Sellsy's Monday Supplement (SMS)

Not wanting to sound like Geoff Boycott the dropping of Samit Patel for the fourth Test against India was something I predicted in my blog last week. Plus in a roundabout way I also suggested that England should pick Joe Root as his replacement. So the news which broke in the early hours on Thursday morning came as no real surprise to me as it did to some of the experts in the media.

Root’s contribution in England’s first innings turned the games in the tourist’s favour, not only the runs scored but taking time out of the game ensuring that Test would be a draw, thus a series victory for England.

Root will now be in touring party to go to New Zealand where I am sure he will continue his role in the number six batting position and if he does well he we no doubt put pressure on Nick Compton to open the innings, something he already does for his county Yorkshire. Compo will also go to NZ as first choice opener with Captain Cook, rightly deserved with a good debut series averaging just under 35. How long he can stay as first choice opener will be intriguing indeed, especially for us Somerset supporters keen for Compo to succeed.

The majority of the Test squad will now fly home, with only a handful of them being picked for the T20 matches starting on Thursday. There may be a few sore heads on that plane back to Heathrow. Well done to you all and hopefully I will see Compo at The County Ground before Christmas to give him my congratulations.

Coming right down back to earth the West Somerset Cricket League fixtures are out for the 2013 season. Over Stowey 1^st XI start their Division Two campaign with a home fixture against Roadwater, however the fixture on June 22^nd will be the most anticipated when Stowey travel to Bishops Hull. The fixture last season was somewhat tainted and with comments made at the league AGM it seems that the value of the spirit of the game is completely lost by Hull. I could go on, but it is just my opinion, not that off Over Stowey.

A nice short one tonight and that will be it from me until the New Year. Have a good festive season, I know I will!

Right, 7.57, time for a few Thatchers before skittles.

Sellsy's Monday Supplement (SMS)

Douglas Jardine, two words that sends shivers down the spine of all cricket loving Aussies, will always be remembered for the infamous “Bodyline” series in the 1930’s. However, little may you know, he was the first captain to lead England to series win in India.

The present England side, led by Alastair Cook, are on the verge of history in India. They are 2-1 in the series, with one to play and with the present Indian side (and the cricket mad nation) in utter disarray, surely a series win is England’s to throw away.

A lot of credit, and rightly so, will go to Cook. He has led from the front, not only scoring hundred’s for fun, but lifting his side after a crushing defeat in the first Test. Boy, how the others responded, great batting, excellent bowling and this has been matched by wonderful support in the field.

The final Test starts on Thursday and England will travel to Nagpur aiming to win the series 3-1. Now this start date will mean that I may miss the third and fourth days, due to some festive celebrations going on, so my only hope is that the cricket goes in to the fifth day so that, hopefully, I will see some cricketing history.

With the Indian media putting the majority of the present team out to dry, including MS Dhoni and Sachin Tendulkar, the English media are heaping praise in every department, a bit different than what it was three weeks ago. I can’t foresee many changes for Thursday, if any at all. Steven Finn is now fully fit and will keep Stuart Broad out for sure, and with Ian Bell’s cameo to win the game on Sunday his place is now safe. The only possible change would be to drop Samit Patel for another batsman. Samit has contributed little with the ball, apart from a few overs so the front line bowlers can have a break, and his batting doesn’t inspire whatsoever. His saving grace is that he has been playing in a winning team, whereas bringing in a batsman like Jonny Bairstow, Joe Root or Eoin Morgan could be tricky as they have had no or very little time out in the middle to prove their worth.

This is just a minor detail compared to what Indian team will be selected for Thursday!

All this and not one word about Somerset’s Nick Compton! Just goes to show what an impressive start he has made to his Test career, averaging about 42, I am sure he will be delighted with this return, plus he has been in the middle when the winning runs have been scored to win the last two Tests. Expected he is absolutely thrilled to bits about proceedings.

Ok, enough superlatives about England, lets talk about the other end of the scale, Australia. Well, in fact Ricky Ponting. You may be aware that Punter has now hung up his international boots and with that all the tributes started to poor in. This included his international captain, Michael Clarke, who I am led to believe broke down in his own personal tribute to Ricky. Haven’t we seen this before with other Australian captains?

Ponting, for me, will be remembered for a few things. His utter brilliance in playing for Somerset, scoring runs for fun and the introducing the likes of Justin Langer to the county, where, then after, Somerset never looked back. His three Ashes defeats as captain and lastly the look on his face as he was caught out in the first Test in 2005 at Lord’s, as it was Somerset’s James Hildreth who took the catch, and he was only on as a substitute fielder! Thank you for the memories Ricky.

Right, 5.57, time for a few Thatchers before skittles.

Sellsy's Monday Supplement

Just as I predicted two weeks ago, the series between India and England will be close, very close. These two teams are well matched and with England winning by ten wickets I can quite easily wallow in my forecast.

So one Test each with two to play, what will happen next? One thing for sure the two English spinners are much better than anything India have got, just goes to prove that Monty should of been picked in the first Test.

I also said (and so did Geoffrey Boycott after!) at the start of the series England will struggle in the batting department against spin. Again I have been proved right. What about Pietersen and Cook I hear you cry. Well, KP has adapted his technique and is actually playing the ball with the spin instead of trying to play against it, As for Cookie, ok, he is just thriving in his role as England skipper. He has been our most consistent batsman for years now, and now holds a very unique record of four hundreds in his first four Tests as captain.

The others, albeit Nick Compton, have just struggled. In their first innings England should off hit another 70 – 100 runs, if, like KP, they adapted their batting style. It is a good job there is a bit of a break now between this Test and the third one in Kolkata so Graham Gooch can earn his crust as batting coach.

