Two Options Then
More rain (again not forecast) but not really overs lost today as the spinners have been on.
Tomorrow, either Hampshire declare, Surrey hit 50 in 20 minutes and set Hampshire 350 (ish) to win
Or Hampshire bat on-and-on-and-on
I prefer the boring option – although in 1961 we accepted their challenge and led by Roy Marshall won a game in which we'd always been second best!
Worcs remain on top v Glams while Essex are stuffing Gloucs so far.
Oval Lunch
So another wicket and point for Hampshire and now a first target of 225 to avoid the follow on which I guess if achieved will take up a good part of today. I cannot see any prospect of Hampshire 'making a game of it' so if they do get there, Surrey will have to make all the running. If they bat well, Hampshire will presumably just go on-and-on. I hope they do.
Meanwhile, Worcs have done OK v Glams but that game is not rushing anywhere which suits us, although Essex are dominating in their game v Gloucs. I forgot to mention that Adam Rouse top-scored for Gloucs on Friday (T20) with Benny Howell next highest. Nice for Adam especially.
Ref hours lost, the first two days saw just 100 overs which but for 15 mins means 6 hours lost – the running total in the Championship is now 44+ hours but the forecast looks OK now.
Geoff Elderfield RIP
Geoff was a Committee man at Hampshire and later a Vice President and although in poor health in recent years always made the effort to attend Hampshire matches. After teacher training he began teaching in Portsmouth in the 1940s, running cricket teams at the Technical High School and bowling for decades for South Hants Touring Club (now Portsmouth CC). He was also very involved in running that club and was on management committees of the Southern League. We became pals in his later years and I'm sorry to report his death.
http://www.southernpremierleague.com/news/geoffrey-elderfield-rip-n97/
Terry Crump tells me the wicket is low and slow (I've missed the commentaries). Will they bat beyond 400 and hope to enforce the follow-on? Will we get one quick wicket and a point? Will Carberry/Adams/Smith/Vince score hundreds? Will it be a dull draw? Should Roy be playing for England?
I'm thinking of the Oval in 1961 when Surrey were stuffing us for most of the game but we won – and you know what happened next ….
Sunday Surrey
Raining again (4.45pm) and again it seems to be suiting Hampshire although we shan't know until they bat. The weather today is far worse than the forecast – I've been out (south) west way and it's been very wet. The Surrey attack is interesting too, no Tremlett, no Meaker, no Dernbach but after Friday Dilshan may join the spin attack. OK by me if Surrey bat on tomorrow. Worcestershire started badly v Glams but have recovered somewhat.
Sorry to be defensive (and rain total)
But 4-1 and more rain suits Hampshire more than Surrey
PS: They've resumed and can play 22.4 more overs up to 7.30pm so that's 24 overs bowled and 72 overs lost on day one – effectively 4.5 hours lost to be added to the season's total, which is now 43 hours at the end of the Oval day one
Glastonbury in disguise?
It's raining at the Oval. Apparently they are using the same pitch as the last game v Leics – to be honest a high-scoring, rain affected draw will suit us – and I think so too a win for Worcs v Glams …
PS: Surrey will bat from 2.10pm. That's 2.5 hours (40 overs) lost I reckon, although if the weather holds they can make up some time this evening.
Pooh! (?)
I had a gig last night which was great fun and meant I knew nothing about the cricket until around 11pm. Definitely the way to watch a performance like that. Once upon a time Fridays and Saturdays were regular gig nights but now they are as rare as a performance like that by Hampshire so I hope it's out of their system for today and the next four days, which are far more important long-term.
Danny's figures look terrific – otherwise nothing much. Why no Wheater? Does anyone know? If he's not fit today I wonder whether McManus might play (as a batter). Any thoughts on last night from those of you who were there or listened to commentary? I know nothing.
Following my speculation on last night's team (below): Maxwell's last four IPL scores were 0,6,13,0 and for Hampshire he's scored in T20 7, 21, 30, 5, 4. That's 86 runs in nine innings. He's bowled three times in those nine games taking 0-40.
Worth a read
Michael Atherton in today's Times – Although it will not cheer you up, or make you proud of English cricket.
It's about the appointment of India's Srinivasan as the new Chairman of the ICC, despite the fact that he is currently suspended as Chairman of India's Board of Control over suspicions of corruption. India, Australia and England have seized power and the major share of income in the world game.
Atherton's article starts "Ostensibly not much will change now that the power grab by India, England and Australia has been ratified at the ICC's annual conference in Melbourne. Cricket will still be poorly administered and commercial considerations will still be paramount. The politicking will still be nasty, brutal and ruthless …"
Team for Tonight
Since the Powerplay is in the first six overs I don't think it follows that a ten over score in T20 should be (at least) doubled. I'd like to see the stats, especially in the first innings (chasing is rather different). Nonetheless, Hampshire are concerned that they are not capitalising on good starts by Carberry, Vince and Adams. It seems to me that Shah should be playing but if he does there are realistically only two players he could replace unless they risk one less bowler but I don't they will do that. The two are (I think) Ervine or Maxwell and I guess they might not dare omit an expensive overseas guy. If he was bowling his case would be stronger, but he's not (yet?) scoring runs.
Incidentally last night's forecast suggested a deluge across southern England this morning, moving up to London. In Sunny Southsea we've had hardly a drop and that just overnight. It's now quite bright.
You may have seen Bob's comment about the 2nd XI. The Portsmouth News carries the story today. Apparently the umpires called it off after Terry and McManus were hit early in Hampshire's second innings and the club could be penalised in that competition.