cool. Either way Breese is too high at 7
You're probably right, I'm not too keen with Mustard at 5 either really but we are pretty light on batting at present and realistically it's not going to improve this season. Sangakkara will boost us for two games and then Hastings for the back end of the season but even still, he's only really a middle to lower order batsman with his bowling his main foil (so I'm lead to believe).
I've given myself an hours contemplation and taken stock of the day. It's probably another 'won' day from our point of view but we've really let a commanding position slip.
The bowling this morning was excellent with Bunny and Rushy in great form causing all kinds of problems. Shame Harrison and Arshad couldn't quite keep the intensity up but hopefully they'll come good in the second innings.
To lead by 123 was the stuff of dreams, especially when we'd moved to 88-2 (effectively 211-2). Even at 123-4 we were primed for 350+ but to lose 3 wickets for 1 run was a real kick in the c*nt. The Somerset commentator mentioned complacency and to be fair to him I couldn't agree more. Marty said at the Close that our downfall was more self inflicted than a result of excellent bowling. Which when you consider they only had 3 full time bowlers operating it adds further insult to injury.
As it stands, Colly and Harrison have just arrested our slide for now and they're the key men tomorrow. If we can add another 40 or so tomorrow meaning they'll have to score the highest total of the match to win it then I'd fancy us to finish the job.
I just worry that they've got a very long batting lineup, with some vastly experienced lads who I don't think will perform so badly second time around. Add to that they'll probably have best part of five sessions to do it so for me that 300 lead is key.
Colly is probably the best man for the situation on fairness, if we can stick around for an hour or so we're laughing. There's a few showers forecast tomorrow too so that should hopefully just spice the wicket up a bit for our bowlers too.
No, but I'm more than satisfied with a lead of 275, which will end up close to or over 300 to go into the final innings. Not many international teams chase that down, let alone domestic teams in English April. I suspect a lead of 1000 wouldn't be enough for you.
I've already said anything over 300 and we're laughing and I'll be a lot happier when we get there. Forgive my concerns though that we were threatening to only set them 250.
Remarkable similarities to last years fixture -
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- with the extra 50 runs in both first innings of course. We've similarly given them a sniff with a second innings capitulation, but if settle for a similar third day with Bunny and Rushy bowling us to victory
