t20 cup

First topic message reminder :

Today marks the return of the ridiclously long domestic t20 cup..

Today's live game is leics vs Notts...

im predicting a easy win for notts, weather permitting.

Corporalhumblebucket wrote:Meaker strikes - not sure whether it was a good idea tho to get rid of Comber!

Surrey well played considering the circumstances. But if I was being harsh, you shouldn't be letting Essex get 15 off the last over with only 3 wkts left.

Nannes 3 overs for 30, and he's a 20/20 specialist? I rest my case.

Just like life cricket can be so cruel

Some very interesting T20 cricket tonight

Gloucs beat Northants by 8 runs, defending 139. Ian Saxelby (4-16) was the star.

Leics v Derbys was reduced to an 8 over a side lottery. Leics managed 80, with Rana Naved the most expensive Derby bowler at 13 an over, whilst Derby reached 72-6.

Welsh Dragons compiled 178-5, largely around Shaun Marsh's 85. Somerset secured victory with a ball to spare. James Hildreth made a 60 ball 107 not out.

Warwickshire thrashed Worcestershire by 8 wickets.

Yorkshire were captained by 21 year-old Azeem Rafiq. They managed 171-6 with the bat - South African David Miller was unbeaten on 74. Herschelle Gibbs made 76 for Durham, before a collapse saw them bowled out for 159. Ryan Sidebottom (4-25) and Mitchell Starc (3-33) were the star performers.

Kent defeated Hants by 3 runs. Sam Northeast's 46 guided Kent to 151, which they successfully defended.

Luke Wright struck 91 to get Sussex to a total of 161-4. Middlesex didn't really get anywhere close.

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I really enjoyed listening to the commentary on that game at Chelmsford. Obviously an emotional night, but also a great game of cricket which, in the words of Mark Church, Tom would be proud of. Sounded like Tremlett did all he could, but not backed up by Nannes.

Over the last year or so I get the impression that Nannes has lost his nip. As a quick left-armer, he became a T20 sensation first with Middlesex, and then with Australia and in the IPL. But his figures suggest that he isn't bowling as well as he was then.

Corporalhumblebucket wrote:

guildfordbat wrote:Essex need 15 to win off the last over. 3 wkts left. Nannes bowling, KingDaveEagle ....

Follow the thread, Corporal, follow the thread.

Shelsey93 wrote:

I really enjoyed listening to the commentary on that game at Chelmsford. Obviously an emotional night, but also a great game of cricket which, in the words of Mark Church, Tom would be proud of. Sounded like Tremlett did all he could, but not backed up by Nannes.

Over the last year or so I get the impression that Nannes has lost his nip. As a quick left-armer, he became a T20 sensation first with Middlesex, and then with Australia and in the IPL. But his figures suggest that he isn't bowling as well as he was then.

Churchy is enormously popular at the Club and amongst its supporters. He works incredibly hard and nothing seems to be too much trouble. Very much the voice of Surrey cricket and definitely one of life's good guys. Jonny Barran is also a good semi-regular foil for him and far more astute than the 'Lord Barran' stereotype he often plays up to (not so evident tonight in the sombre circumstances).

I've had some concerns about Nannes since last season but don't feel this is the time to criticise a player's performance. All tonight deserve credit and appreciation for their appearance at Chelmsford including all the many squad players who chose to attend. I'll write my thoughts on Nannes another day.

On any other day I'd be disappointed but the result just doesn't matter right now. The Surrey boys went out and gave there all and made Tom proud, I can't imagine how it must have felt for them - to go out and do that is a win in itself. So many tweets from Surrey players tonight feeling so proud to be part of such a tight group, that is something which has always come across in Adam's reign and must help slightly in a time like this. I think the most poignant though was from Spriegel just now and just highlights one of the many reasons we all love this game so much:

"I would like to thank the Essex supporters for their unbelievable cheering. On a night where I never thought I would smile you made me laugh"

Dimis figures today:

4 overs. 1 maiden. 2 for 14

Glenn Maxwell, take a bow son. 66 from 32 balls, 5 fours and 6 sixes

Good win for Hants

jimbohammers wrote:Glenn Maxwell, take a bow son. 66 from 32 balls, 5 fours and 6 sixes

Corporalhumblebucket wrote:Good win for Hants

Big week for us in the comp, Middlesex on Wenesday then Surrey on Saturday, must win both to get back in the mix

Some great hitting from Stirling, Denly and Morgan tonight, terrible bowling from Kent mind you - Azhar Mahmood went for 61 from his 4!

