Showing posts with label Middlesex. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Middlesex. Show all posts
Thursday, 7 April 2011
County men to watch - Owais Shah
Controversially released by Middlesex last season – made all the more acrimonious because he found out through a journalist – Shah moved to Essex. With his desire to rebuild his reputation, expect Shah to score plenty of runs, mixing classical shots with his own idiosyncratic ones, though he will miss the start of the season due to IPL commitments. At 32, he says he retains ambitions of playing for England. Though he averaged over 50 in all three forms of the game as an overseas player in South Africa during the off season, Shah, seemingly blacklisted from the England set-up, will need to score monumentally to earn a recall.
Wednesday, 8 October 2008
2008 Season Review: Middlesex
Continuing our season reviews, here is an assessment of Middlesex’s season.
Final placings:
Championship Division Two – 3rd;
FP Trophy – 3rd, South-East Division;
Twenty20 Cup – Winners;
Pro40 Division One - 8th
How to judge Middlesex’s season? It was one in which they lost two captains, never looked like getting County Championship promotion and saw a members’ revolt. But they also ended 15 trophyless years with a pulsating win in the Twenty20 Cup – earning riches unprecedented in county cricket in the process.
Still, for all the excitement of winter trips to Antigua and India, deep problems remain. A batting line-up that appears one of the best in the county game is still prone to alarming collapses; all too often, it fell to the line-up’s less-vaunted members, wicket-keeper Ben Scott and Shaun Udal, to repair the damage wrought by injudicious strokeplay.
Underachieving batsmen
In Andrew Strauss, Billy Godleman, Owais Shah, Eoin Morgan, Dawid Malan and Eds Smith and Joyce, Middlesex possess an array of supremely talented stroke-makers. Yet too often the side proved less than the sum of its parts. Where in the Twenty20, there was a relish for responsibility – witness Owais Shah’s sublime innings in the final and Malan’s breathtaking quarter-final century against Lancashire, from the depths of 21/4 – it was a sadly different story in the Championship. Consecutive wins to end the campaign secured third, but no one was fooled.
In between England duties, Strauss was much-improved upon last season and Shah played a few magnificent innings, though a CC average of 42 was still disappointing. Godleman struggled at times, but, still not 20 and with 35 first-class games under his belt, a long future in the game looks assured.
Further cause for optimism came in the pair of young left-handed stroke-players Malan and Morgan, both of whom are in the England Performance Programme Squad. Morgan looks well set to follow Joyce in representing both Ireland and England. His limited-overs batting is fearless and highly innovative – perhaps overly so at times – and an ODI debut cannot be too far away. But he also possesses a temperament and elegance that are well-suited to the first-class games, as three hundreds (the first, against South Africa, being his first for Middlesex) and an average of 50 are testament to.
Captaincy troubles
However, things were less rosy for Messrs Smith and Joyce. Smith’s campaign was injury-ravaged. Joyce did superbly to steer the side to Twenty20 glory, but he struggled with the bat and as captain in the other formats of the game, leading him to pass the reins onto Udal, who oversaw the encouraging end to the season. Whilst signing Udal out of retirement proved inspired, as he batted terrifically and bowled with tremendous nous, especially in Twenty20, it is decidedly uncertain whether the Eds will begin the 2009 season in the Middlesex ranks.
The mainstay of the bowling was Tim Murtagh. Indefatigable and increasingly canny, he took more wickets all told than anyone else in the land. The support was rather mixed, however, owing much to injuries. Alan Richardson did very well after coming back from injury, but Chris Silverwood barely played. Young tyros Steven Finn and Danny Evans both have bright futures, especially the beanpole Finn, provided they are not overbowled too young.
Middlesex’s foreign imports were something of a mixed bunch. Dirk Nannes proved an excellent recruit, fantastic in the Twenty20 and averaging just 20 with the ball in his five Championship games. Tyron Henderson is a superb Twenty20 player, but failed in other competitions. Locum overseas player Vernon Philander was uninspiring, whilst Murali Kartik, so outstanding last season, failed to repeat his success, though he too was crucial in the Twenty20 win.
As they prepare for an exciting winter, Middlesex have many issues to be resolved – a permanent captain being the most pressing. But with Twenty20 riches to boost the club coffers and a band of immensely promising youngsters, Middlesex are in better shape than for many years.
Player of the season:
Tim Murtagh is the only realistic choice after taking 104 wickets this campaign, including 10 wickets in a match for the first time. An increasingly skilful operator and handy lower-order biffer – how Surrey must regret letting him cross the Thames.
