Batting not a Strongpoint - Bath Day 2 and 3

The Absent Hero
By Grockle
June 6 2003

While Johnson is making Somerset's name ring with a great second day at the Test, the batsmen are struggling to make headway..again! No-one really getting in, everyone really getting out and a huge gap to fill if they aren't going to lose by an innings. Day 4 - a day of survival!

v WORCESTERSHIRE CC2 @ Bath 6 June 2003

DAY ONE

DAY TWO

DAY THREE

DAY FOUR

Well we survived the third day after the debacle that was Day 2.  It's a start and the weather is unpredictable so there is always a chance of something surprising happening between now and the end of Saturday.  Meanwhile, the swarthy Greek (who we could well use here) is wasting Zimbabwe single handed with 24 off 14 balls and the 7th best bowling debut of an England Test player ever - 6 for 33.  Don't ya just love cricket?  What Somerset wouldn't give for 6 for 33 in this game!

Worcestershire's overnight Day 1 total of 422 for 5 was not a great day and we were all settling down for a big scoring draw - not the first time that has happened in recent years on this ground.  But twas not to be!!  Batty went after adding only 4 to his overnight score as Francis started the second day with some skittling!   Unfortunately, Hall decided to stay around and added 92 with Steve Rhodes before he went 4 runs after another century for the Pears!  524 became 532 before Blackwell had Rhodes LBW and Ali only added one run before snicking one to Mr Turner - who also took Hayward off Parsons to finish off the visitors first innings at 538 all out.  Not too shabby a start for the away side.

A pitch doing not a lot?  Well no bowler really stood out, even Blackwell's 4 wicket haul went for 131 and two other bowlers were in 3 figures.  When it goes against you big it really does!  A big score was needed and Piran Holloway had his chance to show why he had been promoted after some big and impressive scores in the seconds.  We got to 40 without loss before Hayward broke through with the wicket of opening partner Matthew Wood for 8.  Unfortunately Holloway followed him back 2 runs later and we had once again lost both openers before the score passed 50.

Nevertheless Bryant and Cox settled down to put things right and had added 73 and put us into triple figures before Bryant went to Batty for 28.  Cox didn't hang about and once again we'd lost both batsmen just after they had established themselves - Jamie Cox LBW (surprise) Hall for 37. at 123 for 4.  Burnsy came in later in this line-up but it made no difference, he stayed about as long and we were 138 for 5 a quarter of an hour later.  What the hell had happened?  Had the wicket changed out of all recognition?  Who knows but it didn't seem to be the same strip that had provided rich pickings for the other side's batsmen hours earlier.

Blackwell and Turner rallied the troops once again and passed the 150 without further loss.  But Blacky also got his pad in the way and we were on the downward slope at 169 for 6.  KP tried to stem the tide but went at 182, Turner tried reverse sweeps for God's sake in his efforts to keep the score ticking but the wickets standing.  He didn't really do either and it was 188 for 8.  Dutch and McLean put a few on, Nixon with a runner that he forgot about and a selection of agricultural hoicks that were quite entertaining.  They passed 200 before Dutchy became number 9 and Frankie added 18 to finish the first phase at 238 all out, a mere 300 runs behind with just over two days to survive!

Worcestershire enforced the follow-on - surprise after surprise!  Holloway got his second chance and didn't do much better really, making 11 before he went LBW to Ali.   Nightime and some early Day 3 rain kept us all guessing but they did come out to start on Day 3 and the trickle of runs and wickets continued all day.  No-one made a lot and no-one really stayed in for very long!  Matt Wood went at 66 making 32, Bryant joined him at 68 and it all looked bleak and hopeless.  But in a shortened day, Cox and Burns at least made a fight of it and remained unbeaten having added 76 - which is a big partnership by our standards in this game.

We are 144 for 3 facing a deficit of 156 before Worcestershire have to get their pads on.  The weather tomorrow is not brilliant but then again neither is our batting.   Can we hold out?  It's doubtful but possible.  We'll just have to wait and see!