Hants v Durham

[chrisobee]

Hants won toss and will bat. Teams:

 

Hampshire team

JHK Adams, MA Carberry, JM Vince, ND McKenzie, CC Benham, N Pothas*†, SM Ervine, Kabir Ali, JA Tomlinson, DR Briggs, DA Griffiths

 

Durham team

MJ Di Venuto, KJ Coetzer, WR Smith*, DM Benkenstein, ID Blackwell, BA Stokes, P Mustard†, LE Plunkett, CD Thorp, ME Claydon, M Davies

 

So still no Rangana Herath, is he playing in the 20/20 WC ?

[Lets B Avenue]

Hants won toss and will bat. Teams:

 

Hampshire team

JHK Adams, MA Carberry, JM Vince, ND McKenzie, CC Benham, N Pothas*†, SM Ervine, Kabir Ali, JA Tomlinson, DR Briggs, DA Griffiths

 

Durham team

MJ Di Venuto, KJ Coetzer, WR Smith*, DM Benkenstein, ID Blackwell, BA Stokes, P Mustard†, LE Plunkett, CD Thorp, ME Claydon, M Davies

 

So still no Rangana Herath, is he playing in the 20/20 WC ?

 

I believe there has been some aeroplane problems, somewhere. At least I thought that's what I heard.

[chrisobee]

I believe there has been some aeroplane problems, somewhere. At least I thought that's what I heard.

 

Really ? I'd never have known !

[NI76]

Pleased to see Vince in for Dawson, he looked a real class act the few times I saw him last season.

 

I think I read that Herath was having problems with his visa. Can't say I'm too bothered as I don't think he'll set the world alight in April and it gives Briggs, another youngster who looks promising, a good opportunity.

 

Hants 66/0 at present so a solid start.

[The Saturday Boy]

So has Dawson been dropped or is he injured? He was named in the original 13 man squad.

 

I think picking Vince over Dawson is the right decision. He looks to be a far better batsman with a touch of class about him.

[wadesmith]

Be careful I remember thinking the same when we signed Tahir...and then he pretty much won us 5 games on the trot...but I know what you mean his record doesnt suggest he's going to start ripping up trees.

[Hatch]

133/0

[krissyboy31]

159-0 now. Carberry has his century and Adams has passed 50. You wouldn't expect Chester-le-Street to be batsman friendly in April but Essex got over 480 and we could be looking at something similar.

[keithd]

Bobby Stokes picks up the first wicket, Carbs for 113

[Hatch]

210 - 2

 

Adams gone

[krissyboy31]

Middle order collapse AGAIN! Without Lumb we look very vulnerable.

[Window Cleaner]

Middle order collapse AGAIN! Without Lumb we look very vulnerable.

 

Middle Order? Total collapse from 244/2 to 288/8

 

Seems we were trying to score too fast again

[chrisobee]

Wishful thinking but maybe the pitch isn't that good after all ! Hard to explain why year after year we seem to collapse like this, a middle order of McKenzie, Benham, Pothas and Ervine isn't that shabby though I'm not sure Kabir Ali is a no 8 ?

[chrisobee]

159-0 now. Carberry has his century and Adams has passed 50. You wouldn't expect Chester-le-Street to be batsman friendly in April but Essex got over 480 and we could be looking at something similar.

 

Oh, it was you put the mockers on

[Window Cleaner]

Wishful thinking but maybe the pitch isn't that good after all ! Hard to explain why year after year we seem to collapse like this, a middle order of McKenzie, Benham, Pothas and Ervine isn't that shabby though I'm not sure Kabir Ali is a no 8 ?

 

The pitch seemed Ok when Carberry and Adams were at the crease.

 

Couldn't say for sure of course because we don't get cricket here but I'd wager there have been more than a few one day hoicks in our collapse.

 

At least the tail will wag us past 300

[chrisobee]

The pitch seemed Ok when Carberry and Adams were at the crease.

 

Couldn't say for sure of course because we don't get cricket here but I'd wager there have been more than a few one day hoicks in our collapse.

 

Possibly and just one reason why I'm totally convinced there is too much one day cricket. If they were going to do away with 50 overs a side then just drop that competition and have 4 day games and 20/20. That way those who enjoy the longer format like quite a few of us should get enough "proper" cricket and those who enjoy 20/20 will get their fix. Just how boring is the IPL

[chrisobee]

 

At least the tail will wag us past 300

 

Quite probably, 298/8.

[Berkshire Saint]

Wishful thinking but maybe the pitch isn't that good after all ! Hard to explain why year after year we seem to collapse like this, a middle order of McKenzie, Benham, Pothas and Ervine isn't that shabby though I'm not sure Kabir Ali is a no 8 ?

 

Yeh Kabir is probably one place too high at number 8 but until Dimi comes back not a lot else we can do.

[chrisobee]

Yeh Kabir is probably one place too high at number 8 but until Dimi comes back not a lot else we can do.

 

I totally agree and it's not a criticism of Kabir but an observation. Don't forget Corky isn't playing either and he could bat at 8. When Dimi returns he might even find himself coming in at number 8 !

[Lets B Avenue]

Saw him get 85 for the 2nd XI against Solent Uni last week. HTH.

 

Mind you. Tomlinson got 59 in the same game.

[chrisobee]

Saw him get 85 for the 2nd XI against Solent Uni last week. HTH.

 

Mind you. Tomlinson got 59 in the same game.

 

85 today would be nice and I'll gladly eat my words

[Born In The 80s]

All out for 345. Just missed the bonus point then. Good to see Danny Briggs get some runs - he made a quickfire 28. I used to do some coaching work with Hampshire a few years back and worked with Danny's age group when he was 13 and 14. Obviously he's a great bowler and has been recognised for that, but i reckon in a few years, providing he continues to work on his batting, he could turn into a genuinely all-rounder and bat at 6 or 7.

