Sellsy's Sunday Supplement

This will be my last Sunday Supplement for 2011, something to do with the festive celebrations over the next two weeks. It now gives me time to reflect what has happened over the past 12 months with England, Somerset and Over Stowey, all three I have a great passion for. Plus I will have a brief look of what has happened in the cricketing world over the past year.

England are on top of the world!  A comprehensive Test series win against India in the summer saw England reach of the summit of number one Test playing nation. Ever since Andy Flower took over as England supremo in 2009, his ultimate goal was to deliver that number one status and with the appointment of Andrew Strauss as captain, they became the definitive driving force both on an off the pitch.

You cannot underestimate the victory in Sydney meant to England in gaining that number Test match status. With the Ashes already retained in Melbourne, England could off quite easily taken their foot of the gas, defeat would of tied the series and things would of been a bit more difficult to reach number one. Defeating Australia in their backyard laid these fears to rest and victory by an innings proved this.

English players now dominate the Test rankings, with both bat and ball. Alastair Cook, Ian Bell, Jonathan Trott and Kevin Pietersen all in top ten Test batsmen; James Anderson, Graeme Swann and Stuart Broad are all in the top five Test bowlers – which is encouraging as bowlers win you Test matches.

With being so strong in Test cricket, Andy Flower must be somewhat perplexed about England’s performance in the one day game. In 2012 England played 23 ODI’s (not including the World Cup), and could only win eight of them. They did win two series, both at home, 3-2 against Sri Lanka and a 3-0 victory over an under strength India. But defeats away in Australia and India, 6-1 and 5-0 respectively, shows up England’s shortcomings in the shorter version of the game, especially away from home.

The World Cup was another disaster for England earlier this year, with humiliating defeats against Ireland and Bangladesh, then a right proper stuffing in the Quarter-Final against Sri Lanka (losing by 10 wickets).

It seemed that every game England played in was a thriller: almost chasing down 338 to beat India, instead the game was tied; Kevin O’Brien’s tremendous innings off 113 off 63 balls to turn the game on its head in Ireland’s favour as they chased down 328 to win; getting bowled up for 171 against South Africa, then bowling them out for 165. There is never a dull moment being an England supporter.

Anyway, at the end of 2011, England are not only top of the Test rankings, but also top of the T20 rankings, so a successful year, just sort out the one day game, or is Graeme Swann right in what he recently said?

Somerset’s season stared in January when they travelled to the Caribbean and it ended in October in India, plus they reached the two domestic finals to boot as well. So I had to watch and go through a lot more pain, ecstasy and agony for longer this season, but wouldn’t off swap it for anything. I would of thought of counties were looking at Somerset with some envy these past 12 months.

Getting to a final and losing is now becoming beyond the joke, and I am starting to hear comments like: “All ways the Bridesmaid”, “Perpetual runners-up”, etc. I have now watched Somerset in nine finals, and have only seen them win two; in fact the last three T20 finals I can’t even remember seeing them!

Winning the County Championship is the monkey which Somerset supporters and players would like to see off their backs, having come so close in 2010, they were heavily tipped in 2011 to win it. However, a very poor start in April losing to both Warwickshire and Lancashire by an innings saw Somerset on the back foot almost immediately.

With Alfonso Thomas and Murali Kartik playing in the IPL and the whole hearted Steve Kirby just finding his feet, the Somerset attack looked young and week. I know I have said this earlier, to win in the longer version of cricket you need to take 20 wickets, and those first few games you just wondered where the next wicket would be coming from.

In 2010, Somerset drafted in Damien Martin for a spell before Kartik arrived, they had a good start, and should off gone on to win the County Championship. Now they have drafted in the very promising Vernon Philander from South Africa to act as overseas player, until Roelof van der Merwe becomes available. Hopefully he will bring with him the form which he has produced in recent Test matches, where he has burst on to scene taking five wickets in each of his last three (and only three) Test matches. Wins early in the season are vital as Lancashire proved this past season, so let’s hope for a cracking start to 2012.

The T20 and CB40 campaigns proved to be very exciting again, some fantastic wins – Notts away in the T20 Quarter-final at Trent Bridge comes to mind – and another trip to Lord’s for the CB40 final where Somerset never seemed to turn up and they lost a one sided final to Surrey. Roger Shepherd admitted to me after that he has never seen Somerset win a final, so he is undoubtedly to blame for any final loss where he has attended.

The bitter disappointment in losing the CB40 final and then they had to travel to India the next day seemed, at the time, one competition to much. How much was I proved wrong, as Somerset took on the best the world could throw at them as they reached the semi-finals, where they narrowly lost to the eventual winners the Mumbai Indians.

There is so much potential in that Somerset side and so many names to mention and my membership for 2012 was quickly renewed. One thing for sure, I will place my usual bet for the forthcoming season.

Over Stowey – the team I feel least stressed about in watching cricket, because you just know what is going to happen on a Saturday afternoon – yes, I will have too many Thatchers! Oh, the 2^nd XI will talk a good game and still lose!

Over Stowey have so many great attributes, smashing ground, great youth set-up, a lot of senior players to choose from every Saturday, great teas and a fantastic summers’ party; sometimes it is a shame they cannot reproduce this consistently on the pitch.

The 1^st XI did perform well during 2011, and finished a very respectable 5^th in their first season back in Division Two, with some really promising youngsters leading the way in the bowling and batting.

Lee Villis and Jack Rich both won games for the 1^st XI during 2011with some great individual performances, now they have got a year older, and what I can see of it a couple of foot taller, 2012 could prove to be somewhat exciting for Stowey. The seniors did carry a lot of injuries throughout 2011, so these youngsters came up to the mark with flying colours, and I know they have the hunger to succeed.

