County Championship 2017

First topic message reminder :

Not long to go now, just under a month!

Who are your picks for the title?
Who is going down?
Surprise team?
Most runs?
Most wickets?

Discuss here!

At the end of play Hameed's strike rate in an innings of 85* had risen to 36.48. A fair chance that this will help to secure Lancashire a draw. They badly need a win, but without Hameed's long effort they would - presumably - have posted a feeble score.

Meanwhile a good day for Somerset who look likely to secure a win against Warks and - for all practical purposes - to end the latter's hopes of avoiding relegation.

Fair chance of a result in the Hants/Surrey match, although rain is forecast in the South on Friday.

A belated follow up on Arrowgate at the Oval last week.

When play was abandoned with Middlesex batting in their second innings and having just about saved the match, they were behind on the over rate from Surrey's first innings. This sort of thing usually doesn't get acted upon by the umpires / ECB and is effectively just ignored. Even so in this match with it increasingly looking likely that it would fizzle out into a draw, Middlesex would probably have declared and quickly sent down a few pies in Surrey's second dig to ensure there were no problems with the over rate. Due to the antics of some bloke with a crossbow, Middlesex obviously never had the chance to do that.

What happened next? Last night Middlesex were deducted 2 points for their over rate in the game. Laugh? Sorry, Sir Fred, but I haven't stopped!

All Div 1 games have delayed start. The Met Office radar showing plenty of rain around currently in Southampton area, which well may be enough to allow Surrey to escape with a draw against Hants. With the other matches it may be more a case of how much delay is caused by the overnight rain rather than any further rain today. Somerset may well only need a short period of play to polish off Warks - they will be particularly gutted if they don't get time for that.

Somerset won against the doomed Warks - and all other Div 1 matches were drawn. Somerset now only 13 points behind Middlesex and Yorkshire (and 23 points behind Surrey).

Essex 36 points clear at the top - and next up face Warks. With three games to go, realistic to think that one more win for Essex plus a draw and a reasonable smattering of bonus points in all three matches is likely to be sufficient to ensure the championship.

Big win for the Worcester boys last week over Notts, great knock from Mitch in the 4th Innings to chase a potentially tricky target.

Real shot at promotion now

Position now is that a number of sides are from safe from relegation. Bet some teams were hoping that the last day of the Somerset match would be rained off and they would be deprived of the win.
   Middx's last match is at Taunton and could be a relegation decider. No doubt some Somerset folk are still smarting about having the championship snatched from them last season. Could be tasty.
   Am off to Uxbridge tomorrow (weather permitting) to see Middx v Hants.

Bit of surprise - whole of day 1 of Middx v Hants wiped out due to wet outfield. That's bad luck for Sir Fred - maybe he had time to divert back to the Oval? I'm guessing that it's a case of relatively poor drainage at an "out" ground.  We get used to the grounds at Test venues being able to absorb huge quantities of rain and start promptly the following day.

That is ridiculous at this level. The sun is out!

Apparently it's an issue with a wet wicket Corporal not outfield - they had the heating lamps on it this morning

Amateur to say the least

Good Golly I'm Olly wrote:Apparently it's an issue with a wet wicket Corporal not outfield - they had the heating lamps on it this morning

Amateur to say the least

I was going on the info on cricinfo - well I suppose if the wicket itself has got very wet it might well turn out to be a low scoring "result" pitch.

Essex working their way steadily through Warks batting 186 - 7, with Ronnie Barker the latest to go, for a duck.  Dom Sibley playing pretty much a lone hand with 69* off 169 balls.

Somerset have lost a 5th wicket now, on 229 - 5.  Another ex Surrey man, Steve Davies, going well.  Somerset badly want a full set of batting points to help close the gap.

Surrey look to be on target for a good haul of batting points against Yorks, on 258 - 3.

* * * *

Eek! 7 out of the 8 Warks wickets which have fallen have gone LBW.

Good recovery by Somerset to finish on 330 - 9. Surrey prospered well battings against Yorks with a full set of batting points to come whereas Yorks may well only take one bowling point.

Essex looking comfortable against Warks and with a good day's batting tomorrow will have taken a giant stride towards clinching the title.

Various teams - and not just Middlesex and Hants - will be watching a little anxiously to find out the state of the pitch at Uxbridge tomorrow.

Problem at Uxbridge was that some water had got on to the wicket. But it was REALLY wet there. There were puddles on the walkways behind the sightscreen at one end.
  With some rain expected I reckon there's a good chance there will be a complete abandonment of this match, which could put Middx in trouble, especially as Somerset have had an OK-ish first day. Mind you, Yorks don't look too clever, either.

