The Cricket Thread

During the rain on Sky they showed a program that Mike Atherton put together based on England's to to India in 1993. A lot of it was based on video footage that Dermot Reeve took on the tour. Really good program and very insightful footage from behind the scenes. Very good watch

 

Given that the pitch is still quite green - and the quality of Somerset's bowling attack - I'm relatively pleased with our batting efforts so far. Annoying that Vince and Northeast (and Steel to a lesser extent) gave their wickets away, but that happens.

Obviously we're still miles and miles behind, with defeat very likely. But that's because we conceded at least 200 too many yesterday!

 

Leicester's spinners are getting to work. Nice.

 

Well done Lewis. One of the best innings I've seen from him for ages.

 

Whoops, Barker dropped.

 

Reprieve lasted one ball.

 

Poor Gloucs, just the two bonus points again.

Even if we do lose this, we might actually move closer to the top two.

 

Excellent session that. Fantastic innings from McManus with great support from Barker and Organ has really reduced the deficit. Game on!

 

Happy with that. If we can cut Somerset's lead down by another 40 tomorrow morning, then who knows. In theory the pitch should get better to bat on, rather than worse.

Nice for Organ to find a place in the order which seems to suit him.

 

The wheels have really come off for Gloucestershire.

 

Even if our match ends up as a draw, which after Hampshire’s rearguard action is looking increasingly likely, Somerset should go top and Hampshire third, or second assuming you get another batting point.

Very tight at the top!

 

Too early to suggest this will be a draw. We'll get 2 full days of play and both batting line ups are fragile. Both sides more than capable of getting skittled out. A lot will depend on the first session tomorrow.

 

I fear we could see a collapse quite early tomorrow

 

So 11 overs we've managed to take out of the day. I was hoping we'd take out about 20, to potentially force Somerset into batting on tomorrow. But 11 isn't a complete disaster.

 

Less than 50 lead is not too bad, need Kyle to come to the party now and Barker to bowl as well as he has done.

 

But only if we knock they over for about 80. Knocking them over for about 180 is the last thing I want; I'd rather they made 380 than 180. Being set something anything in the 200s would make Somerset massive favourites for me, as there would be too much time left for a draw.

 

I still think a draw is the most likely result. Unless you knock us over by stumps tonight, that is, in which case it could go either way, as you say. There is no way Somerset will risk losing by declaring early, as a draw suits us .

Byrom fails again, can't wait until Conway joins us!

 

Oh Felix that was a dolly.

Perhaps we are playing for the draw.

 

I said yesterday that a draw suits both sides. Hampshire picking up the 3rd batting point means a draw would put them second behind Somerset, assuming Glos lose at Leicester. And of course Somerset would much rather qualify with Hants than with Gloucestershire.

 

I'd settle for the captains shaking hands for the draw right now.