Sellsy's Monday Supplement (SMS)

Would you believe the cricket season starts in earnest on Wednesday when the mighty Somerset travel north to play Durham in their first County Championship match of the season. For those of you who keep a keen eye on the weather it is blooming freezing out and I hear it has been a bit grim up north as well!

It has been so cold that I haven't even ventured over to watch the mighty 'Set' in any of their warm up games, apart from the odd stroll through the ground after I had finished work. Hopefully the time Somerset play their first home match on April 25th the sun will be belting down its rays to warm us all up.

So who will feature in Somerset's line-up to face Durham? Will Compo play? When does Alviro Petersen arrive? Did anybody actually go and watch any of the warm-ups? If so, how cold was it? With all these unanswered questions, plus more like: will I eventually go to the bookies and pick up money on Somerset winning the County Championship? We are in for another rollercoaster season I am sure.

The volunteers from Over Stowey have been hard at it recently getting the ground ready for the new season. Despite the cold weather it was good to see people, young and old, at the ground over the weekend, rolling up their sleeves and doing whatever to help.

I did contribute some what, as I picked up a handful of twigs which were lying about on the outfield, while others were hard at it mowing, rolling, painting, sweeping etc; I believe I contributed in some small way.

Stowey’s season starts in just under four weeks time, and I have a bit of a dilemma; should I start to get a little fit, knock the woodworm out of my bat and scrape the mushrooms of my boots and make myself available for the second team. Or shall I just go to the opticians, to get my eyes tested and do a spot of umpiring, decisions, decisions, what do I do?

Anyway, for the final part of Sellsy’s Further Adventures in New Zealand. Last week I left it as when Marcus was been stared at by the huge grizzly type Kiwi whose (unknown at the time) wife he was talking too. As I entered the bar area Marcus called me over and introduced me to this lady and with the same breath the big grizzly Kiwi came over and introduced himself as Bob Coonis, the former New Zealand Test player, and then summariser for NZTV and in the same breath he introduced his wife to us. Marcus got up shook his hand, made a light joke of the matter and we started to get on like a proverbial house on fire. Drinks were bought, conversations about cricket, the trip around New Zealand and then the topic came up about tomorrows One Day International at Eden Park.

Marcus quipped up “Sellsy has one,” he said, “but I can’t get my hands on one.”

 

“Don’t worry about that mate,” Bob replied, “have a couple of these and you can sell your ticket on the gate!”

Bob was holding up a couple of press passes, which entitled us to access anywhere in the ground. Stunned, we didn’t know what to say, so we bought him a few more drinks, thanked him over and over again and we thought we better retire to bed, it was 2.30 in the morning, had to be up early in the morning for breakfast and the game you. I wonder if he did ever mention us on NZTV.

Waking up next morning and going to breakfast was a bit of a dilemma, as were on the 22^nd floor, and it seemed last night we got the lift to my room on the one which goes outside the hotel, but when the lift doors opened to take us down, we took one look at it and opted for the lift which goes inside the building, we were somewhat worse for wear.

After breakfast we hopped in a cab, he drove us to Eden Park clutching the two press passes, discussing how genuine they were, plus I had my Barmy Army t-shirt on, so I didn’t quite look like press, especially with the mother of all hangovers.

“Oh well” Marcus said, “let’s see if they work.” We walked up to the one of the gates, flashed our press passes, and we were stopped. “Where did you get those from mate?” asked the gateman. “Bob Coonis” Marcus replies.

“Bob Coonis?” the gateman questioned and at time we began to fear the worse, “that bloke prints his bloody own!” That was it, our entry was blocked and there was no way in getting in as had just sold my ticket. “Only kidding,” said the gateman, “just wanted to see your faces. In you go.”

What a relief and in we went. I could go on, a lot more stories about cricket in New Zealand; perhaps I will write about it one day!

Anyway, it’s 6.57, time for skittles and a nice pint of Thatchers Cider or two!!!!

Sellsy's Monday Supplement

Alastair Cook, won the toss and stuck New Zealand in to bat, on hindsight not the wisest decision he had made during his tenure as England captain.

