Glamorgan, champions of Wales

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Season Review

Challenge Trophy

Position: Winners
P10 W9. L1

Couldn’t hope for better. With the loss of many players to the 100 we were left with a young, inexperienced and shallow squad. Ably led by Gill and Sanderson, with the exception of Todd, who had a poor season all round, they did extremely well. As the group stage went on confidence and the winning margin increased and with players returning from the 100 we were in with a strong chance. The final produced a tricky pitch and if we had batten first we would probably not have won.

Gill topped the charts for most runs and the 5th highest average. Sanderson has the best average nationally, the 6th most wickets and the best economy. Foyle came 2nd for average and economy but joint top for most wickets.

Our batting was uneven until reinforcements arrived. Our top 3 of Gill / Iqbal, Lloyd and Porter were excellent. With no all rounder much was on our inexperienced middle order of Warner, Lee and Nethercott. They did well without dazzling, Nethercott’ savers he is boosted through 4 not outs in 10 matches but could be effective.

The opening bowlers of Foyle and Sanderson were our star players, Mills did well enough, Beard impressed with some good results but Remington and Todd were disappointing. The returning de Lange and Wadlan were welcome and successful in their couple of matches

We need to find an all-rounder, the batting is too weak without one. We’ve been lucky this year in not being exposed very often.

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Season review

T20 Cup

Position: Runner-up
P17 W15. L2

The loss in the final was disappointing but it is the loss to Somerset in the group stage that still rankles – a game that was in our hands but was thrown away. Some amazing performances and an 88% win rate. The three all-rounders was a bit overkill, will probably look at just one of them carrying on into next year.

Gill scores the most runs in the tournament and had the 6th highest average, Jenkins the 4th. de Lange took the most wickets and had the 3rd best bowling average, Wadlan came 5th for wickets and 8th in the averages. Foyle has the best economy rate by far, followed by van de Gugten in 2nd and de Lange in 4th.

Gill, Iqbal and Jenkins were great for us, Lloyd had a good year but it was so-so from the other batsmen.

We used all our all-rounders but Faulkner was our mainstay. In no danger of getting called up he could be a good choice for next year too.

The bowlers were fantastic, nothing more could be wanted from them.

Our batting needs strengthening, Jenkins is bound to play more for England and while Porter has a much better campaign than last year he isn’t quite up to opening yet. We need to find an alternative 4 and a better 5. Nethercott is certainly not nailed on as wicket keeper/no 6 yet either.

A better spread of international signings is required but we very much need an opener and an all-rounder available for the T20s.

Hopefully we will go one better next year. We will miss the extra prize money this year!

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Season Review



Batsmen

Shubman Gill, 22

FC – 812 runs @ 73.82, 3 50s & 3 centuries
OD – 548 @ 68.25, 3 50s & 2 100s
T20 – 550 @ 45.83, r 50s & 1 100

A very impressive player. Played just half the FC season and reached 800 runs, took the crease 12 times are scored either a 50 or a hundred on half of those opportunities. A lowish run rate in OD matches because of being held back to secure an end. Great in the T20s. If we had another all-rounder I would not think twice about re-signing for next year, especially given his low price tag and that India have no need for him in their test team.


Jeff Porter, 20

FC – 1180 @ 59.00, 6 50s, 3 100s & 1 200
OD – 317 @ 45.29, 2 50s
T20 – 366 @ 28.15, 1 50

Having two good opening batsmen above him has done his FC return the world of good. To break the 1000 run barrier and score his first double century in his second year is impressive. Much better results in the LO games, especially the 50 over matches but still has some way to go. Not quite the big hitter who can take on the attack in those formats but he is still very young and it may come.


Tamim Iqbal, 32

FC – 567 @ 51.55, 4 50s & 1 10
OD – 144 @ 72.00, 1 100

So good we were almost sorry to see Gill. Solid and prolific.


Nick Selman, 25

FC – 1370 @ 65.24, 6 50s, 5 100s
OD – 28 k 14.00
T20 – 238 @ 18.31

A brilliant Year in FC cricket, not quick but able to be aggressive when needed. A poor LO season, but he shouldn’t really be playing those matches.


Andrew Umeed, 25

Thankfully not used.