Kent lose 4 wickets in 4 balls. They need Corporal Jones.....

Really good display from Middlesex tonight... they are a good team when Stirling, Morgan and Finn are playing. Unfortunately (for Middlesex) all three have further international commitments coming up which will stop them playing a huge part.

Stirling, in particular, seems to have progressed massively. Sometime in the winter somebody on here (Mike?) suggested Stirling could play for England, and to be honest I thought he was mad. He'd played a couple of good county knocks, and smashed the Dutch around on a flat one in the World Cup, but looked very agricultural against better bowlers and often got out cheaply.

However, he now looks like a really good player. Tonight's knock was good, but I was almost more impressed by the way he found a way to score runs against the rampant Aussies on Saturday when the score was 0-2. And despite having played ODIs for 4 years, he's only 21.

In other news Somerset stuffed Northants. Steve Kirby, George Dockrell and Arul Suppiah all took 2 wickets for next to nothing, as Northants made 115-6 in their 20. Somerset got home with 6 overs to spare.

Essex flying high in 2nd place at the moment

Somerset are cruising into the semi finals. That James Hildreth knock was outstanding, and considering he had been dropped the previous game it was a huge statement of intent from him! Comfortable victory last night against Northants as well. And if you consider we've been missing Levi, Buttler, Kies, Morkel and Tres for parts of it it gets even more impressive!

Shelsey93 wrote:Really good display from Middlesex tonight... they are a good team when Stirling, Morgan and Finn are playing. Unfortunately (for Middlesex) all three have further international commitments coming up which will stop them playing a huge part.

Stirling, in particular, seems to have progressed massively. Sometime in the winter somebody on here (Mike?) suggested Stirling could play for England, and to be honest I thought he was mad. He'd played a couple of good county knocks, and smashed the Dutch around on a flat one in the World Cup, but looked very agricultural against better bowlers and often got out cheaply.

However, he now looks like a really good player. Tonight's knock was good, but I was almost more impressed by the way he found a way to score runs against the rampant Aussies on Saturday when the score was 0-2. And despite having played ODIs for 4 years, he's only 21.

He's Irish

Gale and Sidebum out for Yorkshire tonight. Steven Patterson has been called up for Sid, but I really hope they go for Wardlaw or preferrabley Rashid. Patterson gets clubbed everywhere in T20 usually.

jimbohammers wrote:

Shelsey93 wrote:Really good display from Middlesex tonight... they are a good team when Stirling, Morgan and Finn are playing. Unfortunately (for Middlesex) all three have further international commitments coming up which will stop them playing a huge part.

Stirling, in particular, seems to have progressed massively. Sometime in the winter somebody on here (Mike?) suggested Stirling could play for England, and to be honest I thought he was mad. He'd played a couple of good county knocks, and smashed the Dutch around on a flat one in the World Cup, but looked very agricultural against better bowlers and often got out cheaply.

However, he now looks like a really good player. Tonight's knock was good, but I was almost more impressed by the way he found a way to score runs against the rampant Aussies on Saturday when the score was 0-2. And despite having played ODIs for 4 years, he's only 21.

He's Irish

That didn't stop Morgan and Joyce. And, until the ICC give Ireland Full Member status, won't stop Dockrell, Rankin, Stirling on anybody else England are interested in

Shelsey93 wrote:

That didn't stop Morgan and Joyce. And, until the ICC give Ireland Full Member status, won't stop Dockrell, Rankin, Stirling on anybody else England are interested in

I would hope lack of ability would be sufficient to stop Rankin.

guildfordbat wrote:

Shelsey93 wrote:

That didn't stop Morgan and Joyce. And, until the ICC give Ireland Full Member status, won't stop Dockrell, Rankin, Stirling on anybody else England are interested in

I would hope lack of ability would be sufficient to stop Rankin.

