hit centuries in both matches he's been captain (or taken over the captaincy)
Peter has now got 15 wickets in 2 1/2 matches, and if the cold damp conditions continue, he could be on for his best ever bowling season.
Steve had 10 wickets before injury struck.
Nick is the country's leading run maker, by a long way.
Arul's got a ton under his belt already and Jos and Craig narrowly missed out on one.
So, so far the experienced players have performed excellently
Of the 'youngsters', George won us a match, Adam took a career best and bowled well at Birmingham and Lewis, Craig and Craig have all shown patches of good bowling but inconsistent.
But for Mr Patel's extravagant knock at Edgbaston, we'd be sitting top of the table this morning.
2010 was our great chance..we were fortunate in that season that we barely suffered an injury, Alf wasn't wanted by the IPL and nobody was on the selector's radar.
2 years on and things have changed. As with Nick's call -up, we have become slightly victims of our own 'success'. But cricket is a squad game. Injuries and call ups happen. You just have to back what you have in reserve.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2012:04:28:11:43:15 by Little Bird.
There have often been calls for Pete to be given more overs. I had my doubts, a decent second change bowler and more than useful in the one day stuff, but I'm pleased to revise my opinion on the evidence so far.His efforts for the team (and us) have been nothing short of heroic.
He has bowled very well, helped I think by the early start to the season and the damp conditions.
It was really refreshing to hear him say that he wanted to play as much cricket as possible and he felt in better shape for having played virtually all year round. No complaining about being tired, as you might get from footballers.
Yep, little bird, but the pressure on the experienced players has arguably gone up a level since we lost Tres and Kirby. This is the first full match without those two.
And James was obviously not very pleased with the support bowling on Thursday. He's given a public 'pull your socks up,' to the support bowlers but unless there was any lack of effort on their part ( and I see NO reason to support that) then I'm not sure that being told to improve and sharpish will automatically make said improvement happen.... Hence the pressure on the more experienced players ratchets up further.
Angell Face There have often been calls for Pete to be given more overs. I had my doubts, a decent second change bowler and more than useful in the one day stuff, but I'm pleased to revise my opinion on the evidence so far.His efforts for the team (and us) have been nothing short of heroic.
I was interested to read something that Keith's sweater posted about his view of Garner vs Marshall. Apparently there was a big disparity between M D Marshall's record with new ball vs not taking it.
If even a bowler of that calibre has a big disparity then it shouldn't be a huge shock if other guys enjoy extra success when handed a new cherry.
A further point of debate is that whilst Kirby has been excellent overall, he has not taken all that many wickets with a new ball. The stats suggest he has been more effective with an older one. Therefore, when Alf returns one wonders if Pete should keep his new ball job?
I agree AG it isn't about the words but a novice tends to be someone to who this all is new. It's simply not for some of the younger players and 25 matches is a career to some first class cricketers.
Lots to do no doubt but while the players can't suddenly make huge strides in short periods they can't hide behind the 'new to it all' label either.
Craig M and Lewis should be able to bowl to a plan, they've played enough to prove their skill and they should be able to produce what the plan expects them to. Craig O was too short but as Vic was saying there was a devil of a wind on the first day and all the commentators were surprised that after the success of the front liners on Day 2 without the wind that Overton wasn't used first change to see if his height and the fact that he does have 'something' worked better in less windy conditions. The newbies, as you say, were not given the chance to show if they could pull their socks up.
It's all a fine line but looking at the video of Day 1 Overton does look promising.
Compton says that his reaction to being picked for the Lions first-time around (whilst at Middx) nearly ruined his career. Says he came back after the Lions tour and then went into 'captain intense,' mode and started putting pressure on himself to score more quickly and play flashier shots.
I had to switch to Radio Five Extra because there is one of the volunteers who irritates me so much. So I enjoyed Dagnell and found O'Brian particularly entertaining and interesting. However, somebody needs to tell Dagnell that "dearth" means exactly the opposite of what he thinks it means. He got it wrong once and I thought he was just a bit muddled, but when he did it a second time...
