Sellsy's Sunday Supplement

Congratulations must first go to Ireland who have qualified for the T20 World Cup. Beating Namibia in the knock out stages secured their spot in Sri Lanka later in the year. Ireland went on to beat Afghanistan in the final of the tournament by five wickets. This propelled them to eighth in the T20 world rankings, higher than the likes of Bangladesh and Zimbabwe, who automatically qualified for the World T20 competition. What next for Ireland, Test match status?

Ireland now go into Group B, where they will play against Australia and the West Indies, somehow I think I may be watching those games. Afghanistan, who have also qualified virtue of reaching the final, go into the group which contains India and England, interesting! Incidentally, before the tournament started the Afghans received a good luck message from the Taliban!

Now then, last nights’ bonding session, wow, that was some session. I knew we would be talking absolute rubbish, but I didn’t expect it that early in the evening. The second team skipper reckons that I should be higher up the pecking order for selection, so 42^nd on the list is a lot better than 52^nd I suppose!

It was great to see a lot of people there last night, a nice friendly game of skittles, great curry after and plenty of cider in the bar. Over Stowey’s main sponsors, The Cottage Inn at Keenthorne, done us proud again. It must have been a good night, looking at the amount of cars in the car park this morning.

The name Ricky Ponting has been bounded about the County Ground quite a lot this week, as according to a well known website Somerset are lining up the former Australia captain as their overseas player for the second half of the 2012 season.

Ponting made a big impact during his spell in Taunton in 2004 and has made no secret of his desire to return. He averaged 99 in three Championship matches (with two centuries) and 99.33 in four List A matches (with a century on debut).

What an addition Ponting would make, but does Brian Rose want / need him? As I think we need a bowler for the second part of the season. Anyway, towards the end of the week Ponting’s agent quashed any hopes that he will be playing County Cricket this season at Taunton, when it was announced that Ponting has no plans in playing in England in 2012. So what about 2013 eh?

On the subject of overseas players, a word of caution about Chris Gayle, he is trying to patch up his differences with the West Indian hierarchy wanting to play Test cricket again, and the West Indians tour here in England right on the middle of the domestic T20 season, hmmm.... food for thought!

Somerset had a couple of pre-season friendlies this past week, against Glamorgan and Worcestershire respectively, in a two day 100 over game. Even though Somerset lost the game against Glamorgan (does it really matter), there were tons for Tres and Compo, plus a century for Kies in the game against Worcester. Also Jos had a good knock, unbeaten on 75, with Pete Trego taking wickets it wasn’t a bad week for Somerset.

One noticeable absentee was Lewis Gregory who has been picked for the MCC to take part in the Emirates Airline T20 competition in Dubai, which involves Durham, Surrey, Lancashire and then they will take on the County Champions, Lancashire, in a four day game. Fully deserved, in my opinion, recognition in what a great 2011 he had.

Compo’s Clips are back in force again this week, in the latest episode some free publicity was given to Somerset County Sports and the guys who run the club shop. Now those bats, they look quite tasty, how things have changed over the years with how bats are made, shame I can’t use one. If you haven’t seen any of Compo’s Clips, or you want to have a look at the latest one, well here is the link: http://www.youtube.com/user/SomersetCricket Enjoy.

On the subject of bats, I do still have my first proper cricket bat, none of these plastic ones which we used to use on beach holidays, I still have my Gray-Nicolls GN100 Scoop Extra Special. It is in absolute pristine condition, the middle has hardly got a scratch on it! Just needs a new grip and it will be perfect for a museum I would expect, as it must be nearly 30 years old by now. Oh happy days using that wand when I was a youngster at Over Stowey.

Anyway a busy week of cricket is ahead, starting on Monday, when England play Sri Lanka in the first Test at Galle, Bopara has a side strain, shame. Early start for me on Monday, watch the start of the first Test before I go to work. I wonder if I will spot former Over Stowey cricketer Nik Kosy in the crowd. Lucky him, but having been to Sri Lanka before I know he will love it, we must compare notes when he gets back.

