World Cup 2011

The eve of The World Cup Final, well it is for me, as tomorrow is Friday and the weekend starts! So who is going to win?

If Sri Lanka hold their catches they will win. They done their best against England, and especially with the likes of Sachin Tendulkar giving away chances against Pakistan, the Lankan's need to hold their catches.

So who is the key man? Sehwag? Murali? Dhoni? Dilshan? I could go on, there is so much class out there, hope it goes down to the last ball of the last over, someone chasing 320+.

Going to stick my neck out and say Sri Lanka or maybe India!

World Cup 2011

Ricky Ponting has finally seen the light and decided to call it a day as captain of Australia. For me he'll always be remembered for losing three Ashes, but that is probably my narrow mindedness which is saying that, well I am English!!!

Sri Lanka have got through to the final, after beating New Zealand, if they are going to win the competition, they must do something about that middle order.

There is plenty of speculation about the successor to Andrew Strauss, even before he has given up the ODI captaincy, for me give it to Alastair Cook, he will open, bring stability to the top order, and of course he is the next English Test Captain, so why not.

Over Stowey

When the cats away the mice will play - Nice to see Ashley being sensible and not driving yesterday afetr lunch (how many bottles of wine?)

Great afternoon at the cricket club with the kids youth presentation evening, with signing on aswell.

The best bit about yesterday, was the sandwiches and mini sausages, certainly filled a hole.

Also well done to Lee Villis for winning the Under 15's player of the year, and to Archie Rich for the Under 11's. Well done to you both.

Sellsy's Sunday Supplement

Welcome to this new column, thought of during a drunken conversation with my fellow Technology Information Team member, Steve.

Hands up who's kit is either in the boot of their car, in the hsed, in the loft or somewhere where it hasn't been touched since last season!

Well I have just cleared out my boot and found my kit from the last time I played last season (abou May I think!), and it's a mess, not even an industrial cleaner will get that clean!

Could say alot about kit, ie, going to first net session to knock the woodworm out of your bat, or even first game when you tie your boot laces up and they snap as they are rotten from last season.

Steve and Timmy little used to share their kit and bring it to the game in a suitcase, the amount of times they had odd socks on, I know the other brother had a matchong pair! Steve whne getting changed once was trying to pull on his shirt and said "I can't find the holes for the sleeves", he picked up a pillow case instead and was trying to wear that! Whenit rain once, they chucked the kit in the back of teh pick up and chucked in some soap suds!

Barrie Buller, once brought his missus knickers to the game by mistake (or was it) he was top of the averages that season, the secret to his success, well, I'll let you ponder on that one.

Anyway, it's 10.57 and time for a pint!

Over Stowey

Now on Twitter:

http://twitter.com/overstoweycc

It's Quality!!!

Over Stowey

After a lengthy discsussion with my fellow Technoloy Information Team member, Steve, we have decided to do the following for the 2011 season for keeping people updated:

• Tweet updates to the OSCC Twitter
• Full days summary on Facebook, including results
• More in depth on club website
• Start a Sellsy's Sunday Supplement on Blogger

All links will be on websites, Facebook etc. Will start the SSS on the 3rd April. Just got to get the things set up now!!!!

Somerset 2011

Steve Kirby says in Wisden the reason he joined Somerset so he wouldn’t bowl against Marcus ever again, quality from Steve.

Somerset have a warm up game on Thurs against Worcs, two days, shall I go or will the temptation of Thatchers Cider at The Cottage with a good freinds of mine be too great!

Interesting day on Budget day, Fred Titmus died (same day as Liz Taylor and I expect she'll get more space in The Telegraph on Thurs!) and have just been reading the obituary for Trevor Bailey, both remarkable players.

Somerset 2011

Wisden Cricketer magazine seems to believe that Somerset will win everything this year, well it was the coaches from other counties who gave their opinion.

For me, well, it will still be difficult to pick themselves up from last year’s disappointment of coming runner’s-up in three competitions, plus the underlining factor of losing players to England.

