Hants (156 & 204/8) beat Glamorgan (103/9 dec & 256) by 2 wickets at SWALEC stadium, Cardiff.
In sport, winning is everything but Hampshire will know that it would be folly to gloss over the cracks en route to victory in Cardiff this weekend.
Hampshire beat Glamorgan with Hamza Riazuddin scoring the winning runs off the penultimate ball of the match, but one couldn't help feeling that it should have been a lot easier for Hampshire, particularly after a day one in which Hampshire utterly dominated.
A young bowling attack has been assembled at the Ageas Bowl for this summer as the likes of Dominic Cork, Simon Jones and Imran Tahir all moved on. A new attack has been built around the likes of Danny Briggs and David Balcombe, with Riazuddin also being given a chance of first team action.
And this investment in youth has already paid dividends in the opening two games of this season, with Balcombe in particularly fine fettle. He excelled again in Cardiff, taking 5/33 in Glamorgan's first innings as the home side faltered to 103/9 shortly before close on day one.
Chris Wood has been tidy with the ball too, taking 2/25 in the first innings, with Riazuddin and Danny Briggs both picking up a wicket each from their 7 overs bowled.
But it's with the bat that Hampshire have struggled thus far and none more so than captain Jimmy Adams, who scored 3 and 0 in his two innings here. Dawson (32 & 1), Carberry (27 & 13), Katich (9 & 20), and Vince (26 & 28) all managed starts, but it’s apparent that the Hampshire batsmen are taking time to adapt to the damp, overcast conditions and green wickets they have been presented with so far this season.
With Hants bowled out for 156 in their first innings, a lead of just 53, there was a sense that they had let their hosts off the hook, and that became an even more stark reality once Glamorgan batted again.
In the home sides second innings, Stewart Walters and Ben Wright came together with Glamorgan 64/3 - a lead of just 11, and went on to amass a magnificent (given the context of the game) 104, to bring Glamorgan back into the game.
Ben Wright's 104 off 157 balls was a superb effort, particularly in such bowler-friendly conditions, although Hamza Riazuddin felt the Hants bowlers had contributed to his success, stating after play on Saturday that they had bowled too many loose balls to Glamorgan's number 5. Hamza himself impressed with the ball taking 5 wickets in an innings for the first time in his career (5/61)
Glamorgan finished with 256 in their second innings, a lead of 203, and with Hampshire's batting under pressure, Glamorgan had a sniff, more so than they perhaps should have had after their first batting display.
And despite more woes with the bat - Hampshire were 3/2 early on and Michael Carberry batted down the order due to a groin injury - Hants dug in and secured a famous victory.
A fascinating final day was set with Hants requiring 92 runs and Glamorgan 6 wickets, meaning all 3 results were possible. Glamorgan threw their gates open with free entry to all for what promised to be an enthralling couple of hours play.
As it was, the rain curtailed the joy, with play only commencing at 4:15pm. 28 overs remained of the match and without adding a run Hants were 5 down when Michael Bates (13) was given out lbw off the bowling of the impressive Huw Waters.
It was all-rounder Sean Ervine who set up victory for the Royals with a beautifully crafted 75, taking Hants to within 14 of the target. When he fell it was Hamza Riazuddin who struck the winning runs off the final over of the match.
This victory, securing 19 championship points to the Royals to Glamorgan's 3 was a special one, not least because of the time lost to rain in this game made it almost inconceivable that a result would be reached in Cardiff.
It also gets the side up and running early in the campaign after several low yielding seasons in first class cricket. With a young squad and new captain at the helm, the release of pressure on the side following this victory will be immense.
A lot has been made of the young bowling attack and perhaps that had heaped pressure on the batsmen to score big to protect their bowlers. Hopefully this win will show the batsmen they need to coHncentrate more on their own game, because in Balcombe, Wood, Riazuddin and Briggs they have a good, balanced bowling unit that are all take wickets.
And a good performance with the bat at the Ageas Bowl next week against Leicestershire would be the perfect way to follow this victory up as Hampshire look for their first home victory of the season.
Monday, 23 April 2012
Friday, 20 April 2012
David Balcombe's 'Ridiculous' Run of Form
It's not so long ago David Balcombe was merely a peripheral figure in the Hampshire squad, unable to stake a claim for first team action. Having made his debut for Hants in 2007, Balcombe subsequently spent much of the proceeding 3 seasons playing in the lower Surrey leagues, before going on loan to Kent last season.
And it was at Canterbury last year that something finally clicked for the 27 year old, who started his cricketing career playing for Durham UCCE in 2005. His last two games for Kent last season yielded 19 wickets at 13.37 runs a piece, form that made his permanent employers Hampshire welcome him back to the Ageas Bowl with open arms.
Of course relegation for Hants last term meant a summer clear out of playing staff was needed, which worked in favour of players like Balcombe as it meant a guaranteed chance of first team action in Division Two and in Balcombe's case, he has taken it with both hands.
