Apples and Pears
By Grockle et al
July 31 2015
Worcestershire arrive off the back of a mauling, we come into this one needing a win. The weather bodes well for a good days play. We won the toss and will bat as Jack Leach keeps his place, Max Waller doesn't get a chance (maybe a mistake) and Adam Hose seems to have got in for Lewis Gregory - he ought to have been first one on the sheet. Somerset have won the toss and will bat.
v WORCESTERSHIRE RL50 @ Taunton Friday 31 July 2015
Allenby seemingly leaves out Gregory and brings in Hose!! Not sure that's the way I would have considered it after the game on Wednesday. Adam Hose looks like he knows what he is doing and even if he is a flash in the pan he's certainly worth continuing with as he and Tom Abell are the best looking opening pair we've had this season.
The full side is;
Abell, Hose, Trego, Hildreth, Cooper, Allenby, Overton C, Overton J, Groenwald, Leach, Bates
It means that we may see Craig playing up the order where he can do more damage. No Andrew in the Worcestershire side and their Leach is left out for Shantry while the new look Saeed Ajmal is the man to be worried about against a young side with little experience against quality spin.
Somerset wln the toss and decide to bat. No Max Waller which was probably a mistake on Wednesday where the seam attack had no real teeth at all and Jack was the only really dangerous bowler. We shall see'
Hose and Abell stride out to face the opening bowlers who are Morris and Shantry and Tom is dropped at slip off Morris with only 3 balls gone. Early luck we hope will turn into something. But one thing that is happening is we have a partnership that is getting early solid runs as Adam takes the lead and Tom holds the line. They play Ajmal with respect in his early spell and pass the 50 partnership in the 8th over. However, youthful enthusiasm still needs to be harnessed and after skying one and getting away with it Hose once more misses out on a maiden 50 when he skies another but this time gives the fielder (Oliver) enough time to get under it. He goes for 44 out of 58 when he should have been pushing on. 58 for 1 after 9.5 overs and Pete Trego comes to the crease. On Wednesday Tom followed Adam quite quickly, we're hoping for better today.
Unfortunately the warm and fuzzy feeling you get from having an opening short format partnership that don't look or play llike a couple of bunnies in the headlights does not yet filter through the rest of the batting line-up. Barnard bowls Peter in the 14th for 15 with a score on 82 and we've only got to 87 by the end of the 15th so things slow down and we look for another push on. But Barnard has other ideas as he has Tom LBW on 87 with the first ball of the 16th. 58 for 1 is now 87 for 3 with Cooper and Hildreth at the crease. NOW we are looking to Tom to do what he did on Wednesday and James owes us some runs.
The 100 arrives with a second consecutive boundary from James off Ajmal at the end of the 19th. The Somerset man seems to be under strict instructions NOT to sweep the Pakistani spinner and is playing well forward to him. 115 for 3 at 20 overs.
This is better as the two men start to set a base again but just when you think it's going to be good the senior player James does the daft thing and wafts a top edge to backward point at 135 for 4 when he's got himself in. Silly thing to do when the side needs stability, these men have to take responsibility if they are to play a role in a young side. Jim now experiments and sends in Jove who takes 7 off his first two and adds another 4 off his third. Unfortunately he then holes out to long off. Nice idea Mr A but now you need to come in and set something for the other Overton to build on.
The 150 arrives one ball into the 28th and although it is nice to see the skipper being flexible in how he uses his batting order he now has to buckle down with Cooper and get us to a platform for a push to 300. 250 early in the last 10 overs without any more loss is what these two have to plan for.
The two semi Aussie 'Europeans' then produce a 50+ run partnership to take us to 200 in the 38th and then almost to script Jim is bowled by 'Dolly' in the 41st for 45 (shame he didn't get the 50) at 215. In comes Cove to face Ajmal from the River for the 42nd. The 43rd ends on 226 and we need some acceleration because 250 plus has to be the par today at least.
