Yeah, I think if we had scraped through I would have been backing us to win tomorrow, given our QF record. I just don't see Gloucs beating Birmingham - although I'd be happy if I was wrong.
Good to see Wood's sticking around for at least another season. He remains an excellent T20 bowler. Presumably we'll look to get Ellis back next year too. No disrespect to Neser, but our bowling attack was considerably weaker this year.
14 of the 16 QFs over the past four years have been won by the south group. And it would have been 15 out of 16 had it not been for that amazing final over which Thompson bowled for Yorks in 2022 to beat Surrey.
I would back you to beat Surrey. With finals day stupidly scheduled to clash with the pointless t20 series vs Australia, Surrey will likely be without Sam Curran, Jacks, and Topley. There is also no guarantee that Atkinson, Smith, Pope and Lawrence will be made available after this test match. Meanwhile Roy is at the CPL, and I think Johnson is injured. It'll be interesting what the two of you do selection-wise for the Championship match this week. As I recall, we played you in the Championship last year in the week before finals day, and you duly rested a lot of players (whereas we didn't). But this time, there is a whole lot more riding on your Championship match - for both sides. I've heard that Surrey are trying to recruit Shakib for the game. Partly to cover all the experience which they will likely be missing, but I guess also to be prepared for the risk that Taunton turns square from ball one. If Jofra had been available, I think I might have just favoured Sussex of the four teams next weekend. But without him, I think it'll be Somerset to retain the title.
Ollie Pope scores the fastest 150 in tests at the Oval (151 balls) is the good news. Going from 290-4 to 307-8 is the bad news. Everyone going for a slog fest and giving straightforward catches.
What’s with the fingers pointing to the sky style of catching? Another simple chance put down, this time by Stone, as his fingers pointed to the sky and the ball fell between the gap where his thumbs were. He had all the time in the world to set himself and cup his hands under the ball.
This. Michael Vaughan on TMS "That's a shocking shot, really poor. They've just got to be careful England, the manner and way they played was with a little lack of respect for the opposition."
I hope you’re right ( you probably are ) , I’m am honestly really full of doom and gloom ATM , probably shouldn’t have posted .
