Leicestershire v Essex

[MrB]

Huge game! Nice to have Ali Cook playing.

Fingers crossed, just have to equal Worcestershires result without screwing up bonus points.

[Bluesmanager]

19-0 from 10 overs, Cook on 11 and Pettini on 8.

EDIT 63-1 Pettini gone for 11, Cook on 41.

[MrB]

83-4, disaster! Worcs have Northants at 103-3.

[Bluesmanager]

82-4 Cook on 47.

Well that's not good.

[Matt the Shrimp]

94-4 at lunch - Cook still there, but Pettini, Bopara, Sir Ronald and Andy Flower are all out.

Fozzie is going to have to play the innings of his life here... runs, and bonus points, are going to be crucial.

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[canveyshrimper]

Quote[/b] (Matt the Shrimp @ Sep. 20 2006,13:10)]94-4 at lunch - Cook still there, but Pettini, Bopara, Sir Ronald and Andy Flower are all out.

Fozzie is going to have to play the innings of his life here... runs, and bonus points, are going to be crucial.

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Agree that doesn't look good, but the best thing with this Essex side is they bat all the way down to number eleven. All of them apart from Tim Phillips have first class centuries to their names, and it won't belong before Phillips adds to the list.

Looks like the usual bunsen at Northampton as Gareth Batty has all three to go down at lunch.

[MrB]

199-4, great recovery. Looks like Fozzie is battling hard while Cook proves why he's a test player now with a superb 118 no.

Northants putting up decent resistance with a 92 partnership for the 6th wicket, 240-5.

2nd session to Essex so far!

[Matt the Shrimp]

209/4 at tea - 120* for Cook, 43* for Fozzie. That Cook, he's bloody mustard, isn't he?!

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Northants - 261/5. Sales doing rather well on 88... Come on you Cobblers!

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[MrB]

Cook's gone for 132, great innings. 237-5, plenty of batting to come, hopefully max batting points can be achieved.

Meanwhile Northants lose two wickets in quick succession to go to 269-7. Panesar comes in at 9, I don't hold out much hope of their tail wagging!

[number11]

The consolation for the the Northants collapse is that if it is a turner (and judging by the wicket takers in that game it is) then Monty and Brown are going to be pretty dangerous, especially going into the 4th innings.

Both games advancing well making results in each a likelyhood..

[Stats]

COME ON NORTHANTS!! http://www.shrimperzone.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif http://www.shrimperzone.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif http://www.shrimperzone.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/cool.gif

See even the resident Surrey fan is cheering you on

(Only because you have a certain Alex Tudor in your squad though) http://www.shrimperzone.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/cool.gif

[MrB]

28 from 26 balls from RTD takes us to 288-5, looking healthier. Northants are sticking around too, lovely!

[Matt the Shrimp]

Now 313/5 off 99 ov - a run rate of 3.16. If we keep scoring at that rate, we should pick up all 5 batting points; on the down-side, Worcs have already bagged all 3 bowling points.

Northants are 331/9, with Monty currently 26* off 69 balls. C'mon Monty!!

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[Matt the Shrimp]

Close of play:

Essex: 322/6. RTD out for 45, Fozzie still there on 95*. Top lad!

Northants 342 all out, Monty ended up with 37. Excellent wagging of the tail; time for Monty to do some damage tomorrow...

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[BILLERICAY BLUE]

How many points do we get for that ??

Found out now, 3.

So if we get to 350, and then go on to draw the game, Worcester will have to win, if we win then it doesn't matter what Worcester do.

[Matt the Shrimp]

Quote[/b] (BILLERICAY BLUE @ Sep. 20 2006,18:27)]How many points do we get for that ??
None yet...! The points system is triggered at 130 overs in the first innings of each side. The number of points you get is dictated by the number of runs you've scored at 130 ov (or, if you don't last that long, then the number of runs you've scored).

