Sellsy's Sunday Supplement - on a Monday

Me and my big mouth! Why did I volunteer as Tour Manager? Answers to Jack Rich please! Yes, AGM time, time to stand up and say your piece, time, also, to volunteer for things which will make my winter months busier than usual.

So where to go next season? When to go? Who is going to go? What will be the itinerary? How many games shall we play? So many questions, a lot more to come no doubt and I have already had a sleepless night thinking about it!

Without a tour last season, I am sure the players from Over Stowey will be chomping at the bit to go away next season. Julian Pocock has already given me an idea of when to go, he said February. Food for thought, no cricket gets played in the UK that time of year (except indoor), so that will be three days flat out on the you know what!

I expect there will be plenty of ideas flashing around over the next month, I will collate all ideas of when, where, who, what etc. And when I have gone through everything, I will decide what looks good for me and do that!

Seriously, anyone who can come up with any ideas of where we could go on tour, let me know and I will do the ground work in getting prices. I still think the time of year when we should go on our travels should be August or September, so as not to clash with any major cricket finals, oh and we have a little thing of the Ashes next summer. Now that could be a thought, London, Lords and not many games!

Saying that, I see that the ECB has granted Somerset approval to move the County Ground to the technical specifications required for international one day cricket, how exciting is that, and tight on my door step. To be fair, Taunton is a much better ground than Bristol, just can’t understand how Bristol ever got international status. Anyway, great news for Somerset.

On a sad note former Somerset player Martin Crowe has been diagnosed with lymphoma, a type of cancer. One of New Zealand's most celebrated batsmen, Crowe, 50, had played 77 Tests between 1982 and 1995, before he was forced to quit international cricket due to a bad knee. Crowe joined Somerset as their overseas player after the sacking of Viv Richards and Joel Garner, which was followed by Ian Botham quitting the club. So he arrived at a difficult time, knowing that the club was still split over the loss of those three great players.  

Right, nearly time for skittles, no SSS next week, away on a short walking break in the Brecon Beacons! I wonder if they have Thatchers Cider in Wales?

Sellsy's Sunday Supplement

So what happened last night? Can any of the cricketers from Over Stowey remember? Can anyone recall who won what?

Last night was Over Stowey Cricket Club’s annual presentation evening, the event I look forward to most throughout the cricket season, where Stowey celebrate their recent season and where awards are handed out to those who have achieved and, in one case, a non achiever.

Now I am struggling to recall who did win, I know I wrote the names down somewhere, back of a napkin knowing me, but have lost the thing. The only way I can make any head or tail in who won what is by looking at a few pictures which I have taken for the paper, but that is useless without editorial to send to say who won what. Plus I want it for our website and the next edition of the local parish magazine.

Ok the cider flowed, everyone was joyous, all having a laugh, especially at my speech no doubt, so I was easily distracted somewhat, no wonder I lost the thing, I know I wrote down the winners, but where is that napkin?

Less about my woes, I am sure I can find out who did win what, if not I will make it up!

Out of all the awards handed out at the evening, the one, in my eyes, is the most important is the Players Player award. I say this as this is the only award voted for by all of the players on the night. No one knows who’s going to win until all the votes are counted, whereas others are done on averages, a captains’ pick or a committee pick.

Now that I have stopped playing I do not get to vote for this award, which is a shame really, because I am the only person in the club who actually votes for me. I was always guaranteed at least one vote. Kelvin, who adjudicates the vote counting, must off wondered over the years who the hell voted for me, now the secret is out!

Congratulations to Micheal Barrow who won the Players Player (one winner I did remember), fully deserved. Other winners were Jack Rich, Ben Enever, Nick Rich, Lee Rich, Rhys Satchell, David Rowsell and Phil Rich. I don’t know what they won, but their faces appear in my photo, looks like Jack won a few awards.

Another award which I like is the Hole in the Hand, the award for drop catches throughout the season or in other words the award no one wants to win. This year the award did not go to someone who dropped catches, but to someone who actually caught the ball, but subsequently ran over the boundary in his celebration and disbelief, thus six runs and the batsman was therefore not out! 

 

Well actually the laws of cricket say that if the act of making the catch shall start from the time when a fielder first handles the ball and shall end when a fielder obtains complete control both over the ball and over his own movement. So in other words the catch should of stood. Oh well, it’s very funny, thank you Dan Butson for entertaining us and congratulations on your award. 

