242/9 Aldridge is farming the strike for Somerset. Frustrating this last wicket stand. We have a lead of 105. Rae has bowled poorly without much threat. Give it to Rushworth or OHD to get this last wicket.

Another 5fer for Barnard who has his hand up for player of the season for me. What a signing he’s been, a good honest county pro who plays wholeheartedly but without ego.

My report on the day.
I hope I'm being too pessimistic about the weather:
https://deepextracover.com/2024/08/vitality-county-championship-match-report-day-two-warwickshire-v-somerset/

I have to agree about the Somerset commentary being very biased, I didn't have it on much whilst at work, only occasionally now and then but every time they were on it was like they were listening to a director who was telling them to be totally one-eyed. I have heard it before and it is tedious at best, bad enough listening to it on Sunday in the Glamorgan game with their commentary.

All credit to Ed Barnard. And Chris Rushworth showed today how much we have missed him.

Somerset commentary most biased on the circuit, so biased it's almost crude.

Not surprised to read that about the Overton's dad either, the South West can be a bit like that.

We've played well here against a good side but the 3rd innings has been our achilles heel all season long. We bowled ever so well yesterday I thought, Barnard was so accurate. I note Rushworth didn't bowl after tea and spent some time off the field, wonder if he felt a twinge? What a ball ton get Umeed though.

Yates catch to dismiss Leach was outstanding, don't think the live stream would have done it justice, I was sat in the Hollies pretty much in line with the slips, that ball was shifting. Incredible grab.

Fair play to Aldridge but him and Rew were a bit lucky I thought, Rae bowled a good spell at Rew after lunch. Definitely looks as though he can be bounced out.

Ironically, it looks as though the only ground where it isn't raining is Manchester (oh,and Scarborough).

13:50pm start if no more rain.

To get the ironometer up even further, looks like Worcester is better forecast then Birmingham. Looks a good possibility Worcester out-point us this round and we go behind them, both Notts and Lancs face defeat so a draw not the worst result to move ahead of them.

GerryShedd wrote:

Ironically, it looks as though the only ground where it isn't raining is Manchester (oh,and Scarborough).

With not losing being the first aim at what point do you think we should declare to give us a chance of victory, weather permitting?

It appears to be very negative in the last hour apart from Bethel so we won't be setting as big a target as we should. Perhaps the plan is to keep wickets in hand and go mad in the morning for 45 minutes.

I think we need 70-80 overs. We've struggled to bowl teams out this year and the rumour was Rushworth was a bit out of condition yesterday. How many overs is it last day? As Paul says, if they want to win (and Worcs are well placed so we could with one) I think it's a ten over smash around tomorrow AM?

Notts and Lancs could well lose tomorrow so I suppose a draw will mean we leapfrog them and Worcs go above us so we gain one place. but the extra points from a win will be very welcome.

Just take the draw. We don't want to end up losing this like we did the reverse fixture at Taunton.

Tayls79 wrote:

I think we need 70-80 overs. We've struggled to bowl teams out this year and the rumour was Rushworth was a bit out of condition yesterday. How many overs is it last day? As Paul says, if they want to win (and Worcs are well placed so we could with one) I think it's a ten over smash around tomorrow AM?

96 overs on the final day. Minus 2 for the change of innings of course (unless this happens over lunch)

Thanks mate

I was sort of guessing that amount. I reckon 40-50 more runs and 12-15 more overs batting makes the game safe. Really can't see Somerset chasing down a big target again - none of their batsmen I've seen on this game look in good touch. I think we also need the win. Getting through the season without one would be a poor look, we still can't influence the teams around us and we're very well placed here. But I do agree we shouldn't gamble a declaration.

Exiled Bear wrote:

Tayls79 wrote:

I think we need 70-80 overs. We've struggled to bowl teams out this year and the rumour was Rushworth was a bit out of condition yesterday. How many overs is it last day? As Paul says, if they want to win (and Worcs are well placed so we could with one) I think it's a ten over smash around tomorrow AM?

96 overs on the final day. Minus 2 for the change of innings of course (unless this happens over lunch)

Looking at the table, Somerset need a win today to stay in touch with Surrey, who are currently in a strong position to beat Lancs. If we can get a lead of around 350, then we could potentially have 70 - 75 overs to bowl at them and dangle the carrot - they really have to go for it.

Should be an exciting days cricket ahead.

Unfortunately, I have looked at the forecast on the 'Met Office' site and it looks worse than it did yesterday with 40-60% chance of rain from 11 till 4pm, sorry to bring potentially bad news but I hope it is wrong otherwise it looks like a draw. Not sure if I should go now or not after seeing that.

For once I will put my faith in the BBC apart from 30/40% chance of rain around 2pm/3pm they are saying 0%. It would be such a shame if the weather interferes with a result being obtained

Have Warks settled for a draw before the day started?