Viking Supporters Co-operative

Viking Chat => Off Topic => Topic started by: NickDRFC on September 20, 2016, 11:52:03 am

Title: County Championship
Post by: NickDRFC on September 20, 2016, 11:52:03 am
Potential for a thrilling final week. Yorkshire missing a number of key players (3 best batsmen) & Rashid not up for it. Made a great start despite a couple of dropped catches. I reckon winning thiscould potentially be the finest Championship win yet!
Title: Re: County Championship
Post by: BobG on September 20, 2016, 12:52:43 pm
And the bloody TCCB wouldn't allow Bairstow to play either. Last score I saw was Middlesex 72-3. Hope it 87-7 now!

Bob
Title: Re: County Championship
Post by: Muttley on September 20, 2016, 01:03:32 pm
Sounds like Strauss has blocked blocked Bairstow and leaned on Rashid so that his beloved Middlesex have a better chance.
Title: Re: County Championship
Post by: Filo on September 20, 2016, 01:15:37 pm
I don't know how they can block Bairstow when he has n't got a central contract
Title: Re: County Championship
Post by: NickDRFC on September 20, 2016, 01:31:10 pm
Unfortunately (although it's probably been part of the national teams recent improvement), even on an incremental contract the ECB have that power. I can't see the logic in this case, though, given how little he played in the T20/ODI games.

I do like Strauss so don't want to think he's done it for anything but the right reasons but does seem odd that Plunkett and Willey were both free to play when either one or both would probably have missed out anyway, but our batting department was significantly weakened in Bairstow's absence.
Title: Re: County Championship
Post by: BobG on September 20, 2016, 01:50:07 pm
I think the centralised control of who can and who cannot play for their employer prostitutes the game. It takes control away from clubs and gives decision making power to people who may have other agendas. I understand the idea is to help the England team, and that with central contracts the concept of 'employer' has become rather elastic but if the price of a decent England side is potential for favoritism between club sides then I think it's wrong.

Bob
Title: Re: County Championship
Post by: BobG on September 20, 2016, 03:44:25 pm
168-5 at tea. Gubbins on 96 no.

Sidebottom 12 overs, 6 maidens, 0-13!!!

Get Gubbins and it looks like we could get the rest for not very many.

Bob
Title: Re: County Championship
Post by: GM-MarkB on September 20, 2016, 06:13:23 pm
Somerset fell apart this afternoon too....Jake Ball took a 6for
Title: Re: County Championship
Post by: NickDRFC on September 20, 2016, 06:26:34 pm
At first I thought that was a bad thing - Somerset winning means that Middlesex also need to win; if Somerset lose then that means Middlesex could just play for a draw. However I've just seen that if we were to finish level with Somerset, they would win for having lost fewer games or something like that - hopefully this means only 3 bonus points and they still skittle Notts.
Title: Re: County Championship
Post by: NickDRFC on September 22, 2016, 03:23:50 pm
Astonishing morning for Yorkshire which lurched towards disaster but now it's back in our hands. Very well played Ryan Sidebottom for blocking out so many overs, Azeem Rafiq and in particular Tim Bresnan. If we can get a lead of 100+ and get 3-4 wickets tonight things are looking good.

I think there may be a small bout of flu hitting my household overnight. I'm sure I'll be well enough to get myself to Lords, though!
Title: Re: County Championship
Post by: RedJ on September 22, 2016, 03:43:37 pm
We only need to win to win the title now, according to their twitter.
Title: Re: County Championship
Post by: NickDRFC on September 22, 2016, 03:53:20 pm
Yeah, as I said it's now in our hands. If both us and Somerset win we will beat them by a point.
Title: Re: County Championship
Post by: roversron on September 22, 2016, 07:54:14 pm
I'm going down there tomorrow 2 wickets down still in deficit no rain forecast. ..really looking forward to a good day
Title: Re: County Championship
Post by: Filo on September 22, 2016, 09:00:22 pm
While these two are at the crease for them it's going to be a struggle, two or three early wickets in the morning and it's game on, lets hope for a bit of cloud cover to get that ball swinging, no point in either team playing for a draw, only a win from either of them prevents Somerset being champions
Title: Re: County Championship
Post by: Muttley on September 22, 2016, 09:40:46 pm
While these two are at the crease for them it's going to be a struggle, two or three early wickets in the morning and it's game on, lets hope for a bit of cloud cover to get that ball swinging, no point in either team playing for a draw, only a win from either of them prevents Somerset being champions

Sunny morning forecast then cloud in afternoon.
Title: Re: County Championship
Post by: NickDRFC on September 22, 2016, 09:56:53 pm
I can see Middlesex playing for the draw just to stop us winning it. Spineless w**kers.
Title: Re: County Championship
Post by: BobG on September 22, 2016, 10:50:44 pm
It's a bit much though, isn't it, that Yorkshire have had to make do almost all season without the two best players in the country because the TCCB won't allow them to play.... Bloody fantastic effort to get as close as they have without the likes of Root, Bairstow......

