County Championship Division 1 Thread 2016

[Making_Splinters]

Put of bit of pressure on and we're falling apart.

[sussexpob]

Have to say that I fancy Middlesex. Unfortunately for Yorkshire, batting last in this situation is a poison chalice. Middlesex dont need to bat quickly to win this game, they can bat normally for however long they need.

If they post a lead of a 100 but can take 80 overs out the game doing it, then they leave 20 overs to Yorkshire.
If they post a lead of 150 they leave 25-30 overs.
If they can post a lead of 200 they leave 30-35 overs.

Middlesex for me just need to stay in for most of the day. The target amount is immaterial, its the RR left at the end that matters. And batting 3rd helps them to set that.

Of course ideally they leve 300 in 30 overs or something stupid like that, but thats just leaves the risk of being bowled out doing it. It be trying to leave Yorkshire a T20 match at the end. Bat all day at a normal rate, get 170-180 lead and declare with 20-25 overs spare.

Yorkshire have no choice but to go for it. The only risk is Yorkshire say "fu*k you" after losing a few wickets and bat out the draw to spite them.

Yorkshire need to be aggressive and take wickets. They want to get Middlesex all out in 40-50 overs, even if Middlesex go at 6 an over this morning, that leaves half a day for Yorkshire to bat at a lower rate to win the match.

[sussexpob]

Scores equal....83.5 overs remaining.

Say Middlesex aim for 5 an over from here and bat till tea. Looking at approx 250 in 30-35 overs for Yorkshire.

One or two wickets in the next half an hour really changes things though.... if Yorks get Middlesex 150-4 they are really going to struggle to crank up the run rate, and will have to settle for a small target and try to bat out overs and hope the RR takes wickets when Yorkshire go for the swing.

If Middlesex get to lunch 2/3 down, I see them winning

If Yorkshire get them to 4 or 5 down, its theirs.

[sussexpob]

Afiq strikers just as Middlesex's position was looking pretty ominous.

Looks like Middlesex are going to lunch with over a hundred lead and at least say 6 wickets left. Might bat normally for an hour after lunch, and then bring on the onslaught.

Unless Yorkshire can pick up wickets either side of lunch, they have to be preparing to bat at a minimum 200 in a session.....

[sussexpob]

Either way, its starting to look difficult to see how Yorkshire can win from here unless they can blow away Middlesex's middle and lower order quickly. At a natural pace, they are still going to have to score a run a ball over a session.

[Aidan11]

Craig Kieswetter tweeting that Somerset already have this.

[Arthur Crabtree]

No point chasing an impossible target, like 250 off 20. Just accept the draw and shake hands.

Somerset's title. Middx have to get ten wickets, and haven't shown much inclination for giving themselves time to do that. Given that, asking the opposition to commit suicide isn't really on.

Middx are telling Yorks they can get to France by driving off Beachy Head very fast. No chance.

[Aidan11]

Hard to believe Somerset have never won the County Championship.


Especially in the 70s when they had all those great players.

[budgetmeansbudget]

Hard to believe Somerset have never won the County Championship.


Especially in the 70s when they had all those great players.

They were good in the cup competitions in the seventies, but you would have thought with Richards Botham and Garner they would have won a County Championship.

If Somerset win today it leaves Gloucestershire and Northamptonshire without titles although the former apparently lay claim to unofficial titles in the 1870s if anyone can remember that far back!

[ianp1970]

Hard to believe Somerset have never won the County Championship.


Especially in the 70s when they had all those great players.

Most counties had great players then though, as nearly every test player of any note had an apprenticeship in the English game.

Somerset had some other good players to add to Viv, Joel and Beefy but never quite got over the line...

[Arthur Crabtree]

Briggs has four wickets today for Sussex. Hants could have done with those.

[ianp1970]

Hard to believe Somerset have never won the County Championship.


Especially in the 70s when they had all those great players.

Most counties had great players then though, as nearly every test player of any note had an apprenticeship in the English game.

Somerset had some other good players to add to Viv, Joel and Beefy but never quite got over the line...

Kent, Essex, Middlesex and Notts always seemed to be that step ahead...

[sussexpob]

Yorkshire have to chase any target given. Even if its 200 in 20 overs, they HAVE to chase it.

Id be furious if my team didnt at least try..... id rather be bowled out for 50 and lose trying, then lamely bat out 20 overs accepting defeat.

Middlesex are banking on that now. They are simply looking to bat out the next session and hope Yorkshire go for it.

[sussexpob]

Briggs has four wickets today for Sussex. Hants could have done with those.

Can have him back, hes been pants all season

[ianp1970]

Yorkshire have to chase any target given. Even if its 200 in 20 overs, they HAVE to chase it.

Id be furious if my team didnt at least try..... id rather be bowled out for 50 and lose trying, then lamely bat out 20 overs accepting defeat.

Middlesex are banking on that now. They are simply looking to bat out the next session and hope Yorkshire go for it.

Given the first innings deficit, I don't think they had much choice in their approach...