Sellsy's Monday Supplement

Everyone remembers bad hotels they have stayed in, Over Stowey had a shocker when touring Cornwall a couple of years ago, one of the touring party was trying to get himself arrested so he could upgrade to a prison cell!

But it seems that the Somerset squad, so I’ve reliably informed, had somewhat of a “Fawlty Towers” before their T20 fixture against Worcestershire! After trouncing Gloucestershire on Friday evening, the squad stayed overnight in a local hotel before travelling up to Worcester. I am led to believe that the air conditioning was broken and it was the local area for gangs of seagulls, squawking ‘til the early hours of the morning.

I am not one looking for excuses, but Somerset did look a bit tired in the field against Worcester on Saturday, and their bowling lacked the penetration which we have witnessed over the previous weeks. That defeat on Saturday was somewhat disappointing; it was only the big hitting of Andre Russell (think he was targeting the ice-cream van) which helped secure victory for the home side; however victory on Tuesday away at Warwickshire will secure Somerset’s place in the quarter-finals.

Fortunately some sanity returns to cricket towards the end of the week, Somerset start a County Championship game on Friday when they entertain Nottinghamshire, a game they need something from, a win would be nice. Plus it’s the third Ashes Test from Old Trafford starting on Thursday.

James Taylor now looks likely to replace Kevin Pietersen, if he not fit to play, after a magnificent hundred against the Aussies for Sussex; why not just play the extra batsman and drop Stuart Broad who has done nothing. England could play two seamers in Jimmy Anderson and Tim Bresnan, ably supported by the spin off Graeme Swann and Joe Root - just a thought!

Steve Finn has been rested by England, which could do him more good than harm; put his feet up for a few weeks and take stock of the situation. For me he is a quality bowler, just needs confidence, a lot of it.

Australia have selection issues themselves, but who really cares? They need to find some decent batsmen and some decent bowlers, not a big ask, surely? The warm up match against Sussex showed us little really, except they can bat against some friendly bowling, but they couldn’t roll Sussex over could they?

On to matters quite local. Over Stowey had a complete washout over the weekend, hardly surprising, the weather was a bit wet at the weekend. It did surprise me, however, that there were a handful of games played in the West Somerset League at the weekend, how did that happen? And another surprise is that Over Stowey 2nds travelled all the way to Wiveliscombe in the torrential rain to get there and say that the game was off. Apparently the Wivey captain even inspected the wicket in the pouring rain.

Over Stowey host the West Somerset League Finals Day on Sunday, just hope the weather is set fair for then. Ashbrittle plays Bishops Hull 2nd XI in the Hinkley Point Cup, while in the West Somerset League Cup Timberscombe take on Bishops Hull 1^st XI. Let’s hope for a great day, with the game being played in the right spirit. I know for sure which teams I shall be supporting on Sunday.

Lastly, my best wishes go to Katie and Steve, a horrendous few days for you both and your families, capped off by a prick on Saturday evening. Take care, and I know all from Over Stowey CC wish you well.

Right, 5.27, Thatchers Time. And please don’t have a go at the gateman on Sunday, I’, only doing my job!

Sellsy's Monday Supplement

Has anyone seen an "out of control" wardrobe? Thought not. That is how one cricketing commentator described the legendry Australian fast bowler Merv Hughes at the weekend. I have my own ways of describing Merv; bristling, vocal, showman to be polite. Anyway, he seemed full of himself during the second Ashes Test when the camera focused on him within the crowd.

Merv features in one of my favourite cricketing stories, which also involved Javed Miandad. Merv bowling to Javed in the heat of Karachi, Merv giving Javed the odd verbal or two, when Javed snapped saying "why don't you go back to Melbourne you great big bus conductor!"

This got Merv a bit wild and the next ball he yorked Javed, stumps flying everywhere, with this Merv went "Ding, Ding, tickets please!"