Selection for the Test in Eden Gardens will be interesting, do England pick two seamers or do they take the risk and go down to one? The English spinners in Graeme Swann and Monty Panesar accounted for 19 of the 20 Indian wickets to fall, with Jimmy Anderson taking the other. Also, Indian spin accounted for nine out of the ten English wickets, the other being a run out. India even opened the bowling with spinners in both the English innings. So do England consider dropping the ineffective Stuart Broad and put in an extra batsman or do they stick with the same 11 (possibly Eoin Morgan in for Samit Patel)?

Captain Cook paid tribute to KP in the pre-match interviews after saying that his innings turned the game in England’s favour. Rightly he was named man of the match. Must have been close, Monty’s name must been on quite a few peoples lips, especially, as I always said (not trying to sound like Boycott), to win matched you need to take 20 wickets, and how many did Monty take?

I do have a funny feeling that us Somerset supporters won’t be seeing much of Compo next summer, he is batting very well for England, a few high scores must surely follow and his trip to New Zealand will almost be guaranteed. What next? An Ashes summer, that’s what.

On the subject of Australia, they are looking very strong at the moment, having the better of the recent Test match against the world’s number one Test side in the form of South Africa.

Michael Clarke is in cracking form, what is it now, four double hundreds this year, wow, should be compelling viewing next summer I expect, well for me it will be.

The Aussies will be visiting Taunton next summer for a four day warm-up game against the mighty Somerset. The County fixtures are out today and the tourists will be at The County Ground from June 26^th a date already in my diary.

Somerset’s start to the season looks a little tricky, with three of their opening four County Championship games being played away, the only home game being against the reigning County Champions, Warwickshire.

I am glad the fixtures committee have taken my birthday into consideration again this season, a nice CB40 home game on a Sunday, something to look forward to, with a glass of cider or two!

Anyway, the full fixture list is on Somerset’s website, and it already has my mouth watering, a trip to Lord’s early in June high on my away days list. Come on Somerset, I might even put my usual bet on now!

Right, 6.57, time for a few Thatchers before skittles.

Sellsy's Monday Supplement

Ok, I said last week that the Test series between India and England would be a close series by two evenly matched sides, on the evidence of England’s first innings batting performance I could not be further from the truth, but didn’t they do well in the second innings, when it was to late.

One thing I did predict it would be trial by spin, and hey, who took the most wickets in the match, spinners, and England just can’t play spin, Alastair Cook a little bit of an exception there I think. It was proved last winter against Pakistan, and it is beginning to be proved again in India.

Questions have also been asked about why Monty Panesar wasn’t playing? Especially in the sub-continent where pitches are well suited for spin bowlers. Monty may off helped Graeme Swann out a little, but please look at Swann’s figures, he did take five wickets in the first innings, but went for nearly 150. I would Expect Monty would of gone for more runs, as the Indian batsmen are just so used to playing spin. I still think India would off hit over 450 if Monty was in the side, and the way England batted in the first innings I still think they would off lost, and it just proves a point about who can play spin the better.

Leaving Broad out would have been a better option, as he is just not match fit. Playing an extra batsman in perhaps Jonny Bairstow and Monty in may off given a better balance, but now it is all if’s and buts.

However next Test, England will need to gamble, Ian bell is flying home, Bairstow in, or will it be Eoin Morgan. Just drop Samit Patel and send him on the same plane home with Bell. Jimmy Anderson and Tim Bresnan as the seamers, with Monty coming in as a replacement for Patel. Which leaves another batting space if England just drop Broad. Are you still with me on this? In fact whole sale changes, press the panic button, but they have to gamble in this next Test or they could be two down with two to play.

Ok, enough about that. Well played Cookie, and well played Nick Compton. Somerset are proud of you Nick the way you applied yourself in the second innings, a great opening partnership of 123 with the skipper, just wished the other batsmen followed suit.

The next Test I on Friday, can’t wait, another early start, the things I do for English cricket eh?

Right, time for skittles an a pint of Thatchers or two!

Sellsy's Monday Supplement

This Thursday sees that start of the Test series between England and India, being played, off course, in India. This much anticipated series will see two quite evenly matched sides take part in a four Test series.

India, no doubt, will start as favourites to win, purely because they have home advantage, but England will fight like tigers not only to win in India for the first time since I can remember, but also take a giant step forward to regain the number one Test team in the world, which was taken off them by South Africa back in the summer.

England has one massive hurdle to overcome if they are to succeed against India, which is to play spin; we all know what happened last winter against Pakistan. The answer? No idea. Perhaps rotate the strike, score off the bad balls, and frustrate the Indians. Now I could be head coach, couldn’t I?

What have we learnt in the warm-up games? Not a great deal. The spinners played in those matches were second rate to say the least, nothing what the batsman can expect when they go out to bat on Thursday.

One thing I have learnt is that Nick Compton is almost certain to make his England debut on Thursday, after a healthy string of scores in those warm-up games. I will be keenly watching on Thursday morning, like many other here in Somerset. All the best for Thursday Compo.

On the subject of Somerset, I see they are back in training already for the 2013 season. I wonder if Over Stowey will follow suit. Not only are they back in training, they have announced a new overseas signing for the first part of the new season. South African international Alviro Petersen will take to the field for Somerset up until the start of the domestic T20 competition, hopefully playing more matches than his South African counterpart, Vernon Philander, did in 2012.

The batting line-up looks very strong, but where are those 20 wickets going to come from to win County Championship matches and take Somerset to their first ever title? Plus who is going to replace Brian Rose. I am sure we will find out in due course.

I have no doubt the Somerset faithful will give Petersen a warm and friendly welcome, as they do for all their overseas players. When are the fixtures out so I can start to plan 2013?

Ok, that’s about it for now. This supplement will move to a Monday for the winter months, so instead of SSS, it will be SMS!

