Somerset 2024

Can't win em all, another final next week,ho hum, serial competitors in all formats. Mind the gap !

Saved for future reference!

comrade powell wrote:They’re waiting for you to join them in the lower reaches in 2025. Think you’ll do well to stay up.

Ditto ! though tbf most commentators thought we would be lower half, we continue to punch above our weight.

Yes, the test ground/Blundred counties (with one exception) rake it in and should be favourites. Somerset are clearly a very well run club and some astute signings enables them to compete with the best.
We are dross at present (and will probably be so for some years) but when we’re strong we tend to win the big one. Can you finally do it?

The irony is that last week bonus points seemed peripheral the win was paramount. But those 2 extra batting points Curran achieved and the too high 8 pts for a draw means that we probably need 2 wins and Surrey not to win 2.

In form Banton out, Abell fitness test on hamstring again, but Lancashire in no form. Weather set fair here in Manchester and we would have picked in form Durham and Essex away for Surrey fir sure.

All that means I don't know. We need to win 2 and can't control what Surrey do.

The problem for the competition which players, coaches and most fans really want to win is that a fair chunk of it is played in Spring and Autumn. And we all know why! While warm, dry weather is very common in September it’s not as definite as the shorter days. The early starts make it difficult for batters and the late afternoons are at the mercy of the umpires’ light meters. So luck becomes a big factor.

Unusually bright sunny warm clouds free day in Manchester.  Good bowling and batting thrived  but there wasn't much of the latter Jennings apart. Loss of batting points for both while not fatal won't help either cause. Best Somerset can hope for is a win and the difference to extend by only 2 or 3 points. Then let Essex do their worst while we get a near maximum hall v Hampshire.

Odd team selection to favour Randell over Davey and leave out Goldsworthy. Expect both in on Sunday and next week.

All to play for but time running out.

Oh well, 1 year nearer. Surrey have used their money well, we are short in some areas and inconsistent in others. Just hope we can end with something on Sunday.

Luton Roman wrote:Can't win em all, another final next week,ho hum, serial competitors in all formats. Mind the gap !

Serial bottlers more like!
Lancashire’s record since the restart in August was three innings defeats in which they collected just 6 bonus points. You couldn’t have asked for better opponents in your must win game.

Congratulations to Surrey for their third successive title. Easily the best team for some time and brilliantly led by Stewart, Batty and Burns. Those who hark on about their income streams miss the point. It’s how you spend that money.

Number of title wins…

Yorkshire 33
Surrey 23
Middlesex 13
Lancashire 9
Essex 8
Warwickshire 8
Kent 7
Nottinghamshire 6
Worcestershire 5
Durham 3
Glamorgan 3
Leicestershire 3
Sussex 3
Hampshire 2
Derbyshire 1
Gloucestershire 0
Northamptonshire 0
Somerset 0

Mind the gap!

Somerset gave away 15 extras including 9 wides as against Glamorgan 3 extras, all wides.    

Som ought to have kept Glam to c.160-170...Timm van der Gugten runs also vital.