County Championship 2018 & 2019 Thread

by jimbohammers Sat Mar 17, 2018 11:11 pm

First topic message reminder :

Not long until the new season starts so i thought it's time for me to get the thread up.

As always....

Who are your picks for the title?
Who is going down?
Surprise team?
Most runs?
Most wickets?
One to watch?

Discuss here...

by chichestersurreyfan Thu Sep 06, 2018 4:08 am

jimbohammers wrote:Match fixing at its finest. How hard is it to nick a quick single

by chichestersurreyfan Thu Sep 06, 2018 4:09 am

jimbohammers wrote:Match fixing at its finest. How hard is it to nick a quick single

by Corporalhumblebucket Thu Sep 06, 2018 4:52 am

Somerset!

Always pleasing when preparation of a results pitch to suit a home team backfires. In the circumstances I'm not too fussed whether Somerset get docked points for the pitch. Very Happy

by chichestersurreyfan Thu Sep 06, 2018 4:57 am

Corporalhumblebucket wrote:Somerset! Always pleasing when preparation of a results pitch to suit a home team backfires. In the circumstances I'm not too fussed whether Somerset get docked points for the pitch.

Spot on Corporal..it was clear what the Somerset tactics were when it came to pitch preparation...I am doubly pleased for Lancs too...Although I have no particular closeness or links to the team but I was so impressed with them when I saw them against Surrey..that I am delighted that they have taken a major step towards safety....although not out of it yet by any means...And of course depriving Somerset of 8 points is a nice Brucey Bonus too Yahoo

by guildfordbat Thu Sep 06, 2018 5:02 am

chichestersurreyfan wrote:
Corporalhumblebucket wrote:Somerset! Always pleasing when preparation of a results pitch to suit a home team backfires. In the circumstances I'm not too fussed whether Somerset get docked points for the pitch.

Spot on Corporal..it was clear what the Somerset tactics were when it came to pitch preparation...I am doubly pleased for Lancs too...Although I have no particular closeness or links to the team but I was so impressed with them when I saw them against Surrey..that I am delighted that they have taken a major step towards safety....although not out of it yet by any means...And of course depriving Somerset of 8 points is a nice Brucey Bonus too

Chichester - that dates you - and me for getting it! Wink

Maharajh could turn out to be a brilliant signing for Lancs, particularly if the weather holds.

So now we push for Somerset to be done for both poor pitch preparation and match fixing! Very Happy

by jimbohammers Thu Sep 06, 2018 6:26 am

The video clip of the wicket makes it look like he holed out in the deep. When just 1 run was needed. Madness

by Duty281 Thu Sep 06, 2018 6:52 am

Good Golly I'm Olly wrote:I've never seen a choke like that in modern sports

Not to be outdone, the Atlanta Braves today somehow threw away a 7-1 lead at the top of the eighth to lose 8-9. They were, at one point, 1/600 in-running.

by alfie Thu Sep 06, 2018 10:21 am

As a "nearly" Somerset fan , allow me to congratulate Surrey on a well deserved Championship clap

Better the players still concentrate on winning the remaining games , I guess. But I think the supporters can move into the bar already...

by guildfordbat Mon Sep 10, 2018 10:03 pm

Yorks 47/4 against Lancs. This Roses match could have a considerable bearing on who survives and who goes down.

by **Good Golly I'm Olly** Mon Sep 10, 2018 11:38 pm

Somerset crumbling to 92-8 against Hampshire - looks like the title is almost certainly Surrey's now, and likely to be wrapped up this week...

by **Good Golly I'm Olly** Tue Sep 11, 2018 12:43 am

Good Golly I'm Olly wrote:Somerset crumbling to 92-8 against Hampshire - looks like the title is almost certainly Surrey's now, and likely to be wrapped up this week...

106 all out - but Jimbo will be pulling his hair out, as Hampshire are 16-3 in reply!

by alfie Tue Sep 11, 2018 1:22 am

Are Hampshire and Somerset trying to finish their game in one day ? Thought it was only at Taunton that sort of thing happened...

by Corporalhumblebucket Tue Sep 11, 2018 4:09 am

Before this round of matches to win the title Surrey needed a total of 30 points to be achieved by a combination of any points gained by Surrey themselves and any failure by Somerset to achieve a full 24 points per match. After today's play that number has come down to 23 - as Surrey have two bowling points and Somerset failed to get any of the 5 batting points on offer.

by **Good Golly I'm Olly** Tue Sep 11, 2018 4:13 am

After day one the Yorkies are in some trouble against Lancs

by Corporalhumblebucket Wed Sep 12, 2018 2:11 am

Somerset's faint hopes of taking the title take a battering as they are beaten well inside two days by Hants. Neither of Somerset's innings lasted beyond 37 overs. Which is either a particularly feeble display, or an awful pitch, or perhaps both.

