Sellsy's Monday Supplement

Monday 29^th Sept 2014


The English cricket season is now over, plenty of winners, losers and a lot to look forward to over the winter, with plenty of speculation no doubt.

Somerset finished a respectable sixth in the County Championship, having been top of the table for period of about four days earlier in the season.  With Somerset only losing two County Championship games all season you would of thought they would be higher up the table, but 10 drawn games tells a tale.

It proves that Somerset are a tough unit and difficult to beat. It also shows that a few more wins could of seen them in contention for the County Championship. I am thinking back to those matches where the weather intervened when a victory was in Somerset’s grasp, games against Lancashire (twice) and Northants for example.

The recent draw against Yorkshire really annoyed me, not because of the result, but the headlines after. Somerset apparently held on for a draw. Bollocks. They went for a win, knowing a draw would always be there as back-up.

The might Set would of been disappointed not to off progressed to the knock-out stages of the T20 and the 50 over competitions. I know I certainly was, especially as they put themselves in some really good positions to qualify.

The highlight for me during the 2014 campaign was the emergence of some very talented youngsters, Lewis Gregory, Tom Abell (who I predicted would make an impact at the start of the season) to name but two. Lewis would count himself very unlucky indeed not to of been picked for the England Performance Programme Squad. Whereas Lewis misses out, Craig Overton will travel to South Africa with the EPP.

Lewis has also agreed to extend his Somerset contract, which is just excellent news. And to cap off a great season, he was voted Supporters Player of the Year for 2014, just richly deserved.

Alex Barrow, James Regan, Max Waller and Josh Davey have all been handed deals, again excellent news. Alex Barrow has done well behind the stumps in the absence of Craig Kieswetter; I believe he averaged around 40 in the County Championship. He also came on as 12^th man for England in a recent Test match against India, what great experience for the youngster.

On a sadder note, high performance director Andy Hurry is to leave the club to take up a role with England. Former coach Hurry has been named as the head of the England development programme and will leave Taunton after 13 years. Somerset’s loss will no doubt be England’s gain.

So what do we have to look forward or not look forward to during the winter months? Well, no Test matches to start, a huge disappointment, instead a host of One Day Internationals, and the World Cup early next year. With all the speculation about Cook’s captaincy and should he lead England to the World Cup, a certain Ravi Bopara has been selected in the One Day Squad for Sri Lanka and no doubt will figure in the World Cup next year.

So instead of Cook being a scapegoat for a dismal World Cup, the fingers should be pointed at the selectors for picking Ravi. He has just not performed as a One Day Cricketer, he has been dropped on so many occasions, and then recalled, the selectors must know he is just a County Cricketer and that’s all.

Enough said, I want to enjoy skittles and Thatchers tonight. Cheers

Sellsy's Monday Supplement

Monday 15^th Sept 2014

Who exactly are the champions of the West Somerset Cricket League? Divisions Two to Five have all been resolved, but Division One is still a bit of a quandary!

According to the League website, Holford are sitting pretty at the top, but Bridgetown still have their game against Roadwater to go on, which, I believe, they won. But how many points did they pick up?

Then according to the local newspaper Bridgetown gained enough points in their victory against Roadwater to clinch the title. A massive write-up submitted by Bridgetown was published, but hey, did they forget to inform the league? The league website isn’t happy about it!

And to put another spanner in the works, my sources tell me that Bridgetown’s points are incorrect by two points, and the League have been notified about this. This will make Holford champions.

Like in all sports we as punters want the right results, right decisions and especially in this case the right information, so does anyone know who has won the West Somerset League? If it is Holford, I can understand why they’ve won, their side is packed full of former Over Stowey players!

On the subject of league champions, congratulations must go to Yorkshire who became the 2014 County Champions last week, and with a game to spare. Consistently the best side throughout the County Championship season, deservedly winners – but they didn’t beat Somerset, now that is the kiss of death as Somerset play Yorkshire next week.

The only thing that has put a dampener on Yorkshire’s triumph is that their club captain, Andrew Gale, was banned by the ECB from lifting the trophy as he was currently serving a two match ban. A lot has been said, written etc about Gale not being able to be presented with the trophy, mostly from Yorkshire folk, but what does the ECB do?

