2014 county championship discussion thread

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

First topic message reminder :

A place to discuss all the happening's of the 2014 county championship!

A bit of news Chris Jordan shall not play in Sussex's opener, been told to rest by the ECB

[skyeman]

Aye, Middlesex coasting to victory now just 20 needed. Rogers has been superb and to chase down 472.    

[guildfordbat]

Magnificent effort by Rogers to guide Middlesex to victory.    Performance of the season so far.

Credit as well to Robson for helping him lay the foundations yesterday. If Robson had got out early, I doubt that others would have been able to stay with Rogers long enough for him to see them home. 

Look forward to Shelsey's report once he's calmed down.

[liverbnz]

Well done Middlesex! Excellent victory. I definitely needed another boot to gut after Liverpool/Chelsea

[Mat]

2 wins out of 3 for Worcestershire! Good call by Guildford on that prediction, though it was Ajmal and not Moeen who did the job, picking up another 4 wickets.

[NickisBHAFC]

ffs. Ahh well at least most of the Davie family will be happy today, most of my family are Somerset!

[guildfordbat]

2 wins out of 3 for Worcestershire! Good call by Guildford on that prediction, though it was Ajmal and not Moeen who did the job, picking up another 4 wickets.

Cheers, Mat, and well done on another victory - that's two more than Surrey and counting.

In other predictions, I under estimated the brilliance of Rogers for Middlesex and forgot a Tavare was batting for Gloucs!    Otherwise, about there.

[guildfordbat]

ffs. Ahh well at least most of the Davie family will be happy today, most of my family are Somerset!

Don't expect too many more wickets from Lewis now that April's out. Think he and Anyon will be looking over their shoulders, particularly as Hatchett got a sixfer against Surrey in a seconds game this week.

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Chris Rogers

Spectacular!

[Shelsey93]

It really was a special day at Lord's.

Arriving to see blue sky I had an inkling that they might pull it off, but rationally Yorkshire were still 70/30 favourites. After a century the previous afternoon batsmen more often than not get out the following morning and the flimsy Middx middle-order would have had it tough if that had happened.

As it was Rogers picked up where he left off. He did have a rough patch for around half an hour during the morning session, when Hodd standing up to Patterson seemed to put him off. But thereafter he never really looked like getting out. At the other end Malan and Morgan produced 30s - useful, but somewhat frustrating - before Dexter joined his captain at the end and hit a quick-fire unbeaten 70 to get Middx over the line.

There was a controversial moment when Dexter didn't walk after an edge through to the 'keeper. Hodd claimed it but the umpire ruled that he couldn't be sure that the ball had carried. An odd verdict, but in the absence of slow-motion replays the game carries on and it's impossible to tell whether it actually carried.

Yorkshire didn't bowl particularly badly - I thought Jason Gillespie was harsh to criticise them for their display yesterday evening, and they were certainly on the money for the most part today. They might be regretting the change of captaincy, though. Root was inventive, and did nothing extraordinarily unwise, but Gale's experience may have been worth that extra breakthrough at a crucial time.

My worries that Rogers might be worn out after playing cricket for so many consecutive summer and winter seasons seemed to have been emphatically allayed.

He was in good form at the close, and I wrote up what he had to say here - http://deepextracover.com/2014/04/30/rampant-rogers-proud-of-remarkable-chase/

Exams are now on the horizon for me so, apart from a couple of T20 outings towards the end of the month, I'll be out of action until June as far as covering games is concerned.

[NickisBHAFC]

Some big wins for some counties today.

Tell you what Alex Gidman at Gloustershire is another name to look out for, always liked him at Durham but he is really coming on at Gloustershire. He hit 119 not out today, he is scoring runs and taking wickets this season. Maybe a lions call up this season?

[Guest]

an amazing chase from Middlesex, really was!

Nick - Will Gidman has more chance than Alex.

[Dave.]