BobG
Title: Re: County Championship
Post by: GM-MarkB on September 23, 2016, 12:06:44 am
I'd argue with you Bob and say the best 2 players ARE playing....Sidebottom & Brooks...consistant wicket takers with the ability to dismantle a batting side at the drop of a hat

Beats me how Jack hasn't had a run out with the Test side yet
Title: Re: County Championship
Post by: BobG on September 23, 2016, 02:46:35 am
Ha ha! Yes. It's not possible to argue with that tbh is it?!

Bob
Title: Re: County Championship
Post by: Sammy Chung was King on September 23, 2016, 04:44:41 am
Root is a class above any other english batsman we have in the country.
Title: Re: County Championship
Post by: GazLaz on September 23, 2016, 06:07:46 am
Root is a class above any other english batsman we have in the country.

He's not a class above Cook. He may be slightly better but he's not levels above him.
Title: Re: County Championship
Post by: Filo on September 23, 2016, 08:20:31 am
For Middlesex to win the Championship they're going to have to come out swinging the bat this morning, bat until lunch and then bowl Yorkshire out, a big ask, the title is between Somerst and Yorkshire now with Somerset the clear favourites in my opinion
Title: Re: County Championship
Post by: NickDRFC on September 23, 2016, 08:40:19 am
Ha ha! Yes. It's not possible to argue with that tbh is it?!

Bob

I'd argue that Bairstow is a bigger player than either of those two, or at least has been for the past two seasons. Admittedly not played much this season but when he has he has papered over the cracks in our generally brittle batting line up. For all his heroics in this match, Andy Hodd as his replacement isn't anywhere near as good, whereas if Siders/Brooks are out, there are better replacements. We are playing 5 seamers in this game and Liam Plunkett isn't playing!
Title: Re: County Championship
Post by: Filo on September 23, 2016, 01:36:44 pm
The way Middlesex are playing at the moment they seem more intent on stopping Yorkshire winning the title than going for it themselves
Title: Re: County Championship
Post by: GM-MarkB on September 23, 2016, 02:27:21 pm
This session is the most bizarre i've ever seen......
Title: Re: County Championship
Post by: GM-MarkB on September 23, 2016, 02:41:27 pm
240 to make history then..........
Title: Re: County Championship
Post by: BobG on September 23, 2016, 03:39:57 pm
6 an over for 40 overs about. I reckon that's quite generous by Middlesex tbh.

39-1 after 10......

Bob
Title: Re: County Championship
Post by: idler on September 23, 2016, 03:51:56 pm
48-2 off 12.2 overs.
Title: Re: County Championship
Post by: GM-MarkB on September 23, 2016, 03:55:11 pm
It's not going to happen........
Title: Re: County Championship
Post by: BobG on September 23, 2016, 04:19:45 pm
79-3 off 19.

Odds on the draw but if a pair do get set and the bowlers run off their first enthusiasm then it's still possible. Wish we had another batsman though....

Bob

Title: Re: County Championship
Post by: BobG on September 23, 2016, 04:23:03 pm
Scoring rate is creeping up. 4.37 now. 89-3 in the 20th. 153 needed in a minimum of 19.3

Bob
Title: Re: County Championship
Post by: BobG on September 23, 2016, 04:26:22 pm
Last 6 overs 8,5,5,4,7,5. That's 5.7/over. Not enough - but still scope to accelerate in 10 overs time.

Bob
Title: Re: County Championship
Post by: BobG on September 23, 2016, 04:43:05 pm
Half way to the score needed - but only a min of 15 overs left. 120 in 15 overs with 6 wkts left. 8 an over. Hmmm....

Bob
Title: Re: County Championship
Post by: BobG on September 23, 2016, 04:47:43 pm
Rate up to 5 an over now after 26 overs.

Bob
Title: Re: County Championship
Post by: BobG on September 23, 2016, 04:58:26 pm
10 off the 29th over. 147-4. 93 needed in min. 11 overs. 8 and a half an over roughly.

Bob
Title: Re: County Championship
Post by: BobG on September 23, 2016, 05:02:33 pm
b*llocks! Bresnan out lbw for 55. He was going well.

Gale on 20 and Hodd just come in.

153/5 chasing 240. 87 needed. 5 wkts and 10 overs left.

