I see that the SA domestic season finished last week, and Pretorius was MOTM in the four-day final (albeit in a losing cause). In what was his debut season in red ball cricket, he finished with the second best average (72.7) with the joint most number of centuries (three) from just seven innings. I wonder if there might be scope for him to join us a week or two early, and feature in one or two D1 matches prior to the Blast? Initially I had wondered that about Brevis instead (who finished as the second highest run scorer), given that he'll be the one who plays in the two D1 games during the Blast, but his recent IPL call up has ended any chance of that. If Pretorius is open to it, I guess no decision would have to made yet. We could wait and see how Hampton goes against Durham.
Unless the rain relents in Birmingham, it looks like Essex could be the only D1 team to win in this round of matches. Very useful for them.
A bit disappointing in the end to only draw the game, having gained the advantage of winning the toss in those conditions on day 1, but Somerset fought hard and the pitch did flatten out. The obvious thing to do for the Durham game would be to bring Baker back in for Hampton, but will they do that? Perhaps Brad Wheal might "need a rest" after his strenuous week off and be taken out instead?! My sources tell me that Scott Currie is indeed carrying a knock but should be fine in time for the T20s.
Shame we couldn't get the win but if someone had said a month ago Hants would be 3rd, 6 points off the top AND Surrey down in 5th after 3 rounds I would have bitten their hand off for that.
Not when I wrote that! I forgot the Warks-Notts game hadn't concluded. Still, my point is still valid.
Lewis Gregory went into T20 mode when Sean Dickson came out as last man, he put on about 40 in the last 3 overs before he got caught. Dickson was clearly in a lot of pain, very brave to go back out and face Gus Atkinson again.
I do wonder if we'll go with Organ tomorrow to have that second spin option, given how hot and dry it's been lately, possibly in place of Albert.
I know it's not the primary thing to base selection on, but dropping Albert would complicate our choices for the slip cordon even further. I don't understand why Dawson no longer fields there, he used to be a regular alongside Vince at 2nd slip. He seems to have a season or two in there and then a season or two out again. As it stands, Prest and Albert are our only 2 real recognised slippers. Middleton, Hampton and Fuller have filled in on occasion but Tom and Toby are our best by far (apart from Dawson). Perhaps they'll do a direct replacement and shove Organ in there, if he plays.
Somerset win the toss and insert Essex. There must be some demons in the pitch, we will see how they emerge.
