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?