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taunton
Graveyard for bowlers
By Will 2 years ago, at the end of February, 6 Comments »
Today work begins on the excavation and reinterring of 50 bodies just outside of the field of play. After two years of negotiations with the Bishop of Bath and Wells, the Right Rev Peter Price, [Taunton] has won permission to buy a patch of the consecrated ground and turn it to sport.Fifty bodies, which were buried between 1858 and 1888, are in the section of churchyard. No records exist of their names, not even on tombstones which disintegrated in the 1970s.
From The Times, Taunton are excavating a pile of old bodies (well, they’re hardly going to move fresh ones are they?) in a churchyard to extend the outfield. I love stories like these, and Patrick has had a great idea how to make light of it all:
Since The Times is a serious and highbrow newspaper, we would normally be above any puerile punning about the deceased but since this blog borrows much of its attempts at humour from Radio 4’s I’m Sorry I Haven’t A Clue, it is perhaps time to follow in the spirit of Graeme Garden et al and announce the late arrivals at cricket’s funeral ball:
David Graveney, Tomb Moody, Kapil Death, Derek Undertaker, John Embalmery, Greg Chapel, Ken Buryington, Adam Gilcrypt, WG (State of) Grace, Dug Walters, Wasim Bury…
Mark Ramprakash is my feeble attempt. And Coffin Miller…(that is truly dreadful, apologies). And Sean Death…
Yours?
6 Comments »Taunton the home of women’s cricket
By Will 4 years ago, at the end of August, 5 Comments »
Taunton was announced today as the new home of women’s cricket in England. I’m a newcomer to the women’s game and, while it (and my knowledge of it) is still in its infancy, watching a one-dayer at Lord’s the other day was a revelation.
There were a fair number of people, all cheering and whooping for the girls. Before play began (it was delayed due to the heavens chucking it down) several players jumped into the Grandstand to sign autographs and were quite literally mobbed. I hadn’t expected that.
So they now have a place to call home. This really should be the foundation the game needs in order to progress. I’m not qualified to comment any more really(!), so instead, read my colleague Jenny Thompson’s piece today, or Charlotte Edwards’s.
5 Comments »Graeme Smith hits 311. In a day.
By Will 5 years ago, mid-July, 7 Comments »
Graeme Smith is no fool. Apart from it being a picturesque county, Somerset, its county ground also happens to have the best batting track in England: Taunton. He could have gone to any other county in England – he’s “box office” – but chose Somerset. Nevertheless, it is rare that one player scores three hundreds in a day, however good a pitch it is – and today Smith did just that, smacking 311 from just 255 balls.
I don’t know how many people have done this – shall trawl Cricinfo to see, unless some of you know already…?
7 Comments »Somerset’s victory against Australia
By Will 5 years ago, mid-June, 1 Comment »
I think they’re a little pleased!
Somerset defeat Australia
By Will 5 years ago, mid-June, 6 Comments »
A county side have beaten a team vying to match the great “Invincibles” of 1948. Captained by someone by the name of Don Bradman, they returned to Australia unbeaten. There were frequent calls by Australian (and English) media, before flying out to England, that Ponting’s side had the quality and desire to match The Invincibles. This I assume is now a lost hope – firstly with the loss of their 20/20 encounter, and today another defeat…this time at the hands of the mighty Somerset. (did The Invicibles’ record include tour-games?)
“Mighty” may not be too far off, for they (Somerset) possess some seriously good players – and the best pitch in the country, by some distance. It must have been like batting on a road today, as 687 runs were scored in just under 100 overs for the loss of just 11 wickets. And this great, heralded batting lineup of Australia were matched by Somerset, Sri Lanka’s (Jayasuria) and South African’s (Smith) finest.
After the shock of losing to England – something they will be hoping won’t be repeated again this summer! – the prospect of a one-day county game would have had them licking their lips, as opposed to their recently-opened wounds. They were so dominant that both Ponting and Hayden felt like giving their team-mates a bat – and retired early.
How Ponting must wish he or Hayden went on to an even bigger score, for they fell to Somerset with over 3 overs to spare. The significance of this defeat should not be underestimated: Australian Test sides do not lose (m)any matches, and they very rarely lose two games on the trot. (If anyone has stats on this particular aspect, I’d love to know…) Have they arrived too scratchy? Are they still jet-lagged? Has Vaughan spiked their drinks?
When I commented on the 20/20 defeat, I was at pains to ensure I (and others) didn’t get too carried away. Whilst the same feeling applies to this match (the “not to read to much into it” bit), alarm bells will be ringing in Ponting and Buchanan’s heads. First, their batsmen let them down; and now their bowlers. The words “rocket” and “arse” might be heard quite a lot in an Australian changing room over the next few days – and, for cricket’s sake, I think everyone will be very grateful. Vaughan, though no doubt grateful to Somerset for this defeat, will be hoping the monster isn’t awoken just yet.
6 Comments »Somerset v Australia
By Will 5 years ago, mid-June, 4 Comments »
I think Somerset’s pitch at Taunton might just be a belter. Australia compiled (for compiled, read “Smashed”) 342 from their 50 overs. 2 of their players, Ponting and Hayden, clearly felt they were in such good nick that they retired.
But
Somerset, in reply, are fast approaching 200 without loss: 197-0. Have a read of these:
Bowling O M R W Lee 4 0 26 0 McGrath 6 0 38 0 (1nb, 1w) Kasprowicz 6 0 61 0 (2nb) Watson 3 0 41 0 (1w) Clarke 2 0 16 0 Hussey 1 0 9 0
The destroyers are Graeme Smith (Captain) and someone called Jayasuriya – Smith, in particular, batted brilliantly yesterday. Looks like he’s in seriously good form, and if Somerset win this game, he might just receive a thank-you from Michael Vaughan…
UPDATE: the curse of the blogger. Smith now out for a magnificent 108 from just 74 balls
4 Comments »