The anticipation comes to naught however as Craig
The 150 arrives one ball into the 28th and although it is nice to see the skipper being flexible in how he uses his batting order he now has to buckle down with Cooper and get us to a platform for a push to 300. 250 early in the last 10 overs without any more loss is what these two have to plan for.
The two semi Aussie 'Europeans' then produce a 50+ run partnership to take us to 200 in the 38th and then almost to script Jim is bowled by 'Dolly' in the 41st for 45 (shame he didn't get the 50) at 215. In comes Cove to face Ajmal from the River for the 42nd. The 43rd ends on 266 and we need some acceleration because 250 plus has to be the par today at least.
The anticipation comes to naught though as Craig spoons one to cover and bothers the scorers very little (8 only). 230 for 7 with 44 gone. Tom however continues his more stable form by hitting a 75 ball 50 with only 3 fours. He's done the anchor role today very well so one wonders why Bates is now sent in looking for the runs that will take him over 100 runs in his 39 List A matches. Why? you may ask. Well look on the forum thread and see if anyone can tell you because I can't. 250 up in the 47th so we now have the minimim score but we need some big hits to make this a decent score for us to look to defend.
However, Bates does his job and gets Cooper on strike whenever possible. He also hits a couple of boundaries of his own to take him over 100 List A runs in his 39 matches. Cooper puts the ball to the sword and we move to 277 by the end of the 48th and then 17 more in the 49th taking Tommy over 4000 List A. Bates takes the first ball and takes the requred single. Tom is dropped in front of the CA and the ball goes for 4. The 300 is up with the next ball so the keeper now has to get Coop back on strike which he does and the man of the moment reaches 93 not out taking us to 305.
Would having Tim at the other end got us more runs? Maybe but Mike did what was required and we would have taken 300 at halfway. Enough? With a better bowling performance maybe but it could be close.
The Reply
Oliver and Mitchell open for the 'Pears' and Craig has Oliver caught behind by the skipper with the score on 5 and his personal contribution to that being 4. Groenewald takes the first from the River and he IS getting bounce. 27 on the board after 5 overs and a close call with the first ball of the 6th. Then Fell is caught at mid on by Leach with the next ball from Tim.
Then we get catching practice as D'Oliveira tries to cut a ball from Craig and simply guides the ball to Trego at third slip 32 for 3 at the end of the 7th and looking far more promising for the home side. By the eleventh Worcestershire have amassed 49 and the skipper turns to Jack for the 12th. They go past 50 but that is about it from his first.
With the introduction of spin at the River end, Allenby introduces the 'press' as he brings himself on at the other end and looks to tie the visitors down and frustrate them. This he does quite well going for only 1 himself. By the 16th Worcs have only managed to add 13 to the 11th over score and at 67 they are well behind the 126 D/L required score... so if it rains.....we win!!
But in case that doesn't happen, Jack gives us some of the icing by bowling Mitchell (37) at 70 with his first ball in the 18th. 70 for 4. Hr then gets Whiteley at 82 and we can start to think that the hard work is done. But Worcestershire keep to their task and move the score along until the introduction of another one of the Taunton favourites Peter Trego who does his job to keep the pressure on. He gets Kohler-Cadmore at 122 with his first ball but that brings Cox to the wicket and he starts to build another worthy partnership with Barnard and it isn't until 60 runs later that Jack breaks the partnership with Cox's wicket at 182. He finishes with 3 for 52 off his 10 overs - another significant match by the man.
The 200 arrives in the 39th and this game is not yet over by any means as Barnard moves to 50 at 214. Another new boy making his name against Somerset with a 38 ball half ton with 5 fours and a six. This after taking the first three Somerset wickets. It's certainly still on with 91 needed off 58 balls.
Craigcomes steaming in to get Barnard driving on the up. The ball flies to Hose who keeps hold and Barnards first half ton only moves to 51 at 220 for 8. Ajmal comes out and tries to hook Trego... and fails, plopping the ball into the gloves. 230 for 9 brings Morris from King's College steps out needing to guide his side with another 76 for the win. Shantry has 22 and we need one wicket for our first and only win in July. Despite the pressure, Shantry and Morris refuse to give in meekly and keep pushing the score along. They finish the 45th over on 249. Needing 56 to win off the last 30 balls.
