Cricket-Match-Special ... A forum for discussion

If Notts win, they're obviously promoted.

If Notts draw, Northants need to pick up one batting point more than them (whilst also winning) to finish above them. Then it comes down to what Worcs do, as to who goes up between them and Notts.

If Notts lose, Northants will finish above them unless Notts make 400 (very unlikely in defeat) and Northants make under 200 (or Northants fail to win). Worcs will be promoted.

fantastic fightback from Essex, barring disaster, we should have an unbeaten season!

I'm pleased I checked the scores again, because I was about to say that Northants were in the driving seat, but they've somehow managed to collapse from 168-2 to 199-8.........against leics too!

at least Durham are doing their bit to help Worcs go up as champions

Sussex are exploding as much at the end of the season as they were at the start. Hard to understand what on earth went wrong in the middle part of the season

perhaps they just didn't play at Hove enough, or against Durham enough, in the middle of the season

Could prove to be a very costly batting collapse for Northants. To only take one batting point from the position they were in, is somewhat criminal. And I believe it means that if Notts can get themselves up to 200, then a draw will be sufficient for them to stay ahead of Northants.

Northants really should have been picking up a haul of batting points than would realistically have forced Notts to have to win. And you would say that there is absolutely no chance of them winning.

Hats aloft to James Hildreth for making a ton on a pitch where only one other bat has gone past 50 (56) and that on the first morning. Wonder if England missed a trick in not picking him to tour Asia last winter?

As well as Leach. Hard to figure what to make of his last 18 months. Great record, but is it down to the spin ready surfaces?

Arthur Crabtree wrote:As well as Leach. Hard to figure what to make of his last 18 months. Great record, but is it down to the spin ready surfaces?

He's got 120+ wickets in the last 2 seasons and they couldn't all have been obtained on spin ready surfaces. He's surely got to be in the Lions squad so at least he's on standby. As has Porter and Northeast.

Notts 9 down, still 12 away from near certain promotion.

Arthur Crabtree wrote:As well as Leach. Hard to figure what to make of his last 18 months. Great record, but is it down to the spin ready surfaces?

I would say "absolutely"

a monster at Taunton and seemingly toothless everywhere else

what a stand that was between baby Root and bye, bye Read. nearly 250 for the 6th wicket

they've certainly saved Notts from a thrashing at Hove, and I guess they've guaranteed promotion too

Durhamfootman wrote:

Arthur Crabtree wrote:As well as Leach. Hard to figure what to make of his last 18 months. Great record, but is it down to the spin ready surfaces?

I would say "absolutely"

a monster at Taunton and seemingly toothless everywhere else

two thirds of his wickets have come at home, this season, and of the 16 wickets he has taken away from home, 4 came off a dodgy old piece of nonsense at Scarbados, and 6 at Edgbaston where 19 of the 34 wickets to fall went to spin

even disregarding the Scarbados wickets, 38 of his 48 scalps have come off raging bunsens

He would be worth considering for sub con pitches or for the UAE though, I suppose, but I wouldn't consider him for anything else

My main feeling is relief that Northants are not going to be promoted. We are not in a position to compete in Div 1. The batting is too prone to collapse and the attack struggles greatly on wickets that favour the batsmen.

Terrible season for Yorkshire finishes in appropriate fashion, with a big innings collapse. Might not have gone down, but it feels like that would have been in fitting with the kind of performances they've produced.

Durhamfootman wrote:

Durhamfootman wrote:

Arthur Crabtree wrote:As well as Leach. Hard to figure what to make of his last 18 months. Great record, but is it down to the spin ready surfaces?

I would say "absolutely"

a monster at Taunton and seemingly toothless everywhere else

two thirds of his wickets have come at home, this season, and of the 16 wickets he has taken away from home, 4 came off a dodgy old piece of nonsense at Scarbados, and 6 at Edgbaston where 19 of the 34 wickets to fall went to spin

even disregarding the Scarbados wickets, 38 of his 48 scalps have come off raging bunsens

He would be worth considering for sub con pitches or for the UAE though, I suppose, but I wouldn't consider him for anything else

Yes but England are only going to consider playing a 2nd spinner if they know the pitch is going to take spin. Leach has proved he's the most effective and experienced in such conditions.