18.46, Time for a pint before skittles I suppose! Oh I can’t, The Cottage Inn is closed all day today, darn!

Sellsy's Sunday Supplement

One of the toughest Test series starts in a few weeks time, India away. Trial by spin, dusty tracks, dodgy food and water, but one of the most fascinating places to go on tour. It is also a tough tour for those who watch it back here in the UK, a very early start in freezing cold Britain, best I start to get some practice in for early mornings and that would mean early nights!

England are now half way through their second warm up match ahead of the first Test which starts in a few weeks time and with the return of Kevin Pietersen the competition for places has warmed up quite considerably. No doubt KP will go in at number four, so who will open with Captain Alastair Cook? Joe Root or Somerset’s Nick Compton.

I know all us here in Somerset, who have watched Compo for the past few seasons scoring runs, more runs, in fact loads of runs for Somerset, hope he will be picked ahead of Yorkshire’s Root. Compo, as he admits himself, is not a flamboyant player, as he has cut that out of his game, he will just score in his strong areas, and defend / leave balls that will potentially cost him his wicket. A very sensible approach, especially for those who aspire to play the game at the very top level.

Compo is a very likeable chap, and on the very few times I have managed to have a quick word with him, usually on the lines off “How’s the injury?” “Fine” he would reply. Saying that I am pretty sure he will do the decent thing and give me an exclusive for my blog when he returns from his England duties. I know my niece would be a bit jealous if he agrees to it. I may even ask him if he would like to include it in one of his Compo’s Clips, now that would be just great!

I see that former Somerset captain Graeme Smith has signed a three year deal with Surrey and he will captain the side for that period as well. Surrey have now signed him, Gary Keedy from Lancashire and Vikram Solanki from Worcestershire and all of a sudden they look very strong, possible contenders for the County Championship in 2013. Now what are Somerset going to do? Firstly appoint a replacement for Brain Rose. I wonder if I should apply for the job.

It is with great sadness that Ceefax is no longer with us, the BBC teletext service. Ok, I do admit that I used to watch the Somerset scores on Ceefax, then there was no internet and this was the only way to find out the cricket scores. Apparently John Cleese once rang up the BBC to complain that the Somerset score wasn’t being updated quick enough, good for you John.

John Cleese is the most famous Somerset supporter I am aware of, I know Leslie Crowther used to support The Set, but I don’t know of any other celebrity supporters the follow this wonderful county. Ok, we have the Wurzels I suppose, but that is par for the course. So does anyone know of any celebs that watches and supports Somerset, it would be great to know, the more famous the better, and John Cleese is not a bad standard to compare against. Now where is my dead parrot!

Ok, Over Stowey. I have had a few ideas for cricket tour for next season, please if you have any thoughts, let me know I will explore possibilities. Andrew Jeanes has come up with a view; I have done some research with the possibility of going to Yorkshire and South Wales.

The last time I saw Jeansy, he got me so pissed, on a Wednesday in July, I drove to work good as straight from the pub! Oh, those school nights.

Movember is here, I am doing my bit for charity, any ideas on what shaped moustache you would like me to grow would be greatly appreciated, at the moment I am going to let it do its best and see what happens. Don’t forget, give your donations.

Right, 14.57, time for a pint.

Sellsy's Sunday Supplement - on a Monday

Me and my big mouth! Why did I volunteer as Tour Manager? Answers to Jack Rich please! Yes, AGM time, time to stand up and say your piece, time, also, to volunteer for things which will make my winter months busier than usual.

So where to go next season? When to go? Who is going to go? What will be the itinerary? How many games shall we play? So many questions, a lot more to come no doubt and I have already had a sleepless night thinking about it!

Without a tour last season, I am sure the players from Over Stowey will be chomping at the bit to go away next season. Julian Pocock has already given me an idea of when to go, he said February. Food for thought, no cricket gets played in the UK that time of year (except indoor), so that will be three days flat out on the you know what!

I expect there will be plenty of ideas flashing around over the next month, I will collate all ideas of when, where, who, what etc. And when I have gone through everything, I will decide what looks good for me and do that!

Seriously, anyone who can come up with any ideas of where we could go on tour, let me know and I will do the ground work in getting prices. I still think the time of year when we should go on our travels should be August or September, so as not to clash with any major cricket finals, oh and we have a little thing of the Ashes next summer. Now that could be a thought, London, Lords and not many games!

Saying that, I see that the ECB has granted Somerset approval to move the County Ground to the technical specifications required for international one day cricket, how exciting is that, and tight on my door step. To be fair, Taunton is a much better ground than Bristol, just can’t understand how Bristol ever got international status. Anyway, great news for Somerset.

On a sad note former Somerset player Martin Crowe has been diagnosed with lymphoma, a type of cancer. One of New Zealand's most celebrated batsmen, Crowe, 50, had played 77 Tests between 1982 and 1995, before he was forced to quit international cricket due to a bad knee. Crowe joined Somerset as their overseas player after the sacking of Viv Richards and Joel Garner, which was followed by Ian Botham quitting the club. So he arrived at a difficult time, knowing that the club was still split over the loss of those three great players.  

Right, nearly time for skittles, no SSS next week, away on a short walking break in the Brecon Beacons! I wonder if they have Thatchers Cider in Wales?

Sellsy's Sunday Supplement

So what happened last night? Can any of the cricketers from Over Stowey remember? Can anyone recall who won what?

Last night was Over Stowey Cricket Club’s annual presentation evening, the event I look forward to most throughout the cricket season, where Stowey celebrate their recent season and where awards are handed out to those who have achieved and, in one case, a non achiever.

Now I am struggling to recall who did win, I know I wrote the names down somewhere, back of a napkin knowing me, but have lost the thing. The only way I can make any head or tail in who won what is by looking at a few pictures which I have taken for the paper, but that is useless without editorial to send to say who won what. Plus I want it for our website and the next edition of the local parish magazine.