On the subject of players, their is a lot of young talent which Brian Rose has recruited, George Dockrell, Gamil Hussain, Callum Hagget and the young German. Will they have the temperament to hold their nerve and step up to the plate in First Class cricket, or will they have a season in the 2^nd XI.

I wonder how max Waller feels, potentially a great leg spinner, however Somerset seems keen on recruiting other spinners, like Dockrell, Murali Kartik and Mendis.

With that, I’m sure Max will learn a lot from Kartik, as hew is a world class player and he could single handed win titles for Somerset, providing the batsmen give him a platform.

It’s not only Wisden who think Somerset will win loads this year, looks as if the Bookies are thinking the same, with them being favourites to win all three competitions.

Now this has put me in a dilemma, the last four seasons I’ve placed a bet that they will win the lot, narrowly missing out in 2010 of course. Shall I do the same this season, in a patent where if they win one, will get some sort of reward, but all four, well, maybe.

Widen has also surpassed itself with a pub guide to the County Grounds, well it’s from a book about cricketing pub names. The Ring of Bells in Taunton is mentioned in this months edition, and it’s a place I frequently visit on my lunch break from work, they will be happy with that I would of thought.

World Cup 2011

Super Cider Saturday not far away, with England taking on Sri Lanka in the Quarter Finals of the World Cup, in Colombo. With the added bonus of England playing Wales in an European Championship football qualifier.

What is the odds of both England sides losing? Winning, or dare I say it tie / draw.

Just been looking at the Lions, see they won again, beating the Winward Islands with Somerset's James Hildreth hitting a ton in the first innings. I have a sneaky feeling he could be in the England set up in the Summer of 2011.

This will be a great shame for all Somerset supporters, not only missing a class batsman, but where is the replacement?

The Lions are now top of the group in the competition, with their last game against Jamacia, who lie second in the table.

World Cup 2011

Well, the 19th of March is a day I long to forget and remember both.

Nice to see the Aussies losing their control against the Pakistanis. Why didn't Ponting just walk, one of the biggest edges I've seen, admittedly Akmal was behind the stumps, so it was a surprise he caught it. But Ricky, you know you edged it, walk.

Tendulkar walked this morning, and the umpire wasn't going to give it, what great respect I have for The Master, but none for Ricky.

Anyway, England progress to the QF's, looks like against Sri Lanaka, unless the West Indies can pull off a surprise against India. So next Saturday is going to be another Super Saturday!!!!

Yesterday, not a good day for either Exeter City, losing to Yeovil or England Rugby.

Had my Yeovil mate in my ear all the way back from Exeter, great day with him though, like to look back on old times. One good thing though, I did out drink him!!! Must be the 5% Cotleigh I forced down his neck!

Rugby, well Ireland were the better side on the day, looked like they were playing for the Grand Slam, not England.

One thing I will say, in English sport, esp in Football, Rugby and Cricket, is the players seem to have this winning mentality, ie not knowing when they are defeated.

Oh well, hangover cure time

World Cup 2011

Watching the SA v Bangladesh game with some interest, makes me wonder how we lost to Bangladesh and beat SA.

Looking comfortable to go through to the quarter finals, looks like Sri Lanka. Will England go on to win the tournament, well they are so unpredictable, who knows.

Remember Pakistan in 1992, they should of been out, only the rain helped them and some other results which went their way, got to the final, and beat England.

Off to watch Exeter play Yeovil later today, plus get back for the six nationals when England take on Ireland

World Cup 2011

England win a thriller to keep their world cup hopes alive. What is it with England and making things difficult for themselves, and why so many thrillers? Certainly brings the crowd in.
What next, well, England are relying on other results, if either of Bangladesh or West Indies lose their final game, England go through, get the prayer mat out!

Over Stowey

New sponsor now on board, thank you to Julian from The Cottage Inn, Keenthorne.

Will this be the golden era of Stowey cricket? Money in the bank, new pavilion, kids cricket going well.... We shall see.

Still hanging from Olga!

Cheltenham Races

Looked at the results from Cheltenham, didn’t back a horse, would have had a Lucky 15 come in. Wait and see for tomorrow, will get bugger all!!

