ralphindevon

2 minutes ago, ralphindevon said:

I’d give Bairstow another 2 or 3 overs of slogging just so their openers have less time to prepare and us a few more runs

I posted that before realising I’d paused the Mark Taylor interview to get some lunch and was still running 5 minutes behind.

Damned rain

I’d give Bairstow another 2 or 3 overs of slogging just so their openers have less time to prepare and us a few more runs

10 minutes ago, phantom said:

 

I think that we still are, plenty of games to turn this season on its head yet

 

I’d agree with you if we played each team twice but in fact there’s only 4 games left.

Yes, still possible and I’ll be the first back to like your post if it happens and the cider’s will be on me.

Blackbird! And it’s been a pretty good few weeks of cricket for Somerset.

That should ensure 1st division cricket for yet another record breaking year.

41 minutes ago, Dogbert said:

Is it just me that wouldn't send Lammonby out to open now? He is so out of form that the risk of him getting out early again wouldn't help.

Personally I'd send out Rew to see how he handles a new ball.

To be fair to Lammonby he shouldn’t have been given out in the first innings and must have been chomping at the bit to get back out there.

It doesn’t do one’s confidence any good to be moved down the order when chasing 50

15 of the 19 wickets go to Henry and Overton. What a pair!

9 minutes ago, Midred said:

Have they put 60 runs on this morning? 

73 now 

2 minutes ago, TomF said:

If the weather holds out for a result in this and the next test I reckon we can regain.   Starc must be doubtful for next test, Lyon already out,  Cummins looks spent, Boland not lived up to the hype..  

Finger crossed. They’re already talking about how much tickets will change hands for at the Oval if it’s all square.

It would take a large sum to persuade me to part with mine whatever the state of play.

Is there a better opening attack than Henry and Overton?

Which makes the no wins in the first 5 games hard to take, though I think Overton was having his workload managed more then and he wasn’t quite himself.

A couple of wins back then and next weeks game v Surrey would have been a near title décider

Once again the Aussie bowlers looking jaded. Of course they’ve played one more test than us and bowled a lot more energy sapping short pitch bowling.

Please don’t let the weather spoil this absolutely brilliant series.

22 minutes ago, The Coach said:

Yes I caught. Found it rather unprofessional and should have kept her comments to herself. Even caught the presenter off guard with her personal comments I believe.

Have to say, not sure how she landed in her role. She’s absolutely dull as dishwater.

I’m torn. I do find her difficult to listen to when she’s going on about boring uninteresting stuff about Man United, then all of a sudden she’s off on one with her own opinions which is at least interesting but, as you say, a little unprofessional.

Did anyone else hear Melissa Reddy’s analysis of the Jordan Henderson situation?

She certainly doesn’t hang back, for a reporter very scathing and to the point with her opinion.

She did similar in the World Cup after Infantino’s dreadful speach, she goes from meek, mild and a little bit dull to a full on voice of opposition in a matter of moments.

There was a special programme on sale for the Man City game and the chap selling them told us they’d be back for every game this season.

Forecast set fair and a 2 and a bit day win looks on the cards.

Which brings us to that time of year where we wonder what might have been if Somerset could start a season properly.

If we’d got over the line v Hants we’d be right up there despite our bad start.

3 minutes ago, northsomersetred said:

Harry Passenger, just left Kings in Taunton, all rounder who bowls spin.

Cheers for that. Ah spin, that’s why he was so successful when the more experienced seamers were wicket less.

One to watch out for, must be young as he’s batting 11 as an all rounder. Wicket less in the second innings as are the seamers but 3 for Goldsworthy 

Northants have managed a whopping 1 bonus batting point this year, so hoping they dont add to that tally today. 

From memory i think that one point may have been us in that dreadful drawn game in May

Jimmy really is looking like his career is in its final moments, not getting any luck but then his head seems to be dropping and he serves up half volleys, very un Jimmy like.

Hope this post looks silly soon and he has a hat full but I’m struggling to see it. 

Anybody on here clued up on the Somerset 2nds?

In the current game v Hants I see Ben Green got a ton, unlucky not to have played in the first team this season I think. Also the forgotten man Lewis Goldsworthy got 95.

But what I want to know is who is the H Passenger who got 4 wickets, when Ogborne and Leonard got none?

And I don’t remember seeing Michael Vaughan’s boy Archie playing any second 11 this season, anyone know how he’s doing? 

Having rewatched most of finals day now a few things struck me.

Firstly, over the years we’ve been lucky enough to have some real T20 world superstars play for us, Buttler, Keiswetter, Pollard, Babar, Gayle…..and won nothing. This team has no huge superstars but as a team have worked together just brilliantly. Maybe a lesson going forward when we get our cheque book out to sign someone.

Secondly and probably most importantly is the balance of that team was absolutely spot on. We were, as we often are, a great batting team with two very bright sparks at the top with plenty, often to eleven, of big hitting quality to follow.

But unlike other years we got to the finals day, the weather wasn’t great, the pitch was very different to most of what we experienced in the group stages and batsmen would find it difficult but it didn’t matter because our bowlers were brilliant. Again without any huge stars, they all contributed.

And finally our fielding over the whole tournament was an example for any cricket team in the world, club, county or international to follow, absolutely brilliant with no weak links.

If the T20 Blast were a league and we could keep that team, we’d be champions for years to come.

Just now, TomF said:

It's what we've need for many a year.  TKC was a very good coup. I know there are some 'issues' with his past at Yorkshire but we can hardly look at him in worse light than Craig for example. 

Yeah I must admit the bits you see of him in Behind the Wyvern (which has its final ever episode on YouTube right now)  and in interviews he seems a real nice guy as does Craig. Maybe both better for a few years more life and cricket experience. 

I must admit we’ve had some very average signings over recent years but last winters recruiting was very good.

TKC, Dickson, Henry and even a short term Sodhi have all been good signings, you could add Shoaib Bashir to that as he was discovered towards the end of last year.

Back to the calmness of 4 day cricket today.

Already lost Lammonby as I type, it would be good if the top order could contribute, it feels a while since the very talented captain Tom got a few so hopefully that’ll be today.

Well done England, won the T20 series, won the ODI series but somehow haven't won the Ashes. 

Great effort anyway 

Great atmosphere, terrible facilities in the away end. 

The century old toilets are almost unfit for purpose. Perhaps they need the money to renew them

21 minutes ago, TomF said:

Yes remember painfully Leicestershire defending 146 against us back in 2011

That was a team that contained Kieswetter, Buttler, Tres, Alfonso and Pollard.

The best squad we've ever had....... until now.