Sellsy's Monday Supplement

Monday 8^th December

The ECB has announced a provisional 30-man squad in preparation for the 2015 World Cup, which will be reduced to 15 before the start of the tournament. Alastair Cook has been named as captain, for me the right move.

No real surprises amongst the names, and thankfully England’s best bowler, James Anderson, is within the 30, and will surely figure in the 15 man squad for the World Cup. At least Anderson is accurate and will not give away pointless wides.

So far in this series England have conceded 43 runs in wides compared to the home country’s 20. If games go to the wire, fine margins like how many wides bowled may be the difference. It is not just an extra run it’s also that extra ball.

Sri Lanka won the 4^th ODI in the last over with three balls to spare. When I was watching it I couldn’t help think that after 48 overs the game should have finished and the home side was some 12 runs short, need I say anymore?

I think they would have still won as they timed the run chase to perfection, but who knows? Just give yourself a chance England, and that means ironing out the little things that make the difference.

Out of the 30 names, who will make the 15-man squad to compete and not get any further than the quarter-final? The only one who is certain to go will be Alastair Cook himself; the others are a bit of a lottery.

Who I would like to go and who will go are two completely different matters. I know who I would like, they are as follows: Alastair Cook, Moeen Ali, Alex Hales, James Taylor, Ian Bell, Eoin Morgan, Jos Buttler, Jonny Bairstow, Ben Stokes, Chris Jordan, Stuart Broad, James Anderson, Liam Plunket, Jack Brooks and Chris Woakes.

Out of that lot, only 10 will go, with other places being filled by the likes of Steve Finn and Ravi Bopara. Why, just simply why?

Whoever is announced they will still have my support, and how many times between now and the end of the World Cup I will say something like: “I told you Bopara is rubbish” or “How many more wides?”

Frustrating times ahead, a bit like my skittles tonight I expect.

Sellsy's Monday Supplement

Monday 1^st December

I write this with a heavy heart, as, along with all off the cricketing world, I still find the tragic loss of Phillip Hughes very sad indeed.

Tributes have been made throughout the sporting world, with sportsmen and women alike getting out their bats, from Neil Robertson and the snooker yesterday to the Rugby autumn internationals over the weekend.

I have seen on the social networks local cricket club players paying their won tributes by supporting the #getoutyourbats #408 and #63notout campaigns.

Over Stowey, the Club I am associated with, paid their own tribute with the club flag being flown at half mast, along with bats and hats from the club.

While Australia mourns, cricket very respectfully carries on. For me, the most fitting tribute was from the New Zealand side in the third Test against Pakistan.

• They didn’t bowl one bouncer throughout the game.
• No fielder was in close wearing a helmet.
• No wickets were celebrated.
• No batting milestones were celebrated, only acknowledgements that they have reached that particular score.

Clearly still upset, the Kiwis played and won, but the result wasn’t important, just respect.

Phillip Hughes – R.I.P

Sellsy's Supplement

Phillip Hughes

1988 – 2014

R.I.P

 

Sellsy's Monday Supplement

Monday 24^th November

James Allenby signs for the mighty Somerset from Glamorgan, somehow we should have seen that one coming. The Matthew Maynard connection, plus subtle hints on his Twitter account.

So another all-rounder, just what Somerset needs. Great batting average, good bowling average, not a Nick Compton, but we shall see I suppose.

So as the year draws to a close the wonderful game of cricket is still being played throughout the globe. England kick-off their winter campaign on Wednesday with an ODI series against Sri Lanka. All before Christmas, then off to Australia for more ODI’s, all warm up matches before the World Cup.

Me thinks they could be confidence shattering, demoralising warm-up games as, they are playing against probably three of the four sides who will feature in the semi-finals of next year’s event: India, Australia and off course Sri Lanka.

The bookies usually have a good idea, and England are even below New Zealand in the betting list. Australia are firm favourites to win, I suppose with the World Cup being played in their own back yard, why not, plus they have gone top of the World ODI rankings.

You may think I sound pretty defeatist, you may be right. But having watched England for many a year I just seem to know that they just can’t compete when it comes to the World Cup. The last time they done anything of note is when they reached the final in 1992, when they lost to an inspired Pakistan team. Since then they have struggled to get to the quarter-finals, let alone the semis.

Looking at the odds for the forthcoming series in Sri Lanka the bookies think it will be a tight contest, 4-3 being the favourite score with most bookmakers in favour of the hosts. I think a 7-0 drubbing is more realistic, and at 25-1, well surely it is worth a small wager? Ravi Bopara is in the England squad.

Thankfully next winter back to normality, with a Test series in South Africa too look forward to.

Not much to say this week, let the cricket commence on Wednesday, and by next Monday I will be eating humble pie.

Time for skittles and Thatchers, I wonder if we can revenge our narrow home defeat of last week.

Sellsy's Monday Supplement

Monday 17^th November

I was sad and shocked to hear on Friday that Nick Compton is to leave Somerset by mutual consent. Nick has been a great servant for Somerset scoring bags of runs and rightly getting a well deserved England call up where he most certainly didn’t let his Country down.

From what I can understand Nick has become somewhat disillusioned with the County Game, hardly surprising the way England have treated him. How many runs does he have to score to get in the England side, and please don’t say Taunton is a friendly batting track, that was some years ago now.