Trego takes the 46th and the second ball has the ball in the air to Hose and Shantry falls while we win by 57 runs. Trigger finishes with 3 along with Jack and Craig. Third win at Fortress Taunton and another move in the right direction.
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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2015:08:02:19:34:23 by Grockle.
You were at the last game - man - just the other day!!
Adam Hose played in it - remember? He can't have been brought in today given that he played the last game. This isn't rocket science.
I don't care what the ground announcement said - it was wrong!
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2015:07:31:11:23:23 by AGod.
The side includes opening bowler Charles Morris, who was educated at King`s College Taunton.
Squad: Mitchell (capt.), Oliver, Fell, D`Oliveira, Kohler-Cadmore, Whitely, Cox, Barnard, Ajmal, Morris, Shantry and Clarke.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2015:07:31:10:40:16 by Grockle.
It's very, very hard to defend totals at Taunton.
Sounds like we've benefited from a dropped catch already (TA).
Quote:AGod
????????????
You were at the last game - man - just the other day!!
Adam Hose played in it - remember?
I don't care what the ground announcement said - it was wrong!
Oh dear..... calm down.
I'm reporting on what the club are telling the crowd. I don't care whether it is wrong. 3000+ supporters here have been told that Hose has been called in for Gregory. What you think is very nice on the forum but what I heard at the ground is NOT wrong. Because... I was here to hear it and that IS what they said.
So I comment that he should be first on the list - I think you agree but keep the blood pressure in check AG there's a long way to go today hopefully. Just because you know everything and they know nothing is not a reason for shooting the messenger.
Should we lose today, he will not be able to credibly advance such a claim, since the side that we have out for this game has an edge or nearly 200 appearances in List A cricket compared to our opponents.
And at three down already, it's not looking great.
I'd love to know why MM/JA have abandoned the long-standing policy of usually chasing in short form cricket at HQ.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2015:07:31:11:34:38 by Grockle.
123 for 3 at the game if anyone wants to know a little more than who was left out for Hose/Groenewald/Gregory or anyone else. I think AG has put us all right now and we can concentrate on what is happening now rather than what Julian announced at 10 25 ish.
Yeah, we might collapse in doing so, but we have to try because there's no point putting up an inadequate total for fear of collapsing if we push too much.
No point trying to struggle to 250;/260 from here as defeat would be almost certain with that sort of total.
Might as well send the Overtons and TG and let all three play their natural game and if we get bowled out for 200? Well that would probably equal a 99% chance of defeat whereas struggling patiently to 250 would probably equal a 95% chance of defeat.
Might as well at least try for 300. In my estimation, against a poor Worcs batting line-up, 300 would give us a better than 50:50 shot.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2015:07:31:12:06:49 by AGod.
And well done Allenby for not going for the "consolidate and try to post 250," approach.
The question is - why was he the sixth bowler to be used?
I thought that was odd, given that he batted seven.
The fifth bowler used, sent down 5-0-37-0, so that may have been an error!
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2015:07:31:12:42:49 by AGod.
However, I'm unconvinced by their explanation which seems to be that the track has quite a bit of pace and bounce. I guess that may suit the Overtons when they bowl. But, within reason, pace and bounce are usually an aid to stroke-making.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2015:07:31:12:41:03 by AGod.
Beeb trying to claim this one is fast and bouncy - is that the impression you have at the ground, Grockle?
Quote:Grockle
Not according to the announcement on the ground AG... sorry. Clearly Adam Hose in for Lewis Gregory. Wouldn't have mentioned it otherwise.
a bit late to reply to this, but you could, of course, have Hose in for Gregory if you bought a scorecard.
So- the fact Hose played the last game wouldn't affect the ground announcer saying 'Hose in for Gregory' if the printed scorecard had say Gegory down to bat at 7. So- get a pen cross out
Simples.