Plus Somerset have a 40 over game against Surrey on the same day, starting at 12 noon – what time do I finish work on Monday? Then they take on the same opposition on Tuesday in a three day game, oh what a week I’m going to have, not even got to next weekend yet!

Right, 10.57 (ish), time for a cider I think. Back scratcher anyone?

Sellsy's Sunday Supplement

The cricketers and officials of Over Stowey are attempting their own bonding session next weekend, something not to be missed. Nothing like the one the Somerset boys done recently, organised by the Royal Marines and took place at Woodbury Park Golf and Country Club and on Woodbury Common, which sounds far too energetic and demanding, plus sleeping out under the stars, what’s that all about?

Nothing like that whatsoever. Stowey will be having their own version of team building, a few beers, a game of skittles, a few more beers, some food, followed by more beer and talking absolute rubbish to one and other, Stowey’s own crucial dynamic in creating a team ethos, (sorry Hildy!). I wonder if I can get my hands on a camcorder before then!

I must admit that I have slept out under the stars before, when walking back from the social club in the middle of the night, after a tough game of cricket and an even tougher post match drinks after, with nothing but an owl hooting for company. Yes those walks home down those country lanes can be a bit tricky, and trips into a hedge sometimes occur; trying to get out can be a bit difficult at two in the morning. I wonder if that owl was hooting or laughing at me!?

On the subject of having a laugh, I see my old friends Ravi Bopara and Samit Patel are out in Sri Lanka as part of the England squad for the two Test series. England have picked four spinners, with Samit being the number four spinner (I hope), surely he has come over to give the England top order some net practice against spin.

As for Ravi; how many more chances? There surely must be a better number six batsman in England, please!!!! This guy has had so many chances, and so many times he has let England down. He has talent, and he will destroy county attacks, but he won’t on the international stage. Graham Gooch having some influence for his Essex buddy?

England won their warm up game quite convincingly, with Cookie scoring a monster load of runs to set up victory. Steven Finn has done himself no harm in pushing for a place in the Test side, but can only see England playing two seamers and two spinners; unfortunately he will miss out again. And Ravi ‘the walking wicket’ Bopara will be coming in at number six!

I do think England will be two strong for the Sri Lankans, but on their own turf it will be very difficult. I will be happy with a 1-0 win for the English and still be at the top of the World Rankings, (good job it rained in New Zealand!).

Has anyone noticed the qualifying tournament for the T20 World Cup? What a healthy bunch of nations competing. 16 teams in the mix and only two spots available, this is sure to be very competitive. So who have we got? Well, in no particular order: Afghanistan, Netherlands, Denmark, Nepal, Namibia, Scotland, Oman, Uganda, Bermuda, Hong Kong, Canada, Papua New Guinea, Ireland, Kenya, USA and Italy.

I should imagine Afghanistan and Ireland would be favourites to go through, however Namibia beat Ireland in their first game, so the form book has been turned on its head read from the outset, so what do I know? Shame it is not covered anywhere on television.

Afghanistan and Namibia are top of their respective groups with four games gone, think we are in for a close finish, with Ireland, Scotland, Canada and the Netherlands in hot pursuit. Two of these six nations will miss out for the semi-finals, which will be just painful for them. Anyway, compulsive viewing, Ireland play Scotland next, I think the losers of that game will be going home.

Last week I mentioned about my predicament in what bet I should do on Somerset this season. Well I have had some less than encouraging responses, mainly saying don’t back Somerset as you put the mockers on them, back Surrey instead, as no one wants them to win anything this season.

Well sorry everyone, the bookies will still have my bet, it will still be on Somerset, but I am still unsure whether to do them to win or each way – where’s my confidence? Well Somerset seem to be oozing confidence at the moment from what I can understand, and I also see Vernon Philander took 10 New Zealand wickets to help South Africa to a comfortable win in the second Test – please don’t get injured, and my win patent will be placed soon.

Right, 10.57, time to get rid of my St. Patrick’s Day hangover, phew, what a day, never knew golf could be such thirsty work! See you at the County Ground tomorrow for the first warm up game.

