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

budgetmeansbudget wrote:

sussexpob wrote:Just think lads.... you can pulvarise our ridiculously terrible batting line up in 2017.....

With our attack?

We couldn't even pulverise the local Darby and Joan third eleven.

You clearly never seen Craig Cachopa, Phil Salt or Fynn Hudson-Prentice bat.....

I think Hampshire would destroy Division 2.

budgetmeansbudget wrote:

sussexpob wrote:Just think lads.... you can pulvarise our ridiculously terrible batting line up in 2017.....

With our attack?

We couldn't even pulverise the local Darby and Joan third eleven.

On that note has anything been said about Edwards returning next season? Him and Topley available would be very handy.

Hampshire wrote:

budgetmeansbudget wrote:

sussexpob wrote:Just think lads.... you can pulvarise our ridiculously terrible batting line up in 2017.....

With our attack?

We couldn't even pulverise the local Darby and Joan third eleven.

On that note has anything been said about Edwards returning next season? Him and Topley available would be very handy.

Yes Topley should hopefully be fit and raring to go.

Edwards on the other hand was on a one year contract I believe so that will have expired. Plus he'll be 35 and coming back from a broken ankle.

Still think we made a massive mistake not producing a 'result wicket'. Bonus points aside (would have almost guaranteed the 3 bowling bonus points) a win was always the priority, and we struggle to bowl teams out as it is.

Back into winter hibernation. See you all next April!

haggishants wrote:Back into winter hibernation. See you all next April!

See you Haggis.

As I said last night, aside from Notts we have not bowled anyone out for under 280 this season. Home or away. 1st innings or 2nd innings. There was little reason to expect that to suddenly change today.

Had it somehow happened, it wouldn't have been a great escape like last year. At no point this season has our bowling improved (like it did last year, with Fidel clicking into gear, Crane coming in for the youth team to do well, McLaren coming in from abroad to do well). Our batting absolutely improved, no question. I've not checked the stats, but I wouldn't be surprised if we've been the top runscorers in the division since the start of August. But without wickets, runs don't win you matches. We've been drawing our way to safety, until this match. Surviving wouldn't have been a great escape, it would have been embarrassment on Warks or Lancs' part (Lancs, as it turned out).

I'm not going to be as critical as I was when we last went down. Losing Topley and Fidel for the whole season, Berg for the first half of the season, Wood and Carberry for the second half of the season. Wheater, Ervine, Adams, and Dawson have all also been injured at various points of the season too. International call-ups for Vince and Dawson, fine that happens. That's cricket. But our injury list this season (not that you can call Carberry's an injury) was off the scale. Basically only McLaren has been available to us all season. Oh, and Smith I think - sadly!

That said, we do finally need to have a good winter in terms of recruits. We have lost so many players over the past five years or so, and our inability to take 20 wickets is absolutely nothing new. The likes of Rod and White have to see this, and act. Alas though, relegation has tied one hand behind each of their backs. Why would any player on an upward trajectory in their careers willingly want to join a D2 side? We've got enough 30 somethings as it is. What we badly lack - aside from good bowlers - is players in their mid to late 20s. Basically players who are in their prime.

Hard lines chaps. I was rooting for you all the way. You had some terrible luck this season, if it could have gone wrong it usually did, yet were still in with a chance of saving yourselves at the end

Cheers DFM, you have to experience moments like this to really appreciate the good times if and when they ever come.

And great post Brendy, can't really disagree with anything you say. Well you are Mr Hampshire on this forum after all, and I'd be lost without your invaluable insight, especially now Saint Powelly only visits intermittently.

Thanks Budget.

It's Jimmy's 36th birthday today. What an awful birthday present!

He is a conundrum for us. A whole season without scoring a single 100, although he did come close a few times towards the end. And now 36 years old. We're not going to let him go over the winter, and if he was going to retire I think he'd have announced it by now. So I'm firmly expecting him to be with us next year. And I have no issue with that. But do we demote him to the 2nds, calling upon him only in time of injury or poor form, or do we stick with him in the 1st team? Afterall, even if we bounce back first time, he'll be 37 (and a half) when it comes to next playing a D1 match. Now that's fine if you're still churning the runs out - just look at Trescothick - but unfortunately Jimmy isn't.

I think by default, even though it's of no use to our long term hopes, he probably continues. Of the two openers, I'd rather lose Smith than Jimmy. On top of that, we have to face that sad reality that Carberry may never play professional cricket again (and he's hardly young either), and whilst Alsop did very well for us batting slightly lower down the order, he did fail miserably as an opener. (Although was that because he really can't handle the new ball, or just because he was very new to the team, in April/May conditions, who knows). Add all that together, and for Jimmy to make way then we're probably looking at have to sign two new openers (unless there's someone else in the youth team who I'm not aware of), and I absolutely cannot see that happening.

He could probably do a half decent job for us in division two, as it doesn't appear like there are many alternatives, unless we make a signing in the off season.

Could be his swansong, doesn't really want to go out the game after such a sour tasting season as this one.

I haven't been as prolific on here this summer as others but still enjoyed the debate.
so thanks to Brendy for as has been said elsewhere for some in depth views and Budget , fancy a beer at WLP at some point in the season ?

just a thought , you're not related to Dan Strugnell by any chance ?

mark the hawk wrote:I haven't been as prolific on here this summer as others but still enjoyed the debate.
so thanks to Brendy for as has been said elsewhere for some in depth views and Budget , fancy a beer at WLP at some point in the season ?

just a thought , you're not related to Dan Strugnell by any chance ?

Miserable bugger this Dan Strugnell, by any chance?

I have to be honest I haven't seen them play in years. I grew up in Denmead back in the seventies and used to go to Jubilee Park with my dad who was mates with the Club Captain who used to get us tickets. I've moved about a bit since, but have always followed their progress from the days as just Waterlooville FC to the merger with Havant.

It would be great to get in a game and have a beer with you but I doubt i'd get permission from the missus! It takes me alot of brownie points to trade in a trip to Dean Court let alone a journey along the M27!

I look in on the Hawk Lounge quite regularly, you aren't Mark C on there by any chance. Ironically my local team Poole Town, about 4 miles down the road from me, sadly replaced H&W in the NLS this season. They've got off to a pretty good start as well.

Here's to a quick return this season. I see they drew 1-1 today breaking a winning streak. Still in a good position early in the season.

Sorry for the late reply but :- Guilty as charged

Durham relegated and Hampshire re-instated into Div 1 next year because of financial issues...