Sellsy's Monday Supplement

After years of turmoil, humiliation, drubbings in the hands of Australian cricket, is this new recent dawn becoming a wonderful time for English cricket? Especially those who have followed England to all corners of the world and especially down under to see them get humiliated.

Those dark days of 5-0 drubbings, three captains in a series, Derek Pringle opening the bowling etc., are becoming a distant memory, especially now that England have won three out of the last four Ashes series.

Whereas England have gone from strength to strength since the 2005 Ashes series victory, the Aussies have somewhat plummeted. Their aura has evaporated, no longer can they chuck the ball to Warne or McGrath for some quick wickets, no longer have they a wicketkeeping batsman who can come in to bat and just take the game away from the fielding side, no longer does the top order send a shiver through your spine and wonder where the next wicket is coming from.

The sacking of Micky Arthur came as no surprise; the only surprise is that it took Cricket Australia so long to do it. 16 days before an Ashes Series, surely the South African should have walked straight after their humiliation in India, not only because of the 4-0 drubbing but the homework saga to go with it as well.

It is easy for us English to kick a 'kangaroo' while he is down, but don't you just love it.

Darren Lehmann has been appointed as Arthur's successor; at least they have chosen an Australian who knows a thing or two about what it means to wear a baggy green, as it seems this current bunch don’t.

Should us English take heed of these developments? Can this wounded kangaroo bounce back? (The best I could do, I promise!). Well it has put some extra spice into the Ashes, the series is almost upon us, and some might even say that it is here now! Come on England, put the knife in, surely those Aussies can’t get up from this, can they?

Now that's enough for now about Australia, I am sure it will be some kind of media circus on Wednesday when the mighty Somerset take on the Aussies.

Today's blog was going to be all about the history of Somerset playing Australia, but it seems my idea has been hijacked by the Somerset website, anyway how was they to know and I was going to do a different slant on things anyway, so there!

On the subject of Somerset, a first County Championship win today, hurrah! With a lot of time taken out of the game due to weather and Derbyshire only just starting their second innings a draw seemed favourite, especially as today was the fourth and final day. But Somerset went through the hosts batting and with 145 to win; the mighty Set knocked them off with four wickets remaining. At last, and now it is T20 season!!!!!

Yasir Arafat has joined the county as Somerset’s second overseas player for the T20, a useful all rounder, but more off T20 in a few weeks time.

So see you on Wednesday at the County gGound for the even more anticipated game against the Aussies, shall we dare mention the name of David Warner or even Ricky Ponting, who cares, lets enjoy the four days and see Nick Compton putting them to the sword and a timely selection reminder!

 

Anyway, it's 5.32, time for a Thatchers before an evening meal at my sisters, scrum yum!

Sellsy's Monday Supplement

I go away on holiday for one week and certain things do hit the fan while I am away, so where do I start? 

Firstly, David Warner. An Aussie smacks a Pom in a Walkabout bar, not really news there, apart it was an Aussie cricketer having a pop at little Joe Root for wearing a fake beard! Someone should of told Warner that Root is a Yorkshireman, and they are made of stern stuff. For me a storm in teacup, his apologised, and has got a ban, lets move on. The English crowd will certainly let Warner know what they think during the upcoming Ashes series, now that will be punishment enough. 

One more thing on this, I do think the ECB let the news of this incident leak out so that it coincided with the Aussies match against New Zealand, so it muck up their preparations somewhat, well done the ECB and in an Ashes year! 

Secondly, Bob Willis. I think the former England Captain has been itching to say something for years, but has been somewhat restrained by Sky. But the all hell was let loose when he somewhat implied that the English bowlers tamper with the ball to make it swing, reverse swing etc. Of course this was denied by the English, but does Bob have a point?  

Anyway that’s beside the point, I was pleased to hear a Sky pundit give strong / radical point of view, rather than towing the company line, how refreshing, better than being part of a self-congratuly former England captain club. Apart from Ian Botham off course, bet he was loving what Willis said. 

I do like Bob Willis as a pundit and commentator, and one of my particular favourite bits of commentary was when England toured Sri Lanka some 15 years ago. Ashley Giles was bowling, the delivery went so wide Willis said: “that was utter rubbish!” 