"I had to switch to Radio Five Extra because there is one of the volunteers who irritates me so much."
I have not been listening today, so have no idea about whom the above comment refers, but I am sure that the person in question was trying their very best in a voluntary capacity of course.
If it is a mild irritation and something you think could be improved then if you want to send me details by PM I'll feed them back and see if the team can have a word and make it easier on the ear.
If it's just a personal 'grating' thing I'm not sure we can do anything about it and I'd rather not hear about that but if it's sort of mike practice or something then something might be able to be done - these people are amateurs after all..
Morning rain prevented play getting underway until 1.10pm, but when it eventually did with 80 overs due to be bowled, it took the Lancashire batsmen just seven balls to move from their overnight total of 395 for nine, to 400 and earn themselves maximum batting points when Kyle Hogg took a single off Vernon Philander.
Without further addition to the total, however Philander accounted for Simon Kerrigan, caught at gully by Arul Suppiah, to give Somerset maximum bowling bonus points. [www.somersetcountycc.co.uk]
Can you spot a small error in this extract from the clubs report?
Looking very much like Lancs 9 pts, Somerset 6pts.
Guess Lancs have chance of 6 or 9 wickets for the extra points but fear there will not be the play required for us to get to 200, in reality we'll need at least 30 overs i'd have thought.
So looking like 1 win, 2 draws and a loss from first 4.
Week off next week, and then Durham away without Tresco, Compo and Kirby (but hopefully with Dibble and Hussain???)
Given we have next week off can we hope/expect Vernon be allowed to play Durham away and Surrey away before he departs on Sunday 20th May
SA don't pick him for limited overs stuff themselves, usually preferring Lonwabo Tsotsobe (what a great handle that is!) so perhaps they expect him to miss that one.
Suits us, 99% certain of no play and as it stands we need 113 runs and lancs need 3 wickets if any more points are to be gained so seems sensible to call it off now.
See Yorkies game has had that sense and been abandoned already.
Well as the weather is going to make it a no contest draw and it's a long way home - probably
However will Somersetwant to use whatever chances the weather gives them to welly the ball everywhere and get as many batting points as possible in which case - maybe not if dry spells are predicted later in the day.
One would assume the umpires may "conspire" to bring about the former rather than the latter.
Well Bristol, Chelmsford, Worcester, Yorkshire and Oval all now abandonned for the day pre 10am, guessing matter of time before we go same way, really really is no prospects i fear.....
I suspect thst VP won't play the 40 over game. BR can use a non appearance in that one as a bargaining chip so that hopefully he will able to play vs Durham.
Well as people say he isn't a preferred one dayer anyway and we may be looking at Gregory to be a more significant aspect of that game along with Meschede and even Suppiah.
If Kirby is back he wouldn't be much of a loss but if he isn't Gemaal was NOT a one day bowler at the start of his time with us and with no bowling as such for most of a year he probably still isn't so we'll be relying on Pete again.
Guess it may depend on fitness or not of rest of the squad.
Presumably the top 8 fot this match will play Friday (in some order) so then it'll be 3 from VP, George, Max and the 2 Overtons.
Although saying that IF Brian gets a loan bowler in then every chance they'd go straight in
I realise it's been wet but I think I still expect turn unless they deliberately prepare a very grassy surface.
So I'd fetch Max into the team and hope for 24 overs of spin from him, Arul and George. I think I'd then hope for the other 16 overs from Pete and, probably, Craig M.
Lewis's bowling seems to have slipped in the wake of his nasty injury based on his CC bowling so I'm not sure that he will be able to flick a switch and bowl as he did last year (brilliantlty) in the one day stuff.
Perhaps an Overton will also play?
One wonders if Brian is already searching for an overseas locum to cover the post VP, pre Alf period.
