COLUMN: Cricket has changed dramatically, especially with the bat
I think it's fair to say that cricket has changed dramatically in recent times, especially so with the bat, as so many of our top order batsmen at both county level and international level, play so many more extraordinary shots, that adds that extra ingredient to the game writes Merv Colenutt.
Everyone will have their own ideas of how the game has changed and since the introduction of the ramp shot, reverse sweep and increasingly the lofted shot over fine leg, the more technical side of the game has become an added an exciting feature.
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The introduction of helmets, also allow the batsmen to face short pitch bowling with far more confidence and in more recent times, the falling paddle shot, which we will no doubt see more of in the future from the likes of Rishabh Pant and Harry Brook, makes for another legacy, not only in the white ball game, but in test matches as well and to be fair it's another reason why test matches will go on drawing big crowds in the future.
Another change could very well come in the coaching of bowlers, in fact it has already happened.
In the good old days, you were generally encouraged to run in smoothly as a quick bowler, increasing your pace as you got closer to the wicket and release the ball at pace with a smooth follow through, just like Josh Davey does for Somerset now.
You would hope by shining the seam, the ball would move off the pitch or in the air deceiving the batsman into playing down the wrong line, but again the coaching manual appears to have changed, with a quick bowler being encouraged to bowl from a slightly different angle with a more side on approach and deliver, with the batsman not always being able to pick out the ball to play or leave.
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It's a marginal observation, but i feel sure that in some ways has brought the more baseball technique into our game, with increased timing and hand speed.
I still firmly believe at almost the halfway stage of the season that Somerset are well placed to challenge for the double once again, there is no doubting they have the ability to remain on course in both the white ball game and the red ball game.
What i find impressive as always is the ground fielding, brilliant, surely there is not a safer pair of hands anywhere better than Craig Overton, Riley Meredith might have only played five one-day internationals for Australia, but more are bound to come in the not too distant future, he has been magnificent.
Tom Banton opening the batting has asked a few questions whether he should retain that spot, i believe he should, others question whether he should bat lower down the order and bring in Tom Lammonby, that has been questioned by some of the supporters and even Tom Abell has been short of runs, but the one sure factor is that Somerset have unquestionably got a massive array of talent at their disposal and they remain the team to beat in the 2025 season.
The big test in the county championship, however will start on Sunday as the league leaders Nottinghamshire are the visitors to the County Ground.
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