Window Cleaner

Three from Three. Our total was obviously far better than it looked. Onto sunday and Leicester at home.

Hants 254 all out, 49,5 overs. Fortunately we have Gubbins, Crane and Albert did fairly well. Prest and even Middleton look suspect against good bowlers on a helpful wicket. At least we have something to bowl at but I'm not all that hopeful.

And they lost, serves them right. In theory he'd be available for us if he doesn't play two consecutive games for Trent Rockets. But as it's the Hundred team who decide if he's released or not and we're playing Notts on friday, doubt if it'll happen this time round.

Very well paced reply from Hants. Donald a treat to watch as usual when he gets a few runs. Strange innings by Essex, Hants trying to bowl with a bar of wet soap because of the drizzle, umpire didn't want to go off. At least we got a dry ball after quite a few overs though. Currie banned from bowling after two warnings for reprehensible full tosses due to the ball slipping out of his hand. Two wins from two, not bad at all. Just need for Prest to get some runs in the next game, Sunday I think it is.

Might struggle with our bowling in this series. Not sure that Gubbins and Organ should be bowling as much as they are. Still don't see what the alternatives are unless Abbott and Abbas fancy a go.

Oneday cup tomorrow. Might see a vastly changed side if the rain-shortened bash against Dorset yesterday is anything to go by. Obviously the Hundred players won't be available, although they can be later on if they don't play in two consecutive games apparently. We had a couple of young bowlers plus Currie yesterday. Brown kept wicket, don't know if that's theplan for the one-day cup but Donald has a broken finger for the moment. Albert seems to be back from his one game loan at Kent and Gubbins captained the side. Prest scored some quick runs and Dorset were never in with a chance, think they only made 79.

So, to sum up our latest debacle. We have just one batter,at the moment anyway,capable of batting for any amount of time against good bowlers on a wicket helpful to them. Our main batter keeps playing silly shots that he really shouldn't. We have other batters who score runs against mediocre bowlers on flat wickets. Added to that our bowlers are inconsistent, bowling pretty well with the new ball at times and then tailing off and getting tonked on occasion. We have no full time spinner in the side most of the time. Our fielding has been less than top notch on occasions, probably because we have a few senior citizens out there. The entire coaching structure needs a bit of an overhaul because we have promising young players who don't seem t be progressing as well as those of other counties. Whatismore we keep losing the toss and get stuck in on bowler friendly wickets and conditions, still that's hazard I suppose.

Looks like he's made a handy start. Perhaps the wicket is a bit better than the patchy horror served up at the Aegeas though. Hants 5 down now, Dawson chopped on due to him not being able to see why Harmer left a hole in the field and trying to hit the ball through it. Need a total shake up, it all looks so non-committed from Hants.

I'd think we have a reasonable chance of losing inside 2 days here. Roll on the One Day Cup.

Now then, who wants to try to explain to me why Vince thought it necessary to do that, given our current situation?

I'd doubt that many of the Haitian girls play their football in Haiti. Think at least two or three of them play in the French League, Haiti being francophone in parts. The English don''t look all that good so far. Still it's only the first game, probably doing an Italy, scrape through the group stage and then get much better.

Well ! Notts don't bat very well either. Pitch looks a bit helpful to the seamers though. Might end up with a decent first innings lead.

84/6 at tea. All the real batters gone, most of them very cheaply. Honestly the coaching has to be under review surely. Not to mention the young talent not progressing or so it would seem. Brown shouldn't be batting at 5 when we're supposed to have young talent available.

FFS 0/2

The point is not having hundreds of county cricketers not playing any paying cricket for the entire month of August. The counties still have to pay those not interested or not selectionable for the latest in the franchise extravaganzas. During the T20 plenty were already playing club cricket whenever they could. They said on the commentary the other day that 3 or 4 of ours who don't play T20 were playing for Callington on week-ends.

Fuller had a pretty poor record with the ball in the T20 as well. Often went for 9+ an over and only took 7 wickets at an average of 35+. Nowhere near the player he was last season. But he did have an injury and an illness I believe. Some of his Championship bowling the other day was wicked poor, bowled off the cut strip a few times. Perhaps he's trying too hard to get pace he doesn't really have. Prest? I have my doubts but he's still quite young and may need a technique adjustment to do well against better bowlers than he faced in the young categories. The One-day cup will be a big chance for him to shine, as will it for several others who've not shown too much yet this season.

Right, he's done bugger all. Same as Fuller since his injury. Two liabilities at this level. At least Sweep Slog Joe did well.

170, not bad, we'll have to bowl well though. If we can get Lawrence and the Tubby Wicky quickly enough we may well be OK.

McDermott and Vince both gone now. Probably done for, not enough explosive batting left to make a decent score.

Not messing about. Obviously concious of possible shortened innings.

Usual line up so McDermott fit. Lost toss and are put in. That's a bummer if there's a likelyhood of a rain shortened game., especially with the batting powerhouses they have. We'll probably win if the game goes the distance but if it's reduced overs we'll have little chance

Evidently not, Donald has a broken finger and Brown has been added to the group in case McDermott isn't able to play. OS doesn't say how likely or unlikey that is though. Weather forecast isn't great for either day really. A bit better tomorrow perhaps.

There are still two 4 day games before the One Day Cup, three if you count the game against Dorset at the end of the month. Notts next week and then Essex the week after. Going back to the game that finished yesterday, I just can't help feeling that the turning point was the drop of Aldridge on 8. That taken they were 6 for about a hundred down and on the ropes with the tail exposed to bowlers who weren't yet worn down. Take that simple waste high sitter and we'd probably have been in with a chance of a win.

Some of them surely, but there were valuable contributions from at least half of the team over the match. At least three dreadful performances though, Weatherley, Fuller and dare I say it, Vince. Nothing much from Barker or Abbas either.

Good draw. At least Brown, Gubbins and Dawson stepped up. Wouldn't be at all surprised to see Vince quit 4 day cricket next season. doesn't look capable of getting his head down and slugging it out any more.