Essex CCC

[banqo]

Middlesex 68-6 at lunch.

[Lovejoy]

Can't be the T20 then, we couldn't win an argument at that?

[EliotNes]

Middlesex 68-6 at lunch.

[EliotNes]

15 wickets have fallen in the day so far. I hope it’s the weather conditions and not a dodgy pitch otherwise we could be docked points

[Top of the JES]

Pitch is fine it has swung all day.

[cymruO]

Pitch fine - it's just Essex's formidable 4 day attack and unpredictable top order batsmen playing well and badly. A batting point is looking a long way off - could cost us the final.

[banqo]

Middlesex end day on 123-6, only 25 ahead.

[banqo]

Essex need 53 to win.

[Top of the JES]

ESSEX WIN!

52-1 Big gap in class between these two teams.

Derbyshire who were 67-7 are 178-9 and stubbornly edging toward the 200 runs they need for a batting bonus point and the chance of a win to possibly edge Essex out of the final

[Lovejoy]

Essex win easily.

[Top of the JES]

Current situation only three teams can overtake Essex Worcester and Somerset who are playing each other and whoever wins that would knock Essex out and Derbyshire .

Derbyshire must reach 200 in there first innings vs Lancs and win to go above and probably knock Essex out.

******* Derbyshire all out 195 *********

Essex qualify for the Lords final !!!

[cymruO]

A very comfortable win on the day, but we're fortunate to have made it to Lords. Looking at the table our 5 matches could have yielded at least 20 batting points - 25 if we had been able to complete every first innings scoring 400+ runs. Our total batting points came to 6. Shake up is badly needed with the top half of the batting order. Far too often the lower order and bowlers are getting us out of gaol. Much as I like Westley I can only think the captaincy has kept him in the side in the BWT.

[Top of the JES]

Not that lucky given we had one game washed out when we had started really well.

Next season we need a top draw batter for the top four and Kushni needs to get a decent run in the side. But hey our bowling is the best in England by a distance and we can look forward to a final at lords so let's not be too critical.

[Lovejoy]

Paul Walter has done really well as an opener, they will take some stopping at Lords with their bowling attack.

[Ornchurch]

A very comfortable win on the day, but we're fortunate to have made it to Lords. Looking at the table our 5 matches could have yielded at least 20 batting points - 25 if we had been able to complete every first innings scoring 400+ runs. Our total batting points came to 6. Shake up is badly needed with the top half of the batting order. Far too often the lower order and bowlers are getting us out of gaol. Much as I like Westley I can only think the captaincy has kept him in the side in the BWT.

The batting could do with improving but I'm not having the argument of being fortunate of getting to Lords.

Regardless of missing out on bonus points we have won enough games and points to get to the Lords final. That is not luck. That is our batters outbatting the opposition and our bowlers outbowling the opposition.

I cant believe that despite Essex's red ball record in the last few seasons that there are some supporters who still expect more. Save your moans for when we start losing again.

[banqo]

Somerset make the final as well. The best two counties by far. May the best team win (as long as it's Essex)!!

[Lovejoy]

Adam Wheater: Essex wicketkeeper-batsman signs new contract until 2022.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/54092768

[LeytonstoneRed07]

Come on the Cidermen, and unlike last year it's at a neutral ground so no prepping the pitch to suit one team.
Hope the weather holds.
Toss will be interesting as if it's a draw the team who scored the must runs in the 1st inning will win.

[Top of the JES]

Essex playing Sussex Sharks today nothing on the game for Essex but after being 2/1 after 2 now they are 80-1 after 7. Dan Lawrence has made 49 off 23 balls and looks every inch an England player .

[Lovejoy]

Somerset-Essex final to be streamed on BBC Sport website and iPlayer.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/54247914

[banqo]

Somerset 90-3 at lunch on day one.

[EliotNes]

Rain stopping play -

Henry Blofeld is 81 today. Why did he stop commentating? He is so much better than some of today's commentators.

[spen666]

Rain stopping play -

Henry Blofeld is 81 today. Why did he stop commentating? ......

Perhaps given his agethe poor chap wanted to retire and enjoy his well deserved retirement and not stay working till the day he dies

[Lovejoy]

Play resumes at 5.05pm hopefully.

[Lovejoy]

More rain, Somerset 119-4.