Sellsy's Monday Supplement

Calculators at the ready, nails ready to be bitten, hold on for a bit of a rollercoaster over the next two weeks, Somerset’s 1^st Division status in the County Championship is in a little danger.

Victory against Surrey last week has helped immensely; especially as Derbyshire threw away their match against champions elect Durham. And with Nottinghamshire drawing against Middlesex, they have now been dragged into the relegation dogfight.

 

So let’s look at the relegation contenders and their run ins:

Surrey – Two games left, maximum points available 48, to play Warwickshire away and Yorkshire at home, likelihood of relegation: pretty much nailed on unless they do something which they have only done once all season – win and win convincingly. In other words goodbye and good riddance.

Derbyshire – One game left, maximum points available 24, to play Warwickshire at home, likelihood of relegation: out of their hands somewhat, a win with maximum bonus points will make things very interesting indeed.

Nottinghamshire – Two games left, maximum points available 48, to play Durham away and the mighty Somerset at home, likelihood of relegation: very unlikely I would say as they should pick up enough bonus points in their remaining games to be safe.

Somerset – One game left, maximum points available 24, to play Nottinghamshire away, likelihood of relegation: in the balance. If Surrey fail to win this week the mighty Set just need to pick up one more bonus point than Derbyshire to be sure. If Surrey do manage a win, then the calculators will be out again.

The other factor will be the weather and the forecast is a bit indifferent indeed this week. Looks like rain in Birmingham on Tuesday and Thursday (bad luck Surrey) and good weather in Durham.

The bookies, who know a thing or two, have made both Surrey and Derbyshire certainties for the drop, both 1-100 favourites, and both Somerset and Nottinghamshire 1-33, with all nearly all the good money going on the former.

Anyway, enough of that, I have a headache just thinking about it (or was that from Bomber’s stag party on Saturday), 5.27, Thatchers and skittles in The Cottage.