Michael Waites, 19

FC – 406 @ 67.67, 3 50s & 1 100
OD – n/a
T20 – 18 @ 6

Played just 7 games across all formats. In his 8 FC innings he scored 3 50s and a century so there’s plenty of talent. Spent much of his time with England or in the 100. Any time with England saw his form plummet and made him unusable even when available during the T20s. Glad he is in our squad but need a like-for-like replacement because we will see little of him in good form.


Colin Ingram, 35

T20 – 3 @ 3

Cost us the match against Somerset. If he is available, which is not often, he bats poorly. Had a great 100 but what use is that? Going.


David Lloyd, 29

OD – 301 @ 50.17, 3 50s
T20s – 165 @ 27.50, 1 50

Just as well I did keep him on! Should have been first choice LO opener ahead of Selman. Flakey but can obviously be a first choice when he is in form.


David Jenkins, 22

FC – 778 @ 59.11, 3 50s & 3 100s
OD – 26 @ 26
T20 – 333 @ 47.57, 1 50

A solid middle order batsman though he went through a poor patch of form. Missed matches through injury and England call-up otherwise would have broken the 1000 run mark. T20 average helped by 6 not outs in 13 matches but a dependable if not destructive presence. Will probably lose to England on a more regular basis in the future but a player to build around.


Billy Root, 28

FC – 145 @ 24.17, 1 50
T20 – 33 @ 33

If you take away his top score of 55* his average was just 15. Kept on for his OD batting and was lost to the 100. Struggling to see why I should keep him on.


Kiran Carlson, 23

Not used


John Warner, 23

FC – 494 @ 35.29, 4 50s
OD – 175 @ 25

A natural no3 judging by his performances there but was shunted about the order to try and make up for others deficiencies. A solid FC performance but not in the OD matches. Filled the spot better than the other options though. Definitely a part-time wicket keeper though he has worked on and improved that area. Will try not to misuse and shift around next year.


Samson Lee, 18

OD – 180 @ 30

2nd XI – 36.72 OD – 38.40 T20 – 24.80

Promoted from our academy. Modest figures in the XI but his LO averages are better than Carlson’s so will probably keep him on and let Carlson go. Would ideally be a low cost 3rd choice backup but suspect it could take a few years to build a squad that deep.

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Season Review

Wicket Keepers

Tom Nethercott, 21

FC – 98 runs @ 13.33
OD – 175 @ 43.75, 1 50
T20 – 132 @ 22.00

OD averages flattered by 4 not ours in 8 matches. Was signed on a one year contract and will be kept on, if only because we need a deeper squad for the OD game. Has plenty of time to improve but unlikely to be first choice material. Improved his wicket keeping, which is just as well because he dropped almost everything that came to him at slip.


Chris Cooke, 35

FC – 304 @ 25.33, 1 100
OD – 4 @ 4
T20 – 229 @ 28.62

Another poor year, perhaps at 35 he is nearing the end of his career. If you remove his 125, played on a flat pitch when we had already secured promotion he averaged just 14.29. His T20 average bolstered by a good percentage of not outs. Little real competition in the squad, an area we need to strengthen to succeed in D1.


Tom Cullen, 29

Unsused

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Season Review

All-rounders

Dayaan Galiem, 24

T20s batting – 46 @ 46

T20s bowling- 3 wickets @ 29.00 and an economy of 7.25

Played when both openers and Saifuddin were away. Not a strictly necessary signing.


Mohammad Saifuddin, 25

T20 – n/a

T20 – 4 @ 15.25 & 7.62

Only 2 matches as he was with Bangladesh for much of the T20 season. A good wicket taking threat.


James Faulkner, 30

T20 – 75 @ 25

T20 – 19 @ 23.00 & 7.41

A mainstay of our T20 attack, came in and delivered what his averages suggested, what more can you want? Was smashed about in a few matches and not absolutely consistent but since he is not getting called up will be re-signed for next year.


Brad Wadlan, 32

FC – 276 @ 18.64, 1 50
OD – n/a
T20 – 29 @ 4.83

FC – 59 @ 26.75 & 3.13, 2 5-fors
OD – 2 @ 20 @ 4.44
T20 – 35 @ 15.63 & 7.25, 1 5-for

A dire year with the bat, can hardly call him an all-rounder. Bowling much improved on last year but his economy is a bit too high to use him as a control bowler when the pitch isn’t doing much. A brilliant T20 season with the ball. If he bats like this in D1 there will be problems, our tail can not start at 7 and he may have to start as a specialist spinner in a four man attack.