One of Stoweys’ finest retired at the end of the 2011 season, at 60, I don’t blame him. Roger Shepherd hung up his boots, pads, bat or whatever; he can now enjoy his cricket in the Cider Tent and watch in luxury from the boundary. Roger has produced some great cricketing feats for Stowey, I can even remember him as a youngster smashing the ball to all parts of Over Stowey, and then not satisfied in scoring a century, will come on and take five or six wickets a game. Fond memories Roger, you, in my book, are already missed.

During the latter part of 2011, world cricket was in the papers for the wrong reasons: the convictions of three Pakistan cricketers for spot fixing. Enough said about that the better.

However, the game soon picked itself up with three recent cracking Test matches: South Africa v Australia, India v West Indies and Australia v New Zealand.  Coming down to the last day all three matches could off gone either way: win, draw or lose (and possibly a tie) and they were compelling viewing, especially the Black Caps beating the Aussies this past week.

In the first instance, the Aussies were reeling after being bowled out for 47 by South Africa in the first Test and losing by eight wickets. However in the second Test things were much closer, and having been set 310 to win, the match went down to the wire and they scrapped home by two wickets, with 18 year old Pat Cummings showing a lot of character in smashing the winning runs and squaring the series.

In India, the game was nailed on to be a certain draw, as the West Indies in their first inning scored a massive 590, in which India replied with 482, and there were only a day and bit left to play. With the pitch taking spin, the Indian spinners skittled out West Indies in their second innings for 134, leaving them 243 runs to win, in just 64 overs. The Indians started off cautiously and when they started to get some momentum, the West Indies would take a clutch of wickets. With all four results still possible going into the last hour, everyone watching was on tender hooks. It came down to India needing two runs off the final ball to win, they ran one, and going back for the second one of the batsmen was run out, leaving the game all square and finishing in a draw, as the Indians were not all out, phew!

In Tasmania, the Aussies were on the wrong end of a thriller as New Zealand won for the first time on Aussie soil for 26 years. In a low scoring affair, the Aussies were set 241 to win, with acres of time left in the match, and at 159-2 they looked well set. Tim Southee and Doug Bracewell then went through the Aussie batsmen, taking eight wickets for 74 runs, and winning the game by seven runs. Well done the Black Caps! Always like to finish on a high, the Aussies losing!

Finally, who exactly reads this blog? I have statistics where this is read, USA, Russia, Canada, Australia, Germany, India, Israel, Singapore, Poland to name just a few countries, plus the UK as well, but who are you? And thank you.

Well, all have a great Christmas, and I will be back in the New Year. It is nearly 10.57 and time for a pint!

Sellsy's Sunday Supplement

Do you remember what happened twelve months ago? I will give you a clue: it is to do with cricket!

This time last year the greatest cricket, in fact sporting, event was going on, The Ashes! And England had just won the 2nd Test to one up in the five match series.

This was a very poignant series for England, not only was it a massive step for them to become the number one Test team, it was the first time in 25 years that England won a series down under.

Despite the Aussies levelling the series in the third Test, England went on to retain The Ashes winning by three to one.

The first Test at Brisbane was eagerly anticipated by cricket lovers everywhere in Stowey, and perhaps around the world. So much so, myself and a few friends watched the first session of the first day in our local, and it was on a school night, so was hanging a bit the next day at work.

In a nutshell, Andrew Strauss out first over, Peter Siddle takes a hat-trick, England make a mediocre first innings score, Aussies reply with 481, England bat for two days in their second innings only losing one wicket with all three batsman scoring a ton (Strauss 110, Alastair Cook 235no, Jonathan Trott 135no), the Aussies survive to grind out a draw! And I finished with terrible bags under my eyes through lack of sleep.

Down to Adelaide for Test number two. Win the toss and bat, exactly what Ricky Ponting chose to do, and by 11.05 he was back in the pavilion, with the Aussies two wickets down, with zero on the board, which was soon to be three down, with just a paltry three scored.

The Aussies were all out just before the close, then England batted for over two days, scoring 620-5, Kevin Pietresen comes to the party scoring 227, and another ton for Cook, this time a modest 148. Graeme Swann takes a Michelle on the fifth day and the Aussies lose by an innings.

Perth for the third, Aussies win, one all in the series, enough said!

Boxing Day, Melbourne, fourth Test: 80,000 drunken Aussies, plus a few thousand more refined English. Aussies all out for 98 before tea, the English got drunk, the Aussies went home! England bat into day three, Trott scoring another unbeaten ton. Aussies are bowled out on day four, England win by an innings, again and retain The Ashes..... Start the sprinkler!

Sydney, the fifth Test, did the Aussies changed their flag to all white? More centuries for the England batsmen, Cook 189, with Ian Bell and Matt Prior scoring 115 and 118 respectively. England win by an innings, again (boring), making it the third time in the series.

What great memories, a bit like 2005 and 2009. Somehow I think it will be different in 2013, just seeing how the new look Aussie bowling line-up are taking wickets for fun against New Zealand.

On the subject of the future, why oh why have the England selectors given Ravi Bopara another chance in the squad announced on Friday for the series against Pakistan? How many more times are they going to pick him? How many more times is he going to fail? The likes of James Taylor, Jonny Bairstow must be wondering why as well.

Monty is back, so the selectors think the wicket will turn? Will he bowl in tandem with Swann? The jury is still out for me on Monty, even though he has been playing well in Australia I am led to believe.

Here is my line-up prediction for the first Test, so here we go: Strauss, Cook, Trott, Pietersen, Bell, Morgan, Prior, Broad, Swann, Bresnan and Anderson.

