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I’m trying to find ways of amusing myself as I watch the Test today.
England are 39-4 with opener Alex Lees 10*. He’s been dropped so maybe it’s his day. What if he carries his bat while the rest subside around him?
In 1889, Bernard Tancred of South Africa was the first man to open the batting in a Test and carry his bat. He was batting against England at Newlands and scored just 26* which remains the record lowest Test innings by an opener carrying his bat. The next lowest is 30* by Australia’s Bill Woodfull against England at Brisbane in 1928.
Maybe Lees could beat both?
You have to have something to think about, otherwise …
(Hampshire’s record lowest is 32* by Neville Rogers v Leics at Loughborough in 1953, one of three occasions when Rogers carried his bat for the county).
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Hampshire Cricket History 
Rogers carried his bat in two Championship matches in 1954 and also in the opening match of the season when he scored 56* for MCC v the Champion County (Surrey). MCC were all out for 126 with Jim Laker taking 7-46 in 18.2 overs. That was on 6 May after day one was rained off (you know how spinners can’t bowl on early season green seamers). Surrey declared on 130-4 before lunch on day three, dismissed MCC for 88 (Laker 8-51) and won by four wickets (87-6). Bernie Constable of Surrey with 54 was the only other man to reach 50.
Comment by Dave Allen March 26, 2022 @ 7:02 pmOh well Lees has spoiled that fun then; clearly beaten for pace by Mayers, a West Indies bowler in the fearsome tradition of Marshall, Holding, Ambrose etc. Time to turn the clocks forward I guess, although it might be more fun to turn them back to 1957 when, while holding the Ashes, we beat West Indies.
Comment by Dave Allen March 26, 2022 @ 9:02 pmAs the debate resumes about England’s captain, Jonathan Trott (BBC today) says about Root: “”For me, the last two Test matches he’s performed brilliantly”.
Comment by Dave Allen March 27, 2022 @ 5:56 amAnd he’s an “expert”?
My un-expert view is we have no batting, no bowling, no captain, no backbone and no chance but what do I know. I’m not an “expert”.
Comment by James March 27, 2022 @ 11:53 amSquad is out for the last friendly. Abbott & Vince are back. No Crane or McManus.
Comment by Tom Johnson March 27, 2022 @ 10:29 amOr Donald! Although Currie is listed twice… you’d think for the first game of the season they’d at least get the squad announcement right.
Comment by joelhesslegrave March 27, 2022 @ 12:13 pmIt’s been updated now. Crane in for the second Currie!
Comment by Tom Johnson March 27, 2022 @ 12:36 pmThanks guys – as it’s not first-class maybe we’ll field all 13?
Comment by Dave Allen March 27, 2022 @ 4:03 pmI’d imagine everyone will get a bowl.
No Donald so Weatherley, Holland, Gubbins, Vince, Brown, Dawson top six? Make me think they want Organ at 7.
Comment by Tom Johnson March 27, 2022 @ 7:04 pmVince seems determined to bat at five last year but maybe he’ll ‘do a Root’ and move up one now that Alsop has gone. No Prest, so Weatherley & Holland get another chance but I wonder for how long?
Comment by Dave Allen March 28, 2022 @ 6:59 am