From watching and listening yeaterday or was clear that the ball moved massively in the first hour and a half and then did very little as the air cleared.
It's part of the problem with playing this late in the summer, and the fact that the 10:30 start is earlier than it should be at this time of year with dew and the rest.
Anything Porter and Cook can do Morkel and Clarke can do better. Hopefully we skittle them cheaply and fight to get back in the game with the bat.
Wanted to see us lift the trophy but had to book a day off work more than a month ago. Took a gamble on day 3 (wednesday) based on how manybtimes we have won in 3 days this year. So hopefully it ends in 3 days with us winning somehow and i get to see the trophy.
I think Surrey won the toss so could’ve taken advantage of the early conditions.
watched the highlights on Sky last night. Commentators said Surrey batted first as they were concerned about spin. They then mentioned a name...I dont generally follow the county scene so I dont know if they meant an Essex or Surrey player.
One thing I did notice was the number 9f "named" players that Surrey have. Every time a new player came to the crease I thought "blimey...heres another one". Burns & Stoneman opening....then Roy & Pope. Dernbach & Morkel at the end. No wonder they are the champions.
True about the big name players but also bear in mind that four of those you mentioned, plus the Curran brothers and Rikki Clarke (despite spending time at Warwickshire) are home-grown. You also have Jacks, Patel and Virdi, three more local products, playing in this game. And that blend, along with the "imports" is what's won us the Championship this year.
Both Currans weren’t in the team. Didn’t help on the bowling front. Pitch was much better by the afternoon of the first day.
Jamie Porter. The word record holder for having the world's longest run-up for a bowler who bowls mid 70s.
Oi !!!
No oi about it. He runs in 3 quarters of the way from the boundary doing the 100 metre sprint every ball. And then chucks it down at 75mph. Just a bit odd. Like that club bowler who charges in off a long run but does you for lack of pace as it comes out like a slower ball every time.
But seriously he was the best bowler for Essex today. Only one who threatened on a pitch not doing much. He got visibly angry a couple times and I heard him shouting at himself as he walked down to the boundary.
Roy was exceptional, weirdly Stoneman was poor despite getting 80 odd. He just got bogged down and couldn't rotate the strike. Allowed Harmer to dominate him for long periods. Pope excellent as always. Foakes looked good before getting out. Hopefully Patel and Jack's can keep going and extend the lead tomorrow.
Unless the pitch breaks up badly tomorrow I am backing the draw. Essex still slight favourites I reckon.
I'm getting to work very early tomorrow to try and get everything done so I can leave at 4 if it's still going and get the last hour or so and hopefully the trophy presentation.
Comments
134-1, trailing by 276
244-2, trailing by 166
249-3
321-3
364-4
383-4, trailing by 27
418-5, leading by 8
Next season is even easier with the inclusion of poor sides like Kent.
Back to back championships beckon.
475-5, leading by 65
If Surrey win it would be a world record: a victory after overturning the biggest first innings deficit
But seriously he was the best bowler for Essex today. Only one who threatened on a pitch not doing much. He got visibly angry a couple times and I heard him shouting at himself as he walked down to the boundary.
Roy was exceptional, weirdly Stoneman was poor despite getting 80 odd. He just got bogged down and couldn't rotate the strike. Allowed Harmer to dominate him for long periods. Pope excellent as always. Foakes looked good before getting out. Hopefully Patel and Jack's can keep going and extend the lead tomorrow.
Unless the pitch breaks up badly tomorrow I am backing the draw. Essex still slight favourites I reckon.
I'm getting to work very early tomorrow to try and get everything done so I can leave at 4 if it's still going and get the last hour or so and hopefully the trophy presentation.
All day. No matter what time you arrive!
479-6, leading by 69
532-7, leading by 122
532-8
is Morkel Surreys Willis ?