Well, that’s about it, I know it is not 10.57 and time for a pint, it is 2pm, and I’m going for a lie down, just come back from London, exhausted!!!

Sellsy's Sunday Supplement

Date in my diary, Sunday, 19th August, Scotland away; let’s hope it is in Edinburgh. The only trouble is I think it is right in the middle of The Fringe, oh well sounds like a party to me!

Other notable dates are the 27^th August where Somerset play Surrey which sees the return of the turncoat Kartik in a CB40 game, plus the day after the start of a four day game against the same opposition. The only disappointment is there isn’t a fixture on my birthday, oh well, I am sure I will find something to do that weekend (and it’s a bank holiday!).

Somerset have been very busy off the pitch this past week. First it was announced that the Club will be hosting an evening celebration at the County Ground when the Olympic Torch Relay arrives in Taunton on 21^st May next year. The evening event will offer people from around the county to mark the Olympic Fame’s arrival and celebrate in the Olympic Spirit.

Somerset can also boast a new signing which was announced earlier in the week: Elton John!!! Elton will be performing an open air concert at The County Ground on Sunday 3^rd June. Another great coup by the County, especially as tickets are priced at £85 – would rather go to a festival!

Lastly the Club hosted its annual awards night on Friday, the same night as our skittles team Christmas party, so sorry I couldn’t attend, double booked and all that, plus the Port went down a bit too easy! Awards went to Arul Suppiah, Jamie Overton, Steve Kirby, Jos Buttler and Marcus Trescothick.

More awards were handed out this week, as England coach Andy Flower was named UK Coach of the Year at the 2011 UK coaching awards. He was also named UK High Performance Coach of the Year in recognition of his role in helping England to a first series win in Australia for years and becoming the number one Test side in the world.

Listening to his comments on the radio he seems to be a no-nonsense type of man, getting the right people in the right positions within the England set up. Well done to him, somehow I think he may get Coach of the Year at the BBC Sports Personality of the Year on 22^nd December.

With Sports Personality changing its name to Sportsman of the Year, it was great to see both Alastair Cook and Andrew Strauss both being nominated. Somehow I don’t think they will win, as their performances in Australia last winter may long be forgotten by the voters. Plus the cricket vote will be split between the two off them. If I had to pick between the two I would go for Cook, purely for the amount of runs he scored in Australia, which not only helped to win matches it helped to save them.

With Australia in mind, their bowling attack is starting to look dangerous. 18 year old Pat Cummins took a match winning seven wickets on debut against South Africa recently; this was followed up by 21 year old James Pattinson also achieving a match winning performance by taking six New Zealand wickets, as the Aussies cruise to a nine wicket win. Should us English start to get worried?

They also have unearthed another young spinner by the name of Nathan Lyon. The 24 year old has already taken 19 wickets in his first six Tests, six on his debut against Sri Lanka. With 21 year old Mitchell Starc also making his Test debut against the Kiwis, their bowling attack has a very young and rugged look about it. With Mitchell Johnson now injured, these guys have already stepped up to the plate and performed well at the highest level. The Ashes in 2013 should be something to savour.

With that in mind, I think it is time for a pint, it is 10.57 you know!

Sellsy's Sunday Supplement

Monday see’s the release of the 2012 County Cricket fixtures, a day which is eagerly by cricket fans all over the country. I am one who always look forward to the fixtures coming out, as I can then plan my summer around when and where Somerset are playing.

There are always a few fixtures I look out for every season: the first home game, the game on my birthday, what date are the finals (do I dare put that in my diary) etc. There is one fixture in particular I am looking out for this season, Scotland, away, in the CB40 competition.

Edinburgh is a wonderful city and the Grange, where Scotland play their home games, is such a wonderful ground, with an excellent pavilion steeped in history, having visited there a couple of seasons ago.

Along with Steve Easden and Andrew ‘Bungle’ Ebsary, we flew to Edinburgh from Bristol, a bargain and only an hour in the air, getting there a day before the game. We checked in to out hotel, went to put our bags in our room and was astonished by the size of it.

The room was the complete opposite to the one we had in Newquay, it had 13 beds, two TV’s, two washrooms; think of it the size of an assembly room back at school, it was massive. So much so that if I wanted to have a conversation with Steve or Bungle at the other end of the room I had to phone them! At first we thought that we would be sharing with others, a bit like a dormitory, so we had to double check with reception, who assured us the room was all ours!

With the cricket being played the next day, we had all day to discover Edinburgh, its history, cafes and bars! A very fun day indeed.

The next day we made our way down to The Grange where I met up with a friend of mine, Stuart Hurcombe, who moved to Scotland some years ago now, and his boy is a very accomplished cricketer.

Somerset won that day by 37 runs, even though 220-8 didn’t seem a large enough total to defend. However the bowling of Alfonso Thomas and Zander de Bruyn restricted Scotland to 183 all out.

Steve, due to his work at Somerset, knows a few of the cricketers from the club; during the interval he was chatting with the likes of James Hildreth, Peter Trego and Mark Turner. Now you would of thought they would chatting about cricket and the match in progress, but it seems they were talking about what Steve got up to the previous night and what his plans were for that evening! Visiting local hostelries’ so we could chat to the natives was the response.

Scotland – see you in 2012.

The debate about Test cricket rages on over the past week. Peter Oborne wrote a cracking article in the Telegraph on Thursday – Cricket is being destroyed by this indecent obsession with money – was the piece. The crux of the article is that the authorities are looking for short term financial gains instead of looking longer term and safe guarding Test cricket.

Oborne used the South Africa v Australia Test series as an example. Last week cricket lovers were privileged to witness one of the finest Test matches ever played, between two of the oldest Test playing nations at Johannesburg. Having won the first Test, South Africa started favourites, but only managed to score 266 in their first innings.

