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A win at last. A commanding win in truth, against some bowling that lacked discipline as well as direction.
So where could Outlaws have done better?
Alex Hales looked a bit scratchy but will be the better for having played a game, and we'll need him firing when we play stronger teams. Hales' opening partner, the Ode Man did well however, not just with batting but flinging himself in the field as well. I could mention Duckett, but I won't as he promises so much, only to disappoint almost immediately. Tom Moores however, in two T20 matches running, spread 11 months apart; he has been tasked with helping the team over the winning line ahead of others more experienced, only to make a blunder of it - you have to hope he will learn eventually and at least this time we had someone at the other end that was brutal, unstoppable and focused.
Did we miss Harry Gurney?
The bowling was a little woolly, some good overs but others that were dominated by the batsmen. The spin bowlers were freely milked for ones and twos on the massive Riverside outfield. The side lacked that "go to bowler", be it Gurney or Imad (from last year) or dare I say Ish Sodhi... someone that will get you that wicket just when you need it the most. Yesterday Steven Mullaney thankfully broke the second wicket partnership just before things got out of hand and then Jake Ball ridded the top scorer in the next over. Why Samit bowled the first over, when Matthew Carter had made that job his own in 2019, is a question for the Skipper and the army of fatigued* coaches.
Next up, tomorrow we have the Vikings at Trent Bridge this time, whilst Headingley is hosting a double header of four neutral counties. With Derbyshire and Lancashire (partially) homeless, perhaps the doubling-up could have been utilised more often in the fixtures this year, and it probably makes good TV sense for Sky on a Bank Holiday.
But today.
Will today see more people watching live cricket in this country than since....... last year and the World Cup final? Now that the BBC have seen sense and that the schedules aren't pre-ordained, so a three hour event can occupy viewers attentions without a fix of soaps, antiques or the News. The BBC will be showing their first live cricket since 1999, with the T20 International today from Old Trafford on BBC 1.
*as in clothing, military, khaki and /or camouflaged.
Good to see cricket back on the Beeb. Most on this site will recall the Sunday league matches on BBC 2 back in the day. The big bosses at the organisation basically stuck two fingers up to cricket and ploughed their resources in other sports and jettisoned our game which back in 1999 and before the advent of t20 was in the doldrums in this country with an average at best England team and most casual armchairs follow the National team rather than support a County as we do.
ReplyDeleteReg, Notts Joe Clarke reminded us of the player we snared from the Worcester production line.Lets not forget, at the start of last season him especially and to some extent "There's a hole in my bucket" were being nailed on to be the next England cabs off the rank and international futures, at least in white ball, looked a formality for them both. Despite missing The Pub Landlord and the lack of a 2nd overseas slow as stated above we really should go well yet again in this format. The batting is strong and should fire most of the time. Personally may have gone with a youngster ahead of Gnasher but credit to him showed he's still got plenty in the tank in white ball. Everything has to be tempered however as it's early days and Durham's bowling was shocking at times.If Moores is to become a serious and consistent top order white ball exponent he's got to use his head and not pretend he's another Viv Richards, cos he certainly ain't. Lastly, we are not going to be without any players for England(presumably) like other Counties-The Tykes were missing 4 players last Thursday even though Joe Root returned, so this is another big bonus in our favour. Recall the days of Baz, Lumb, Titch Taylor and Samit missing for us in vital games ?
Good summing up Stonewall!
ReplyDeleteYes the much missed Sunday John Player league-- 2 pm until about 6.30pm ?
Jim Laker and the late Peter ??? Doing the laid back commentary
Peter Walker - Glamorgan and England, died this April
ReplyDeleteYes, they were both excellent. In the early years of the JPL it was Jim Laker and John Arlott. He was the Don Bradman of comnentary
ReplyDeleteDear old John arlot. Master wordsmith but wouldn't talk for the sake of doing. Would often remain quiet and let the ambience of an English Sunday afternoon/early evening ooze through,be it birdsong or distance church bells.great stuff.
ReplyDeleteYes indeed. Also the classic commentary from Richie Benaud and Jim Laker in the 'Botham/Willis' legendary Test Series back in 1981. Never to be forgotten.
ReplyDeleteJohn Arlot left the TMS commentary box without fanfare or actually saying goodbye
ReplyDeleteDidnt want the fuss
Many tales circulate about his lunch consisting of two bottles of good claret.
Best retirement speech I ever heard.it went something like “at the end of the over England are 69 for 2,and after Trevor Bailey it will be Christopher Martin Jenkins”
DeleteOff came the headphones and that was it.class to the end.
Unforgettable voice
ReplyDeleteOld England as it was.
Tales of John Arlotts capacity for a good drink of claret are legendary.