Groundhog Day

Alas for Surrey, it was not to be two back to back wins. My main problem with the result is that the whinging moaners on the ‘supporters’ forums will be back in force doing their usual war dances. It all gets a little tiresome after a while. And here was me thinking that supporters actually supported their team?

Oh, never mind. It’s a personal bee in my bonnet, I have to admit it. I can’t tell everyone in the world how to feel or think, and I don’t imagine my suggestion of taking a bath in Midori in the hope it might sweeten their disposition would go down terribly well. It might however result in their being attacked by a swarm of ants, so maybe I will suggest it...

It wasn’t a dreadful loss in the end. By that I mean in terms of the points difference in the two scores, with only a further 10 being required to get the victory. Perhaps that is the frustrating thing, for the difference could easily have been made up if the fielding and, in particular, the bowling had been as sharp as it was in the last two games. I hate pointing fingers and am reluctant to do it, but it would be true to say that Symonds had a bit of a shocker with the ball today.

However, a lot of runs were scored in the game and must have made at least a decent spectacle for the crowds, who would have been satisfied with the outcome and the fact they got to see some special batting. Jimmy Adams made an excellent 101 not out and had able support from Ervine (54 not out), whilst Lumb went for 18 off the bowling of Tremlett. Pietersen – yes, that Pietersen – chipped in with 15 before Schofield had him caught by Spriegel. I suppose the crowd might have hoped to see a little more of KP than they did, but Adams’ antics must surely have made up for any early exit by England’s batting hero.

There were a surprising amount of fielding errors made by Surrey but in part I think that was a response to the magnificent cricket played by Hants, who found the boundary regularly. At the break Surrey must have known it would take a fairly monumental effort to get anywhere near the target of 201, but to their credit they stuck at it.

Again, I’m not criticising here. Part of the joy of cricket is that it’s the type of game where, although you can see where things needed to be better, the on-the-spot nature of the sport means it’s often a case of ‘that’s the way it goes’. Or maybe that’s my philosophical, fatalistic streak coming out, I don’t know. There are so many variables that influence a game at any time: dropped catches, missed throws, run-outs, picking the wrong shot or reading the ball incorrectly, bowlers not choosing the right line or length of delivery: any one of these can affect the result profoundly with each shot! In this respect it has to be fairly unique. And I suppose that is why, when you look at those 10 runs required at the end, you sigh and begin to think “if only”!

The skipper has shown what a class batsman he is in the short form of the game when he took it all on his shoulders in that terrible game against Gloucestershire: we know he can do it! But sadly he once again managed to get out early doors, this time in the second over for 13 runs. Davies made it over 20 this time (24 to be precise) and it was just a pity he didn’t stay in a little longer with Ramps. The two openers are desperately needed to stick together at the top of the batting line up, but it never quite seems to happen.

And Batty came in at three again. And went for a duck.

Again.

I’m not quite certain why GB has been promoted up the order to three. There must be a reason. I just don’t quite see what it is, exactly. I’d sooner Dernbach was promoted higher up because when given licence to do so he can tonk the ball with the best, as he proved at the back end of the innings! Whatever the reason, the Batty experiment hasn’t quite gone to plan.

It feels a bit like Groundhog Day, saying what I just have. And just to back this up, Ramps came in at 4 and played another vital knock, surpassing yesterday’s score with 61 runs. 120 runs in two days isn’t too shabby in T20! It was a pity he got out when he did, when he was looking set, but at the same time somebody had to up the run rate, and unfortunately he got caught by man of the match Adams. Whilst Younus was still there it seemed possible, but alas he only made 19 today, with Spriegel out on 2, Schofield for 5, Nel run out on 8 and Tremlett (6) and Dernbach (10) still there at the end of the last over.

Surrey just gave themselves too much to do and far too many runs to chase. I suppose the comparative closeness at the death should be of some comfort, although in cricket that just pours salt into what must be already stinging wounds...