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Hampshire’s Academy side are off to a winning start in the Southern Electric Premier League.

Mike Vimpany05-May-2002Hampshire’s Academy side are off to a winning start in the Southern Electric Premier League.They christened their competitive debut with a 27-run Rose Bowl victory over a spirited Sparsholt side that could easily have buckled in two key spells immediately before and after the tea interval.It was in those defining periods that Tony Middleton’s Young Hawks effectively put the game beyond Sparsholt.They gorged 51 runs off the last four of their 50-over allocation, and then ripped out Sparsholt’s top four batsmen with only 15 runs on the board.But, to their credit, Sparsholt refused to lie down, with Andy Heyes and Tim Simmonite leading a middle-order recovery that ultimately took the visitors to within 27 runs of a demanding Hampshire target.Hampshire’s 231-5 owed much to opener Iain Brunnschweiler, whose positive stroke play got the innings off to a sound beginning.Brunnschweiler, who struck eight boundaries in a crisp 56, exhumed confidence, barely playing a false stroke until leg-spinner Olly Kelly bowled him around his legs at 104-2.Martin Bushell, a 17-year old from Reading School who is one of Hampshire’s five Cricket Academy students, gave Brunnschweiler firm support in a 70-run opening stand.The Berkshire youngster, who earlier survived a confident appeal by Craig Falkingham for a catch behind, made a tidy 31.But the pair had to work for their runs as Sparsholt’s seasoned fielders gave valued support to the depleted five-man attack Rob Savage had at his disposal.Middleton, anxious to play a low key role in the newly formed county development team, will have been equally well satisfied with the performances of three of his other promising youngsters.Sarisbury Athletic’s Peter Hammond, at 15 years of age the youngest fledgling in the Hawks nest, displayed no lack of confidence either in a neatly compiled 38.But, as the innings entered its final phase and Sparsholt eyed the prospect of restricting the Academy to around 200, so David Wheeler and Tom Burrows grasped the nettle.Like Bushell earlier, Wheeler got away with an apparent edge to the keeper, and went on to hoist Kelly for one huge six into the main Rose Bowl arena.But he was comparatively subdued until Burrows, another Berkshire Bantam, arrived at the crease with six overs to go (at 166-4) to considerably up the tempo.The pair put the previously effective left-arm medium-pace of Mike Ball and Ian Ellis to the sword in no uncertain manner – 51 runs coming in a frenetic four-over pre-tea bash.Wheeler, with two sixes and five fours, finished with an unbeaten 60, while Burrows played a series of crisply struck shots all around the wicket, scoring 26 off just 17 balls.It took the Hampshire youngsters to 231-5 – and to a total that yielded maximum batting bonus points.”Overall, it was a very impressive Hampshire batting performance,” praised Sparsholt skipper Rob Savage, who spent two seasons on the county staff in 1979 and 1980.”They all came in and played positively, showing particular awareness of what they each had to do, having regard to the situation of the game.”The incoming batsmen gave the strike to those that had established themselves at the crease and never at any stage did they have to play rash shots.”It was a thoroughly professional performance,” Savage added.The fact that Sparsholt got to 204-9 and to within 27 runs of their target was quite remarkable after the Winchester side lost their first three wickets with only three runs on the board.England Under-15 all-rounder David Griffiths, from Shanklin and another of the Academy students, bowled Tim Richings shouldering arms and then had veteran Bill Gunyon snapped up at first slip by Brunnschweiler.In between, Kelly nicked James Schofield into the waiting gloves of Burrows behind the stumps.When David Wheeler trapped Savage leg before, it was conceivable that Sparsholt might not reach 50.From the wreckage of 15-4, Andy Heyes and Tim Simmonite gradually rebuilt the Sparsholt reply, the pair adding 69 in a gutsy fifth-wicket partnership.Simmonite, sidelined almost all of last season with chronic back problems, happily took on the Hawks change bowlers, scoring 39 before being bowled by the off-spin of Irfan Shah.His positive stance gave Carl Nichols the licence to apply the long handle, the Sparsholt all-rounder hoisting two huge sixes over mid-on as the visitors rallied, gradually rediscovering self-belief.Heyes, with a well constructed half-century, proved the mainstay of the fight back and ensured that Sparsholt would at least emerge with credit from defeat.Victory was always beyond them, but at least Sparsholt had made a gallant fight of it …For the Academy, leg-spinner Ian Hilsum, Griffiths, Schofield and Shah all took two wickets.