Gale was banned as he breached the ECB code of conduct by hurling abuse towards Lancashire’s Ashwell Prince during their recent County Championship game. Serves him right, especially as he is captain. Somehow I think the ECB are right, as captain you should lead by example, uphold the values of cricket and things like that, so a ban is well in order. I wonder if the ECB will relent though, and do something during the Somerset game next week.

Enough of Yorkshire, back to the mighty Somerset. Two games left, all still to play for and Craig Kieswetter is back in the Somerset line-up, his first game since is horrific injury he picked-up against Northamptonshire. Two wins will do nicely, perhaps then third place and a small payout, perhaps my money back even.

Ok, Thatchers time. No supplement next week, on my jolly holidays, sampling cider in Cornwall, now that’s what I call a holiday!

Sellsy's Monday Supplement

Monday 8^th Sept 2014

During the summer months while I have been concentrating on Over Stowey’s 2^nd XI Grand Tour of the West Somerset League a lot has happened in the cricketing world, especially with my county, Somerset and my country, England of course.

So where do I start, I have so much to choose from:

·         Nosworthy – gone

·         Somerset’s average season

·         Somerset’s average signings

·         My bet, now worthless

·         Alastair Cook – should he stay, or should he go

·         Sam Robson v Alex Hales to open in Test’s

This is to name just a few.

The official line about Nosworthy’s departure was it was by mutual consent, in others words he was sacked and got a nice little pay off. He has taken Somerset backwards – it would be nice to think that other counties have caught up with Somerset’s ideas, but alas not, backwards seems to be the word mostly used about his tenure in charge.

I am not going to rip him apart, I am not like that; at the end of the day he done his best, words like rabbit in the headlights come to mind. Average signings, average performances (albeit one or two run chases), and my pre season bet has now gone down the pan.

I suppose one good thing is that Somerset avoided the drop last season, and this season they were fighting for the title, well up until the Warwickshire game, and was at one stage top for a day or two. Looks as if Yorkshire are nailed on to win the league now, with Somerset scrapping it out for 2^nd, 3^rd and 4^th. 

So who is going to replace Nosworthy? Jamie Cox? Ashley Giles? Justin Langer? These are just three name bounded about at present, and we could quite easily add Jason Kerr’s name to the list. Cox and Langer have brought success to the county and Giles brought County Championship to Warwickshire.

Langer and Brian Rose built up a formidable partnership as Captain and Director of Cricket, dragging Somerset from division two mediocrity (remember that?) to a side who would challenge on all domestic fronts, and even taking them to the Champions League on a couple of occasions.

I suppose now here at Somerset we had got somewhat complacent expecting the side to qualify for knock-out stages or even going to finals in one day competitions, as we did under Langer & Rose, also somewhat with Trescothick & Rose. But has reality set in? Am I seeing the light? I don’t know, but the past two seasons seems to me to be a bit of a waste and a step backwards. Plus we have lost Jos Buttler.

But on a brighter note we do have some promising youngsters, it is nice to see the likes of Lewis Gregory, Jamie and Craig Overton, Tom Abell making a names for themselves. Especially Lewis; surely an England player in the making?

Enough of that, last home game at the end of this week, where has the summer gone? And then a trip to Yorkshire. Come on Somerset; make it two out of two and hopefully a runners-up spot (again). 

Right, Thatchers time, I shall not even attempt to talk about England and the absolute trash written in the media about Alastair Cook, they have always got to find fault. What did Derek Pringle exactly do for England?

Sellsy's Monday Supplement

Now I am not great fan of Adil Rashid, but every run he made on Sunday and Monday for Yorkshire against Somerset made my teeth grind and my stomach churn. He seems to do it all the time against Somerset and will now say that he should be in contention for an England call-up.

Well only he says that. The last time he held a bat and bowled a ball for his country he was absolutely rubbish, a bit like Ravi Bopara, and was carrying a bit of weight. No wonder he was dropped.

So the 2014 County Championship season is now truly up and running, with Sussex showing some good form early on. They hammered Middlesex by and innings, and have recently skittled out Warwickshire for 87, ok they were 229 all out themselves and 20 wickets fell on a day, but hey they are in a commanding position.