400 or more.... 5 points
350-399......... 4 points
300-349......... 3 points
250-299......... 2 points
200-249......... 1 point

The same 130 over rule applies to bowling points:

9 to 10 wickets taken.......... 3 points
6 to 8 wickets taken............ 2 points
3 to 5 wickets taken............ 1 point

Finally, to that you add the result bonus:

14 points to the victor
7 points to each side in a tie
4 points to each side in a draw
0 points to the loser

We have a 4 point lead over Worcs - so if we pick up max batting points, then it just comes down to the result: we have to get at least as good a result as Worcs do to get promoted.

Exciting times!!

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Matt

[Matt the Shrimp]

Quote[/b] (BILLERICAY BLUE @ Sep. 20 2006,18:27)]Found out now, 3.

So if we get to 350, and then go on to draw the game, Worcester will have to win, if we win then it doesn't matter what Worcester do.
Nope. See my post above...

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[Bluesmanager]

Hmm... Strange that. When I'm regularly checking the score on the beeb, we're naff. As soon as I go off to do something else, we get to 300 odd for 5.

I know where I'll be tommorrow, and it won't be on the beeb.

[Hong Kong Blue]

Looks like you've been checking the score Bluesmanager http://www.shrimperzone.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mad.gif

Neither Phillips nor Foster stayed around too long, although Foster did complete his ton.

357-8 and another 43 minimum needed IMHO.

Worcestershire 50-0. C'mon Monty!

[Shrimp_Stu]

Get live commentary over the net from Grace Road:

BBC Essex (http://www.bbc.co.uk/essex/sport/localradio/index.shtml)
Direct link:
Commentary (http://www.bbc.co.uk/essex/realmedia/cricket_commentary.ram)

[MrB]

Brown has removed Vincent, Worcs are 65-1.

374-8 for us.

[Matt the Shrimp]

Essex 374/8 off 121.3 ov - that's 26 runs in 8.3 ov, or a shade under 3.1 runs an over. It'll be tight...

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Worcs 72/1 - Lou Vincent gone.

Matt

[Matt the Shrimp]

Incidentally, why on earth is Tudor coming in at XI, after Phillips and Bichel?

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Anyhow, a bowling line-up of Tudor, Bichel, Phillips, Middlebrook and RTD (and maybe Bopara)... that ought to pose some questions, I hope.

**update** Worcs 72/2. Come on you Cobblers!

Matt

[Shrimp_Stu]

Bichel straight drives for 6.
390-8 - 10 needed off 5 overs.

50 partnership between Middlebrook & Bichel.

[* ORM *]

Lehman on 298 no for Yorkshire - 363 balls 47x4 2x6

[Shrimp_Stu]

Essex get to the 400 mark...........

Middlebrook goes caught at long off for 44.
Score now 405-9, come on the Tudor

[* ORM *]

3 down for Worcs (Good old Monty http://www.shrimperzone.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif)

and Lehman makes 300 no

[canveyshrimper]

It does seem odd Tudor coming in at eleven, but batting is the strength of Essex, and all apart from Phillips have a first class hundred or two.

Latest 405/8

Worcs 91/3

Lehmann is now 304 not out for Yorks, not bad for what should be his last innings for them.

[Matt the Shrimp]

Quote[/b] (canveyshrimper @ Sep. 21 2006,12:12)]Latest 405/8

Worcs 91/3
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Excellent. *That's all 5 batting points in the bag (I think we hit 400 in the 128th over), which is a huge plus. *Just need to match Worcestershire's result now...

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Matt

[MrB]

Anyone know what Worcs' batting depth is like? A couple more before lunch and they'll be in big trouble!

[MrB]

Middlebrook gone, however it's great to have faith in your 10th wicket partnership to add a few more runs!

[Matt the Shrimp]

Quote[/b] (MrB @ Sep. 21 2006,12:16)]Anyone know what Worcs' batting depth is like? *A couple more before lunch and they'll be in big trouble!
Well, this is the big pair they've got in at the mo - Solanki and Hick. If they lose those two before lunch, then they're in very big trouble!!

