County Championship 2016 - Division One

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Discussion thread.

Winners?
Relegation?
Most runs?
Most wickets?
Breakthrough player?

Vince run out by Stokes for 92. He'll be gutted to not get a 100 there.

Somerset rattling along now at pace with a huge partnership (246*) between Rogers and Hildreth.  They should have a very powerful line up next season with Stephen Davies to add to the line up.

Warks really struggling for batting points, on 183 -7.

Somerset collapsing! 302-2 - now 322-8!

From cruising towards to maximum batting points, Somerset will now struggle to get 4! Could be important come the climax of Day 4.

However, the good news for the Ciderman is that the pitch at looks to have some life in it so they will be hopeful about forcing a win there and also, the curtailed days play at Lords suits them down to the ground.

Somerset lose 5 wickets for no runs.   

Meanwhile Hants closing in on full batting points, whereas Warks got just the one. Quite likely now that, if Warks lose, Hants would stay up with a draw.

Fine innings by Gubbins at Lord's, but will Yorks rue missing him off a difficult, but catchable, chance when he was on around 22? What an astonishing Somerset collapse, but at least they have good runs on the board.

Somerset last wicket pair pinch a 4th batting point (all out 365). Middlesex, grinding on, are now 254 - 8 off 104 overs against Yorks. (Ollie Rayner on 8* from 50 balls)  Looking very unlikely they will reach even 3 batting points. But maybe they are banking on bowling out a weakened Yorks batting line up rather cheaply.

Meanwhile, Hants achieve full batting points (all out 411).  But Warks fighting back against Lancs with 4 early wickets. Lancs 61 - 4 in reply to Warks' modest total of 219.

Big Bres is indeed batting at 5 - seems very high and Yorkshire therefore look in a lot of trouble being 3 down early in their innings

For an aspiring first Div championship team Yorks are fielding a remarkably weak batting line up with Bresnan at 5. Tbf tho he is not at all a bad batsman and there are still Hodd and Willey to come.  Lyth now falls: 53 -4 and the Yorks middle and lower order will really be put to the test!

He is decent but you'd much rather have him as a potential nuisance at number 7 or 8 than relying on him to make some runs. To be fair to him though he is still there, and so far doing better than anyone else apart from Lyth, who unsurprisingly played some nice shots then got out

Somerset are scything through Notts - doing everything they can for themselves and will be pleased to see the guy I have surely reverse jinxed to make 150 still at the wicket fighting well alongside Andy Hodd

Very exciting stuff!

All credit to Bresnan and Hodd - Yorks inching their way back into the game at 134 - 4.  Deficit now 136.

Meanwhile, Somerset bowled out Notts very cheaply but are not enforcing the follow on.  Leach and Bess took most of the wickets and so Somerset no doubt banking on these two to rip through Notts in the last innings. 

Warks will be feeling frustrated to be delayed by one of the very few showers that's around today.  But there is still plenty of time for a positive result in that match.  Hants have just dismissed Stokes (184 - 6) and so will be hoping for a decent first innings lead.

Interested to see that Gale's average for Yorks in 14 cc matches is under 22. And Ballance is under 36 in 12 matches. Probably illustrates why they've often needed to recover from difficult positions.

199-5 Willey with some late lusty blows

Murtagh strikes, Willey gone plumb LBW into the tail

Yorks' title is hanging by a thread.  Realistically they have to assume Somerset will win (over 300 lead at end of Day 2 with 8 wickets in hand on a pitch that has taken spin.)  Yorks started only 1 point ahead of Somerset.  The latter got 4 batting points, whereas Yorks have only one so far (on 206 - 6).  They actually need to get 4 batting points (and a victory) to finish ahead of Somerset. If points are level Somerset would finish ahead on the basis of having few defeats. Tall order for Bresnan and the tail to take Yorks up to 350 (and then beat Middlesex).

On assumption that Somerset win, then Middlesex's equation is simpler.  To win the title they just need to win this match.

lead only 37 now...Bressy lad playing a blinder on 72*

Current CC Title Odds on Skybet:

Somerset 8/11
Middlesex 7/4
Yorkshire 5/1

Absorbing day at Lord's, with Yorks fighting back. Twould be intriguing if the whole thing went to the final day of the season. Somerset seem certain to win, but the Lord's match is finely poised.

Very exciting end to the CC this year !