That period i believe is only 2 weeks, durham home and worcs away, not heard of any plans for a 2 week overseas player, would be surprised if it happened whatever we/Brian feel the need
And then there's the quality angle. Hussain will presumably be fit by then but there was nothing in his one season here that would lead one to confidently assert that he can be a like for like quality replacement for VP.
Rather, Hussain is presumably in a boat where he needs to prove both fitness and quality this season in order to win a new deal?
Mike asked whether we should have let Charl go without first finding his replacement. It was a good question and the thrust behind the question is accentuated by the fact we also signed nobody to cover Alf's IPL stint.
I'd expect Rose to seriously consider using Arul at the Oval (he has had success there before) and packing the side with any batsman who can bowl seam rather than look at Max except as a one day alternative to George - better batting option perhaps?
Be amazed if we left George out of a one day side, Grockle.
NellieC - i see what you are saying about the weather. It could be convenient for there to be lots of rain etc etc and you could extend that to our actual games - i.e. We may not have got a draw out of this one with all our injuries had it gone a full four days.
But personally I hate there not being cricket and I'd far rather take my chances over the four days and have that cricket to help expedite the development of the youngsters.
Little Bird was saying the weather is rubbish and forecast to stay that way for the next few weeks so we might emerge relatively unscathed from the period of injuries but the flip side of that is that if there is not much cricket then our youngsters cannot improve.
ps Presumably our current team selections are leading to large amounts of moolah pouring in via ECB payments?
Agree about cricket rather than none. We achieve nothing by not playing and neither do the players we either have faith in or we don't.
Not a pessimistic as some about our chances in this game had we had more time. I didn't see our batting failing twice at present levels so Lancs would have had to play very well to get the points from us.
This is NOT a scratch side. We have bowling issues but we are not struggling to be competitive in games because we play one new debutant.
West Country Gooner should change his name to Worcestershire Gooner - and then he could be really miserable.
They have been warned by the River Authority that there is an imminent risk of the River Severn breaking its banks and flooding their New Road ground again - possibly before the end of today.
They are already making plans to move fixtures to Kidderminster.
West Country Gooner should change his name to Worcestershire Gooner - and then he could be really miserable.
There's no need to adopt that tone is there, cricketjerry-mouse?
Worcester is one of the loveliest grounds on the circuit, and the stewards and officials there are IMHO some of the most amiable persons that one could wish to meet at a county cricket ground.
I am sure that I am not alone in hoping that the New Road ground is not devastated by flooding once again.
That would be a tragedy for the Worcestershire club.
West Country Gooner should change his name to Worcestershire Gooner - and then he could be really miserable.
There's no need to adopt that tone is there, cricketjerry-mouse?
Worcester is one of the loveliest grounds on the circuit, and the stewards and officials there are IMHO some of the most amiable persons that one could wish to meet at a county cricket ground.
I am sure that I am not alone in hoping that the New Road ground is not devastated by flooding once again.
That would be a tragedy for the Worcestershire club.
I would like to think that we would all agree with you Clarence
wsm fan MATCH DRAWN
Season now 1/4 complete by April 29th.
Plenty of reasons to be cheerful - still eight weeks before nights start to draw in...
As for the commentators... one does not wish to offend people who are volunteering their services, but one can still recognise that some are better at it than others, just as among the professionals. I know, from the personal experience of a short stint last summer, that it is a hard thing to do - and that there are hundreds, no thousands, better than me. Then there is the inevitable subjectivity that influences one's views. I never enjoyed Trueman or Bailey much, one seeming ever cantankerous and the other rather dull. Others loved them without doubt.
The only comment I shall make here about the volunteer who irritates me is that I wish he wouldn't shout so loudly when a wicket falls.
NB I have left a nice opportunity for BJ to comment on people he finds more cantankerous than Trueman.