This is real cricket.

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Some county Championship on the telly box tomorrow

Lovely stuff

[jimbohammers]

Essex are 6-0 off 14 overs

  

[NickisBHAFC]

England matters today

James Taylor hit 60 for Nottinghamshire today
Lewis Gregory at Somerset caught the eye against Sussex last week, he has taken 3-65 today, could be one to keep a look out for this summer.
Jason Roy at Surrey also hit 60, player i have always really liked.

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Bairstow falls short of a hundred you can probably guess that he played round a straight one

[Corporalhumblebucket]

Yorks putting Durham attack to the sword.  After the last match against Middlesex, Yorks probably feel they need a large total.

[guildfordbat]

Yorks putting Durham attack to the sword.  After the last match against Middlesex, Yorks probably feel they need a large total.

Corporal - agreed, although I feel Middlesex have underestimated how many they need at Edgbaston!   

[NickisBHAFC]

Steve Maggofin leading the Sussex fight back!

[Shelsey93]

Middx aren't going about things the easy way this year, are they?

Hard to say too much from afar and not having listened to any but it sounds like the usual problems - middle order batting, lack of penetration from James Harris. Missing Tim Murtagh this week won't have helped either. I guess Finn might also be a little tired after his workload in the previous three games.

Interestingly a night-watchman was sent out for the last over. It suggests that Rogers isn't particularly superstitious after scoring 241* from number one last week! By my reckoning Middx will need more than 472 just to challenge this time...

All credit to Warks, of course. Ambrose has always been able to bat when it the mood and Patel has done good things at county level before the willow... though I do remember him running away to square-leg when facing Dale Steyn in a Test Match once!

[Hoggy_Bear]

Is Chris rogers injured or something?
Why is James Harris opening the batting?
I mean why WAS he?

[Corporalhumblebucket]

I suppose the Middlesex opening partnership is such a prized asset - and there was need in the second innings of this match for Rogers and Robson to put on 150 - 200 minimum - that it seemed like a good idea to protect them for a single over.

[Shelsey93]

In the context of a single over at the end of the day it made some sense - if Harris got out the players would have walked off the field so they could effectively guaratee the survival of Rogers and Robson. It is quite unusual to send a night-watchman out to open though.

[Corporalhumblebucket]

Meanwhile, Sam Robson's brother, Angus is also batting today.  Currently on a career best 90* batting for Leics.

[Corporalhumblebucket]

I suppose the Middlesex opening partnership is such a prized asset - and there was need in the second innings of this match for Rogers and Robson to put on 150 - 200 minimum - that it seemed like a good idea to protect them for a single over.

 Only put on 149 this time... 

[Mat]

Mitchell leading from the front for Worcs again with his second ton of the match, while Alex Hales scored 63 batting at number four before being out stomped. Mitch's batting and some great bowling from Andrew yesterday has put us in another good position.

From the commentary it seems like there really isn't too much in the pitch, but with Ajmal in our ranks, never say never I guess.

[guildfordbat]

Mat - hats off to your guys who have started the season so well and shown certain wealthier counties how it's done.   

[Mat]

Cheers Guildford. It's nice for us to actually start a season well once, not sure how long it will last when we lose Ajmal and potentially Moeen at the same time but might as well enjoy it whilst it happens!

Nice to see a lot of the younger players being given a chance/stepping up to the plate, I think Moeen's ascent to getting an England call-up has shown them that as a county we are capable of helping a player to the highest level.

Haven't managed to catch a day's play yet because of Uni but from what I've been told/read, it seems Charlie Morris has really impressed early on and stepped into Richo's shoes as a great containing bowler, albeit not paired with the volume of wickets Richo took, but no-one expected that.

Seems after my earlier criticism(always happens doesn't it?!) Ben Cox is beginning to score runs in the first class game and although Tom Kohler-Cadmore has had a poor start to his career, he too is supposed to be very promising. The one player I really liked the look of last year was Tom Fell, so find it a bit strange he's currently in the 2nds but hopefully he gets another chance sooner rather than later as well.