To be fair to Captain Cook (how apt and we have the Aussies coming over this summer), along with the English hierarchy Andy Flower, David Saker et al, would of looked at the pitch and thought things through quite thoroughly before making any decision in what to do in the event of winning the toss.

If you look at the previous two Test matches the pitches had got easier to bat on as the game went on, giving bowlers no hope and the batsmen being allowed to score freely, hence two draws. Was this another factor which influenced their decision?

Looking at the English bowlers on Sunday night they looked well below par, not firing on all four and as a unit they looked ordinary. A result of a long winter or are they woefully unprepared, could be either, but only one warm up game before the first Test? You make your own conclusions.

With a day to go and England still 400 runs in arrears, but more importantly only six wickets left England are staring down the barrel somewhat. If we take the runs out of the equation, are England good enough to hold out all day to earn a draw or will I be going to bed early? We shall see.

Good news coming out of the County Ground this past week is that Nick Compton will be available for selection in Somerset's first batch of fixtures, and with Alfonso Thomas ruling himself out of the IPL, the mighty Set look strong for the first part of the season, just hope they can stay injury free.

They should be playing some warm-up games this past week, but rain intervened against Worcester, and against Gloucester it was blooming freezing but the game went ahead.

Anyway, back to my “Further Adventures of My Tour of New Zealand.” I did meet up with Marcus that evening in the hotel bar, after a few minutes these blokes started too turn up whose faces I recognised, well in fact the English cricket squad who were of to some reception in the city. After a chat with Nick Knight and Mike Atherton we decided to have a trip around the bars of downtown Auckland to blow the froth of a few, two Englishmen having a quiet drink abroad, yeah right!

First bar, live music and great fun with the locals. Second bar a “bucks” night was going on, yes we got involved in some pranks with the posse and crawl around a few more bars ensued.

About midnight we headed back for the hotel, I had to change my shirt, so after a trip to the 22^nd floor and back Marcus was chatting at the bar to an attractive middle aged lady, but he was getting some funny looks from this guy from the other end of the bar with a massive moustache.

What happened next was quite extraordinary to say the least.

Find out more next week, as it’s 6.57, time for a few pints of Thatchers and skittles!

Sellsy's Monday Supplement (SMS)

Has anyone ever woken up with a steak and kidney pie next to them? A doner or pizza maybe, or even a Kentucky Bargain Bucket with all the bones (cricket tour Torquay!), but a steak and kidney, well it looks as if I did eat most of it, but can’t say to much for the peas everywhere!

As a pre season bonding session I believe the evening went well, to be fair, I had a bit of trouble focusing on the skittles later in the evening, something to do with the rugby and a few drinks dinner time celebrating Stu’s birthday. Who exactly did win the skittles? And how was nets next day?

It makes me wonder if the professionals do anything like this. I know they party hard after a successful campaign, the Ashes winning side of 2005 is testament to that, but before the season, I suppose the word professional is a big clue in how they act and behave, but hey we are human I suppose.

On the subject of professionals I see the Aussies have lost the third Test against India, effectively in four days and after scoring 400 in the first innings, shame. With three heavy defeats on the pitch and indiscipline off it this is one tour the Aussie hierarchy would like to forget. Whether you agree or disagree with the stance made by Michael Clarke and Mickey Arthur, the turmoil the Aussies are in just ahead of back to back ashes series brings a smile to many an Englishman. One thing I will say is that in my view no one is bigger than their club or country, and if rules are broken, you should expect some sort of back lash. Don’t forget England dropped KP for wrong doing halfway through the South Africa series, and he is England’s best batsman!

With all this going on I wonder if England themselves are keeping their eye on the current series against New Zealand. I suppose having two days off because of rain doesn’t help, as no doubt the New Zealand media are making a lot of noise in what is going on in India.

Somehow I think the media here in the UK are quite negative to Somerset’s Nick Compton after he scored back to back Test hundreds, saying don’t get complacent, one bad score away in being dropped and words to that effect, and these are coming, i believe, from players like Derek Pringle and Angus Fraser, now tell me what did the ever achieve for England apart sending down a few pies and asking the batsman to help themselves. Personally I would like to see him left for the summer so he can score runs for Somerset, but he is scoring heavy runs for England and no doubt Compo will feature early in the season as England play NZ in the first part of our summer.

