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!

Shout out to Kleindvelt who is having one hell of a game against Notts. 43 with the bat in the first innings, 9 wickets with the ball!! 48 second innings and 2 wickets already putting Notts in big trouble.

He's the sort of the 'athlete' I aspire to. Proper athlete

jimbohammers wrote: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..

JimboH - just say Sanga or King!

On an entirely separate subject it's Surrey's Awards night at the Oval tomorrow. I'm not allowed to say until then who's the Supporters' Player of the Year but I can reveal he got 94% of the votes.

guildfordbat wrote:
On an entirely separate subject it's Surrey's Awards night at the Oval tomorrow. I'm not allowed to say until then who's the Supporters' Player of the Year but I can reveal he got 94% of the votes.

Lol - wonder who the 6% voted for...

Guildford, that seems a suitable name to me... Underrated player? I know he is unbelievable but when pundits talk about 'the greats' they mention Pointing, Tendulkar etc.. but rarely 'Sang.. sorry.. 'the king'

Corp, Olly voted 100 times for the 'burger van'

jimbohammers wrote:Guildford, that seems a suitable name to me... Underrated player? I know he is unbelievable but when pundits talk about 'the greats' they mention Pointing, Tendulkar etc.. but rarely 'Sang.. sorry.. 'the king'

Corp, Olly voted 100 times for the 'burger van'

I voted for a #AnsariforEngland statue

Good job Kent aren't in the promotion hunt in Div 2 all 3 days of their match at Chesterfield against Derbyshire have been called off due to unfit outfield. Derbyshire moved this match to Chesterfield to facilitate a Boyzone concert at their ground........

Looks like Derbyshire haven't covered themselves in glory - in having an unfit ground/pitch.

Weather intervening in the relegation battle - the predicted rain seems to be affecting south rather more than was expected, and north less so. Very little play so far today at Southampton - and even if they do get started again after lunch there is a bit of rain lurking just west of them. If little or no play possible today, the draw starts to become a possible outcome.

Warks battling harder than I expected and lead Yorks by 59 at lunch with 7 wickets left. Tight match at Lords, with Lancs 133 - 5 chasing 221. Need another 86.

Somerset eventually conceded a first innings lead of 164 to Surrey - and have already lost Trescothick by lunchtime (5 - 1).

Middx get vital win. Forecast is OK-ish for Friday so neither Yorks nor Surrey should be thwarted by the weather. 
   Relegation battle is even tighter now.

Yorks have a bit of work to do - but victory for them against Warks seems fairly straightforward. If so, Somerset's position after this round of matches is likely to be distinctly precarious.

Ollie Rayner, a tremendous slip, took a stunning one-hander to get the crucial 9th wicket for Middx v Lancs yesterday. From the clips I've seen, the Lord's wicket looked poor, with a number of balls keeping low.
   Rayner is set to miss the last match at Taunton where, no doubt, Somerset will prepare a raging Bunsen. Twill be interesting to see the table at the conclusion of today's matches.

sirfredperry wrote:Ollie Rayner, a tremendous slip, took a stunning one-hander to get the crucial 9th wicket for Middx v Lancs yesterday. From the clips I've seen, the Lord's wicket looked poor, with a number of balls keeping low.
   Rayner is set to miss the last match at Taunton where, no doubt, Somerset will prepare a raging Bunsen. Twill be interesting to see the table at the conclusion of today's matches.

Oval groundsman certainly seems to have neutralised Somerset's spin threat in current match. Leach and Bess failed to take a wicket in Surrey first innings - and in an innings lasting almost 130 overs they bowled - between them - less than 20% of the overs.

Yorkshire need 88 runs to beat Warks, with 5 wickets remaining. Patel already has 4. Potentially an upset on the cards there

Essex have a lead of 113 over Hants with 2 wickets left. A tricky little chase for Hants, but they should win that one.

In Division two, Notts need 173 to beat Northants, but only 4 wickets left. A win for Northants there sets up a very interesting final round of matches in terms of the promotion race!

Yorks now 6 down, Patel has 5! What a result that could be!

Not looking good for Yorkshire , indeed. Frankly if they can't beat Warwickshire they deserve to go down...though looking back at predictions on here I saw some posters were a bit more confident of the latter team's potential at the start of the season

Not looking good for Hameed or Jennings either for one reason or another : Robson moving into the frame ?
And Finn took some rather handy wickets at a time when other fast bowlers are getting injured. But I guess that belongs on the other thread...

