*Official* English Domestic Season Thread 2010

[fredfertang]

.......... and two out of two for Lanky, although the batting seems as fragile as ever

 

[zaremba]

Yes - and a crushing victory against Essex today.

With regard to the batting, surely the experiment with Tom Smith opening has now run its course? I'm not pretending that getting Chilly back up there would necessarily be a huge improvement, there must be other better options? Couldn't Prince do the job?

 

[fredfertang]

Couldn't agree more about Smith - that long running experiment has surely run its course now - there must be better options

Is Moores noted for this sort of persistence in the face of overwhelming evidence?

 

[superkingdave]

Meh if they aren't going to drop Sutton they may as well swap him and Smith round. Would prefer to keep Horts & Prince at 3 & 4...Chilton must be under pressure...Cross started the year with a ton in the seconds.

Big Smith fan but sounds like he's very low on confidence with the bat atm, still worth his place with the ball though.

 

[S Chanderpaul]

We always start good and then go to complete ****. Hopefully this season will be better but I cant say I'm to confident when our repalcement for Jimmy is gonna be Darren Powell.

 

[fredfertang]

Meh if they aren't going to drop Sutton they may as well swap him and Smith round. Would prefer to keep Horts & Prince at 3 & 4...Chilton must be under pressure...Cross started the year with a ton in the seconds.

Big Smith fan but sounds like he's very low on confidence with the bat atm, still worth his place with the ball though.

Presumably Karl Brown is out of favour? and is that Shankar bloke making any progress?

 

[zaremba]

Couldn't agree more about Smith - that long running experiment has surely run its course now - there must be better options

Is Moores noted for this sort of persistence in the face of overwhelming evidence?

Well I think he was prepared to stick with his bets for a while, and as a general rule that's surely a good thing. IIRC Mike Yardy was a bit of a slow developer, and that's one investment that has paid off for us. But Tom Smith opening never made sense for me, it's been trialled for long enough now, and I can't see it being persisted with.

(Cue 235no from Tom Smith batting at 1 in the next match.)

 

[superkingdave]

Presumably Karl Brown is out of favour? and is that Shankar bloke making any progress?

Brown scored a few against the tykes but have never got the impression they have much faith in him, Shankar hasn't set the world alight...wouldn't be surprised if we see a bit of Agathagelou this season.

 

[fredfertang]

Personally I hope Cross gets a decent run - with or without the gloves

 

[superkingdave]

Personally I hope Cross gets a decent run - with or without the gloves

You and me both, sobering to think his last championship match was 4 years ago when he scored 68 against a very good Sussex attack. Since then he has consistently scored well in the seconds and is a much better keeper than Sutton...

 

[FBU]

I would like to try this

Moore
Brown
Horton
Prince
Croft
Cross
Chapple
Hogg
Mahmood
Newby
Kerrigan

 

[Pothas]

.......... and two out of two for Lanky, although the batting seems as fragile as ever

Chanderpaul to fix that later in the summer.

 

[Scaly piscine]

Glad that Sussex have found their level. Zaremba will have to be getting busy again so there's some names not left wasted.

On a more serious note I think the points changes for winning as opposed to drawing are a bit too skewed now. Draws are practically worthless. Unless you're playing a main rival there are going to be some very generous declarations.

 

[Pothas]

There were far too many draws last season though so I welcome it.

Do not see us declaring tomorow mind, likely to be bowled out way before that is likely to happen anyway.

 

[flibbertyjibber]

I have no problem with the points changes.Teams are going for the win more rather than looking to draw and that has to be a good thing.

 

[fredfertang]

I agree - I'm happy that counties should have some incentive to avoid defeat but a draw should never be an attractive option in itself

............ although I also think some compensatory points should be awarded in rain affected matches

 

[Scaly piscine]

3 points is hardly worth the effort of teams holding out for a draw. You're better off sneaking a few extra bonus points then falling apart.

 

[zaremba]

Glad that Sussex have found their level. Zaremba will have to be getting busy again so there's some names not left wasted.

at the first sentence, at the second.

Anyhow yes there is a big gulf between Div 1 and Div 2, and the worry is that if we go straight back up (as we really ought to) we will again struggle in Div 1.

 

[Woodster]

Interesting game at the Riverside, Pothas playing a crucial innings in attempting to extend the Hants lead, now at 190 with 4 wickets left. Pothas 67 not out, needs to go on.

Yorkshire 39-0 chasing an imposing 392, Will Kent have enough penetration in their attack to claim the 10 wickets ? May be down to Tredwell to spin them there.

Derbyshire on the verge of claiming another victory, inevitably being led there by skipper Chris Rogers, need another 32 runs with 8 wickets remaining.

Northants are another side trying to chase down a testing target of 394, at 76-1 they've started fairly well. Big test for 21 year old Alex Wakely whose made a start with 15. Will look to David Sales to take them the majority of the way when he gets his chance, with Rob White, and the experienced South Africans to follow. Steve Finn the obvious threat.

Surrey lost a couple of quick wickets this morning losing Afzaal and Hamilton-Brown, but Ramps is still there and has passed 50 and should ensure no slip-ups for Surrey today, as their game heads for a probable draw with Worcester.

 

[Woodster]

Big wicket at the Riverside as Plunkett has picked up Pothas for 76, the lead is 214 with only 3 wickets left. Hants still a little short, but have Ervine at the crease on 12, some lusty blows needed.

Mark Davies into the attack now, and into his 56th over of this season and still without a single wicket, surely there's one for him here.
Six from Ervine off Davies.