Convincing win for Jimbo's men - despite Vince registering a pair!

BBC say that Surrey need 5 more points for the title. Currently 87 for two, recovering from an awful start when both Stoneman and Elgar got ducks. Pope was also dropped on 0.

by guildfordbat Wed Sep 12, 2018 2:19 am

Corporalhumblebucket wrote:Somerset's faint hopes of taking the title take a battering as they are beaten well inside two days by Hants. Neither of Somerset's innings lasted beyond 37 overs. Which is either a particularly feeble display, or an awful pitch, or perhaps both.

Convincing win for Jimbo's men - despite Vince registering a pair!

BBC say that Surrey need 5 more points for the title. Currently 87 for two, recovering from an awful start when both Stoneman and Elgar got ducks. Pope was also dropped on 0.

I believe Surrey need 6 more points for the title. 200 first dig (for a batting point) plus a draw (for 5 points) will do the trick.

by Corporalhumblebucket Wed Sep 12, 2018 2:31 am

Guildford - I'm wondering whether the 5/6 points needed issue is to do with what happens if teams finish level on points? Somerset can no longer catch Surrey for wins in the cc, if that is the way the winner would be determined.

by guildfordbat Wed Sep 12, 2018 2:36 am

Corporalhumblebucket wrote:Guildford - I'm wondering whether the 5/6 points needed issue is to do with what happens if teams finish level on points? Somerset can no longer catch Surrey for wins in the cc, if that is the way the winner would be determined.

Hi Corporal - yep, the BBC are right. Just found this - if the top two teams are level on points at the end of the season, the first bit of ''goal difference'' is most wins. Surrey currently have 9 and Somerset can only get up to 8. Therefore, 5 more points for a Surrey title will be enough.

by Duty281 Thu Sep 13, 2018 3:23 am

Yorkshire have wrecked the Lancastrian batting order. Victory in sight.

by Gooseberry Thu Sep 13, 2018 6:59 pm

Just read Collingwoods retiring. No great shock really, his decline really set in last season.

Often underated in his time as a test cricketer, how much England would give now for a guy who could average over 40 ...and catch.

by **LondonTiger** Thu Sep 13, 2018 9:49 pm

Duty281 wrote:Yorkshire have wrecked the Lancastrian batting order. Victory in sight.

Much needed victory achieved. Now we need Surrey to do us a favour.

by Corporalhumblebucket Fri Sep 14, 2018 3:43 am

Decisive day in Div 1. Surrey clinch the title with a 9th consecutive win and with two games to spare. Meanwhile defeats for Worcs and Lancs mean that their hopes of avoiding relegation are no better than remote.

by Corporalhumblebucket Fri Sep 14, 2018 4:54 am

Gooseberry wrote:...and its raining.

"Summer"

Title - Surrey, Warickshire
Surprise Team - Leicestershire taking 20 wickets once in the season sparking wild celebrations and another statue
Runs - Ballance
Wickets - Morkel
Relegated- Notts, Hamps
One to watch - Aneurin Donald

Im fancying Surrey for the title because they have a bowling heavy result orientated team. Avoiding draws is the real key to the title, and whilst they hmay suffer a bit from England call ups and have some holes in their batting line up for me they have the strongets bowling line up in a pretty weak looking D1.

Overall there looks to be a lot of opportunities for young players to step up this season with a large number of old hands retiring, not the usual volume and standard of overseas signings weve seen in recent years, and a number of England players quitting red ball cricket.
England call ups could play a big part in how the season pans out too. To me D1 is showing a decline in quality, and D2 has been oalmost irrelevant for a number of years when it comes to devleoping test class players. Sooner or later there needs ot be a shake up and rationalisation of the counties.

Looks like Goose could be onto something with his predictions for title winners. Surrey have won Div 1 title and Warks are in strong position to claim Div 2 title.

My tentative prediction for Div 1 was Lancs for the title and Surrey to be in the mix for relegation! picard

(Tbf a number of posters on this site backed Lancs for the title.(

by **Good Golly I'm Olly** Fri Sep 14, 2018 4:56 am

What do people think to all these in season transfers that are happening now?