Some Everton fans have been left to rage as a manager update emerged on Nuno Espirito Santo.

As per talkSPORT, the Goodison Park faithful are set to try and make the former Wolves boss their next coach, following the departure of Carlo Ancelotti to Real Madrid.

Although Nuno initially did very well in getting the Midlands Club up to the Premier League from the EFL Championship, followed by two consecutive seventh-placed finishes, his team finished in a pretty dismal 13th spot in the 2020/21 season (Transfermarkt).

Often operating with five defenders, he can be seen as a defensive coach, something that some members of the Merseyside club faithful are very much against, especially considering that they only scored a mere 47 goals in the top flight last term, the lowest by far in the top half and fewer than 11th-placed Aston Villa as well (Sky Sports).

[web_stories_embed url=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/everton-updates-3/” title=”Everton updates! (3)” poster=”” width=”360″ height=”600″ align=”none”]

Everton fans on Nuno manager update

These Toffees supporters raged as the manager update was shared on Twitter:

“Can’t we just fold the club?! Would be easier for us all in the long run! #soapopera #efc”

Credit: @BrynFudge

“No, no NO”

Credit: @DaveMbootlebuck

“Don’t do it @everton”

Credit: @tparry2712

“Wow”

Credit: @MrWesleyRoberts

“Relegation”

Credit: @Sam_Tate14

“Why do you hate us so? Get in the bin”

Credit: @five15design

In other news, find out what manager update Blues are lauding here!

Liverpool could be set to rival Manchester United for the signing of Atletico Madrid midfielder Saul Niguez this summer.

What’s the story?

According to Empire of the Kop’s Insider, Liverpool’s director of football Michael Edwards has become aware of Atleti’s willingness to sell the 26-year-old, with the club now heavily contemplating an approach for the star.

Saul is reportedly available for a bargain price of £40 million over the upcoming transfer window due to the Spain international having just a year to run on his current contract at the Wanda Metropolitano.

Edwards masterclass

The beastly midfielder played a pivotal part as Diego Simeone’s men won their second La Liga crown in eight seasons, featuring 33 times for Los Rojiblancos during their successful league campaign.

However, after failing to make Luis Enrique’s Euro 2020 squad, Saul is reportedly keen for a new challenge after spending the entirety of his senior career with his boyhood club, bar a brief loan spell away with Rayo Vallecano.

His omission from the national team for this summer’s tournament came as somewhat of a surprise to many onlookers, especially as his displays for La Furia Roja in the past have earned rave reviews.

“We have never had a midfielder like this,” claimed Spanish football expert Guillem Balague after Saul put in standout performances against Croatia and England in the Nations League. “Finally, people have realised the talent that this man has.

“As an 18-year-old he was offered to Everton, and they said no, as a 20-year-old he was offered to Manchester United, and they said no but I think in the next couple of years we will be talking about him as one of the top, if not the top midfielder in Europe.

“He can play in the Simeone style without the ball, quick putting teams under pressure, but also in the Barcelona style if he wanted to, quick with his passes, and of course he has got the physique to come from deep as he did with one of the goals against Croatia. You have got everything in one player.”

Jurgen Klopp is in need of reinforcements in the Liverpool engine room over the coming months, with Gini Wijnaldum expected to complete a free transfer to Barcelona.

The 30-year-old’s departure will leave a substantial hole in the Anfield outfit’s engine room, although it’s one that Saul certainly has the ability to fill.

Acquiring Saul’s signature would represent a masterclass from Edwards, not only due to the world-class quality that the all-rounder possesses but also because of the competition that the Reds are expected to face to secure his services.

European giants Juventus and Paris Saint-Germain are also interested in Atleti’s prized asset, while United are thought to be in pole position.