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Season Review

Bowlers

Marchant de Lange, 30

FC – 41 wickets @ 31.05 and an economy of 3.07
OD – 3 @ 14.33 & 2.93
T20 – 39 @ 10.62 & 6.64, 1 5i

A worse average but better economy than his career FC average and nowhere near last year. Even better in T20s, bowling 2 overs up front and 2 at the death. It is hard to see him doing well in 1st Division FC cricket and his future may lie in being a LO specialist and playing back-up in FC.


Andrew Todd, 21

OD – 6 @ 35.33 @ 4.25

A poor start to his career with the club. Poor form throughout the season and only played in the OD matches through a lack of serious competition. Was at least economical. Hoping for better next year.

Ben Sanderson, 32

FC – 61 @ 21.05 & 2.34, 5 5i
OD – 23 @ 12.96 & 3.34
T20- 1 @ 50.00 & 10

Exactly what he was signed for. Spearhead of the attack, took the most wickets and was a safe pair of hands to turn to when we needed to constrict the opposition. Was just as effective in the Challenge Trophy but had a shocking start to The T20s and wasn’t able to regain his place. More of the same next year, please..


Mark Foyle, 19

FC – 40 @ 20.07 & 2.89
OD – 26 @ 15.58 & 4.22
T20 – 23@ 15.30 & 5.93, 1 5i

Aside from an injury taking him out of a few FC matches, a dream season. The highest strike rate for the club in FC and OD cricket. Improved his general technique after returning from injury and made himself an integral part of the team. The hope is that after another year or two coming on as first or second change he will be ready to open, however after such a good first full season it would not be surprising to see a slump next year.


Gerald Mills, 22

FC – 7 @ 40.71 @ 2.59
OD – 13 @ 28.85 & 4.69

Had an opportunity while Foyle was injured but failed to take it. Was at least economical and had at least two opportunities dropped. Economical as a OD bowler and took regular wickets. Bumped along at mid-level form all season. Needs a better season next year.


Timm van der Gugten, 30

FC – 50 @ 21.00 @ 2.55, 5i
T20 – 19.00 @ 17.89 @ 6.54

A fantastic season in both formats he played. Kept him back from the OD matches because his form had dipped and it is a weak area for him. His economy has been unbelievable this season and constantly threatening to take wickets when nothing is happening.


Lukas Carey, 24

Unused


Kieron Bull, 25

Unused


Steve Remmington, 23

FC – 13 @ 29.77 & 3.34
OD – 11 @ 32.28 & 4.59

Played FC cricket when the pitch was turning but was not always able to take advantage. Played throughout the OD tournament and was economical. Will hopefully improve as he is currently our best option if Wadlan is injured or away. Not yet convinced.


Adam Beard, 21

OD - 9 @ 26.63 & 4.74

Replaced Todd in the OD team and did well enough to keep his place all the way into the final. His 2nd XI figures suggest he will be better in the LO formats than FC cricket but will have modest returns in both. Earned himself a couple of years at least.

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Finances for 2022


We had a big chunk of money to spend last year and are in an even better position this year. The remaining 81,000 from last year’s cancelled contracts is now available and by letting go of Ingram and Carlson we will free up an additional 69,000.

Our minimum targets for next year are to avoid instant relocation and reach the semi-finals of both the Challenge Trophy and T20 Cup. with finances are:

County Championship 8th place - 55,000
Challenge Trophy Semi-final - 30,000
T20 Semi-final – 40,000
Total: 135,000

By winning the OD and coming second in the T20 competitions we have made an additional 50,000.

If we deduct the extra 15,000 we expect from finishing 8th instead of 11th in the Championship we have 35,000 to spend either on a 3rd T20 player or other 1 year contracts. This would mean that if we met these goals but no more then we would still be able to keep on our core squad without having to make sudden cut-backs.

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Signings 2022


We let Ingram and Umeed go.