Nottinghamshire have also made a winning start, beating newly promoted Lancashire in their first game and now scoring heavily against Middlesex in their current match. Saying that, Steve Finn and James Harris have taken four wickets a piece for Middlesex, giving the England selectors a nudge. Just glad to see Samit Patel failing for the second innings in a row for Notts – no you are not good enough for England, let alone batting as high as five for Notts.

You’d have to look in to Division Two for the best result of the opening round of matches, our friends from Glamorgan thumping money bags Surrey by 10 wickets. Great result and welcome to the real world Surrey, ha bloody ha!

Now, Gloucestershire, a county which rarely gets any column inches from me, but did you see a player called Tavare scoring a ton. Now, when I see the name Tavare my minds go back to Chris, the former Somerset captain, who will score slower than Boycott, but apparently the Gloucester youngster is his nephew, Will, and it’s his debut.  Looking at some pictures I see he has the Tavare trade mark moustache!

Back to Somerset, looks like taking wickets could be the problem, or have the ground curators produced an absolute belter for a change, well the next few days we’ll find out. But can anyone tell me why Peter Trego is not playing, just hope he is injured not dropped.

Ok, that’s enough from me, not much to say you’ll be relieved to read, cricket to watch, cider to drink!!!!!!

Sellsy's Monday Supplement

Before I start this week my thoughts go to the family off Derbyshire’s Tom Poynton who was involved in a fatal car crash on Friday where his father killed. Such a tragedy on the eve of the County Championship season just puts things into perspective.

+++++

The wait is almost over, Somerset start their County Championship campaign on Sunday when they host Yorkshire, so do we wish to believe that this will be Somerset’s year? Let’s blooming well hope so.

Well for all those who have parted with some well earned cash for my annual bet, thank you. Those who didn’t well, we will see if you are right to keep the monies in your pocket or not. I must admit I nearly put it all on for Somerset to win everything, but each-way will suffice, how difficult can it be to just to get to a final or two and then we’ll be quid’s in.

So who will be in Somerset’s line-up on Sunday? Well the University game which started today will hopefully give us some indication on the starting line-up, but who’s available, who’s fit, can we take 20 wickets?

So my punt is the following: Trescothick, Jones, Compton, Hildreth, Kieswetter, Trego, Meschede, Thomas, Overton, Overton and Dockrell. But what do I know? Lewis Gregory has shown a lot of promise pre-season, Jack Leach seems to improving leaps and bounds, Johnann Myburgh is a season campaigner, and don’t forget Alviro Petersen has to come in to the equation once he arrives.

And then how can we forget the whole-hearted Steve Kirby, who I believe is on the treatment table at the moment, plus he is preparing for the quiz night in aid of the recent flood victims. Then there are the likes of Alex Barrow, Adam Dibble, James Regan and Max Waller, all will be looking to push for a starting place in the first XI.

However, there is one player who I will keep a close eye on this season, and he is yet to make any sort of 1^st team appearances. This youngster scored in excess of 1,000 runs for the 2^nd XI last year, and surely a good start for the second string will not be ignored by the Somerset hierarchy. Tom Abell had a fantastic second half to the 2013 season. Jason Kerr, who was last season Academy Director and now 1^st XI bowling coach, knows all about Tom and his ability. Let’s see what happens eh?

Anyway, time for a cider me thinks, see you at the County Ground later in the week.

Sellsy's Monday Supplement

Ashley Giles England’s new Head Coach is like saying Jade Dernbach is a world class T20 cricket player. For crying out loud, what kind of performance was that against Holland? The less said about it the better, but I am sure plenty of critics have got their pencils sharpened right now!

England have yet to appoint a successor to Andy Flower, and with the lack of strong candidates coming forward it looks as if “The King of Spain” is nailed on for the position. From what I can pick-up in the social media the likes of Gary Kirsten, Ottis Gibson and Stephen Fleming have made themselves unavailable – do you blame them, the choice between IPL riches or the highest profile job in international cricket? Think I know what I would choose.

Why not go back to Peter Moores. Since he parted his way with England over the Kevin Pietersen affair he has done a remarkable job at Lancashire (albeit one relegation) or even Nottinghamshire’s Mick Newell, but not Giles.

I know he has enjoyed success with Warwickshire; hence he got the position of ODI and T20 coach for England. But what has he done for England since? Not a great deal, I don’t know the statistics, but I would like to wager England have lost more than they have won in the shorter version of the game.

