Essex v. Yorkshire

[Matt the Shrimp]

Afternoon everyone...

Yes, it's back - it's the County Championship... and we're playing Yorkshire at Chelmsford. They won the toss, elected to field, and we've moved at a steady rate to 77/1 off 35 overs.

Big Will Jefferson has already notched his first half-ton of the campaign... top lad! 56 not out off 101 deliveries including 8 fours. Marvellous.

Quite like the look of today's line up as well:

WI Jefferson, AN Cook, GW Flower, RS Bopara, A Flower, *RC Irani, +JS Foster, GR Napier, AJ Tudor, AR Adams, D Gough.

Looks a pretty good line-up to me... although I wouldn't be too sad to see Grant Flower make way for the returning Danish Kaneria.

Indeed, not sure who will make way for Kaneria once he's back from the sub-continent...

Finally, absolutely delighted that we've brought Alex Tudor on board. I would love it if Goughie nursed him back to his best... no reason why Tudor's England days should be behind him.

Ah, leather on willow... it's back, and I'm delighted.

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Matt

[Matt the Shrimp]

Yes, it's 13th April, and the weather's perfect for a spot of cricket...

http://uk.cricinfo.com/link_to_database/PICTURES/DB/042005/059668.jpg


Meanwhile, at Old Trafford, the crowd goes wild...

http://uk.cricinfo.com/link_to_database/PICTURES/DB/042005/059674.jpg

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[W4 Shrimper]

Great to have it back though isn't it http://www.shrimperzone.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

My 2005 edition of Wisden - just £15 at bol.com - is on its way and I've had a tasty bet on Essex at 8/1 for Division Two!

I don't like cricket....I love it!

[Matt the Shrimp]

Quote[/b] (W4 Shrimper @ April 13 2005,15:24)]I've had a tasty bet on Essex at 8/1 for Division Two!
It has got to be worth a fiver, hasn't it?!

Might investigate that...

Matt

[W4 Shrimper]

Quote[/b] (Matt the Shrimp @ April 13 2005,15:25)]Quote[/b] (W4 Shrimper @ April 13 2005,15:24)]I've had a tasty bet on Essex at 8/1 for Division Two!
It has got to be worth a fiver, hasn't it?!

Might investigate that...

Matt
Slightly more than that in my case - although I need to make up for doing my brains on Essex last year *http://www.shrimperzone.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif

101-1, keep it going lads....

[BILLERICAY BLUE]

117-1

Jeffo 80*
GWF 22* (off of over 100 balls).

I'm with MtS and HKB, booooooo to GWF.

BB

P.S. I love cricket as well, our season starts next Saturday http://www.shrimperzone.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

[Hong Kong Blue]

Ton up for Jefferson.

Grant Flower is 31no at tea. I think Grant Flower is a massive backwards step for Essex and for once I'd like to see an Essex player fail. However I have a sneaky feeling he'll have a very consistent season for Essex and top 1,000 fc runs and be an influential one-day player.

I'd rather have seen Pettini and Bopara given more responsibility.

[CI-City Blue]

To be quite honest, the Kolpak ruling will ruin a lot of promising young English careers, and I am surprised that Essex are taking advantage of it....

Lets hope Cook and Bopara do well enough to stay in the team.... http://www.shrimperzone.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/cool.gif http://www.shrimperzone.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/cool.gif

[Matt the Shrimp]

Ton up for Jefferson - what a star!

117 n.o. a superb first day for him. 168/1 off 60.2 isn't exactly lightning pace, but I reckon that's a great first day's cricket - top effort, especially from Big Will!

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[Matt the Shrimp]

Hard luck to Big Will... out, going for the ton & a half. Still, 149 is not a bad way to open your season's account.

Grant Flower is there on 55 n.o. off a painfully slow 203 balls; Bopara has joined him at the crease, and has knocked 4 runs... off 3 deliveries!

That's it, Ravi - show Grant how it's done!

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224/2 off 78 overs; steady, but solid progress.

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[J]

come on the eagles

[Matt the Shrimp]

Quote[/b] (CS J @ April 13 2005,19:21)]come on the eagles
The One-Day competition hasn't started yet...

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[Matt the Shrimp]

Saw this on This is Essex (http://www.thisisessex,co.uk) - very encouraging!

