Second Xi Champions?

[brazilianglen]

That is correct but the weather is set fair and Essex only need 3 more wickets to win. The first time they have ever been 2nd xi champions outright
 

[squarelegumpire]

We've spent the last two days at Chester-le-Street, for the championship match between Durham and Essex.  The least said the better about the Essex first innings (not sure why they didn't bowl first), but we have the following observations to make - qualified, of course, by only seeing the second XI play this one match.

Snater looks quick, not sure about accuracy as we weren't behind the bowler's arm.
Buttleman is tidy behind the stumps.
Plom doesn't look as good as the time we saw him (on Sky) in an England Under 19 match.
Not impressed by Nijjar.
Like the look of Patel.
Enjoyed the stand between Beard and Kushi this afternoon.

By the way, Walter was out to a brilliant c & b, very unlucky.

Would be interested in the views of other posters who have seen more Second XI cricket this year.

Lynda and Steve

As I've said before, Patel is one for the future, but I'm not sure that Nijjar is. Not all that sure about Beard, either.

Is Patel at, or going to, Uni?

[Slogger]

Well I like the look of Buttleman. Got a ton at Coggeshall last year.

[brazilianglen]

Patel starting at Anglia Univ and will be part of the Cambridge MCCU scheme

[smandlej]

We need to keep hold of Patel while he's at university.

We found it quite confusing, with Beard batting at 3 - our memories (not as good as they used to be, admittedly!) told us he was a bowler?  Has he re-invented himself?  Anyway, a good ton yesterday, along with Kushi.

Some rain forecast in the area today, but hopefully there will be enough time to take the last 3 wickets.  Coles bowling his heart out.

Lynda and Steve

[Slogger]

Thanks for the update Lynda and Steve! Please keep them coming

[smandlej]

We haven't gone today: quite a bit of rain now forecast and, with only 3 wickets to take, could be a very short session of play for a 50-minute drive each way.  nvplay still showing 'End of day' at the top of the scorecard, so suspect it could be raining at present.  We're keeping everything crossed.

Lynda and Steve

[essexfan548]

Livestream shows covers being removed

[essexfan548]

Sadly the covers came on pretty quickly and I can see it's been raining from the puddles. It will be cruel if the team don't get on the field today.

[nat]

2XI cricket is all about individual performances. No-one cares who won the 2XI championship.

[smandlej]

2XI cricket is all about individual performances. No-one cares who won the 2XI championship.

The Second XI probably do, having come so far.

The water-soaker-upper was on the field and now the covers are coming off: local weather forecast said it would stop about now and no more rain today, so hopefully that is what's happening.

Everything crossed.

Lynda and Steve

[essexfan548]

nat - you might not care but I'm sure the team and quite a lot of supporters do

[JasonP]

Drawn.  9 down.  55 overs.  Coles bowled all 27 overs from one end.

http://live.nvplay.com/ecb/#se2eae60d-030b-4557-a6aa-64e771e7c08a

[smandlej]

Can't believe it: Coles set up the number 11 for the last three of Quinn's overs, six balls every over and he still couldn't get him out.  Would have helped if he could have bowled six balls an over at the stumps.

Lynda

[essexfan548]

Durham win on first innings -