Yorkshire still battling on , I see.

So are Somerset. And Hampshire face a tricky chase , getting trickier ...

This last couple of rounds are full of interest ; even if the top end of the table is set.

Looks like we'll have to get a result at Sussex from the final round.

alfie wrote:Not looking good for Yorkshire , indeed.  Frankly if they can't beat Warwickshire they deserve to go down...though looking back at predictions on here I saw some posters were a bit more confident of the latter team's potential at the start of the season

Not looking good for Hameed or Jennings either for one reason or another : Robson moving into the frame ?  
And Finn took some rather handy wickets at a time when other fast bowlers are getting injured. But I guess that belongs on the other thread...

Guilty as charged. I've already held my hands up!

I thought the quality and experience of the likes of Bell, Trott, Patel and Barker would bring success. They've actually ended up being seen as a largely ageing team unable to compete at the top level with the younger players unready or not good enough. A horrible mix.

I'll throw in here a comment that Mark Church, Radio London cricket commentator, made on day one of Surrey's current match against Somerset. He said how similar Trecothick and Stoneman are in batting style and approach. I'm not Churchy's biggest fan but I thought that was interesting and had some merit. Definitely noticeable the way they both play the cut shot - up straight, head leaning back, shot played late. Being likened to Tresco shouldn't do the Surrey man's winter prospects any harm.

So at lunch...

Northants have dispatched Notts - setting up the three way battle for promotion. Worcs, realistically, should go up - at home to Durham. Then it's between the other two, Northants have the easier trip to Leicester, but Notts have the points advantage. They have the more difficult task of heading to Hove (against a Sussex side that is very boom or bust)

Yorks have battled to needing 33 more runs, with 3 wickets left. Tense, but they should do it now

Essex have set Hants 183 to win - Hants will be disappointed it got that high, but should still win that one

Yorkshire needing just over 30 runs with 3 wickets left - going to be a tight finish. If Yorkshire do sneak over the line, it will be that outstanding batsman 'Extras' that has done it for them - conceded about 20 over two innings while Warwickshire have given them 61 so far, indeed top scoring in the second innings.

Surrey v Somerset interestingly poised - could end up with a one day style finish with Surrey chasing something like 170 in the final session. Still currently favourites to win, but Somerset battling away to make it tough.

Hampshire with 2 sessions to score 184 - the rate shouldn't be an issue, and perhaps the wicket playing easier (Essex following up a skittling with 362). One of those totals where a good start will see them home comfortably but an early wicket or two will make for a really jittery chase.

And Hampshire have lost two wickets early - 12-2 with Alsop and Weatherley back in the hutch.

Good Golly I'm Olly wrote:And Hampshire have lost two wickets early - 12-2 with Alsop and Weatherley back in the hutch.

12-3 as Adams goes!

Jimbo must be going beserk right now!

Warwickshire have conceded FOURTY extras to Yorkshire now - 10 no balls, 15 byes and 15 leg byes. Unacceptable from a professional outfit

Good Golly I'm Olly wrote:

Good Golly I'm Olly wrote:And Hampshire have lost two wickets early - 12-2 with Alsop and Weatherley back in the hutch.

12-3 as Adams goes!

Jimbo must be going beserk right now!

12-4!!!

What a turnaround - Hampshire in real trouble now...will be hoping Surrey wrap up victory against Somerset!

Good Golly I'm Olly wrote:Warwickshire have conceded FOURTY extras to Yorkshire now - 10 no balls, 15 byes and 15 leg byes. Unacceptable from a professional outfit

Yorkshire won by 2 wickets and were net +52 on extras. Yorkshire conceded 20 extras in their two innings, Warwickshire 22 just in no balls and 72 overall...

Good Golly I'm Olly wrote:

Good Golly I'm Olly wrote:

Good Golly I'm Olly wrote:And Hampshire have lost two wickets early - 12-2 with Alsop and Weatherley back in the hutch.

12-3 as Adams goes!

Jimbo must be going beserk right now!

12-4!!!

What a turnaround - Hampshire in real trouble now...will be hoping Surrey wrap up victory against Somerset!

