Cricket - County Championship finale

[mersey86]

Last round of games - of the eight teams playing 4 could still be champions, the other 4 could still go down with Surrey. Lancashire being the local team I hope they avoid relegation and I'd like Somerset to win it. However with them playing each other it is unlikely to be both and it may be neither if Lancashire lose.
Nottinghamshire look like winning and, having contributed Sidebottom, Broad and, to a lesser extent, Patel and Pattinson to the England cause this summer .... and also having taken little advantage of the Kolpak ruling by which some teams have stuffed their lineups with non-England qualified players, I think they deserve it.
Lancashire will need some new batting talent next year though, especially if Law retires.

[Shaggy]

Sympathy post.



Seriously though...I was disillusioned with football in May and relished the start of the cricket season. However I lost interest in the domestic season in about July. I just can't sustain it. Cricket has reached saturation point and the incessant international cricket means I'm just all cricketed out when the opportunity arises to watch a Pro 40/County game.

Empty grounds, poor cricket....no thanks.

[mersey86]

Thanks for the sympathy post - I didn't sleep last night! Its a big contrast with the American summer game. Here they play baseball every day and 20,000 -> 70,000 people turn up to watch. Average salary was a million dollars 10 years ago, probably double that now. Contrast that with a late-season game in Derby with 50 people watching, all of them season ticket holders and probably pensioners as well. Its a different world.

[mersey86]

Lancashire moving to safety - and Durham looking good for the title. I'll keep on with the updates as I know how much they mean to so many of you.

[Scratch]

Go Durham...great to see Harmison back to his GBH best!!

[Matt]

Not paid any attention to the county season this year but I'm surprised that Surrey have gone down.

[mersey86]

Glad Surrey went down after their delayed declaration cost Lancashire a fair shot last year. I hope Hampshire go the same way next year. I think Surrey's problem was a lack of decent bowlers.
Durham have come a long way over recent years and I am pleased for them, but here's an interesting fact - if Lancashire had achieved as many batting bonus points as Surrey did, then Lancashire would be champions instead. Lancashire's batting was very poor this year - they need a decent and reliable overseas player next year.