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!