County Championship Round 3 Discussion Thread

[Shelsey93]

First topic message reminder :

8 more Championship games start tomorrow, including the meeting of last year's top two. Fans of all teams are more than welcome to discuss the matches this thread - lets get closer to the number of posts in the Surrey thread; they thrashed us last week!

These are the matches to be played:

Division 1

Lancashire v Warwickshire @ Liverpool - Commentary link http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01fnp58 (BBC 5LSX/BBC WM/BBC Coventry and Warwiskshire)

Lancs 250 (Brown 46, Maddy 4-39) and 148 (Prince 51, Patel 5-52, Barker 5-54) Warks 329 (Clarke 140, Maddy 112, Kerrigan 4-89) and 71-5 (Porterfield 22*, Kerrigan 3-34)

Warwickshire won by 5 wickets

Middlesex v Durham @ Lord's - Commentary link http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/cricket/17755449 (BBC London)

Middx 188 (Dexter 65, Onions 6-45) and 179 (Simpson 47, Onions 4-28) Durham 238 (Stokes 45, Finn 3-55) and 82-6 (di Venuto 29, Finn 4-43)

Match drawn

Nottinghamshire v Somerset @ Trent Bridge - Commentary link http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/cricket/17755451 (BBC Nottingham)

Notts 162 (Read 104*, Trego 5-53) and 169-4 (Taylor 38*, Trego 2-62) Somerset 445-2 dec (Compton 204*, Suppiah 124, Hildreth 102*, Phillips 1-42)

Match drawn

Surrey v Worcestershire @ The Oval - Commentary link http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/cricket/17755453 (BBC London/ BBC Hereford and Worcester)

Surrey 140 (Roy 38, Richardson 6-47) and 224 (Hamilton-Brown 76, Richardson 4-81) Worcs 119 (Cameron 41, Meaker 6-39) and 94-1 (Klinger 69*, Jordan 1-4)

Match drawn

Division 2

Derbyshire v Leicestershire @ Derby

Leics 324 (Cobb 105, Sarwan 105, Footitt 3-43) and 169-4 dec (Boyce 65, Footitt 2-36) Derbys 180 (Palladino 38, White 5-54) and 91-0 (Guptill 67*)

Match drawn

Glamorgan v Hampshire @ Swalec Stadium

Glam 103-9 dec (Bragg 45, Balcombe 5-33) and 256 (Wright 104, Walters 54, Riazuddin 5-61) Hants 156 (Dawson 32, Waters 7-53) and 204-8 (Ervine 75, Wagg 3-43)

Hampshire won by 2 wickets

Kent v Gloucestershire @ Canterbury - Commentary link http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/cricket/17755572 (BBC Kent)

Gloucs 255 (W. Gidman 56, Young 55*, Davies 4-43) and 257-7 dec (Marshall 74, A. Gidman 70, Coles 3-55) Kent 150 (Stevens 54, W. Gidman 5-43) and 94-2 (Key 32*, Young 1-18)

Match drawn

Yorkshire v Essex @ Headingley - Commentary link http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/cricket/17755455 (BBC Leeds)

Yorks 246 (Jaques 126, Mills 4-62) and 214-4 dec (Root 67, Smith 2-31) Essex 199 (Bopara 117*, Sidebottom 5-30) and 26-2 (Westley 12*, Shahzad 2-7)

Match drawn

[Shelsey93]

You would think that Lancashire, Leicestershire, Kent and Essex are in commanding positions in their matches

Er... are you sure?

Kent are 119-6 in reply to Gloucs 255-10.
Essex are 72-5 in reply to Yorks 246-10.

I've seen better "commanding" from Corporal HB.

Oops. Rushed that post out. Meant Gloucs and Yorks.

[ChrisfromStroud]

The fastest editor on the planet!!

[guildfordbat]

I've seen better "commanding" from Corporal HB.

[Corporalhumblebucket]

I've seen better "commanding" from Corporal HB.

[Corporalhumblebucket]

Remarkable performance from Chris Read today....

Perhaps batsmen round the country will vote for a March start to the cc season when there is a better chance of fine weather....

[Shelsey93]

Remarkable performance from Chris Read today....

Perhaps batsmen round the country will vote for a March start to the cc season when there is a better chance of fine weather....

As your post hints, weather can be either nice or horrible in this country at any time between March and October. Therefore, I see an April start as a necessary risk in a world where cricket, even with an early start, has a much shorter season than most other sports.