Ok the cider flowed, everyone was joyous, all having a laugh, especially at my speech no doubt, so I was easily distracted somewhat, no wonder I lost the thing, I know I wrote down the winners, but where is that napkin?

Less about my woes, I am sure I can find out who did win what, if not I will make it up!

Out of all the awards handed out at the evening, the one, in my eyes, is the most important is the Players Player award. I say this as this is the only award voted for by all of the players on the night. No one knows who’s going to win until all the votes are counted, whereas others are done on averages, a captains’ pick or a committee pick.

Now that I have stopped playing I do not get to vote for this award, which is a shame really, because I am the only person in the club who actually votes for me. I was always guaranteed at least one vote. Kelvin, who adjudicates the vote counting, must off wondered over the years who the hell voted for me, now the secret is out!

Congratulations to Micheal Barrow who won the Players Player (one winner I did remember), fully deserved. Other winners were Jack Rich, Ben Enever, Nick Rich, Lee Rich, Rhys Satchell, David Rowsell and Phil Rich. I don’t know what they won, but their faces appear in my photo, looks like Jack won a few awards.

Another award which I like is the Hole in the Hand, the award for drop catches throughout the season or in other words the award no one wants to win. This year the award did not go to someone who dropped catches, but to someone who actually caught the ball, but subsequently ran over the boundary in his celebration and disbelief, thus six runs and the batsman was therefore not out! 

 

Well actually the laws of cricket say that if the act of making the catch shall start from the time when a fielder first handles the ball and shall end when a fielder obtains complete control both over the ball and over his own movement. So in other words the catch should of stood. Oh well, it’s very funny, thank you Dan Butson for entertaining us and congratulations on your award. 

The format of the evening is that we arrive early, have a few pints, then have a sit down four course meal, where a few more pints are consumed, plus some wine. This is followed by speeches, some heckling, another pint in between the speeches and finally the awards. 

After we all retire to the bar, some photos are taken; we then congratulate each other on a tremendous season over a few pints, the odd spoof and a walk home in the early hours of the morning!

Ok, its 10.57, do I dare go for a pint? Or should I do the press release? 

Don’t forget, AGM next Sunday evening.

Sellsy's Sunday Supplement

So England limply bow out of the World T20 in the Super Eight stage, not hardly surprising, they never competed in all areas of the game, in fact it was just awful to watch and the only two teams they beat were Afghanistan and New Zealand (no disrespect there NZ). And to think I planned my days off work around their fixtures, it turned out to be a complete waste of my holiday entitlement.

We can look at all aspects of their game, the batting, bowling and fielding, but we could be here all day and I would get bored in repeating the same old stuff time after time. There is no doubt we have not progressed as much as other nations since England became World Champions two years ago, plus the likes of Collingwood’s retirement and Pietersen not being selected has not helped. It was embarrassing to watch some games; it was like rabbits in the headlights.

There were a few things which angered  me: Firstly, the amount of wides bowled. In the shortest format of the game giving the opposition extra runs and balls to score runs is just criminal. In England’s five games a total of 24 wides were bowled, compared to just 12 from the opposition in those games, twice as many. These games can go down to fine margins, especially if things do come down to the last over or even NRR, so giving runs away in the form of wides is just utter rubbish. 

Ok, the bowlers are themselves looking for fine margins, trying to bowl in areas where the batsman can’t hit the ball, but some of the deliveries which balloon over the batsman’s head are just laughable. 

Next, the batting, well where do I start. The only World Class batsman England has, in this format of the game, is an Irishman! And why do the still pick Ravi, he looked so poor I thought it was a club cricketer out there. It just mystifies me why he gets picked. People say he is a talented player, well he may well be against Division Two bowling in The County Championship, but he is just not international class. His last six games for England Ravi has scored just 30 runs, including three ducks and one score in double figures. You can work out his average yourself and England still pick him! And I wonder what James Hildreth must think.

The English batmen seem to be petrified when a spin bowler appears. The Indian bowlers must be licking their lips when the Test series start in a few weeks time (I know, different format and perhaps a completely different batting line up, but do you remember last winter against Pakistan?), but these batting strips in Asia are just a spinners paradise. Surely the England coaching team knew this and it would be trial by spin, and the batsman couldn’t hit the ball.

Other batsmen are young enough to learn from this experience and will probably make up some of the squad for the next World T20, but they have a lot to learn and fast. Others, like Ravi, may have had their day. But who is there to replace them? 

The fielding, at times, is good, but other times it is just sloppy and they get the basics wrong. I know it is tough conditions out there in Sri Lanka (believe me, I know, it is just baking hot out there), but we are talking international cricketers now, and they should be able to adapt to any conditions, surely? Somehow I think England may have chosen the wrong type of player as captain of the T20 side, a bowler. In this format of the game he needs to be thinking all the time in the field about where he should put his players and he can’t do that while he is bowling as well. Eoin Morgan should be given the chance as captain, he is great in the field, an inspiration in fact, and with his experience he would make a better leader than Stuart Broad.

I hear Kevin Pietersen is being re-integrated back into the England set-up. He may off charmed the hierarchy, but it’s the dressing room that counts. Enough said about this the better, wonder what Somerset’s Nick Compton is thinking about it.

Abdur Rehman, Somerset’s overseas player for the later part of the 2012 season, has seemed to let everyone down. To quote, "I apologise to my family, the PCB, the ECB, Somerset County Cricket Club, my team-mates and my fans," he said. “It was an error of judgement on my part that will cost me dearly and I would like it to be a lesson to all others in sports elsewhere. I will do my best to stay fit and focused during my suspension, and God-willing, will be available for selection for the India series should the PCB see it fit for me to be selected." Apologies accepted.