England now head off the Auckland for the last Test, hopefully the sun will come out and we can have an even contest. I thought it was meant to be the driest New Zealand summer since I went there! Auckland does bring back some great memories for me. I flew into NZ’s largest city after a tough campaign in the South Island, and I knew things wouldn’t get any easier as soon as I checked into my hotel. There was a message for me at reception, saying: “see you in the bar at about 5, Marcus”. What could possibly go wrong?

Find out next week, as I have a plate to deliver back to The Cottage, it's 6.57 you know and time for skittles.

Sellsy's Monday Supplement (SMS)

The debate over who should open for England no doubt will be put to bed now after Somerset’s Nick Compton hit an under pressure century in a 200+ opening stand with captain Alastair Cook in England’s second inning of the first Test against New Zealand, effectively saving them from defeat.

Compo done what he does best, occupying the crease, scoring heavily and taking time out of the game, which helped earn England a draw. I do hope those in the Joe Root camp (mainly from Yorkshire) will keep quiet as, for once, he failed in both innings going in at number six. Admittedly Root will one day open for England in Tests, and I have an inclining he may even captain his country, possibly in all formats of the game, but the opening berth is Compo’s, for this series anyway.

Compo’s County colleagues at Somerset are now back training at the County Ground ready for the forthcoming season; even Pete Trego has been pounding the streets of Weston keeping himself in trim before proper training commences. With the new Director of Cricket, David Nosworthy, arriving in the next few weeks you suddenly realise that the new season is just over four weeks away – hard to believe as I drove to work this morning there was snow on the Quantock’s.

With realisation that the first ball will be delivered on April 10^th I must now deliberate how I should do my Somerset bet for 2013. Over the past six seasons I have placed bets on Somerset to win all competitions in a season, whether it has been a straight accumulator, a lucky 15 (when there was four competitions), or a patent. Ever since I have been placing my bets Somerset seem to be bridesmaids, perennial runners-up or just darn frustrating, what ever phrase takes your fancy. I even changed my bet one season and done them each-way, and that season they did oblige and came runners-up in three competitions.

However, I want them to win, and like most supporters, win the County Championship and if I happen to pick up any cash reward that would be just an added bonus. The bookies think Somerset have a decent chance of winning silver wear in 2013 as they are second favourites to win the County Championship and firm favourites to win both limited overs competitions. So my mind is maid up a win patent and let the season commence.

 

Australian cricket seems to be in more disarray than ever at present. After being absolutely thumped by India in the first two Tests, they have now have dropped Shane Watson, James Pattinson, Mitchell Johnson and Usman Khawaja the third Test for a breach of discipline. Now for any English supporter this is quite amusing, in fact very amusing even though quite baffling. There will no doubt be masses of column inches about this over the next few weeks / months and a lot more will be said and done. I wonder how our friends down under feel. Any comments from those who support the baggy green? Roll on the Ashes!

Anyway, enough from me, 6.57, time for skittles and a Thatchers or two. Don’t forget Stowey players, skittles night on Saturday!

Sellsy's Monday Supplement

Australia are in trouble, in fact they are in deep s%&t! After being comprehensively beaten by India in the first Test, another heavy defeat is on the cards for our Aussie friends. How good is that?

 

Now, if you remember before Christmas, England toured India and won the four Test series 2-1. The Aussies are also playing a four Test series and are likely to go 2-0 down, as they are still need another 200 runs to make India bat again.

For an England supporter and with back-to-back Ashes fast approaching this is very refreshing news indeed. Looking at their starting XI for this current Test I don’t see any threatening names, albeit Michael Clarke, like there was some two years ago. Nothing like the Waugh’s, Ponting, Hayden, Langer, Warne, McGrath et al, all were the scourge of English cricket for many a year.

I am not going to say England will hammer the Aussies, it would be nice if they would, purely because it’s the Ashes, but the English hierarchy must be looking at two series victories and dominance in all areas on the pitch. The bookies certainly think so, as England are at best 1-2 favourites to win here in the first set of Test’s.

