Having had a cyber rumble of my own recently, I thought I’d preview tomorrow’s game against Hampshire and also round-up other cricket news. The main issue for Somerset seems to be the fact that as it has rained so badly, the match at Worcester and the first two days of the 2nd XI game have ruined any chance of players staking a claim or getting into form.

Brian Rose has spoken on the official site of his selection problems for this season with younger players such as Munday and Turner already having excelled in the drawn match against Lancashire. Omari Banks and Zander de Bruyn add quality to the squad and it’s a group of players that have enough ability to more than stand their ground in the division. Nonetheless, who misses out will be a fascinating sub-plot to events at Taunton.

From Rose’s quotes, the squad have been told that yes, it’s been raining so no one has had the chance to impress the coaches but there will be opportunities for all at some point. By signing overseas players, Somerset are stronger but from the sounds of it, no-one is above the selectorial axe and the players on form will get picked. All very sensible.

Charl Willoughby made a good point for BBC Sport:

“I think it can only make the guys who get to play better cricketers and make English cricketers put up their hand. But it’s a big debate and as long as we keep performing nobody can argue why we’re here,”

 

As for Hampshire, they go into Friday’s match on the back of a walloping by Yorkshire with Hoggard in excellent form (a dead cert for the first Test if ever there was one). Dimitri Mascarenhas is off to India but Kevin Pietersen plays in the day-nighter which kicks off at 2.30pm.

Hampshire have form in the competition, having won in 2005 and got to the final last year before losing to Otis Gibson’s Durham.

Tickets are 20 quid on the day for adults and my main concerns are: a) the weather and b) the location (which looks a hassle to get to if you don’t drive. A bus from Southampton Railway (8a) looks the best though no return leg if you last the distance so the advice on the Hants site is to make arrangements.

Having definitely said I was going to this, it boils down to costs, weather and whether they let my camera in. Just kidding. Will see how I feel on the day, if not, will report on here before heading to Lundy island to check the cricketing habits of the puffin population.

ROSE BOWL LOCATION: http://www.rosebowlplc.com/assets/Image/venue/stadium_maps/locationmap.jpg

FRIDAY WEATHER:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/5day.shtml?id=3471

Failing that…it’s on the radio (BBC Solent):

http://www.bbc.co.uk/hampshire/content/articles/2005/04/15/cricket_commentary_feature.shtml