On the subject of being let down, I remember on a cricket tour to Marldon, near Torquay one year, when Les Biffen had a drop to drink one Saturday afternoon, falling over the kit bags and then being bundled into the back of the bus. He subsequently fell asleep for the rest of the evening. Next day, Phil Rich said to Les, “Les, you have let me down.” Les replied “I was only having a drink with my friends!” In which Phil said “not the whole of Marldon Les!”

Awards night next Saturday, when Over Stowey’s finest come together to celebrate the 2012 season at their annual presentation evening. For me, one of the highlights of the year, I wonder who's going to win what. I have a hunch that Dave “Rabbit” Rowsell will pick up a few awards, but we shall see.

Ok, that’s that for this week, sorry about last week, was hanging somewhat. It's not quite 10.57, so I will have to go and clear the drains instead! Next week, a presentation evening special.

Sellsy's Sunday Supplement

Danny Briggs, you are a legend, what was what he said, the World T20 is more important than his wedding. Good for you, cricket is just far more important! Just wonder what his future mother-in-law would say. I did notice that he is getting married in Taunton, I wonder where?

Anyway, England got off to a flyer in defence of their crown, beating the mighty Afghanistan by 116 runs. It could have been a lot more especially at one stage the Afghans were 26-8 chasing a mammoth 197 to win. England are now in to the Super 8’s, and hopefully this is where the tournament will start to get going properly.

Congratulations to Nick Compton with his England call up for the tour of India. I do hope things go well for you Nick, fully deserved especially after the summer you had, eclipsed every batsman by a distance.

Ok, this is now hard for me to do, I was wrong last week when I said England would pick Kevin Pietersen, good job, as Compo would of not got his call up. Also I said Panesar would be picked, however Samit Patel has been picked instead, why?

There were a few things I did get correct, one wicketkeeper and Jonny Bairstow as back-up, pus Eoin Morgan being recalled. One thing I am over the moon about is the non inclusion of Ravi Bopara and he is not even in the England Performance Programme squad which goes to India. So have we seen Rave in an England shirt for the last time, I do hope so.

That Performance squad shows the exciting talent coming through the counties, the likes of Matthew Coles of Kent, Roland-Jones of Middlesex, the afford mentioned Briggs and Somerset’s Jos Buttler and Craig Kieswetter.

On the subject of Somerset, many congratulation must go to Peter Trego for picking up the MVP award for the 2012 season, plus 50 wickets for the season, many congratulations. I do know you are a great favourite with a few people I know. But why wasn’t you picked for the Hong Long Sixes?

Now, shall I book up my ticket now for the Lord’s final for the CB40? Am not wanting to count my chickens, but have you seen who is in Somerset’s group for next season? Well, let me tell you: Unicorns, Glamorgan, Leicestershire, Yorkshire, Gloucestershire and Middlesex. Surely Somerset should get through their group, surely???

A question for Mr Sortwell of Over Stowey CC. Has the square been re-laid / scarified yet? I was in a village called Avebury yesterday, and wow, was they doing some work on their square yesterday. It was in the process of being completely re-laid, and the amount of people working on it just goes to show what a good working party can do. So Mr Sortwell, my questions still stands.

Ok, 10.57, time for a Thatchers, could be a long afternoon, England on at 3.00pm don’t forget.

Sellsy's Sunday Supplement

So that’s it, the 2012 season is over. With the London 2012 Olympics going on, cricket seemed to play a second fiddle quite a bit this year, hardly surprising. But the season ended with a lot more questions than answers.

 

Off course the biggest question, locally anyway, is: Will Nick Compton get his chance for England in India this winter? Personally, along with the Somerset faithful, I think he should be in the squad, but we do not have any say over selection.

The next question is that did Marcus know that Compo was just six runs short of 1,500 First Class runs for 2012, plus in touching distance of an average of 100. I think not, but surely someone would have had a word in his ear before the declaration came.

Next, will Abdur Rehman be Somerset’s overseas player for 2013? Well, he has done more than enough to convince me. 27 wickets in four matches at an average of 14 should be convincing enough and hopefully convince Andy Nash.

Will Somerset go into the transfer market, or will they keep faith in their young squad. The likes of Rory Hamilton-Brown, James Harris and Jack Brooks are looking for new counties, will Somerset be tempted?

For how long and how much will both Jos Buttler and Craig Kieswetter be missing in 2013? Both now have the world at their feet, and with the T20 World Cup starting IPL contracts will surely be up for grabs. Somehow I recall Craig is looking to improve his chances in playing for England than going to the IPL, not sure about Jos, if he goes I wouldn’t blame him.

I think Craig will be included in an England touring party this winter, now whether it will be in the senior squad to India, along with Compo who knows.

All this talk about England selection, I do wonder how James Hildreth feels. He must have been on the selectors minds since he came on the scene, and with another fantastic season, coming second to Compo in First Class runs scored he surely has done his case more good than harm. I feel he will miss out, which will be a great disappointment to him, but we shall see.

 

 

      So who is going to get selected for England to tour India, well here are my thoughts:

Batsmen: Certainties are Alastair Cook, Jonathan Trott and Ian Bell. Jonny Bairstow will go as England have already identified him as Test potential by picking him earlier in the summer, and I am sure Eoin Morgan will be welcomed back to the Test match arena. Two batting spaces left, an opener to partner Cook and a middle order batsman.

These two places will be hotly discussed no doubt, as there are quite a few candidates as opener, plus we have the do we pick or do we leave out Pietersen factor. Ok, firstly the opening spot. Three candidates, Joe Root, Michael Carberry and Varun Chopra; where I would go for the latter of the three. Root has had a good season with Yorkshire, helping them gain promotion back to Division One of the County Championship, but he has scored his runs in Division Two. Carberry is just too inconsistent for me. As for Chopra, well he scored over 1,000 First Class runs this season, helped Warwickshire win Division One, plus he always scores runs against Somerset.