[Guest]

Can already see what Sarwan has bought to the Leicestershire, the guy's impact could be massive this year.

[hampo17]

Lancashire have reached their first batting point thanks to a flurry from Glen Chapple. They've somehow avoided any rain at all today at Liverpool, though the commentary is saying that it has been raining all day in Manchester.

Was amazed when I heard this, I like 30/35 minutes from the ground and it rained most of the day. My clubs game today will probably be called off because of this weeks weather

[guildfordbat]

Biggest surprise of the day so far - Glam reach 168-3 in their 2nd innings against Hants, a lead of 115.

Stewart Walters - harshly dubbed ''the Walking Wicket'' during his time at Surrey - unbeaten on 54 ....

[guildfordbat]

Talk about a jinx!

Walters out for 54!

[ChrisfromStroud]

Never has the rather miserly figures of 10-6-11-3 for Surrey vs Worcs

And Glamorgan edging towards... oh, what is that number that comes after 199?

[ChrisfromStroud]

Glamorgan's declaration on 103-9 beginning to look like an inspired motivational move!

[jimbohammers]

[jimbohammers]

Oh ffs Hampshire

[JDizzle]

Well batted Somerset. Especially Compton, superb innings! Looks like the pitch has flatten out somewhat so it will have to be a superb effort on to bowl Notts out and win the game!

[Shelsey93]

Well, that looks to have been an intriguing days cricket around the country - and, for once, not all going the way of the bowlers.

Compton is the form man - he already has 600 FC runs this season - and has given his chance a pretty reasonable victory shot. He has always been a good cricketer, and, whilst in the eyes of the media he is overshadowed by Tres, Kieswetter, Buttler, Hildreth and Trego, he is every bit as essential to the Somerset Championship side.

Warwickshire have had a dominant day at Liverpool and are now well in control of that match. Clarke (140) came in at number 9, after Carter was given license at the top of the order and Wright came in as a night-watchman.

A result is unlikely at Lord's but Strauss failed again, going to Onions for 6. I'm not a bit concerned though - I still rate him highly both as a batsman and a captain and struggle to believe that Root, Hales, Carberry, whoever are more likely to score runs than him for England.

Glamorgan-Hampshire looks like it could be a thriller at the Swalec. 6 wickets vs. 90-odd runs. I'm going to just go for Hants, though the batting display today was a good sign that Glam won't just get blown away.

Leics, Gloucs and Yorks all have a chance to push for victory. Ravi Bopara made 117 for Essex, in a total of 199 Remember he is competing with Samit Patel, who has done nothing thus far, for a place at Lord's on May 17th.

[hodge]

Great effort from Somerset 445/2, Compton is on fire, but also big hand for Suppiah and Hildreth. Could Hildreth challenge Morgan and Taylor's shouts for next in line for a test place again?

[Shelsey93]

Great effort from Somerset 445/2, Compton is on fire, but also big hand for Suppiah and Hildreth. Could Hildreth challenge Morgan and Taylor's shouts for next in line for a test place again?

I wouldn't write Hildreth off. I personally believe that England won't look past Bopara and Patel v West Indies and probably all summer. Bopara is due a proper go and consistency is applauded. But after that first-class runs will be the main defining factor in the pecking order. Morgan will jump to the head of that list if he returns to form for Middlesex (once he finishes his IPL benchwarming). Taylor, Hildreth, Stokes, Bairstow, Carberry and perhaps even Compton would therefore be in the mix if they have a great season, and the incumbents don't.

[Guest]

I'm slightly in awe at The Foxes start to the season, almost too good to be true!

[Corporalhumblebucket]

With a lead of 333 and likelihood of showers, I would expect Gloucs to declare very soon.

[Shelsey93]

With a lead of 333 and likelihood of showers, I would expect Gloucs to declare very soon.

Leicestershire and Yorkshire also in similar situations. Rain is already effecting events at Liverpool, Cardiff and Trent Bridge.

[Corporalhumblebucket]

Yorks have declared. Gloucs still scratching around losing wickets in adding a few extra to their already big lead....

[Shelsey93]

Yorks have declared. Gloucs still scratching around losing wickets in adding a few extra to their already big lead....

Gloucestershire now declared as well. Middlesex in a bit of trouble now - 5 down and the lead still only 17.

[Corporalhumblebucket]

Various matches held up by the rain. Middlesex mounting rearguard action. Murtagh and Simspon already put on 74 which may yet see them to safety against Durham.