25-5 as Ervine is LBW to Porter - Vince remains in on 8, and is surely Hampshire's only hope here. What a mess they've got themselves into

29-6 with Vince gone...

Hampshire are all out for 76 and lose by 108 runs. A dreadful defeat for them, their eyes turn to the Oval now where Somerset have Surrey 38/2 needing another 104 to win. They'll be praying Sanga does his usual business...

Surrey safe and now Somerset have to win their last match against Middx to have a chance of avoiding the drop.
   By my calculation, any of Somerset, Hants, Middx and Yorks could go down. Yorkshire have Essex away so are by no means safe

Somerset on 127 points.

Hampshire 140
Middlesex 143
Yorkshire 145.

16 points for a win
5 points for a draw
Up to 8 bonus points

So, Somerset can notionally tie with Hampshire with a draw and full bonus points (and the unlikely scenario of Hampshire getting nothing). More realistically they need a win (143 points) and a few bonus points - at most can get to 151.
Yorkshire would need a fairly catastrophic performance (loss with less than about 5 bonus points, or a complete washout so 5 points for the draw) to be at real risk of being overtaken, with the 'risk' increasing for Middlesex and Hampshire with less margin to Somerset

I said at the time that I thought the decision to enforce the follow on was a strange one.
Shocking batting performance. Used to seeing that really. On the same day we announce that Carbs is leaving. Not a good day for the club..
Some serious questions need to be asked of the coaching set up.

Surrey done us a big favour by beating Somerset. Could have done with Yorkshire losing against Warwickshire but they nicked the win and are more or less safe.

dummy_half wrote:

Somerset on 127 points.

Hampshire 140
Middlesex 143
Yorkshire 145.

16 points for a win
5 points for a draw
Up to 8 bonus points

So, Somerset can notionally tie with Hampshire with a draw and full bonus points (and the unlikely scenario of Hampshire getting nothing). More realistically they need a win (143 points) and a few bonus points - at most can get to 151.
Yorkshire would need a fairly catastrophic performance (loss with less than about 5 bonus points, or a complete washout so 5 points for the draw) to be at real risk of being overtaken, with the 'risk' increasing for Middlesex and Hampshire with less margin to Somerset

Dummy has set the scene well there. Several permutations possible as to who joins Warks for the drop. However, realistically it'll be Somerset if they don't beat Middlesex at Taunton.

With Bess and Leach in the home side, you can expect the Taunton ground staff to have done everything possible to produce a bunsen. Middlesex are handicapped by the loss through injury of their usual spinner Rayner and call up Patel for his first CC match of the season.

Dream start for Somerset - win toss, bat first and 67 - 0 after 21 overs. Meanwhile Hants kicking their heels in the pavillion in the match v Warks - bits and pieces of rain around in West Mids.

The forecast looks not bad from this afternoon through to Thursday, so I don't think anyone will end up with that as an excuse. Somerset do though need to win to stand any chance, and to overtake Middlesex they will need to win and score more bonus points than their opponents.

Yorkshire already have Essex two down, so closing on the first of the bonus points needed - the maths means 152 points is definitely safe, but I think 150 will be enough even if Somerset win (would be unusual for the losing side to get more than about 5 bonus points, so if Middlesex lose they'll likely get to about 148).

Div 2 it looks odds on Wuss and Notts, but Northants can upset the party if they beat Leicestershire and pick up plenty of bonus points. No play in any of their games before lunch on day 1.

Yorkshire now well on top over Essex: 84-5 at lunch. Of course we should be cautious given the position Essex came back from against Hampshire, but it's one point secured with the second bowling point surely not too far away.

Somerset with a good if sedate start v Middlesex - current rate would see them to 300 after 110 overs, which would be giving away a couple of bonus points.

Nice to see you again, Division 2

I still feel the game in Taunton is in the balance.

First and foremost we need a result, so I get that we are a little bit circumspect but we still need as many bonus points as possible, so need to get a move on.

With Warks already down they don't seem in much of a hurry to get a game on. Play in every other game (inspection at leicester)
We could go down because of a bit of rain (and yes not being good enough over the season, but you know what I mean...)

dummy_half wrote:Yorkshire now well on top over Essex: 84-5 at lunch. Of course we should be cautious given the position Essex came back from against Hampshire, but it's one point secured with the second bowling point surely not too far away.