Most disappointing player:
It may seem harsh but Murali Kartik’s 16 wickets at 34 from seven Championship games was a pretty woeful return for a man recruited to be a match-winning spin bowler who could lead the club to Division One.
Highlight:
Tyron Henderson holding his nerve, when all others were losing theirs, to win the Twenty20 Cup. With 11 wins from their 13 games, no one could dispute Middlesex were the tournament’s best side.
Lowlight:
Losing consecutive Championship games by an innings and 10-wickets just before Twenty20 finals day, virtually ensuring another season in Division Two.
If you're interested in writing a season review for your county (we still need reviews for Somerset, Sussex, Lancashire, Warwickshire, Derbyshire and Gloucestershire) or contributing in any way please email [email protected]
Final placings:
Championship Division Two – 3rd;
FP Trophy – 3rd, South-East Division;
Twenty20 Cup – Winners;
Pro40 Division One - 8th
How to judge Middlesex’s season? It was one in which they lost two captains, never looked like getting County Championship promotion and saw a members’ revolt. But they also ended 15 trophyless years with a pulsating win in the Twenty20 Cup – earning riches unprecedented in county cricket in the process.
Still, for all the excitement of winter trips to Antigua and India, deep problems remain. A batting line-up that appears one of the best in the county game is still prone to alarming collapses; all too often, it fell to the line-up’s less-vaunted members, wicket-keeper Ben Scott and Shaun Udal, to repair the damage wrought by injudicious strokeplay.
Underachieving batsmen
In Andrew Strauss, Billy Godleman, Owais Shah, Eoin Morgan, Dawid Malan and Eds Smith and Joyce, Middlesex possess an array of supremely talented stroke-makers. Yet too often the side proved less than the sum of its parts. Where in the Twenty20, there was a relish for responsibility – witness Owais Shah’s sublime innings in the final and Malan’s breathtaking quarter-final century against Lancashire, from the depths of 21/4 – it was a sadly different story in the Championship. Consecutive wins to end the campaign secured third, but no one was fooled.
In between England duties, Strauss was much-improved upon last season and Shah played a few magnificent innings, though a CC average of 42 was still disappointing. Godleman struggled at times, but, still not 20 and with 35 first-class games under his belt, a long future in the game looks assured.
Further cause for optimism came in the pair of young left-handed stroke-players Malan and Morgan, both of whom are in the England Performance Programme Squad. Morgan looks well set to follow Joyce in representing both Ireland and England. His limited-overs batting is fearless and highly innovative – perhaps overly so at times – and an ODI debut cannot be too far away. But he also possesses a temperament and elegance that are well-suited to the first-class games, as three hundreds (the first, against South Africa, being his first for Middlesex) and an average of 50 are testament to.
Captaincy troubles
However, things were less rosy for Messrs Smith and Joyce. Smith’s campaign was injury-ravaged. Joyce did superbly to steer the side to Twenty20 glory, but he struggled with the bat and as captain in the other formats of the game, leading him to pass the reins onto Udal, who oversaw the encouraging end to the season. Whilst signing Udal out of retirement proved inspired, as he batted terrifically and bowled with tremendous nous, especially in Twenty20, it is decidedly uncertain whether the Eds will begin the 2009 season in the Middlesex ranks.
The mainstay of the bowling was Tim Murtagh. Indefatigable and increasingly canny, he took more wickets all told than anyone else in the land. The support was rather mixed, however, owing much to injuries. Alan Richardson did very well after coming back from injury, but Chris Silverwood barely played. Young tyros Steven Finn and Danny Evans both have bright futures, especially the beanpole Finn, provided they are not overbowled too young.
Middlesex’s foreign imports were something of a mixed bunch. Dirk Nannes proved an excellent recruit, fantastic in the Twenty20 and averaging just 20 with the ball in his five Championship games. Tyron Henderson is a superb Twenty20 player, but failed in other competitions. Locum overseas player Vernon Philander was uninspiring, whilst Murali Kartik, so outstanding last season, failed to repeat his success, though he too was crucial in the Twenty20 win.
As they prepare for an exciting winter, Middlesex have many issues to be resolved – a permanent captain being the most pressing. But with Twenty20 riches to boost the club coffers and a band of immensely promising youngsters, Middlesex are in better shape than for many years.
