Somerset 2006 Thread

I be more than 'appy to vollow on from the efforts of they other jonnick chaps and create a Zummerzet thread.

Why the hell we be not called the Zummerzet Zidermen I know not. If I'd a-been in charge I ooden never a-went vor the Sabres.

Anyway, enough of that, onto something approaching a serious look at Somerset's chances in 2006.

Led by Ian Blackwell once more, we'll be trying very hard to get promoted out of one, if not both of the Leagues we are in. Of course, we are the reigning Twenty20 champions, but without Graeme Smith I see us struggling for runs so if we manage to make the finals day I'll be well impressed.

We've lost Smith and his countryman Langeveldt, which is a shame as he was just beginning to come good when he left. In come Cameron White and Dan Cullen, two Aussie spinners who can bat a bit. As if we didn't need spinning all-rounders; Blackwell, Durston, Suppiah, White, Cullen, that's five of them now.

Charl Willoughby comes in on the pace front, Clobber assures me he's not very good; I'm inclined to believe him. Hopefully Cadd|ck, Johnson, Gareth Andrew, Simon Francis and Robert Woodman will show him how it's done.

It looks like Trescothick will be available for the first few games at least which is a bonus but otherwise it should be Matthew Wood and John Francis opening the batting. A big year for Wood, now vice-captain, he really made a breakthrough last season and will need to score big once Trescothick is off with England.

The middle-order looks pretty strong with Hildreth, who everyone seems convinced will play for England one day, White, Neil Edwards, the aforementioned Blackwell, Durston and Suppiah, plus Keith Parsons who has been at the club longer than anyone I think.

The retirement of Robert Turner means Carl Gazzard will continue behind the stumps; he's been pretty good so far and I foresee him being there for a number of years to come.

And, oh yes, we have a young English leg-spinner in the ranks - one Michael Munday, but he'll have to go some to even get a game at the moment. 

We kick off against our rivals Gloucestershire next Tuesday. The first game at Taunton is on the 1st May, against, yes, Gloucestershire again in the C & G Trophy. We get to host the Sri Lankans, for whom Taunton is not a happy hunting ground having lost in World Cups to England and India there, on the 11th June. Mind you, Jayasuriya enjoyed his time with us last year, maybe he'll be back again.

Let's hope that new coach Andy Hurry can propel us to an even better season that last year.

Edited by -JP-

Hildreth is still only 21, so plenty of time left for him, but of course he needs runs on the board, and Somerset will too. A lot of our youngsters, including Hildreth and Durston have been given long-term contracts, so it'd be nice to see them playing confidently and piling up the runs in the middle order.

Durston is a bit older, but really forced his way into the reckoning last season but looks like yet another one day specialist all-rounder we've produced - bowls some useful off-spin and I think he can become a good finisher.

They're underway, Gloucestershire 28/0.

Somerset team: ME Trescothick, *MJ Wood, JD Francis, JC Hildreth, CL White, WJ Durston, +CM Gazzard, PD Trego, CM Willoughby, RL Johnson, AR Cadd¦ck.

Blackwell is rested after playing in India, Willoughby and White are given their debuts.

Edited by -JP-

140 Partnership for Spearman and Weston down a Glous.....thats exactly what they failed to do last year. They have made a pretty solid start to the game with Somerset actually and ita just good to see Gloucs. players getting decent totals to start the season off as the problem last year was no one averaged over 40

We had a better time of it in the afternoon, reducing Gloucestershire to 245/4 with new boy Willoughby taking a couple of wickets.

Not looking pretty at the moment - chasing 437 the Cidermen have slumped to 77 for 5

143 all out, just starting our second innings.

Tres gone already, we're about -270 for 1. This one could be over by tea-time.

Well, theres not much to say JP. I'll be as frank as possible. Your boys are taking a beating

I think realistically you are beat.......How many bonus points have you got so far?

Gloucestershire: 437
Somerset: 143 & 287
Gloucestershire beat Somerset by an innings and 7 runs

whoops!

at least you got onto the field :(

do you think tresco was ready for return or needs a bit longer to get his head straight?

Originally posted by warnester do you think tresco was ready for return or needs a bit longer to get his head straight?

does his innings today answer that question?

And we win by 245 runs.

Don't get to type margins of victory like that very often.