Second Xi Champions?

[JasonP]

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

It's never that easy when the batsmen are just blocking.  It took Essex 51 minutes in the first innings and 53 minutes in the second to get the last wicket last week against Hampshire.  Never really looked like getting them out either in that time.

[Andy]

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

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

50 overs in a match for Matt Coles.  That's one way of losing a little excess weight I suppose. 

Mind you, didn't Mick Malone bowl virtually the whole day for Australia in his first (and only) Test?

[nat]

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

That settles it then. Coles to play at Trent Bridge next week in place of Siddle.

[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

It's never that easy when the batsmen are just blocking.  It took Essex 51 minutes in the first innings and 53 minutes in the second to get the last wicket last week against Hampshire.  Never really looked like getting them out either in that time.

Batsman didn't have to block, just watched the ball go by, miles from the stumps.  Coles really was a trooper, must have bowled 15 or so overs without a break.

Lynda

[SirChef26]

Good to see the art of bottling it Essex style extends to the second XI!

[Postman]

Good to see the art of bottling it Essex style extends to the second XI!

The belittling capacity of some people on this forum knows no limit. The team were unbeaten in their championship fixtures and would clearly have won this game too but for the rain today. Sometimes it just doesn't go your way.

[brazilianglen]

Followed the game on the phone whilst sitting in glorious weather watching cricket in the London area (not the Oval!). At least Essex did finally get on the field but still a disappointing and somewhat cruel end

a) Following a gutless defeat against Gloucs at Billericay halfway through last season, the decision was taken that Barry Hyam had to captain the side on the field. The cricket played and results have dramatically improved since then.

So credit to Barry who has belied his age in his fielding as well

b) Thanks to Paul Parkinson for his usual help

c) Finally a thought to the 2nd xi's number one fan and unofficial statistician, Mark,  who is currently working abroad and no doubt following it online. You are very much missed

[Perov]

Good to see the art of bottling it Essex style extends to the second XI!

The belittling capacity of some people on this forum knows no limit. The team were unbeaten in their championship fixtures and would clearly have won this game too but for the rain today. Sometimes it just doesn't go your way.

Well said. They have done very well.
It was Durham who were bottling it, and were only saved by the rain.

[essexfan548]

Good to see the art of bottling it Essex style extends to the second XI!

Wrong - the rain stopped us winning not a poor performance.

The 2nd XI have done really well this year 

[IlfordEagle]

A great shame that we didn't win the title outright but nonetheless a fine achievement by our 2nds, we are not the wealthiest or most affluent County but generally we punch above our weight & the likes of Barry Hyam are to be commended for their efforts, Well done to the team.

[Caughtright]

Re Brazilianglen's comment about Essex not having been outright 2nd XI Champions before, we were the 2nd XI Champions in 1973.

[brazilianglen]

Yes you are correct - apologies

However out of interest,  it was a very different competition then based on average points - Essex (played 8 games) 11.62 with second place Glamorgan (played 15) 9.33

Essex played the least number of games ( with Sussex next on 9. Warwickshire the most (23)

[brazilianglen]

To quote page 93 the 1974 Handbook

'In leading the Second Eleven in their Championship Year, Ken Wallace becomes the  first captain of an Essex county side to win a competition since the formation of the Club'

And everybody thought Keith Fletcher was the first!

(Ps Gooch played in 6 of the 8 games in 1973 scoring only 265 runs av 24  but was the leading wicket taker 34 at 15)

[Gilders]

Time for a generation shift within the club?

We have a number of senior players leaving - Foster Dixon Zaidi for sure.  RTD and Chopra are getting on as well and Chopra has had a very lean time in CC1.

And we have what appears to be the best 2nd XI in the land, narrowly missing out on both T20 and 4 day titles.

No use having a 2nd XI structure unless some of them graduate when they do well and when opportunities arise.

The sad thing was we lost one generation of good players who might now be coming to their peak through injury/money/first team opportunities (Mills Topley Foakes).

[Oldhasbeen]

Time for a generation shift within the club?

We have a number of senior players leaving - Foster Dixon Zaidi for sure.  RTD and Chopra are getting on as well and Chopra has had a very lean time in CC1.

And we have what appears to be the best 2nd XI in the land, narrowly missing out on both T20 and 4 day titles.

No use having a 2nd XI structure unless some of them graduate when they do well and when opportunities arise.

The sad thing was we lost one generation of good players who might now be coming to their peak through injury/money/first team opportunities (Mills Topley Foakes).

Whether either Mills & Topley were a loss, given their injury records, is a moot point but Foakes was certainly a great loss.

Valid point about a number of oldies either leaving or without much time left, but the big Q is who is ready to challenge for a place where we are weakest, i.e. the batting.  I'd prefer to see new blood towards the top of the order and drop Tom down a place or 2- are any of the 2nd XI candidates suitable?