Greyhound
Well-known Exeweb poster
Sam Curran took us very close to an unlikely win.
The new format seems a bit bizarre. I'd understand if they were keeping it all regional this summer due to the pandemic, but these are seeded groups (albeit with a few derbies preserved). Additionally, the ECB has said said they will review at the end of the season; which makes it sound as though they're considering replacing the two-division CC for good, which would be a shame. I won't get started on the marginalisation of the CC to April/May and September which has been a feature of recent years BC (Before CovID) - or the introduction of the hare-brained Hundred :-(The "new" (hastily cobbled together) 2021 County Championship starts tomorrow.
The Cidermen grouped with Gloucs, Hants, Leics, Middles*x & Sorrey for the opening games.
How do you rate their chances this year?
Somerset the strongest red ball team in this group. Nailed on top two finish to progress to the league 1 group. Good chance Somerset and Essex will be battling it out to be champions.The "new" (hastily cobbled together) 2021 County Championship starts tomorrow.
The Cidermen grouped with Gloucs, Hants, Leics, Middles*x & Sorrey for the opening games.
How do you rate their chances this year?
The format seems unnecessarily complicated.The new format seems a bit bizarre. I'd understand if they were keeping it all regional this summer due to the pandemic, but these are seeded groups (albeit with a few derbies preserved). Additionally, the ECB has said said they will review at the end of the season; which makes it sound as though they're considering replacing the two-division CC for good, which would be a shame. I won't get started on the marginalisation of the CC to April/May and September which has been a feature of recent years BC (Before CovID) - or the introduction of the hare-brained Hundred :-(
Hants look pretty solid with the ball if they can stay fit- Kyle Abbott and Mohammad Abbas, with back up from the likes of Liam Dawson and Mason Crane: seemingly less solid with the bat where, unless someone like Nye Donald has a real breakthrough season, a lot is going to rest on the shoulders of James Vince and Sam Northeast.
Think that's a fair summary. I've high hopes for Felix Organ, not least in hope that a young Holding breaks through at one of the other counties. I think the batting goes back further than last season which was, obviously, an odd affair.The format seems unnecessarily complicated.
The authorities can also stick their wretched Hundred where the sun don’t shine.
Hants bowling unit looks strong but Barker and Fuller are currently unfit. On paper Mohammad Abbas a star signing to replace Fidel Edwards. The batting is shaky with none of the youngsters tried last season really establishing themselves. Interesting that Felix Organ is in the 13 for the trip to Grace Road. The Club clearly think it is worth persevering with him. Donald still injured but with Dawson back as an all rounder that should help a bit. Tom Alsop needs to up his red ball average by 10 runs.
A fair chance of getting to the league 1 at stage 2 with Somerset.
A bit unfair on David Payne there RP. He is quite brisk but tends to do better in the white ball gigs. Bit of a thorn in the side of Sorry IIRC. 2015 Royal London final and his final over ? How your boys made a Horlicks of that run chase.Reassuring to see that Gloucester's mediocre attack of wibbly wobblers has dismissed 2 current England test players and one former one before 50 is on the board.
#sameoldsurrey
#goodstartlads