2015 - Division 2 discussion thread

[Corporalhumblebucket]

Thought I would start a Div 2 thread to mark Leics taking a first innings lead of 114 against Essex.   Leics have imploded several times recently towards end of cc matches, no doubt betraying a fragile confidence.  Can they finally end their winless cc run?

[guildfordbat]

Thanks for the thread, Corporal.

Worth emphasising that the Essex v Leics match is being played at Chelmsford. At the Surrey members' forum yesterday, Alec Stewart was mightily scathing of Essex and the wickets being prepared on the Chelmsford track. He stated that poor wickets were deliberately being produced so as to rule out draws and manufacture wins which normally depend ''on the flick of a coin''. Stewie stressed that if Essex win the toss, they regularly put their opponents in and go about skittling them. He added along the lines, ''It doesn't develop players and not the way I want to play the game.''

[Corporalhumblebucket]

Leics need 108 tomorrow, with all 10 wickets in hand. Surely they can't mess this up!

[Gooseberry]

Pretty embarrassing to be Essex if they do pull it off.

[jimbohammers]

Oh no Leicester lose 3 quick wickets.

[LondonTiger]

Congrats to Leicester. First championship win since some posters were still in nappies.

[Corporalhumblebucket]

Congrats to Leicester. First championship win since some posters were still in nappies.

[Gooseberry]

33 months, roughly the same length of time since Ian Bell was last in form

[Corporalhumblebucket]

Matt Coles so far taken 5 wickets for 8 for Kent against Derby.

[LondonTiger]

One wicket for Glen Chapple today - just 24 to go.

[guildfordbat]

Chapple didn't play in last week's Surrey v Lancs CC clash at the Oval but I saw him bowling on the outfield during Monday lunchtime. He still looked very sharp.

[jimbohammers]

Fascinating game going on between Kent and Derbyshire....

Kent bowled out for 205.
Derbyshire bowled out for 86. They were 0-3.
Kent currently 95-6.

All in 2 days

[Corporalhumblebucket]

Kent all out.  So that's 30 wickets gone by around 1500 on day two.

..and now Derby lose wicket in first over

[jimbohammers]

[guildfordbat]

Jimbo - the Ice Man is having a good game even though it seems he lost his cool when run out on 99! That following his fourfer.

[jimbohammers]

Guildford, I've always rated him

Brilliant partnership between him and Wheater, in quick time too!

[Corporalhumblebucket]

Remarkable turn around in Kent v Derby.  Having been skittled for 86 in their first innings it now looks likely that Derby will stroll to victory this morning.

Essex suffered badly at hands of Northants' Levi yesterday (157*).  Pity he's not English, otherwise Levi could have been of interest to Strauss.

[guildfordbat]

Good game going on between Gloucs and Div 2 leaders Lancs at Bristol. Gloucs 113/3 needing a further 139 to win ....

[guildfordbat]

Not looking so good now from a Gloucs viewpoint. They went from 113/2 to 119/7! Currently 125/7, still needing a further 127 ....

[Corporalhumblebucket]

Guildford - now that was an impressive jinx!

[hampo17]

It's a good time to be a Lancs fan

[Corporalhumblebucket]

It's a good time to be a Lancs fan

...especially as Gloucs are now all out. Faulkner seems like a very useful addition to the team.

[hampo17]

He does indeed, I would like to see some more home grown players playing but with the way the rules are at present we'd be daft not to exploit them.

[guildfordbat]

Guildford - now that was an impressive jinx!

Thanks, Corporal.

From a Surrey perspective of promotion, it's probably better that Lanky keeping on winning rather than get beaten and allow another team to get closer to our coat tails.

[wisden]

Tom Westley has gone past 5,000 career runs in the CC for us today, however looks like it will be another dissapointing result for us today, drawing with Northants...we are having a poor season to date..

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Chelmsford is a disgrace - pictures going round of the ground staff actually removing the covers by going across the wicket.

Should be fined and made to play a season at a neutral venue

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

The picture I was talking about - should be severely punished

[guildfordbat]

Interesting game going on at Cardiff, day 3 between Glamorgan and Leics. In their second innings the hosts lead by 160 odd but with only 4 wickets left. That said, former South African Test opener Rudolph is at the crease together with Tonker Wagg, so there could be some more runs yet. Glam hot on the heels of Surrey for the second promotion place and very much wanting the win ....