The format of the evening is that we arrive early, have a few pints, then have a sit down four course meal, where a few more pints are consumed, plus some wine. This is followed by speeches, some heckling, another pint in between the speeches and finally the awards. 

After we all retire to the bar, some photos are taken; we then congratulate each other on a tremendous season over a few pints, the odd spoof and a walk home in the early hours of the morning!

Ok, its 10.57, do I dare go for a pint? Or should I do the press release? 

Don’t forget, AGM next Sunday evening.

Sellsy's Sunday Supplement

So England limply bow out of the World T20 in the Super Eight stage, not hardly surprising, they never competed in all areas of the game, in fact it was just awful to watch and the only two teams they beat were Afghanistan and New Zealand (no disrespect there NZ). And to think I planned my days off work around their fixtures, it turned out to be a complete waste of my holiday entitlement.

We can look at all aspects of their game, the batting, bowling and fielding, but we could be here all day and I would get bored in repeating the same old stuff time after time. There is no doubt we have not progressed as much as other nations since England became World Champions two years ago, plus the likes of Collingwood’s retirement and Pietersen not being selected has not helped. It was embarrassing to watch some games; it was like rabbits in the headlights.

There were a few things which angered  me: Firstly, the amount of wides bowled. In the shortest format of the game giving the opposition extra runs and balls to score runs is just criminal. In England’s five games a total of 24 wides were bowled, compared to just 12 from the opposition in those games, twice as many. These games can go down to fine margins, especially if things do come down to the last over or even NRR, so giving runs away in the form of wides is just utter rubbish. 

Ok, the bowlers are themselves looking for fine margins, trying to bowl in areas where the batsman can’t hit the ball, but some of the deliveries which balloon over the batsman’s head are just laughable. 

Next, the batting, well where do I start. The only World Class batsman England has, in this format of the game, is an Irishman! And why do the still pick Ravi, he looked so poor I thought it was a club cricketer out there. It just mystifies me why he gets picked. People say he is a talented player, well he may well be against Division Two bowling in The County Championship, but he is just not international class. His last six games for England Ravi has scored just 30 runs, including three ducks and one score in double figures. You can work out his average yourself and England still pick him! And I wonder what James Hildreth must think.

The English batmen seem to be petrified when a spin bowler appears. The Indian bowlers must be licking their lips when the Test series start in a few weeks time (I know, different format and perhaps a completely different batting line up, but do you remember last winter against Pakistan?), but these batting strips in Asia are just a spinners paradise. Surely the England coaching team knew this and it would be trial by spin, and the batsman couldn’t hit the ball.

Other batsmen are young enough to learn from this experience and will probably make up some of the squad for the next World T20, but they have a lot to learn and fast. Others, like Ravi, may have had their day. But who is there to replace them? 

The fielding, at times, is good, but other times it is just sloppy and they get the basics wrong. I know it is tough conditions out there in Sri Lanka (believe me, I know, it is just baking hot out there), but we are talking international cricketers now, and they should be able to adapt to any conditions, surely? Somehow I think England may have chosen the wrong type of player as captain of the T20 side, a bowler. In this format of the game he needs to be thinking all the time in the field about where he should put his players and he can’t do that while he is bowling as well. Eoin Morgan should be given the chance as captain, he is great in the field, an inspiration in fact, and with his experience he would make a better leader than Stuart Broad.

I hear Kevin Pietersen is being re-integrated back into the England set-up. He may off charmed the hierarchy, but it’s the dressing room that counts. Enough said about this the better, wonder what Somerset’s Nick Compton is thinking about it.

Abdur Rehman, Somerset’s overseas player for the later part of the 2012 season, has seemed to let everyone down. To quote, "I apologise to my family, the PCB, the ECB, Somerset County Cricket Club, my team-mates and my fans," he said. “It was an error of judgement on my part that will cost me dearly and I would like it to be a lesson to all others in sports elsewhere. I will do my best to stay fit and focused during my suspension, and God-willing, will be available for selection for the India series should the PCB see it fit for me to be selected." Apologies accepted.

On the subject of being let down, I remember on a cricket tour to Marldon, near Torquay one year, when Les Biffen had a drop to drink one Saturday afternoon, falling over the kit bags and then being bundled into the back of the bus. He subsequently fell asleep for the rest of the evening. Next day, Phil Rich said to Les, “Les, you have let me down.” Les replied “I was only having a drink with my friends!” In which Phil said “not the whole of Marldon Les!”