Sir Fred - I believe Middlesex's current match is at Uxbridge as the last Test at Lord's wasn't scheduled to finish until Monday. The original thinking and planning seems sound although it's badly rebounded on your boys and Hants. If there's no play at Uxbridge tomorrow, could it be switched to Lord's for Thursday and Friday? If nothing else, it would give both teams the chance to earn some bonus points.

Surely Middlesex will face some sort of fine/points deduction for this. It can't be acceptable at this level can it?

jimbohammers wrote:Surely Middlesex will face some sort of fine/points deduction for this. It can't be acceptable at this level can it?

Hi Jimbo - is it bad work or bad luck? I honestly don't know but I totally understand your frustration. The cause should certainly be thoroughly checked. With each county only hosting 7 home matches now, it's highly significant if one gets wiped out. I'm sure many Middlesex supporters will be up in arms with you.

Whatever the reasons, a very poor advert for outground cricket sadly.

EDIT and PS: to add to the frustration, I've just found out that Middlesex had a full day's play yesterday in their home second XI fixture (a friendly, I think) at Radlett, just eleven miles from Uxbridge and also used for Championship matches.

I went to Radlett for a 50-over match earlier in the season. Excellent and extremely attractive ground.
   Doubt Middx will want to risk Uxbridge again any time soon. I've seen plenty of county cricket there since it started there (1980 I think) and often it's been played in extremely hot weather, with the outfield bare and lightning quick. Complete contrast yesterday with the outfield and the surrounds to the ground as wet as I've seen at a (so-called) county ground.

Guildford, it may seem a bit harsh me calling out for some sort of punishment to Middlesex as I'm sure they are keen to get a game on like everyone else. But it is pretty unprofessional. Especially when you see every other game go ahead.

Sirfred, hope you didnt have to travel far. Have seen a few hants supporters had made the trip, probably expecting a full days play with the sun out!

Jimbo - in other bad news for you, Vince has had today to drop out of the game due to injury. I assume he can be replaced? I ask as I believe Hants elected yesterday to bowl first and, if so, the team lineups would have been confirmed to the umpires then.

My journey from Hatch End to Uxbridge yesterday was not too taxing. Of course, having elected not to go today, I find they are playing. Perhaps the strong wind has dried the ground out sufficiently.

guildfordbat wrote:Jimbo - in other bad news for you, Vince has had today to drop out of the game due to injury. I assume he can be replaced? I ask as I believe Hants elected yesterday to bowl first and, if so, the team lineups would have been confirmed to the umpires then.

That is a big blow, Guildford - although it gives a chance to youngster (and brilliantly named) Felix Organ - who recently played for England Under 19s.

A very youthful feel to the side with Weatherley, Alsop, Organ Dickinson and Crane all coming through the academy

Thanks, Jimbo! That has to be the name of this or any season!

I can see it now.. The best wicket in history:

Bowled Mason Crane caught Felix Organ

Hameed watch. 4 from 50 balls at the moment

After a short shower play has been abandoned for the day. (Already!) So amateur

jimbohammers wrote:After a short shower play has been abandoned for the day. (Already!) So amateur

As soon as I saw the latest scores, I thought you would be going nuts - you actually seem pretty restrained!

guildfordbat wrote:

jimbohammers wrote:After a short shower play has been abandoned for the day. (Already!) So amateur

As soon as I saw the latest scores, I thought you would be going nuts - you actually seem pretty restrained!

Jimbo - there's a lovely article on cricinfo about the goings on at Uxbridge. I don't think Middlesex will be going back there anytime soon although they're probably too scared to say anything now for fear of points being docked. Hang in there!

No play so far today at Uxbridge due to the wet outfield although the fourth inspection of the day is planned for 3pm.

If he hasn't been taken away yet, Jimbo H must be going ballistic!

Essex have wrapped up an innings victory over Warwks which not only takes them to the brink of the championship but takes the Midlanders to the brink of relegation.
   Didn't realise Essex had not won the title since 1992. Things could have been so different this season if only Middx had enforced the follow on against Essex at Lord's at the beginning of the (alleged) summer.

Well done Essex - clearly the form Div 1 team of the summer, and by a considerable margin.

Looks likely Lancs will lose to Somerset - although I suppose there is outside chance that they may scrape a draw if there are showers at Taunton tomorrow.

Well deserved relegation to come for Warks. OK they have got some rather ageing stars - but time and again their batting really has under performed.

I suppose Middlesex and Hants might arrange agreed declarations tomorrow and a one innings match? Though sod's law will no doubt dictate that an exciting finish is ruined by a passing shower.

