The one thing I would say is that only Dawson gave his wicket away. Good bowling, difficult batting conditions, and (in my view) some poor umpiring. Maybe if we hadn't lost Abbott when we were all over the them, Sibley would have got out for a lot less and the two scores would be similar. But we have what we have, and it surely means a return to D2.
Hampshire are playing Middlesex's "Get out of jail card, or so it seems.! Somerset having no problems batting on the Taunton pitch, so Middlesex have no excuse for not batting well second time around and if they manage to get a draw, a sigh of relief will be heard from Brendy and Tom!!
Agreed. Unbelievable really. Only hope is that we can somehow contrive a win. Hants on 143 pts with 1st innings bonus points. Midd with 146 but odds on defeat, so that's their lot. Somerset should win so safe on 147. Hants game won't end on a draw, so they have to win. Ist innings deficit 72 runs. Ok, guys, lets see what bottle you've got.
If Somerset can bat well this time around, I am sure Middlesex can as well. Perhaps the pitch has eased so there should be no need to dock Somerset any points. So let's say a target of 400 is set, leaving Somerset perhaps 4 and a half sessions to get the wickets. They may need that time if there is the possibility of any rain or low cloud interfering with play, which Middlesex won't mind at all. By hook or crook, I can see Middlesex scrambling a draw but I hasten to add my predictions are cack if you witness my performance in the "Prediction League."
I can see the sense of taking them for the one-day affairs, but I wonder what they have actually done to justify their places at the expense of one or two players playing for Essex or Surrey if they are included in the Test squad.
So the final two days!! Will Middlesex survive a spinning wicket at Taunton, or is the wicket easing? Can bad light interrupt Hampshire possible defeat. I think the former is possible, so it the later, so Somerset it is to go down. That is my faulty logic.
Foakes is included as reverse keeper, but no other 'surprise' call-ups from either of those counties.
Looking at the forecast the light could well play its part on Wednesday at Taunton with afternoon rain coming it. Could be a wet outfield on Thursday. Middlesex would love that, and Hampshire.
On a positive note; today will be a very interesting day with regards Hants decision making. They absolutely screwed it vs Essex last week & the follow-on - will they go all out attack today hoping to beat the worst team in the league or set up a very defensive bowling attack & field placings? Could be quite intriguing.
Congratulations to them both. OK, Crane you have your first training session when you arrive in Australia with the master himself, Shane Warne!!
Thinking of spinners, and as England has an apparent dearth of top quality spinners, who can take wickets on any wicket, it would be useful to recruit a couple of spin coaches from the capital of spin, Pakistan.
I think the current spin coach is Saqlain Mushtaq and they had Mushtaq Ahmed involved for a while. Problem is that (as I recall) it's only a part time role.
