Independent Leyton Orient Forum

No surprises that Essex skipper Simon Harmer is named as man of the match for his 3-16 and crucial 18 not out to see the Eagles home.
The best spin bowler this season and as he is a Kolpac player, talk about him one day maybe becoming eligible to play for the England Cricket team.

Fantastic Stat on BBC Radio Essex today that Essex have become only the fourth club along with Lancs, Surrey and I think Kent to have a won all competitions within English first class cricket, both divisions of the County Championship and all one day comps including the JP league and Refuge Insurance cup etc.

Fantastic again tonight I wasn't impressed with the signing of Delport but he has certainly contributed, wonder how long Ravi and Ryan will go on for, we may well lose Harmer the season after next (2021) when he qualifies for England.

Interesting to hear Harmer say they expect they expect the wicket at Taunton this week to turn square and be set up for a possible result in two days in anticipation of the bad weather due in the South West. Thy have to take a chance on Jack Leach and Van der Mewve bowling us out twice but I think Harmer will be licking his lips if that is the case.

Does know anyone know why, the County Championship games start on Monday instead of Tuesday as this is a very tight turn around for Essex. For a lot of the players the timetable will be collect the trophy at 10pm celebrate, sleep, travel to Taunton, prepare for a 4 day game and then get some sleep, all in 36hours! There appears to be no excuse as why they the last round of games can't start on Tuesday as there no other games until next April!!!

Simon Harmer is a great player but he will be 32 in 2021. He has already played five tests for South Africa and despite playing well other options were preferred. He has taken another 70+ wickets this season and is a real match winner.Why don't England produce players like him, the last real quality spinner/all rounder we produced was Graeme Swann?

C'mon Essex for the next four days.

Plenty of showers forecast for the duration of the game. Glad I stayed home to watch the match on TV.

Bat first Tendo, and bat them out of the game.

Definitely a once in the lifetime event this year, O's Champions and (AGW) Essex, Champions.

Somerset won the toss and decided to bat. Essex playing two spinners on a wicket that has been reported for being too friendly to spin bowlers.

Lovejoy wrote: ↑Mon Sep 23, 2019 10:32 am Somerset won the toss and decided to bat. Essex playing two spinners on a wicket that has been reported for being too friendly to spin bowlers.

Don't think it can be reported before a ball has been bowled. But every chance it's going to turn and bounce early as it's as dry as it possibly can be. if the pitch isn't deemed suitable and there is a clatter of wickets throughout the umpires will have it in thier authority to call down the inspector of pitches from Lords to have a look at it.

Somerset already 7-1

Has been reported TOTW, past tense. Could mean at anytime in the past which it does.

17-2

It's raining already in Taunton with Somerset 75-4, lunch is being taken. Some brief highlights of Saturday's final to enjoy during the rain break.

I hope it rains a lot a wouldnt want to be chasing 150 on the final Afternoon on that pitch, Its already turned considerably for the first session of a four day game.

According to one weather forecast, the rain is with us for four days.

Start delayed, inspection at 11am.

Play starts at mid day. More rain expected around 4pm.

Zummerzet already lost another wicket.

Go Essex

Cidermen 203 all out.

I think If Essex could have restricted Somerset to less than 200 they could have declared after the loss of the second wicket in their innings so denying Somerset any bonus points and be gaurentee the championship as Somerset could only go level with them with 16 Pts for a win and Essex have lost less games.

The Somerset number 10 smashed 60 off 51 balls which was a blow.

Essex 25-0 at Tea and the rain has arrived on cue.

Not easy to bat at all, but Essex can take as much time as they like, no need to score runs - just stay there and not lose wickets. Essex don't have to win - just not lose.

Close of play with Essex 25-0.

Essex have it in the bag. Wonderful.

Start delayed, inspection at 11am.

Further inspection at 12pm.

Start delayed due to rain.