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Back to Dubai for the first day of the 3rd Test and a lost cause for England as a series but usually a game we will win because the campaign is lost. Arriving at the ground at 10:50.... bit of a surprise to find Pakistan choosing to bat and 21 for 5!! The story unfolds. I'm only here for the day so you'll have to add the rest yerselves but today is at least interesting.
A fascinating day in store with the loss of Morgan at stumps last night. England some 50 runs behind with Matt Prior as their last recognised batsman but a 'waggy' tail if it gets its eye in. Pakistan with Ajmaal, Hafeez and Rehman causing the English all kinds of problems but Gul with calf issues yesterday. The session up to lunch could set this match up for a great finish.... on the day I won't be here. Good Morning from Abu Dhabi
A rather unusual start to this little sojourn into Test cricket which involved a flight to Abu Dhabi at the crack of midnight and a 7 hour sleep come coffee binge in the airport before a taxi ride to the second stadium on England's fantasy tour of "Pakistan". Lots of people in snow hats, fur coats and big bulky ski jackets here despite the fact that I am in a short sleeved shirt and the temperature will go into the mid 70's today... this is the Arab winter and they really do want to show you how cold it is!! Off into the "bleak midwinter" I go
A couple of days early from my planned update but these automatice computers have no concept of flexibility it seems. Thursday sees me leave Grockle Minarets for the desert air of Dubai and the England v Pakistan Test series... Let's hope they last until then!!
Men in 'the know' predicted Somerset would sweep the board in terms of trophies. We were the strongest in the land in the four day and short formats and it was all going to come right in 2011. But it didn't quite did it? Why not?
With the help of Abbas AlBalushi, the voice of Omanicricket.com, I get my first taste of cricket in the Sultanate. The nice guy, late of Coventry Uni and Leicester offered to pick me up and take me to a T20 league match..and this is what I saw..
The 2011 season. Similar to the 2010 season or a move on towards the season we all want to see? Have we shot our proverbial bolt? Has the chance gone to add to our county's history and also add that elusive piece of silver that has never graced the Taunton trophy cabinet? A personal review of the 'almost boys' and their quest for the CC1 "Chalice"
The semi final of the Champions League and we welcome Keiron Pollard to the battlefield but on the other side in blue rather than black. The man is an Indian in this competition and stands between us and a place in the Final tomorrow against Bangalore on this ground. But we know him and what he can do so I hope we're ready for the big West Indian. Another big game in the county's longest season. More to come? Well it's win or go home
Somerset face what could be the last game of the 2011 season ot=r what could be their ticket to further new glory in T20. A real 'must win' game against the Warriors. No complex calculations. We win and we are in the semi finals, we lose and we are on a plane back to Blighty. Adam Dibble is the surprise inclusion for George Dockrell. A surprise only in the fact that Lewis Gregory is not chosen which suggests that his 'Dehli Belly' has not responded to treatment and he is not fit. Otherwise the side is the one that went down to Bangalore on Monday.
Bangalore and Royal Challengers as the opposition. After a great double over the Kolkoata crew and a washout against South Australia we find ourselves in a p;ossible semi-final position if we can win this one tonight. I doubt Daniel Vetorri, Chris Gayle, Dilshan and Dirk Nannes are all that keen for that result so we'll have to be on the money again.
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