The match ebbed and flowed from there, and Australia were set 310 to win the game. That final day was compelling viewing, with more twists than an Agatha Christie novel. Australia crawled their was to the victory line, with 18 year old Pat Cummins (one to look out for in the next Ashes series), showing immense nerve and skill to guide the Aussies home.

One all in the series, and guess what, no third, forth or even a fifth Test. Instead, a host of ODI’s and T20 games; which means the lining of pockets of the idiots in charge.  South Africa and Australia are two of the oldest and two of the best Test playing countries and these two nations deserve a five Test series.

When South Africa visit our shores next summer, we effectively have play-off to decide who is the number one Test team in the world, again a five Test series is worthy of this encounter. Instead, thanks to the cricketing authorities, we have a three Test series against the West Indies, then a host of ODI’s against Australia (why? – money); followed by a three Test series against South Africa, then more ODI’s against the Proteas. Graeme Swann could be right in saying get rid of ODI’s, there seems to be too much of it.

The third Teat between India and the West Indies is another testament why Test cricket is so good. With two huge totals in each of their first innings, a draw seemed odds on. However a dramatic first session to the fifth day set up a run chase for India, which they duly obliged and started to hunt down a winning total 243.

The last hour was compelling, with all four results still possible. It ebbed and flowed one way then another. Coming down to the last ball, when two was required to win, India managed a single, the scores were level, and because West Indies didn’t get India all out it was a draw. Great game, compelling last day – I always said that the last couple days of a Test (and a four day game) are the best.

With this in mind David Morgan, the former ECB chairman, has proposed that the County Championship should be reduced by two games, so enabling more T20 games and the 40 over game being increased to a 50 over competition. The only benefit I can see from that is that there will be a much needed increase in revenue for the Counties; however the quality of cricket, sadly, will slowly diminish.

Following on from that, Somerset announced, earlier in the week, record profits for the year ended 30 September 2011. The club saw a 15% increase in turnover to £5.34m, giving an operating profit of £408,000. Somerset attracts a large membership, plus have their marketing heads screwed on right, plus a successful season on the pitch, no wonder they return a profit nearly every year. Other Counties must be jealous of how Somerset are run.

Well, that’s about it for this week. Great to see so many at the funeral of Elsie, and also good to see so many former players from Over Stowey attend. Can’t wait for the old boy’s game next season.

Well, its 10.57, time to blow the froth of a few, to get rid of this rugby hangover from yesterday.

Sellsy's Sunday Supplement

Back in June my Sunday Supplement paid tribute to tea ladies and one in particular, Over Stowey’s Elsie. It is with great sadness that I hear she passed away early on Friday morning.

That article I wrote was in recognition of the fact that Elsie had been doing the teas at Stowey for 50 years, a remarkable achievement in anyone’s book, however things sort of snowballed from there.

Yorkshire Tea recognised the feat by sending Elsie a box of goodies, tea pots, milk hugs, tea bags, tea towels etc; this was followed by articles in the local papers and the parish magazine; then by a radio interview on BBC Radio Somerset. I know Elsie enjoyed her brief brush with fame, fully deserved.

Elsie’s Granddaughter Donna stopped me in the street shortly after her radio interview and thanked me for what I had done for her Nan. “A pleasure,” I replied, “but we should be thanking Elsie.”

Social networks are a great forum for those who wish to express themselves. Former Over Stowey cricketer put it wonderfully: “A beautiful lady, gone, but never forgotten! RIP Elsie.”

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Does anyone remember what they were doing 25 years ago? Well I can’t even remember last night, let alone 25 years ago. ‘Rebellion, death threats, feuds and explosive personalities’ as Wisden described their article in this months’ magazine. 25 years ago saw the end of an era, Somerset’s most successful.

Somerset then had a unique balance of a side, with world-class players mixing it with talented local players and chuck in a few blokes from Oxbridge, Somerset went on to win five one day trophies between 1979 and 1983.

This was followed by a few trophy less seasons, in which Somerset finished bottom of the County Championship in 1985 and next to bottom the following year. Something had to be done.

I can remember Frank Bough announcing on Grandstand in August 1986 some ‘breaking news’, that Somerset will not be renewing the contracts of Viv Richards and Joel Garner. I sat in front of the television in disbelief.

It seems something was done. Peter Roebuck persuaded a weak committee that change was necessary, resulting in the side Somerset had would be broken up.

I can still rattle of the names of the tam who won the Benson and Hedges Cup in 1981 and 82. Peter Denning, Brain Rose, Viv Richards, Peter Roebuck, Ian Botham, Nigel Popplewell, Vic Marks, Dennis Breakwell, Joel Garner, Derek Taylor and Colin Dredge. With Hallam Moseley playing in the 1982 final instead of Breakwell.

The decision not to renew the contracts of Richards and Garner split the County. Views and exchanges were very heated between members and supporters alike. It even split the views of players, Botham especially who said he would quit the club unless the two West Indians were reinstated. I can still remember die-hard supporters in the local pub arguing amongst themselves. “I am never going step foot inside that ground again!” was a very common phrase used in the local bars.

Committee meetings after committee meetings were held all around the County; Roebuck attended one meeting which was even held in the Monmouth Room, at The Castle Hotel, Taunton, where Judge Jeffreys had once presided over the Bloody Assizes, a series of 1685 trials that resulted in 300 hangings following a rebellion against King James II - how apt!

After all these committee meetings, the special meeting was then held at the Showground, Shepton Mallet in November 1986. Botham, along with Brian Rose, Vic Marks and Richards were out of the country on international duty; Garner did attend, along with Roebuck, but neither spoke at the meeting.