I agree, although he certainly had a good season in the Championship last year. If he were to replicate that form he could make a case - he spent time with the Lions this winter so England have shown some interest - but if he played he would have to do extremely well to hold down a spot. That could see him play a couple of games for England, and then not be able to play for Ireland for 4 years. It would be better if he stuck with the Irish, and made himself as good a leader of their attack as he can. Particularly as seam bowling is the one area where Ireland are a little week - Stirling, Porterfield, Joyce, N O'Brien, K O'Brien, Wilson will be as good a top six as many at the World T20, and Dockrell is a fantastic talent, but the pace bowling lags behind somewhat, outside of Rankin and Murtagh.

James Foster has been a massive reason as to why we (essex) are performing well in t20 this year...he has been in very good batting form in the comp, and his captaincy has been class this year.

CF wrote:James Foster has been a massive reason as to why we (essex) are performing well in t20 this year...he has been in very good batting form in the comp, and his captaincy has been class this year.

Yes, ok, CF, we've picked up Essex are doing well.

On a more sombre note, I've heard from several sources how respectful and dignified the normally boisterous Chelmsford crowd were towards Surrey last Friday.

lol sorry guildford had to emphasise the point..

and yes good to see the crowd being very respectful.

CF wrote:lol sorry guildford had to emphasise the point..

and yes good to see the crowd being very respectful.

Pity we smashed you on Sunday then...

'Mon you Foxes!

Shelsey, it would be nice for someone from England to actually play for England for a change

Give it up guys its finally Somerset's year to win it again

Brilliant from Yorkshire! Super in the field.

Yorkshire massivley indebted to Starc's final over and spell!

jimbohammers wrote:Shelsey, it would be nice for someone from England to actually play for England for a change

I tend to agree that, although the selection of Irish and South Africans who qualify for England is legitimate, and should happen where those are the best players available, that it slightly takes the gloss off celebrating having such great 'English' batsmen as Pietersen and Trott.

For the Irish lads it is largely the result of them not having access to Test cricket. I'd love to see them be given Test status so that we can see how good the team with Stirling, Dockrell and Rankin can be. I would hazard that they would be of similar ability, if not better, than Bangladesh and Zimbabwe.

CF wrote:Yorkshire massivley indebted to Starc's final over and spell!

Pyrah's runout of Sarwan was key. As was his innings.

CF wrote:Essex flying high in 2nd place at the moment

Partly down to Phillps ability to hit the odd six at crucial moments in the game....

South Group is wide open. Well done to Sean Ervine last night for steering Hampshire through 75 from 51

Jimbo Essex are well in with a shout, sitting pretty in 2nd place, and i would back us to go through!

Essex vs Sussex is the televised game tonight at fortress chelmsford

CF Essex looking good at the moment, that will all change tomorrow night though

Essex lost narrowly in a high scoring match. Perhaps the difference came down to Wheatar 5* off 12 balls vs Beer 12* off 5 balls.

We always win the toss and bowl first, so frustrating

Essex Vs Hampshire at fortress chelmsford tonight

Hampshire you beauties!

Maxwell again the star 60 off 24

Another win for the White Rose. We're looking good in this competition for the first time ever really. Still think Notts are the strongest team in the North Division but we're right behind them.

What a performance from Sussex, destroyed Kent in every meaning of the word. After the great wins over Essex thats what we needed to cement ourselves as the team to beat in the south.

Unbeaten in one day cricket this season so far on the South Coast

Gregers wrote:What a performance from Sussex, destroyed Kent in every meaning of the word.

That's a bit drastic

Maxwell hit Phillips in one over for 4, 6, 4, 6, 6, 4

Corp, im going to the Rose Bowl tomorrow, should be a cracker

I was there corporal, Kent didn't bowl very well, fielded averagely and batter awfully. And to boot they worrying didn't look like they were up for it at any point.

Coincidentally we scored our highest t20 score of all time

Jimbo - let's hope Surrey are up to the task of providing competitive opposition.

Gregers - looks like Sussex are on a roll. I'll be at the match on Tuesday.

Surrey play 7 front line bowlers plus Hyphen. I would have played Burns and left Nannes out.

I was just about to type that Kartik coming in at number three is madness - he's out first ball before I've started!