The Cricket Thread

Vital 50 run partnership

 

Vital, vital 50 run partnership this.

 

8 overs left today, including this one (47 overs in total for our innings today)

 

Dawson goes.

 

Questionable decision to bring Crane in. Wastes these four overs, and potentially wastes some more tomorrow morning too. And limits what Berg could do (and McManus, to an extent), coming in 8 down.

 

Just off the Hants thread; I see Somerset have won, which means Middlesex can't win title now with a draw, as they'd be 1 point adrift. A tie would do it for them or a Yorks win, will win them the title. Certainly interesting last day top & bottom. Just hope the weather stays kind.

 

Close @ 176-7, lead of 226 with 3 wickets remaining.If we can get another 30 runs tomorrow, we're in with a shout.

 

Although I am a Middlesex, I want Somerset to win for several reasons. One, if Middlesex and Yorkshire draw, it will be their first ever Championship. Secondly, I feel they have played some very enterprising cricket. Their batters seem to score at a rate of 4 an over in the 4 day game. Compare that to the snail that is Compton. Added to that playing with two sometimes three spinners. My final reason is that the selectors have deemed it not worthy to pick one Somerset player for the winter tours. I'll add another - this team could achieve what the great Somerset team of Garner, Richards and Botham never achieved. It would be great to see Botham down at Taunton tomorrow handing the trophy to Marcus because no one would be more happy than "Both"

As a footnote, I think Hampshire's likely demise was sown long before this game.

 

Strong start ...

 

Surely time for declaration (11.30).. need time to bowl them out..

 

There you go..

 

In with a decent shout. Dawson & Crane, pls stand up!

 

We NEED a wicket or 2 before lunch .

 

Alas, two big sessions ahead.

 

Not looking good . Still we have not been good enough over the season , unless we win

 

Well there's a start?

 

Are Yorkshire trying to bait Middlesex into a declaration? Do not think that will work with a County Championship at stake. It would be unprofessional for Middlesex to try and be remotely generous. But keep trying Yorkshire.

 

Whoever thought Warwickshire would go down? Despite winning the Royal London Cup their team has definitely underperformed this year and I fully expect them to be one of teams challenging for the County Championship next season. Along with Middlesex, who I think should recruit a world class spinner in the mould of Mushtaq Ahmed who helped propel Sussex towards their title wins a few years ago. It must feel like an age ago for Sussex fans those glory days.

 

Yorkshire trying to set up a declaration. Remember Middlesex got 302 in 44 overs so they will be very wary of setting too generous a target for Yorkshire to chase down. I think it is a bit cheeky of Yorkshire to do this. If they are not good enough to bowl Middlesex out then they should accept their fate of finishing third instead of trying to induce a run chase. I hope Middlesex are professional enough and consider Somerset.

 

Yorkshire need 240 in 40 overs to win the title. That is too small a target Middlesex given the way the Yorkshire batsmen flogged the Middlesex bowling to all parts of the ground yesterday. A few quick wickets and maybe the captains will shake on things because this is a featherbed of a wicket and no way can a team get 10 wickets in a session. Odds on a draw or Yorkshire win.