They did, but only just.
First big test of the season coming up, let’s see what this group are made of. We bat deep, our 9, 10 and 11 in the first innings all have FC centuries to their name - we probably need two centurions tomorrow if we’re going to survive.
It’s been a hugely frustrating three days, with the benefit hindsight now I have to concede that what I initially thought was competitive; our first innings was actually poor. What is annoying is that there’s been very little real difference between the two sides, but what differences there have been have been exaggerated as to the outcome. We were two down in both innings for not many, they made 60 odd before they lost a wicket in theirs and on reflection we were always just one or two wickets too many in the wicket column during our first go. Whereas when we bowled, we were always probably just out of reach of being on top owing to the start they had. On top of that, most of their lads have valued their wicket and been difficult to dismiss, only really Slater was a gift, but we had 4/5 lads give their wicket away in the first innings. It’s remarkable how poorly we’ve dealt with O’Neil, he’s been decent but I don’t think he’s been anywhere near as good as his match figures suggest - which is another huge annoyance, because based on the eye test, their other bowlers have been absolute fodder.
I want to also mention McKinney, whilst he must be given time to develop and grow, it’s so frustrating seeing him get out the way he did today, he played and missed at a couple before he edged one and was dropped, then in the next over did exactly the same, a couple of play and misses before the inevitable edge. I saw it coming a mile off, to get done so often in quick succession like that was really poor. If he’s got international aspirations he’s going to have to correct that particular flaw quickly.