We offer one year contracts to Root and Bull on reduced terms, two year contracts to Nethercott, Lee, Beard and Lloyd. We offer Faulkner a repeat contract. Root leaves and we end up paying Bull the same amount. The others accept the offers.

In the first round of bidding we sign 25 year old RFM all-rounder Flyn Hudson-Pryce from Derbyshire and two young batsmen, opener Harry Harrington from Surrey and middle-order batsman Tom Beasley from Leicestershire. With another all-rounder on the books we re-sign Gill and Iqbal for another season.

In the second round we pick up Graham Kennedy, Ireland qualified and not rated as an all-rounder but with a decent enough batting average to fill in. We also sign middle order batsman and LO opener David Tulley from Middlesex and Sri Lankan Ls all-rounder Madushan Ravichandrakumar for the T20s.

We have money to spend and no one to spend it on. I want both a promising wicket keeper and OS. We end up adding Aaron Finch as a back-up to open in the T20s. We don’t need him but why not. We still have 29,500 to spare.

No viable replacement for Cooke and no spinner worth looking at on the market. These are two areas we are going to have problems in.

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2020 Signings

New player review


Aaron Finch, 35

Very Aggressive opener

T20 – average of 35.70 at a strike rate of 147.1%

Back up for Gill and Iqbal in the T20s. We don’t really need him but with spare cash went for the best T20 opener left on the market.


Harry Harrington, 20

Average aggression opener

FC – 12 @ 28.9%
OD – 31 @ 100%

2nd XI – 50.77 @ 54.40%
OD – 39.55 @ 78.88%
T20 – 32.15 @ 128.00%

In FC cricket a back up and potential successor to Selman. I would very much like to put him in at 3 to build some experience, like Porter, which creates a quandary. In the more challenging D1 we will need the experience Porter has built up to do well but if I delay blooding a back up for Selman it makes the team a hostage to his form and fitness. In LO matches where he fits in will be gauged on the form, fitness and availability of the squad but seems like an adequate rather than natural LO player.



Tom Beasley, 22

Aggressive batsman

FC – 53.37 @ 68.3%
The OD – 20 @ 89.9%
T20 – 65 @ 165.0^

2nd XI – 49.94 @ 72.2%
OD – 51.75@ 98.1%
T20 – 38.03 @ 145.7%

We wanted an aggressive middle order batsman as a back-up for Waites and immediately found one. Has two FC hundreds and a 50 to his name in just 4 matches. While I’m not expecting that standard all season he will probably have plenty of opportunities Tomane no. 5 his own.


David Tulley, 20

Average aggression batsman, opener in LO matches

OD – 45.87 @ 95.8%
T20 – 37.00 @ 129.8%

2nd XI – 54.65 @ 58.4%
OD – 49.69 @ 81.6%
T20 – 25.67 @ 133.7%

We were also looking for a like-for-like back up for Jenkins and found one. Likely to have plenty of opportunities in FC cricket with Jenkins having played a few tests and unless his form is awful will open in the Challenge Trophy. His T20 return doesn’t look great, but could improve with coaching.


Flynn Hudson-Prentice, 26

Very aggressive batsman, RFM bowler

FC – 25.97 @ 68.8%
OD – 32.40 @ 89.5%
T20 – 12.95 @ 110.1%

FC – bowling average of 24.09 at an economy of 3.43
OD – 36.90 @ 4.90
T20 – 24.79 @ 8.42

Signed from Derbyshire as an option if Wadlan’s batting does not improve, also to give us an all-rounder in the OD tournament. His OD average is high but his economy and runs could make up for that. In the end he also signs to the London Blues 100 team so he won’t be available anyway. Grrrrrr.


Madushan Ravichandrakumar, 27

Very aggressive batsman, LS bowler

T20 – 14.8 @ 128.7%

T20 – 17.31 @ 7.30%

A T20 signing as a back up for Wadlan, good bowling but weak batting. Hopefully will remain unused.


Graham Kennedy, 22

LM bowler

FC – 32.90 @ 45.90%
OD – 24.00 @ 80%
T20 – 11.75 @ 108.7%

FC – 25.93 @ 2.73
OD – 30.82 @ 4.37
T20 – 22.56 @ 7.19

A good FC batting average and good bowling figures. Not so great OD returns but can be worked on. Could spend a lot of time with Ireland but might be worth it. Economical enough for when the conditions don’t suit and likely to be a nightmare for the opposition in when they do.