Awards night next Saturday, when Over Stowey’s finest come together to celebrate the 2012 season at their annual presentation evening. For me, one of the highlights of the year, I wonder who's going to win what. I have a hunch that Dave “Rabbit” Rowsell will pick up a few awards, but we shall see.

Ok, that’s that for this week, sorry about last week, was hanging somewhat. It's not quite 10.57, so I will have to go and clear the drains instead! Next week, a presentation evening special.

Sellsy's Sunday Supplement

Danny Briggs, you are a legend, what was what he said, the World T20 is more important than his wedding. Good for you, cricket is just far more important! Just wonder what his future mother-in-law would say. I did notice that he is getting married in Taunton, I wonder where?

Anyway, England got off to a flyer in defence of their crown, beating the mighty Afghanistan by 116 runs. It could have been a lot more especially at one stage the Afghans were 26-8 chasing a mammoth 197 to win. England are now in to the Super 8’s, and hopefully this is where the tournament will start to get going properly.

Congratulations to Nick Compton with his England call up for the tour of India. I do hope things go well for you Nick, fully deserved especially after the summer you had, eclipsed every batsman by a distance.

Ok, this is now hard for me to do, I was wrong last week when I said England would pick Kevin Pietersen, good job, as Compo would of not got his call up. Also I said Panesar would be picked, however Samit Patel has been picked instead, why?

There were a few things I did get correct, one wicketkeeper and Jonny Bairstow as back-up, pus Eoin Morgan being recalled. One thing I am over the moon about is the non inclusion of Ravi Bopara and he is not even in the England Performance Programme squad which goes to India. So have we seen Rave in an England shirt for the last time, I do hope so.

That Performance squad shows the exciting talent coming through the counties, the likes of Matthew Coles of Kent, Roland-Jones of Middlesex, the afford mentioned Briggs and Somerset’s Jos Buttler and Craig Kieswetter.

On the subject of Somerset, many congratulation must go to Peter Trego for picking up the MVP award for the 2012 season, plus 50 wickets for the season, many congratulations. I do know you are a great favourite with a few people I know. But why wasn’t you picked for the Hong Long Sixes?

Now, shall I book up my ticket now for the Lord’s final for the CB40? Am not wanting to count my chickens, but have you seen who is in Somerset’s group for next season? Well, let me tell you: Unicorns, Glamorgan, Leicestershire, Yorkshire, Gloucestershire and Middlesex. Surely Somerset should get through their group, surely???

A question for Mr Sortwell of Over Stowey CC. Has the square been re-laid / scarified yet? I was in a village called Avebury yesterday, and wow, was they doing some work on their square yesterday. It was in the process of being completely re-laid, and the amount of people working on it just goes to show what a good working party can do. So Mr Sortwell, my questions still stands.

Ok, 10.57, time for a Thatchers, could be a long afternoon, England on at 3.00pm don’t forget.

Sellsy's Sunday Supplement

So that’s it, the 2012 season is over. With the London 2012 Olympics going on, cricket seemed to play a second fiddle quite a bit this year, hardly surprising. But the season ended with a lot more questions than answers.

 

Off course the biggest question, locally anyway, is: Will Nick Compton get his chance for England in India this winter? Personally, along with the Somerset faithful, I think he should be in the squad, but we do not have any say over selection.

The next question is that did Marcus know that Compo was just six runs short of 1,500 First Class runs for 2012, plus in touching distance of an average of 100. I think not, but surely someone would have had a word in his ear before the declaration came.

Next, will Abdur Rehman be Somerset’s overseas player for 2013? Well, he has done more than enough to convince me. 27 wickets in four matches at an average of 14 should be convincing enough and hopefully convince Andy Nash.

Will Somerset go into the transfer market, or will they keep faith in their young squad. The likes of Rory Hamilton-Brown, James Harris and Jack Brooks are looking for new counties, will Somerset be tempted?

For how long and how much will both Jos Buttler and Craig Kieswetter be missing in 2013? Both now have the world at their feet, and with the T20 World Cup starting IPL contracts will surely be up for grabs. Somehow I recall Craig is looking to improve his chances in playing for England than going to the IPL, not sure about Jos, if he goes I wouldn’t blame him.

I think Craig will be included in an England touring party this winter, now whether it will be in the senior squad to India, along with Compo who knows.

All this talk about England selection, I do wonder how James Hildreth feels. He must have been on the selectors minds since he came on the scene, and with another fantastic season, coming second to Compo in First Class runs scored he surely has done his case more good than harm. I feel he will miss out, which will be a great disappointment to him, but we shall see.

