Sellsy's Sunday Supplement

You can always tell when it’s the first Test match of the summer, the weather turns bad and it rains. Yes, England are back in action, against Sri Lanka, in their quest to become the number one Test playing team in the world.

As you may have already seen, these Sri Lankans are no mugs, scoring 400 in their first innings, even though the English have replied strongly. However tougher challenges await; with India next up later in the summer.

I do wonder how much England will miss Marcus Trescothick, especially after his performance this week. Needing 230 to win in 50 overs, Banger smashed the ball to all parts of Taunton to lead Somerset to a ten wicket win over the Tykes. Tres finished on 151 not out, and with his 180 in the first innings it just shows how much he is valued here in Somerset.

Ok, we had to take 20 wickets firstly, and Arul’s two wickets at the end of day three were very crucial. Plus he also played a very good supporting role to his skipper, with 90 in the first innings and 60+ in the second.

Must admit in getting really annoyed with the BBC Teletext service; have you ever heard of Jimmy Hildreth? I always though it was James Hildreth, unless someone can correct me on that.

Jonathan Liew in The Telegraph this week wrote an entertaining piece about the lack of women commentators, not only in cricket, but in most sports. The West Indian broadcaster Donna Symonds is one to admire, as she sounds wonderful and very knowledgeable over the airwaves, and can hold a conversation about WI (no pun intended there) cricket with any folk.

Kate Fitzpatrick tried her best once, while commentating on a Test match for Australian TV. Overcome by nerves, she blurted out to Richie Benaud the first thing that came into her mind: “Richie, doesn’t Joel (Garner) look lovely?” Kerry Packer was on the phone instantly demanding: “Get that woman of my TV station.”

Being a cricket commentator is a job which I crave for, and for the guys who do it I’m most envious. Not only do they travel the country and world, and visit some wonderful places they also talk to the nation about this wonderful sport. I can always remember listening to the delights of Brian Johnston live from Sydney, when I’m tucked up in bed under the duvet freezing cold, while he boasts about how hot these places are.

He’ll always be remembered for the Jonathan Agnew incident, Botham not quite getting his leg over, and giggling for near on a minute. However for me, his funniest quote was: “There's Neil Harvey standing at leg slip with his legs wide apart, waiting for a tickle.”

I could go on about commentators for a while, perhaps another Sunday Supplement, but they are just one ingredient which makes this sport such a wonderful experience. Of course there are some absolute tossers who are on the airwaves (I shan’t mention no names, super injunction and all that, but you know they are C****** C******), but mostly they are so delightful and richly entertaining.

Over Stowey had a tough weekend, again injuries are a big concern for both sides, however it is still great to see both Saturday sides getting 11 out again. Barrie Buller had a great day for the 1^st XI, taking five Minehead wickets, and scoring a 50. Unfortunately it was in vain as the 1^st’s went down by 60 runs.

Poor old Ashley, a Stowey club stalwart, can’t get a run anywhere at the moment, last four inning were ducks. Hold in there Ash, just need a bit of luck and the score will come. Otherwise I’ll see you in the Cider Tent!

Well, it’s that time again, 10.57 and the bar is beckoning. The SS will be earlier next week, due to heavy social diary.

Sellsy's Sunday Supplement

Topsy-turvy, that’s all I can describe this County Championship season for Somerset, when you think they’ve got their bad games out of the way, they snatch defeat from the jaws of victory against Sussex. So what’s that now, played six, won two, lost three drawn one – not bad for a side who were favourites at the start of the season.

However, the 40 over league, the boys have not yet lost, winning all their five games. The latest was a comprehensive victory over Lancashire, with Treco leading the way with a brutal century of just 69 balls. Chasing down 249 to win, the Set won with eight overs to spare, wow!

I would like to thank Steve who managed to blag a box that day, as it got us out of the cold wind, and where we were sitting, I think Banger was using those seats for target practice.

On the subject of target practice, since when has my car got a target on it’s bonnet, have a nice little red mark on it, thanks to one of the Huish Champflower’s batsman, didn’t think it was a good ball in the first place, it deserved to be hit, but not at my car!!

