Gloucs 213-4 at close for a lead of 351. Probably going to have to bat for at least a day and a half to save the match - and if we do that we'll probably win it!
I wonder about the position of Jimmy Adams if Kent have another season like the last one. The team are definitely underperforming. I also wonder about the motivation of Rob Key or whether he would rather be in the Sky commentary box.
For someone who has allegedly been promised the Captaincy next season, it really is about time Sam Northeast steps up to the mark.
Almost 25 and with a career average of little over 30, his scores this season have been: 20, 4, 23, 33, 18, 0, 18, 0, 53, 0, 12, 26, 1 & 20.
That's 228 runs at an average of 16.29 and with just the one fifty from 14 innings.
The likes of Fabian Cowdrey must wonder what they have to do to get into the team.
Big season for him this one. He can't keep being a promising youngster, he has to start delivering. Maybe he isn't as good as thought. Interesting that Joe Denly got his first double figure score of the season for Middlesex yesterday. Another player who hasn't fulfilled his potential.
For someone who has allegedly been promised the Captaincy next season, it really is about time Sam Northeast steps up to the mark.
Almost 25 and with a career average of little over 30, his scores this season have been: 20, 4, 23, 33, 18, 0, 18, 0, 53, 0, 12, 26, 1 & 20.
That's 228 runs at an average of 16.29 and with just the one fifty from 14 innings.
The likes of Fabian Cowdrey must wonder what they have to do to get into the team.
Big season for him this one. He can't keep being a promising youngster, he has to start delivering. Maybe he isn't as good as thought. Interesting that Joe Denly got his first double figure score of the season for Middlesex yesterday. Another player who hasn't fulfilled his potential.
I haven't seen enough of Northeast to recognise what the issue is with him but I always felt Denly's issue was fairly simple - shot selection. So many times I've seen him bat beautifully to the 20-30 mark and then do something pretty stupid like pick out the only man on the leg side boundary.
The batting was poor in this match and Northeast, as Addick Addict points out above, has been poor all season. Other than Fabian Cowdrey though who do we have to come in? Blake has been found wanting in the past and after him I'm struggling.
It asks an awful lot of 37 year old Stevens to bat at number 6, with a view to scoring runs, and also be one of the main bowlers. Again though who is there to come in without weakening a brittle batting line up even more?
The batting was poor in this match and Northeast, as Addick Addict points out above, has been poor all season. Other than Fabian Cowdrey though who do we have to come in? Blake has been found wanting in the past and after him I'm struggling.
It asks an awful lot of 37 year old Stevens to bat at number 6, with a view to scoring runs, and also be one of the main bowlers. Again though who is there to come in without weakening a brittle batting line up even more?
I think Cowdrey is the person that has to come in - it will give Fabian a chance that he must think he deserves given the form of the top order but, more to the point, might shake Northeast up and perhaps also allow him to gain some confidence getting runs in the twos.
D B-D should open with Key, Nash at 3, Harmy 4 and Cowdrey 5.
I haven't seen enough of Northeast to recognise what the issue is with him but I always felt Denly's issue was fairly simple - shot selection. So many times I've seen him bat beautifully to the 20-30 mark and then do something pretty stupid like pick out the only man on the leg side boundary.
Temperament? Brains? Or simply not good enough? I think in Denly's case, not good enough to get to the top. An application issue I believe. In Northeast's case, I am not sure as he hasn't really got many big scores.
The batting was poor in this match and Northeast, as Addick Addict points out above, has been poor all season. Other than Fabian Cowdrey though who do we have to come in? Blake has been found wanting in the past and after him I'm struggling.
It asks an awful lot of 37 year old Stevens to bat at number 6, with a view to scoring runs, and also be one of the main bowlers. Again though who is there to come in without weakening a brittle batting line up even more?
I think Cowdrey is the person that has to come in - it will give Fabian a chance that he must think he deserves given the form of the top order but, more to the point, might shake Northeast up and perhaps also allow him to gain some confidence getting runs in the twos.
D B-D should open with Key, Nash at 3, Harmy 4 and Cowdrey 5.
Sam Billings looks like he may be a useful batsman. Maybe he can go up the order ?
