Yes very strong Somerset side, and when you think of the players not playing here too... Ive always thought they're a bit iffy recruitment wise but they consistently bring through loads of cricketers through their academy, not only do they source from the local area but they take lots of lads from Devon and Cornwall etc giving them a huge catchment area. We've recently started to do the same with Staffordshire.

I think Shaikh is a fair enough pick, I agree he needs a score though (for us), but he definitely should be given a run next season at 3 when Rhodes departs. Kai Smith doesn't really strike me as a 4day player at the moment. Happy to see Hamza get a go. Quite like the balance of the side, have to see Yates, Bethell and a bit of Mousley as the spin options now.

The commentators mentioned that Tom Banton was out of contract, he would be an excelelnt signing, both as a batsman & back up keeper. He's a local player, from Barnt Green, an England white ball international and someone capable of batting anywhere at the top of the order, who would strengthen the side a lot.

Never really rated him though he did have a very good game when we played v Somerset at Taunton this season.

Any reasons for this collapse?

3 poor shots giving their wicket away and two good balls.

Hamza reaching, not quite at the pitch of the ball. Stuck in the pitch a touch? Yates, touch unlucky, ball there to be hit, didnt quite get up. The odd one is keeping a bit low, he'll be disappointed though. Barnard played at one that he could have left, particularly 2nd ball.

It is a bit of a slow pitch. Somerset have bowled well in patches. Next session clearly important.

Shaikh and Barnard should know better. Early in their innings, overcast damp conditions, put the cover drives away.
For Davies, I should know better by now. Short and wide, he’ll find a way to get out to it.

Not sure what to make of Mousley in this format and I've been a big supporter of his for a while...

Poor shot by Mousley to get out playing a loose shot. Similar shot selection by Davies earlier. Some of the players are simply not patient enough - too many white ball type shots. This stand between Bethell and Burgess is crucial now. Annoying that Hain isn't available, and where is Hassan Ali? No explanation by the club. This overseas signing has been a waste of time this season.

Phil Brit said he had left.
Sadly a poor signing that gave abysmal value for the funds invested.
The recruitment of overseas players has been very poor for years, and it really needs a changed approach going forwards.

Finished the day on top I'd say. Glad we picked the extra batter, particularly as we may not get many runs from our 9, 10 and 11. Bethell is starting to look a cut above and Burgess really is the man for a crisis, time and again he does this for us, he's my player of the season. Good innings from Yates too who did the hard work early on when it nipped about a bit.

Slow pitch not a great amount of carry. Sort of fancy us to bowl well on it though, no reasoning behind it just a hunch!

I feel like this could be a good pitch for Rushworth and OHD.

I’m always staggered at the astounding bias of the Somerset commentators, they’re getting worse year on year too.

Thought it was interesting Overton was getting very vocal today to a few of the batsmen. Seemed to talk out Mousley. Immediately tried the same to Burgess, which backfired. Of all our players I think he’s the last one I’d try chirp at. Just seems to fire him up more.

Unbearable ain't he

Those Overton boys are thugs and their father is worse. I sat behind him at a game once and the profanities and racist comments were so bad I had to move. The apple hasn’t fallen far from the tree.

That caught behind looked a tad suspicious

Did the bowlers collective 50 from 42 balls fire them up for their bowling duties? Albeit just watching numbers on cricinfo was quite good fun.

What’s all the moaning with the Abell LBW? Looked very out to me.
No shot offered, on the back foot, going on to hit off stump.

Too many Somerset fans getting desperate and fool by his movement after the ball had hit him.

BristolBear wrote:

What’s all the moaning with the Abell LBW? Looked very out to me.
No shot offered, on the back foot, going on to hit off stump.

Too many Somerset fans getting desperate and fool by his movement after the ball had hit him.

I must admit I thought it looked high - it hit him above his pad and my first reaction was it would have gone on over the wicket. However, it is noticeable that he appeared to walk as the umpire's finger went up and when a batsman doesn't hesitate on LBW then you can be sure it was the rightr decision.

All things considered not a bad morning for us.

A strange day. Wickets have fallen all day but it’s never really felt here like we are right on top. I do worry about us getting 20 wickets. But massive plaudits to Burgess and Yates for their fielding and to Rushworth for his consistency.

Wish they would get all the Birmingham Phoenix rubbish out of the shop!