Personally I think the powers that be need to look at introducing some form of transfer window, and only emergency loans allowed during the playing season.

Also think clubs like Leicestershire, Glamorgan, Worcestershire etc who’ve had their talent pillaged by “bigger” counties should be monetarily reimbursed. For example Leicester have put years into Zak Chappell, only to have him move to Notts and they get nothing. Nothing against Notts or the player, just think the smaller counties should get something for their work

by Gooseberry Fri Sep 14, 2018 6:59 am

Corporalhumblebucket wrote:
Gooseberry wrote:...and its raining.

"Summer"

Title - Surrey, Warickshire
Surprise Team - Leicestershire taking 20 wickets once in the season sparking wild celebrations and another statue
Runs - Ballance
Wickets - Morkel
Relegated- Notts, Hamps
One to watch - Aneurin Donald

Im fancying Surrey for the title because they have a bowling heavy result orientated team. Avoiding draws is the real key to the title, and whilst they hmay suffer a bit from England call ups and have some holes in their batting line up for me they have the strongets bowling line up in a pretty weak looking D1.

Overall there looks to be a lot of opportunities for young players to step up this season with a large number of old hands retiring, not the usual volume and standard of overseas signings weve seen in recent years, and a number of England players quitting red ball cricket.
England call ups could play a big part in how the season pans out too. To me D1 is showing a decline in quality, and D2 has been oalmost irrelevant for a number of years when it comes to devleoping test class players. Sooner or later there needs ot be a shake up and rationalisation of the counties.

Looks like Goose could be onto something with his predictions for title winners. Surrey have won Div 1 title and Warks are in strong position to claim Div 2 title.

My tentative prediction for Div 1 was Lancs for the title and Surrey to be in the mix for relegation! (Tbf a number of posters on this site backed Lancs for the title.(

Just dont mention Morkel Erm

(or Donald for that matter who ended up being a rubbish T20 place filler) Or my relegation picks who are bother comfortably mid table.

Did anyone predict Burns' domination of the run scoring? Noones even been on the same planet as him and theres a chance he will be the only player with over 1000 runs this year. At current rates he could end up pushing over 1400 which is pretty incredible. Stoneman who was playing for England has scored considerably less than half the runs he has in as many innings on the same pitches against the same bowlers. Trescothick who's one of the greatest openers in recent years is averaging 28 and is still getting a new contract ( something about Somerset pits vs Oval roads aside)

Burns and Pope aside theres still a large number of top performers in both divisions being either non england qualified or retired/ex test players. Cooks taking over from Collingwood in that crowd next year (also Jennings most likely who despite a woeful time for England has done well for his county). That has to be a worry, especially as Pope has shown even scoring a bunch of county runs doesn't equate to instant test success for the next generation.

by **LondonTiger** Fri Sep 14, 2018 7:40 pm

Corporalhumblebucket wrote:Decisive day in Div 1. Surrey clinch the title with a 9th consecutive win and with two games to spare. Meanwhile defeats for Worcs and Lancs mean that their hopes of avoiding relegation are no better than remote.

We are still very much in the relegation mix.

Huge congratulations to Surrey on securing the championship and winning so many games.

by **Good Golly I'm Olly** Fri Sep 14, 2018 7:49 pm

Good Golly I'm Olly wrote:Who are your picks for the title? - Lancashire
Who is going down? - Worcestershire and Hampshire
Surprise team? - Leicestershire - fancy them to do well
Most runs? - Liam Livingstone
Most wickets? - Saqib Mahmood
One to watch? - Joe Clarke. Think this will be the season he officially "arrives"

Very mixed predictions here - Saqib Mahmood literally hasn't taken a wicket all season Laugh

by jimbohammers Fri Sep 14, 2018 8:36 pm

jimbohammers wrote:Hope you're well Guildford.

Ill go first with the dreaded predictions:

Who are your picks for the title? Lancashire
Who is going down? Somerset and Hampshire
Surprise team? Worcestershire (for staying up!)
Most runs? Keaton Jennings
Most wickets? Graham Onions
One to watch? Jordan Clark (Lancs)

Have high hopes for my team....

