County Cricket 2017 season

[Arthur Crabtree]

A little collapse by Somerset, with the spinners taking all the wickets.

[st_brendy]

Only one batting point for Somerset. In theory, Middlesex will be safe if Somerset fail to take all nine wickets, or Middlesex make 300. However the former will surely only happen if Middlesex were to declare, and that would risk a points deduction for them - whilst the latter looks unlikely on a Taunton wicket.

[st_brendy]

Only one batting point for Somerset. In theory, Middlesex will be safe if Somerset fail to take all nine wickets, or Middlesex make 300. However the former will surely only happen if Middlesex were to declare, and that would risk a points deduction for them - whilst the latter looks unlikely on a Taunton wicket.

Actually, no. Middlesex only need 250, don't they. Interesting...

[andy]

somserset have had a shocking session there!

[st_brendy]

I think it also means that Yorkshire are safe.

[Alviro Patterson]

I think it also means that Yorkshire are safe.

Yep - Somerset can at best match Yorkshire's 147 if they win, but Yorkshire have fewest defeats in a potential tie breaker.

[st_brendy]

5-3 already. This is why I made Middlesex my favourites to go down, despite winning last week. Somerset have opened the bowling with Jack Leach, on day one, by heaven sake.

(Of course we still need to ensure that we don't lose to Warks!)

[st_brendy]

But will Somerset gets a points deduction like we did (despite our game finishing a draw, and Notts have no issues with the pitch!)? No, of course they wont.

[Arthur Crabtree]

7-fer for Patel. let's see what Leach gets.

[captaincolly]

But will Somerset gets a points deduction like we did (despite our game finishing a draw, and Notts have no issues with the pitch!)? No, of course they wont.

They're living dangerously. Certainly pushing home advantage to the limits and arguably beyond.

[westoelad]

But will Somerset gets a points deduction like we did (despite our game finishing a draw, and Notts have no issues with the pitch!)? No, of course they wont.

They're living dangerously. Certainly pushing home advantage to the limits and arguably beyond.

Yes but they've being doing it for over a year now without sanction.

[st_brendy]

It would be interesting if Middlesex were, say, 80-8 and asked the umpires if a declaration at that point would be classed as an extraordinary declaration (and hence a likely points deduction).

A bit like Essex against us last week (albeit different circumstances), you could argue that Middlesex's best chances from winning in that position would be to FO. And declaring at that point would just about allow such a FO to happen, if Somerset so wished. Would the umpires accept that argument, and allow the declaration (thus securing Middlesex's survival), or dismiss the argument.

[captaincolly]

But will Somerset gets a points deduction like we did (despite our game finishing a draw, and Notts have no issues with the pitch!)? No, of course they wont.

They're living dangerously. Certainly pushing home advantage to the limits and arguably beyond.

Yes but they've being doing it for over a year now without sanction.

Yep. And even Maynard admitted the pitch for the Durham game last year was not acceptable.

[captaincolly]

It would be interesting if Middlesex were, say, 80-8 and asked the umpires if a declaration at that point would be classed as an extraordinary declaration (and hence a likely points deduction).

A bit like Essex against us last week (albeit different circumstances), you could argue that Middlesex's best chances from winning in that position would be to FO. And declaring at that point would just about allow such a FO to happen, if Somerset so wished. Would the umpires accept that argument, and allow the declaration (thus securing Middlesex's survival), or dismiss the argument.

That would be very interesting. I think in those circumstances the umpires would have to seek advice from the ECB before making a decision.

[st_brendy]

It would be interesting if Middlesex were, say, 80-8 and asked the umpires if a declaration at that point would be classed as an extraordinary declaration (and hence a likely points deduction).

A bit like Essex against us last week (albeit different circumstances), you could argue that Middlesex's best chances from winning in that position would be to FO. And declaring at that point would just about allow such a FO to happen, if Somerset so wished. Would the umpires accept that argument, and allow the declaration (thus securing Middlesex's survival), or dismiss the argument.

That would be very interesting. I think in those circumstances the umpires would have to seek advice from the ECB before making a decision.

Just imagine the reaction of Somerset fans if it was allowed. Last season they felt that Middlesex stole the title from them, now they steal survival from them.

(Personally I wouldn't feel sorry for them. Whilst I'm not against utilising home advantage, I'm not going to have any sympathy when it ultimately doesn't get you what you want)