<span style='color:blue'>Graveney hails Jefferson's ton

http://uk.cricinfo.com/link_to_database/PICTURES/DB/042001/024626.jpg

ENGLAND's chairman of selectors David Graveney was among those who watched Essex opener Will Jefferson cane the Yorkshire attack for a fine century as the county closed on 224 for two on the opening day of their Championship clash at Chelmsford.

The tall right-hander scored 149 before he was dismissed just before the close and Graveney put a stamp of approval on his effort.

&quot;It was an outstanding innings, but he is one of several young players Essex are fortunate to possess,&quot; he said.

&quot;I saw Alastair Cook score a very good century for the MCC earlier in the week, while Mark Pettini also played well in that match.

&quot;And with Graham Gooch speaking very highly of Ravinder Bopara, it is clear that Essex have talented players who might aspire to bigger things. We shall just have to wait and see.&quot;</span>

[The General]

Going at exactly 3 an over as we are 315-4 off 105 overs. Good maths!

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[GodblessArthurRowley]

sorry chaps but i really cant get a hold on cricket with so much going on at the home of good football. Still, got tickets at Lords for the visit of the bloody aussies, and am confident that Essex can do a shrimpers have have a great season.

See you after automatic promotion on this thread

[The General]

Ended up on 327-4. I'd imagine some quick runs will be needed tomorrow morning for a couple of hours ~ declare ~,(although its due to rain) and then try and bowl them out twice but the smart money is on a draw!

[CI-City Blue]

Quote[/b] (The General @ April 14 2005,21:36)]Ended up on 327-4. I'd imagine some quick runs will be needed tomorrow morning for a couple of hours ~ declare ~,(although its due to rain) and then try and bowl them out twice but the smart money is on a draw!
Well, the positives we can take from this game (if it does indeed end up a draw) that the batters seem to have started the season in a bit of form.... Lets hope they can continue... http://www.shrimperzone.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/cool.gif

[Matt the Shrimp]

Unless the captains agree a carve up (i.e. forfeit an innings and go for the result), then this will definitely be a draw - there have only been 15 overs of play today... it has clearly been a rainy old day in Chelmsford!

Matt

[The General]

Both captains have forfeited the 2nd innings but i still cant see a result ...

[The General]

A very eventful morning. We declared on 401-4 and off 20 overs Yorkshire are 53-4 and Tudor has already taken 2 wickets with Adams and Napier at one a piece. Can Essex really go onto win this?

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[W4 Shrimper]

Quote[/b] (The General @ April 16 2005,12:37)]A very eventful morning. We declared on 401-4 and off 20 overs Yorkshire are 53-4 and Tudor has already taken 2 wickets with Adams and Napier at one a piece. Can Essex really go onto win this?

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And now it's five down! Come on boys!

Quote[/b] (W4 Shrimper @ April 16 2005,12:54)]Quote[/b] (The General @ April 16 2005,12:37)]A very eventful morning. We declared on 401-4 and off 20 overs Yorkshire are 53-4 and Tudor has already taken 2 wickets with Adams and Napier at one a piece. Can Essex really go onto win this?

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And now it's five down! Come on boys!
6 down!

If only we had 4 full days play http://www.shrimperzone.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif

[The General]

Well seeing as both teams have forfeited their 2nd innings, its all going well ...

[W4 Shrimper]

Quote[/b] (The General @ April 16 2005,13:23)]Well seeing as both teams have forfeited their 2nd innings, its all going well ...
Where did you find that out Kev? (not doubting you, just curious http://www.shrimperzone.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif )

[The General]

They said it on SSN this morning about 1am ...

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[The General]

They are all out for 205. Lets hope SSN were right!

[The General]

Hmm. They got it wrong as Yorkshire are 52-2 off 11 overs and are 154 behind ...

[Hong Kong Blue]

Quote[/b] (The General @ April 16 2005,16:55)]Hmm. They got it wrong as Yorkshire are 52-2 off 11 overs and are 154 behind ...
We know better than to trust you Kev.

So Essex ran out of time. I just wonder if the result might have been different if Grant Flower had shown a bit more urgency with his batting. Spending 5 or 6 hours making 65 is going to always leave you running out of time in a rain affected game.

[Matt the Shrimp]

Quote[/b] (Hong Kong Blue @ April 16 2005,18:53)]Quote[/b] (The General @ April 16 2005,16:55)]Hmm. They got it wrong as Yorkshire are 52-2 off 11 overs and are 154 behind ...
We know better than to trust you Kev.