Not great from me either Laugh

by Corporalhumblebucket Fri Sep 14, 2018 9:10 pm

Gooseberry wrote:
Did anyone predict Burns' domination of the run scoring? Noones even been on the same planet as him and theres a chance he will be the only player with over 1000 runs this year. At current rates he could end up pushing over 1400 which is pretty incredible. Stoneman who was playing for England has scored considerably less than half the runs he has in as many innings on the same pitches against the same bowlers. Trescothick who's one of the greatest openers in recent years is averaging 28 and is still getting a new contract ( something about Somerset pits vs Oval roads aside)

Burns and Pope aside theres still a large number of top performers in both divisions being either non england qualified or retired/ex test players. Cooks taking over from Collingwood in that crowd next year (also Jennings most likely who despite a woeful time for England has done well for his county). That has to be a worry, especially as Pope has shown even scoring a bunch of county runs doesn't equate to instant test success for the next generation.

Tbf I think any Surrey supporter would have simply assumed that Burns would be at or near the top of run scorers in the cc- he's been doing that consistently for some years now. Stoneman of course suffered a catastrophic loss of form for most of the season, not unconnected with his England travails, while I do think it is a distinctly generous gesture on Somerset's part if they have offered Trescothick another contract as he is very much at the tail end of his career - he'll be 43 when next season starts. But I agree it's fairly thin pickings among English qualified batsmen in Div 1. Vince, Hildreth, Abell, Mitchell have all done OKish with around 800 - 900 runs. I guess Pope stands out, with similar number of runs but also (a) very young (b) new on the scene and (c) average of 73.

by Gooseberry Sat Sep 15, 2018 5:39 pm

I jokingly predicted that Leicestershire would win a game without a dodgy declaration ....but theyve actually had there best season in years already. Its looking unlikely more wins will come though...morale must be rock bottom with important players like Raine and Eckersley released from their contracts and others like chappell already gone. Its a shame as they finally seemed to have got some success ...but that obviously hasnt been matched by an improvement in finances.
Unles they have some serious signings lined up I can see this getting even worse than they had been and this seasons mid table being a real blip.
Assuming they will focus more on t20 and 100 players.
Whilst it may be good in some ways for england to have some struggling counties who have no choice but to give a fresh crop of youngsters a starter contract every season its not like they are unearthing or providing an environment to push on a Burns Pope or Curran.
The difference between the top of D1 and the finances of Surrey in particular is going to kep getting bigger till they change the model.

by Corporalhumblebucket Tue Sep 18, 2018 11:03 pm

LondonTiger wrote:
Corporalhumblebucket wrote:Decisive day in Div 1. Surrey clinch the title with a 9th consecutive win and with two games to spare. Meanwhile defeats for Worcs and Lancs mean that their hopes of avoiding relegation are no better than remote.

We are still very much in the relegation mix.

Huge congratulations to Surrey on securing the championship and winning so many games.

Worcs collapse against Porter of Essex this morning - all out for under 100. Don't think Yorks need to worry too much about finishing behind Worcs.

by JDizzle Wed Sep 19, 2018 12:34 am

Some sore heads still in the Worcs camp no doubt!

by guildfordbat Wed Sep 19, 2018 7:32 am

JDizzle wrote:Some sore heads still in the Worcs camp no doubt!

Whilst last Friday (the day after Surrey won the Championship), Alec Stewart was at work with the second team at Guildford. Impressive.

by JDizzle Wed Sep 19, 2018 7:57 am

guildfordbat wrote:
JDizzle wrote:Some sore heads still in the Worcs camp no doubt!

Whilst last Friday (the day after Surrey won the Championship), Alec Stewart was at work with the second team at Guildford. Impressive.

A very tongue in cheek comment! As someone put on Twitter the other day, Daryl Mitchell captained Worcs vs Surrey last week, played Finals Days on Saturday, was trialling the 100 on Sunday and Monday and doing most of the media as PCA chair and is now captaining Worcs in this game. Not doubting their work ethic for one minute.

by Marky Thu Sep 20, 2018 1:33 am

What's going on with Durham? Is it all weather related?

61 all out, 58/8 following on in response to Leicestershire's 321

by Marky Thu Sep 20, 2018 1:45 am

Marky wrote:What's going on with Durham? Is it all weather related?

61 all out, 58/8 following on in response to Leicestershire's 321

Make that 61 and 66 all out. Mad.

132 runs for 22 wickets today.

by Corporalhumblebucket Thu Sep 20, 2018 8:55 am

Gooseberry wrote:I jokingly predicted that Leicestershire would win a game without a dodgy declaration ....but theyve actually had there best season in years already. Its looking unlikely more wins will come though...morale must be rock bottom with important players like Raine and Eckersley released from their contracts and others like chappell already gone. Its a shame as they finally seemed to have got some success

Hopefully bowling a side out twice in one session today may have given Leics' morale a bit of a boost. Whistle

by **Good Golly I'm Olly** Thu Sep 20, 2018 6:14 pm

Marky wrote:
Marky wrote:What's going on with Durham? Is it all weather related?