Anyway, I was going to write about what is happening at Somerset and Jos Buttler. Since my last supplement a lot has been said, written and discussed. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, and the social networks have been buzzing with people’s thoughts, some good, some not so. For me, now, it is results on the pitch that matter and staying in Division One of the County Championship. In other words time for Andy Hurry and David Nosworthy to start earning their "crust" and get Somerset back to winning ways (two wins on Friday and Sunday helped).

Other issues, like the Buttler situation, needs to be dealt with internally and out of the eyes of the media, as this could lead to more speculation, discussions etc, instead of talking about what is happening on the pitch. Surely Chris Jones will play four day cricket for the rest of the season.

More intriguingly, has anyone any idea who is going to replace Kevin Pietersen at number four for England? We had this discussion on Saturday evening at Over Stowey Social Club, and we struggled to put three names in to the hat. Do England have succession planning? I suppose it's called "The Lions", or will they look at averages, or even runs scored this season. It is difficult to say who will be picked, but here are some ideas:

Gary Ballance

Michael Carberry

Varun Chopra

James Taylor

Jos Buttler

We have week off now until the next Ashes Test, so will Australia bounce back? Will KP be fit? Will England win again?

And on the subject of winning, both Stowey sides won again. They are now sitting quite comfortably in the league in their respected divisions. But more importantly, Stowey’s Under-11’s had a cracking season, finishing fourth in a very strong division, so well played to them

Ok, 5.57, time for a Thatchers or two, only to cool down of course

Sellsy's Monday Supplement

What a great summer of sport we are already having, and its not even an Olympic year. Justin Rose winning the US Open, Murray winning at Wimbledon (so what, I've seen Exeter City win at Wimbledon), the Lions hammering the Aussies down under, to name just three.

But these are just a warm-up, a little aperitif, a bit of appetiser before the highlight of the summer, in fact the biggest thing in world sport.... The Ashes.

The first Ashes Test starts on Wednesday at Trent Bridge and I can't wait, in fact I am on tender hooks somewhat. The bookies have England red hot favourites to win the series and retain The Ashes at 2/5 on, which is understandable with all the shenanigans going on within the Aussie camp - David Warner, homeworkgate, changing of head coach etc., but as I have said previously, beware of the wounded Kangaroo, they will bounce back. Somehow I think we are in for a bit of a shock in how close this series will be. England will still win, but not by the margins some experts might say, even the great Ian Botham has predicted a 5-0 whitewash in both series. 3-1 is the favourite with the bookies, however I think it will be closer, something like 2-1 with two drawn Test's and can get that at 14-1.

The Aussies have done well since appointing Darren Lehmann, winning both their warm-up games, closely against Somerset and not so close against Worcestershire, with all players either scoring runs or taking wickets. And it has seemed to gone quiet on the scandal front, closing ranks, being good boys I expect and talking positively about cricket. I just wonder how these underdogs will react and play from Wednesday. The countdown is on.

Now on to Somerset and their T20 campaign, a 100% winning start to the competition. A victory over Gloucestershire on Friday evening was followed by another win against Northamptonshire on Sunday. The game on Friday was something to behold, a huge excitable (cider-fuelled) crowd, plenty of runs and a game which could off gone either way. In the end Somerset new boy Yasir Arafat smashed the winning runs with a ball to spare. Victory over our nearest rivals and revenge from last year’s defeat.

I missed the game on Sunday, but reports say that most of the spectators had one eye on Wimbledon, but hey, Somerset ran out winners, this time a bit more comfortably, seven balls to spare.

Next up, a County Championship game against Sussex, then more T20 this weekend; Glamorgan away, followed by another home game against Worcestershire on Sunday.

The form of Tres has worried some locals recently, three ducks in his last three innings is not pleasing reading for the faithful and for him no doubt. All quality players go through difficult phases, and these type of players come back with a bang, and I have no doubt Marcus will soon be back knocking up the runs in familiar style very soon. Don't forget form is temporary, class will always tell at the end!