Pete Denning did speak in favour of reinstating Richards and Garner, while Nigel Popplewell accused them of lack of commitment. The vote went in favour of the committee and the rest, we can now say, is history.

The following few seasons New Zealand’s Martin Crowe became Somerset’s overseas player, and even though their County Championship performances improved, the County still didn’t win any trophies. It wasn’t until 2001 when Somerset lifted some silverware; winning the C&G Trophy at Lord’s and four years later they won the T20 Cup.

Personally, I was a bit too young in 1986 to understand what was really going on, however then, to see such idols as Richards, Garner and Botham leave the County was devastating. Now some 25 years later, all three have become Somerset Life Members, with a stand named after Botham, and a pair of gates named after Richards and Garner. But somehow I know they will never forgive and forget those days of 1986.

And Somerset still haven’t won the County Championship!

Finally Basil D’Olivera passed away this week, a great cricketer, where the colour of his kin became an international issue rather than his cricketing ability, which led South Africa into the sporting wilderness. He was described by one person as: ‘a flagship for all those who despised apartheid.’

Right, 10.57, hangover cure this morning …. time for a pint.

Sellsy's Sunday Supplement

Waking up this morning and hearing the sad news that the former Somerset captain, Peter Roebuck, has died at the age of 55.

In 335 first-class matches, Roebuck made 17,558 runs at 37.27, with 33 centuries. His playing career was overshadowed to some degree by a bitter and drawn-out feud with other members of the Somerset team, which led to the removal of Joel Garner and Viv Richards from the team and the exit of Ian Botham.

As Roebuck's cricket developed, so too did his writing. It Never Rains, his journal of the 1983 season, established him as one of cricket's most insightful voices even as a young batsman, and he would go on to write numerous other books, including an account of England's Ashes success in Australia in 1986-87.

No doubt that Roebuck played against Graham Dilley during their county days and Dilley’s memorial service was held earlier this week at Worcester Cathedral. What I could see of the pictures from Worcester it was a very packed Cathedral, with cricketing greats such as Botham and Mike Gatting present to pay their respects.

Now on a happier note, how many did Australia score in their second inning against South Africa in the first Test in Cape Town? 47, yes just 47 and that constitutes a recovery as at one stage the Aussies were 21-9.

The barmy second day began with Australia still in their and the games’ first inning; 23 wickets later South Africa were batting in their second and the games’ fourth innings. What I can understand of the reports from Newlands is that the ball swung, seamed, bounced and batting seemed so difficult.

South Africa, chasing 236 to win, won by eight wickets, with Graeme Smith leading South Africa home with an unbeaten hundred, with Hashim Amla also scoring a ton. Man of the Match went to debutant Vernon Philander, who has played cricket for Devon. He took five for 15 in the Aussie second innings and turn this Test completely on its head.

Australia’s second inning score of 47 is their fourth lowest in Test history. Their top three lowest Test scores and the next nine were all against England. Incidentally, we have to go back to 1936, when England got them out for just 58 in Brisbane, that the Aussie top ten of lowest scores was troubled, until South Africa joined the party.

The Little Master, Sachin Tendulkar, achieved another Test match milestone this week as he passed 15,000 Test runs during the match against the West Indies. Only eight batsmen has scored over 10,000 Test runs, but Sachin leads the way, comfortably, by some 2,000 runs. He is an absolute joy to watch at the crease, a player I have watched at Taunton only on a few occasions. He is one of a few players who will empty bars, just to watch him bat. When will he get his 100^th international 100?

With all this exciting Test cricket being played around the world, it still amazes me that the crowds are poor. It only seems to be in England that there are full houses at Test venues. Is One Day and 20/20 cricket killing Test matches? It seems that way, especially as the financial rewards in the shorter format of the game are so vast. Another debate for another time no doubt.

I see that some of the Somerset players have been back in training this week, earlier than when they are due to report back. Walking through the County Ground on Thursday I bumped into the likes of Steve Kirby and it looks like their efforts in 2011 have been rewarded, as the cars in the car park seem to be a lot newer and smarter.

Steve gave his reason on the Somerset website, saying that there is so much pressure from these young pups, I want to make sure that I don’t get left behind when they all get back, because it won’t be long before they start to leap frog the old man!

Pete Trego, just back from Hong Kong where he helped England reach the finals of the six-a-side competition, is now jetting off again, this time flying to Zimbabwe.

It’s non stop for Pete, having played a key role for Somerset as they reached the semi-finals in the Champions League in India before he went to Hong Kong. Pete is playing for Mashonaland Eagles in Harare, the team Nick Compton played for last year, in their domestic T20 competition. Best of luck Pete.

Well, that’s about all from me this week. It has been a hectic and emotional few days, with giving my sister away at her wedding, dressing up in Scottish formal wear and it being Remembrance Sunday. 

It is now 10.57, time to get ready for the two minutes silence, then off for a pint. Now what was under my kilt?

Sellsy's Sunday Supplement

This week’s Sunday Supplement was written before the tragic accident which happened on the M5, just outside Taunton on Friday evening. This has, for me, has just put everything into perspective. My thoughts, along with so many, go to the families who lost loved ones in the most horrific circumstances that evening.

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The game I love is, again, being dragged through the mire this week with the guilty verdicts of three Pakistani cricketers for their parts in a conspiracy to bowl deliberate no-balls in a Test.  Ex-Pakistan captain Salman Butt is jailed for two-and-a-half years, Mohammad Asif for one year and Mohammad Amir for six months.

Along with the three cricketers, the agent Mazhar Majeed, was also found guilty of conspiring to cheat and conspiracy to make corrupt payments and was sentenced for two years and eight months.