Highlighted before this season as one of Sky Sports County Cricketers to watch, Balcombe performed well in the pre-season match against Loughborough earlier this month, taking 5 wickets at 16.4, before exploding onto people's radars with a magnificent 11/119 in the first LV county championship match of the season at home to Gloucestershire last week.
"Yeah I mean, it's ridiculous really!" Balcombe quipped to BBC Radio Solent after day one of Hampshire's match at Glamorgan on Thursday. "I'm just trying to be disciplined, be consistent and try and do the right things. I haven't been thinking about taking wickets this year, I've just been trying to bowl dots and bowl maidens and bowl with the guy at the other end and they (the opposing batsmen) just keep missing it, it's ridiculous I don't really know what's going on!"
Of course he does know really! Balcombe is bowling a consistent line and length, and rather than trying to force the issue, as is a young players prerogative sometimes, Balcombe has instead taken a leaf out of some of the England bowlers books and realised that consistency is the key to success, particularly in first class cricket.
"Last week (at home to Gloucestershire) probably had more carry and the ball stayed more lush so it swung, so with swing and carry I got most of my wickets caught behind" Balcombe continued, having impressed again with figures of 5/33 as Glamorgan faltered to 103/9 declared on day one at the SWALEC stadium.
"This wicket is a bit slower and I looked at the way they got out last week and the ball was straighter, so I just tried to bowl straighter and I got a couple of lbw's which I'm really pleased with."
Balcombe also paid tribute to his bowling partners, adding, "We didn't go too crazy and start searching for wickets, (Chris) Woody bowled fantastically (2/25), Hamza (Riazuddin, 1/20), (Danny) Briggsy (1/8), everyone backed each other up and it was pressure from both ends."
Balcombe is right. Hampshire have nurtured a young bowling attack over the winter which so far looks as good as any in LV Division Two. Most eyes, including mine, were looking Danny Briggs' way before the campaign started, but Balcombe has lead the Hampshire attack and as they closed day one in Cardiff 29/1, Balcombe backed his batters to come good to deliver Hampshire's first win of the season.
"The guys (the batsmen) are hungry. They want to rectify some of the dismissals from last week. We've got a cracking top order and hopefully they can get more runs (in this game).
With 49 wickets in his last 7 First Class matches, Balcombe has done his bit. And if his performances this season continue in this vein, the England selectors might have to start taking a closer look at him too.
And it was at Canterbury last year that something finally clicked for the 27 year old, who started his cricketing career playing for Durham UCCE in 2005. His last two games for Kent last season yielded 19 wickets at 13.37 runs a piece, form that made his permanent employers Hampshire welcome him back to the Ageas Bowl with open arms.
Of course relegation for Hants last term meant a summer clear out of playing staff was needed, which worked in favour of players like Balcombe as it meant a guaranteed chance of first team action in Division Two and in Balcombe's case, he has taken it with both hands.
Highlighted before this season as one of Sky Sports County Cricketers to watch, Balcombe performed well in the pre-season match against Loughborough earlier this month, taking 5 wickets at 16.4, before exploding onto people's radars with a magnificent 11/119 in the first LV county championship match of the season at home to Gloucestershire last week.
"Yeah I mean, it's ridiculous really!" Balcombe quipped to BBC Radio Solent after day one of Hampshire's match at Glamorgan on Thursday. "I'm just trying to be disciplined, be consistent and try and do the right things. I haven't been thinking about taking wickets this year, I've just been trying to bowl dots and bowl maidens and bowl with the guy at the other end and they (the opposing batsmen) just keep missing it, it's ridiculous I don't really know what's going on!"
Of course he does know really! Balcombe is bowling a consistent line and length, and rather than trying to force the issue, as is a young players prerogative sometimes, Balcombe has instead taken a leaf out of some of the England bowlers books and realised that consistency is the key to success, particularly in first class cricket.
"Last week (at home to Gloucestershire) probably had more carry and the ball stayed more lush so it swung, so with swing and carry I got most of my wickets caught behind" Balcombe continued, having impressed again with figures of 5/33 as Glamorgan faltered to 103/9 declared on day one at the SWALEC stadium.
"This wicket is a bit slower and I looked at the way they got out last week and the ball was straighter, so I just tried to bowl straighter and I got a couple of lbw's which I'm really pleased with."
Balcombe also paid tribute to his bowling partners, adding, "We didn't go too crazy and start searching for wickets, (Chris) Woody bowled fantastically (2/25), Hamza (Riazuddin, 1/20), (Danny) Briggsy (1/8), everyone backed each other up and it was pressure from both ends."
Balcombe is right. Hampshire have nurtured a young bowling attack over the winter which so far looks as good as any in LV Division Two. Most eyes, including mine, were looking Danny Briggs' way before the campaign started, but Balcombe has lead the Hampshire attack and as they closed day one in Cardiff 29/1, Balcombe backed his batters to come good to deliver Hampshire's first win of the season.
"The guys (the batsmen) are hungry. They want to rectify some of the dismissals from last week. We've got a cracking top order and hopefully they can get more runs (in this game).