Div 2 watch and Darren Stevens on his usual form... 3 wickets in the 1st innings, 65 not out with the bat and now 3 wickets in the 2nd innings

So Div 1:
Essex win and seal the Title
Lancashire lose to Zuumerzettt
Surrey v Yorkshire and Middlesex v Hampshire heading for tame draws

Yorkshire to pick up 10 points and Middlesex 9 points (if I have my maths and bonus points right), so very close for the 2nd relegation spot between them and Somerset. (1 point between the 3 of them)

Surrey and Hampshire v close for 3rd, but still need more to be looking over their shoulders than looking up at Lancashire's 2nd place.

A much deserved Championship title for Essex. A strong and determined team extremely well led by their skipper Tendo.

Middx's one batting point from the weather-ruined match at Uxbridge could yet prove crucial and they did well to bowl Hants out in the time available. Some tense days ahead. I shall be heading for Lord's for Middx-Lancs on Tuesday.

Come on the mighty Eagles!!!!! Fantastic season and finally we have another trophy! Congrats to Tendo and the lads, can't wait too see the boys lift the trophy!

Congrats to Essex.

Games starting tomorrow:

Hampshire vs Essex
Middlesex vs Lancashire
Surrey vs Somerset
Yorkshire vs Warwickshire

Div 2:

Derbyshire vs Kent
Durham vs Sussex
Glamorgan vs Gloucestershire
Northants vs Notts

As expected (and no doubt feared by various Div 1 counties?) Warks putting up little resistance so far against Yorks - 6 wickets down at lunch.

Middlesex recovering from a perilous start - but still reach lunch on a somewhat shaky 80 - 4 against Lancs.

Evenly poised at Southampton by the sound of it with Hants on 103 - 3 against Essex.

Somerset prospering on the usual Oval road wicket. 96 - 1. Batty captured only wicket just before lunch.

Rather ironic that the three teams that fought out the Championship on the last couple of days last season now look likely to reprise that struggle to decide which of them gets relegated...
(I know you Surrey and Hampshire supporters are wary of relaxing until you are mathematically safe - and can understand that ! But honestly it would take some pretty spectacular results to have either of you fall below all of last year's Big Three now )

Not too happy with the Middlesex position at lunch today. Long way to go ; but this was not the start they needed in this penultimate round...especially as Yorkshire and Somerset have each had a good couple of hours.

Meanwhile , up North , the daft decision to schedule day night limited over stuff for late September seems to be achieving little but depriving various counties of key players...

By tea, it's definitely advantage to all the sides that bowled first in the Div 1 matches.

Surrey and Yorkshire with 2 bowling points and both odds on for 3.

Middlesex with one batting point, Somerset look like getting 1 or 2, Hampshire likely 2.

Generally good for Surrey to not get dragged into the depths of the relegation fight, and not good for Middlesex or Somerset.

Middlesex's position improving as they have Lancashire in trouble.

One disappointment in the Yorkshire v Warwickshire game is that Yorkshire have not selected their Ryan Sidebottom to play against his namesake...

dummy_half wrote:Middlesex's position improving as they have Lancashire in trouble.

One disappointment in the Yorkshire v Warwickshire game is that Yorkshire have not selected their Ryan Sidebottom to play against his namesake...

Lol!  We'll maybe have to content ourselves with the thought that Sidebottom is playing for the bottom side!

Appears the Essex lads may still have some booze inside them...

You may be right, Olly! But if you see some of the dismissals... Good luck playing them! Fidel Edwards with a couple of beauties

To be fair we were due a top order collapse lol...been a while...

Missed this but I see Jeetan Patel got a 100 for Warwickshire yesterday... Not been a bad overseas signing over the years has he?!

jimbohammers wrote:Missed this but I see Jeetan Patel got a 100 for Warwickshire yesterday... Not been a bad overseas signing over the years has he?!

A 100 in a score of 219 for a number 8 is damn impressive!!

Near close of day 2 things hotting up. Middlesex folded in their second innings leaving Lancs with 221 to win on what I assume is a rather difficult batting pitch.

Essex after following on are getting their act together in the second innings. Lead Hants by 28 runs still with 7 wickets in hand.

Yorks fairly well placed against Warks - the latter currently 28 runs behind with 9 wickets left.

Meanwhile King Sanga has yet another century for Surrey, who lead Somerset by 40, with 5 wickets left.

This is why we are champions...even when things are tough, we can dig in when required, young dan Lawrence leading the way, even Ravi has got his head down!

What a player Sangakarra (spelling?) is. A shame he is retiring this year, a real class act.

Essex fighting back well. I'm surprised we enforced the follow on, could have batted all day today and had 2 days to get 10 wickets..