A lot has been said and written since they have been found guilty and for the past five days I have been trawling through the column inches to see if I can make any sense in this torrid affair.

What I can make out is this is only the tip of the iceberg, with other cricketers being named. I am sure more allegations and accusations will follow, followed by charges, more court cases and more convictions.

The ICC (another self-governing body, like FIFA and the IOC), hasn’t been strong enough in their actions. Andrew Strauss described the anti-corruption unit of the ICC as a toothless tiger. "The unit hasn't got the resources," said the England Test captain at a charity dinner. "They can't do sting operations like the News of the World, they can't infiltrate these betting networks. I'm hopeful only a minor percentage of cricketers are involved in it but the truth is we really don't know."

Ian Botham has also been critical of the ICC. Sir Ian says the ICC needs to take action to tackle match-fixing in cricket, starting in Pakistan. Former England captain Botham said: "I think the ICC have just sat on their hands and pretended it's not there. Well now they have got to act. It has got to start with Pakistan, who have to sort out their own back yard. Then other sides will follow. You have got to cut the head off the snake if you want to kill it."

Automatic life bans in all forms of cricket comes to mind, give a deterrent, so if caught your career is over and you can never play the game again. Hansie Cronje and Mohammad Azharuddin are two players that come to mind who received this penalty, need more action like this, plus a jail term as well.

But how do you route out the illegal, greedy, backstreet bookmakers who approach players to throw a game or whatever? One thing the ICC could do is to make it easier for players to be whistleblowers, and give them complete amnesty and protection as a result of their actions.

However will this stop them? In fact, if the likes of the ICC and courts give out tougher penalties for anyone being caught, the stakes will inevitably become higher, as the risk and penalties are greater and larger amounts of monies are put under the noses of players – ‘an offer they can’t refuse’ to quote a line from a quality film.

Zulqarnain Haider seems to be a forgotten man in all this. The interview he gave to David Bond about a year ago sent a shiver down my spine. He and his family had received threats from gangsters involved in match fixing. He immediately gave up the game he loved and fled to London in fear of his life. A very brave man indeed and I expect he is still looking over his shoulder now.

Mohammad Amir is probably the only one of the three I have an ounce of sympathy for and it is only an ounce on a very small scale. A young, naive man, coming into a dressing room where corruption seems to be rife, wanting to make an impression and a name for himself; the captain comes up and tells him to ball a no ball at a certain point in the game and there will be a brown envelope in his kit bag if he does. What does he do?

Pakistan cricketers are one of the lowest paid amongst the Test playing nations, so it looks like greed and keeping up with the ‘Jonses’ has helped influence their decision to take the monies. Saying that I hear the players from Sri Lanka haven’t been paid since about March!

We need to bring back the pride factor in playing for your nation, not the money factor. Test cricket is the undermining reason which cricket players are remembered for, it must be the ultimate in any players mind. When looking at a players’ playing statistics, I always look to see if they played any Test matches first, to see what their average is.

Everyone will have their own view on this matter, one last thing I will say on the subject is that during my cricketing career I have never been offered any money to play badly and / or bowl wides at certain times during a game, as I do this anyway! In fact I was in more danger in getting sued under the Trade Description Act by calling myself a cricketer!

In fact I think the powers to be in the West Somerset Cricket League should investigate Rhys Satchell and the number wides he bowled this season, I am led to believe it totalled seven overs worth!

Ok, that’s enough about that; let’s crack on with some more sad news, Charl Willoughby. It was announced earlier in the week that the left arm fast medium bowler is leaving Somerset by mutual consent.

I have good memories of Charl, always a tryer, never gives up and the 2007 season proved this. Along with Andy Caddick, they spearheaded the Somerset attack that went on to claim the Second Division title. Plus I would get a lot of freebies at the end of the season when unused clothing is handed out. A lot of my Somerset gear has the initials CW on it somewhere! I wish Pup well for the future.

With Charl’s departure the need for a quality bowler becomes more apparent now, especially with Murali Kartik having also left the County Ground. Will Brian Rose put his faith in the likes of Lewis Gregory and Gemaal Hussain to take 50 Championship wickets in a season? What I saw of them last season they are not quite the finished article, however Lewis is showing great potential to go further and make it as a First Class cricketer. However I will still feel more comfortable if a quality quick bowler joins Somerset.

Well it’s 10.57, time for a pint!

Sellsy's Sunday Supplement - on a Monday!

England’s one day form seems to ask more questions than ones being answered, after another away drubbing, this time 5-0 by India, in India. The all of a sudden they have a comfortable T20 win against the same opposition, why?

England are ranked No. 1 in both Test cricket and T20 cricket, plus they are the current T20 World Champions, but they just cannot get it together in ODI’s, especially abroad. Michael Vaughan, to his credit, summed it up quite nicely, we prepare green pitches at home to make it friendly for our seamer’s to get results at home and when we go abroad, we come up against different pitches, i.e. India full of spin and in Australia, pace and bounce.

If we have any ambitions of winning the next World Cup we need to get ready now and prepare pitches in our country which will be like the ones in Australia and New Zealand where it will be staged in 2015.

Andy Flower has already indicated that there will be changes in the ODI side, in both the batting and bowling department, plus the fielding needs to be sharper (three things fundamentally wrong with English one day cricket – they can’t bat, can’t bowl and cant field, to quote a infamous article written by Martin Johnson).

The first thing I would look at is the wicket-keeping position. Somerset’s Craig Kieswetter currently has the gloves and to be fair, he has a bit of a torrid time behind the timber dropping catches, missing a run out, only his batting (just), has kept him in the side, but can you afford to drop catches.

