Rain Reigns Supreme

The Essex Perspective

Essex's troubles with overseas signings continued as Peter Siddle was ruled out of the Twenty20 campaign this summer. Siddle was set to join Essex as an overseas player in 2011, but a deal couldn't be reached. Now, the back injury which saw him sent home from Australia's tour of the West Indies has forced him to pull out of the deal in 2012. Whilst Siddle isn't exactly known as a Twenty20 player, having only played 16 in his entire career, the prospect of seeing a fired up Siddle running in from the Hayes Close End would have been an entertaining one.

Essex's recent history of overseas signings doesn't make for pretty reading. Chris Martin was signed in 2010, but his coming to Chelmsford was delayed by the Icelandic volcano. 2011 saw Siddle and Tim Southee lined up, but unable to strike a deal, leaving Essex with the utter shipwreck of a deal with Lonwabo Tsotsobe. He left the club after seemingly not understanding that standing at fine leg looking disinterested with your hands in your pockets was an image that the club weren't really looking for. Southee later joined up for the Twenty20, along with Scott Styris. Dwayne Bravo was an expensive mistake for 2010 Twenty20 Finals Day and the less said about Danish Kaneria, the better.

After rumours of signing Zimbabwe's Brendan Taylor proved futile, Essex revealed that they had signed the New Zealand all-rounder of James Franklin. With the Siddle injury, Essex will now begin their search for an overseas bowler to take up the second overseas player spot in their Twenty20 squad.

Meanwhile on the pitch, or pool as it turned out to be, Essex welcomed Northamptonshire to Chelmsford. Play was delayed on the first day, prompting Charl Willougby, Greg Smith and Mark Pettini to head off into the city centre and post tweets that contained puns so dreadful that you'd have thought I was responsible for them. Eventually after a mid-afternoon inspection, play was abandoned on the first day, prompting more Twitter hijinks, this time from Greg Smith:

Image courtesy of Greg Smith's Twitter feed.

To spare everyone's sanity, play finally began at The County Ground after tea on day 2. Tim Phillips, who picked up a back injury against Yorkshire, and Maurice Chambers made way for Mark Pettini and Charl Willoughby, who was making his Essex debut. 

Like up in Yorkshire, Essex struggled in the conditions and against good bowling. It was a good toss to win for Northamptonshire, as it meant they could unleash their fairly experienced bowling attack in very bowler friendly conditions. Northants had started the season poorly, with heavy losses against both Derbyshire and Kent, and the last time they came to Chelmsford they'd been bowled out for 99. Jack Brooks, having been called up to the England Lions squad again, celebrated by taking 4 wickets. This included the big wicket of Ravi Bopara who, after the early losses, Essex would've been looking at in the hope that he could repeat his heroics in the Headingley first innings.

Essex reached 15-0, then proceeded to lose 4 wickets for only a single run. Westley and Wheater both picked up ducks, again, whilst Alviro Petersen made 6. He was caught behind after flirting outside the off stump. It's not been the best of starts for the South African: after four innings, his average currently stands at 10.00. Greg Smith also continued his disappointing start to the season as he was out for 5, bowled by the 22 year old David Willey.

Mark Pettini, returning from a broken finger, was the only Essex batsmen to reach double figures. He was 16 not out at the close on day 2. Captain James Foster was at the other end on 8, leaving Essex hoping that if play did start again, these two could build a good partnership and put Essex out of trouble. 

Luckily for the Eagles, a deluge of rain decided to sit itself over the drought-ridden East Anglia. In the end, the match was declared a draw with no further play. Northants picked up 2 quick bowling points, meaning they leave Chelmsford with 5 points. Essex leave with 3 for the draw and now head down to the SWALEC for their match against Glamorgan, which starts on Wednesday. Meanwhile, the outfield at Chelmsford had been turned into a pond, meaning in comfort to Tom Westley and Adam Wheater, it really was nice weather for ducks:

Picture courtesy of Graham Napier's Twitter feed.

Eagle of the Match: It's difficult to choose someone when the only play of the match came in an evening session on day 2 and Essex found themselves 54-6, so my Eagle of the Match is a bit different this week. I'm going for Charl Willoughby, because his awful pun picture tweets from the streets of Chelmsford and Essex dressing room did help keep fans updated in a far more entertaining way. Anyone who posts a picture of the former skipper and the latest signing underneath a duvet set probably meant for a little girl is a worthy winner for me.

The Yorkshire Perspective

Rumours sprung up from last week that Yorkshire's problems with bowling out the tail were to be solved with the arrival of Mitch Starc at Headingley. Starc is currently playing for Australia in the West Indies, and Yorkshire have still not made any official announcements, but it seems probable that county cricket's worst kept secret will be arriving some time in the next month. Hopefully he packs his thermals.

Yorkshire made a trip darn Sarf for the four day game against Kent. The scheduling of this was bizarre; having opened the season against Kent, and both sides being tipped to push for promotion, playing their two games within the space of three weeks seemed short-sighted. With Bresnan returning after winning his eleventh test match, getting married and being named a Wisden Cricketer of the Year (not a bad month for the big lad, all in all), McGrath was sent to watch the rain fall in Harrogate as part of the second XI. McGrath comes in for criticism far more often than the rest of the team, but the truth is, his batting has looked under par this season - his feet aren't moving, leaving him trapped on the crease and a sitting duck to an LBW.

