Sellsy's Monday Supplement

One thing which makes cricket nearly completely different from other sports is that it is very much weather dependant. With the English weather so unpredictable and changeable who knows what will happen on the morning of a match.

On Sunday evening every forecast I read, saw or heard said that Manchester will have rain all day, even the forecast on Monday morning said there will be no chance of play today; so I check Cricinfo at about 11.45 and guess what there is play, and Cook was out cheaply as the Australians declared overnight. Since the players have been on and off, two more wickets fell, and at 4.40 the match was abandoned and the Ashes are retained! Wait ‘til the winter me thinks!

Also the local forecast said there will be rain in Taunton for most of Monday, so as I travel into the County Town, with my wet weather clothes, expecting the rain to be lashing down, what am I greeted with? Sun! So much so that Somerset resumed their innings dead on 11.00, and by 11.02 they were all out! Eventually the rain did come, and did it come down ay about tea time, the outfield became a lake and the game ended in a draw, with Somerset on 141-2 following on.

Both the games at Old Trafford and the one at Taunton had similar scenarios, two teams trying to bat out the day to save the game. The way it should be, not having the weather to help them secure a draw. I am sure this is the way all players want to play cricket at this level, so as to “test” their skill, patience and cricketing ability.

On the subject of ability, why is Stuart Broad still playing Test cricket for England, saying that, any form of cricket for England? When was the last time he has done something spectacular to win a game? The only thing he has done is to score a few runs with the bat and not walk. And to be fair, he is not in the side to score masses of runs, that is the job of the top seven; he is there to take wickets.

Broad has only taken six wickets so far this series - that is one wicket per innings - at 52. Whereas the likes of Swann and Anderson have taken a hatful of wickets at about 25 a piece. Time for Broad to go back into the Shires, and give someone like Chris Tremlett the job of knocking over the Aussies.

On the subject of scrutiny Jonny Bairstow name has been mentioned in the unpopular press about his place in the side. See their point, 17 Test match innings and still yet to hit a ton, and he hasn’t done much in this Test match either.

Somehow I think will keep Bairstow and Broad in the squad, especially Broad, but why?

Ok, enough of that, T20 quarter-final day on Tuesday, where the mighty Somerset taken on Surrey “we buy anyone” Toffs! Tough one to call this, like most T20 games, somehow I think who ever comes out top between the Surrey bowlers and the Somerset batsmen will win. Jade “girl’s name” Dernbach has got a bit predictable, but still dangerous when he gets it right. Anyhow, the bookies make Somerset favourite, so Rose and Crown on Tuesday afternoon, with my prayer mat.

Somerset contracts have also been in the news recently, speculation about Compton and Buttler off course, but it is great to see the likes of Chris Jones and Tom Abell amongst others signing deals, but what does the future hold for the club? Much discussion was had the other evening at Phil’s birthday party, everyone I spoke to had their own point of view, but the first thing they need to worry about is staying in the 1^st Division, and keeping hold of some key players. We don’t want an exodus like Leicester and Derby had in recent years, that won’t happen anyway, young talent, new blood and some old heads is a great combination. What ever happens, my support will be there as always, come on Somerset.

Enough of that and back to rain. Over Stowey’s big event where they were due to hold the West Somerset League Finals Day on Sunday had to be abandoned due to the weather. The club will get another chance this Sunday, so fingers crossed for some great weather this time. On the pitch, Phil Rich rolled backed the years scoring 93 against Bagborough on Saturday. I am told that 97% of his runs came in boundaries, but hey, well done Chairman.

Ok, 5.27, time to celebrate the Ashes. There is a pint on Thatchers with my name on it, on the bat at The Cottage.