Jonny Bairstow, another keeper, is also in the side, with Jos “one of our own” Buttler travelling with touring party. Surely this hasn’t helped Craig putting adding pressure on him to perform. The answer – make a decision on who’s number one and for how long, and then take the pressure away from him, by not selecting other keepers.

I can also see this problem happening at Somerset, even Marcus Trescothick says he is dreading the day when Jos will come up to him and says that he wants to be first choice behind the stumps. An abundance of riches perhaps?

Batting – a lot of questions, Kevin Pietersen is one, another is Ian Bell, were do England play him? Can England afford to have Alastair Cook and Jonathan Trott in the same side? Why is Ravi Bopara still playing for England? Surely there is a better batsman / bowler than Samit Patel. I could go on, loads of questions and not enough answers.

Bowling – Will James Anderson still feature in four years time when the next World Cup I upon us? Can they afford to take a risk on him? He was rested for this tour to India, and it shows how sorely missed he is. My view is that he needs to play in 2015 and lead the attack, so resting was a good decision, but we need him to keep playing ODI’s, as I can’t see much else at the moment, apart from Tim Bresnan and Steve Finn (both have shown a bit of character during this recent series, with Bresnan being fined for his conduct).

After this series against India, England have a rest until next year then they go to the middle east and play Pakistan in four Test matches, four ODI’s and three T20. Then onto Sri Lanka just for two Tests, so let’s see who is selected for what and where. Might come up with my own ideas for next week!

Last weeks AGM was fairly quick, lasted about 90 minutes, and I would like to congratulate Steve Easden on becoming the nest 1^st XI captain, with Neil Buller stepping up to vice-captain. Carl Woodley retains the 2md XI captaincy, with Dave “Rabbit” Rowsell talking over as his vice. Well done to you all, looks like a fresh young set-up.

Ok, a bit late this week, been away in Sheffield all weekend. Has anyone heard of a MCV? Well on the train journey up to Sheffield, the announcer on the train said about refreshments can be obtained from the MCV or Mobile Catering Van! Couldn’t believe what he was hearing, so when he came round to inspect tickets I had to ask.

The explanation, it was just him and a coupe of colleagues chatting in their canteen about the news that they were getting rid off the buffet coach and they are to provide a hostess trolley, however the management didn’t want to call it a trolley as it sounds too much like a supermarket. These guys took it on themselves to rename it a MCV just for a crack and he thanked me for listening to his announcement: “at least some one does” he said!

Anyway, it’s 5.10 in the morning, time for work, back to normal next week!

Sellsy's Sunday Supplement

What do you believe in the papers? Answer: Not much.

It was reported this week that Surrey are close to securing the singing of Murali Kartik, the former Somerset left-arm spinner, as an overseas player for the 2012 season. After he played his last game for Somerset in the Champions League it was reported via another media source that Murali has played his last game, not only for Somerset, but in County Cricket and he will return to play cricket in his native India.

So who do you believe? What has changed? Did anything change? What has attracted Murali to the multi-million, mega-bucks spending Surrey, whose salary bill remains the largest in the county game? Who is the Chief Executive of Surrey who likes to wave his cheque book at any county player who does well? Why did Rory Hamilton-Brown leave Sussex for name your price Surrey? Answers on a postcard please to Jack Rich, who told me the other night that this would happen and I didn’t believe him! What does a 16 year old kid know anyway?

2012 will be another exciting season for Somerset, especially as Craig Kieswetter is doing his best not to be England’s Number One ODI wicket-keeper, after a not so convincing start to the England tour of India. My membership renewal reminder hit the doormat this past week. I would like to thank Somerset for not hiking up the prices for next season - it may have been tempting; I’m pretty sure I’ll get value for money next summer. I may do another bet on Somerset as well!

Glamorgan have re-signed Simon Jones for the umpteenth time, a forgotten man from the 2005 winning Ashes side. His reverse swing was the difference between the two sides as England won the Ashes for the first time for 20+ years. It was sad to see his career blighted by injuries as he could have made a massive impact on the world scene. The guy is all muscle, having seen him in his Speedos in a pool in Port of Spain, Trinidad. He was diving into the pool like an Olympic diver, and I was doing my bombs, a bit like Peter Kay!

So England are 3-0 down against India in a five match one day series and are playing the fourth ODI today, (if you have forgotten, as there is a little thing called the Rugby World Cup Final going on!).

This has been a noticeably bad-tempered series for England, with Tim Bresnan being fined for snatching his cap out of the umpires’ hand, I think more out of frustration than rudeness. MS Dhoni has stirred up the hornets nest a little as well by saying how undisciplined England are, with some sledging going on, (coming from him!). But coach, Andy Flower, has defended their attitude. Batsman Jonathan Trott has suggested that the problem may be that England have not been doing the basics well enough.

Over Stowey have their AGM tonight (Sunday), I do hope it is a quick one, somehow I think not. As AGM’s go I think Stowey have the longest I know of, it will start at about 7.30 and time it will finish I will probably go straight to work, as I start at 6am. If only they could be like the skittles league AGM, one only lasted 10 minutes, or even our own skittles team annual meeting, can last up to all of two minutes, with the quickest being 30 seconds. Oh well, lets see what happens, I am sure a lot will be said and not acted on!

A bit off fall out form last week’s Presentation Evening, Spud did forget what I asked him last week, so had to remind him on Friday. Plus the golf I played the morning after could only best be described as Chinese water torture, don’t mind an odd game, but with a stinker of a hangover, never again.

One last thing, if you are a Somerset supporter and need a bit of cheering up, here is a clip from the 2001 C&G Cup Final. What ever happened to Scott Boswell? http://www.youtube.com/watch?NR=1&v=mZtLJbC42e4

Well, it’s 10.57, time for a pint I think.