 

 

      So who is going to get selected for England to tour India, well here are my thoughts:

Batsmen: Certainties are Alastair Cook, Jonathan Trott and Ian Bell. Jonny Bairstow will go as England have already identified him as Test potential by picking him earlier in the summer, and I am sure Eoin Morgan will be welcomed back to the Test match arena. Two batting spaces left, an opener to partner Cook and a middle order batsman.

These two places will be hotly discussed no doubt, as there are quite a few candidates as opener, plus we have the do we pick or do we leave out Pietersen factor. Ok, firstly the opening spot. Three candidates, Joe Root, Michael Carberry and Varun Chopra; where I would go for the latter of the three. Root has had a good season with Yorkshire, helping them gain promotion back to Division One of the County Championship, but he has scored his runs in Division Two. Carberry is just too inconsistent for me. As for Chopra, well he scored over 1,000 First Class runs this season, helped Warwickshire win Division One, plus he always scores runs against Somerset.

So, that middle order batsman. Somehow I think Pietersen will get another chance, England need his experience and I think Captain Cook is keen to get him back. That will come as a great disappointment to many, including myself, who think his head should be dangled somewhere near Traitors Gate! Also, there will be others who will feel disappointed, Compo, Hildy, James Taylor, Ben Stokes, but they will go on a Lions tour I am sure.

So two wicketkeepers: Matt Prior and Craig Kieswetter. Craig has now gone ahead of Steve Davis, plus he can hold a bat. There may even be a case to take one keeper, Prior and take an extra batsman as Bairstow can keep wicket, or could Craig go instead of Bairstow and then chose another batsman, now I am confused.

Bowlers, they seem to pick themselves also. Tim Bresnan, Stuart Broad, Graeme Swann, James Anderson, Monty Panesar, Steven Finn, Graham Onions. Yes, Monty, only as back up to Swann of course.

Well there you have it, the squad for India, not my squad, but the names which will be revealed on Tuesday.

The mighty Over Stowey finished their season in some style, with a great inter-club match, the Under 30’s v the Over 30’s for the Neil Sortwell memorial trophy. For once the youngsters came up trumps, as the trophy belonged to the older members of the club for some years. Is this a change in the guard for Stowey, does this means the Club’s youth policy is working? Who knows, just have to wait until 2013 to find out.

Ok, 10.57, time for a quick Thatchers or two in The Cottage Inn, and get ready for the World T20 which starts next week.

Sellsy's Sunday Supplement

 “Crimson-faced, scrumpy-pickled men in the bleachers”, Somerset fans as described in All Out Cricket magazine this month. The article was about the worst overs in cricket, and of course Scott Boswell feature highly in that list, only the eight wides in that over during the Lord’s final back in 2001, yes our chants of “Somerset! La-la-la” must still haunt him to this day. Oh happy days!

Well the 2012 season is nearly at a close, with Somerset due to play their last game this coming week, when they take on relegated Worcestershire at the County Ground, starting Tuesday. Guess where I will be this week?

A chapter in the history of Somerset will close after this game, as Brian Rose is stepping down as Director of Cricket at the end of the season. The end of an eight year stint and it has most certainly revived the fortunes of Somerset.

When Rosie took charge back in 2004, Somerset were a club going nowhere, playing Division Two cricket in the County Championship. Rose appointed Justin Langer as captain and that seemed to transform the team. They won the Division Two title in 2007, and they now compete strongly in all competitions.

Rosie has helped steer the side to countless finals during his spell in charge, with the T20 victory in 2005 being one of high points. I have happy memories of trips to finals at Lord’s, The Oval, Edgbaston, The Rose Bowl, The SWALEC, some great days out, how I remember is somewhat up for debate I expect, but some cracking days out, even though Somerset were runners-up in nearly all of the finals!

I would expect the County Championship in 2010 will haunt Rosie for a long time. As you may know Somerset have never won the Championship, and in 2010 they tied with Nottinghamshire. However Notts were awarded the crown as they won more games. Oh for that extra batting point somewhere during 2010.

The Somerset players are giving Rosie a bit of a send off already. In their recent match against Sussex they chased down nearly 400 runs to win, with wickets to spare. James Hildreth scoring an unbeaten ton, and Peter Trego smashing 90 seeing Somerset home with overs to spare. Yorkshire knows what it feels like, Somerset chased down two huge totals in 2009 and 2010 respectfully against the White Rose County, and I do believe Hildy scored a ton that day in 2010. Incidentally, Tres passed 20,000 first class runs during that match.

