There is nothing worse than watching a slow inevitable death by strangulation.
For periods of this game Essex held a slight advantage, restricting Hampshire to under 180 but a flurry of late runs and poor bowling cost Essex dear.
This was a rare chance for me to see Essex in the flesh as I live only five miles from The Ageas Ground.
Essex fielded and caught very well, but the bowling attack lacked penetration on a good wicket against a a side bolstered by the return of Vince and Dawson.
Each made telling contributions.
Vince won a crucial toss electing to bat and with Short as his opening partner soon put
Essex on the back foot with a 69 run partnership, a position of strength they never relinquished.
Essex bowled either too short or too full.
I have seen Snater live, twice at The Ageas and neither time has he impressed me, bowling too short and over correcting wayward deliveries. I could detect no improvement.
His inclusion confirmed to me whilst the cupboard is not exactly empty, a good shop is overdue.
Ultimately Essex did well to curb Hampshire's late assault by some good catches in the deep but once a side exceeds 160, they always remain favourites especially with Hampshire’s strong bowling line up.
Once Wheater had committed typical suicide in the opening over, Essex then flattered to deceive for a long time to seriously challenge Hampshire’s slightly under par total, through the excellent partnership between Westley and Lawrence.
They looked fully in control, rotating the strike well, interspersed with some choice boundaries and sixes.
I was even allowing myself to the impossible dream.
Any side that contains the luxury of a class leg spinner know they hold several aces and so it proved as the game changing moment arrived when Crane persuaded Westley to play down the wrong line, breaking the 85 run partnership and shattering my daydream, as the inevitable followed and at steady regular intervals the spin trio of Short, Crane and Dawson exposed our fragility and inexperienced batting. All too predictable.
As the runs dried up, our inability, to hit boundaries and run rate soared, put such pressure on Lawrence that in trying to force the pace he edged to the keeper.
A good innings but once again not a decisive one.
A few lusty blows from Ryan an Harmer narrowed the gap but could not disguise the fact there was only one winner from a way out.
Put simply Hampshire out bowled us.
Where Essex go from here is difficult to know.
My knowledge of developing talent is limited. I was looking forward to seeing Pepper bat, but his attempted sweep spooning up the simplest of catches, followed quickly by Neesham, mistakenly promoted but ultimately embarrassed playing outside a good turning ball from Short merely hastened the end.
Much to ponder.
On a side note, does anyone know the process of how it was decided for Essex who had three times the distance to travel than Sussex just down the coast, to play the early match.
I stayed to see the Sussex match and it was noticeable to me that Hampshire’s quick bowlers did not look so threatening, and their turnaround was not too long. .
Maybe superior batting, but Hampshire still won, due to a typically elegant but powerful century from Vince. He was merciless on anything short.
At least Essex can’t now finish lower than 7th. Little consolation but more humble
pie for me as I predicted bottom two.