So Essex ran out of time. I just wonder if the result might have been different if Grant Flower had shown a bit more urgency with his batting. Spending 5 or 6 hours making 65 is going to always leave you running out of time in a rain affected game.
Getting the digs in at Grant Flower already, I see...

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(Carry on, BTW... even if I invariably disagree with you about footy, I'm with you 100% on the disastrous, ridiculous signing of G. Flower...)

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Matt

[BILLERICAY BLUE]

Very encouraging start in both forms of the game. Looking at our batting line-up for the Yorkshire game we has Adams and Tudor at 9 and 10, that is very strong and should be able to post 400 without a great deal of trouble against most side in Div 2. If Danish can weave his magic when he re-joins in June I think we can look forward to a very exciting year in the CC

[Hong Kong Blue]

Definitely agree its been an encouraging start.

I still have my doubts about the bowling attack. 5 years ago Gough, Tudor, Cowan and Irani could easily have been the England seam attack but all 4 have suffered chronic injuries and major question marks remain over their fitness.

Tudor has taken wickets in his opening spell in all 4 innings he has bowled in, but seems to be used sparingly in 5 over bursts and I think is yet to bowl a telling second spell. This makes me doubt his fitness, although its obviously early days.

My concern is that the last few years we've regularly got sides 6 or 7 down relatively cheaply, only to be denied by a big stand by the lower order. I think having a bowling attack with question marks over its fitness contributes to this problem as our bowlers don't have the stamina to come back and knock over the lower middle order.

The key player is therefore going to be Kaneria on two accounts, firstly he will bowl long spells (it'll be no bad thing with England touring Pakistan next winter if we bowl him into the ground) allowing our quicks to remain fresh and secondly being a leggie he should be useful in ending lower order resistance from the no.7s and 8s who have a good eye but not such good technique.

If our team stays fit I expect a challenge for honours on at least two fronts.

[The General]

Apparently we're after Dale Steyn (sp?) the SA fast bowler to cover for Danish until June ...

[southend4ever]

Quote[/b] (The General @ April 18 2005,12:46)]Apparently we're after Dale Steyn (sp?) the SA fast bowler to cover for Danish until June ...
that is the rumour and because the pitches don't become particularly effective for spinners until June, they are looking to bring in a seamer.

the other argument is why not bring in a 2nd team younger player to benefit them and the club in the long term. well, if we can get an international in, i would sooner rather see essex with him then cowan, bishop, ten desh*te.

[OlvisIII]

Would be a reasonable signing. Got to say I am dead impressed by the balance of the team this year. Quality batsman in the Flower bros, Jeffereson, Irani; great youth coming through Bopara and Cook; spin bowling Middlebrook (who will always pick up wickets at this level) Danish and Grant Flower; Fossie behind the stumps; Tudor, Gough, Cowan, Adams and Napier. I'm tempted to put money on the County Championship and one day league. Anybody done likewise?

[Hong Kong Blue]

Quote[/b] (southend4ever @ April 18 2005,16:05)]Quote[/b] (The General @ April 18 2005,12:46)]Apparently we're after Dale Steyn (sp?) the SA fast bowler to cover for Danish until June ...
that is the rumour and because the pitches don't become particularly effective for spinners until June, they are looking to bring in a seamer.

the other argument is why not bring in a 2nd team younger player to benefit them and the club in the long term. well, if we can get an international in, i would sooner rather see essex with him then cowan, bishop, ten desh*te.
Dale Steyn had only played about 6 first class games when he got picked by South Africa for the tests. I think he is actually quite a promising fast bowler but is a long way from the finished article. I would be completely against Essex signing him on a short term contract, as the only beneficiary would be Dale Steyn and South Africa.

I think county cricket has a moral duty to produce players for England - not least because the England team heavily subsidises the county scene. It would be an obscene situation if the money England generates from tests and ODIs is recycled to provide a finishing school for Dale Steyn and other South African raw talent.

I don't have a problem with overseas players - I think Andy Flower was a tremendous acquisition for the club and must surely help develop the likes of Foster to have an international wicketkeeper and Cook to have a top class left handed batsman pass on their experience - but signing a rookie like Steyn is not going to do that.