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2022 Season Preview


A stronger but unproven squad with some areas of concern.

Not wanting to change a proven top order in our return to D1 cricket I will probably look to field Gill / Iqbal, Selman, Porter. Neither Selman or Porter have played in D1 so may find the step-up difficult. They both had an outstanding season last year so they might have a dip this year. Having signed another opener I would like to bring him into the side as I have Porter – give him a few seasons at 3 to build experience. Porter has shown he is able to open the batting but have gone for the safety net of a good international opener to help in the transition to D1. Warner has proved to be an effective 3 so can cover if Porter has to open and Harrington is unavailable or in poor form.

Our middle order is looking stronger too. First choice 4-5-6 are Jenkins. Waites and Cooke. Cooke is the main concern given his form over the past couple of years. We do however, have a clear line of succession for each place with exciting prospects for 4 & 5:

4: Jenkins – Tulley – Warner
5: Waites – Beasley – Lee
6: Cooke – Nethercott – Cullen

We also have Carlson, who I thought had come to the end of his contract but had not, and Lloyd hanging about. Our second choices at 4 & 5 look far stronger, if unproven, than last year.

We now have essentially 3 all-rounders in FC cricket to choose from, Wadlan, Hudson-Prentice and Kennedy. With Cooke and Wadlan’s form so poor last year there is a temptation to play two of these, possibly Wadlan and Kennedy, though H-P’s batting would be most welcome. It will be a largely decided by Kennedy’s availability and if we want the strike rate of H-P or the control of Kennedy.

Our principal bowling attack is settled. Sanderson and van de Gugten will open, Foyle at first change. Unless de Lange has a flyer of a season he is not a good enough FC bowler. I would really like to bring Todd into the team but it is hard to see how this year. It would not be surprising if van der Gugten or Foyle struggled to make the step-up and he could make his way into the team that way. It would also be good to bring Remington on but feel greatly annoyed that he has signed for a 100 franchise. We will be left with Bull as our sole spinner during the 100 season. There is more depth to our bowling choices though Mills, Beard and Remington have much to prove while Carey and Bull are still here because there were no choices on the market.


Our OD team almost picks itself. Waites, Jenkins, Cooke, Wadlan, de Lange and most infuriatingly Hudson-Prentice and Remington will all be playing in the 100. Since H-P was brought in as all-rounder cover for the OD matches and Remington is our only decent bowler for them it is extremely frustrating.

We should have Gill or Iqbal available, the other opening slot going to Porter or Lloyd. Harrington, Tulley and Beasley and Nethercott will follow. Sanderson and Foyle will open the bowling but the other three places are up for grabs. Kennedy will not be playing in the 100 but may be called up for Ireland. Given we have won twice on the trot we are still in a state of flux and it could go either way.

Our T20 squad is strong. We should always have an international opener available, again to open with Porter or Lloyd. Harrington, Jenkins and Waites / Beasley to follow. The Tulley is waiting in the wings. Wicket keeper is a tough call and between Cooke and Nethercott, depending on form. We are then spoilt for choice in the bowlers. We can choose from two quick all-rounders in Faulkner and Hudson- Prentice and two spinning all-rounders in Wadlan and Ravichandrakumar. De Lange will definitely open the bowling while Foyle will come in at first change. It is hard to look past van der Gugten at second change but the temptation to field Wadlan, Faulkner and H-P to add real strength to the batting is strong.

We obviously are aiming to win both LO competitions but reaching the semi-final of both would be acceptable.

We want to finish the FC season at 6 or 7. 8th will be adequate.

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We start off by giving Leeds MCCU a hiding then head To Nottinghamshire for our first match. There is a little bounce and spin in the pitch. After thinking it over I go for Hudson-Prentice for his runs rather than Todd. We start as:
Iqbal, Selman, Porter, Jenkins, Waites, Cooke, Wadlan, Hudson-Prentice, van der Gugten, Sanderson and Foyle.

We lose the toss and are asked to bat first.