Player of the season:
Tim Murtagh is the only realistic choice after taking 104 wickets this campaign, including 10 wickets in a match for the first time. An increasingly skilful operator and handy lower-order biffer – how Surrey must regret letting him cross the Thames.
Most disappointing player:
It may seem harsh but Murali Kartik’s 16 wickets at 34 from seven Championship games was a pretty woeful return for a man recruited to be a match-winning spin bowler who could lead the club to Division One.
Highlight:
Tyron Henderson holding his nerve, when all others were losing theirs, to win the Twenty20 Cup. With 11 wins from their 13 games, no one could dispute Middlesex were the tournament’s best side.
Lowlight:
Losing consecutive Championship games by an innings and 10-wickets just before Twenty20 finals day, virtually ensuring another season in Division Two.
If you're interested in writing a season review for your county (we still need reviews for Somerset, Sussex, Lancashire, Warwickshire, Derbyshire and Gloucestershire) or contributing in any way please email [email protected]
Sunday, 27 July 2008
Shah ensures Twenty20 riches for Middlesex
After 15 years without a trophy, Middlesex certainly picked the right one to end their drought. In winning the 2008 Twenty20 Cup, they have earned themselves riches the envy of all county players. And their victory was utterly deserved: they have been the best side throughout the competition, winning 11 of their 13 games.
Their success has been built on the soundest of formulas. Mixing the accumulating batting style of Ed Joyce and Billy Godleman with the unorthodox flair of youngsters Eoin Morgan and Dawid Malan, the phenomenally-powerful hitting of Tyron Henderson and the tournament-winning brilliance of Owais Shah, their batting line-up was formidable indeed.
Their bowling was expected to be less so. However, in Murali Kartik and Shaun Udal, Middlesex had the best spin pair in the competition, able to suffocate the opposition in the middle overs with their canniness and subtle variations: Kartik’s economy rate was 6.7, Udal’s a brilliant 6.2. Their pace bowling appeared on paper to be their weak link, but Henderson, Dirk Nannes and Tim Murtagh all rose to the challenge throughout, with Henderson's yorker-filled death bowling particularly significant.
Always, they had someone able to take on the responsibility as the county set about improving upon their previously appalling Twenty20 record.
The best instance of this was Malan's extraordinary quarter-final century against Lancashire. At 21/4, the game seemed almost gone yet Malan's knock transformed the match. Driving powerfully against the seamers and treating Simon Marshall's leg-spin with skilful and calculated disdain, Malan provided evidence of a rare talent. He also illustrated the self-confidence and self-expression that Joyce, in tandem with injured club captain Ed Smith, has established.
Yesterday Middlesex certainly showed few signs of nerves in the first Twenty20 finals day. Against the favourites Durham, they stifled them through a combination of the parsimony of the Udal-Kartik duo and some wonderful fielding, leaving Shivnarine Chanderpaul unable to get into Twenty20 mode. Henderson then obliterated Durham's powerful pace attack with a 19-ball half-century, even having the audacity to launch Steve Harmison over his head for six. He was at it again in the final, as Middlesex's bold plan to promote him to number three paid dividends, but was totally overshadowed by Shah.
Called a big-game player by Joyce prior to the final, he proved him emphatically right with a model innings for this form of the game. Shah was able to manipulate the ball into gaps with his wrists, showing his propensity for finding unlikely corners of the outfield. He then launched a memorable assault upon the off-spin of James Tredwell: one would have called it slogging, but the incredible speed with which he hit through the ball and the distance with which three consecutive deliveries sailed over the ropes showed the skill and practise that have gone into the shot. The 34-ball 75 was a superb innings that illustrated the range of skills he brings to England’s limited-overs sides. And he surely deserves more than his mere two Test caps.
As Rob Key and Joe Denly put on 89 at ten-an-over – opening with them for England would certainly be an improvement on the Bell-Wright partnership in the ODIs against New Zealand – Middlesex would have wondered whether their 187 would prove enough. But Kartik and above all Udal, with a relish for a big occasion the like of which seemed in the past when he retired last year, transformed proceedings, helped by Joyce’s run-out of Arafat. Darren Stevens and Justin Kemp took Kent to the brink, but Murtagh bowled a superb, yorker-leaden 18th over to confirm his startling progress since leaving Surrey. Even when Stevens departed, the assault continued, with two moments – Joyce’s drop off Kemp; and Malan’s awful throw gifting two runs – looking crucial as the equation became four off two balls. Henderson’s figures were 3.4-0-0-58, but the South African held his nerve to deliver two superb yorkers. A trophy, at last, was Middlesex’s.