And, in other news…Edwards must swoop for “sensational” £63m-rated gem lauded by Messi, LFC need him 

Easton & Martyr Worthy aim to score a third successive Southern Electric Premier League Division 2 victory against Old Tauntonians & Romsey at the Romsey Sports Centre

Mike Vimpany17-May-2002Easton & Martyr Worthy aim to score a third successive Southern Electric Premier League Division 2 victory against Old Tauntonians & Romsey at the Romsey Sports Centre.The villagers have so far scalped Trojans and strongly fancied Hungerford, but acknowledge that OTs will be a difficult nut to crack. Ian Tulk and Mike Trodd, both key all-rounders, return at Romsey.Tony Middleton plans late fitness checks on several of his undefeated Hampshire Academy side, who host Rowledge at the Rose Bowl, with teenager David Griffiths (bruised instep) a major doubt.Lymington, minus Dave Coles and Trevor Phillips, make two changes for the visit to United Services, the other unbeaten side. Matt Malloy and Wayne Smith get captain Peacock’s call.It could be a key toss to win at Burnaby Road, as Services have rattled up two formidable scores so far.Injury ravaged Trojans go to Hungerford, but winless Winchester KS make the short trip to similarly unsuccessful Sparsholt without skipper Jimmy Taylor, who is playing soccer for the England Non-League XI against Scotland.Ollie Kelly and Craig Falkingham are back for Sparsholt.Division 3 favourites St Cross Symondians should have little difficulty in extending their winning start against depleted Portsmouth II at St Helen’s, Southsea.Paultons, who thumped newly promoted Hartley Wintney by eight wickets last week, expect Andrew Darnton to be fit to play against Alton at Whitemoor Lane.But New Milton, who totted up 261 in the Ventnor ‘bowl’, face visiting Hook & Newnham Basics minus back-injury victim Iain Griffiths.Purbrook face a significant game against Havant II on the Heath, while Gosport Borough, heavily beaten by St Cross last week, must get their season going at Leckford.A back injury continues to rule the influential Mark Elkins out of the newly promoted Redlynch & Hale line-up against Flamingo, while business commitments rule Hambledon’s Rob Norris out at Bashley II.

