Then we will most likely go down. But it won't happen. We should get 3 full days and we'll certainly get enough play for Hants to get 6 bonus points + the draw they need. Whether that happens is another matter.
If Middlesex fail to make 200, we will either need to draw the game and take three wickets, or lose the game but take nine wickets and score 300 (or six and 350, or three and 400). Or hope that Somerset don't win. Although it sounds like Middlesex have made a complaint about the pitch at Taunton, and the pitch liason officer has said he will make an announcement after seeing how the pitch plays tomorrow. A part of me wonders whether the officials might sit down with Middlesex tonight or at lunch tomorrow, and try to defuse the situation by saying that instead of deducting Somerset points, they would allow an early Middlesex declaration without penalty - hence putting Middlesex safe.
Middlesex are appear to be in the hot seat for the drop batting on what could be a "bunsen burner." Interestingly, Somerset gave the new ball to one of their spinners, Jack Leach. However, if last season is anything to go by, there will be twists and turns in the next three days. May the best two teams survive.
Wow!! That smacks of cynicism. Perhaps Middlesex should be docked points for having an outfield that was deemed unfit for play. So Hampshire better lodge a complaint quickly.
As frustrating as that was at Uxbridge, I don't hold anything against Middlesex for it. There's a difference between an outfield being unfit to use because of rain, and a wicket being unfit to use because of the way it has been prepared. I have nothing against home advantage at all, and it is of no surprise that Somerset have again produced something that turns. But if Middlesex are correct in their belief that is unfit, both in terms of amount of turn and the bounce of the ball (we are only on day one), then that shouldn't be ignored. Whether they are correct, I don't know. As I say, we'll know more in 24 hours time. By which time we'll hopefully have our bowling bonus points in the bag.
Thank you for answering Brendy!!! It would be good to see Middlesex try and play on what is a difficult surface.
Not been impressed with Berg so far. He hasn't bowled poorly, but he hasn't looked threatening either. Not like Fidel and (until he got injured) Abbott have. Just dobbing the ball on off-stump.
Another 5 wicket haul for Fidel. He's ended this season brilliantly. 350 is our first survival target. Should we fail, then avoiding defeat becomes the secondary target.
Forget 350. Forget drawing the game. This pitch is not going to the allow the game to go deep. Our only chance of survival is to win this match (or a Somerset points deduction). Suddenly, I make us favourites over Middlesex for relegation.