I think having Trueman on the team worked because of the contrast with everyone else at the time. They needed cantankerous in the interests of BBC balance.
But I also liked the Boyle, so what do I know?
Please criticise Eeyore Willis's views on the organisation of cricket in this country, but otherwise leave him alone. His monotone gives the opportunity for a quick kip, plus he actually says some insightful things (IMO, as old boy would say).
Here are my thoughts (for what they are worth) on the Somerset bowling in the Lancashire match:
Philander – a class act; able to move the ball either way from a good length. The ball which bowled Mahmood was a classic: Philander, seemingly despairing of Mahmood's inability to get sufficiently close enough to a succession of out-swingers to get an edge, threw in a yorker, which beat Mahmood all ends up
Trego – bowled steadily on the first day, when he was one of the few bowlers to offer a measure of control, but seemed to bowl within himself – perhaps because he knew he was in for a long stint. Bowled faster and more threateningly on the second day and could easily have taken more wickets. I think that he is at his best when he bowls in an attacking vein
Meschede – bowled a fuller length than I had seen him bowl last season and looked all the better for it. No more than medium-pace. Beat the bat a few times outside the off stump. Most of his loose deliveries were too full – a much more forgiveable sin, at his pace, than bowling too short
Gregory – bowled a number of no-balls, as well as several short balls which sat up to be despatched. His wicket came when he pitched the ball up
Overton (Cove, rather than his twin, the presumably god-like Jove) – a big step up for him from any level at which he had previously played. Moore targeted his first few balls – which, understandably, were too short – but he settled better later. Tall and broad-shouldered, he was able to get the ball to lift. He looks to have the potential to be a very useful bowler as he develops further physically and adapts his length from what might bring success at the levels he has previously played to what will bring success at first-class level
Dockrell - a nice loop, particularly when he first bowled. Not much turn for him and Prince (especially) was able to hit him over the top with minimal risk. Generally bowled tidily. Very promising for his age and could be very useful on pitches where at least a reasonable proportion of balls turn enough to keep batsmen honest.
One further point: Somerset did seem rather subdued in the field. I don't advocate a constant babble; but some of the “up and at 'em” encouragement which the likes of Thomas and Kirby bring would not have gone amiss; and I would have liked to have seen more (or, at least, more obvious) guidance and support being offered to the younger bowlers at times when they were leaking runs.
Your application for the post of bowling adviser to SCCC has been received with great interest and I am happy to say is being given very favourable attention.
West Country Gooner should change his name to Worcestershire Gooner - and then he could be really miserable.
There's no need to adopt that tone is there, cricketjerry-mouse?
Worcester is one of the loveliest grounds on the circuit, and the stewards and officials there are IMHO some of the most amiable persons that one could wish to meet at a county cricket ground.
I agree about Worcester and feel sorry for them. However, I don't think CJM was rejoicing in their misfortune.
I am sure that I am not alone in hoping that the New Road ground is not devastated by flooding once again.
That would be a tragedy for the Worcestershire club.
I agree with the lack of noise in the field, however we did'nt really have any senior players, Trego oldest at 30-31!
Of those more experienced, Hildy, Compo, Arul and Jos arent really the shouty types.
Pete and Craig were the only 2 i could see doing the gee-ing up, Overton, Gregory, Meschede and George all still finding their feet really
Well he's played 3 matches so far, only bowling in 5 innings.
Going to miss the P40 game, and is now (hopefully) going to play Durham (May9-12) and Surrey (May16-19) then it's bye bye.
If he can win us one of those 2 matches then despite the apparent issues we've had, he'll have been a worthwhile signing i feel.
if we are paying him the same as we first agreed when he signed on the basis that we could use him as we wanted in that period then I would say its border line. depends on what happens v Surrey and Durham. Definitely would want him playing v those 2 counties than not.
As people have pointed out though (and I didn't know this beforehand) he is not usually a member of the one day sides so it may be that we weren't planning on using him here particularly anyway.
