A poor effort today with too batsmen getting in and then giving it away - it's funny, there are some counties that aren't great now, but we always struggle against them, Sussex are one, Middlesex another.
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A poor effort today with too batsmen getting in and then giving it away - it's funny, there are some counties that aren't great now, but we always struggle against them, Sussex are one, Middlesex another.
what a dull shot from Hogan just now
Northants 8 down but threatening to pull off a miracle. C'mon !!!!
Yep pretty certain we won’t finish top two now.
I do hope they keep this structure for championship next year with seeding based on finishes. It’s got more going for it than the two division split IMO.
I’m a little uncertain about the next phase of it outside the top group that then plays for the final at Lords. What they could do is have it so those three groups have promotion / relegation with those finishing bottom of each group going down in the seedlings and those winning the other two groups going up in the seeding for next season.
Can't quite make my mind up. Its great that every club has a chance of the final at the start of the season. But there will be a lot of meaningless games from now on as you point out. Even within the top group after a game or two. Clubs are taking through the points they gained against the other team that qualified from their group. If a team don't take many points in with them and then lose the first game they could be looking at nothing to play for.
I wonder if it may work a little bit better with the top group of 6 who play each other twice as at present. Then a bottom group of 12 who only play each other once. Could then have a shield game maybe for the top 2 in the lower group
That’s a decent shout. Didn’t realise the points were carried through, definitely in favour of there being a clean slate in the second phase.
I’m not as worried about dead rubbers so much as it’s hard to argue there weren’t plenty of dead rubbers in the original format and then the two division format. I do think this format gives the opportunity for a bit more overall excitement all round, at least for half a season.
I think if you added some jeopardy into the second stage with a form of promotion / relegation (similar to the Nations League in a way) that translates into getting a better seeding (or avoiding a worse one) for the next season at least gives you something to play for in the second phase of the season with minimal changes required to the structure. Maybe division 2/3 trophies or something as well so it feels like some honours are involved.
Looking like this game is headed for a handshake at 5 at the moment. Although given how we’re batting…
Surrey, trying to save their game, currently 40-4 off forty eight overs with Amla 7 not out after nearly three hours at the crease, while Gloucestershire are batting on despite being over 400 in front of a Middlesex side they bowled out for 101 in the first innings - giving eight points for a draw will encourage that type of cricket.
As for us, Sussex seem to be batting for a declaration, so there could be some life in the game yet.
I see Labuschagne scored 276 yesterday - the highest ever score by a Glamorgan player in a second eleven game.
275 target then. Great way to make your 100 and bring about the declaration.
At Amlas age and with what he has done in his career that is tremendous. To still have that desire to dig in and save a game. That was always what set him and devilliers apart from the rest of the modern batsman for me. Average wise they were as good as anyone, they can be as destructive and pleasing on the eye as anyone. They also both have an amazing capacity to dig in and switch the shots off when the game situation demands that approach, an increasingly rare ability in the modern game.
I was thinking exactly the same as you put in your first sentence. I’d say DeVilliers is the most naturally talented batsmen of the twenty first century, while I can remember seeing Amla in his first few tests and thinking he had no chance - it’s a tribute to his attitude and dedication that he became a really good test player.
Glamorgan drew withSussex reaching 154-5 in typical fashion with everyone getting into double figures, but no one scored more than twenty seven - it seems that they’ve cliched a top four finish and a place in the second tier come September no matter what happens Northants next week - that has to be seen as a good effort in what looked a very tough group when the draw was made.
Amla batted all day for scoring thirty seven I think it was off about two hundred and eighty balls as Surrey finished on 122-8 off one hundred and five overs.
Excellent news for Glamorgan fans, Michael Neser has signed a two year contract extension;-
https://glamorgancricket.com/news/ne...deal?nocache=1
Ingram is under contract for next season as well. Neser doesn't seem to be in Australia's plans at the moment, so could be available for almost all of next season.
Need to get van der Gugten to sign a new contract now - he's been very good this season. Fully expecting James Harris to sign for next season as well.