So with Nick looking at other opportunities, the media and Middlesex looks favourite (please not Surrey, bunch of xxxx!), a hole has appeared in the Somerset batting line-up which is a major blow for the mighty Set.

With Arul Suppiah retiring due to injury, Chris Jones joining his family business and Jos Buttler going to Lancashire there seems to be a sudden shortness of batting within the county. Another added ingredient to the batting quandary is that Somerset have opted for an overseas bowler this summer rather than a batsman. That is fully understandable as Somerset struggled, in recent seasons, to bowl side out twice in the County Championship.

So who is going to replace Nick’s 1,000 First Class runs over the next season or two? And what will the bating line-up look like. Well at the moment it looks something this: Trescothick. Myburgh, Abell, Hildreth, Kieswetter, Trago, Gregory, Meschede, Overton, Thomas and Rehman. Not forgetting spinner's Jack Leach, Max Waller and George Dockrell could quite easily step in.

Ok, not a bad line-up what so ever, but somewhat inexperienced at the top, plus quite a few all-rounder’s which is ok for the shorter version of the game. Tom Abell most certainly deserves a chance, could this be the making off the youngster? You know the saying about doors closing and opening. Kieswetter at five? Somehow I like to see a wicketkeeper come in at six, saying that though Craig is a quality batsman.

Anyway, I have great faith in the squad, but will Matthew Maynard look to bring in someone who can give some balance to the side and score those 1,000 run? The next few months will be interesting indeed.

Anyway, I wish Nick well in whatever he does, a pleasure to watch him bat, but please do not go to Surrey.

Ok, Skittles and Thatchers, top of the table clash tonight, and it’s not even Christmas!

Sellsy's Monday Supplement

Tuesday 11^th November

At the weekend I heard the news that legendary cricket commentator Richie Benaud is undergoing radiation therapy for skin cancer.

Growing up with cricket during the 70’s onwards Benaud was the face of the BBC cricket coverage on the television. With such a unique style and an Australian twang, he was certainly one of the best commentators in his day.

For me the highlight was when he was commentating on Ian Botham during the historic Ashes series in 1981. Botham had just smashed Terry Alderman back over his head for six.  "Don't bother looking for that, let alone chasing it," said Benaud. "That's gone straight into the confectionary stall and out again." Pure genius and media professionalism from Benaud.

Other classic moments from Richie:

“The slow-motion replay doesn’t show how fast the ball was really travelling.”

“And Glenn McGrath dismissed for two, just ninety-eight runs short of his century.”

“Captaincy is 90 per cent luck and 10 per cent skill. But don't try it without that 10 per cent.”

“From our broadcasting box you can't see any grass at all. It is simply a carpet of humanity.”

On a Justin Langer sic: “He's not quite got hold of that one. If he had, it would have gone for nine”

“I think the batsman’s strategy is to make runs and not get out.”

“The hallmark of a great captain is the ability to win the toss at the right time.”

And finally, “Gatting at fine leg - that’s a contradiction in terms.”

Benaud has confirmed that his skin cancer is on his forehead and the top of his head and has urged people to protect themselves from the sun. I know I do, and I will carry on doing, as I have no hair on my head it is wise.

Hope all goes well Richie, and I hope this doesn’t sound like an obituary.

Thatchers time.

Sellsy's Monday Supplement

Monday 3^rd November

Well, well, well, the Aussies spanked again by Pakistan, well and truly. I wonder what the excuse will be this time. How about an over-rated Australian team playing against a well drilled Pakistani side. Or even a team who can’t bat, can’t bowl and can’t field. But I think men were playing against boy.

One thing of note from that game was the sheer brilliance of Pakistan’s batting, especially from Younis Khan, Azhar Ali and Misbah-ul-Haq, who really took the Aussies to the sword, with the latter equalling the fastest Test century, which was scored by West Indian great Viv Richards.

Back on the home front a lot has been going at the County Ground, the home of the mighty Somerset. Dave Houghton has left, the club doesn’t need two batting coaches and with Matthew Maynard coming in as Director of Cricket his position became a bit precarious indeed.

Pete Trego has signed another contract, keeping with Somerset until 2016. Well done Pete and you have a benefit next year as well, cracking. Craig Overton has been selected for the England Lions squad who tour South Africa in the New Year. More congratulations.

Most disturbingly I heard some alarming whispers I what has been said at recent AGM’s. How true this is, well I heard it from a good source.

It seems the priority of certain committee members is to be successful in as many T20 games as possible as it brings in revenue. I was taken aback somewhat when I heard these comments. You ask any true Somerset supporter what they want up mostly.

To win The County Championship, is what we all desire. Admittedly T20 cricket is fun to watch, but it is the longer format of the game us purist would like to see Somerset win. No wonder I hear advance orders for membership is down, not great noises coming out of the County Ground.

The majority of First Class cricketers, I am lead to believe, want success in the four day game, as it is cricket at its purist, with Test matches being the pinnacle. Who remembers stats from T20? Not me. I can recall some classic ODI’s, but the longer format is the one every cricket fan can recall famous matches, innings, bowling displays, statistics, records and even averages.

And on the subject of averages, that is what players strive for, bettering their First Class / Test match average.

Ok, on one a bit here, so me thinks it is Thatchers time!