The bowling line up of the one dayers would probably have been Kirby, Gregory (much more of a threat with the ball in 40 over stuff) and Dibble with Trego and Meschede as the allrounders. George or Max as the spinner with Arul in reserve should it take a bit.. Injuries apart he may not have played this one anyway.
I think that it is right he is not a regular member of the 1 Day side in SA, but neither was Justin Langer when we signed him and he played 1 day cricket.
I dont see the relevance of him not being a regular of the 1 day side. Surely it should be whether he improves our side or not and Im pretty sure that he would!!!
just read one of VP'S tweets. He may be playing for us v Durham at Taunton 22-25 May. Looks to me as though it could be under discussion with SA authorities as it was widely reported he would leave on 21 May after Surrey.
Maybe its a straight no one day games v an extra CC game!!!
To be honest, I never expected VP to play any one day games as I thought Brian would have already have made that offer as part of an attempt to assuage the concerns of the UCBSA.
But if Brian has not had to play that card yet, then so much the better!
Not every good four day player is a great one day player. It wasn't particularly Charl's forte and people have been watching this guy and not picking him it seems so how do we know if he would improve our side.
What I'm saying is that we may not have signed him as a one day option but as a four day one. I'm not sure Justin enhanced our one day outfit - it doesn't resonate with me. but maybe he did. I have no idea whether VP would improve our one day unit or not. As it is it's not an option so there we go.
maybe we did maybe we didn't, but in the current predicament I would sure prefer him to be in the team. His record in SA domestic cricket suggests he is none too shabby in the one day format either.
If he hadn't had this great start to his test career and been centrally contracted to SA, I put out there that we would have played him in all the games we had available, so this is all this is down to the SA "deal"
We are where we are I suppose though, totally concur with that.
Loyal of Lhasa. What would actually happen if BR picked VP for every game? Would he go to prison? Or have to attend the Leveson Enquiry?
I would think that one possibility is that the USBSA would tell Philander to pull out of the deal. Of course, he is not a serf so it's not certain that he would agree.
More realistically, SCCC could kiss goodbye to hopes of borrowing a centrally contracted UCBSA player at any point (Graeme Smith?) should we ever have the desire to do so.
Our lack of co-operation could also be noted by other central boards.
Even though we have had a dry day today in Taunton there are still puddles on the outfield. the River Tone is flowing very fast even the water birds are keeping out of the water.
Well SA physio quoted as saying it had always been intention he'd rest after 2 matches so i too am dubious on the "back injury" anyway, old news now, if he plays last 2 games for us (or possibly even Durham home too) i'll be fairly happy
Yes there are loads of possibilities - many bear no resemblence to your quite negative assessment of what might happen so the portents of doom may very well not visit Taunton any time soon.
Philander will play against Durham and Somerset and SA will shake hands as friends and we'll be using Saffers in future with no problems at all.
We'll all know the truth before the end of May and as much as we prophecy doom and gloom or wine and roses nothing will become apparent until it becomes apparent is my prediction. I'm more certain of mine than any of yours.
Yes, we will be able to have the option of SA players in the future because we have co-operated which was the whole point. This despite your insistence that Brian would simply pick VP for whatever he wanted to without any reference to the UCBSA.
Ahhh it's the picking of him for what Somerset wanted - the FINAL decision being Rose's that was my point.
I see no evidence that that hasn't been the case though I dislike the reference to SA and the suggestion that they can say NO. I personally don't think that the minor back injury was an excuse. Philander wasn't bowling particularly smoothly from the video I've seen and the comments on the radio until nearly the end of the first day and that suggests to me that he was unsure of his back in the conditions (cold as they were) and was holding himself back. On the second day this seemed to be less apparent.
I also haven't seen the evidence of the threats that you suggested the SA officials would be putting in front of Brian if he did not comply with their designs so maybe we both got our knickers a little in a twist :-)
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