The Cricket Thread

No play today, wet outfield, that's scuppered any chance of a few points.

 

But on the other side of the River Thames, Surrey are going like a train. Perhaps the Oval has better drainage than Uxbridge!!!

 

It would be surprising if it didn't.

 

Still no play today at Uxbridge, outfield unsuitable!

 

Outfield unsuitable!! I like that!! Despite the sun shining, if it is, it must be frustrating as there is play everywhere else. Frankly, Middlesex deserve to be relegated. I know they have no control over the rain and they don't own the ground at Uxbridge but they did choose it as one of their home venues when Lords is unavailable, so should take responsibility for this failure. After all, the result or lack of bonus points is going to cost Hampshire a higher placing in the table through no fault of their own.

 

Pathetic. Uxbridge should be banned from hosting first class cricket matches.

 

Would you take further measures? After all, other sides have had points deducted for having below-par pitches. Here Middlesex have a below-par outfield, so the same should apply.

 

Hope Somerset get a win against Lancashire. Alhough I am a Middlesex fan, having been born in the county, I feel a relegation would be just desserts for the miserable brand of cricket they have offered all season. Shocking in the Royal London, very poor in the T20 and very limited in the 4 day game.

 

I'd be a whole lot more annoyed if we were lower in the table. As it is, this match is hurting Middlesex a lot more than it's hurting us. I'm fairly relaxed, fortunately.

Chances of us getting any batting points are remote (soaked outfield, weak batting line-up, good bowling conditions), so to be honest I'd quite like it if we could get the third bowling point tomorrow and then have the heavens open again. Deny Middlesex any bowling points (ideally to go with no batting points), open up the lead over them a little further, and be one round closer to the finish line.

Suspect Somerset v Middlesex in the final week could be a relegation decider. (Particularly given that us and Yorkshire both still have Warks to play)

 

Well done Essex. I hope someone on here put money on them to win the title. Enjoy your winnings if you did. Here, in Mallorca, autumn has arrived with thunder, lightning and rain. Summer has well and trully gone!!

 

Maximum bowling points for Hampshire but looking at the score, it seems a dodgy wicket to bat on. Yet another reason to deduct points from Middlesex!! An underprepared wicket!!!

 

Chasing 204, 51 - 4 tricky wicket

 

I hope Hampshire did not forfeit their first innings!!

 

No this is their first innings, Felix Organ? 18 year old all rounder the web says. 6 down, 4 caught behind.

 

I hope he hits many a fine note with his bat!!

 

132-9!

 

This match has proved to be a bit of a damp squib!!

PS: Are you a Somerset supporter Chilco?

 

Ever since the glory days of Botham, Richards, Garner, Marks and co. I used to follow Hampshire back in the Barry Richards era, but I lived in Hants then!

 

In those days, Somerset were the one-day kings. It is a pity they never became County Champions. Hopefully, one day in the near future.

During the heyday of Andy Roberts, Barry Richards and of course Gordon Greenidge I also followed Hampshire as my home was at that time in Hamphire and I was, and continue to be very fond of the county. I also follow Middlesex as I was born in the county, but that does not stop me from being critical of the game they have offered up this season. It has been ultra cautious with the emphasis not to get beaten, an approach that contrasts sharply with the new County Champions.

 

I said no good would come from having to bat today. (Not that it was our fault that the rain didn't arrive earlier).

We're still one more win away from survival. As we have been for about four matches now. Missed out on the chance against Somerset and Surrey, and have followed it up with some iffy batting displays against Lancs, Surrey and Middlesex. Five draw in a row, and as with Surrey, Middlesex and Yorkshire, we've been treading water as a consequence.