So, that middle order batsman. Somehow I think Pietersen will get another chance, England need his experience and I think Captain Cook is keen to get him back. That will come as a great disappointment to many, including myself, who think his head should be dangled somewhere near Traitors Gate! Also, there will be others who will feel disappointed, Compo, Hildy, James Taylor, Ben Stokes, but they will go on a Lions tour I am sure.

So two wicketkeepers: Matt Prior and Craig Kieswetter. Craig has now gone ahead of Steve Davis, plus he can hold a bat. There may even be a case to take one keeper, Prior and take an extra batsman as Bairstow can keep wicket, or could Craig go instead of Bairstow and then chose another batsman, now I am confused.

Bowlers, they seem to pick themselves also. Tim Bresnan, Stuart Broad, Graeme Swann, James Anderson, Monty Panesar, Steven Finn, Graham Onions. Yes, Monty, only as back up to Swann of course.

Well there you have it, the squad for India, not my squad, but the names which will be revealed on Tuesday.

The mighty Over Stowey finished their season in some style, with a great inter-club match, the Under 30’s v the Over 30’s for the Neil Sortwell memorial trophy. For once the youngsters came up trumps, as the trophy belonged to the older members of the club for some years. Is this a change in the guard for Stowey, does this means the Club’s youth policy is working? Who knows, just have to wait until 2013 to find out.

Ok, 10.57, time for a quick Thatchers or two in The Cottage Inn, and get ready for the World T20 which starts next week.

Sellsy's Sunday Supplement

 “Crimson-faced, scrumpy-pickled men in the bleachers”, Somerset fans as described in All Out Cricket magazine this month. The article was about the worst overs in cricket, and of course Scott Boswell feature highly in that list, only the eight wides in that over during the Lord’s final back in 2001, yes our chants of “Somerset! La-la-la” must still haunt him to this day. Oh happy days!

Well the 2012 season is nearly at a close, with Somerset due to play their last game this coming week, when they take on relegated Worcestershire at the County Ground, starting Tuesday. Guess where I will be this week?

A chapter in the history of Somerset will close after this game, as Brian Rose is stepping down as Director of Cricket at the end of the season. The end of an eight year stint and it has most certainly revived the fortunes of Somerset.

When Rosie took charge back in 2004, Somerset were a club going nowhere, playing Division Two cricket in the County Championship. Rose appointed Justin Langer as captain and that seemed to transform the team. They won the Division Two title in 2007, and they now compete strongly in all competitions.

Rosie has helped steer the side to countless finals during his spell in charge, with the T20 victory in 2005 being one of high points. I have happy memories of trips to finals at Lord’s, The Oval, Edgbaston, The Rose Bowl, The SWALEC, some great days out, how I remember is somewhat up for debate I expect, but some cracking days out, even though Somerset were runners-up in nearly all of the finals!

I would expect the County Championship in 2010 will haunt Rosie for a long time. As you may know Somerset have never won the Championship, and in 2010 they tied with Nottinghamshire. However Notts were awarded the crown as they won more games. Oh for that extra batting point somewhere during 2010.

The Somerset players are giving Rosie a bit of a send off already. In their recent match against Sussex they chased down nearly 400 runs to win, with wickets to spare. James Hildreth scoring an unbeaten ton, and Peter Trego smashing 90 seeing Somerset home with overs to spare. Yorkshire knows what it feels like, Somerset chased down two huge totals in 2009 and 2010 respectfully against the White Rose County, and I do believe Hildy scored a ton that day in 2010. Incidentally, Tres passed 20,000 first class runs during that match.

Victory against Worcestershire this week should hopefully see Somerset come runners-up (again) in the County Championship. A fitting finish for Rosie, somehow I think not.

Over Stowey have all but finished their 2012 campaign. The 1^st XI finished off in style beating neighbours Stogumber by five wickets. Jack Rich scoring 60 in just five overs to secure victory. The 2^nd’s have just one more fixture, Brompton Ralph, away, so why am I going to the Emirates to watch Arsenal I just don’t know.

On the subject of things coming to an end, surely Ravi Bopara has now had his “chips” playing for England. I must have been saying this for over a year now, but England kept on picking him, and Bopara keeps on failing, time to say goodbye to England Ravi.

Well, 10.57, time for a Thatchers and get ready for the Neil Sortwell Memorial Trophy, looks like it is going to be a nice day for it!

Sellsy's Sunday Supplement

With the news of Andres Strauss stepping down from not just the England captaincy, but retiring from all forms of cricket, the biggest cricketing story of the week was missed: the dismissal of Somerset’s Alex Barrow.

In the County Championship game between Somerset and Surrey Alex was run out by Murali (turncoat) Kartik while backing-up. Surrey skipper Gareth Barry declined the opportunity to call Alex back when umpire Peter Hartley offered it.

There were angry scenes amongst the supporters after, followed by a lot of rhetoric from both sides, for me, the phrase “Spirit of the Game” comes in to question. When doing my umpires course some three years ago now that phrase and the ethics behind it was one of the first things which we was brought to our attention. 'Mankading' is regarded within the English game as being a breach of etiquette and is an unpalatable act for many players, as well as fans.

With Alex being run out like that (incidentally Alex and myself share the same birthday, May 6^th, shame fore me it is not the same birth date!), it reminded me of little incident which happened when Over Stowey took part in a six-a-side tournament at Cannington some 20 years ago. I was playing for a Stowey side who was playing against a host side in a pool match. While fielding I notice a Cannington batsman backing up quite a long way, in fact good as attempting a run or trying to steel an unfair advantage (Spirit of the Game?). In the over before mine, that same batsman was still doing this, plus the fact after one delivery he went to pick the ball up to give back to us fielders, but claimed a run as well (obstructing the field?).