LoL
Seventy-eight Seasons a Somerset Supporter
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2015:07:31:13:30:18 by Grockle.
LoL
Seventy-eight Seasons a Somerset Supporter
Excellent innings from Cooper. Stood when required, hit when required and did the job required. Many here think his goose is cooked. If he bats like this until the end of the season I am not so sure. This is what we needed from him and people who have known him in the past seem to think the Cooper we have seen up to now is out of character.
Certainly if he can do this then he can do a job for this side - certainly has a number of gears and a ball he hits stays hit!! But he is keeping the ball down and playing sensibly.
Should we have had Tim in bashing from the other end - can't see how we would have lost out by putting him in. Well done to Mike Bates but he could have done that AFTER Tim had the long handle not worked. But 300 up.
Having spoken to other media, it will be interesting to see if they change their tune for the second half.
Whiteley was very good in one of the T20s I watched on TV.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2015:07:31:15:01:34 by Grockle.
It will do the confidence of the bowlers some considerable good if they can finish this opponent off.
Leachy too good for them.
Well done SCCC. Now let's finish them off......
Grizzzly
That will leave Surrey in charge of our group. Looks like Gloucs will win easily ahead of our game with them on Sunday.
LoL
Seventy-eight Seasons a Somerset Supporter
The biggest pluses from the other day were arguably the biggest pluses today as well i.e Hose, Cooper and Leach although PT and CO shared 6 wkts and Allenby sounded as though he had a decent knock.
Suspect that Allenby's captaincy might be a breath of fresh air, and interesting that he's bowling Trego more.
Really feel more positive about things right now. Only one game & win I know, but the train appears to be moving in the right direction at last.
Pleased for Jack Leach especially.
Hope we can build on this & generate some confidence which we can carry into the Championship.
Grizzzly
If, however, Northamptonshire beat Derbyshire this evening, we shall slip down one place.
Onwards and upwards.
LoL
Seventy-eight Seasons a Somerset Supporter
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2015:07:31:18:16:29 by Loyal of Lhasa.
Hose shows great positivity and no little ability. We ground out the middle overseas and we thought TC was too slow. But it proved to be a slowish wicket and we'll placed bowling difficult to score quickly on. TC's acceleration late on was impressive and 300 was probably a little over par.
A welcome win. A repeat against Gloucs please!
Grizzzly
A lot of smiling faces leaving the ground tonight.
Good to see Tom Cooper in the runs again,, some sensible batting from him in keeping the ball on the ground until he got his eye in, once again young Hose looked a good prospect, along with Tom Abell have we found a new and young opening pair for Somerset.
As sloop John B has said, a noticeable improvement in the Captaincy and also the general team approach (IMO)
I think Tim Groenewald in for Lewis Gregory proved a good move, as I had hoped.
Today three things particularly impressed me - Jack Leach (who IMO should have been selected in every team since he recovered from his illness), Bates's keeping and useful batting. I can't believe we will find a better wicketkeeper who will give confidence to the bowlers AND the captain, and finally Allenby's non-invasive control in the field. It is such a difference when you DON'T see the skipper running around the field frightening the horses. And I could still see a role for Max in the 50 overs and 4 day cricket occasionally. He would start every game with + 30 runs because of his fielding.
Old Boy!
James Hildreth needs to take more responsibility. His was the real disappointment. After doing the hard work and at the point when he should have marshalled the troops he wafts outside off and gives his wicket away.
Inventive use of the Overtons and credit to Bates that when he was inexplicably sent in ahead of Tim he did his job, supported Cooper as he went up a gear and got us over the 300 barrier.
Craig and Tim bowled with decent pace, Jack with guile and great enthusiasm. Jamie scared them to death and Jim and Pete just kept them honest.
Good fighting batting by Worcestershire as well to make a real game of it.
Confidence for the team going up to Bristol for what will be a vital game in this competition.