[Corporalhumblebucket]

After Rogers and Robson fell Middlesex have subsided - 8 down.  (7 wickets for 60)

[Shelsey93]

Ah, the Middx middle-order... a few cracks were papered over by Rogers last week but it really is a bit of a disaster zone. It may be time to throw somebody entirely new in for the next game, probably Ryan Higgins or Andrew Balbirnie.

[NickisBHAFC]

England shout outs

Monty Panesar hitting 6-110. He's not giving up on a test call up, still think id rather Kerrigan gets the call up.

Alex Hales hitting 63 for Worcestershire.

[Corporalhumblebucket]

Great recovery by Sussex against Durham.  Wright and Brown have put on 205 unbeaten so far after loss of 5 wickets cheaply.

...And by the close they have put on 326 unbeaten, scoring at 4.90 an over.   

[Hoggy_Bear]

Shame Ian Bell didn't get his century, otherwise I reckon he'd have been officially allowed to bat for Warwickshire wearing a cape and his underpants over his trousers.

[Corporalhumblebucket]

Disappointing batting from Warks.  Unless there is weather assistance they will do well to escape with a draw.

********

Even more disappointing in 2nd innings following on where they have subsided to 25 - 4, with Bell out for the second time within 11 overs.

[Hoggy_Bear]

Looks like I jinxed him.  

[Corporalhumblebucket]

Warks fold - all out for 89 in 2nd innings. Crushed by Yorks.

Middlesex well placed against Lancs.

Hants should beat Glam comfortably.

[NickisBHAFC]

England shout outs

103 for Eion Morgan
78 for James Taylor
84 for Scott Borthwick
66 for Micheal Carberry
61 for James Vince
6-59 for Chris Tremlett

[liverbnz]

Big win for God's own county with all the bowlers chipping in for the victory. They would have taken a bit fo a mental blow after the Middlesex defeat but this win should restore some belief.

[jimbohammers]

Great start to the season for Hampshire. Abbott looks to be a great signing. Vince in top form again

[guildfordbat]

Yes, another good win for Hants who have started the season very well.

Jimbo - hope you saw a glowing report about Bates' keepin on cricinfo - Monday, I think.

[Corporalhumblebucket]

Fine wine by Notts over Northants, despite losing a whole day to the weather.

Middlesex only need formality of 30 runs in their second innings to defeat Lancs. Murtagh took six wickets in Lancs' second innings.

[liverbnz]

Fine wine by Notts over Northants, despite losing a whole day to the weather.
 

 
Red or white?

[Corporalhumblebucket]

Fine wine by Notts over Northants, despite losing a whole day to the weather.
 

 
Red or white?

   

Pity it wasn't Yorks vs Lancs match then the question could be: are you white rose or red rose? 

[liverbnz]

  

White rose (and wine) of course

[jimbohammers]

Yes, another good win for Hants who have started the season very well.

Jimbo - hope you saw a glowing report about Bates' keepin on cricinfo - Monday, I think.

Haven't seen it Guildford, but ill have a look now, cheers   

If you're interested, take a look at this:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kMiJZ5naoYQ&list=UU8lemPb9z8zjmlk6tlkm6_Q

1.48 in - wow

[NickisBHAFC]

England shout outs

Toby Roland Jones took 5-49 - Player i have been a fan for a while
James Vince hit 70
Darryl Mitchell hit 97 - Been talk he might be called up

[jimbohammers]

Mitchell has had a great start to the season. If he keeps it up, why not?!

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

So Saeed Ajmal is fairly good huh

[jimbohammers]

Not bad....

Haha

[Mat]

Come on you pears! Ajmal is ridiculously good. Nice of him to teach Moeen how to bowl the doosra as well! #moeenforengland

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