Victory against Worcestershire this week should hopefully see Somerset come runners-up (again) in the County Championship. A fitting finish for Rosie, somehow I think not.

Over Stowey have all but finished their 2012 campaign. The 1^st XI finished off in style beating neighbours Stogumber by five wickets. Jack Rich scoring 60 in just five overs to secure victory. The 2^nd’s have just one more fixture, Brompton Ralph, away, so why am I going to the Emirates to watch Arsenal I just don’t know.

On the subject of things coming to an end, surely Ravi Bopara has now had his “chips” playing for England. I must have been saying this for over a year now, but England kept on picking him, and Bopara keeps on failing, time to say goodbye to England Ravi.

Well, 10.57, time for a Thatchers and get ready for the Neil Sortwell Memorial Trophy, looks like it is going to be a nice day for it!

Sellsy's Sunday Supplement

With the news of Andres Strauss stepping down from not just the England captaincy, but retiring from all forms of cricket, the biggest cricketing story of the week was missed: the dismissal of Somerset’s Alex Barrow.

In the County Championship game between Somerset and Surrey Alex was run out by Murali (turncoat) Kartik while backing-up. Surrey skipper Gareth Barry declined the opportunity to call Alex back when umpire Peter Hartley offered it.

There were angry scenes amongst the supporters after, followed by a lot of rhetoric from both sides, for me, the phrase “Spirit of the Game” comes in to question. When doing my umpires course some three years ago now that phrase and the ethics behind it was one of the first things which we was brought to our attention. 'Mankading' is regarded within the English game as being a breach of etiquette and is an unpalatable act for many players, as well as fans.

With Alex being run out like that (incidentally Alex and myself share the same birthday, May 6^th, shame fore me it is not the same birth date!), it reminded me of little incident which happened when Over Stowey took part in a six-a-side tournament at Cannington some 20 years ago. I was playing for a Stowey side who was playing against a host side in a pool match. While fielding I notice a Cannington batsman backing up quite a long way, in fact good as attempting a run or trying to steel an unfair advantage (Spirit of the Game?). In the over before mine, that same batsman was still doing this, plus the fact after one delivery he went to pick the ball up to give back to us fielders, but claimed a run as well (obstructing the field?).

Anyway, this was noticed by yours truly, so in my over, in fact the second ball, that said Cannington batsman was half way down the track, so I whipped the bails off, and appealed (quite loudly) for a run out. The umpire (from Kilve) asked if I was sure, and I replied in an affirmative, saying “It’s in the rules and he is out,” and he gave the batsman out, a bit reluctantly.

It was a bit fractious after that, I was confronted on the boundary after by the batsman I ran out, plus we have not been on speaking terms since, which doesn’t really bother me. I only want to appologise to the Kilve umpire and buy him a pint for putting him that situation.

This incident is still talked about locally, oh how we reminisce, but where was the “Spirit of the Game” there?

On the subject of the “Spirit of the Game”, Over Stowey played Bishops Hull on Saturday. A little incident happened there regarding Law 34, hit the ball twice. Stowey’s finest, Mark Sortwell, played a shot (doubt if it was attacking), the ball threatened to roll back onto his stumps after rebounding of his pad and he hit it away. Hull appealed to say he hit the ball twice, and it was given not out – correctly so.

I believe Hull was incensed by this decision, but the Law is quite clear on this. Mark could have been out hitting the ball twice as he intentionally hit the ball for the second time. However, if he hit the ball away solely in order to guard his wicket (which I believe he did) and before the ball has been touched by a fielder, he may lawfully strike the ball more than once.

Right, enough about the laws of cricket, I can feel myself dropping off to sleep now! So who is going to open the innings for England with Alastair Cook now Strauss has retired? You know how some things naturally go together like cheese and pickled onions, Strauss and Cook have been stepping out together for ages as England’s opening pair and it has, somewhat, been taken for granted.

So who will England pick? Joe Root of Yorkshire; promote Jonathan Trott or Ian Bell; or will Somerset’s prolific run scorer Nick Compton get a chance? Do England bring pack Kevin Pietersen (not to open off course). Does Eoin Morgan get a recall? And will England, and Graham Gooch, finally realise that Ravi Bopara id just not good enough to play for England, Second Division for Essex yes (just), England no.

Anyway, interesting dilemmas for the English hierarchy, but somehow I think (reluctantly) KP will be back in the England Test side for India.

Ok, 10.57, time for a pint, it is my Mum’s birthday!