Haven't actually managed to catch a match on this trip but was thinking to perhaps get to Taunton on Friday : but it may well be that the game will be over by then...watching the Somerset players sitting around checking the scores from Lord's holds less appeal

Would be really pleased if somerset win the title. Quite comfortably the best team we have played this season.

Just wish our batters had shown half of Tim Bresnan's application this season. The calf injury that delayed his season means his aggregates are lower than last season but his batting average of nearing 43 is higher than any of the batters playing in this game for us, while in his role of first change bowler he has still taken his wickets at under 30.

Skipper Gale needs to look long and hard at his own contributions before he continues criticising his colleagues.

Yorks 253 - 6. So their target of 350 for four bonus points is now under 100 runs away.  However, the new ball is approaching.....

Somerset, not surprisingly, rattling along well.  Ryan Davies, (wicketkeeper with low batting average) whose place likely to be in jeopardy with arrival of Steven Davies is taking advantage of his promotion up the order.  Somerset likely to have lead well in excess of 400 by lunchtime. 

Hants will be gutted that their match is held up by rain at Southampton. Warks grinding along against Lancs.

Century for Bresnan   And 50 for Azeem Rafiq   Partnership 98*.  They have got through 5 overs of the new ball and, on 302 for 6, need another 48 for the 4th batting point. Great effort..

Somerset going on a run scoring spree with Trego smashing the ball around (48 off 32 balls).  Leading by 470.  Declaration can't be too far away.  But I suppose they might carry on until lunch and a lead of 530.

Bres and Rafiq doing their best to keep Yorkshire's hopes of the title alive - with Somerset looking odds on to win, Yorkshire need all 4 batting points and after being 3 down for 30-odd it's been some fight-back from the middle order. The problem is that it's also using up time, and while the runs ahead are helpful, it's not yet a big enough lead to be dominant - something of a tightrope to walk between making sure they get the points and leaving enough time to still have a good opportunity to win the game. One advantage at least is that Middlesex also need the win if they are to take the Championship.

Fascinating stuff all round.

318 - 7 Middlesex finally make break through! Azeem Rafiq out for 65.  32 more needed for the crucial batting point....

dummy_half wrote:Bres and Rafiq doing their best to keep Yorkshire's hopes of the title alive - with Somerset looking odds on to win, Yorkshire need all 4 batting points and after being 3 down for 30-odd it's been some fight-back from the middle order. The problem is that it's also using up time, and while the runs ahead are helpful, it's not yet a big enough lead to be dominant - something of a tightrope to walk between making sure they get the points and leaving enough time to still have a good opportunity to win the game. One advantage at least is that Middlesex also need the win if they are to take the Championship.

Fascinating stuff all round.

 Fascinating indeed, Dummy. The partnership, which ended on 114, was scored at just over 4 an over - which is probably every bit as fast as Yorks could reasonably have hoped for.  The Middlesex first innings was a real crawling effort.

333-8 now. Still sufficient overs for it not to need a slog, but can the last two wickets add the 17 required?

Massive frustration as rain stops play with Yorks on 349 - 9 with one run needed in four overs for the vital 4th batting point.  Middlesex's prospects for the title are fast diminishing as they are 79 behind Yorks. 

Looking good for Somerset as Notts have slumped from 48 - 0 to 55 - 3. That match could be all over today, or failing that before lunch tomorrow.

Hants really struggling to dismiss Durham.  Tho they have now just dismissed Onions for 38 to leave score 351 -9.  Durham had been 186 - 7 and that rather illustrates their difficulty in bowling sides out.

That 2 hours delay to the start of play could relegate us...

Durham finally all out. We need to score quickly now and hope the weather is ok tomorrow

Pretty sure if anyone scrolls back through this thread they will see me hailing Big Bres as one of the best number 5's out there

Ok, maybe not, but what an effort from him, and is going to be absolutely gutting for Somerset if Yorkshire win now

Looks like it's all over for Middlesex either way.

Magnificent effort by Yorks today - after reaching 390 they've take first two Middlesex wickets quickly 9 - 2.  As far as winning the title is concerned it looks all over for Middlesex now - question is whether they will capitulate in a state of demoralisation.

Yes - we all thought Bresnan was a great no 5 batsman.... What a performance....

Somerset look as though they're strolling home against Notts.  Could well win that one tonight.