I notice Somerset have been giving debuts to quite a few players this season, Adam Dibble, Luke Gregory, Alex Barrow, Craig Meschede, and not forgetting Steve Kirby and Gemaal Hussain. With Craig out injured and Hilldy captaining the Lion’s, these boys need to step up to the plate and prove their worth, especially if Somerset have any aspirations in winning the County Championship.

My debut for Over Stowey was on 8^th September 1979, at the ripe young age of 12 years and 124 days. I know this date for a fact, as Somerset was in a Lord’s final, and quite a few of Stowey’s finest made the trip to Lord’s, leaving the Stowey short of players. I know Steve Holley played, along with Andrew Webber, Tim Stacey, The Little bros, Chris Wilton, apart from that I’m at a lost who else played. I know we had to travel along way to play, I think we were at Bridgetown, as I can remember an old wooden pavilion and going down a slope to go onto the field. The journey home, which went via a few pubs, is what got me hooked on playing away! And, of course, the Little Bros!

Mark Sortwell Debut is one not to forget. Our two openers, Timmy Little and Bomber had a sly bet that the first person out had to buy the other person a drink. Needless to say, not many shots were played. After 20 overs, Stowey had only 19 on the board, with the guys on the boundary going mad. After the first wicket fell, shots had to be played to get a half decent total, and Stowey were all out for under 100. Great debut to remember, because he keeps on about it! For the record Bomber won the pint.

Any other debuts which you can remember please let me know, would be good to hear the stories behind them!

Anyway, well played Over Stowey 1^st XI on Saturday, who won their first game of the season, beating Huish Champflower by 60 runs. Jack Rich owes a jug, as he took a Michelle in helping to bowl out Huish for under 100.

Another jug is owed by Simon Pickard, who hit 70 for the 2^nd XI. This wasn’t enough to prevent the 2^nd’s going down to Trull.

Shall I mention dropped catches, perhaps I ought not, don’t want to embarrass Dale!

Well, that’s it for today; it is now 10.57 and time for a pint!

Sellsy's Sunday Supplement

Ok, so a couple of weeks ago I mentioned Ben Stokes is one to watch out for during 2011 and beyond, well he didn’t have to prove me right by making a match saving century for Durham, thus preventing Somerset completing a third straight County Championship victory.

Great to see Nick Compton continuing his good form by making a career best 250 not out, some cynics might same that he cost us the game by batting too long, not enabling the bowlers to bowl out Durham twice, but what do they know about cricket eh Steve?

Two tough fixtures coming up for Somerset over the next week, a 40 over game today against Lancashire and then they travel to Hove to take on a resurgent Sussex side.

James Hildreth, will be missing for the Sussex game, as he has the honour of captaining an England Lion’s XI, who take on Sri Lanka. Also missing will be Craig Kieswetter, no doubt he would have been picked for the Lion’s, however he has a leg injury, or to be precise: “Grade two tear in my quad”, whatever that is. Just wonder how much Somerset will miss these two players.

On the subject of injures, the list of walking wounded at Over Stowey seems to be getting longer, joining Phil Rich and Andrew Jeanes on the boundary (commonly known as the cider tent), will be Mikey Hawker. His injury can only best be described as an old fashioned village injury – fell over while pissed up on the dance floor, breaking his ankle. Shame for the lad, as really getting into cricket, and always reliable. Oh well, could this be another career ruined in the cider tent?

Cricketing injuries can quite easily be picked up, as that ball is quite hard, have had broken fingers to prove it. Once, while batting against Dulverton, their pace bowler smashed me right on the bridge of my right foot, and I tried not to show any pain (as you do), next ball smacks me right in the same place, had to go over as it hurt. Took my boot off, and needless to say a pack of frozen peas was needed to get rid of the swelling. Incidentally, that was one of our shortest games, the combined journey to and from Dulverton was longer than the match itself!

Well done to Over Stowey’s 2^nd XI, who completed the senior’s first win of the season. Youngsters were paramount in this victory, Lee Villis making 62, Tom Hillman scoring 30+, with Mike Barrow and Rhys Satchell contributing with the ball.

Oh well, 10.57, it’s time for a pint, and then off to the County Ground.