Sellsy's Sunday Supplement

This time of year I face a massive dilemma. This particular quandary is cricket related, but nothing like whether I should play again this season, do I need to get a new bat for the woodworm to enjoy, nothing like that. It is how shall I place my bet on Somerset to win things this season?

For the past four seasons I have done various different types of bet on Somerset to win things, usually outright winners. However for 2011, after so many near misses, instead of backing Somerset to win, I done them each way which turned out well, as you know, always the bridesmaid etc…..

So after last year’s each way patent my problem for this year is whether to carry on doing Somerset each way, or will they now go that one step further and actually bring some silverware back to Taunton.

After trawling through various bookmaker websites (plus looking for any indicators for Cheltenham), it is very noticeable that The Cider Boys are highly fancied this season, either favourites or second favourites in all competitions with all bookies.

So let’s have a look at each competition individually and see what will be value for money:

1. The CB40. Somerset are in a tough group, lets make no bones about it. They have to face last year’s winners Surrey, beaten semi-finalist Durham, along with Hampshire, Nottinghamshire, Welsh Dragons (WTF? Ok Glamorgan) and Scotland. With only the top team qualifying for the semi-finals, plus the best placed runners-up out of the three groups, this isn’t going to be easy.

With all these teams capable of beating each other (apart from, dare I say it, Scotland), coming top of the group is an absolute must, as I think the best place runner-sup will come from one of the other two groups.

The bookies haven’t a clue who is going to win this one, the odds reflect this. Somerset, along with Surrey are favourites, both at best 8-1.

So what to do about my bet, well, I just don’t know.

2. The FLT20. Clear favourites for this competition, at best 7-2, with Surrey second favourites at 8-1. It is not hardly surprising with firepower Somerset have in their line up, plus a little known West Indian called Chris Gayle. The competition is sometimes a lottery, but that just adds to the excitement, will Somerset win, well the bookies think so. 

3. The County Championship. Will Somerset ever get this monkey of their back? In 2010, they were 8-1 to win the competition, and to be fair, they should off won it. 2011, nearly every pundit and bookmaker made them favourites, and they couldn’t hardly win for toffee in the first part of the season. Lancashire went on to win the Championship thanks to a great April and May.

So what is install for 2012? Vernon Philander. If this guy can take a hatfull of wickets for the first two months of the season while he is here, then I can’t see Somerset losing too many games. He has been taking wickets for fun for South Africa since his debut in November last year against the Aussies, taking 35 Test wickets at 14 a piece; four five wicket hauls plus a 10 wicket haul in just five Tests is not that bad is it? As for his first class record, 297 wickets at just under 20, wow! Let’s hope he can transform this form onto a Taunton track.

The County Championship is going to be a tough one this season, the bookies have made Durham favourites at 4-1, with Somerset second (9-2) and not much between Lancashire (5-1), Warwickshire (6-1), Nottinghamshire (6-1) and Surrey (7-1). So you can see it is going to be close.

Outcome: This is the one all who support, follow, play, used to play, backroom boys and girls, administrators, chief executives, cooks, waiting staff, grounds men, well in fact anyone associated with the Somerset want.

To win just once, that will be enough!

One thing for sure, 2012 will be another rollercoaster season, and at the end of it some silverware would be wonderful. As for my bet, I think I may do a win Patent, or should I do them each way? Anyone want to join in this fun?

As for Cheltenham this week, I think Willie Mullins will have a good one.

Ok, it’s 10.57, time for a Thatchers I think.

Sellsy's Sunday Supplement

On Wednesday of this week one of the finest batsmen ever to grace the game will celebrate his 60th birthday, Sir Isaac Vivian Alexander Richards.

What can you say about this man which hasn't been said already? One word for me: phenomenal!

Leading up to his 60th there have been some glowing articles in the papers, magazines and what not, none more so than Tanya Aldred's piece in The Daily Telegraph on Wednesday of last week.

