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!