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After those two, the rest of the side is:

<span style='color:blue'>S M Davies, G J Batty, R J Sillence, Kabir Ali, Z Khan, R W Price</span>

Kabir Ali &amp; Zaheer Khan aren&#39;t bad for nos. 9 &amp; 10&#33;

Matt

[Matt the Shrimp]

Worcs 96/4 - Solanki&#39;s gone, fallen lbw to Monty.

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[Hong Kong Blue]

Tim Phillips will get a first class hundred. Probably not this game, but he will.

There is little difference between no.s 6 and 11 for Essex.

Whilst Tudor is probably the most elegant of those, I think he is probably just about the weakest of them.

Monty has struck and dismissed Ben Smith. Worcestershire 96/3 but now have their best batsmen, Hick and Solanki in.

[Hong Kong Blue]

Beaten to it - with the aid of an edit?

[Matt the Shrimp]

Quote[/b] (Hong Kong Blue @ Sep. 21 2006,12:19)]Worcestershire 96/3 but now have their best batsmen, Hick and Solanki in.
See above.

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Bichel is now flourishing the willow - we&#39;ve moved to 424/9 off 131 overs...

Come on Essex&#33;

[Matt the Shrimp]

Quote[/b] (Hong Kong Blue @ Sep. 21 2006,12:21)]Beaten to it - with the aid of an edit?
Only to add in that he&#39;d gone lbw...

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[MrB]

Interesting, our FOW:

1: 42
2: 64
3: 75
4: 82

Worcs:
1: 57
2: 72
3: 89
4: 96

We&#39;ve now added 364 runs for the remaining 6 wickets, I&#39;d be very surprised if Worcs manage to do that and hopefully that&#39;s the difference between a side getting promoted and one satying down.

[Matt the Shrimp]

Quote[/b] (MrB @ Sep. 21 2006,12:44)]hopefully that&#39;s the difference between a side getting promoted and one satying down.
I hope you&#39;re right, B&#33;

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At lunch, we&#39;re 446/9, Worcs are 112/4.

[BILLERICAY BLUE]

Quote[/b] (Matt the Shrimp @ Sep. 20 2006,18:49)]
Quote[/b] (BILLERICAY BLUE @ Sep. 20 2006,18:27)]Found out now, 3.

So if we get to 350, and then go on to draw the game, Worcester will have to win, if we win then it doesn&#39;t matter what Worcester do.
Nope. *See my post above...

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Actually if you read my post correctly you will find that I was right *http://www.shrimperzone.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

It&#39;s all actually immaterial now, as there is no way that Worcester are going to win their game. http://www.shrimperzone.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/upside.gif

[Matt the Shrimp]

Quote[/b] (BILLERICAY BLUE @ Sep. 21 2006,12:56)]It&#39;s all actually immaterial now, as there is no way that Worcester are going to win their game. http://www.shrimperzone.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/upside.gif
*Eeeeek&#33;*

*fervently hopes that fate has not been tempted*

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[canveyshrimper]

Quote[/b] (BILLERICAY BLUE @ Sep. 21 2006,12:56)]It&#39;s all actually immaterial now, as there is no way that Worcester are going to win their game. http://www.shrimperzone.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/upside.gif
I hope that doesn&#39;t come back and bite you on the bum. http://www.shrimperzone.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif

[Bluesmanager]

Quote[/b] (Hong Kong Blue @ Sep. 21 2006,11:25)]Looks like you&#39;ve been checking the score Bluesmanager http://www.shrimperzone.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mad.gif

Neither Phillips nor Foster stayed around too long, although Foster did complete his ton.

357-8 and another 43 minimum needed IMHO.

Worcestershire 50-0. C&#39;mon Monty&#33;
Actually I&#39;ve been telling clone troopers who&#39;s boss on LEGO Star Wars, I only checked it 2 minutes ago.

Essex 446-9 and Worcester 112-4 and Hants 342

I&#39;ll be slaughtering Darth Maul if anyone wants me.

[canveyshrimper]

Essex 464/9

Worcs 114/5 - get Hick and Worcs don&#39;t have much batting to follow.

[Hong Kong Blue]

Looks a good call by BB. Monty has just got Davies.

maybe that is the difference between the two teams: both have test aspiring keepers, but Foster produced when it mattered.