[Corporalhumblebucket]

Durham bowled Middlesex out at last - need 130 to win....

[guildfordbat]

It'll be very disappointing if the last day of the Glam v Hants match is rained off. It was intriguingly poised ....

[Shelsey93]

Rain being a real bummer. Could well have seven draws, with few of the matches immediately in sight of a conclusion and light sure to fade.

Warwickshire only need 55 to win though. Kerrigan opened the bowling for Lancs and dismissed Chopra. Neil Carter, who didn't bowl at all in the second innings, and Ian Bell are now at the crease.

[Corporalhumblebucket]

Glam v Hants finally back on. and Hants lose Bates - so they are now in considerable trouble.

Warks really should beat Lancs now.

Meanwhile, Notts finally resume against Somerset.....

[Corporalhumblebucket]

Warks 52 - 5.... Still need another 18 to win.....

[ChrisfromStroud]

A long time ago, in a cricket ground far, far away...

... Lancs 250-10, Warks 81-7...

... and Warks go on to win.

Never mind Star Wars, Warks have clearly been watching too much Galaxy Quest.*


(*"Never give up, never surrender")

[JDizzle]

Somerset Vs. Notts is meandering to a draw, thanks to the weather. Was intriguingly poised after Somerset's declaration, but they just haven't had enough overs.

[guildfordbat]

Glam v Hants back on after another rain interruption.

Hants need 70 more runs. Glam now need 5 wickets.

[guildfordbat]

Glam now only need 4 wickets as Carberry goes to Muddy Waters!

[guildfordbat]

Hants now need 40 more and still have 4 wickets left.

It'll be bodyblow to Glam if they lose this ....

[Corporalhumblebucket]

Hants 33 to win....

[Corporalhumblebucket]

Wood out. 31 to win with three wickets left.....

[Corporalhumblebucket]

Ervine hits three boundaries in a row. 16 to win, with three wickets left....

[ChrisfromStroud]

Anyone know how many overs left in Glam-Hants?
(Hoping for draw...!)

[Corporalhumblebucket]

No idea, Chris. But at this rate only needs one more over with Irvine facing!

[Corporalhumblebucket]

Ervine out!

[Corporalhumblebucket]

Eight to win with two wickets left. Glam's declaration on first day could be the defining moment in the match....

[ChrisfromStroud]

Bother.
But very well played.

[guildfordbat]

Eight to win with two wickets left. Glam's declaration on first day could be the defining moment in the match....

Exactly the case as Hants win by 2 wickets.

[jimbohammers]

HAMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMPSHIREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

[ChrisfromStroud]

Glam's declaration on first day could be the defining moment in the match....

Nonsense, if I could venture an opinion.

If Glam had been all out for 110 (say), they might have been so demoralized that they might have been rolled over in 3 days.

You just can't say that 5 runs on one day equates to 5 runs on another day.
The outcome of every single ball changes the whole of the rest of the match (or rather it does not, since we can't ever tell what would have happened otherwise!).

A butterfly flaps its wings in America, and it rains at the Oval...

PS Anyone know who Jimbo supports?

[Shelsey93]

Disappointing to see so many draws this week - mostly weather related as I think all of the games, maybe with the exception of Notts-Somerset would comfortably have reached a conclusion in four days.

I bet Wallace is regretting that declaration. Still a poor call in my view - even if 10 and 11 had added 5/10 more the result could have been very different. Though I agree with ChrisfromStroud that other factors come into play and you can't say it would necessarily have been different.

Warwickshire have made a strong start. They rely on deep rather than particularly brilliant batting, and a bowling attack on par with most in the division (I genuinely struggle to split the bowling strength of Lancs, Warks, Notts, Surrey and Durham. Middx, Sussex, Somerset and Worcs are perhaps slightly weaker). A quick check of the table reveals Warks have already pulled out 34 points over Lancs - already looking tough for Lancs to retain the title.

[Corporalhumblebucket]

Glam's declaration on first day could be the defining moment in the match....

Nonsense, if I could venture an opinion.

Feel free, Chris.... I wasn't particularly intending people to take that remark too literally. It was more that as others have pointed out the declaration seemed an odd decision at the time. And the fact that Hants victory was so narrow simply serves to underline the point....

Anyway, looking on the bright side, I tipped Hants for a quick promotion back to Div 1. And Glam will be pleased to have managed to get past 200 in an innings...

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