Comment Article: Waqar Ahmad, Pakistan

Waqar Ahmad20-Jun-2002
Waqar Ahmad
Photo © PCB
These days several cricket playing countries are facing problems in selecting wicket-keepers for their Test and One-Day squads. England and India are current examples as experienced senior ‘keepers have either retired or faded away. It seems their cricket set up is not producing sufficient talented wicket-keeper/batsmen for playing at the highest level.Lets look at Pakistan and study the attributes of modern wicket-keeping.Imtiaz Ahmed played 44 Tests for Pakistan from 1952-62 as a ‘keeper/batsman and a whole slew of very good talent perished under his awesome shadow. Similarly, Wasim Bari, during his long 81 Test career kept a firm grip on the slot and nobody could challenge him although he was never a good batsman.- Wicket-keeping is an art not merely confined to stopping byes and catching snicks behind the stumps.
– It requires tremendous concentration and alertness. Every ball bowled, innocuous or not, can beat the bat and run down for four byes leaving no room for complacency.
– A wicket-keeper must be capable of reading from the hand of a bowler, leg breaks, googlies, cutters, swings and ‘doosras’ (the new fangled ‘other one’ bowled by modern offies).
– A wicket-keeper is the master of judging line and length, so much that many umpires watch his footwork before deciding lbw decisions. If the ‘keeper moves towards leg then the ball must be going down past leg stump, thinks the umpire.
– He is a master of anticipating bounce off the pitch and reacts sharply, especially when the pitch is unpredictable.
– He is an acrobat and gymnast rolled in one.
– He needs the skill to let the ball land nicely and gently into his gloves, not pluck or snatch at it.
– He must not let his hands or fingers get hurt.
– He must be a good judge of a batsman and of batting.
– He is the ‘on-the field-coach’ of his bowlers and an advisor to the captain.A good ‘keeper’s diving catches and stumping from the leg side are thrilling to watch and on a sharply turning pitch, standing up to a spinner, he breathes down the batsman’s neck like a tiger. All in all, a wicket-keeper is a joy to watch.At present, unlike England and India, Pakistan has at least four good wicket-keepers including the better known Rashid Latif and Moin Khan. The two are ferociously contesting for the one single prestigious spot in the Pakistan team. Both very well know the victor takes all and the vanquished disappears into anonymity. And frankly, ‘demotion’ to play first-class cricket in Pakistan is a boring chore if one cannot make the Test team.The two contenders have their own ‘godfathers’ in the current set up and both, selectors and administrators are divided right down the middle. Even the team members have their own opinion but are not making it known yet.The Pakistan cricket management decision to include Rashid Latif in the squad has been willy-nilly accepted by the Pakistan team. It’s no secret that Rashid Latif has been selected as a matter of expediency in the backdrop of gambling, match-fixing allegations and whistle blowing. The Pakistan cricket team’s position is rather unique in the sense that no other team except South Africa has the accuser and the accused playing in the same team.The team has its own mercurial and unpredictable nature which is not the mathematical sum of the individual member characters. A cricketer of immense proven talent does not automatically find a place in the squad. The selectors are not all-powerful and at times, even in tandem with the Chairman, do not have the last word. A cricketer of proven talent must get a ‘nod of approval’ from the indispensable members of the team and with passage of time, the cricketers come to know which players form this ‘core’.The team captain should wield great power in selection matters but often he himself is on knife-edge, fighting for a place. The ‘nod of approval’ is not directly or necessarily related to player power. It is a balancing act performed by the core who know the game and its associated politics inside out. This very core can delay the inclusion of a Shoaib Akhtar and can delay the exclusion of a Saleem Malik. More recently, It did not let young ‘keeper/batsman Kamran Akmal make his debut. So important is the ‘nod of approval’ from the senior players.Rashid Latif had been brought into the fold for the sake of peace and harmony but two young wicket-keepers were ignored, possibly due to unsound judgment or some cogent political considerations.The case of Rashid Latif and Moin Khan is complicated. Both are not young and have been around a long time but they know what this game is about. As things stand, both are not good enough to set the house on fire in the World Cup. Since the selection choice is ostensibly between them, a candid comparison of abilities and usefulness to the team would not be inappropriate.Rashid Latif is well into his 33rd year, an age at which a wicket-keeper has lots of experience behind him. He has consciously eliminated all unnecessary body movements to conserve energy and remain fit. However, he has slowed down some and is a bit more lethargic now. His concentration lapses are becoming noticeable due to his inconsistent collection. Diving to the left and right, once his hallmark, has been reduced to an ordinary slide and push on the knees. Rashid has never been a ‘great’ wicket-keeper when spinners are on. One doesn’t often see him cheer on the bowlers and fielders. Could this be because rallying shouts are an outcome of youthfulness, camaraderie, and unity with other players?Unfortunately Rashid is also prone to neck injuries and had a difficult time in South Africa when excruciating pain stopped him from playing two Test matches in 1999 when he was the captain. At one stage, he insisted on having an operation but luckily, Dan Keisel, then the Pakistan physio, came to his rescue and put him right with just a neck collar and exercises. It is a recurring problem said ‘Dr Dan’.Since only one wicket keeper is selected for a series or tournament, one cannot but help have the ‘all eggs in one basket’ feeling. He is an improved batsman now but only against medium pace or ordinary spin but is dependable when batting at number 7 or 8. Any attempt by the captain or team management to turn him into an instant pure middle order batsman may end in disaster despite his straight bat technique. In a difficult situation as a batsman, he can steady the ship but to play a winning knock is not his forte.On the plus side, there is a kind of a beauty about his ‘keeping, the ball still lodges gently and nicely into his gloves. He is enjoying his selection and the fame that goes with it. He does not have many friends in the team and he doesn’t care about that either.Moin Khan has a lot of confidence in his ability as a wicket-keeper/batsman. He does not have the same natural talent as Rashid Latif but is very effective when in form. What he lacks in natural ability he makes up with practice and hard work and is one of the most physically fit cricketers in Pakistan. He is a good batsman who sometimes astonishes connoisseurs with improvised strokes that are kind of sweeps and cuts and what not. At present he is also out of form as he showed during the recent National One-Day Championship that his team won. He is struggling hard to regain the lost form and a place in the side but without any success. The present senior members of the Pakistan team strongly prefer Moin to veteran Rashid and this feeling may surface at an opportune time.To end the controversy, the administrators once wanted to play both, one as a middle order batsman and the other as wicket-keeper. It was later agreed neither was good enough to make the side as a pure batsman. Clearly, their batting abilities can only be appreciated when combined with ‘keeping skills.Although the World Cup 2003 begins next February, some still think of it being far away but others feel it’s just round the corner. The question still stands, which one should be picked, provided both are in good form at the time of selection?Well, it seems clear, – form or no form – players’ nod or no nod, the final decision has already been made.The two lesser-known youngsters Kamran Akmal and Humayun Farhat stand discarded because of inexperience. Rashid Latif may well continue till after the World Cup and all necessary support at all levels would be given to help him along. Is this a correct and fair decision?ED: Waqar Ahmad is an ex-cricketer, writer, commentator and a past Secretary of Pakistan Cricket Board. Email: [email protected]

Now may be the right time for Hamza Choudhury to leave the King Power, that is according to former Leicester City striker Brian Deane.

