Sellsy's Cricketing Thoughts

Monday 13^th April

The County Cricket season is now up and running, and with that in mind I am already thinking of those long summer days and evenings.

Somerset are already in action, playing against Durham in a four day County Championship match at Taunton. As of yet I am yet to see a ball being bowled, but plans are afoot to watch some quality cricket during the week ahead.

So what are Somerset’s chances of silverware during the 2015 campaign? Well according to most experts – none. No surprises there then, these so called experts aren’t worth the column inches given to them. I always look at the bookies to see what the odds are, they are generally near the mark (have you ever seen a poor bookie?). Guess what, Somerset odd are quite long, especially for the County Championship, the Holy Grail amongst the majority of the Somerset faithful.

So who will win the County Championship? Yorkshire are favourites to retain their title, a title they emphatically won last year - they didn’t beat Somerset though did they. However, I am pretty sure half their 1^st XI starting line-up will be on England duty throughout the summer, therefore weakening their chances.

Nottinghamshire look like the team to fear / beat. Shrewd signings, with the likes of Will Gidman and Brendan Taylor; quality overseas bowlers, namely Vernon Philander and Ben Hilfanhaus; plus if James Taylor can avoid being selected for England, Nottinghamshire do look very strong indeed.

Warwickshire will push both Yorkshire and Nottinghamshire close, but I think it will be between those two counties. That leaves Durham, Hampshire, Middlesex, Sussex, Worcestershire and the mighty Somerset all fighting for positions and not wanting to finish 8^th or 9^th.

Somerset are in a transition period which is a bit of an understatement, losing a hatful of players over the winter. However, Matthew Maynard has already been out and got some good replacements, the likes of Tom Cooper and Jim Allenby. However me thinks the batting is still lacking one quality batsman. Young Tom Abell looks like a ready-made top order batsman, who made a handful of appearances towards the end of last season; I do hope he gets selected very soon. If Somerset finished 7^th I will be happy, and I will be even happier if they get to quarter-final (especially a home one), and what then?

Regulars would of noticed that I haven’t been talking about my annual Somerset bet I place. Well put it like this, I think William Hill has had enough money of me over the past few seasons, so I will leave it for 12 months.

Right, time to go and watch a bit of cricket and enjoy a drop of Thatchers or two!