First day of the County Championship

[cantplaycantalk]

Originally Posted by Speedboy Salesman

I just hope Steyn fires for Warwickshire. I don't expect Sangakkara to play for Warwickshire much, with Sri Lanka, so I expect Ambrose to still well. Maddy I hope feels pretty good with Warwickshire. No doubt the bowling department will mess up as usual..

Just checked cricinfo and Sri Lanka only have a series vs Bangladesh planned for Jun-July so shouldn't impact that heavily. Or do you have some inside info Speedy?

[cantplaycantalk]

Durham 313 All Out at tea
Well the online radio commentary is suggesting that this would be a 220-250 pitch and Durham are well above par, largely due to Di Venuto. (Why is it whenever I see his name written down I think of a welsh ice cream salesman?)

[greg]

Yorkshire's top order failed and the fact they bat all the way down got them out of the pickle they were in.I am delighted about Adil Rashid doing well but worry that the press will soon pick up on his all round ability and hype him up too much.He is still a teenager so let him develop in his own time please.

We should collect the last batting point today and then it is up to the bowlers,i wonder what Gillespie will think about not getting the new ball as i can't see Hoggard not getting one end and with Gough as captain he will surely get the other.

[cantplaycantalk]

Yorkshire from looking like a basket case mid winter look to be the strongest all round team in the country, what a change round.

[Rachael]

Originally Posted by greg

i wonder what Gillespie will think about not getting the new ball

About the same as he thinks about coming out to bowl after Gough... though his riposte with the bat has been telling: Gough slogged 23 off 26 balls and Gillespie's since come out and posted the second highest score of the match to date (currently unbeaten on 86 off 122 deliveries).

The only way Gough can justify taking the new ball is if he bowls very, very short spells of genuinely threatening deliveries: I'd like to think he'd stand aside... but fear not.

[Notts Exile]

Based purely on last seasons stats there is every reason for Gough to bat above Gillespie and to take the new ball ahead of him. Gough averaged 50 with the bat last season and scores rapidly, Gillespie averaged 26 and generally (not today) scores at a very pedestrian rate. With the ball Gough's wickets cost him 28 apiece whereas Gillespie's came at 33. I'd say the skipper has every right to take the new cherry.

[greg]

Being realistic Gough and Hoggard have to open the bowling now as Gillespie and Bresnan will be tired having batted through the morning session.Crazy innings,127-5 at one stage and now 548-8 at lunch on day 2 with a 200 unbroken partnership for the 9th wicket.

[Notts Exile]

Surrey are in trouble! Gillespie's got the scent of another double ton, 122 not out!

[cantplaycantalk]

Put the mockers on it there, Gillespie stranded on 123 Not Out, top score in an innings with three centuries, how often can that have happened to a number 11?

To be fair mind the Surrey attack does not look exactly scarey.

[Richie Benauds Love Child]

And is it just me, or have the chaps at taunton relaid the track - with tarmac ? 600-4dec for middlesex and 119-1 off 24 overs for somerset. Tresco at mr langer at the crease. Could langer help tresco back into to the england opening spot ? Can he help him understand aussie accents for when warne takes over as england coach ?????