The 23-year-old struggled for minutes in the 2020/21 season and life does not look like it is going to get any easier with Boubakary Soumare’s imminent arrival.

According to Sky Sports, Leicester are close to signing the Lille midfielder in an £18m deal, which could limit Choudhury’s playing time even further.

Considering that, Deane believes it could be time for the Leicester academy graduate to move on, as he risks falling further down the pecking order.

“I mean, he’s been there a long time,” the ex-Leicester striker said to FFC. “They might be thinking it’s time to move on now, you know, if they’re kind of overlooking him now and bringing in players for that kind of money.

“If I was him, I’d be probably looking at it myself and thinking, ‘Well, if they’re bringing in players who play my position and they pay big money [then it’s time to leave].’

“There’s only so many times you can say, ‘Right, well, I’m going to fight for a place.’ ”

While they missed out on the Champions League in the end, Leicester did manage to qualify for the Europa League. Perhaps Choudhury could find some minutes there just like in the season that has just gone.

However, if he is looking for regular game time, then perhaps a move away from the FA Cup holders is in his best interest.

Steve Cooper has dropped a hint on his future at Swansea City amid reports of his potential departure from the Liberty Stadium this summer.

What’s been said?

In a recent interview with the Swansea City website, Cooper discussed his disappointment following his side’s defeat in the play-off final against Brentford, as well as suggesting that he and his team will be aiming to go one further next season.

Seemingly as a result of the job the 41-year-old has done over his two years at the Liberty Stadium so far, he has been heavily linked with taking over the vacant managerial position at Premier League side Crystal Palace this summer.

However, in his latest interview, Cooper said: “I am proud of the players, I feel like we had an unbelievable season to get to where we got to.

“We had every right to be at Wembley for the final because of the work we put in, but we also had no right to be there in respect of some of the circumstances we have worked under and the challenges we have faced.

“I have said it all along this season, with the squad we have had and in this season of all seasons, the players deserve that credit. They certainly get it from me.

“When you lose a final, it is hard to feel like you have had a really good season. We have had a really good season, but we will have to come again.”

Fans will be buzzing

Considering the rather extraordinary job Cooper has done at Swansea since taking over from Graham Potter back in the summer of 2019, the former England U17 international’s latest comments regarding his future in Wales, specifically the “we will have to come again” line, will surely leave fans of the club buzzing.

Taking over from Potter’s Swansea side that had finished the Championship season in 10th place in their 2018/19 campaign, the 41-year-old immediately guided his side to a top-six finish in his first season, with the Swans narrowly missing out on a spot in the play-off final after a 3-2 aggregate loss to Brentford.

However, this time around, Cooper managed to take his side one step further, securing a fourth-place finish in the league before defeating Barnsley 2-1 on aggregate in the play-off semi-finals.

And, although the Swans ultimately lost 2-0 to an extremely impressive Brentford team in the final, the past two seasons have demonstrated the remarkable progress Swansea have made under the young coach.

As such, the fact that the man whom Andre Ayew dubbed a “quality” manager appears to have suggested that he will indeed remain with the club beyond the summer, despite his links to the Palace job, is incredibly good news for everyone involved with Swansea, as well as providing a huge boost to the club’s chances of making it third-time lucky in their search for promotion next season.

In other news: Swansea dealt huge transfer blow over £4.5m-rated beast that’ll leave Cooper furious

Lymington’s three-pronged spin attack is expected to hold the key to the outcome of tomorrow’s Southern Electric Premier League, Division 2 promotion clash against United Services at the Sports Ground, 1pm