He seems to have gone backwards this season. I haven't looked up his numbers, but he seems to have gone from very promising all rounder, to something of a fringe player ?
Or am I missing something ?
Grizzzly.
Hasn't been very good in short form stuff (with ball) for a couple of years now, having been an awesome short form bowler when he first came on the scene (pre back injury).
His batting ability, IMO, is more notional than real but his place in the batting order implies that the club still retain high hopes for his batting.
Hope he can rediscover that sort of form.
Grizzzly
And to think he was at the start of the season thought by some as on the fringe of the England squad.
Hose looked good again at the top of the order. Two very rash shots from the Overton's particularly Jamie considering he had hit 10 of the previous 2 balls, also a rash shot from Allenby which was very uncharacteristic as he had played nicely before that. Cooper looked very good again let's hope that he can continue this form into red ball cricket. Also a very sensible innings from Bates as he stayed there with Cooper, scored at over a run a ball and ran very well between the wickets as sometimes Cooper can be a bit casual in his running.
RE Gregory: He started the seasons very well and for the first 4 games or so he carried our attack. However since he was rested for Yorkshire game he has not been the same bowler as he seems to have lost the rhythm that he had built up earlier in the season.
It wasn`t a normal illness like `flu of a pulled muscle. He fell down at home and fractured his skull, suffering in the aftermath from severe concussion.
Sports doctors, and indeed ordinary GPs, will tell you that you can`t rush back from concussion, as if you have just got over an illness. You have to pick up the pace as slowly as is good for you, while keeping further signs of concussion at bay.
Somerset are to be praised for looking after Leach so well, starting him back in the Seconds, and the bringing him back to first team duty once he was ready.
I hope he regains his form and promise soon, with Alfonso unlikely to be around in 2016, and also doubts on Craig Meschede return to the fold he will be needed.
There is something different about the make up of this team, you can see the energy in the field and it is good to see smiling faces.
Worcester gave us a match, we were just better on the day, Ed Barnard hitting six runs.
Adam Hose took a catch off a skier from Ben Cox off the bowling of Jack Leach.
Tom Abell took a brilliant catch to dismiss Ross Whiteley once again off the bowling of Jack Leach.
I took this photo just a bit too early, Daryl Mitchell I would think was expecting to hear the death rattle of the ball hitting the stumps, This gave Jack Leach the first of his three wickets.
It is hard to describe Tommy Cooper's innings only to say it was a innings of two parts, just missing out on his hundred that he deserve, it was raining sixes at one point like this six.
James Hildreth running the ball off the face of the bat getting four runs behind.
Peter Trego is just not getting those big score that I would like to see, 15 runs scored and this was a six.
Unfortunately for Peter Trego the ball didn't stop there it kept going and gave Ed Barnard a wicket.
Adam Hose (four runs) has taken his opportunity and hasn't failed yet, good for him.
We are off the starting line now keep going.
His choice of words might not have suited the way you wished the changes to be described, but Julien Cattanach our PA announcer being a former English teacher, is a very capable announcer.
Irrespective of what the scorecards said or what may have been said over the PA this could not have been correct and was what I was pointing out originally.
Not everybody present is so called as knowledgeable as yourself, and would known if Adam Hose had played for SCCC before.
In fact one supporter said to me today,that he had never heard of this Hose guy, and asked was he a loan player.
Posters here know what the team was on Wednesday and, therefore, as far as we are concerned the change should be described to people reading here as TG for LG, not AH for LG.
You do realise that the 20% of posts on this thread related to it have given EVERYONE of whatever persuasion all the intricate detail on the matter they could possibly want.
Just be careful you don't disappear up your own discussing it any further won't you
sorry I couldn't find any emoticons with toys and pramsEdited 2 time(s). Last edit at 2015:07:31:23:00:15 by Grockle.
When interviewed tends to say 'I'm a batsman that bowls.'
I've no idea how he currently divides his practice time. But if he still sees himself as a batsman would not surprise me if he spends at least as much time working on his batting as his bowling.