Weather is set fair for Chelmsford tomorrow so it’s a case of six wickets for us to win or ninety six overs for them to block to draw. They aren’t going to entertain chasing this many on a day four pitch starting four down. Should still be fine - but you have to wonder if giving them a bit more of a sniff might have encouraged a few more shots. I’d have tapped out when Lyth was out. Ok a bit of a risk I suppose but if you declare and the opponents chase four hundred last innings it’d be a massive outlier and an outstanding performance.
Surely we aren't going to blow this, with Essex 4 down. So the weather might be the only concern tomorrow.
Run fest at the end though to put it out of reach. 99 for last wicket off 12 overs. I can't argue with that tbh. If we'd have declared when lyth got out a target of just over 400. Whilst unlikely but still achievable. With circa 140 overs in the game left at that stage. Less than 3 runs per over. Target in the end, circa 4.3 per over.
Like I say we should still be fine but often you have to dangle the carrot to entice shots out of the opposition. We will see seven batsmen tomorrow using their bats as shock absorbers. Suspect we will end up with close catchers in front of and behind the wicket, off and leg side.
First you. Then redhelen, now Troff. Making predictions. What is going on.. it'll all end in tears lol.
450 is enough an extra 70 ruñs reduces the amount of time to bowl Essex out añd ju 450 is fine anything more takes time out of the game.
At the rate we were going 450 would have left the same amount of overs left in play. The Extra 70. Nearly 9 per over instead of 4/5 was a bonus. Not a hindrance imo
Yes, we knew about that but decided not to bother seeing as it would very likely be packed out all day. You had to book one of two sessions which is not normal so I guess they were expecting big crowds. I'm not a cold water swimmer but my other half is and I enjoy the relative tranquility of sitting in the sun, reading my book, knowing that (if I want to) I could jump into the large pool any time. It needs to get a lot warmer for me though
I was hoping for an earlier declaration as well but I seem to remember not too long ago setting a team 400 to win (after a declaration) and the opposition getting them. Was it Middlesex, at Scarborough a couple of years ago? I know it's been done but this looks a poor Essex side so I can't see them holding out all day with four wickets down already. If it was maybe one down, with Dean Elgar still at the crease, I would be a bit nervous but he went cheaply again. We'll win. I'm sure of it
Chelmsford no rain forecast though having said that it's on the edge of the yellow weather warning so fingers crossed it doesn't drift slightly