Sellsy's Sunday Supplement

First game of the season and Stowey go down by six wickets against Carhampton. Not much really you can say about that, apart from the spoofing afterwards. One spoof you don’t mind losing, as it is nice and cheap at the club, however it is the ignominy of losing a spoof which is always a problem for me (once being a World Champion at the game!)

Spoofing has been part of a Stowey culture for some year’s now, and it can get quite messy. One friendly away at Chilton Polden, we played cricket so badly, Timmy Little suggested that we spoof for our places for next week, and Timmy lost, so he was dropped! “Too clicky!” was he words when he failed to get his place for the following week.

So what has happened in the world of cricket this week?

Well Somerset defeated Worcester by 91 runs, inside three days. This allowed Gareth Andrew (former Somerset, now Worcester player) a day off to come and visit Stowey for the May Fair. Now if we known he was coming over, he could of brought his kit with him and opened the attack.

Nick Compton was the topic of conversation on Thursday, especially towards the close of play. While other people seem to agree that he isn’t fit to wear a Somerset shirt, I believe he is there to do a job, it seems to be an unpopular one, to hold up an end and make sure he stays in to accumulate runs that way.

I agree that he will not win Somerset matches (I know he did against Unicorns), but runs are important, especially in those close four day games.

On the subject of bouncebackability, well played Gemaal Hussain. Again he had a lot of criticism from your truly (amongst others), however a six wicket haul in the second innings got Somerset that well deserved victory, and will hopefully raise his confidence for the rest of the season.

A couple of well done’s to finish today. Firstly to Over Stowey’s Under 11’s, who had their first victory of the season in the week.

Secondly to Alastair Cook being named England’s new one-day international captain. Hopefully now he and England will prepare for the next World Cup and get rid of that dead wood clearly floating about in that one-day side. Plus, this is the next step for Cook to becoming Test captain when Andrew Strauss steps down.

Can’t wait for the question to come up: “Who was the first England captain to tour Australia?” Of course, Captain Cook!

Lastly, has anyone read the Sunday Telegraph today? Steve James must be copying my work, what did I blog last week, the youth in cricket, and guess what Steve done today?

Well it's 10.57, time for a pint!

Sellsy's Sunday Supplement

Hallelujah, Somerset win their first County Championship game of the season, by defeating, or should I say hammering, Hampshire by nine wickets at the Rose Bowl, well done boys.

Great knock by Marcus, smashing 227 in the first innings, supported by Craig and Jos. To me the victory was set up by the bowlers in Hampshire’s first inning, with Charl Willoughby going through the middle order and finishing with figures of 4-40, and the Peter Trego, claiming a four wicket haul in their second innings.

Young Liam Dawson of Hampshire looks to be one to watch, scoring 91 in the first innings and 169 in the second, and he is only just 21.

It feels like the past few weeks the headline have been dominated by youngsters, for example:

• Chris Woakes: (Warwickshire), only 22 years old, 17 wickets so far this season, and a batting average of 123
• Ben Stokes: (Durham), 19 years old, five sixes in an over against Hampshire, off the spinner Liam Dawson.
• Reece Topley: (Essex), aged 17 let of school to play for Essex and take 17 wickets!
• Barney Gibson: (Yorkshire), aged only 15 years and 27 days, becomes the youngest county cricketer ever, when he turned out for Yorkshire as wicket keeper, beating an 144 year old record. For the record he takes six catches.

We should not forget the youngsters at Somerset, Jos Buttler, who turns 21 in September, has been touted in many of the quality papers as an England player of the future. Plus Alex Barrow, who made his First Class debut for The Set this, who is only 18 years old (19 on Friday, the same day as yours truly!). Alex now has a bowling average of 4.00, there is only one way to go from there!

Over Stowey played in a friendly on Saturday, and youngsters, again, seem to be the talking point of the afternoon. Lee Villis, Jack Rich, Craig Norman and Michael Barrow all featuring; all making contributions with bat, ball or both.

Michael was the stand out player, smashing 48 runs, taking Stowey to the brink of victory, until he was caught on the boundary, going for another maximum. Great effort and well played.

Right, it is 9.57, time to go and watch the Under 13’s, talk some rubbish with my Technology Information Team colleague, and then it will be time for a pint!