We have become very reliant on our bowlers and specifically Coles and Stevens with the others chipping in. Sometimes they won't bowl well but the real issue is, of course, the batting.
With so many of our players averaging around the 25 mark we are always going to struggle to make a score. Equally, there simply isn't any pressure on places so, when someone like Harmison gets a ton, he is guaranteed to play the next three games come what may. Perhaps that's why we added Blake to the squad - to keep the players on their toes. If that was the case then it didn't work.
Until our batsmen start to value their wicket they are never going to consistently get those big scores.
On the subject of Coles, who has bowled exceptionally well this season (apart from the odd OD/T20 meltdown) I am somewhat disappointed to see, as he has always been considered to be a bowling all rounder (and that's not a dig at his shape), that his batting averages are:
First Class - 18.70 OD - 9.04 T20 - 11.23
I suppose, in the context that we have top 5 batsmen averaging 25, the First Class isn't that bad but the T20 and certainly the OD figures are poor for someone who hits such a long ball. Clearly not far enough at times.
Stevens with a run out. One might think that this is quite an achievement for the soon to be 40 year old but, as the batsman in question is Richard Levi, it might not be as great as one originally thought:
Comments
Relieved is the word I would use right now.
Denly gone for 50
Something has to change in the four day format. Happens every year
Stevens gone for 34
Haggett 49
Northants 13-0 off 2.5 overs!
The Northants quickies look like Lillee and Thomson Kent's look like Lillian Thomson!
Ridiculous!
We are really doing well ahhhhhh
With so many of our players averaging around the 25 mark we are always going to struggle to make a score. Equally, there simply isn't any pressure on places so, when someone like Harmison gets a ton, he is guaranteed to play the next three games come what may. Perhaps that's why we added Blake to the squad - to keep the players on their toes. If that was the case then it didn't work.
Until our batsmen start to value their wicket they are never going to consistently get those big scores.
Tredwell got the wicket
Hunn got the second wicket
One to Coles.
On the subject of Coles, who has bowled exceptionally well this season (apart from the odd OD/T20 meltdown) I am somewhat disappointed to see, as he has always been considered to be a bowling all rounder (and that's not a dig at his shape), that his batting averages are:
First Class - 18.70
OD - 9.04
T20 - 11.23
I suppose, in the context that we have top 5 batsmen averaging 25, the First Class isn't that bad but the T20 and certainly the OD figures are poor for someone who hits such a long ball. Clearly not far enough at times.
Stevens with a run out. One might think that this is quite an achievement for the soon to be 40 year old but, as the batsman in question is Richard Levi, it might not be as great as one originally thought:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Levi#/media/File:Richard_Levi.png
Treders traps Duckett LBW for 145
A second wicket to Coles
272-7