|
Having made the considered decision to rest the six seventeen’s for their critical game with Middlesex this was always going to be a difficult task. The psychological affect this decision would have on the remaining members of the team was also a major consideration and Matt Hunt picked up on it commenting on attitude without knowing the full background. It was a real surprise, indeed disappointment to learn that Somerset have problems motivating their players to play the non first class counties such as Devon. This could be considered as slightly rich as before today’s defeat Devon record since tens resulted in them being 4-3 up! Easy team talk in 2011, they do not rate you! The fact is that with greater belief, improved ground fielding (a minimum of minus 20), better throws on a couple of run outs (anyone’s guess), more decisive batting and running particularly between the tenth and thirtieth over (one an over minimum of plus 20) Devon could have severely dented the deficit of 52.In fact the side bowled Somerset out and despite not fielding our strongest batting line up thanks to a number of useful contributions they could have chased something around 230. As four scored thirty plus it just needed one of the top order to bat on to bigger score and see their side home.
It was good to have Matt Hunt with the side, banning footballs and rugby balls to the car. For circumstances completely outside Matt Thompson’s control this has been an incredibly difficult summer on the coaching front and although the continuity that you strive for has been absent, the support of a number of coaches has enabled the programme to be completed without too much mishap. The coach wanted to field, George Yates won the toss and Devon fielded. Harry Booker caught keeper Blake off Pasie for 2, the first of Somerset top guns Rouse was well caught by Abbott at gulley off Richardson, Pavie’s second direct hit of the summer removed Abell but this one was from the rope – Somerset 119- 3 at the half way stage. Jenkins scored a fine 64 ball 66 and was caught and bowled Stadden, one run later Stadden had Smith well stumped by Davies – 155-5 off 34 overs. When he was on 34 a poor return to Davies did not run out Barrett who was looking a major problem. Seventy-three were added for the sixth wicket with Marsh contributing 16. He was Greg Chaplain's first wicket caught Williams. Easton was caught Steward bowled Chaplin, Cook run out. Barrett was on 99 at the strikers end set off, the ball brushed Cook who did not move far; Barrett passed him gaining his ground at the bowlers end, Richardson’s throw to Davies ran him out by three quarters of a length. The integrity of the Devon side was challenged by a cricketer who did not have a full grasp of the run out law. Indeed the first team also seemed to have suffered in the Twenty20 final. Barrett reached an excellent hundred and then gave Yates a catch off Chaplin. Chaplin’s final wicket was double fantasy points caught and bowled. Five point three would be a big chase. A debate on the approach was totally unnecessary as Devon set off at pace.
Tom Ansell and Joe Abbott put on 66 off ten, amazing. Abbott was leg before for 36 after a partnership of 78 off ninety-nine balls. He obviously likes this attack as he put on118 with Cousens at North Devon. After the Powerplays they had slowed up. The second wicket put on 38 but critically of 82 balls. Ansell reached his fifty off 74 balls and fifteen balls later was out. A fine effort but he should have batted on to the end which would have made all of his endeavour worth while. George Yates took his rest too literally as he lasted 20 balls for nine. Booker had been holding his end up but watched Rhys Davies smash two big sixes and three fours in a twenty-nine ball 33. Booker was sixth out on 206 for an 86 ball 36 with just one four, 28 ones and some two’s. He assessed his own contribution perfectly. The game had gone by now Steward scored 18 off 17 and Chaplin told to bat it though was leg before 5. Devon were 213-7 off fifty,
Encouragingly there were some plus points we held virtually all our chances but had we stopped the twos, picked up more cleanly, and stopped a couple on the ropes we would not have been chasing at over 5, which would have been interesting whatever side was selected. Apart from the first ten the batting lacked momentum, there were far too many dot balls, ones were not converted into twos and ones were not taken when they should have been. This was an ideal opportunity for some players to show what they could do, George Yates in his first stint as captain did well, he will have learnt a lot from the experience. The moral of this story goes back to an early newsletter and the message that we try to drive home on every occasion where our aim is to outfield and out run our opponents which on this occasion we patently did not achieve and that was not acceptable. In finalising selection on close calls the player who fields and run well will gain preference over a lesser contributor in these two vital areas of the game. It was special to meet up with James Gibson again and learn what he is achieving in Surrey, none of it a surprise.
Derek you were missed. |