Anyway, this was noticed by yours truly, so in my over, in fact the second ball, that said Cannington batsman was half way down the track, so I whipped the bails off, and appealed (quite loudly) for a run out. The umpire (from Kilve) asked if I was sure, and I replied in an affirmative, saying “It’s in the rules and he is out,” and he gave the batsman out, a bit reluctantly.

It was a bit fractious after that, I was confronted on the boundary after by the batsman I ran out, plus we have not been on speaking terms since, which doesn’t really bother me. I only want to appologise to the Kilve umpire and buy him a pint for putting him that situation.

This incident is still talked about locally, oh how we reminisce, but where was the “Spirit of the Game” there?

On the subject of the “Spirit of the Game”, Over Stowey played Bishops Hull on Saturday. A little incident happened there regarding Law 34, hit the ball twice. Stowey’s finest, Mark Sortwell, played a shot (doubt if it was attacking), the ball threatened to roll back onto his stumps after rebounding of his pad and he hit it away. Hull appealed to say he hit the ball twice, and it was given not out – correctly so.

I believe Hull was incensed by this decision, but the Law is quite clear on this. Mark could have been out hitting the ball twice as he intentionally hit the ball for the second time. However, if he hit the ball away solely in order to guard his wicket (which I believe he did) and before the ball has been touched by a fielder, he may lawfully strike the ball more than once.

Right, enough about the laws of cricket, I can feel myself dropping off to sleep now! So who is going to open the innings for England with Alastair Cook now Strauss has retired? You know how some things naturally go together like cheese and pickled onions, Strauss and Cook have been stepping out together for ages as England’s opening pair and it has, somewhat, been taken for granted.

So who will England pick? Joe Root of Yorkshire; promote Jonathan Trott or Ian Bell; or will Somerset’s prolific run scorer Nick Compton get a chance? Do England bring pack Kevin Pietersen (not to open off course). Does Eoin Morgan get a recall? And will England, and Graham Gooch, finally realise that Ravi Bopara id just not good enough to play for England, Second Division for Essex yes (just), England no.

Anyway, interesting dilemmas for the English hierarchy, but somehow I think (reluctantly) KP will be back in the England Test side for India.

Ok, 10.57, time for a pint, it is my Mum’s birthday!

Sellsy's Sunday Supplement

To say the Finals day was disappointing is an understatement, something we, as Somerset supporters, should be used too, but it hurts even more than last year, the year before, the year before that and so on. I am pretty sure it must hurt just as bad for the team.

So my track record at finals is now getting worse, 12 finals and I have only seen Somerset win twice. I am sure I am not the only supporter who has a similar record to me, but it hurts. What also hurts is the County Championship. Again it is going to be in touching distance, but out of clutches yet again.

So no doubt the inquests have already started on yesterday and I would expect this season, another nearly season. I know, as I have already spoken to a few friends about this season, it seems difficult to put your finger on any one reason.

I am not going to dwell on it, as I have faith in Marcus and the team. What a wonderful brand of cricket they give us, exciting, promising, nail-biting, breath taking, I think you know what I mean. I will still be first in the queue for my season ticket renewal, I will anticipate the release of the 2013 fixtures, write them in my diary and start to plan away trips.

But hey, still a few weeks to go for 2012, and their prospect in making life difficult for Warwickshire and Sussex in their quest for the County Championship.

On one last note, what great support Somerset had yesterday at Cardiff, still the best supported county by far and on the evidence yesterday, it showed.

Sellsy's Olympic Supplement (SOS) - Part 3

Or a tour around the pubs of London looking for Gold!!! 

What an achievement for Team GB, 29 gold medals, wow, with 17 silver’s and 19 bronze medals a fantastic achievement, the best in my lifetime by far. I still remember the Atlanta games where GB won only one gold, where has it all gone right? I wonder if Charles van Commenee will resign though.

Now if anyone who deserves gold it must go to us volunteers. I remember going back to one of my first training sessions at Wembley on a snowy winter’s day, where the message was that we will make the difference between a good games and a fantastic one, well I hope we did make a difference, I am pretty sure we did. The reception we got from the crowd when Lord Coe made reference to volunteers in his speech at the closing ceremony brought a tear to my eye.

My one regret is that I couldn’t find a pub anywhere in London that serves Thatchers Cider, must of visited more that 20 during the time I was in the capital, but not one Thatchers to be seen. The closest was just outside the British Museum, where they had Westons, not bad, but at £4.20 a go you are having a laugh, but did have a couple. The guy behind the bar, after he gave me my change from a gold bar, mentioned that he did had Thatchers on, but sold the last pint some 45 minutes ago, if only I left the museum earlier!

Holloway, north London, near Arsenal FC, a great little cosmopolitan area of London and I found a great little Irish bar called The Quays. After my first visit and I went in after a long shift for the second time, they already knew what my tipple was and after making friends with the locals and staff were easy plus they made it easy, as they were so welcoming. I do hope (and expect) they celebrated the gold medal of Katie Taylor long into the night. Thanks all for making me so welcome and I hope you enjoyed your Olympic experience, what next Gaelic Football as a new Olympic sport?

So after pounding the streets of London and visiting almost every pub (and not finding a Thatchers anywhere), here are my top three ciders I found in the capital:

• Bronze: Strongbow (only because they sold it in The Quays)
• Silver: Aspall Cyder (not spelt correctly I know, but it does come from Suffolk!)
• Gold: Kingstone Press (but not as good as Thatchers).

Ok, enough about cider, except coming back to The Cottage at Keenthorne and having that pint was most pleasant indeed. I have been told that the cellar has a few barrels in there, where the levels of consumption had gone down since I have been away in the capital.

