Hampshire Cricket History

I know it’s very early in the season but …

And (I’m not there today) why is Tom Prest listed at 11 and not yet batting (top five)?

Standing in the Shadows? Non-playing variety today but looking on and chatting here with new bowling coach Graeme Welch and Keith Barker (taking a breather)

On Wednesday, the Blog will be exactly 12 years old – thank you to everyone who looks in and especially those of you that contribute. I doubt in all those years whether I have ever suggested at the start of a season that we have as good a chance of winning the Championship as any other team but this year I think it’s true. It doesn’t mean we will win it of course – nobody really expected it in 1961 or 1973 and we shall need luck with weather, injuries and the toss but the squad which came within one wicket of winning it last year is stronger now.

So, with the sun shining, I’m off to the Ageas Bowl today in a spirit of unusual pre-season optimism. I’ve no idea who is around, who is not yet back and therefore who might play today but the scores might appear on the club’s website and I’ll add comments on here from time-to-time.

Brownie points this evening, switching channels at 8pm from the cricket to Monty – there was more pace in his grass at Longmeadow! 90 overs today and a score of 217-3. If that’s repeated tomorrow, West Indies will close seven down and still two runs in arrears. One of these sides will have to collapse dramatically for there to be much excitement to come but it’s difficult to see how that might happen.

Can be the proud owner of the new booklet (to which some of you contributed of course) “Hampshire County Cricketers: Update 2019-2021”. It costs £5 with inland P&P included, although I plan to be at the ground on Monday with copies, and again for some days of the other friendlies, University match and at the Forum.

It’s a 20-page booklet with 44 players included and incidentally quite a number of those no longer with us have never been listed as ‘departures’ in the Handbook. I’ve printed 150, a few will go out as ‘comps’ and I need to sell around 50 to cover costs, after which all profits will go to Hampshire Cricket Heritage Ltd (to replenish our funds after the Shackleton purchases!).

If you want a copy by post here are the two options

1. Either way, you will need to email me and include your address – NB my old University email is about to start blocking so you need always now to use my new cricket one: davehccc@gmail.com
2. If you wish we can do the business by Bank Transfer – I’ll reply to your email with details
3. If you prefer I have a Paypal account, although I’ll still need an email with your address. The Paypal address is bwandtheblues@gmail.com (it’s not about Pompey, it was set up for a music book I published last year)

I realise I’m a day late with his birthday but we know now that James Vince will be ‘returning’ for some years to come having extended his contract. That’s great news. We know that he’s a really top quality Hampshire batsman in all three formats and I think he gets better and better as the captain – I hope his name will soon be linked with those of Ingleby-Mackenzie and Gilliat in the history of our greatest achievements!

the Test might finish as a thriller but with that pitch I’m not sure I ever believed it.

30 overs to go six wickets needed and a spinner doing the business. Lovely!

I’ve been to the ground today – it wasn’t very nice.

This new display at the entrance to the Shane Warne Stand was being developed before last week but it seems even more appropriate now. I also came across an autograph sheet from his first year in charge – do you remember all these names?

Many decades ago, I would listen to each and every blues singer who turned up on record, or performed in England. One of them was a bloke called Juke Boy Bonner (Bonner see?). He was OK in a Jimmy Reed sort of way, but a bit second division really.

I have a feeling this Test Match might end as a thriller (I did only say might) but it too feels rather Second Division. Bonner has shown commendable grit and determination (eight hours so far) and it would be good to see one or two young English batsmen capable of the same, but there are few obviously ‘world class’ players on display.

I think (???)

With the first XI question but here’s a contrast and compare thought that has some relevance:

Bowler A (age 23): Test Match debut, one innings; figures: 45-7-150-1

Bowler B (age 20): Test Match debut, one innings; figures: 48-3-193-1

Who are they, and what happened next?