With a richly talented side imbued with self-belief following this victory, Middlesex’s years of underachievement should be coming to an end. But they were thrashed by Worcestershire in their last CC match and remain lurking in Division Two mediocrity. Whatever their grim four-day form, Antigua, and perhaps India too, awaits.
Their success has been built on the soundest of formulas. Mixing the accumulating batting style of Ed Joyce and Billy Godleman with the unorthodox flair of youngsters Eoin Morgan and Dawid Malan, the phenomenally-powerful hitting of Tyron Henderson and the tournament-winning brilliance of Owais Shah, their batting line-up was formidable indeed.
Their bowling was expected to be less so. However, in Murali Kartik and Shaun Udal, Middlesex had the best spin pair in the competition, able to suffocate the opposition in the middle overs with their canniness and subtle variations: Kartik’s economy rate was 6.7, Udal’s a brilliant 6.2. Their pace bowling appeared on paper to be their weak link, but Henderson, Dirk Nannes and Tim Murtagh all rose to the challenge throughout, with Henderson's yorker-filled death bowling particularly significant.
Always, they had someone able to take on the responsibility as the county set about improving upon their previously appalling Twenty20 record.
The best instance of this was Malan's extraordinary quarter-final century against Lancashire. At 21/4, the game seemed almost gone yet Malan's knock transformed the match. Driving powerfully against the seamers and treating Simon Marshall's leg-spin with skilful and calculated disdain, Malan provided evidence of a rare talent. He also illustrated the self-confidence and self-expression that Joyce, in tandem with injured club captain Ed Smith, has established.
Yesterday Middlesex certainly showed few signs of nerves in the first Twenty20 finals day. Against the favourites Durham, they stifled them through a combination of the parsimony of the Udal-Kartik duo and some wonderful fielding, leaving Shivnarine Chanderpaul unable to get into Twenty20 mode. Henderson then obliterated Durham's powerful pace attack with a 19-ball half-century, even having the audacity to launch Steve Harmison over his head for six. He was at it again in the final, as Middlesex's bold plan to promote him to number three paid dividends, but was totally overshadowed by Shah.
Called a big-game player by Joyce prior to the final, he proved him emphatically right with a model innings for this form of the game. Shah was able to manipulate the ball into gaps with his wrists, showing his propensity for finding unlikely corners of the outfield. He then launched a memorable assault upon the off-spin of James Tredwell: one would have called it slogging, but the incredible speed with which he hit through the ball and the distance with which three consecutive deliveries sailed over the ropes showed the skill and practise that have gone into the shot. The 34-ball 75 was a superb innings that illustrated the range of skills he brings to England’s limited-overs sides. And he surely deserves more than his mere two Test caps.
As Rob Key and Joe Denly put on 89 at ten-an-over – opening with them for England would certainly be an improvement on the Bell-Wright partnership in the ODIs against New Zealand – Middlesex would have wondered whether their 187 would prove enough. But Kartik and above all Udal, with a relish for a big occasion the like of which seemed in the past when he retired last year, transformed proceedings, helped by Joyce’s run-out of Arafat. Darren Stevens and Justin Kemp took Kent to the brink, but Murtagh bowled a superb, yorker-leaden 18th over to confirm his startling progress since leaving Surrey. Even when Stevens departed, the assault continued, with two moments – Joyce’s drop off Kemp; and Malan’s awful throw gifting two runs – looking crucial as the equation became four off two balls. Henderson’s figures were 3.4-0-0-58, but the South African held his nerve to deliver two superb yorkers. A trophy, at last, was Middlesex’s.
With a richly talented side imbued with self-belief following this victory, Middlesex’s years of underachievement should be coming to an end. But they were thrashed by Worcestershire in their last CC match and remain lurking in Division Two mediocrity. Whatever their grim four-day form, Antigua, and perhaps India too, awaits.
Thursday, 24 July 2008
Twenty20 Finals Day Preview
The bookies can hardly separate the four sides and there appears to be no more than a hare's breath between them...Lef previews Twenty20 finals day.
Essex, Middlesex, Kent and Durham will make up the Finals' Day in 2008 and it's already looking like a much stronger line-up than 2007 when an off-key Lancashire, Kent with Malinga/Walker instead of Kemp/Mahmood and Gloucestershire and Sussex, who could only muster 3 wins out of 20 between them in the 2008 group stages, made up the final four.
