WORCS v SOM 2nds, Kidderminster, 9 - 11th May 2007

Another visit to Kidderminster, but with dodgy weather all around!

Day 1. Rain set in during and after lunch, and didn't look like further play... Som 169 for 1 off 33 overs. Gazzard ct keeper (Knappet I think) b Sayeed for 34, a delivery that bounced up unexpectedly. Wood 62 no (surviving a big lbw shout, but grafted well), Wes 67 no.

To bat: Parsons (c), Spurway(w), Woodman, Abbott, Johnson, Frazer (if fit - dislocated finger before game started, possibly Kerr as replacement), Waller and Andrew.

Day 2. Still not sure if Frazer will take the field / bat / neither. Today's 4pm departure from Kiddy was in pouring rain, Somerset 324 for 3 off 56 overs. Wes 142 no, Spurway 56 no, Wood lbw b Wedge for 70, and capt Parsy lbw Wedge for 5.

An alternative to a draw might be tricky, although it's not a dis-similar situation to Colchester a couple of seasons ago (we were victorious then batting last in a famous "we will if you will" declaration).

Day 3. Spurway was first to depart, top-edging an attempted pull, caught long leg by Wedge for 62, Somerset 337 for 4 in the 57th.

Andrew came in next and joined Wes for some quick-fire runs before the "We'll declare and you forfeit" arrangement. Wes was stumped by keeper Knappet bowled Khalid for 177, Somerset 392 for5 in the 67th. Michael Johnson joined Andrew and they added another 9 runs before Somerset declared on 401 for 5 still in the 67th. Worcs required 402 at something over 5 per over (I think - not sure). Rain clouds around, interspersed with a rare 5 minute glimpses of sunshine. Gareth Andrew opened with a maiden, Rob Woodman from t'other end conceded a boundary. JASON KERR fielded at 2nd slip, Fraser 12th man with heavily strapped fingers on left hand. M Ali first to fall, caught Spurway bowled Woodman, short pitched delivery from out-of-the-blue which Ali made a mess of trying to hook, dismissed for 40.

Captain Parsie took over from Andrew and tempted Kervezee into a nudge down the leg side where Spurway gratefully accepted; Kervezee gone for 48, Worcs 189 for 2 off 39 overs. Hankins joined his captain Mitchell, and started very nervously. Woodman bowled a short pitcher which Hankins headed - thank goodness he'd remembered his helmet at the time or it would have been rather messy. Rainfall didn't look like stopping. Mitchell on 112 managed to sky a quicker Woodman delivery (almost as high as the Afridi shot at Lord's) which Spurway claimed nicely, Worcs 223 for 3 which almost immediately became 223 for 4 when Woodman trapped Hankins lbw for 21. With heavier rain falling, Worcs progressed to 240 for 4 in the 55th over, when play was stopped. I'd had enough of Kidderminster's rain (especially with no bar open) over these last few days so decided to make the journey home through awful weather and traffic (hope I didn't miss anything more).

Our boys fielded very well and bowled positively. New chap Abbott looked okay bowling into a stiffish breeze, but much better later on with the wind behind him - quite quick!