Law 42 (fair and unfair play) came into question at the weekend when Over Stowey hosted their annual six-a-side competition. Two aspects of this law, the first being bowling of high pitched balls and the second a bowler attempting to run out the non-striker before delivery. I do think that more cricketers should read and understand the rules of the game, especially captains, and then there would no doubt about decisions. However, more importantly the six-a-side was played within the spirit of the game, something that all cricketers, whatever standard, strive for.

Congratulations to the Holford All Stars who won the competition, especially to young Taylor Buller who scored some magnificent runs, how many balls did he lose?

He’s uncle, Barrie was in good form with the ball for Stowey, who won their league match against second in the league Roadwater on Saturday. Well done to them, I understand it was a good run chase. Unlike the game at Stogumber, where the home team scored 300+ for one wicket and a few of the Bishops Hull side, including their captain, drove off at tea and not to be seen again. Now where is the spirit there?

Ok, 5.27, time for a Thatchers or two, not here next week, holiday, but have my Sky Go app ready for The Ashes!

Sellsy's Monday Supplement

The news of Nick Compton being left out of the England side to play Essex filtered through as I pressed the button to publish my SMS last Monday; or as one Australian newspaper put it, "Dumped England opener.....!" A week has now surpassed and Compo has responded in the way he knows best, scoring runs and against Australia.

The interview he gave the BBC over the weekend shows what a true professional he is. "It's been a tough week but you have to dust yourself off," he said. "There's no point crying over spilt milk - as much as it was upsetting and a bit of a shock, it's nice to play the Australians and get a crack at them." He went on to say: "I still want to keep myself in the frame and you can only do that by scoring runs. Playing in the Ashes would be the pinnacle for any England cricketer."

Compton also praised Joe Root, "We all know what a good talent Joe is and how well he has taken to international cricket. He's a good lad and I wish him well," he said.

For me there are two ways to look at this. From Compo's point of view he is still wanting to play for England, and feels a little unjust, like most of us, he has been left out of the England side.

However, with my Somerset hat on, he'll be back scoring runs for the County, which are desperately needed in the County Championship, and with the likes of Craig Kieswetter and Jos Buttler returning already the Somerset batting line-up looks stronger.

Whatever happens over the next few months for Compo, I wish him much success either if he is playing for England or Somerset (and now even Worcester this week!).

The four day game against Australia ended up with the Aussies winning comfortably by six wickets. It was a good run out for the Aussie batters and bowlers, but on day one, up until the second new ball was taken it looked like a different story. Somerset was cruising at about 280-2. I had to leave at about then as I needed to get home (well back to the Cottage Inn if the truth is known), so in a 30 minute journey Somerset were all out for 320, so what happened, well I saw quite a few noughts against the home team batsmen.

Peter Trego teeing off late on Friday evening was a bit of a highlight, getting his eye in for the T20 season Pete? Now that was a joy to watch.

Yes, the 2013 T20 competition is now up and fully running, with Somerset entering the fray this Friday evening when they host neighbours Gloucestershire. So what is going to happen this season for the mighty Set? Well the bookies have already made them favourites to win the competition, so no pressure there then. All the smart arse experts are predicting Somerset will come runners-up again. Not funny anymore as we heard the same jokes last season and guess what, even though Somerset got to finals day, they didn't come runners-up, they didn't win it either losing in the Semis, so there you bunch off know-alls!

Well one sure thing about this Friday's encounter is that it will be busy at the County Ground, so it looks like I will be buying four pints a time!

From T20 cricket to six-a-side. Over Stowey hold their annual Charity Cricket Weekend this Saturday and Sunday. Disco, bar and barbecue on the Saturday evening, with the six-a-side on the Sunday. In recent years (apart from last year when it rained for a month) this event has been good fun, so we have booked the weather and let's have a good weekend.

Stowey will still be playing cricket, with the 2nd playing at home on the Saturday, whereas the 1st team travel to Roadwater, surely we are not at the half way stage of the season all ready?

Ok, 5.27, time for a Thatchers before the skittles meeting.