 

Not too sure how clued up on the youth system you guys are, but there are a few young lads with real ability coming through the ranks at the minute, so the future certainly looks bright for us.

[krissyboy31]

Well Durham have made a similar start to ours, passing 100 without losing a wicket. I bet they don't waste it like we did yesterday. When is Corky back and when is Jones likely to be fit? Like our middle order, without Lumb and Dimi, our bowling attack seems to lack penetration (yet again).

[Weston Saint]

146-3 at tea

[Window Cleaner]

We really need some bowlers urgently.

Had them on the run at 311/7 and now we're allowing the lower order to hammer out quick runs.Gonna be a long old season in the field for us I think.

[chrisobee]

We really need some bowlers urgently.

Had them on the run at 311/7 and now we're allowing the lower order to hammer out quick runs.Gonna be a long old season in the field for us I think.

 

Yep, 371/8. Need the last 2 asap !

[chrisobee]

Well we have got rid of Plunkett, 379/9 with Kabir having 4/93. Lunch in 1 over I believe.

[chrisobee]

A result looks on the cards, Hants 174/5 have a lead of 135. Pothas still there on 30, Ervine still to come. A lead of 250 would make it interesting. Kabir Ali finished with 5/98 as Durham ended on 384.

[chrisobee]

Hants 234-6, Pothas 72*, Ervine 4*. Lead of 195.

[Window Cleaner]

Hants 234-6, Pothas 72*, Ervine 4*. Lead of 195.

 

Some pretty quick runs there then.

Hope we can bowl a bit this time because we don't need another defeat.

 

Still at 222 on with 3 wickets left we might well make a game of it.

[Weston Saint]

minimum of 69 overs remain less 2 for changeover unless that comes at Lunch or Tea.

 

So Lead of 227 means scoring rate of 3.4 per over.

[chrisobee]

Very interesting, Hants all out for 298 ( vital 30 put on for last wicket). Durham 78/2 at tea chasing 260. Briggs removed Smith in last over before tea. Shades of our game v Essex ?

[chrisobee]

Durham are cruising, 184-3 and only 76 needed. Defeat beckons again. At this rate we'll be battling relegation again

[chrisobee]

190/4 off 43 overs. By my calculations I believe they have 57 overs so 70 off 14 needed.. I think !

[chrisobee]

216/5, finally got rid of Blackwell though not before he made 62 off 40 balls. Briggs bowling well, 3-45 as is Tomlinson ( 2-20) but nothing from the rest who are proving expensive.

[Leicestersaint]

Surely there can't be many overs left - I think we will need to up our game to have a good season. We're missing Dimi.

[chrisobee]

Surely there can't be many overs left - I think we will need to up our game to have a good season. We're missing Dimi.

 

Enough I think for Durham to win !

[chrisobee]

27 needed off 7 overs I believe, looks very comfortable.

[Born In The 80s]

Yeah, there's enough overs left for Durham to win this comfortably. Very disappointing result, but it is hardly surprising with what is basically a second string bowling attack.

[chrisobee]

Yeah, there's enough overs left for Durham to win this comfortably. Very disappointing result, but it is hardly surprising with what is basically a second string bowling attack.

 

Is it though? Apart from Dimi and Herath if he ever turns up who else do we have. Jones clearly needs to work still on his fitness and I assume Cork is mainly going to play one dayers.

[Leicestersaint]

yes - we're about to lose. Losing both the opening matches is not what was planned.

[Leicestersaint]

I remain to be convinced about Kabir Ali.

[chrisobee]

yes - we're about to lose. Losing both the opening matches is not what was planned.

 

6 more needed, indeed not a good start. Will be nice to get Lumb back as well as Dimi and Herath, should make a big difference.

[chrisobee]

I remain to be convinced about Kabir Ali.

 

He's a very good bowler, 440 wickets at an average of 26.79 playing for what was not a very good Worcestshire side.

[chrisobee]

Durham win by 5 wickets.

[Born In The 80s]

Is it though? Apart from Dimi and Herath if he ever turns up who else do we have. Jones clearly needs to work still on his fitness and I assume Cork is mainly going to play one dayers.

 

 

Taking Jones out the equation, it is still a much weakened attack for me. Corky would be in my Championship every game. Not just for his bowling, but he also chips in with very useful runs down the order. He's also clearly a leader in the dressing room.

 

Dimi is also a huge loss to our bowling attack as well. He would have been ideal today in the Durham run chase. Looking at the seamers who have been playing so far, Griffiths, Kabir, Tomlinson and especially Ervine all stray it around. The line up really lacks a 'control' guy, and once Dimi is fit again he should slot right in.

 

As well as those two then, you add in one of the overseas spinners, and then that's pretty much half the attack.

 

As far as the batting goes, with Lumb back in for Benham, and then Dimi in for someone else, the line up looks very solid and much more balanced than it has done in the last 2 games.

 

 

Carbs, Adams, Lumb, McKenzie, Pothas, Ervine, Dimi, Cork, Kabir, Tomlinson, Briggs.

 

That looks a very very good championship side, and i haven't even included one of the overseas spinners. I'm hopeful that we can still have a successful season, although it may take a month or so to get our full line up available. Until then, continue to play the likes of Vince, Briggs and Griffiths. Frankly, i've been really impressed with all three of them so far.

[John B]

I remain to be convinced about Kabir Ali.

 

Seems good to me

 

K Ali 83.2 18 269 11 24.45 with two five wicket hauls