61 all out, 58/8 following on in response to Leicestershire's 321

Make that 61 and 66 all out. Mad.

132 runs for 22 wickets today.

Mohammad Abbas with a bit of nip off the pitch and cloudy cover in division two is basically a cheat code

by Gooseberry Thu Sep 20, 2018 9:40 pm

Ha yes indeed Corporal....but next season will be a thing. The reward for their best season in years is a solid chunk of the team being laid off.

In regard to the hopeless Durham resistance it does seem they have given up on the season....but also echo the comments regarding D2 conditions this year.

The number of senior bowlers with averages under 20 is ridiculous. There does seem to be a real issue with pitches being prepared for results ( which i guess is better than a few years ago when more than half the games ended in draws and made promotion a farce) and a lack of decent batsmen with any inclination to play properly.
Abbas is a quality bowler, but theres plenty of pretty average county pros with figures as good or better than his this season.

by Corporalhumblebucket Thu Sep 20, 2018 9:58 pm

Goose - yes I'm inclined to agree with you about Div 2. A fair sprinkling of very weak teams.

by Corporalhumblebucket Thu Sep 20, 2018 10:25 pm

Yorks have a very handy lead of 300 with five wickets still in hand. I would guess rain is likely to reach Leeds around the end of the lunch interval. When that happens it could well be end of play for the day. Which means that Yorks would almost certainly be able to get a draw as a minimum tomorrow if they can bat on a reasonable while in the morning.

by Corporalhumblebucket Fri Sep 21, 2018 4:21 am

As expected rain reached Leeds at lunchtime. My guess is that Yorks will be more concerned to ensure that, as a minimum, they achieve a draw - and so will not declare quickly tomorrow. If there is a draw, the 8 points from the match would - I think - leave them 22 ahead of Lancs going into the last round of matches. And Yorks will have won more matches and so would stay up in preference to Lancs if points finished level. So, for all practical purposes a draw tomorrow should see Yorks safe.

by guildfordbat Fri Sep 21, 2018 5:18 am

Evening Corporal - certainly agree that Yorks' priority will be not to lose. If they can get their lead up to 400, maybe declare then and see if they can take 10 Hants wickets in about 60 overs.

by Corporalhumblebucket Sat Sep 22, 2018 7:42 am

Even if Lancs secure max points from their last match Yorks would still only need a solitary point in their last match to guarantee Div 1 survival. Notts are still an outside bet for relegation (and they have played very poorly at times recently). If Lancs get max points from their last match, Notts would need 5 points to ensure survival.

Kent and Warks are promoted.

by **LondonTiger** Sat Sep 22, 2018 9:16 am

If Lancashire were to get maximum points, do we not need 2 points?

by Corporalhumblebucket Sat Sep 22, 2018 5:35 pm

LondonTiger wrote:If Lancashire were to get maximum points, do we not need 2 points?

You're right LT - I suppose that does increase Yorkshire's risk a tad. (Without the weather related problems in their last match Somerset would probably only have got one point in their match against Surrey.) But Yorks would have to screw up really badly to get relegated.

by **LondonTiger** Sat Sep 22, 2018 6:26 pm

Aye, unlikely now.

With 3 up (and 1 down) next season, will be slightly easier to bounce back.

by **Mat** Sun Sep 23, 2018 5:47 am

Joe Clarke joining Notts from next season. Gotta say, I’m absolutely fuming about this, what’s the reward for nurturing players and giving them a chance if they go off to a test match ground at the first opportunity? Might as well not bother.

by **Good Golly I'm Olly** Sun Sep 23, 2018 9:07 am

Needs seriously reviewing imo too Mat - clubs should be compensated suitably, otherwise as you say what’s the point for a smaller club like Worcs

by jimbohammers Tue Sep 25, 2018 2:09 am

Mat wrote:Joe Clarke joining Notts from next season. Gotta say, I’m absolutely fuming about this, what’s the reward for nurturing players and giving them a chance if they go off to a test match ground at the first opportunity? Might as well not bother.

Just saw that he is leaving. He's also playing for Worcestershire today, i wouldn't be too happy with that if i was a fan, if you're not committed and don't want to play for the club then see ya. Shouldn't be taking a spot from someone who actually wants to play for the club.

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