HANTS v SOM, Rose Bowl, 21st - 24th May 2003
Yet another CC victory. Coxey set up the win with one of the most dogged, applied, and intensely concentrated innings I have ever seen (I didn't see those of Boycott), which was invaluable on days 1 & 2.
A masterful piece of pace bowling from Nixon, and all backed up by Francis, Andrew and the captain, with some great catches, gave us the 'luxury' of enforcing the follow-on. These are not always easy positions to ensure a victory (I have seen wins from the side following-on before), and nerves were jangling a little when Smith & Kenway decided they could bat in the second innings. With Hants 6 down, I really wanted at least one more wicket yesterday evening (Friday), but it wasn't to be. Didn't travel back down there again today: an overnight Hampshire score of effectively 60-odd for 6, surely it would be a quick win! Well, it was a shortened day in the end, but not by much! I don't like watching cricket on ceefax / the web much - it's too nerve-wracking!
Well done to everyone (including 12th man) involved in this one again. I'm not going to predict the side for tomorrow - I got this one wrong thinking Stef would play!