Somerset with a good if sedate start v Middlesex - current rate would see them to 300 after 110 overs, which would be giving away a couple of bonus points.

Hi Dummy - I don't think Somerset will be much concerned if they give away a couple of bonus (batting) points. I'm sure they would have settled, given the chance at the start of their innings, to end up on around 330 after their 110 overs, preferably for no more than 8 down so as to deny Middlesex a bowling point.

In any case, Somerset will be safe as long as (1) Somerset win and (2) Somerset get at least the same number of bonus points from this game as Middlesex. I'm not suggesting (1) is easy but if is achieved, then (2) is likely to be the case. Unless you're Essex (!!), not many teams come back to force a win when trailing on first innings bonus points.

On a geek point - if Somerset win and and they end up dead level on the same number of points as Middlesex in the table, Somerset would be saved from the drop by virtue of having won more matches than Middlesex.

No play today at Edgbaston, sigh

gb

Don't disagree - it's likely that a Somerset win would see them ahead of Middlesex (especially given they stay up if level on points). It's more about the possibility of dragging Hampshire and (from my perspective) Yorkshire into the mix. Yorkshire now have their second bowling point, so all going well so far. Hampshire still sitting around drinking cups of tea.

Dummy - I regard Yorks as pretty safe now although I fully accept I wouldn't see it that way if Surrey were in their shoes!

If Somerset should win, Hants are going to need to do more than drink cups of tea between now and Thursday evening. Sorry Jimbo H!

Play abandoned for the day at Edgbaston.

Meanwhile at Taunton, Hildreth given not out with one of those ''did it carry catches''. According to BBC, Middlesex not happy - although it would be surprising if they were!

The fact Ravi Patel has bowled 21 overs and Stirling 12 at Taunton suggests Somerset have indeed got their desired spin friendly wicket. And 194-4 after winning the toss and batting suggests a good day's work so far.

JDizzle wrote:The fact Ravi Patel has bowled 21 overs and Stirling 12 at Taunton suggests Somerset have indeed got their desired spin friendly wicket. And 194-4 after winning the toss and batting suggests a good day's work so far.

They've also added the extra spin option in 'Van Der Merwe' - no wonder Leach gets 100 wickets a season

guildfordbat wrote:Dummy - I regard Yorks as pretty safe now although I fully accept I wouldn't see it that way if Surrey were in their shoes!

If Somerset should win, Hants are going to need to do more than drink cups of tea between now and Thursday evening. Sorry Jimbo H!

I agree we're close to safe - would need a woeful batting performance and a rather unusual picking up of points in the Somerset v Middlesex match to suck us back in, but the maths still says we might be in trouble - looks like the bowling points are in the bag and that Somerset might struggle to get more than two batting points in their match (actually, 2 quick wickets make it possible to only be 1 point). Almost there mathematically

Last week's win was vital though, and as we discussed at the time it was really Warwickshire's sloppiness in terms of extras that made the difference in a tight game.

Disaster and worse for Somerset as they crash from 206/4 to 214/8. A fivefer for Ravi Patel in his first CC match of 2017.

Somerset now struggling to get 2 batting points.

Oh dear

Can only hope that Patel getting 7fer is a good sign for Leach and Bess, and we can knock them out for under 250.

Middlesex score 250 or more and they are safe, and we start to rely on results elsewhere

If anyone was still in any doubt about it being a bunsen at Taunton, Leach shares the new ball with Overington.

Middlesex lose Compton to Ove. 1/1.

Afro wrote:Oh dear

Can only hope that Patel getting 7fer is a good sign for Leach and Bess, and we can knock them out for under 250.

Middlesex score 250 or more and they are safe, and we start to rely on results elsewhere

Afro - looking very bleak for your boys if Middlesex get 250 and 2 batting points. As you say, that would see them safe even if they end up losing this game. Meanwhile, Yorks only need to take one more Essex wicket to get 3 bowling points which will now see them safe.

A wicket for Leach. Middlesex 4/2 as Eskinazi goes.

Fully expect Middlesex to be screaming for the pitch inspectors or whatever they are now called!

Spin from both ends 7 overs into the second innings on day one.

I'd imagine the curators will be down to Somerset.