We take Ducket and Hameed cheaply but Ben Compton (60) and Joe Clarke (128) build a big partnership. We take three wickets in quick succession but Samit Patel and Callum MacLeod stop us dead and put up a good partnership. We skittle the tail and they are 376 all out.

Iqbal falls quickly but Selman (89) and Porter (60) build a big partnership. Again the wickets fall in three but Waites (78) and Cooke rebuild with another century partnership. Wadlan and H-P can manage just a run between them and we are bowled for 337, 39 behind.

They went after the bowling hard in the first innings and I have the feeling they will in the second as they seek to build a target for us. I go for OD bowing and field tactics, they swipe and bash and by the time they try to rein it in they are 6 down. We clear up the tail and they are all out for 125.

Plenty of time in the match, we steadily chase down the total for a comfortable win. They really threw it away with their second innings tactics.

Hudson-Prentice went for an alarming 4.5 an over in the first innings without threatening to take a wicket.

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Next up we welcome defending champions Warwickshire. Kennedy is back with us and I can’t decide between him and Todd. The pitch is lively, plenty of bounce and spin, so Todd could do well but if Wadlans still struggling with his batting we could do with a few extra runs on this pitch. This is going to be a low scoring affair.

We win the toss and bat first.

Selman is out for 8 but Iqbal (66) and Porter build a decent partnership. When Porter goes Jenkins follows, his third single digit score in three innings. Iqbal and Waites (56) rebuild but another couple of quick wickets and we are hanging by a thread on 175-6. Wadlan and Kennedy dog in as scrape out a vital 44 run partnership to reach 229. I was hoping for something 250+.

A few cheap wickets from Sanderson and they are 20-2. Two young players, Marcus Tennyson (55) and Robert Yates put together a strong 72 run partnership but we get them both in quick succession. Another young batsan, Ian Sutton and Sam Hain (53) put together an even better partnership of 98 bit, again fall in quick succession. We clear out the tail and they are just 17 ahead on 249 all out.

They come at us hard, Iqbal our for just 5 but Porter smashing 40 from 50 without really trying. Jenkins puts up a batting 58 with the other batsmen not able to add more than 13-18 each. Every run is vital. We are finally bowled for 227, a lead of 210 with a day to play. This should be enough to win on this pitch.

We don’t go in too hard but the pitch is good enough to not have to resort to LO tactics. We take steady wickets and they are 52-6. Hain and Woakes build a good 56 run partnership but one cracked we run through them to win by 87 runs.

A fantastic win. The batsmen deserve all the plaudits in challenging conditions. Man of the Match went to Woakes for his 7 wickets in the match but ours was Porter – a fighting 33 in the first innings steadying the ship and the only player able to score fast runs and give us momentum in the second.

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Surrey come to see us next. The pitch is just as lively as against Warwickshire but the batting line up is pretty stiff – young opener Lawrence Barnwell is the weak link but the rest lie up as:
R. Burns, Afghani S Shahidullah, O. Pope, T. Kohler-Cadmore, E. Morgan, B. Flames, S. Curran, w. Jacks, L. Plunkett, M. Dunn.

Only Dunn has an average below 20. If they bat first I will be satisfied with a draw but will be pushing for a win. They win the toss and bat first.

Burns, Barnwell and Pope go cheaply enough but Shahidullah (98) puts together good partnerships with Koehler-Cadmore and a quick scoring Morgan shift the momentum. Their tail adds some hard won runs and they reach 285 all out.

Iqbal is our for 4 but Selman (83) and Porter start to build a partnership. Once again the wickets fall in pairs with Porter and Jenkins going in quick succession. Selman rebuilds, partnerships in the 70s with Waites and Cooke edge us closer to their total. Wadlan is out cheaply again though the tail adds a few. We are bowled for 261, Curran taking 6-80.

We need to keep their runs down but take wickets so we decide to bowl with some aggression but a more defensive field. The openers come and go quickly. Shahidullah ticks along nicely but we have Pope ties down at the other end. Shahidullah takes one to the ribs and retires hurt on 60.. Pope is now 20 off 88 balls but begins to crack on, aided by Kohler-Cadmore and another quick smash from Morgan takes them out of reach. With Pope still going strong they pass the mark where I would have declared – 294 ahead with a day to play – and carry on into the next day. We are now just attempting to slow them down and delay the declaration. They eventually declare on 305-8, Pope not out on 140.