[Hong Kong Blue]

Doh&#33; Beaten again.

I actually reckon Batty will score runs. This is based mainly on the fact that i think he is crap and players I slate always come back to haunt me. Except Grant Flower.

[stickyboy]

Quote[/b] (Hong Kong Blue @ Sep. 21 2006,12:19)]Whilst Tudor is probably the most elegant of those, I think he is probably just about the weakest of them.
Saw the game the other week against Derby where he came in as nightw&amp;tchman and promptly scored a big ton - never seen so many 6&#39;s in a County Championship game. He also scored 99 no in a test match a few years ago. Think thats the strength of Essex at the mo in that even our no.11 is capable for not just surviving but scoring runs too. See our last wicket has put on 76 so far - always frustrating for the other side too.

[The General]

486 all out.

[BILLERICAY BLUE]

Worcs 159-5

Leics 21-2 (Bichel 2 in 2 balls)

[Shrimp_Stu]

Bichel follows up his 75 not out with two quick fire wickets.
Come on Essex lets get in amongst &#39;em&#33;

Leicestershire 1st innings
DDJ Robinson not out 12
JK Maunders lbw b Bichel 7
TJ New lbw b Bichel 0
Extras (nb 2) 2

Total (2 wickets; 4.3 overs) 21

[BILLERICAY BLUE]

Worcs 206-6

Leics 68-2

[MrB]

Not such a good hour, Worcs and Leics both building partnerships.

[BILLERICAY BLUE]

Hick out http://www.shrimperzone.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

Worcs 256 - 7 trail by 86

Leics 124 - 2

[Bluesmanager]

Woscester 256-7 now.

[Museshrimper]

129-3 Leics now, Robinson&#39;s just been bowled by Ravi http://www.shrimperzone.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif Worcs 265-8 with Kabir Ali just out.

[MrB]

266-9 now, unless they can pull out a decent last wicket partnership they&#39;re going to have a reasonable defecit going into the second innings. Definitely a result on the cards in that game.

[MrB]

Big wicket, Maddy gets a 9 ball duck, Ravi gets another.

[Shrimp_Stu]

Worcs 281 all out so Northants lead by 61runs.
Well done to Monty 5-101 and Jason Brown 3-92. As predicted the wicket is taking spin early doors and with these two to bowl in the 4th innings on this pitch, Worcs need to bowl out Northants for a low score to give themselves a chance of chasing a low 4th innings target.

[Matt the Shrimp]

Quote[/b] (Shrimp_Stu @ Sep. 21 2006,17:16)]Worcs 281 all out so Northants lead by 61runs.
Well done to Monty 5-101 and Jason Brown 3-92. As predicted the wicket is taking spin early doors and with these two to bowl in the 4th innings on this pitch, Worcs need to bowl out Northants for a low score to give themselves a chance of chasing a low 4th innings target.
Cracking. Northants have a 61-run lead, and Worcs only picked up two batting points as well.

If Essex now pick up max bowling points, then even if we lose and Worcs draw, we&#39;ll still go up.

All looking good...

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[Matt the Shrimp]

Incidentally, in Division 1, it looks like 2003 Champions Sussex have got one hand on this year&#39;s County Championship trophy - they are currently giving last year&#39;s champions Nottinghamshire a good thrashing.

http://www.sportinglife.com/cricket/scorecard/12831.html

[The General]

Northants have made a good start and are 24-0. Leics are 226-4 though.

[SUFCEssex]

good day all round must be favourites now.

Hope Northants get a massive second inns lead.

[Groyne Strain]

We now have a safety net even if things go against us at Grace Road. The way the bonus points have worked out, we will go up if Worcestershire don&#39;t win.

It&#39;s looking good. Hurricane Gordon in the midlands tomorrow would seal a cracking season.

[scrounger]

I would just like to reiterate what a quality season Essex have had this year. All the matches I have managed to view have been thoroughly entertaining as well.

Also, you got to love the Pro40 league. best thing that could have happened in cricket. It gets so many non-regulars interested in the game.

