Rose says he has learned a lot about his players in the Caribbean

Somerset director of cricket Brian Rose says he was bitterly disappointed with his side's performance as they were thrashed by 61 runs by Jamaica.

Their third match in the Caribbean T20 tournament was reduced to just six overs a side but Somerset only managed 24-8 in response to Jamaica's 81-1.

"I have to say the whole evening has been negative," Rose told BBC Somerset.

"Even our experienced bowlers succumbed to excellent batting from Jamaica. We were poor - no excuses."

Somerset have won just one of their three matches so far and must now comprehensively beat Combined Colleges and Campuses on Thursday to have any chance of going through.

"We could still come out of it [the group stages] but we are going to have to score a lot of runs and bowl them out very cheaply," said Rose.

"The one positive thing about this evening was that young Max [Waller] bowled exceptionally well again Brian Rose

"In those circumstances you'd have to go out and bat first and score something like 180 and bowl the other side our for about 80."

But despite Somerset's relatively poor showing in the tournament so far, Rose says he has already learned a lot about his players.

"When we come to playing in April I already know how people react to things," he said.

"Young Craig Meschede is obviously a very good striker of the ball but he's run himself out twice.

"So running between the wickets under pressure is something he's going to have to think about when he gets home."

But Somerset's director of cricket did reserve praise for 21-year-old leg-spinner Max Waller who is one of the few players to make a positive impression.

"The one positive thing about this evening was young Max bowled exceptionally well again," added Rose.

"He was under enormous pressure especially when you've gone for 50 in the first three overs.

"If and when I've got a slot [in the first eleven] one or two have done exceptional things, Max for example.

"[Murali] Kartik doesn't arrive until after the IPL on 20 May and there are six Championship games before then.

"And that part of the season could be absolutely key to the whole Championship."

E-mail this to a friend

Printable version