2016 Hampshire Thread

[budgetmeansbudget]

Smith promotes himself to open the second innings and lasts two balls.

[budgetmeansbudget]

Carberry out.

We've now lost 4 times as many wickets as Middx, and scored a third of their runs.

Pathetic.

[st_brendy]

On the limited overs front - which is what the next month is all about, after the next two days:

- Owais Shah has said that he's still looking for a t20 county contract for this season, so if we wanted to bring him back, then we can. And I would suggest that with Vince not available for the whole campaign, and doubts existing over what Adams and Carberry might contribute with that bat (poor scores in just one game so far is nowhere near enough evidence to write either off yet, but given their four day form...), then we absolutely should bring him back. We certainly looked a batsman light on Friday night, given that we effectively replaced Vince with Crane (and duly only gave him two overs to bowl. What idiotic planning that was, picking a no.11 as a part-time bowler).

- It has been confirmed that McLaren will have to remain de-registered for all first team cricket for 21 days after this match. So as well as not being available for the t20s during that time (not a problem, given Sammy and Afridi), he will also not be available for FOUR one day games (50% of the group games). Nothing has yet been decided, but Dawson is expecting us to go in without an overseas player unless Sammy or Afridi can be persuaded to play in any of those four (which officially they would be available for, just as Arafat and Bird were both available last season, albeit of course with the one-per-match limitation).

So if we can't persuade Sammy or Afridi, then we will be yet another bowler down. Literally every limited overs seamer of ours would be on the sidelines (for a short time anyway - Berg is close to returning).

[Hampshire]

Good news, Vince back for our 2 T20 games this Thursday and Friday.

[budgetmeansbudget]

The predictable annihilation occurred.

An even worse result than against Lancs.

I was hoping after Middx scored a huge total for few wickets lost and three century makers, the pitch was as flat as a pancake and we'd easily bat out a draw, especially with all the bad weather around. But our current batting lineup is fragile even on a road these days.

Carberry, Adams, Smith and Ervine can't have many seasons left in them, and there seems to be sod all coming through from the second eleven so the short term future is not look rosy. Weatherly had a poor game and where's Alsop gone after a decent score in the last game, injured?

We have to be favourites for relegation right now.

[Hampshire]

The predictable annihilation occurred.

An even worse result than against Lancs.

I was hoping after Middx scored a huge total for few wickets lost and three century makers, the pitch was as flat as a pancake and we'd easily bat out a draw, especially with all the bad weather around. But our current batting lineup is fragile even on a road these days.

Carberry, Adams, Smith and Ervine can't have many seasons left in them, and there seems to be sod all coming through from the second eleven so the short term future is not look rosy. Weatherly had a poor game and where's Alsop gone after a decent score in the last game, injured?

We have to be favourites for relegation right now.

Alsop was out last minute with illness I think.

Berg is also in the squad for the T20 tomorrow but only seems to have batted in 2nd XI games so far?

[budgetmeansbudget]

Yep, Berg's return is desperately needed, gives solidity to the batting and bowling.

[st_brendy]

He made his bowling return for the 2nds yesterday, I believe.

Him and Vince in for Crane and Best please (and of course Sammy for McLaren). We'd still look very light in the seamer department, due to the injuries, but at least the XI would look a million times better than it did last week.

Not going to comment any further on today. The inevitable happened. (Although at least it appears that we were only deducted one point for our over-rate, rather than the two or three points which were suggested. Means we avoid taking minus points from the match!)

[budgetmeansbudget]

(Although at least it appears that we were only deducted one point for our over-rate, rather than the two or three points which were suggested. Means we avoid taking minus points from the match!)

Oh for heaven's sake, anything else, it never rains but it pours.

Not only do we play shite cricket, but we play it too slowly.

[pompeymeowth]

In the 2.10 at Lingfield today, Ingleby-Mackenzie. Surely worth a punt at 6-1 for any sporting Hampshire fan.

[westoelad]

(Although at least it appears that we were only deducted one point for our over-rate, rather than the two or three points which were suggested. Means we avoid taking minus points from the match!)

Oh for heaven's sake, anything else, it never rains but it pours.

Not only do we play shite cricket, but we play it too slowly.

Looked at the scorecard and Dawson and Crane bowled almost a third of the overs. Absolutely no excuse, therefore, for a slow over rate.

[budgetmeansbudget]

We won a game!

Sammy injured?

[dan08]

We won a game!

Sammy injured?

Good comeback by you guys.

Sammy pulled a hamstring.

[budgetmeansbudget]

We won a game!

Sammy injured?

Good comeback by you guys.

Sammy pulled a hamstring.

Yet another injury in a long list.

[st_brendy]

Carberry spent most of Kent's innings off the field injured too.

Not great batting by us, Carberry in particular at fault for using up far too many dot balls. Even though we defended our score, I still reckon it was 20 or even 30 runs light. Kent were cruising it until Sammy and Afridi took over. Nice to see Blake fail against us this time, after last season's pain.

Below par score aside though, a rare good day for us. Firstly in team selection. Vince and Berg for Crane and Best was an obvious double switch, and fortunately they saw that too (albeit Best was later reprieved, due to Smith's illness). Suddenly from being a batsman light, we have the luxury of Dawson coming in at no.8 (and Smith at no.9 had he been feeling alright). Can't complain at that, though we will soon lose Vince again. Secondly in the bowling. Sammy and Afridi won us that match, whilst Dawson and Berg both kept things very tight.

I just hope that we learn not to bowl Afridi in the powerplay again. No reason why we won't learn that though, given that we already appear to have learnt not to bowl Best in those 6 overs either.