There is a familiar look to the Kent Spitfires squad, released today, to face Somerset in their opening match in the 2014 NatWest T20 Blast competition. The players that head for Taunton represent the bulk of the team who competed in the County’s last Championship fixture in Gloucestershire. Alex Blake’s efforts against the touring Sri Lanka team have been rewarded with his inclusion, he, along with David Griffiths, are the only new members of the 12.
‘We are keen to start the new competition on a winning note,’ commented the Spitfires’ Head Coach, Jimmy Adams. ‘It is an intense competition so we don’t want to slip off the pace early in the season.’
Somerset’s record against the Spitfires is impressive with three wins and one loss in the four completed fixtures. This is a record Kent will be very keen to dent.
The match begins 5.30pm Friday, 23 May, at the County Ground, Taunton.
The full squad is:
1. Rob Key
2. Sam Northeast
3. Daniel Bell-Drummond
4. Brendon Nash
5. Darren Stevens
6. Alex Blake
7. Sam Billings (w)
8. Adam Riley
9. Adam Ball
10. Mitch Claydon
11. Doug Bollinger
12. David Griffiths
Injury Update:
Mark Davies – Out for 4 – 6 weeks, rehabbing shoulder.
James Tredwell not available due to England commitments.
So only change from the CC Team is Blake for Harmison. Understand that Harmy isn't really an OD player but at least he's in form. Don't also understand why Blake is preferred to Cowdrey because surely he would be a better sixth bowling option than say Nash?
Comments
Only 582 to win!
Epic win by 2 wickets.
Good to see the boys making a fight of it :-(
Harmy 66* Billings 51*
Almost 25 and with a career average of little over 30, his scores this season have been:
20, 4, 23, 33, 18, 0, 18, 0, 53, 0, 12, 26, 1 & 20.
That's 228 runs at an average of 16.29 and with just the one fifty from 14 innings.
The likes of Fabian Cowdrey must wonder what they have to do to get into the team.
Temperament? Brains? Or simply not good enough?
289-9 Harmison got 125 and Billings 67.
Academic obviously but 293 needed.
It asks an awful lot of 37 year old Stevens to bat at number 6, with a view to scoring runs, and also be one of the main bowlers. Again though who is there to come in without weakening a brittle batting line up even more?
D B-D should open with Key, Nash at 3, Harmy 4 and Cowdrey 5.
I haven't seen enough of Northeast to recognise what the issue is with him but I always felt Denly's issue was fairly simple - shot selection. So many times I've seen him bat beautifully to the 20-30 mark and then do something pretty stupid like pick out the only man on the leg side boundary.
Temperament? Brains? Or simply not good enough? I think in Denly's case, not good enough to get to the top. An application issue I believe. In Northeast's case, I am not sure as he hasn't really got many big scores.
There is a familiar look to the Kent Spitfires squad, released today, to face Somerset in their opening match in the 2014 NatWest T20 Blast competition. The players that head for Taunton represent the bulk of the team who competed in the County’s last Championship fixture in Gloucestershire. Alex Blake’s efforts against the touring Sri Lanka team have been rewarded with his inclusion, he, along with David Griffiths, are the only new members of the 12.
‘We are keen to start the new competition on a winning note,’ commented the Spitfires’ Head Coach, Jimmy Adams. ‘It is an intense competition so we don’t want to slip off the pace early in the season.’
Somerset’s record against the Spitfires is impressive with three wins and one loss in the four completed fixtures. This is a record Kent will be very keen to dent.
The match begins 5.30pm Friday, 23 May, at the County Ground, Taunton.
The full squad is:
1. Rob Key
2. Sam Northeast
3. Daniel Bell-Drummond
4. Brendon Nash
5. Darren Stevens
6. Alex Blake
7. Sam Billings (w)
8. Adam Riley
9. Adam Ball
10. Mitch Claydon
11. Doug Bollinger
12. David Griffiths
Injury Update:
Mark Davies – Out for 4 – 6 weeks, rehabbing shoulder.
James Tredwell not available due to England commitments.
So only change from the CC Team is Blake for Harmison. Understand that Harmy isn't really an OD player but at least he's in form. Don't also understand why Blake is preferred to Cowdrey because surely he would be a better sixth bowling option than say Nash?
bbc.co.uk/sport/0/cricket/27519452
telegraph.co.uk/sport/cricket/10848956/ECB-charge-Lou-Vincent-and-Naved-Arif-with-match-fixing-county-cricket-game.html