Mike Vimpany (as published in Daily Echo)18-Jul-2002Lymington’s three-pronged spin attack is expected to hold the key to the outcome of tomorrow’s Southern Electric Premier League, Division 2 promotion clash against United Services at the Sports Ground, 1pm.The New Forest club believes it has few equals to the off-break pairing of Danny Peacock and Glyn Treagus, and the left-arm flight and guile of Western Australian slow left-armer Aaron Heal, who have taken a combined total of 51 wickets this season.They will unquestionably be the key players as Lymington look to extend their five-match winning sequence against a Services team lying just behind the Hampshire Academy in the log."It’s a key game in both camps," confesses Lymington skipper Peacock. "And neither of us can afford to lose it."Lymington are unchanged, while Services – who beat Peacock’s men by 61 runs earlier in the season – go into combat minus Royal Navy opener Mark Toogood and John Mann, their former Combined Services all-rounder.Significantly, US have chosen not to include a specialist slow bowler on a Lymington surface which is sure to turn.The Hampshire Academy, three points in front at the top, go to SEC Cup semi-finalists Rowledge on a revenge mission."One of Rowledge’s two wins came against us in a thrilling finish earlier on, so we have a score to settle,"says Academy coach Tony Middleton."I’ve said all along, Rowledge are a much better side than their bottom position suggests."They’ve got a huge weekend coming up, with a National Village game on Sunday and the Premier Cup semi-final at South Wilts on Monday, so they are bound to be up for it."Middleton delays his Academy choice, but may recall teenager David Griffiths, if the Shanklin medium-pacer comes though today’s Hampshire Under-17 game at Burridge.Third-placed Easton & Martyr Worthy host Old Tauntonians & Romsey, while Rob Savage will face some of his old team-mates when Sparsholt play Winchester KS at River Park.Trojans need to build upon last week’s win at Sparsholt if they are to claw away from the bottom.But skipper Simon Williams knows he has to make do without four first choice players at Stoneham Lane against Hungerford, who are equally in need of survival points.St Cross Symondians, the new Division 3 leaders, entertain Leckford, who are strengthened by Mike Howard’s return.Flamingo’s tussle with Purbrook is the pick of the games, although a home date with Hursley Park is of vital consequence to Alton, whose three-week leadership was ended by a crushing nine-wicket defeat by New Milton.Alton, now fractionally behind St Cross, expect to be at full strength.Milton, meanwhile, take a full strength team to Hambledon aiming to boost their outside promotion hopes.Ventnor’s home meeting with Hartley Wintney features the champions and runners-up of the Hampshire League last season.The Islanders won by a country mile last year, but – like their North Hampshire rivals – are in desperate need of relegation points this term.Basement boys Redlynch & Hale have a mass unavailability at Gosport due to a wedding in the Wiltshire border village.

West Bromwich Albion goalkeeper Josh Griffiths could be set for a summer exit from The Hawthorns.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to The Sun journalist Alan Nixon, who claimed in a post on Twitter that the 19-year-old shot-stopper is attracting interest from both Portsmouth and Lincoln City in the summer transfer market.

Nixon goes on to state that the Baggies are currently deciding whether or not to allow the England U21 international to leave the club on a temporary basis, with the future of the West Brom number one Sam Johnstone also being somewhat up in the air.

Big mistake

While the interest in Johnstone appears to have died down in recent weeks, with both West Ham United and Watford believed to have been put off by the £20m price tag of the England international, it is by no means certain that the 28-year-old will still be at the club at the start of next season.

As such, considering the uncertainty surrounding the future of the club’s number one, in addition to the fact that West Brom are yet to appoint Sam Allardyce’s successor at the club, allowing such a highly-rated prospect to leave would appear to be something of a mistake from Xu Ke. That’s especially considering how impressive the 19-year-old was while on loan at Cheltenham Town last season.

Indeed, over his 44 League Two appearances for Michael Duff’s side, Griffiths helped his team keep an extraordinary 21 clean sheets and conceded just 37 goals, as well as making an average of two saves and 0.4 successful runs out per game.

These returns saw the £450k-rated ‘keeper earn a seasonal SofaScore match rating of 6.87, ranking him as the Robins’ ninth-best performer in the fourth tier of English football, playing a huge role in the club’s title-winning campaign.

As such, it would very much seem as if the man whom Andy Wilcox claimed has a “big future” in the game is more than capable of making the step up to the West Brom first team, something that he may well have to do if Johnstone does go on to leave the club this summer.