Essex
Much has been made of "fortress Chelmsford" but Essex have been a pretty dominant one-day side over the past five years - wherever they play. Napier, Masters and the improving Chambers and Ten Doeschaete make for a functional and effective one-day bowling unit and they even have an "X-Factor" in Danish Kaneria who could really mess with a Kent side who struggle to play spin. It has been Essex's batting that has made the headlines and with Pettini, Napier, Bopara and Ten Doeschate, they have the players to put anybody to the sword. Will Napier and Co. be found out away from Chelmsford or will their momentum see them roll on to victory?
Middlesex
If it weren't for an 8-over-slog against Kent and a 6 run defeat against Hampshire, Middlesex would have a 100% record in this year's Twenty20. It's because they have a perfectly suited bowling attack with the leading wicket-taker in World Twenty20, Tyron Henderson, highly effective spin options with Kartik and Udal, and very reliable and consistent options in Murtagh, Finn and Nannes. Middlesex's batting has also more than pulled it's weight and with Owais Shah, Dawid Malan, Ed Joyce, Eoin Morgan and Billy Godleman they certainly have the players to put on big runs. Middlesex have been pretty poor in all the previous Twenty20s so there must be an element of doubt about whether they have completely turned it around or whether Saturday is the day they finally run out of steam.
Kent
The reigning champions have had a stuttering campaign but are undoubtedly a stronger side than the side that took the title in 2007. With batting down to eleven (although no.11 is very rarely needed), Kent are a side with matchwinners throughout the side. Whether's it's a fifty from Key or Denly at the top of the innings, a sparkling cameo from Kemp or Mahmood, some strangling mid-innings bowling from Stevens and Tredwell or some potent swing bowling from Yasir Arafat, Kent can never be counted out. Question marks remain over their ability to post scores over 180 and any side that can post this score against Kent will feel quietly confident, on the other hand, any side who allows Kent to post 180+ will feel very concerned.
Durham
If titles were awarded on paper then Durham would have swept the board this season. You will find more International players residing at Chester-le-Street than anywhere else in the country and Durham have a lethal combination of power-hitters, proper cricketers, all-rounders, fighters and lethal quick bowlers to unsettle any side in the world - county or International. Durham have been installed as the bookies favourites but we must remember that the same happened in the Friends Provident trophy before they were upsurped by Kent, there has also been another fault in Durham's line-up that has flown under the radar in that they are a slightly immobile fielding unit. Durham will need to use their braun, guile and experience to bully their opponents at Twenty20 Finals' Day.
Lef's tip - I tipped Durham for the FPT and I still tip them for the County Championship but at Twenty20 Finals' Day, I can see Kent prevailing in an eventual 'Champions League' match against Middlesex. Kent have so many match-winners in their line-up and have priceless experience from their win last season.
Lef's 2nd tip - Don't bet any money on this, it's too close to call!
Essex, Middlesex, Kent and Durham will make up the Finals' Day in 2008 and it's already looking like a much stronger line-up than 2007 when an off-key Lancashire, Kent with Malinga/Walker instead of Kemp/Mahmood and Gloucestershire and Sussex, who could only muster 3 wins out of 20 between them in the 2008 group stages, made up the final four.
Essex
Much has been made of "fortress Chelmsford" but Essex have been a pretty dominant one-day side over the past five years - wherever they play. Napier, Masters and the improving Chambers and Ten Doeschaete make for a functional and effective one-day bowling unit and they even have an "X-Factor" in Danish Kaneria who could really mess with a Kent side who struggle to play spin. It has been Essex's batting that has made the headlines and with Pettini, Napier, Bopara and Ten Doeschate, they have the players to put anybody to the sword. Will Napier and Co. be found out away from Chelmsford or will their momentum see them roll on to victory?
Middlesex
If it weren't for an 8-over-slog against Kent and a 6 run defeat against Hampshire, Middlesex would have a 100% record in this year's Twenty20. It's because they have a perfectly suited bowling attack with the leading wicket-taker in World Twenty20, Tyron Henderson, highly effective spin options with Kartik and Udal, and very reliable and consistent options in Murtagh, Finn and Nannes. Middlesex's batting has also more than pulled it's weight and with Owais Shah, Dawid Malan, Ed Joyce, Eoin Morgan and Billy Godleman they certainly have the players to put on big runs. Middlesex have been pretty poor in all the previous Twenty20s so there must be an element of doubt about whether they have completely turned it around or whether Saturday is the day they finally run out of steam.