[guildfordbat]

Rats! That's from a Surrey perspective anyway.

A maiden first class 50 from Salter (one to keep an eye on, I reckon) and some late biffing from Hulk Hogan set Leics a target of 324. That'll be too many for the visitors.

[guildfordbat]

Leics end the day 75/3, still 249 short. Surely now only a question of what time tomorrow Glamorgan complete the win ... I'll say 3 o'clock.

[Corporalhumblebucket]

Guildford - I'll go for 1415.  I rather doubt Leics have the stomach or the skill to resist for any great length tomorrow. They have already lost several players who could have batted for a while.

[Corporalhumblebucket]

The Chairman of Derbys went public on Twitter after the team's abject batting display in the second innings against Surrey.

"Totally unacceptable batting again today. This will be addressed."

"My apologies on behalf of the Club to Members, supporters & sponsors. We will work to address the issues behind it"

[SimonofSurrey]

Fair enough, but maybe Surrey bowled well, too?

[guildfordbat]

Leics looking set to crumble as my boy Salter gets nightwatchman Naik almost straightaway ...

[Corporalhumblebucket]

Fair enough, but maybe Surrey bowled well, too?

There were a least a couple of batsmen who played on, which often involves some element of bad luck. The Derby staff won't have been too pleased with the no 10 batsmen who was dismissed first ball having a wild hoik. Admittedly the game had long gone by then but on the highlights it looked like the shot of a man who wanted to be off down the pub asap without any need to return for day 4.

[Corporalhumblebucket]

Leics 7 wickets down at lunch.  Will they hold out to 1415 or 1500?

[guildfordbat]

Leics 8 down but still 42 short of the target - my target anyway!

[guildfordbat]

Leics all out. Close game - at least between me and the Corporal but he wins it!

[Corporalhumblebucket]

Leics all out. Close game - at least between me and the Corporal but he wins it!

Less than 15 mins out in my estimate. I think that qualifies as an outer bull.

[SimonofSurrey]

Leics all out. Close game - at least between me and the Corporal but he wins it!

Less than 15 mins out in my estimate.  I think that qualifies as an outer bull.

Surely it was the Derby chairman who described his own side's batting - not Leics' - as 'outer bull'? Or did i mishear him

[Corporalhumblebucket]

Leics all out. Close game - at least between me and the Corporal but he wins it!

Less than 15 mins out in my estimate.  I think that qualifies as an outer bull.

Surely it was the Derby chairman who described his own side's batting - not Leics' - as 'outer bull'? Or did i mishear him

[Corporalhumblebucket]

Northants have made a good start against the Div 2 leaders - they are currently 274 - 4 against Lancs.

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

GWARN NORTHANTS

[Corporalhumblebucket]

Lancs somewhat fortunate to escape with a draw against Northants. Rain arrived shortly before tea on final day with Lancs seven wickets down. Lancs still lead Div 2, 17 points ahead of Surrey.

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Rain saves Kolpak CC

[guildfordbat]

Promotion contenders Lancs and Glamorgan involved in separate matches which started today.

Leaders Lancs 96/4 at home to Essex.

Third placed Glam 36/2 at Derbys.

Both games currently held up due to rain and bad light respectively. Second placed Surrey won't mind that or the current scores too much!

[Corporalhumblebucket]

Rain saves Kolpak CC

Bit harsh - Lancs only playing three Kolpakers in the current match. 

[Corporalhumblebucket]

Meanwhile Leics quietly subsiding against Kent (66 - 7) and are at some risk of losing the match in two days.

Looks doubtful that Lancs or Glam will get much/any more play today.

[guildfordbat]

Unfortunately (from a Surrey perspective anyway) Glam got going again in every sense and ended the day on 167/3 off just 32 overs. Looking set for 5 batting points if they keep going at anywhere near that rate provided they don't run out of wickets.

Lancs didn't get out again and so ended the day on 96/4.

Kent set for a comfortable win by lunch tomorrow on the third day.

[guildfordbat]

Whoops.

[Sponsored content]