In other news: West Brom handed boost over “top-class” manager target that should have fans buzzing

The Somerset dream of retaining the Cheltenham and Gloucester Trophy stayed alive when they produced a remarkable victory over Kent after a tense finish at the County Ground

Richard Walsh01-Aug-2002The Somerset dream of retaining the Cheltenham and Gloucester Trophy stayed alive when they produced a remarkable victory over Kent after a tense finish at the County Ground.Batting first in front of a packed house, Somerset posted an impressive 344 for 5 from their 50 overs, thanks to some aggressive batting later on in the innings, which saw 194 runs scored from the last 20 oversOpener Peter Bowler survived an early chance when he was dropped in the second over, but then took the score onto 59 before he lost fellow opener Jamie Cox for 31.Veteran Bowler, who celebrated his 39th birthday earlier in the week found a willing partner in Mike Burns, and brought up his own half century and the Cidermen’s 150 before he was yorked by Andrew Symonds for 70.Burns was joined by big hitting Ian Blackwell and together they added 90 in quicktime, until Burns was caught at cover by Kent skipper Matthew Fleming for 72, which included 1×6 and 6×4’s.Blackwell continued to bludgeon the Kent attack and was in devastating form taking 86 from just 53 balls, and hitting 12 x4’s and 1×6 before he was out in the 46th over to make Somerset 294 for 4.Keith Parsons was run out for 32 going for a quick single, and Keith Dutch hit three boundaries from the last three balls to see Somerset pose their visitors a formidable total to chase.The Kent reply got off to a flying start, with Fleming and Robert Key bringing up the 50 in the ninth over until Parsons was introduced into the attack for the 14th over. Off the fourth ball Key chopped the ball onto his stumps, and Kent were 105 for 1.In the next over Fleming chased a ball from Steffan Jones, and was caught by Rob Turner for 63, and in Parson’s following over he trapped James Hockley LBW.In the space of three overs the White Horse county had slipped from 100 without loss to 122 for 3, and Somerset hopes had been lifted.Symonds looked well set until he top edged a sweep shot off Blackwell to short fine leg where Cox took an easy catch.Going into the final twenty overs Kent needed 130 to win and seemed to be moving easily towards their target when once again Parsons was introduced into the attack for the 38th over.With his first ball Parsons had David Fulton caught by Matt Wood at deep mid wicket, and then three balls later diving to his left Blackwell took a good catch to send Matthew Walker back to the pavilion, and Kent were 262 for 6.Kent keeper Paul Nixon and Mark Ealham took the score to within 9 runs of the target, until Nixon was run out for 33 by Keith Dutch , who was fielding at mid wicket.As the tension mounted, and both sets of supporters were on the edge of their seats, substitute fielder Simon Francis who was on the field in place of Richard Johnson, produced a remarkable piece of fielding to run out James Golding.When David Masters walked to the wicket Kent required just 7 runs for victory from 8 balls. With the last ball of the penultimate over Matt Bulbeck bowled Masters, and then off the first ball of the final over that was bowled by Steffan Jones ,Dutch caught Mark Ealham at mid wicket off and the game was all over.Somerset had snatched a 5 run victory from what had looked like a certain defeat just a few minutes earlier.As the crowds thronged onto the pitch Ian Blackwell was named as a very popular Man of the Match Winner, and the Somerset fans started to make their travel plans for the trip to Lords on August 31st.After the game Kevin Shine told me: “I’ve just spent the last 50 overs wearing out the carpet in the dressing room. From the position that Kent were in they should have won the match, but then along came Simon Francis and that remarkable piece of fielding, and from there the boys just squeezed home.”He continued: “Whoever we get in the final at Lord’s it will be a hard, but we have already beaten two very good sides in Kent and Worcester so we have to be confident of retaining the trophy. That win really does show the character that we have in our team.”What was the situation with regard to Marcus Trescothick. He told me: “Marcus is away on holiday at present but he has been in touch all day today keeping track on the score. When he heard that we had won he told me that he would be trying his hardest to be fit for the final, and lets all hope that he does make it.”Man of the Match winner Ian Blackwell told me: “We were confident with the score that we set, but when we lost `Johnno ` with cramp, and then they only needed 7 runs to win we thought that the game was slipping away.The Simon Francis run out was an amazing piece of fielding and the turning point for us.”Somerset captain Jamie Cox said: “We have got a proud record in the C and G here at Somerset and this has been a wonderful defence of our title here today. The game seemed to be lost for us for a while, but some magnificent fielding and bowling won it back for us.”Regarding Ian Blackwell the captain told me: “He was awesome. Today was a special innings from him, but I still cant quite believe that we have won today.”Chief Executive Peter Anderson told me: “From an impartial spectators point of view that was a very entertaining game of cricket. From a Kent point of view it must have been disappointing, and from a Somerset perspective we are totally amazed. I’ve seen most things in the game of cricket but never seen anything quite like that.”Tickets for the Lord’s final on August 31st will go on sale to Somerset members at the County Ground from 9am on Monday morning.