County Cricket

(05-09-2022 18:18 )Boomerangutangangbang Wrote:  Compelling 1st day from Old Trafford, as Lancs won a good toss on a pitch that offered little to the bowlers. Jennings made it a record breaking 4 centuries in 4 championship innings in Roses matches. Hill broke through at 180-1, before tea with the wicket of Wells (84). Soon after tea, Hill removed Jennings (119) with the score on 231, which was the start of a spell of 5-5 in 41 balls. Coad took 2 in 2 balls with the 2nd new ball, as Lancs closed on 272-8.

Same applies at the Rose Bowl, with an intriguing day of cat and mouse cricket between Hampshire and Northamptonshire. A pitch (proper pitch) which made batsmen work for what they got, while equally rewarding good disciplined bowling. It meant that - on a tough scoring day - Organs innings of 70 + was worth more. From Northants perspective, as I say, a disciplined performance throughout, with White in particularly (but also Williams) able to get a decent amount of movement and sharp bounce.

I couldn't help but notice just how much like the bowling action of Chris Old (blast from the past) White had.

Lancashire don't sound happy, after the ball ended up in a puddle, Yorkshire got what appeared to be a much newer one which Hill did most of the damage with. Hill has been unable to bowl for some time, after a broken toe. As a batting allrounder he was the 6th bowling option. Revis, who didn't make the staring XI seems to be used as a bowling allrounder after making his debut as an opener. Hill is more suited to the middle order, but has been helping the team out as an opener. Finlay Bean is listed at No.3 n his Championship debut, big expectations after his 441 in a 2nd XI match, & only 20.
Apart from Lyth who was hit in the face by the ball yesterday, there seems to be a reluctance for senior players to occupy the top 3. Malan who is unavailable, has stated a preference to bat at 4, but he should do what is best for the team.

Just to digress for a second from the Championship. Apparently, after having been deliberately pulled from the Royal London one day cup for this new ecb backed gimmick called the Hundred, players from that tournament are to be made available for the final. Lancashire have said they intend to pick from a full available squad, while Kent have said they will only choose from players who have been involved in the competition throughout. Game over for Kent then!

This is ridiculous! The ECB can't have it both ways, saying that the hundred is the priority (shameful in itself) and that the Royal London is to be a development competition - demoting its status, and then permit all those senior players from the 16.4 over tournament - who played no role in the 50 overs event - to be made available. Cake and eat it too!! I understand Lancashire's position - who wouldn't want to pick their best possible team, but respect to Kent for standing by their principles all the same (more so) They may well have handed the advantage to the red rose, but let us hope they can turn the tables (personally speaking)

Not sure if anyone saw the conversation between Ian Ward Michael Atherton Nasser Hussain and the co - author of the Review Andrew Strauss during the lengthy rain break at the test??

I was certainly unconvinced by A. Strauss' arguments as to why he/they reached the conclusions they did! I was gratified by and grateful for, the Contribution of Athers who saw things in the round, the manner in which he defended the county championship (the county game as a whole in fact) and those that follow it, and the correct assessment about how the process had been badly handled (the hundred parachuted in without discussion etc) and the divisions that the ECB allowed to develop. KPs input?? well we will gloss over that!! All about self - serving players becoming independent hired hands around the globe. Are we surprised??

One day to go before the first major trophy is decided! The Royal London Cup Final between Kent and Lancashire. Hope the weather is decent, and we get a full - days play to decide the winner.

Typically, having shunned the tournament throughout for the nonsense that is the hundred, SKY turn up for the final. Makes it easy for me to know exactly whose viewing figures I WON'T be adding too. No Preview either!!

I have a slight leaning towards Kent - purely because they have said that they intend to use the squad that got them there, while - I think - Lancashire intend to pick from all those available, including players who were syphoned off for that other thing! Their prerogative of course, and understandable in a way, but hardly principled!!

^^ I really think that anyone who plays in the 100 should be banned from the final ,
The ECB have turned the 50 into a under 23 / 2nd 11 tournament and really that's how it should be through out , those young players how did well should get there day out at the final,

The RL Cup has provided great exposure for younger players. Yorkshire 2nd XI have gone to the top the table, after a win over Lancashire 2nd XI, Many of the players have featured in the RL Cup.

Sounds like Lancashire will be sticking to the core group of players that got them to the final, & that Hundred players wont be involved. Most are either injured or on England duty.

(16-09-2022 18:44 )Boomerangutangangbang Wrote:  Sounds like Lancashire will be sticking to the core group of players that got them to the final, & that Hundred players wont be involved. Most are either injured or on England duty.

I saw an interview with Keaton Jennings, and he hinted at much the same thing! Credit where it is due if so. I am at a loss as to why the ECB would see fit to downgrade the RLC with the world cup remaining at 50 Overs. Are we seriously suggesting that the players most likely to continue to be the ones to represent England in the WC - at least for the foreseeable future, unless England completely change tack, and introduce wholesale changes for the defense of the trophy - can get by on a diet of T20 and Hundred??

Really good match for the final at Trent Bridge! Shame there wasn't a capacity crowd, but still a decent one with fans who value this competition - like players do. It cannot be allowed to be further subsumed by nonsense fast food alternatives.

I initially thought that the pitch would be another batsmans' 'get rich quick' track, with runs at will. Thankfully that proved not to be the case, as Kent had to graft their way to 306 as a set target! Major contributions Evison and Denly, with valuable additions from Robinson Blake and Stevens (more on him later) were the lynchpin knocks. A mention though for the bowling of Hurt who took two valuable wickets, one with a peach which produced an equally special grab behind the sticks.

In reply, Lancashire appeared to be sitting pretty at 153 for 4 - yes with the run rate climbing (poor equation to look at - better the difference between runs needed and balls remaining as Dom Cork rightly pointed out) but with 21 overs or so remaining. 10 overs later they were sitting on 212 before the 5th wicket fell and following a 60 run partnership between Croft and Jones (at 6 an over). At that point they were going along steadily before inexplicably, Croft lifted one straight to Blake. That might have been ok, had his batting partner not then lost his wicket to an LBW. That can happen, but the other wicket - particularly at that time didn't need too, and it cost the Red Rose dear! It wasn't though just the batting, Lancashire were way off in the field - particularly their catching, which must go down as one of the worst days they have had in the field!

If this is to be Darren Stevens last day in the sport (surely it will be with his injury) then he goes out performing at the highest level he has played at for 20 plus years. Surely some club will see the value of bringing him on board as coach) or player/coach (if) he gets over this latest injury, and if he wants to still continue!