With just 40 minutes of the morning session remaining we have absolutely no intention of doing anything but batting for the draw. They take Iqbal and Jenkins quickly enough but Porter’s 10 off 50 and 50s from Selman and Waites see out the match.

We were let off the hook with such a timid declaration, they wasted a brilliant match-winning innings from Pope.

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We make our way over to Essex for our next match. The form of Iqbal and Jenkins is troubling, putting pressure on the other batsmen. The last couple of matches have been difficult for batsmen but here we find the pitch is flat with a hint of help for the quicks, the sort of pitch where the spinner is hardly used and the seamers can expect to toil until the last day. I decide to give Iqbal and Jenkins a last chance. If they can build an innings of 60-70 the slide in form could be turned around, if they fail on this pitch there is no helping them. I am also as yet unconvinced by Kennedy and should probably start considering Wadlan as a specialist bowler and move to a 4 man attack. I stick with him for now, the benign nature of the pitch requires variation and options.

We lose the toss and are asked to bowl.

If I got below 450 in a first innings on this pitch I would be miffed and hope that I can keep them below 400 to give us a chance of a win. To everyone’s surprise, not least mine, they collapse like a jam donut being run over by a tank. New Zealander Adam Hucknell who has been averaging 78 so far this season makes a couple of face-saving stand with the tail but we bowl them for just 126. The most competitive element of the inning is Sanderson and Foyle jostling over who will last wicket and claim a 5-for. In the end it is Foyle with 5-29, Sanderson stuck on 4-42.

With no pressure in at all this is the chance for our struggling batsmen to pull their socks up. Neither do, though with 26 Jenkins at least tries. Selman and Porter are our in the low 80s, Waites and Wadlan make half centuries and Kennedy 39 – though he gets out trying to smack it about with the tail. We finish all out for 413, the lack of runs from Iqbal and Jenkins quite telling.

They put up a better showing second time round – how couldn’t they? – Hucknall with 91 and 19 year old Sam Kerr with 64 but I can keep up the aggression without concern. They are bowled for 285, Foyle taking 5-59 to take his first 10 in a match.

We win by an innings and 2 runs.

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We drop in at Bristol on our way home to play Gloucestershire. Iqbal and Jenkins are out, Porter opens with Selman and Herrington comes in at three. I would like to replace Jenkins with Tully but Beasley is in better form. The pitch is taking offering just a little bounce and spin so the team who bats first should be able to expect to post a good innings – I would look for 450. If we bat second the aggressive 4-5 of Beasley and Waites could help us to get closer to that total quicker, even in worse conditions, and create the opportunity for a win rather than the draw I might otherwise expect.

We lose the toss and are asked to bowl.

Sanderson take an early wicket but they bat really well, a half century for Tom Haines, Roderick and Ryan Higgins our in the mid 80s and 122 for Aadil Ali, the lower middle order adding runs too. Kennedy shows his worth with a economical 4-112. We get the last man out halfway through the afternoon session on day two for 471.

The pitch is now where the pitches against Warks and Surrey were on day one, so batting is going to be a bit harder though the pitch is unlikely to get too much worse. Selman is out early but Porter hits a good half century. Harrington scores an OK 34 but it is the 195 run partnership of Beasley and Waites that proves vital. Coming together on a decent 155-3 but so far behind they start slowly but get stuck into the bowlers, especially when chasing an extra batting point. Waites goes for 88 but Beasley kicks on. Two decent partnerships with Cooke and Wadlan take us to 425-6, Kennedy goes for a duck and van der Gugten soon after. Sanderson scores 19 in a 90 run partnership with Beasley who is finally out for 233 and we finish on 546 just at the start of day four. Determinedly force a win we go at them hard and get them to 62-5 but Brendon King and van Buuren dig in. The pitch isn’t doing enough to make them too uncomfortable but there are plenty of close misses and edges that fall just out of reach of a fielder. Van Burren holds them together and they see out the match for a draw on 194-9.

Another session or just one of those chances going to a fielder and we would have won. A brilliant display from Beasley. Wadlan has a poor first innings and while Kennedy was efficient in the first innings he was ineffective in the second when we needed wickets. Still, a good enough result.