nibbs
International Captain
An interesting finish appears to be in the mist for division three as the four competition comes to a close.
Only three points seperate the top two sides, after Warwickshire pulled themselves back into the mix with a comprehensive showing against Northern Districts. Further more, Tasmania were dramatically held by Worcestershire. Perhaps the upset of the round came at Glamorgan as the home side ended Leicesters promotion ambitions.
Current Points:
Warwickshire - 101
Tasmania - 98
Glamorgan - 74
Leicester - 72
Worcestershire - 53
Northern Districts - 13
Northern Districts are up the duff. Theres is simply no way they can avoid relegation. They, sadly, have to be the worst side in WCC, and it'll be a while before they can shake this tag. Considering they defeated South Australia in a one day match in WCC's first season, one must wonder what has gone wrong in Hamilton.
Worcestershires final stand will come against Glamorgan. They wont finish last in division three, but fifth place almost certainly means relegations as the likes of Colts, Canterbury and possibly Western Province are waiting for them in playoff cricket. If they can beat Glamorgan and beat them well, there might still be a chance for them to rise into fourth. Victory vs. Glamorgan would mean a daunting last round show down in a potentail title deciding show down with Warwickshire. Everything would at stake, promotion and relegation. Worcestershire have got a reasonable batting line up, they just lack bowlers.
Leicester will be wondering whats gone terribly wrong. Victory in round over Tasmania had them thinking perhaps a bit to far ahead, has things have never got going since then. They next match comes against Warwickshire. Warwickshire pitch is likely to see plenty of wickets fall, and a result. They question will Leicesters bowling line up be able to match Warwickshires? They certainly have some talented batsmens like Ponting and Ogden. Can the deliever? Leicester finish up with an easy clash with ND. A win, but it appears that they have left it too little, too late.
Glamorgan will be a bit shocked to find themselves in third, but they deserve to be there. Whether they'll mantain this position is another question. They play Worcestershire in the game they need to avoid losing to ensure their division three status for next season. If they win that, they wont have much to play for. Something that might come in handy for Tasmania, in the other game which might very well seal them the championship. Glamorgan will be hoping the Hemp brothers and Upashantha can gudie them through this period.
Tasmania have been very solid all season. Only one defeat at the hands of their arch rivals Leicester, and two fine victories over their main rival for the title. But surprisingly they remain in second. Tasmania have the best batting line up in the division, and it has been their main stay in their title challenge. Perhaps their bowling has let them down at critical stages when wickets were needed, hence their two draws, games they had held good advantages in after strong batting efforts. Could this undermine their title chances? This week the face the demoralised ND side, who are preparing for life in division four. Victory will happen. But they need to win well and secure every possible bonus point. Depending on the size of their victory against ND, will see how desperate they are against Glamorgan. Victory should be taken here but again, its all about bonus points, which will tell the story.
Warwickshire have made big strides since the mess they were in season 2. The lead the division with 6 wins and 2 defeats, both at the hands of Tasmania. Warwickshires bowling has been superb this season. Kaneria and Gregson have been brilliant aquisitions for the club. Warwickshire face two tough tests. They play Leicester, a side which has proved unpredictable this season, and then they travel to Worcestershire for the final match. Leicester were annilated last time as Warwickshire made an amazing 620/5 declared, with Sriram making a record 270. Can this be repeated? I doubt it. Warwickshire pitch is more for the bowlers, generally meaning a result will be in the pipeline. Warwickshire should see off Leicester, but IMO the big test comes at Worcester. The groundsman at Worcestershire has ensured their ground is a hell hole for visiting bowlers. Can Warwickshires bowlers take 20 wickets will be the big question? If they can Warwickshire will win the match for sure. Again bonus points a critical, and this shall be interesting to see division comes to an interesting climax!
Only three points seperate the top two sides, after Warwickshire pulled themselves back into the mix with a comprehensive showing against Northern Districts. Further more, Tasmania were dramatically held by Worcestershire. Perhaps the upset of the round came at Glamorgan as the home side ended Leicesters promotion ambitions.
Current Points:
Warwickshire - 101
Tasmania - 98
Glamorgan - 74
Leicester - 72
Worcestershire - 53
Northern Districts - 13
Northern Districts are up the duff. Theres is simply no way they can avoid relegation. They, sadly, have to be the worst side in WCC, and it'll be a while before they can shake this tag. Considering they defeated South Australia in a one day match in WCC's first season, one must wonder what has gone wrong in Hamilton.
Worcestershires final stand will come against Glamorgan. They wont finish last in division three, but fifth place almost certainly means relegations as the likes of Colts, Canterbury and possibly Western Province are waiting for them in playoff cricket. If they can beat Glamorgan and beat them well, there might still be a chance for them to rise into fourth. Victory vs. Glamorgan would mean a daunting last round show down in a potentail title deciding show down with Warwickshire. Everything would at stake, promotion and relegation. Worcestershire have got a reasonable batting line up, they just lack bowlers.
Leicester will be wondering whats gone terribly wrong. Victory in round over Tasmania had them thinking perhaps a bit to far ahead, has things have never got going since then. They next match comes against Warwickshire. Warwickshire pitch is likely to see plenty of wickets fall, and a result. They question will Leicesters bowling line up be able to match Warwickshires? They certainly have some talented batsmens like Ponting and Ogden. Can the deliever? Leicester finish up with an easy clash with ND. A win, but it appears that they have left it too little, too late.
Glamorgan will be a bit shocked to find themselves in third, but they deserve to be there. Whether they'll mantain this position is another question. They play Worcestershire in the game they need to avoid losing to ensure their division three status for next season. If they win that, they wont have much to play for. Something that might come in handy for Tasmania, in the other game which might very well seal them the championship. Glamorgan will be hoping the Hemp brothers and Upashantha can gudie them through this period.
Tasmania have been very solid all season. Only one defeat at the hands of their arch rivals Leicester, and two fine victories over their main rival for the title. But surprisingly they remain in second. Tasmania have the best batting line up in the division, and it has been their main stay in their title challenge. Perhaps their bowling has let them down at critical stages when wickets were needed, hence their two draws, games they had held good advantages in after strong batting efforts. Could this undermine their title chances? This week the face the demoralised ND side, who are preparing for life in division four. Victory will happen. But they need to win well and secure every possible bonus point. Depending on the size of their victory against ND, will see how desperate they are against Glamorgan. Victory should be taken here but again, its all about bonus points, which will tell the story.
Warwickshire have made big strides since the mess they were in season 2. The lead the division with 6 wins and 2 defeats, both at the hands of Tasmania. Warwickshires bowling has been superb this season. Kaneria and Gregson have been brilliant aquisitions for the club. Warwickshire face two tough tests. They play Leicester, a side which has proved unpredictable this season, and then they travel to Worcestershire for the final match. Leicester were annilated last time as Warwickshire made an amazing 620/5 declared, with Sriram making a record 270. Can this be repeated? I doubt it. Warwickshire pitch is more for the bowlers, generally meaning a result will be in the pipeline. Warwickshire should see off Leicester, but IMO the big test comes at Worcester. The groundsman at Worcestershire has ensured their ground is a hell hole for visiting bowlers. Can Warwickshires bowlers take 20 wickets will be the big question? If they can Warwickshire will win the match for sure. Again bonus points a critical, and this shall be interesting to see division comes to an interesting climax!