Sellsy's Sunday Supplement

How and why am I writing this at this time in the morning, especially after last night?

Over Stowey Cricket Club held their annual presentation evening last night, and what a night, so it is beyond belief I’m doing this at this time of the morning, and I’m due on the first tee at 8.50! Why?

So what happened last night, well firstly the Chairman, Phil Rich, was unable to attend, under the knife I believe having a new (reinforced) knee, so Ashley done his speech and things ran quite smoothly. Do wish Phil a speedy recovery, and hope to see him dominating bowlers as he used to.

After an excellent four course dinner, there were some speeches followed by some awards and then talking rubbish in the bar afterwards. There were a lot of awards handed out last night, of which only one of my predictions was correct, but we all have our own opinions I suppose.

So who did win what? I can only just remember, good job I wrote it all down so I wouldn’t forget.

To start a special presentation was given to Elsie, for her services as a tea lady over the past 50 years, some flowers and a framed photograph, presented by her son Jack; then we had these:

• Doreen Prowse Cup – Highest Club Score:
  Simon Pickard
• Clive Bellamy Shield – 1^st XI Batting Average:
  Andrew Jeanes
• Sarah Connolly Shield – 2^nd XI Batting Average:
  Simon Pickard
• Pete Sells Trophy – Best Club Bowling:
  Lee Villis
• John Biffen Memorial Trophy – 1^st XI Bowling Average:
  Barrie Buller
• Ancient Mariner Shield – 2^nd XI Bowling Average:
  Julian Pocock
• Wyn Easden Shield – Most Improved Young Player:
  Jack Rich
• Most Improved Club Player:
  Micheal Barrow
• 1^st XI Player of the Year:
  Neil Buller
• 2^nd XI Player of the Year:
  Ben Enever
• Vicky and Roy Turner Shield – Clubman:
  Anthony Thomas
• Players Player:
  Phil Simms

And the booby prize – Hole in the Hand Award: Rhys Satchell

A great night had by all, great food and good company, I wonder if Spud will remember what I asked him last night!!!!!!!

Oh yes, the first tee at 8.50. Start of a stag day, my future brother-in-law, should of know better last night after having my fifth double G&T, could be a long 18 holes.

Great news from the County Ground that Roelof Van Der Merwe will return as Somerset’s overseas player for the 2012 campaign (1^st June onwards), replacing Murali Kartik. Kieron Pollard will also return for the T20 campaign.

Thank you Murali for giving us here in Somerset your wonderful service, shame we couldn’t quite give you some winners medals in return, oh so close.

Now excuse me for getting excited, but the batting order for the T20 competition looks a bit awesome, Trescothick and Kiewsetter top open, Trego three, Van Der Merwe four, Buttler five, Pollard six and still need to fit in the likes of Hildreth and Compton. Just hope they have enough balls at the County Ground, can see a lot going in the River Tone! Must remember to park my car a distance from the ground as it might not be safe!

So who will Somerset draft in for April and May? Personally I think we are still lacking a quick strike bowler, but with the IPL being played during that period it will be difficult to get hold of someone as I’m sure they would have been snapped up by one of the franchises.

Dale Steyn is rated the number one bowler in the world at the moment, somehow I don’t think he will be available as Deccan’s money will have its say. So the next best ranked overseas player? Morne Morkel. But again the IPL will be first pickings as he is contracted to Delhi.

The next best is Mitchell Johnson and he has no associations to any of the IPL franchises, is he worth a punt? Maybe as the Aussies have no international fixtures after March, plus the fact they are in England in June 2012 it may suit Johnson (or any Aussie in fact), to get used to the English conditions before their ODI’s against England.

Now don’t get me wrong here, I am not a great lover of Johnson, or any Aussie in fact, however, if it is to help Somerset win that elusive you know what, he may be the right choice.

Another alternative is to get a batsman. Will Ricky Ponting be available? We shall see know doubt. As I said, the Aussies have no internationals between March and June, so I wouldn’t be surprised to see an influx of our antipodean friends in the counties in the early parts of the 2012 county season.

Somerset have now returned from the Champions League tournament in India, now it’s time to have a break and party I expect! Craig and Jos will have to wait for their well earned rest as they are representing England in India, plus Pete Trego is off to Hong Kong for the world six-a-side tournament. Lewis Gregory described their feat in the CL as a humongous achievement (used last night in my speech), which it certainly was and it was very enjoyable to have a season extended by another month.

The coverage of the Champions League in the national papers have been shocking to say the least, with odd paragraph here and there in the qualities, thankfully we have the locals to give us the latest from India and also the web. Plus Eurosport came up trumps with the TV coverage. Perhaps this tournament, with all the prize money at stake didn’t quite strike home with the national media because it’s Somerset?

Did anyone see England play India in an ODI on Friday? Well you didn’t see the first two and a bit overs. There was a blackout of live feed out if India due to a dispute over payments from the broadcaster to the government agency responsible for up linking live telecasts out of India. What an absolute shambles.

All that can be heard was David Lloyd commentating down a phone line. When we got live pictures we couldn’t have the Sky TV commentators, as, according to a Sky source, they were awaiting government clearances before being able to broadcast live out of India.

Cricket in India is an absolute passion to say the least, with over one billion people claiming to be Sachin Tendulkar’s number one fan. With all these fanatical people, there is a lot of money to be exploited out of the game and there are ‘people’ in India (and elsewhere) who are willing to do this. The match fixing scandal being played out in court is another prime example.

The way England played I wish there was no TV coverage at all. Sloppy in the field, too many wides and a batting display which was not up to the mark. Let’s see what happens in the second ODI.