Somerset 2023

Underway at midday today finally at Taunton, when of course most of the town will be at Twerton ! 90 mins cricket then 40 mins lunch !

Middlesex v Somerset at Lords next month already has the feel of a 32 pointer that neither side can afford not to win.

A retirement do fortunately coincided with Lancashire v Somerset today though the rail strike restricted me to day 1. Anderson unplayable at times after Lancashire won a crucial toss between the only Div 1 teams without a win.
Jimmy has only played 4 CC games 2 v us !

Recovery led by TKC complementing Lammonbys admirable resilience. Rew once again belying his years. Crucial 1st session tomorrow, but they all are !

Better news today as Som dominate Middx; could be all over tonight.

I saw the last two Middx wickets fall, the last being very unlucky as Sid ran out the backing up Murtagh with a deflection.

Had the pleasure of seeing Somerset dominate the 1st 2 days at Lords to set up the inevitable win today. Front line bowlers delivered despite a decent pitch, and upper order batsmen finally put in a shift. Middlesex 1 batting point all season and lack of support bowlers means a tough 2nd half of season ahead.

Agreed. Our top order and weak spin attack is being found out at the higher level. Hants and Surrey coming up after the slog games so expect the single batting point to remain for some time. Somerset will probably feel aggrieved they only play is once. How can Division 1 be taken seriously with such a crazy system?

Yes it is odd that teams do not play all others home and away due to increasing Div 1 to 10 counties. Middlesex's 1 batting bonus point so far has been used to offset the one deducted for a slow over rate.

See Middx and Somerset are the only sides with 100% T20 records. Hants play Middx on Tuesday and then Somerset the next day. Thinking that Somerset's 100% record is the more likely to go first.

For a county which has won so little over the years its supporters do like a gloat!

Peter Newman wrote:See Middx and Somerset are the only sides with 100% T20 records. Hants play Middx on Tuesday and then Somerset the next day. Thinking that Somerset's 100% record is the more likely to go first.

The more we win the more we worry. Don't want to peak early by romping the group and losing a knock out tie. Still, prefer our season to Middlesexs so far.

comrade powell wrote:For a county which has won so little over the years its supporters do like a gloat!

In sympathy for comrade's feelings I wasn't going to comment, but...the easiest win of the season - https://somersetcountycc.co.uk/matchcenter/somer-v-middx-vitality-blast-2-jun/?l=1v - hours of pleasant viewing.

Did the Essex game provide similar hours of pleasant viewing for you, Beau?

Touché.

I was too busy to watch any of it.

As a more loyal supporter I watched the last two days. Despite a rearguard performance from Abell, I got the impression Somerset had travelled to Chelmsford under sufferance and couldn’t wait to return to that proper form of the game which most of their team prioritise. Considering their total lack of success in the Championship I guess that’s understandable.

Is there relegation to the Minor Counties League - https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/english-twenty20/table -

An Australian supporter was interviewed on TV prior to the start of play on day 1 and he thought England were too arrogant.

With only 281 to win my thought is Australia are favourites;  England are about 50 short, should have batted on in first innings.

The fightback to avoid relegation - https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/scorecard/ECKE1000365 - or a "minor" (league) blip?

Beau Nash wrote:The fightback to avoid relegation - https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/scorecard/ECKE1000365 - or a "minor" (league) blip?

Saw them at Lords v Essex where out cricket was awful, last night the batting has come off big time.

Meanwhile at other end, have we peaked too soon?

Tonight will be difficult...

Phew! Won with just 3 balls to spare.

We win big, we win tight, but we win.

Great comeback great win meanwhile in Southampton....

England's "kamikaze" batting could probably be improved even by Middx batsmen.  

Get in, get in, yesssssssssss. Somerset, winners.

Enjoyable day at Northampton watching 16 wkts tumble. Bad light call suited our tiring bowlers. Refresh and reset to finish them off tomorrow.