Hampshire 2018 thread

[Durhamfootman]

I hope you had the uncommon good sense to screw the ECB for half a mill a year for not complaining

[st_brendy]

I hope you had the uncommon good sense to screw the ECB for half a mill a year for not complaining

Difficult to know the truth, but the whispers are that the compensation had been unofficially agreed - until the media got wind of the payments to Glamorgan, resulting in the ECB running scared about then paying us due to the negative publicity.

We're quite possibly sat here with no test matches, and no compensation. And a minimum of five years until we might get our next test.

(And for once, they haven't even tried to fob us off by giving us a load of ODI matches. As I recall, even Gloucs have basically been given the same number of ODIs as us.)

[Durhamfootman]

I never did understand what the deal was between the ECB and Glamorgan/Welsh Assembly, but I'm suspicious enough and cynical enough to assume that money changed hands somewhere along the line, in the last 10 years

Not individual brown envelopes and used notes, you understand, but corporate brown envelopes and used notes

some board/committee/working group, somewhere, has been greasing wheels. I firmly believe that

[Durhamfootman]

I thought your ground looked good today.

When I was last there there was nothing at the far end of the ground. Looks impressive

[budgetmeansbudget]

Very decent middle order, needs to perform now.

Northeast is in a poor run of form.

44/3, every chance of following on from here.

[andy]

Big first innings from us, about time!

[Durhamfootman]

Very decent middle order, needs to perform now.

Northeast is in a poor run of form.

44/3, every chance of following on from here.

almost certainly at 122-8

[Durhamfootman]

need a Kyle Abbott special. At least Dawson is still there

[andy]

having lost the first day play to rain, we desperately need to wrap this up, and get them in ASAP

[Durhamfootman]

essex best bet is probably the new ball. Harmer getting a long spell... racking up the maidens

[andy]

finally bowling like he did last year, not been himself this year

[budgetmeansbudget]

Abysmal day, couldn't have gone worse.

[st_brendy]

Abysmal day, couldn't have gone worse.

We've had poor opening partnerships for years now, but nothing like this season. Both of them are having horrid seasons. And for all those people who scoff at the suggestion that there's little difference between D1 and D2, just look at Northeast's red ball form (although, as with Rilee, I have confidence that Sam will get it right given time).

Assuming that Essex and Somerset both take 8 wickets today, I make it that we'll be one point ahead of Yorks and one point behind Lancs. And eight points ahead of Worcs, who we play next.

[st_brendy]

Four games left. Three of them against our closest three relegation rivals.

Strap yourselves in, this could be a rollercoaster.

[captaincolly]

Sean Ervine retiring from FC cricket with immediate effect after playing 2 games on loan at Kent.