Sellsy's Sunday Supplement

The journey home from Lord’s on Saturday evening was probably the longest trips home I have had from any final. How many more times? How many more lesson’s are there to be learned? - I must not drink all my cider by Membury Services on the way up and have none for the return trip – huge lesson to be learned! It’s no wonder cricket commentator’s and journalist’s describe the supporters of The Set as cider laden, cider fuelled etc.

Yes, four litres of Thatchers Gold disappeared by 8.00am, and had to tackle lager on the way home, but not just any ordinary larger, Stella! Plus a few G&T’s and a bottle of wine just to kill my taste-buds once and for all!

I think the boy’s from Taunton St Andrews CC gave it a good go as well, but I did see quite a lot of Natch being taken off the coach when we returned back to Taunton.

The perennial losers Somerset, as described in much if the media this morning, did not deserve to win yesterday, never enough runs to defend, and if Jos didn’t perform I’m sure we would have been in the local bars a lot earlier or even a trip to The Griffin may have been I order!

Having won the toss, or skipper Marcus decided to have a bat first. Now I’m not a man to be telling Marcus what to do (not fit to lace his boots!), as I’m sure the hierarchy in the Somerset camp would have discussed what they would do if they won the toss. But surely history would have told them to stick in the opposition at Lord’s in September, when conditions suit the bowlers. Plus the added fret of rain does tend to help the side when Duckworth / Lewis kick’s in.

I even heard the great (sic) Martin King of Bagborough rumbling on in one of the bars at the Nursery End saying things like: “Might as well go home now, as Somerset are batting!”

Well the crux of it all was that Somerset did not score enough runs, despite the best efforts of Jos (who’s one of us) Buttler, and Surrey ran out comfortable winners by five wickets.

So Lord’s, my sixth visit (have only seen Somerset win their once, perhaps I’m a Jonah!), and every time I walk down the Wellington Road outside of the Nursery End, I get this little tingle of excitement. Lord’s can best be described as the last bastion of Englishness, the Empire, the Commonwealth or whatever!

It is very unique to say the least, just walking around the ground before the game and at the innings break you get a massive sense of tradition, just by peering into the Long Room you can feel and almost touch it. However the members are just a different breed of people all together, no wonder Ian Botham has no time for them!

So my memories of Lord’s 2011, well there are a few:

• The stubbornness of stewards when it started to rain.
• Rob Key autographing my flyer when I wanted him to take it to the press box to get a mention on TV.
• JJ from St Andrews CC not wanting to do a song as we don’t sing in tune!
• Jade (girl’s name) Dernbach getting a bit heated with Alfonso and subsequently the Somerset supporters after.
• Picking out four horses in the morning, not putting a bet on, and then discovering that all four win!
• The chicken tastes like rubber (not that I’ve eaten rubber!).
• Meeting up with a few old Over Stowey players, the likes of Dave Richardson and Alan Prowse (Steve Darch was somewhere in the ground I was assured!).

What next for Somerset. Well they fly to India today (Sunday) attempting to qualify for the Champions League proper, without Marcus, Jos and Craig. If they qualify, the Champions League will start in earnest straight after – more agony rather the ecstasy I expect.

After, well a lot of sole searching and hopefully some big decisions will be made so as to get Somerset over the finishing line, so as not to be continuously labeled as bridesmaids. Questions will have to be asked about the future of not just the players who have under performed, but the whole structure from top to bottom, even Brian Rose must ask himself questions about his role, has he taken the side as far as he can and it now needs a new man at the helm.

Andy Hurry must continue in his role as Head Coach, but he does need fresh blood around him within the coaching team, and possibly players as well. Am not exactly asking for a cull, but runners-up in six competition’s in three season is not what the patient Somerset supporters want, as it is now wearing a bit fin.

My biggest concern is will we keep hold of Jos Buttler? I’m sure counties with more financial clout will be waving their cheque books at him, asking him to name his price. Especially with Somerset having the luxury of two quality wicket-keeper’s, I’m afraid two into one does not go!

Expect big announcements at Taunton over the next few months.

Just a few other things:

• Congratulations to Lancashire for winning the County Championship, fully deserved, best side / unit and it was proved at the end.
• Why do England keep on picking Ravi Bopara when he has done his best to throw away the game by throwing his wicket away at crucial times? Players such as Hussey, Dhoni, and Kallis would have seen their team home.
• Over Stowey’s season is now at an end, with the 2^nd XI finishing off their fixture schedule on Saturday.

Lastly, I would like to thank the guys from Taunton St Andrews CC, especially Richard Brice, for an enjoyable trip to London. The Glamorgan team coach was a bit special, and it was never going to be used by them anyway!

Oh well, it’s 10.57, time for a pint to cure this massive hangover and think about the winter months!