Thirdly, Essex. All out for 20, LMAO! 

Fourthly, Australia. All out for 65. LMFAO! I do believe Michael Vaughan tweeted that it was a good score in Cardiff for a Tuesday....... on a golf course! This reminds me of the under prepared English sides who used to tour down under; you know the ones, can’t bat, can’t bowl, can’t field....... but be aware of a wounded animal, they will fight, especially for that little urn! 

Anyway, back to some proper cricket, Over Stowey! A great performance by the 1^st team on Saturday saw them win by a hefty 150 runs, in fact it was over so quickly that I didn’t have time to finish my third can of Thatchers, let alone going out to umpire. Well played Micheal Barrow, five wickets and he bought a jug back at the club. I do believe there are some other cricketers who owe a jug or two! 

Ok, that’s it for now, look out for an Aussie special in a few weeks time, when the mighty Somerset take on the tourist in a four day warm-up match starting a week on Wednesday, can’t wait, but will it last four days? But first up for Somerset a County Championship game against Derbyshire, surely they will……..I think you know what I mean. 

Anyway, 5.57, time for a Thatchers or two in The Cottage.

Sellsy's Monday Supplement

Martin Guptill's innings on Sunday was an absolute joy to watch. His 189 not out included 19 fours and two maximums and the last ten overs saw him with Brendon McCullum just literary take the England bowling attack apart scoring 132 in the last ten overs.

One person’s good fortune was another’s bad fortune, with Jonathan Trott spilling a straight forward catch, as internationals go, on just 13. I also believe that Guptill was dropped early in his innings at Lord's on Friday as well! Catches win matches; well at least Trott made some amends by scoring a near run a ball century, but little compensation as the game and the series was effectively over as soon as New Zealand posted a record-breaking 359-3.

In scoring his 189 not out Guptill equalled Viv Richards record for the highest innings against England in an ODI. And then, off course, there were questions all around the media whose innings was the better. The answer for me will always be Sir Viv's. His innings that day was just phenomenal, purely as the West Indies were in all sorts of trouble, one stage at 98-6 and later at 166-9. They went on to score 272 without losing another wicket, with the number 11 Michael Holding giving Sir Viv able support, scoring 12 not out, incidentally the third highest score of the innings.

From these match winning innings to another, Craig Meschede with his 40 not out off 23 balls against Glamorgan on Sunday. Somerset seemed to be cruising at 142-2 chasing 246 for victory. However the Set lost four quick wickets for just 19 runs, changing the complex of the game somewhat.

Meschede, along with Alex Barrow, Max Waller and some very indifferent bowling knocked off the 85 runs needed. The 33rd over being the turning point and swinging the game back in Somerset's favour. Simon Jones, the former England and Ashes hero, went for 26, have you no respect Craig? Quality!

Four wins out off five now for Somerset in the YB40, sitting 2nd in the table with a game in hand over Gloucestershire. So next up for Somerset, a live on TV YB40 game against Middlesex at Lord's then a County Championship game against Durham at Taunton. Come on Somerset, let's win a game or two in the County Championship, we do have Nick Compton back to help booster the batting!

Ok, more match winning scores to let you know. Over Stowey had a good weekend, with both the 1st ad 2nd XI winning on Saturday. Nick rich plundered the runs against Brompton Ralph for the seconds, smashing 72. He even got off the mark with a six! Then Carl Woodley took over with the ball, showing the youngsters how to bowl, taking four wickets in quick succession and Stowey ran out winners by 20 runs.

For the first team, Andrew Simpson-Parker top scored with a majestic 60 against Bagborough on Saturday, one shot clearing the garage and landing in the field over the road, fetch he! Then the skipper Neil Buller had an inspired spell of bowling going through the middle order of Bagborough, taking four wickets (jug avoidance) for next to nothing and triggering a run out. Stowey went on to win by 70 runs. Highlight of the game, Phil Rich bowling to Martin King!

Am on Holiday next week, in Cornwall, so no SMS until the week after. Tell me, where are Somerset playing next week?

Anyway, 5.57, time for a Thatchers or two in The Cottage. Truro!