LVCC Div 1 thread.

[Aleem Dar]

Somerset, tipped all around the media to win the league, imploding in their opening game against Warwickshire - they're currently 44/8 following on. Only stand to pick up 3 points from their opening game. Tough to come back from such a start!

We stand a good chance of taking the top spot if we beat Yorkshire, after gaining 11 points in the opening game.

[My Boy Harry]

I just wonder if Somerset will suffer from the same afflication that Durham partly suffered from last season - believing your own hype?

Early days like but it must have come as a shock to the system.

I always fancied Durham for a top 3 finish and have no reason to change that prediction as yet. IMHO we have the deepest and highest quality squad of anyone.

[TwasOnTheFifthOfMay]

I remember Rob Key this time last year implying strongly that Kent thought they were in with a shout of challenging for the title.

Look now!

[essex boy]

Nee offence but when did Somerset become the team to beat.....they dont have the depth of player available that Notts and Durham do on paper

Somerset have lost Zander De Bruyn which is a huge loss as he was the cog in their middle order.

Kirby has never played international cricket because he isnt good enough

Gammal Hussain has had one good season in division two (which is of an abysmal standard)

Mendis is decent but is a one day bowler.

Durham wont be as poor as they were last year with the players available so how on gods earth are Somerset the team to beat

[rentaghost]

Originally Posted by essex boy

Nee offence but when did Somerset become the team to beat.....they dont have the depth of player available that Notts and Durham do on paper

Somerset have lost Zander De Bruyn which is a huge loss as he was the cog in their middle order.

Kirby has never played international cricket because he isnt good enough

Gammal Hussain has had one good season in division two (which is of an abysmal standard)

Mendis is decent but is a one day bowler.

Durham wont be as poor as they were last year with the players available so how on gods earth are Somerset the team to beat

I agree - I suppose they are basing it on them finishing runners up in just about every competition last year.

[brandon]

I recall some pundit hotly tipping Somerset on the basis they have a very strong bowling attack....... I just don't see it, I'd certainly rather have ours than theirs!

I reckon we also have the greatest depth in the squad. I think last year proved that, we had between 3-6 bowlers missing at any one time aswell as Diva and Benks limping their way through most of the season yet still managed to compete and we weren't that far from Notts. Add all the above to Stokes and Borthwick's extra year of experience. I'll not be putting my mortgage on us but I do beleive we'll play a part in where it ends up.

[essex boy]

Originally Posted by rentaghost

I agree - I suppose they are basing it on them finishing runners up in just about every competition last year.

decent one day side but four day there are a few better sides

Yorkshire have no chance in the 4 day game, they fell short last year and have lost their best batsman in Rudolph

[tynevalleyblackcat]

Is Collingwood likely to be playing any 4 day stuff for Durham this season?

Seems to be out of the England picture at the moment and would still be a class act in the County game, bags of experience, great in the field and can bat and bowl.

[My Boy Harry]

Originally Posted by tynevalleyblackcat

Is Collingwood likely to be playing any 4 day stuff for Durham this season?

Seems to be out of the England picture at the moment and would still be a class act in the County game, bags of experience, great in the field and can bat and bowl.

PC is available for us from June.

[Aleem Dar]

Fixtures starting today:

Durham vs Sussex (Riverside)
Lancashire vs Somerset (Liverpool)
Worcestershire vs Warwickshire (New Road)
Yorkshire vs Nottinghamshire (Headingly)

With the sun beaming down all around the country, it would be a great day to have a bat I'd imagine.