Not surprised that they've enforced the FO. Even if we were to make 400 in 4 and a bit sessions, we would still only be 150 ahead with a session still to play. But with Roach injured, they must have entertained the possibility of batting again. With him, I'd have given us no chance of saving this. But without him, we have an outside shot.
When Somerset got that 24 point deduction for the poor pitch vs Essex in 2019, 12 of those points were suspended for two years as I recall? And, furthermore I recall that two year period got postponed for a year because of the shortened 2020 season. Hence if my memory is correct (it might not be!), those suspended 12 points still hang over them this season. That said, this match it has been seam rather than spin doing the damage. And it's much rarer for a pitch to be rated as bad when it's the seamers doing the damage.
Good to see Donald making a second century in consecutive matches. Forget that it's only second XI cricket, the important thing is that he's spending time in the middle and feeling good. The second XI don't play next week. So if they did want to give him a third match in the seconds, that would mean the earliest he would be available to play in the Championship would be away to Somerset (match number 6). But if they're happy that just these two matches are sufficient, then he could play vs Lancs next week (match number 4). Right now, it's probably Organ's place which is most up for grabs. He hasn't really featured in either match so far - and even though the same applies to Dawson, he is clearly going to be ahead of Organ in the pecking order. It therefore makes this week's match vs Kent very important for Organ. We don't need seven bowling options, so he needs to be contributing with the bat to justify his place.
It is a pleasant surprise that the cricket season has kicked off bathed in sunshine for once rather than freezing cold and/or pissing down.
