County Cricket

^ Thankfully Yes! After a frustrating start, nice to get some extended play! The Oval has seen Surrey take a handy lead on first Inns, I am not sure I would describe it just yet, as a 'potentially match winning' lead as the Beeb has done, particularly with Somerset fighting back to pick up 6 wickets, after it appeared that Surrey were on course for a comfortable match position. In some ways, a copy of the Somerset Inns except the brown caps managed to avoid a complete collapse of their effort.

There is one down side, and that is the comms, aside from wisden cricket podcasts Phil Walker, who has been good as usual. The other two are incessant in their largely aimless chatter! Dan Norcross completely off topic with wandering ramblings, and the Aussie/NZ?? guy equally so on the topic of England after England, Ashes after Ashes!

If the forecast is accurate, sadly the final day might see significant disruption, but should we get enough play, Surrey have moved into the firm favourites position V Somerset, after the Cidermen moved 61 runs ahead, but with only 4 wkts left! The day was dominated by spin overall (accident or design a benefit to England) D Lawrence showing his credentials with 3 for at this point! In all fairness, he looked like a handy option with the ball, tidy enough with not too much in the way of loose hit me deliveries! C Steel looks really good in the spinner ranks, an England eye on him might be a good option!

Bloody typical.
Worcestershire get themselves in a decent position for day four only for rain to scupper it in Nottingham tomorrow .
Such a shame. They have made a good start to life in division one though.

A quick glance, & only the Warwickshire v Durham fixture has started on time.

All matches drawn in both divisions.

Thrilling conclusion to affairs at the Oval! A match that was turned on its head more than once during the preceding 3 days, came down to a hit and run approach from Surrey! It seemed that - particularly with Overton bowling (albeit under pressure of a gung ho chase attempt) like an amateur in the circumstances given his experience - Surrey may just cross the line with time to spare, however there was enough discipline at the other end to hold things together until the inevitable fall of wickets more or less ensured the draw that followed! A contest worthy of the competition!

Aussie ball, 16 matches, 27,840 balls bowled, 16,817 runs 378 wickets, 0ne positive result. In last last round of matches it was only the 3rd occasion without any positive results when all 18 counties played simultaneously.
This year a wicket fell every 73.7 balls compared to last years 54.9 balls, & 11 positive results.
The weather & pitch conditions played there part, but the ball experiment has been a big factor.
The only benefit I can see has been the increased overs from spinners, not that there has been much turn of offer.

(17-04-2024 14:24 )Boomerangutangangbang Wrote:  Aussie ball, 16 matches, 27,840 balls bowled, 16,817 runs 378 wickets, 0ne positive result. In last last round of matches it was only the 3rd occasion without any positive results when all 18 counties played simultaneously.
This year a wicket fell every 73.7 balls compared to last years 54.9 balls, & 11 positive results.
The weather & pitch conditions played there part, but the ball experiment has been a big factor.
The only benefit I can see has been the increased overs from spinners, not that there has been much turn of offer.

^And R Key wants the Kook to be used permanently! It is clear that he - like the rest - has only one priority, and the good of the sport as a contest doesn't figure in his calculations! I trust he will find obstacles placed in his way?? I wonder how he thinks those who 'filled their boots' in this experiment, would fair at international level in conditions that didn't suit them were they to continue to 'learn' facing the 'Kook' only on flat lifeless pitches?? the pitches btw are the other issue.

The ball experiment says it all about how the administrators feel about the importance of the Championship. It just further undermines the comp, with 4 random fixtures with a different ball & 10 with the Dukes some teams could gain an unfair advantage, such as a weaker team securing a draw against a strong side with the Kookaburra, compared to other sides losing out in a contest when the Dukes ball is doing loads.

(17-04-2024 20:47 )Boomerangutangangbang Wrote:  The ball experiment says it all about how the administrators feel about the importance of the Championship. It just further undermines the comp, with 4 random fixtures with a different ball & 10 with the Dukes some teams could gain an unfair advantage, such as a weaker team securing a draw against a strong side with the Kookaburra, compared to other sides losing out in a contest when the Dukes ball is doing loads.

All true observations there Booms! I wonder if county fans have made their views known in a meaningful manner?? They can not afford to just wring their hands and leave it at that! Some may think they have the clubs over a barrel, but collectively, they have more influence than may seem apparent at first glance, and sitting on their hands is no longer an option. The club heirarchy claim to be determined to 'protect' their respective clubs and their history, but it seems to me (maybe actions unseen??) that they are passive beyond making PR noises! Surrey's chairperson appeared to recognise that they are in a privileged position, and acknowledged the smaller clubs have a real issue! Again, however, talk is cheap, and she and the other chairpersons of the 'big 4' should be bringing together all the clubs to devise a position for the greater good of all, as should all concerned members/fans. Even Ashley Giles (poacher turned gamekeeper) was sending out warnings about the 'unsustainability' of the current model! Worcestershire appear to be contemplating a move away from New Road, an emotional wrench for the members / supporters for sure. They must though see the logic?? or are they, like some from other clubs, prepared to see Worcestershire CCC go to the wall in pursuit of their attachment to history??

Even exclusively England/Ashes fans should see the need for strong domestic club structures??