With Bressy lad the only change in the team, Gale lost the toss and was sent out to bat on a difficult looking pitch in breezy conditions. The first hour was tough going for Root and Sayers, with the bowlers getting plenty of movement off the seam and the batsmen unable to push the ball through the gaps. The first boundary didn't arrive until the 14th over, courtesy of a lovely pull from Sayers, before he left a delivery from Cole that straightened and removed his bails. Root, after jumping on anything wide and dispatching it in typical elegant fashion, then fell LBW, leaving Yorkshire at 52/2 at lunch.

The Tykes played the way they were most comfortable; Jaques got off the mark as quickly as ever and rotated the strike well with Gale. Bairstow, Bresnan and Ballance struck when the deliveries fell loose or dropped too wide. It is early in the season but Ballance, top scoring in this innings with 38, seems to be progressing the most under the new management. His spell in Zimbabwe, and the time spent with Dizzy over there, seems to have done his stroke play the world of good. It was tough going out there, and Coles and Shreck bowled as well as they did in the first game of the season. Despite the middle order quickening the scoring rate up, Yorkshire ended the first innings at 247, three short of the second batting point.

On the second day, each of the seamers pitched in with a wicket, but on a relatively decent batting track, Kent capitalised on Yorkshire's struggles with the ball. Brendan Nash made 100 and he was well supported by Geraint Jones. It's easy to be over-critical of the Tykes' bowling attack, which on paper is one of the strongest in the division, but they are increasingly taking a wicket and then letting the impetus slide. Kent made starts, but were then dismissed in the thirties; this pattern repeated itself along the scorecard until Nash arrived at the crease. Yorkshire have an incredibly good pace attack, particularly with the new ball pair of Sidebottom and Bresnan, but they must start turning the advantage their way when a wicket falls.

The third day started much better for the Tykes; Kent added seventeen runs before Bresnan pulled a double wicket maiden out of nowhere. After a frustrating second day, the big lad made the overcast conditions work in his favour. On a hat-trick at one point, Bresnan forced the batsmen to play, resulting in nicks to the slips and the keeper respectively. Rashid, whose terrible slide in form last season has resulted in a new run up and delivery action, picked up his first wicket of the season the next over. Rain curtailed the rest of the day, and the dangerous Nash was still there, but Yorkshire ramped up the pressure to give them a chance at pushing for a result.

Unsurprisingly, rain won the game. It was called off early on the fourth morning, as monsoon season continued to spread southward. Yorkshire take 7 points, Kent 10 - and we're left to rue what could have been an exciting finish.

Image courtesy of Scot McAllister's Twitter feed.

Yes, this is Wisden Cricketer of the Year, and top bowler, Tim Bresnan, wearing his tracksuit bottoms as a hoodie. You're welcome.

Tyke of the Match: It's difficult to be objective, given the shortness of the game, but I'll plump for Bresnan, whose tricks with the old ball put Yorkshire back into the game. Well, until the rain intervened. Gary Ballance also deserves credit for the way he went about his batting.

Around the County

The England Lions squad was announced this week, with Nick Compton's three centuries in as many games being recognised by the selectors. The main issue is that the game against West Indies interrupts many of the selected's county fixtures - only time will tell how much of an effect this will have on the overall table placings.

Rain won out across the country. The majority of games were called off early on the fourth day; a single ball wasn't bowled during the Surrey v. Durham game at the Oval. After a rocky start to the season, Lancashire finally found their batting groove at Taunton against Somerset. Steven Croft made 113 before Somerset's star signing Vernon Philander took 5 wickets. Somerset were left stranded on 87/3.

Warwickshire v. Sussex saw the Bears reach a massive 545 in their first innings, largely thanks to Jonathan Trott's 178 (which came from 314 deliveries. Which is lightning quick in Trott terms). Sussex were precariously balanced on 80/5, with England keeper Prior going for a duck. 

Nottinghamshire gained their first batting point of the season against Worcestershire. Richard Jones took 76/4 for Worcestershire, who then underwent a batting collapse to end the first innings on 157 all out. Notts were 88/2 in reply before the weather arrived.

In Division Two, Gloucestershire v. Glamorgan was abandoned without any play, as was Derbyshire v. Cardiff MCCU. Leicestershire continued a good start to the season by making 234 in tricky batting conditions at Hampshire. The hosts looked to be cruising to a good first innings lead, however, as Michael Carberry, initially having to use a runner, made 84*.

Springtime in Britain. Always a joy.

Around Cricket

Shivnarine Chanderpaul reached his 10,000th Test match run in the final Test against Australia in Dominica. The West Indies lost the third Test by 75 runs meaning that Australia took the three match series 2-0. The series will surely provide a steep learning curve to this young West Indies side, led by their honey-loving captain Darren Sammy, who bested his highest Test score with his 61 in Roseau.

Sticking with the West Indies, they've announced their Test squad for the tour of England next month. After disappointing in the Australia series, there is no place for 19 year old Kraigg Brathwaite and wicketkeeper Carlton Baugh. Denesh Ramdin has been brought back behind the stumps and Marlon Samuels, whose action has once again been reported, returns to try and provide a boost to the middle order. 

Meanwhile in India, Sachin Tendulkar has been had his nomination to the upper house of Indian parliament approved. It means the much revered, world record breaking batsman becomes an MP and an active member of parliament. We look forward to the day Tim Bresnan becomes a member of the Foreign Office.