County Cricket

Time for (excuse me) the real fans (ok die - hard) to have a place to promote the virtues of the County game, and in particular, the much maligned Championship! For too long now, too many people have got away with tearing down this great competition, as the reason behind any and every England failure (we who bother to follow the CC know that is nonsense) but - strangely enough - claiming it has had no impact upon any of England's successes (including reaching #1 in the world for a brief period)

Despite the stupid changes to the structure that saw uneven numbers per table, and some opposition played once, and others twice, this competition overall, still has a high value, and is so valued by many (not the proverbial 2 men and a dog that is often thrown at it!

Today, for example, Essex - competing with Somerset for the title - are playing Surrey in front of a full house! in a crucial penultimate tie of the season.

The title will most likely go down to the wire, perhaps we may even get to see the last match, if SKY live up to their promise at all this season!

Completely crazy things are happening - particularly at Hampshire, where Somerset - set 281 to win, and having put themselves in the box seat, have collapsed from 83 for 0 to 103 for 7. With Essex seemingly struggling too, a perfect opportunity (yet another among many down the years) for Somerset to take a healthy lead into the last round of championship matches next week, and they are blowing it again. K. Abbot tearing up trees with the ball right now for Hants.

How many more Chances to call themselves Div One Champions, are Somerset going to throw away?? It seems obvious that there is something systemically awry with the 'cidermen' when it comes down to tight finishes to the Championship! The Ashes - for all that was great about that series, didn't provide anything like this, with so much at stake!! That is for you Mr B.Willis

Somerset beaten by 136 runs, meanwhile Essex have gained the upper hand V Surrey. Big day in the CC, with the top two now to meet for the trophy next week (weather forecast not great ). The kind of week that forces one (against one's will) to take a few holiday days! If weather looks dodgy, hold off (or bring fixture forward) to ensure a proper finish. Last round of matches, so why not!

Essex won by an innings and 40 runs.
They now lead division 1 by 12 points going into their title deciding match against Somerset.

(18-09-2019 22:31 )snookered Wrote:  Essex won by an innings and 40 runs.
They now lead division 1 by 12 points going into their title deciding match against Somerset.

Welcome aboard Snooks - and winsaw, babelover and everyone else! I knew there was interest in what is happening in the CC. Yes upper hand with Essex now, particularly with the weather expected next week - not much play for first two days - at least - apparently!!

Given Hampshire's Kyle Abbott's 17 wicket haul against Somerset, It's disappointing he's South African and not English!!! and I would say the title is Essex's to lose really

I am going be so pissed of if we miss out again, every season we do something stupid at the end to blow our chances,
Still I will be down Taunton next week praying the rain stays away and they use the dust bowl of a pitch they used against Yorkshire could see Jack being very had to play on that, at least they know only a win is good enough , Taunton will be packing so sure of good support , I can go to the first and last days

(19-09-2019 12:02 )babelover48 Wrote:  I would say the title is Essex's to lose really

I don't know Taunton is a hard place to bat if u are not used to it, the wickets to the left and right of the square are turning lots, now England given us back jack he could be unplayable, and the strange synthetic wickets in the middle bounce all over the place the batsman don't have a clue how high or fast the ball will get to them, Yorkshire didn't have a clue what to do last time ,
My biggest worry is rain and is not getting a full 4 days

(19-09-2019 12:04 )winsaw Wrote:  I am going be so pissed of if we miss out again, every season we do something stupid at the end to blow our chances,
Still I will be down Taunton next week praying the rain stays away and they use the dust bowl of a pitch they used against Yorkshire could see Jack being very had to play on that, at least they know only a win is good enough , Taunton will be packing so sure of good support , I can go to the first and last days

Explain to me winsaw (you seem to have the inside track) where the issue is with Somerset, that they get to the final stages - or even a final itself of the 50 overs comp etc - and fall at that last hurdle! Where is the issue??, because many have said it is 'bottle' pure and simple, but they have had too many experienced players, who have played at international level, for nerves to take over surely?? Or maybe - just maybe - it is pressure seeing your club across the line (despite what is said) - in competitions that deep down players know have real meaning?? Take the WC away (and it has been downgraded ie participation numbers) and International cricket has no wider context. Maybe the uncomfortable truth is that players know there is a real tangible difference! That, of course, doesn't explain why it is Somerset that have had this difficulty more than other clubs of similar status!

(19-09-2019 12:04 )winsaw Wrote:  I am going be so pissed of if we miss out again, every season we do something stupid at the end to blow our chances,
Still I will be down Taunton next week praying the rain stays away and they use the dust bowl of a pitch they used against Yorkshire could see Jack being very had to play on that, at least they know only a win is good enough , Taunton will be packing so sure of good support , I can go to the first and last days

If Sky do the right thing, many of us will!!