With 49 wickets in his last 7 First Class matches, Balcombe has done his bit. And if his performances this season continue in this vein, the England selectors might have to start taking a closer look at him too.
Monday, 16 April 2012
Hampshire vs Gloucestershire: Comment
Hampshire captain Jimmy Adams spoke before this season about laying building blocks for the future having assembled a young squad for the 2012 campaign with coach Giles White, and if those calls for patience and perseverance were to take the heat off the more junior members of the squad before the season opener against Gloucestershire at Ageas Bowl this weekend, then it very nearly worked!
David Balcombe, the tall right arm seamer who was out on loan at Kent last season, bowled with pace and accuracy to finish with career best figures of 11-119, a sterling effort, and one that almost set up victory against the team that suffered an innings defeat against Essex last week.
But Balcombe wasn't the only highlight. Chris Wood opened the bowling with him well and whilst not as explosive in this game as Balcombe, his ability with the bat makes him a valuable all-rounder to the side. His 65 in a century stand with Michael Bates in the second innings was assured and aggressive, and bodes well for his future at number 8.
Then there was Hamza Riazuddin. 6 no balls in a row in one first innings over notwithstanding, Riaz bowled a spell of 3-30 in the second innings that helped set up an improbable run chase of 290 for Hants, which they very nearly achieved.
Golden boy Danny Briggs was used sparingly, bowling only 8.1 overs, although he wrapped up the Gloucestershire innings with his first ball on the final day, the sign of a quality bowler. Hampshire coach Giles White wants green, pacey wickets here at the Ageas Bowl this season, Briggs told me as long as the team are taking wickets this season, he doesn't mind who gets them, but bit parts in such a pivotal season for the England hopeful would test even the most committed county cricketers loyalties.
Michael Bates played his first game as first choice wicket keeper and looked exceptional behind the stumps. Members of the press box at the Ageas Bowl on Sunday talked glowingly of a 10 year old Bates that always looked capable of making a career in professional cricket, his glove work all game was exemplary and his 85 on the 4th afternoon, rescuing his side from 72/5 and taking them to within 46 of the target was a sign that he has the skill and the application to play at the highest level.
But Hants lost the game, and ironically enough it was the batsmen who failed, a batting line up supposedly so strong on paper. Adams, Dawson, Vince and Carberry all looked short of their best and in truth only a first innings 74 from the returning Simon Katich showed any kind of composure with the bat.
I went into the players area after the game and saw on the wall a picture of Michael Carberry and Neil McKenzie after their amazing 523 partnership against Yorkshire last season. If Hants can get their batting order firing like that again, with a hungry and exciting bowling attack which still has the injured James Tomlinson and Kabir Ali to return to, then Hampshire do have a genuine chance of success this season.
Based on this game though, it's going to be hard graft.
 |
| David Balcombe's 11/119 was the best figures of his career |
David Balcombe, the tall right arm seamer who was out on loan at Kent last season, bowled with pace and accuracy to finish with career best figures of 11-119, a sterling effort, and one that almost set up victory against the team that suffered an innings defeat against Essex last week.
But Balcombe wasn't the only highlight. Chris Wood opened the bowling with him well and whilst not as explosive in this game as Balcombe, his ability with the bat makes him a valuable all-rounder to the side. His 65 in a century stand with Michael Bates in the second innings was assured and aggressive, and bodes well for his future at number 8.
Then there was Hamza Riazuddin. 6 no balls in a row in one first innings over notwithstanding, Riaz bowled a spell of 3-30 in the second innings that helped set up an improbable run chase of 290 for Hants, which they very nearly achieved.
Golden boy Danny Briggs was used sparingly, bowling only 8.1 overs, although he wrapped up the Gloucestershire innings with his first ball on the final day, the sign of a quality bowler. Hampshire coach Giles White wants green, pacey wickets here at the Ageas Bowl this season, Briggs told me as long as the team are taking wickets this season, he doesn't mind who gets them, but bit parts in such a pivotal season for the England hopeful would test even the most committed county cricketers loyalties.
Michael Bates played his first game as first choice wicket keeper and looked exceptional behind the stumps. Members of the press box at the Ageas Bowl on Sunday talked glowingly of a 10 year old Bates that always looked capable of making a career in professional cricket, his glove work all game was exemplary and his 85 on the 4th afternoon, rescuing his side from 72/5 and taking them to within 46 of the target was a sign that he has the skill and the application to play at the highest level.
But Hants lost the game, and ironically enough it was the batsmen who failed, a batting line up supposedly so strong on paper. Adams, Dawson, Vince and Carberry all looked short of their best and in truth only a first innings 74 from the returning Simon Katich showed any kind of composure with the bat.
I went into the players area after the game and saw on the wall a picture of Michael Carberry and Neil McKenzie after their amazing 523 partnership against Yorkshire last season. If Hants can get their batting order firing like that again, with a hungry and exciting bowling attack which still has the injured James Tomlinson and Kabir Ali to return to, then Hampshire do have a genuine chance of success this season.
Based on this game though, it's going to be hard graft.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)