So it’s the first Test Tuesday night against New Zealand in Dunedin. So that means bed early on Tuesday afternoon and will be up all night with my eyes glued to the TV. Or will it be stay awake as long as possible and watch as much as I can up to the lunch interval. Or even go to bed, turn my Iphone on, fall to sleep and miss the whole lot. For those who know me best the latter of the three will be favourite, but we shall see!

I have great memories of watching cricket in New Zealand. I managed to catch two Test matches and a couple of One Day Internationals when I visited back in 1997. It should of been three ODI’s, but I missed the third one of the series as I got a little distracted in a place called Tauranga on my way down to Napier from Auckland. Met a few ex-pats, it was only going to be a fleeting visit, but ended up sleeping on Keith Jones’ sofa for two nights and we watched the game on TV, blowing the froth of a few!

Missed an exciting one as that match was tied and so was the one day series 2-2, England having won the first two, the two I watched in Christchurch and Auckland.

More memories next week, loads to tell, especially meeting up with my good friend from Stowey, Marcus. Something for next week perhaps?

Anyway, enough from me, 6.57, time for skittles and a Thatchers or two!

Sellsy's Monday Supplement

Joe Root seems to be the man of the moment for England. He is on the tip of everyone’s tongue, always in the headlines and is one of the most popular searches on Cricinfo – I believe they could that “trending” or is that Twitter?

Root has had a fantastic winter, grasping his opportunity in the final Test against India when selected to bat at number six. An unusual position for Root, as he opens the innings for Yorkshire. This didn’t faze him in any shape or form, as he ground out a magnificent half century in the first innings and effectively kill the Test and help England win away in India.

Since then he has been batting magnificently for England both in India and now in New Zealand in the short format of the game. I believe he is the first player in ODI history to score 30 or more in his first six innings, some feat.

Now, there have been calls for Root to take Somerset’s Nick Compton place at the top of the order and open with captain, Alastair Cook. Michael Vaughan, a former Yorkshire player, got the ball rolling some time a go saying that his fellow Yorkshireman should open. Is he being bias to his fellow Tyke? Well he has a case, but surely Somerset’s Compo deserves an extended run in the Test team at the top of the order, as he did no wrong against India.

Well a shootout for selection could take place on Wednesday when England play a New Zealand XI in their only warm-up game. Should be an interesting few days. Incidentally, I say Wednesday but please don’t let the time difference confuse you as it will start Tuesday night here in the UK, a bit like the first Test the following week, in fact all three Tests.

Personally I can’t see why England should change the top seven from the team who played India in the fourth Test in Nagpur with Root going in a number six. At least that sorts that position out and no Samit useless Patel! 

Anyway, enough from me, 6.57, time for skittles and a Thatchers or two!

Sellsy's Monday Supplement (SMS)

Over Stowey are now just a couple of months away from the new cricket season and things are in full swing to get the club ready for the 2013 campaign.

 

First up is a bit of a team building evening, a skittles night on March 16^th, at our favourite haunt, The Cottage Inn. Usual format, a few skittles are knocked over, a few ciders sunk and plenty of food to eat. Somehow golf in the morning sounds a bad idea, especially the 19^th hole!

The next day indoor training starts, now that should be very interesting, especially after what will go on the night before, but we shall see. And after all this team building and practice, the weekend of the 6^th and 7^th April is ground preparation weekend, plus the collection of membership. Somehow me thinks we should collect that at the skittles night when everyone has had a few!

Cricket starts in May, and the Charity / Six-a-side weekend kicks in on the 6^th and 7^th of July. A team from SWP solutions are already shouting about that they will be team to beat. We shall see Arthur and Rabbit!

What other delights does 2013 hold for Over Stowey CC and its members? Well your truly is in the process of designing a new fixture handbook, so watch out for that, it’s costing me a few beers for the guys at work, so I will have my receipts ready to claim back!

And don’t forget in-between Over Stowey and their cricket, Somerset will be playing, in pursuit of their first ever County Championship. With all that is going on at Stowey I may struggle to get to the County Ground (not!).  

Anyway, enough from me, 7.27 and time for a Thatchers!