What should Hampshire do about Somerset's Pollard?
is a brute. On the field that is, I'm sure the Trinidadian is a very pleasant sort of chap off it.
are the latest team to have found the West Indian dishing it out while playing . It was for a second time in just under 12Ìýmonths.
In this year's he and Jos Buttler set about the Trent Bridge bowling attack with no mercy and everyone was taking for cover including us in the commentary box at the Radcliffe Road end.
More thanÌý60 runs were needed off the last five overs and afterwards the defeated Outlaws were in tatters. Credit to them for still doing their PR bit in signing autographs for the youngsters but doing the interviews following the game was as low sounding as I have ever heard a player after a loss.
Pollard was in devastating form in the semi-final against Nottinghamshire. PHOTO: GETTY
Ahead of this weekend I have spoken to . He pointed out that Somerset are not a one-man show -ÌýIf you're going to talk about Pollard you also have to mention the even younger Buttler. That quarter-final afternoon Pollard finished with an unbeaten 47 from 25 balls and Buttler 34 not out from 14 balls in a stand of 66 in 26 balls.
How do you stop them? Well after losing in a semi-final last year and the last eight this season Newell is as good a man to ask as anyone.
"Bowl anything other than a perfect ball and you are in trouble. For Pollard the only thing that seem to cause him problems are bouncers. Last year DominicÌýCork got him with one in the final and I think we tried a couple for us."
In fact the and he took a serious blow, not that Cork intended injury of course. A dot ball or wicket would have been sufficient.
As for Butter: "He has more variation to his shots and that's why the yorker ball which doesn't quite hit the spot allows him to create something from it."
So more or lessÌýbowl short pitched to Pollard and york Buttler, it's that simple!
Newell thinks the favourites for this year's trophy have to come from the pair in the second semi-final, . His side have faced three of the four teams this season.
"Lancashire have nothing explosive but in and have a game-plan and play their games with a confidence they don't yet find so easy in the other forms."
I have attended all finals days and as with last year know how often to the least favoured sides do well. The day is long but fun and I am always encouraged by the number of people who stay on after their side has been eliminated. More often than not they are rewarded with a cracking final to enjoy. In case you are wondering there is a mascot race, with a secret twist apparently.
It isn't a sell out and I would hope that in years to come it could become so. To be frank there is no excuse because the domestic game is as entertaining as any and I know of marketing and communications will be number crunching over the next few weeks to work out how to encourage more people to attend.
Early signs are this summer those attending have been roughly the same number as last year which was around 632,000. Several clubs I've spoken to suggest a few more this year but we will have to wait to get the exact number.
whilst Lancashire and Leicestershire did send some back without being sure how many of their supporters had gone directly to Edgbaston. But again the goal must be that all tickets are bought up in future years.
I'll been keen to know from the how successful those matches played at outgrounds were and also is there any noticeable difference between appetite for the game in the south compared with the north.
All of this I'm sure will also figure in the current consultation over county cricket which will hopefully finally get to grips with too many games staring and played on too many different days of the week.
Next year it's very important that the original plan of playing Thursday to Sunday will come to be. Television can have their matches on Monday to Wednesday which would require each county giving up one of their home fixtures to their requirements.
Less is more and the game is moving in the right direction but some tough talking amongst the clubs and the broadcasters need to take place to clear up the schedule.
I'm Kevin Howells, my main job is covering cricket and it is one of the best jobs in the world. I aim to convince as many as I can that the County Championship is as compelling and interesting as any other sport.
Comment number 1.
At 25th Aug 2011, Hoppers wrote:It's amazing that finals day isn't more popular, it's such a unique idea in sport, having it all so compact and especially after last year's drama, I'm surprised it's not a sell-out
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Comment number 2.
At 26th Aug 2011, Kenny wrote:@Hoppers I actually ordered months ago because I thought it would sell out! It always seems a good laugh on the TV. Even though Surrey did not get through, it should be another blinder this year!
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Comment number 3.
At 26th Aug 2011, Bluened wrote:I would love to go to finals day and being a lancs fan i think we have an outside chance to win it. One of the reasons t20 finals day may not sell out is because of all the fans who cannot attend as they are still playing club cricket. I am sure if you changed finals day to a Sunday then you wouldnt be getting teams sending tickets back that they couldn't sell. Come on Crofty you badger!
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Comment number 4.
At 26th Aug 2011, hainba wrote:There are quite a few reasons why this year might not be a sell-out. There
Timing: This years finals day seems later than usual and loses momentum from the qualifying tournament. Most importantly now clashes with football season (boo!) and on a bank holiday there are so many other things for people to do.
Location: I'm not so sure that all T20 watchers are travelling fans, most like the game for convenience. Local cricket on your door step in the evening with a beer.