Bob
Title: Re: County Championship
Post by: RoversAlias on September 23, 2016, 05:02:52 pm
Bresnan's gone.
Title: Re: County Championship
Post by: BobG on September 23, 2016, 05:13:52 pm
So's Gale. Busted.

Bob
Title: Re: County Championship
Post by: BobG on September 23, 2016, 05:28:26 pm
About to lose. 5 overs left. There won't be any extras. But only 2 wkts left. No chance of getting the runs.

Bob
Title: Re: County Championship
Post by: RoversAlias on September 23, 2016, 05:28:53 pm
Game over now surely. Hodd and Sidebottom have to hold them off for five overs or else Middlesex are champs. 62 needed off the last 30 balls to win it.

As I type Hodd has gone. Nope.
Title: Re: County Championship
Post by: RoversAlias on September 23, 2016, 05:33:21 pm
Three wickets in three balls from Toby Roland-Jones wins Middlesex the title.

Hell of a finish to the season.
Title: Re: County Championship
Post by: Draytonian III on September 23, 2016, 05:41:28 pm
Tobias Skelton Roland - Jones, to give him his full name, must be related to the Roland - Jones's from Goldthorpe !!!!!!
Title: Re: County Championship
Post by: roversdude on September 23, 2016, 05:56:58 pm
Exciting finish just a step too far for Yorkshire congrats to Middlesex
Title: Re: County Championship
Post by: GM-MarkB on September 23, 2016, 09:02:59 pm
I blame that moody tw*t Strauss.....
Title: Re: County Championship
Post by: Draytonian III on September 23, 2016, 09:11:55 pm
Same here ,I blame Strauss.  Is Johnny Bairstow a centrally contracted player  ???
Title: Re: County Championship
Post by: drfchound on September 23, 2016, 09:26:19 pm
Spineless t**ts?
Title: Re: County Championship
Post by: roversron on September 24, 2016, 12:04:09 am
I went today after lunch they had no intention of making a proper game of it. We shouldn't have agreed to a run chase we held all the cards. Even with 8 down and a few overs left they had 6 players on the boundary. ...They don't deserve the title. ..I agree with hound.  Wish we had held out and let Somerset win
Title: Re: County Championship
Post by: BobG on September 24, 2016, 12:46:38 am
That's a completely bizarre field setting then Ron. The only chanace they had of winning the title was to bowl Yorkshire out. Having fielders on the boundary might stop them losing, but it would very likely stop them winning too. A logically potty field...

Bob
Title: Re: County Championship
Post by: Sammy Chung was King on September 24, 2016, 04:03:20 am
Root is a class above any other english batsman we have in the country.

He's not a class above Cook. He may be slightly better but he's not levels above him.

That's true, for some reason i forgot cook. I've always liked ian bell, not as smooth a player as those two but gritty and a good player when he is on form.
Title: Re: County Championship
Post by: drfchound on September 24, 2016, 08:38:53 am
I seem to remember hearing somewhere in the summer that Joe Root is World number one batsman.
Is that true?
Title: Re: County Championship
Post by: Filo on September 24, 2016, 09:05:18 am
Root is a class above any other english batsman we have in the country.

He's not a class above Cook. He may be slightly better but he's not levels above him.

Root can adapt his game to all forms of the game, Cook could n't, that is why Root is a class above
Title: Re: County Championship
Post by: RedJ on September 24, 2016, 09:05:34 am
I seem to remember hearing somewhere in the summer that Joe Root is World number one batsman.
Is that true?

2nd best test batsman, 4th best ODI, 7th best T20.
Title: Re: County Championship
Post by: drfchound on September 24, 2016, 10:48:53 am
That is pretty impressive.
Title: Re: County Championship
Post by: Filo on September 24, 2016, 11:03:22 am
I seem to remember hearing somewhere in the summer that Joe Root is World number one batsman.
Is that true?

2nd best test batsman, 4th best ODI, 7th best T20.

Cooks highest rankings

Test 2nd, ODI 5th, T20 65th
Title: Re: County Championship
Post by: drfchound on September 24, 2016, 11:41:58 am
Cook and Root both 2nd in tests?
Title: Re: County Championship
Post by: Filo on September 24, 2016, 11:54:53 am
Cook and Root both 2nd in tests?

Should have stated that Cooks are career rankings not present day
Title: Re: County Championship
Post by: drfchound on September 24, 2016, 09:02:38 pm
Cheers for that.
Title: Re: County Championship
Post by: NickDRFC on September 25, 2016, 12:30:20 am
Cook and Root have both been the best test batsmen in the world at one point