(14-09-2023 19:11 )Boomerangutangangbang Wrote: [ -> ]^^ Not you as well, after all we have been through, and now you want to relegate Yorkshire.
Nice idea in principle, but it wouldn't work, the equivalent of awarding Test status to Ireland with nothing in place to ensure they could be remotely successful.
Not at all! Which ever is the team at the foot of Div2 would go!
I get that in the short term, the step up for the National league winner would be too great, but that doesn't mean that how we might reach that point eventually shouldn't be looked at!!
Re Ireland test status! The goal was right, but they tried to run before they could walk in seeking the 'glamour' fixtures for financial rather than cricketing reasons! They have actually performed really well in large parts in the matches they have played, they are inexperienced, and need to build a portfolio of matches before being judged (Bangladesh??)! you are right though, the domestic structure, with four interprovincial teams is not strong enough to develop a sufficient pool of players. Another false prospectus from the now thankfully departed Deutrom. Seriously, try and find the 'masterplan' that he presented to us as a prospective test nation. When you have finished rolling on the floor laughing, tell me which part of it made any sense??, and pointed to a workable, sustainable structure or plan! It is still - I believe - on the Irish cricket website archives (instead of the trash bin where it belonged all along)
Somerset stand in keeper Steven Davies is to retire at the end of the season.
A former Worcestershire, Surrey and England keeper with over 14,000 first class runs.
I remember watching him at Worcester and he was an industrious batsman as well as a very good wicket keeper.
Just a quick line to congratulate the Foxes for seeing it through (just) in the Metro Cup Final. Pleased that both teams decided to run with the players that played through out, when the rest were 'filling their pockets' Not because the cup now is played without 'household names', that doesn't matter, but the tournament has - by definition - been downgraded (or further downgraded) in the priorities set for the domestic calender. Rather unimpressed with the attempts by the Sky team to do the ECB PR job for them, in attempting to 'build up' the value and status of the comp beyond the level everyone now knows it holds in the minds and hearts of those that made the decision to put the Hundred above it! annoyed! If that were the case, Sky would not have 'abandoned' it, until the Final.
It still matters to the clubs and the players involved, and it was great to see the reaction of the Leicestershire fans at the end. Sorry for Hampshire, but ....really.....what was Dawson Thinking?? Swindells, on the other hand, was brilliant!
^^ Dawson was actually drafted in from the Hundred, playing one group game, and the Semi in which his 7-15 single-handedly got Hampshire to today's Final.
The division two county championship promotion race has taken another twist.
Sussex have been hit with a points deduction of 12 points due to accumulation of four fixed penalties in the season.
Penultimate round of Championship matches start tomorrow
DIV 1
Essex v Hampshire
Lancashire v Nottinghamshire
Middlesex v Warwickshire
Somerset v Kent
Surrey v Northamptonshire
DIV 2
Derbyshire v Sussex
Leicestershire v Yorkshire
Worcestershire v Durham
I am not sure, but I thought 2nd place in Div 1 was still up for grabs, but listening to an interview with a Hants player as they boarded the bus Essex bound, he said the Hawks were out of the running?? That then leaves Essex in 2nd, and the only unresolved issue, relegation?? Is that correct??
In Div 2 With Sussex now really up against it in the Promotion race after disciplinary hearing, it is now Worcestershire/Leicestershire - neither of whom start tomorrow - to join Durham??
The rain is making a bit of a pigs ear of the division two promotion race
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^ Sadly true!! Hopefully though, we get enough play in the remaining 2 days to at least give each team a fair crack at maximum points!
Actually looking more and more, particularly with relegation, like a thriller of a final four days to the CC campaign again, like last year and Norwell et al.
Both Worcs v Durham and Leics v Yorkshire finished in draws leaving Worcestershire still in second by 22 points.
Final matches are reverse of this round.
Durham play Leicestershire.
Yorkshire face Worcestershire.
Barring a monumental thrashing by Yorkshire in the final match and a crushing Leicestershire win at champions Durham it should be Worcestershire going up.
But as a Worcs fan I never, ever take anything for granted
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Another fantastic round of championship matches. Nobody saw Surrey face such an uphill battle against Northants (not enough to save them sadly) and although i will always advocate that players play proper professional cricket, it had to be painful watching - even for Surrey fans, as they gave - not only a performance that gave a passing resemblance of the tortoise and the hare (they were definitely NOT the hare) but of Brian the snail as well!
Essex v Hampshire on the other hand, was a thriller! Poor old Cookie - if that is to be his final match at his beloved Chelmsford - he will sadly remember that shelled catch as much as anything.