Yes absolutely. That’s really what I meant. It wasn’t a slight at Somerset; just thought they were the 2 best sides & a shame that wasn’t the final.
I completely agree. Hampshire were robbed by the ridiculous DLS target Essex were set. They would easily have defended 171 with plenty to spare. I grew up in Hampshire and adopted Somerset when I moved up this way in 1977, just in time for the Botham/Richards/Garner glory days. I never lost my love for Hampshire though, and my two favourite sides deserved to face each other in the final.
Team of the tournament would probably be something like: Vince Jacks Bell-Drummond Hain Mitchell Cooke Sams Green Overton Henry Turner Bench: Madsen, Malan, Mousley, Sowter No stand-out shout for a keeper - particularly given that none of TKC, Clarke and Pepper kept wicket. Banton and McDermott finished with similar records. I think Cooke takes it. Any of that bench could have easily made the XI, Sowter in particular. I think Sams just pips Vince and Henry to best player. Maybe.
I had a text that said JV was awarded the Player of the Tournament, I can't find a site with the details.
I see that Australia have done what I said they should do (but what I didn't think they would do) - namely drop Murphy in order to accommodate Green's return. Carey at no.8, and with Starc and Cummins to come after, is some serious batting depth.
I think Kent will be OK! Middlesex were so afraid of losing instead of winning, against Northamptonshire, they missed the chance to really close the gap on Kent in their last match. For that alone, they deserve to be relegated, I think Middlesex have Surrey next, so hopefully a good win for Surrey!!
Hopefully, |Murphy is in for the 5th Test as the Oval pitch normally suits bowlers who have something to extraxt from the track.