So England bow out woefully off World T20 at the Super 10 stage, did we really think they would win, I suppose the Sri Lanka game and the brilliance of Alex Hales gave us supporters some hope, but surely reality is England have gone backwards somewhat under Giles.

Ok, they were unlucky against New Zealand, they ran South Africa close and there have been a host of injuries, but this tournament and the Dutch result sums up England’s miserable winter, a winter where we all had high hopes.

The rebuilding of England’s Test side should be happening now, but without a Head Coach how can this be possible? Sri Lanka are over here from May for a T20, a host of ODI’s and then a couple of Test matches in June, but who will be in charge and who will line-up for England in the first Test?

Well here is my punt at the England starting XI for the first Test in June: Alastair Cook, Sam Robson, Jonathan Trott, Ian Bell, Joe Root, Ben Stokes, Jos Buttler, Stuart Broad, Jimmy Anderson, Scott Borthwick and Steven Finn.

As you can see, some survivors from the Ashes, some new faces and a welcome return to Trott, he is England’s best batsman, so he should be picked despite walking out on the Ashes tour in the winter because he was burnt out – but how will the dressing room react to his selection, if picked off course!

Middlesex’s Sam Robson just looks class, he scored a shed load of runs for his County last summer, and when I have seen him at Taunton he just looks so at ease and comfortable, a natural opener. SO to select him poses a question in what to do with Joe Root, down the order I think, he does adapt well.

Ben Stokes had a cracking winter so deserves his place. Whereas Matt Prior didn’t and doesn’t, hence the selection off Jos Buttler. But it is the bowling that worries me and taking 20 wickets. Jimmy Anderson will love the English conditions and will take a hatful. Borthwick to me is a very rare commodity, an English legspinner, and we need someone to replace Graeme Swann. And as for Steve Finn, somehow I think playing county cricket for six weeks at the start of the County Championship season may do him more good than harm. But somehow there seems to be a lack of quality English bowlers.

Ok, enough of that, time for a cider me thinks, well it is 5.27ish! Next week a Somerset preview.

Sellsy's Monday Supplement

Just as I predicted last week, the winner of the Ireland Netherlands game would go through, but admittedly I didn’t predict the circumstances in which the Dutch would qualify! Cracking game and boy did the men in Orange give the ball a thump!

Now off course England got off to an expected defeat against New Zealand on Saturday, but the circumstances were very harsh indeed. Nobody wants to see games decided on the “Jack” Duckworth method and whether England would off won is a different matter. For once I agree with Stuart Broad, players were at risk with all the lightning flying about, the players should off come of earlier and one point each would have been fair.

So who next for England, Sri Lanka, talk about a must win game. Don’t worry England, Craig Kieswetter is on the way. By the time he gets out there, England will be packing their bags to come home! Oh what a pessimist I am.

So who is going to win the T20 World Cup? Me thinks either India or New Zealand. The Indians play this style of the game nearly all the time and the Kiwis have a very good unit led by the awesome Brendon McCullum. But in this format who knows, Pakistan could throw up a surprise, like they did when they beat Australia the other day, shame.

On the domestic front Somerset had a bit of a interesting start in their warm up match against Worcestershire last week. At 82-7 at lunch on the first day I began to wonder, but in the second innings Nick Compton showed his international class by scoring a classy century, with contributions from Kieswetter, Marcus Trescothick and James Hildreth.

As you may know to win the County Championship you need to win First Class games and to win First Class game you need to take 20 wickets. For me Somerset have an ideal attack to achieve this. The pace of the Overton twins, the guile of Alfonso Thomas the trickery of Pete Trego, the ever improving Craig Meschede and the spin of George Dockrell. Watch out Division One, Somerset are going to prove a lot of people wrong this season.

Meschede has come on leaps and bounds over the past two seasons. Not only is he improving with the ball, but is also a handy batsman coming in lower down the order. This could be a defining season for Craig. Can the likes of Alex Barrow and Chris Jones step up a level as well, if so, what a team Somerset will have.

Ok, those who have decided to bet on Somerset to win all three monies by the end of the week please, contact me via Facebook or my mobile and I’ll tell you how much and how to get payment to myself.

5.27....time for a cider me thinks!