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.