Now, in my short time as a volunteer in the Athletes Village I got to meet loads of different athletes, from various nations, competing in various sports. It was great to see them competing on TV knowing I met them earlier and hopefully making their Olympic experience one not to forget, with my influence of course. So here are some of the athletes I have met who competed in London 2012: 

• Martina Hrasnova – Slovakia – Hammer – Qualifying round
• Xing Han – Congo – Table Tennis – First round
• Sviatlana Khakhlova– Belarus – Swimming - Heats
• Rene Philippe Kouassi – Ivory Coast – Archer – Round of 64
• British Men’s Handball Team – Group stages
• Louise Jukes – Britain – Handball – Played five, won none
• Mohammed Rasheed – Maldives – Badminton – Group stages
• Vasiliki Arvanitu – Greece – Beach Volleyball – Won one match in Pool B
• LaVerne Jones-Ferrette – American Virgin Islands – Athletics – Semi-finals in 100 and 200 meters
• Nigerian Basketball Team – Won one out of five group games
• Armands Zvirbulis – Latvia – Wrestler – Quarter-final
• Belinda Stowell – Australia – Sailing – 6^th in Women’s 470
• Andrea St Bernard – Grenada – Taekwondo – Last 16
• Simic Mateja – Slovenia – Triathlon – 37th
• Lizanne Murphy – Canada – Basketball – 4^th in Group B, lost to USA in quarter-final
• Krystal Weir – Australia – Sailing – Women’s Laser Radial – Did not qualify for medal race
• Jessica Crisp – Australia – Sailing – Women’s RS-X - Did not qualify for medal race
• Edward Riner – France – Judo - +100KG – Gold medal winner
• Michael Phelps – USA – Swimming – Gold’s galore
• Asuka Teramoto – Japan – Gymnastics – Individual all round – 11^th, Team 8th
• Yuko Shintake – Japan – Gymnastics – Women’s Team 8th
• Al-Kubati – Yemen – Taekwondo – Quarter-final
• Ivet Lalova – Bulgaria – Athletics – 100 and 200 meters semi-final
• Paddy Barnes – Ireland – Boxer – Bronze
• Michael Conlan – Ireland – Boxer – Bronze
• John Joe Nevin - Ireland – Boxer – Silver
• Katie Taylor - Ireland – Boxer – Gold
• Sanya Richards-Ross – USA – Sprinter – Gold 400 meters, 5^th 200 meters, Gold 4 x 400 meters relay
• Deedee Trotter – USA – Sprinter – Bronze 400 meters, Gold 4 x 400 meters relay
• Patrick Tuara – Cook Islands – Athletics – Heats 100 meters
• Thailand Badminton Squad
• Juan Manual Cano – Argentina – Athletics – Men’s 20km walk – 22^nd
• Argentina Women’s Hockey Team  - Silver
• Stefanie Schwaiger and Doris Schwaiger – Austria – Women’s Beach Volleyball – Quarter-final
• Mihai Bobocica – Italy – Table Tennis – 2^nd Round

And not forgetting: Croatian Athletics, Paraguayan Athletics, Korean Volleyball, Mexican Weightlifters, Chilean Gymnast and Shooter, Belgian Cyclist, St Lucia Sprinter, Palestine Judo, Belgian Hockey, French Gymnastics, Turkmenistan Judo, Portuguese Gymnastics, Paraguayan Swimming, Burkina Faso Judo, Chinese Cycling, Serbian Shooters, German Badminton, Barbados Athletics, Madagascar Judo and Indonesian Badminton. Plus some very pleasant representatives from the USA (I told them it would not rain!), Marshall Islands and Jamaica. And finally, Dagmawit Berhane, a representative from the IOC. 

The top three athletes I met:

• Bronze: Lizanne Murphy, from Canada who played basketball. Gave us a question which none of us could answer, she only wanted to buy the posters from the basketball venue, I wonder if she succeeded.
• Silver: Teddy Riner, from France, who won gold for Judo. Pigeon French, meets pigeon English, very polite guy, full of muscle, do hope he found what he was looking for.
• Gold: Andrea St Bernard, from Grenada who competed in Taekwondo. The most polite athlete I met during my period in the Athlete’s Village, made the last 16. Now if I ever want a lawyer, I know who to call!!!!

In my eyes the performance of the Games was the men’s 800 meters where David Rudisha not only won gold, but done so in a world record, very difficult for a middle distance runner without a pacemaker, in fact Rudisha was the pacemaker as everyone who finished done a personal best or similar. Britain’s Andrew Osagie time would have been good enough to win gold in Beijing four years ago.  

The most heroic goes to the US runner Manteo Mitchell in the 4 x 400 meters relay semi-final, who broke his leg half way round and still finished his lap. The US went on to qualify for the final and got a silver. 

The most tearful was myself, as when I woke up in the middle of the night wanting the bathroom, thought I was at home rather than my friends flat, and as I was still sleepy I walked into the wall and I stubbed my toe, ouch! 

The biggest disgrace of the games was the food hall in the Olympic Village, when I saw it had toad-in-the-hole one day, great I thought, but with couscous, I ask you. I wonder if the athletes had the same menu. 

The funniest moment, apart from Eric Idle, was the Indian driver, who we thought he was saying he was a diver. Yes lost in translation a little, but it made us chuckle, especially as he was at the aquatics desk for some 30 minutes. The Jamaican whop wanted the AA came a close second. 

Lastly, the scariest moment was when I was propositioned by a lady of the night at Archway tube station at 5.15am in the morning, I wonder if she was doing overtime?  

Ok, short time as a volunteer, long memories, great people to work with and guess what, the Games have finished and it has started to rain, must still be cricket season!!! 

Ok, 5.27pm (nearly), time for a an Olympic size Thatchers, how apt it’s call Thatchers GOLD!!!!!