I'm not in the slightest bothered about whether we can step up the pace enough to try and maximum bonus points (if we do, great), but I do think that it's important to get to 350 inside the 110 overs. After our massive batting issues the season, being able to do that for successive games should give the team so much confidence. Right now, second batting has been secured.
Oh good. So Benkenstein hasn't taken complete leave of his senses. Some position we're getting into here.
Yep, cannot complain at this. Great batting. But unless Crane and Dawson get success, I'm not sure it will lead to a victory. With no McLaren, it's an even worse seam attack than usual. Another high scoring draw I fear. But nothing we can do about these injuries, at least the batting is finally functioning.
Let's worry about the bowling later. If we pile up a huge score that will put pressure on their batsmen.
Somerset bowled out for 236, so just one batting point for them. So with our third point there, we've already closed up that gap by two points. Very unlikely, but we could even overtaken them over the coming three days.
Fingers crossed it doesn't turn out to be anything serious, but there are concerns that it could be linked to the life threatening blood clots Carberry had a few years back. He was out of the game for more than a whole season previously. Anything similar again, and you would imagine that he would retire immediately given his age (and form over the past year, and with no international prospects anymore). Not that that is in any way more important that his health. http://www.espncricinfo.com/county-cricket-2016/content/story/1033541.html
Although unlikely, if Gavin Griffiths does well tonight and tomorrow on loan from Lancs, he could in theory find himself starting in the huge four day vs Surrey starting on Sunday. It wasn't as if Wheal particularly took his chance against Warks, and the fact that both he and Andrew were selected says a lot about what we think of Tommo now. I suspect Best will be recalled, or failing that Wheal will keep his place. But it's not unthinkable that Griffiths could start that match. Good to see Middlesex chasing down those runs against Somerset. With us and Surrey both drawing, the bottom four is fairly bunched up now. And four of our final seven games are against the other three.
Unfortunately the news on Carberry's health is not good, at all: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/36798903 Dreadful news. Wish him well.
This season just gets worse, what with all the injuries and Hamza Ali's tragic death and now this...I wish Carbs all the best in his battle to fight this awful illness..
