Looks like today is a total washout. Shame, as I suspect that robs us of a chance to get a win unless something very dramatic happens.

No play today but should be easy tomorrow. Last day of last season, Hampshire needed 139 to win and lost. We are already 135 ahead so only a boundary or so needed and then declare.
Or maybe not!

I think they should declare overnight and get them on a possibly damp wicket. If we take 10 wickets we should win.

Probably one day mode required for 10 overs tomorrow morning. Then the bowlers take over......

I agree that 10 overs or so are likely before a declaration. I hope that Barnard gets his hundred.

Yeah quick swipe then let's shove em in

There's no prospect of a second new ball as if that comes about they'll be well ahead. As a result of that you probably have to weigh up the options. Bat for 15/20 overs and get well ahead hopefully 250+ then pull out with 75 overs remaining would be my guess. Will want a mini session before lunch maybe 45 mins-1 hour but ideal to have weight of runs firstly.

Alternatively if the morning is overcast might be worth getting bowling first thing and then knock off any runs required by a chase after tea. Might be 150 to win though so could get tricky

In that case, Hampshire would have to get 280-300 and I cannot see them scoring that quickly.

I can only see Hants batting out a draw as worst case scenario. To win we have to get 10 wickets and I would start doing that at 11.

Yeah I tend to agree. But don't think they will do that with Barnard on 91. One of the (many) things I'll never understand about professional cricketers.

Sorry to see Barnard missing his hundred but I'm sure he'll make one soon.

Wasting prime time.

Time is obviously not the issue in this situation there's 80+ overs left. If we need 90 overs to bowl these out they'll be well ahead by then anyway. The issue is because of the loss of a days play we only have a 2.3 runs per over lead to attack with. Not seen a lot of the game but hopefully a 180 lead on this pitch in these conditions is as daunting for the Hants batters as a 250 lead elsewhere

Pull out earlier and Hants might have been able to establish a 100+ lead before we skittle them

All ifs buts and maybes

I think we would have batted on regardless of whether Barnard was on 91* or not. I would prefer to bat on in that position, there are 2 ways of looking at it, I have seen sides close the innings earlier than they normally would because the ball is moving about and then come out to bowl and the ball does nothing. Batting on gives us the opportunity to make Hampshire have to bat longer to clear the deficit and might mean we don't have to try and get 110 in 10 overs if they got out for 250 and used up 85 overs in doing so. Either way it is a tough one for any captain but don't agree with the woman on the commentary who said declaring overnight was "brave captaincy", it has nothing to do with that, a captain has to do whatever it take to try and win the game.

Indeed get the runs beforehand so you don't need so many of them them later on. In this situation now there still could be a tricky little spell here for Hants before lunch and potentially a bit of a target for Bears to knock off after 5pm if their lower order can club their way to a score of 220 odd

Yes Rushy 0-1

In a situation like this let’s be honest, if the bears have to bat again by bowling them out, Hampshire haven’t scored 300+. If they’re 3 or 4 down early, they’ll remove all risk, try take time out the game. So the awkward chase at the end is more likely to be a case of, do you have the overs left to score 60-70.
Whereas declaring overnight, means even if you bowl them out cheaply, you give Hampshire something to defend. So less brave, more stupid.

Hampshire 26/2 now. Rushworth has got both, what a signing he's been! Get Vince early and we could yet pull this off.

Rushworth, what a signing, we know he won't get picked for England so should be running in during the CC games without playing in T20 and might not need to play in the RL cup, so he is ours for the season and he will take wickets. Mr reliable and so pleasing to watch.

26/3 now! Woakes strikes....

BristolBear wrote:

In a situation like this let’s be honest, if the bears have to bat again by bowling them out, Hampshire haven’t scored 300+. If they’re 3 or 4 down early, they’ll remove all risk, try take time out the game. So the awkward chase at the end is more likely to be a case of, do you have the overs left to score 60-70.
Whereas declaring overnight, means even if you bowl them out cheaply, you give Hampshire something to defend. So less brave, more stupid.

Yep you'd declare overnight if you wanted to dangle a tempter "Hampshire can still win" carrot. That wasn't a necessary strategy this morning.

Had it been very overcast and a low scoring game with 2 session left they might have pulled out at 130 ahead