[Bluesmanager]

Looks like that hurricane&#39;s helping out. Essex and Worcester starts delayed for rain.

[Hong Kong Blue]

Leic 258-4. I think we are long overdue a wicket, notwithstanding the delayed start.

[Matt the Shrimp]

Congrats to Sussex - county Champions once again after a stunning performance today by Mushtaq Ahmed: 9-48 in 11.3 overs in Notts&#39; second innings to give him match figures of 13-108. Awesome.

Still, can&#39;t imagine the chasing Lancastrians would have been too happy with the Nottingham batting performance - sounds like half of them were trying to sweep Mushy, and they all gave their wickets away cheaply.

Anyhow, a thumping win for Sussex - many congrats to them.

Scorecard (http://www.sportinglife.com/cricket/scorecard/12831.html)

* * *

Meanwhile, Leicester (irritatingly) move on serenely to 290-4 at lunch - this fifth wicket stand is now worth a whopping 161 runs - but rain continues to delay the start of play in Northampton.

Matt

[C C Csiders]

Lucky Col Ewe fan(s?) tomorrow able to watch Essex at Grace Road in the morning and then a quick ten minute drive to watch their debacle in the afternoon. Second thoughts, if I were them I&#39;d stay at Grace Road.

[canveyshrimper]

Quote[/b] (Matt the Shrimp @ Sep. 22 2006,13:12)]Congrats to Sussex - county Champions once again after a stunning performance today by Mushtaq Ahmed: 9-48 in 11.3 overs in Notts&#39; second innings to give him match figures of 13-108. *Awesome.

Still, can&#39;t imagine the chasing Lancastrians would have been too happy with the Nottingham batting performance - sounds like half of them were trying to sweep Mushy, and they all gave their wickets away cheaply.

Anyhow, a thumping win for Sussex - many congrats to them.

Scorecard (http://www.sportinglife.com/cricket/scorecard/12831.html)

* * *

Meanwhile, Leicester (irritatingly) move on serenely to 290-4 at lunch - this fifth wicket stand is now worth a whopping 161 runs - but rain continues to delay the start of play in Northampton.

Matt
Also it gives Mushtaq 100 wickets for the season, a great performance by him and Sussex.

I am pleased they have won it over Lancashire, and the Lancs wait of over 70 years for an outright championship goes on.

A shame the partnership has developed so well for Leics, but the rain in Northampton is encouraging.

Come on Essex.

[C C Csiders]

Play abandoned at Northampton for the day. This is not necessarily good news&#33; I can see Northants getting a few quick runs aided by the Worcs captain turning to part-time bowlers to force a declaration. Then a mad run-chase will ensue which could easily favour Worcs.

Meanwhile, Essex are still frustrated by a combination of rain and determined Leics. batting.

[Museshrimper]

Leics declared on 372. Robinson and Nixon (wicketkeeper&#33;) bowling up some dollies for Pettini and Cook to get runs quick to set a target. 68-0 after 4 overs http://www.shrimperzone.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif

Northants are 127-6, eek.

EDIT: 116-0 off 7. Well earned fifties for our openers http://www.shrimperzone.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif http://www.shrimperzone.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[Museshrimper]

Declared on 186-0, lead of 300. Took 9.4 overs. Nixon 5 overs for 69, Robinson 4.4 overs for 117&#33;

Cook 66*, Pettini 114*.

Let&#39;s bowl them out now and go up. Come on Essex&#33;

[Bluesmanager]

Pettini 119 off of 27 balls apparently http://www.shrimperzone.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wow.gif

Robinson lbw Bichel.

[MrB]

Well Worcestershire have all but won and Leicestershire need 107 with 6 wickets remaining, looks like we may have blown it.

[Bluesmanager]

Worcetser won. Leicester 270-5.

[Museshrimper]

Lost, bugger http://www.shrimperzone.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif

[SUFCEssex]

Lost and then listened to the clowns on BBCEssex just slate the players.

Although not getting promotion was a big loss its still been a pretty good season and the Pro40 league was a good league to win.