Hants wobbling in their pursuit of quick runs.  They lead Durham by 156 with 6 wickets in hand.  So there are still plenty possibilities for a result in that match.  Warks have just set Lancs 346 to win. 

Great finale to the championship.

Billy Root left on 66no

Somerset win and so are 'leaders in the clubhouse'.

Yorkshire v Middlesex is interestingly poised - Middlesex 2 down and still 80 or so behind, so a victory for them would require some explosive batting and bowling; currently crawling along at about 2 an over after a very shaky start. If there's a full day's play tomorrow, I think Yorkshire are better than evens for the win, but the draw is still a strong possibility.

The intruiging question - will there be collusion between Middlesex and Yorks? They both need to win. Potentially they could agree pretty much an exact number of runs and overs as a target.

However, Yorks also have a fair chance of winning by normal means. So I suppose they could have an agreement by which Yorks will attempt to win - but if they are making few inroads Yorks could then switch to buffet bowling mode and let Middlesex crash along at 10+ an over....

Hants are only 226 ahead of Durham with 3 wickets left - so every chance of a positive result in that match.  If Hants do win then Lancs look like the team in most danger of relegation as they face a long chase to the highest score of the match against Warks.

LondonTiger wrote:Billy Root left on 66no

Rooooot!

Have seen all three days of the Middx-Yorks match. For tension and interest it's been the best Championship match I've been to. Top-class 100s from Gubbins and Bresnan and good fightbacks, all watched by good crowds.
A Middx win looks extremely unlikely. But Somerset fans should not give up hope of a draw. The smart money, now, would be on Yorks but they have had a lot of trouble with Middx in recent seasons.

sirfredperry wrote:Have seen all three days of the Middx-Yorks match. For tension and interest it's been the best Championship match I've been to. Top-class 100s from Gubbins and Bresnan and good fightbacks, all watched by good crowds.
  A Middx win looks extremely unlikely. But Somerset fans should not give up hope of a draw. The smart money, now, would be on Yorks but they have had a lot of trouble with Middx in recent seasons.

I'm praying for rain at HQ tomorrow #WeAreSomerset

Afro wrote:

sirfredperry wrote:Have seen all three days of the Middx-Yorks match. For tension and interest it's been the best Championship match I've been to. Top-class 100s from Gubbins and Bresnan and good fightbacks, all watched by good crowds.
  A Middx win looks extremely unlikely. But Somerset fans should not give up hope of a draw. The smart money, now, would be on Yorks but they have had a lot of trouble with Middx in recent seasons.

I'm praying for rain at HQ tomorrow #WeAreSomerset

Alas no rain forecast !

sirfredperry wrote:

Afro wrote:

I'm praying for rain at HQ tomorrow #WeAreSomerset

Alas no rain forecast !

Also looks likely will be fairly sunny, so not too much chance of bad light...

I see that Chris Rogers announced his retirement today. A superb batsman who really should have played many more times for Australia.

Corporalhumblebucket wrote:

sirfredperry wrote:

Afro wrote:

I'm praying for rain at HQ tomorrow #WeAreSomerset

Alas no rain forecast !

Also looks likely will be fairly sunny, so not too much chance of bad light...

I know although it's not stopping all of Somerset doing rain dances!

Silver lining, sunny day on the current slow Lords pitch. Good combination for not many wickets but not scoring fast either.

Never prayed for a dull uneventful day's play before

Night watchman Kerrigan 4* off 74 balls so far for Lancs. Looks like possible relegation concentrates the mind.

No early breakthrough for Yorks.  Middlesex now leading by 49 still with 8 wickets in hand. Wonder whether there may be negotiations between captains at lunchtime otherwise looks like strongly odds on a draw.

Lancashire (except for Kerrigan) subsiding at 64- 6. Looks like Warks will be safe. But Lancs may well be OK as well unless Hants start taking Durham wickets.

The Championship trophy should be in a car to Taunton - Yorkshire have only managed to take one Middlesex wicket so far today, but Middlesex aren't scoring at anything like the rate they would need to post a target.

Looks like Middlesex and Yorks have agreed to some kind of target for Yorks to chase.

Middlesex vs Yorkshire, what a joke this is becoming

240 in 40 over for Yorkshire, Middlesex need 10 wickets, Somerset need a miracle.

I hope we have a sudden downpour in St Johns Wood and the game is drawn. Bloody ridiculous