2021 Team

[Andy]

Exactly Captain, the DLM is much more sophisticated and rewards good game management and vice versa (in our case).

[Captain Slaphead]

Seemingly 32 was the target if no wickets lost.
Off 30 balls that's comfortably achievable, surely?

Even the loss of one wicket shouldn't have derailed a successful chase.

[Reddevil]

I was admiring Tom Banton’s stunning  century last night, very ably assisted by a certain Devon Conway, what an opening partnership this is, when I thought, this is one side no one wants to meet at the moment and it made me think who and when we were next performing, as in circus act, and hey presto it is Somerset tonight. Oooooops.

Mind you we have actually beaten them this season, our first win and what must have been one of their off days.

Given the nature of T20, Banton could be out for 0 tonight and who knows we might pull a rabbit out of the bag, a few rabbits are needed I fear, and it would be good if we actually batted first if winning the toss and set opponents a meaningful challenge, dependent on weather conditions of course.

A cheap thought I know, but could not resist a slight smile at Kent’s humiliation by 10 wickets.

T20 in particular is a cruel game and great leveller.

I fancy some levelling tonight(dreaming mode).

[dazedpenguin]

Essex won the toss and chose to field. Plom in for Porter.

[dazedpenguin]

And a good win. Well played Michael Pepper. First T20 fifty. He's looking like a proper player.

[Slogger]

Very well done. Some of the youngsters showing up well

[essexfan548]

Nice to see a home win and the double over Somerset

[nat]

good win against the big shots. Well done.

[Reddevil]

You never can tell - such is the attraction of sport, and the total unpredictability of our enigmatic team.

One can never doubt the spirit or resolve of Essex, especially where rare talents like Harmer continue to pull us out of the mire.

If the seemingly improbable happens and we find ourselves challenging for a top four slot, our run rate will penalise us big time.

Criticising one’s favourite team is not pleasurable, but eating humble pie is.

Continue to astound us.

Is Pepper beginning to cut the mustard?

A most welcome win.

[bwildered]

 Yep, back on the bike after the previous dogs breakfast chasing last week. Let’s hope they have not left the best two displays only for the cidermen.
Consistency is the name of the game. Seen snippets of Buttleman and Pepper skill set which must become the norm.

[LeedsExile]

Does anyone know if Buttleman and Pepper are happy to just be batsman and not keep wicket? Otherwise we may have another Foster/Wheater/Foakes scenario.

[Crisp]

LeedsExile, having watched the seconds, both are better batsman than wicketkeepers.

I think both will feel lucky to bat for the County, let alone keep wicket.

[dazedpenguin]

Is Buttleman a better 'keeper than Wheater? I know Pepper was criticised when he took the gloves when Wheater was injured, but I thought Buttleman kept well. I've only seen him keep in a few T20s and the one First Class game, so admittedly that's a small sample size.

[LeedsExile]

Thanks for the replies. I saw Buttleman's debut at Headingley a couple of years ago when he scored 0 but kept tidily. Nice to be having a conversation about two Essex players with potential.

[Slogger]

I think Buttelman might be ahead of Wheater from what I have seen, including at Coggeshall in the seconds. Would the latter be happy to play as a batsman? He was good at that before leaving for Hants.