Money: The ticket cost maybe reasonable for 3 games of cricket in one day but there is all the other travel, food & beer expenses.
Also ultimately it is on telly for the less fanatical T20 casual supporters.
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Comment number 5.
At 26th Aug 2011, Pikeyfan wrote:Twenty-Twenty finals day is not a sell out for the following reasons.
A very few number of games even make it on the TV.
IPL has watered down a lot of it's appeal. Imagine a football game where goals are called "CocaCola Nettings and freekicks are called "Vodafone moments of choice."
Finals day is too long after the quarter finals.
Sky TV only.
No Twenty-Twenty shown when there's a Test Match going on.
Gimmicks like the mascot derby may have had their time.
The premiership is not run like this.
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Comment number 6.
At 26th Aug 2011, TheEssexBat wrote:I have to say that I am surprised that Finals Day isn’t or hasn’t been sold out. I went with a couple of mates last year to The Rose Bowl and it was virtually packed through. Our Essex boys got knocked out in the first semi-final but we stayed on because of the quality of cricket in the other 2 games and the great crowd banter. We are off again tomorrow for Edgbaston (look out for the Baywatch Lifeguards!) and are really looking forward to a great day, despite Essex not being there, and it will be a shame if it is not sold out or close to it…it’s the best day in the domestic calendar for me and £60 for 3 games at a top ground watching top players perform I think is excellent value. For one day only…COME ON LEICESTERSHIRE!!
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Comment number 7.
At 26th Aug 2011, oldboyba wrote:When I first googled the figures quoted were between £90 and £120 - so I lost interest, because with travelling accommodation etc for three would meant around £600-£700.
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Comment number 8.
At 26th Aug 2011, kevinhowellsbbc wrote:Thank you for comments. Interesting feedback which most importantly is looked at by people who can address these issues raised. There are people in the ECB who are really working hard for domestic cricket. I think the commenat about getting the finals day played before the football season gets going is a very good point.
Regardless of sell out there will be alot of people there and weather permitting a good day. If you can't make it coverage on 91Èȱ¬ radio 4 long wave and/or five live sports extra depending on time of the day. Any more thoughts on who might do well please feel free to add them here and I will give you a mention Saturday.
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Comment number 9.
At 26th Aug 2011, MUFCSAINT wrote:Think Lancashire might miss Khan glad we are underdogs though come on Lancs
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Comment number 10.
At 26th Aug 2011, pezzonovante wrote:It's sad to hear such an exciting day of domestic cricket isn't a sellout. Especially considering it's at Edgbaston which is in the middle of the country. Anyway, the action on the field will no doubt be great. Looking forward to it.
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Comment number 11.
At 26th Aug 2011, kevinhowellsbbc wrote:Good point well made about Junaid Khan. Chapple is back in the squad so hopefully Lancs won't feel his absence too much.
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Comment number 12.
At 26th Aug 2011, hudjer wrote:3 games in one day is too much. Why not have the 2 x semi finals on one weekend, then the final (maybe with a legends type game before it) the weekend after.
As things stand, 11 hours from start to finish is just about the longest day in sport.
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Comment number 13.
At 26th Aug 2011, revno4 wrote:20/20 Finals Day has become the premier day for One Day County Cricket. For whatever reason, it has taken over as the showpiece from the traditional One Day Lords Final and having attended both in 2010, it was clear which was the more popular. Finals Day at the Rosebowl was a sellout and pretty much full all day, the Pro40 Final at Lords was half full, with the presentation being done in front of the Pavillion, to pretty much nobody, the advertising screen actually kept the players from the view of the crowd.
I'm a Somerset fan and we will set off early tomorrow at 6.30 with the usual hopes and nerves. Dressed in our traditional Wurzel gear, we will enjoy our day, mixing with opposing fans, enjoying and indeed creating some atmosphere.
Give me an ooooooohhhhhh, give me an aaaaaarrrrrrr. What have you got, ooharr!!!!
Enjoy the day everyone.
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Comment number 14.
At 27th Aug 2011, carhamptontilidie wrote:For me, I feel that finals day hasn't been sold out on a Saturday, because like me, most cricket loving people are probably playing league cricket on a Saturday! I would love to go to finals day and watch 3 games of quality T20, but we have a fixture we are obliged to fill.
Why not play finals day on a Sunday on the bank holiday weekend, there is still a spare day for bad weather, plus more people would be able to attend?! Surely it's not rocket science, or am I looking too simplistically at things?
Or why not play it earlier in the season and avoid the pre-madonna league, sorry premier league, and get a lot more coverage?! Rather than being an "also in sport" story after a day of football and International rugby?!
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Comment number 15.
At 27th Aug 2011, baggers wrote:I wanted to go but the price of the tickets was too much for my wallet.
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