World Cup 2011

Well, the Irish have gone out, will England be on the same plane, hope not.

Olympic interview today for the 2012 games, think they got the message about cricket in the games!!!

Over Stowey

Cricket meeting last night, can't remember a thing, hope Easy or Ashley made some notes.
Blame it all on Olga, and her Polish Vodka, tastes great but boy am I suffering today.

World Cup 2011

Matt Prior as an opener does not work, it has ben proven in Australia where it failed, I believe it was tried in England during the summer last year. If he is going to play for England it must be as a wicket keeper who goes in at the end of the innings.
Opening instead, well at the moment it is either Bopara or Bell, maybe Morgan.
At the end of tournament England need to rethink their one day side.

Saying that though, if they win the next four games they win the World Cup!!!!

World Cup 2011

Somerset and Ireland's George Dockrell gets another prize scalp in Sarwan of the West Indies. What a prospect he is going to be this summer.
Now bowling to Kieron Pollard, a team mate with Somerset this summer, now this should be interesting!

World Cup 2011

Upul Tharanga and Tillakaratne Dilshan compiled a World Cup record opening stand of 282 - against who???? No disresoect Zimbabwe. However had a cracking start to your run chase.

See that KP is getting involved with the anti smoking campaign, good on him - sure I saw hiom once smoke a cigar, sory that was Beefy!!!!!

The roof is now off the pavilion, was it high winds or just the hard work being done

Over Stowey

Pavilion roof is nearly off, just need a strong gust of wind to get it down. It is so rotten, no wonder we have a lot of mushrooms in the roof!

World Cup 2011

One of Somerset’s up and coming youngsters has done well in the World Cup, George Dockrell, taking the wickets of Tendulkar and Dhoni, not a bad couple of scalps to go with Strauss last week.

Anglers

Invited to the Nether Stowey Whingers' Angling Club presentation evening, great night, took some pics for the local press, am going to suffer tomorrow at work!!!

Skittles

Mikey coming top in skittles, what’s all that about, is it time to retire? Atleast we won, and the opposition suddenly went home!

Over Stowey

All go on the Cricket Club front, adverts to sort out, letter’s to write, getting emails from loads of clubs regards to tour fixtures, let Ashley sort them out!!!!

World Cuo 2011

Stuart Broad out of the World Cup, going home on the same plane as KP, who’s going to replace him – Tremlett?

New Zealand went mad batting, smashing some 90 runs in six overs, good for them, but be careful leaving the ground after!

World Cup 2011

KP coming home, Morgan flying out, shame as KP done well yesterday, not with the bat, but with the ball.

Who will open now with Strauss, surely Alistair Cook?? After all those runs in Australia. Either Bell or Bopara I would think, more likely Bopara.

England could still come top of the group, need to win last two games. Would be better off coming 1^st or 2^nd, then they would avoid Australia and possibly Sri Lanka

World Cup 2011

What is it with England in this World Cup, every game is a thriller, it doesn’t do my BP any good.

Have been fixed to the TV, oh why can’t we have a simple game, and make it convincing.

Well played England, may off cured my hangover!

World Cup 2011

Race Night last night and cricket starts at 4.00am, guess I’ll miss the start of that then!

Had a few minor successes with the races, nothing major horse fell at last when £125 was in the bank!

Woke up to hear England were 15-3, thought I was dreaming or it was Australia batting again in Adelaide!

Great bit of sportsmanship from Jacques Kallis after he nicked it to Prior, asked the keeper to see if it had carried, rather than waiting for the officials to refer it to technology, good to see, and so it should be.

Believe Matt Prior was using some colourful language behind the stumps, very funny.

World Cup

See that KP is to have an operation after the World Cup - hmmm, how'll that effect his gmae over the next week, and if we qualify for the KO stages, the rest of the competition

World Cup

Watching the Sri Lanka / Australia game, where did that raincome from?

Count down to the 2011 season

Stowey and The Set back in training. Race night tonight, bi wins I hope