I couldn't of put it better and agree with her more, about his swagger, his physique, how he terrorised bowlers, his trademark shot, always wears his cap; as Tanya said: 'his stage presence was truly extraordinary'. Just a great article.

I have lived in Somerset for nearly all my life, and cricket was always (and still is) part of my early years; learning, enjoying, playing and watching the game. Three names would always come up in conversations back then, Botham, Garner and of course Viv. When batting in the back garden, I always wanted to be Viv, just wish I had an ounce of his talent.

I have been lucky to see Viv bat on many occasion at The County Ground here in Taunton, with a packed house always guaranteed every home Sunday game. As for those cup runs in the late 70's and early 80's, well a home tie would always mean a great and sometimes intimidating atmosphere, a sense of expectation and some wonderful cricket; something I will always treasure.

I shall not bore you with his statistics, as they speak for themselves, especially a Test match average of over 50. However, there are two innings out of so many which stand out for me:

The first was the man-of-the-match performance in the 1979 Gillette Cup Final at Lord's. Viv, coming in at his customary number three slot, hit a superb 117, smashing the ball all round Lord's.

This enabled Somerset to reach a very competitive 269-8 in their allotted overs. This turned out to be 45 runs too many for Northants, as Somerset bowled them out, Joel Garner taking six wickets and Somerset had their first ever piece of silverware.

The second was when he played for the West Indies against England in a one day international at Manchester in 1984.

The West Indies batting line up looked very strong on paper, with Gordon Greenidge, Desmond Haynes and Clive Lloyd in the team along with Viv, but England made a mockery of this  as they reduced the West Indians to 102-7 and then 166-9, a modest total to chase for England was on the cards. However Viv was still there at the crease.

106 runs later the West Indian number eleven, Michael Holding and Viv walked off the pitch, with Viv amassing 189no, out of the West Indian total of 272-9, at more than a run a ball, smashing the ball all over Old Trafford. That standing ovation was fully deserved.

England just never recovered from that and was all out for 168, with Joel ‘Big Bird’ garner taking three wickets for next to nothing.

That must surely have been the greatest one day innings ever.

One more story I heard about Viv was when Somerset were playing a County Championship game against Notts at Trent Bridge, but I don’t know how true this is, but hey-ho it sounds good (and somewhat believable) to me.

Somerset batted first; Brian Rose, Pete Denning and Peter Roebuck were soon back in the pavilion, thanks to the bowling of Richard Hadlee. With Somerset three down with next to nothing on the board, Ian Botham walked to the crease to join the not out batsman Viv. Clive Rice, the Notts captain wanted a more attacking field as he felt Notts could knock over Somerset cheaply. Hadlee wanted none of it, he asked Rice for a more defensive field, with some men on the boundary.

Rice stuck by his guns, had an attacking field and at the close of play both Viv and Beefy walked off Trent Bridge both with a ton apiece next to their names.

After, Rice asked Hadlee why he insisted on having a more defensive field, Hadlee replied: “Well I heard Beefy say to Viv, as he joined him at the crease, ‘I bet I can hit the ball further than you!’” So it seemed, as I am led to believe the ball went all over Nottingham! 

Good news for those who are a player / member of Over Stowey CC, the 2012 tour has been arranged. This year a trip to Sussex staying at Arundel, and will be taking on two Pickard XI’s! Again spaces are limited, so please get hold of Ashley with your deposit.

Stowey stayed in Arundel ten years ago, and had a two match tour of Sussex. Great fun, great hotel and great memories. Who can remember the Yes/No game at dinner one evening; that pour waitress. There was a bit of explaining going on after and a generous tip of course.

Now the latest Compo’s Clips is a must see, now that is what I call training, a walk around the Quantocks, followed by a pub lunch and then a stroll back to Taunton. I never knew being a professional cricket player could be so demanding.

There is a bit more to it than that, but have a look, great viewing. http://www.youtube.com/user/SomersetCricket Cricket can be a Giggle. I must get my own camcorder and do something with Over Stowey! 

Ok, it is now 10.57, time for a Thatchers Cider and raise a glass (or two) for Sir Viv.