Hampshire VS Surrey: Day 2

Yesterday I attended the second day of Hampshire’s 4 day game with Surrey. Rain had hit day 1 where Hampshire were asked to bat by Surrey and Hampshire finished the day on 153-2. Not a bad effort when asked to bat in difficult conditions.

I arrived at a grey Ageas bowl but the covers were off and play began on time. Adams and Vince were the men unbeaten overnight and carried on where they left off from the day before and moved the score along quickly. Jimmy Adams fell for 65 but James Vince was in superb form and brought up his 100 off just 102 balls.

The rain came at lunchtime and that was unfortunately it for the day but when James Vince is in form like he is at the moment it was worth the journey alone. He is being talked about as making his England debut very soon. Whilst it would be no surprise to me I think he will be waiting a little bit longer as I suspect Gary Ballance and Sam Robson are ahead of him in the pecking order due to their First division runs.

 

 

 

With regards to the Surrey game there was no play at all on day 3 and again it looks like the game will be a draw unless a agreement between the captains can be reached.

Ian

IPL: Glenn Maxwell

Not attended cricket the last few days as Hampshire are up at Derby and the weather and cost of petrol means it is not practical to attend. Anyway I have been keeping an eye on the IPL and in particular the stand out player so far has been Glenn Maxwell.

 

 

 

 

 

He has signed for Hampshire for the T20 campaign later in the summer and his 3 knocks so far for the Kings XI Punjab have been: 95 of 43 balls vs Chennai, 89 of 45 balls vs Rajasthan and another 95 off 43 vs Hyderabad.

Form like this if it continues will really light up Friday nights at the Ageas and I cannot wait to see him in action.

Ian

New England Coach

England have announced Peter Moores as the New England coach. Technically he isn’t new as this is his second go at the job. He previously held it from 2007- to 2009 when he was sacked along with KP as captain sacked at the same time.

I am hopeful at this appointment as it appears since his sacking that Moores has gone away and worked hard to improve himself. He led Lancashire to their first outright county championship since the 1930s. His appointment means that there is definitely no way back for KP now which is a great shame as myself and Claire have loved watching him entertain over the last few years and to be denied that early is a massive shame.

However we move on and I am hopeful for the summer ahead. Series at home vs Sri Lanka and India should be what England need to regain some confidence and around the counties there seems to be a decent number or England regulars and hopefuls in good early season form.

In other news Hampshire are at Derby to begin their four day game with Derbyshire. Rain may disrupt the four days but hopefully there will be enough play to see Hampshire build on their good win at Gloucestershire last week.

Ian

Hants Vs Gloucs: Day 4

Hampshire completed victory over Gloucs today by 8 wickets with Carberry scoring 100 not out which he reached with two sixes to finish the match. James Vince was also unbeaten with a swift 50.

The result sees Hampshire go top and although early days it is a promising start to the season.

Below is the table after these round of matches.

Ian

Hampshire VS Gloucestershire: Day 3

Today I visited Bristol to watch the third day of Hampshire’s match with Gloucestershire. It was my first time at this ground which has been redeveloped recently. They have built a new pavilion whilst selling land at the opposite end of the ground for flats. It looks good although there is still a bit more to do before it is fully finished.

 

The days play started with Hampshire on 417-9. Adam Wheater was on 81 not out as Hampshire looked to increase their lead. As it was just 5 runs were added before Wheater fell for 82. Gloucs then started their 2nd innings with a deficit of 118. James Tomlinson quickly struck and took out both openers in the same over and we sensed an early finish to the game.

Wickets fell steadily through the day as Gloucs struggled to build a total that they can defend. Finally in the evening session with them 8 down they frustrated Hampshire with a partnership of 92. Hamish Marshall who had dug in all day was supported by David Payne and he was out on the last ball of the day leaving Gloucs on 308-9, 190 ahead.

It was a good day and ground and I will definitely visit here again.

Ian

Hampshire Vs Gloucestershire

Hampshire seemed to struggle yesterday in the first day of their game with Gloucestershire at Bristol. They choose to bowl and Gloucs ended up 292-5. This morning JamesTomlinson and new signing Kyle Abbott from South Africa have wrapped up the last 5 wickets for just 12 runs. Abbott really could be the signing we need to get the promotion campaign going.

Ian

A Royal Game

As a bit of a Kate & Will’s fan, I was delighted to see in the paper this morning that while on their tour of New Zealand, they found time to have a quick session at the seam in a bid to promote the Cricket World Cup in 2015! What a royal pair of good sports!

 

Claire

Day 4: Hampshire Vs Worcs

Didn’t attend cricket today because of work. Probably just as well as the game with Worcestershire petered out into a tame draw. Only positives were three wickets for Matt Coles and a couple for Liam Dawson.

Elsewhere it seems last years batting problems for Surrey have continued as they were bundled out for 81 by Glamorgan and lost by ten wickets. This coupled with Hampshire still unable to take wickets suggest that the division is wide open. I have a feeling that Essex and Derbyshire may occupy the top two places come late September.

Ian

Day 3: Hampshire Vs Worcs

Following Sunday’s delayed play, day 2 unfortunately was a complete washout however day 3 has made for a pleasant day. Despite only being around 11c I managed to return from cricket today looking a bit pink!

Resuming play at 37-3, Will Smith and Jimmy Adams batted nicely through most of the first hour; Adams scored quickly and looked in good form before eventually getting out for 67. This sparked a mini collapse as Jack Shantry, Worcestershire’s left arm bowler with an unusual action picked up three quick wickets and Hampshire were 105-6. At this point Hampshire’s Sean Ervine was joined by Adam Wheater and together made a quick scoring partnership achieving between them 93 runs. The tail on the whole hung around to support Ervine and he was eventually last man out for 93 trying to get to his hundred quickly. The score was 262 all out which from 37-3 and 105-6 was quite respectable. The most pleasing thing was that the runs were scored quickly at almost 4 runs per over. This hopefully will be a sign of things to come throughout the season.

However, after tea Worcestershire started their reply which unfortunately was not fun to watch. Hampshire’s bowling lacked penetration and at the close we had taken just one wicket. It is a worry that like last season we will just not take enough wickets to go up but hopefully a nights rest is what’s needed and they will perform better tomorrow.

 

 

Close: Hampshire 262, Worcestershire 103/1

 

Ian

1st Day of the Season: Hampshire v Worcs

We set off early for what turned out to be a frustrating day. Just under 8 overs play were possible at the Ageas and the score before rain ended the days play saw Hampshire finish on 37-3. Not the best of starts.

Ducks for Michael Carberry and James Vince were disappointing but we cannot be too harsh on them as conditions were not at all pleasant or easy to bat in. Jimmy Adams played some nice shots and looked in good touch and is unbeaten overnight.

Despite the weather it was nice to be back and enjoy a few conversations with people not seen since last summer. Also, considering how lucky we were last year having barely any rain delays we were in hindsight probably due one.

We have high hopes for Hampshire this season in the Championship after they have looked to have recruited well over the winter.

Ian – I also feel it is a big season for many players such as James Vince, although I have been seen to have said this every year since 2011 (about Vince) but again it is true. He has been made Vice Captain of the club and Captain of the T20 side. I fancy him to get big runs this year despite todays score and kick on in his career.

Fingers crossed for a better days play tomorrow!

 

Ian and Claire

Standard attire for spectating in April