Kent
The reigning champions have had a stuttering campaign but are undoubtedly a stronger side than the side that took the title in 2007. With batting down to eleven (although no.11 is very rarely needed), Kent are a side with matchwinners throughout the side. Whether's it's a fifty from Key or Denly at the top of the innings, a sparkling cameo from Kemp or Mahmood, some strangling mid-innings bowling from Stevens and Tredwell or some potent swing bowling from Yasir Arafat, Kent can never be counted out. Question marks remain over their ability to post scores over 180 and any side that can post this score against Kent will feel quietly confident, on the other hand, any side who allows Kent to post 180+ will feel very concerned.
Durham
If titles were awarded on paper then Durham would have swept the board this season. You will find more International players residing at Chester-le-Street than anywhere else in the country and Durham have a lethal combination of power-hitters, proper cricketers, all-rounders, fighters and lethal quick bowlers to unsettle any side in the world - county or International. Durham have been installed as the bookies favourites but we must remember that the same happened in the Friends Provident trophy before they were upsurped by Kent, there has also been another fault in Durham's line-up that has flown under the radar in that they are a slightly immobile fielding unit. Durham will need to use their braun, guile and experience to bully their opponents at Twenty20 Finals' Day.
Lef's tip - I tipped Durham for the FPT and I still tip them for the County Championship but at Twenty20 Finals' Day, I can see Kent prevailing in an eventual 'Champions League' match against Middlesex. Kent have so many match-winners in their line-up and have priceless experience from their win last season.
Lef's 2nd tip - Don't bet any money on this, it's too close to call!
Monday, 5 May 2008
Of Berg, Benning, Brown & Udal
My only previous match of the season having been the previous FPT fixture between the two at The Oval two weeks beforehand, and with Middlesex having won convincingly, I made my way to Lords yesterday hopeful of revenge as a Surrey supporter. Various journey delays meant I arrived around 20 minutes late but imagine my surprise when taking my seat in the Compton Stand to see that Middlesex were 9-3.
It's not the first time I've missed a raft of early wickets in a match but for this catastrophe to befall Middlesex is, as far as English cricket is concerned, rather disturbing. Let me just remind you of the Middlesex top 5: Joyce, Smith, Shah, Strauss, Morgan. These 5 players are all supposedly either of a high enough standard to have played test cricket or have the potential to do so. Yet between them they contributed 33 runs to Middlesex's grand total of 233-8 in 50 overs yesterday. It was left to Gareth Berg(65) and wicket-keeper Ben Scott (52), who was forced to briefly retire hurt midway through his innings, to steady the ship and some nudging by Vernon Philander(24) and some big hits from ex-Surrey man Tim Murtagh(35*) to give them a chance of winning the match.
In complete contrast James Benning won the match for Surrey with a superb 106 off just 84 balls with 15 fours and 2 sixes. Ally Brown, a member of the old guard, finished things off, eventually, with 40* after Usman Afzaal had played a torturous innings of 21 from 44 balls with only 1 four. Unfortunately for Middlesex Gareth Berg's bowling was not quite as good as his batting and, although still in with a shout until around the last 10 overs, the Crusaders just couldn't find the cutting edge. Shaun Udal seems to be in despair of his new team mates (having been used to greater things at Hampshire). He seemed to spend most of his time fielding at third man throwing evil looks at members of the crowd, including myself, for applauding enthusiastically when Surrey scored a run.
That Owais Shah hasn't been given his test match run yet is an injustice but if today showed anything of relevance to England it is that James Benning must be given the oppurtunity at the top of England's one day order. When he is on top form he can destroy any attack.
It's not the first time I've missed a raft of early wickets in a match but for this catastrophe to befall Middlesex is, as far as English cricket is concerned, rather disturbing. Let me just remind you of the Middlesex top 5: Joyce, Smith, Shah, Strauss, Morgan. These 5 players are all supposedly either of a high enough standard to have played test cricket or have the potential to do so. Yet between them they contributed 33 runs to Middlesex's grand total of 233-8 in 50 overs yesterday. It was left to Gareth Berg(65) and wicket-keeper Ben Scott (52), who was forced to briefly retire hurt midway through his innings, to steady the ship and some nudging by Vernon Philander(24) and some big hits from ex-Surrey man Tim Murtagh(35*) to give them a chance of winning the match.
In complete contrast James Benning won the match for Surrey with a superb 106 off just 84 balls with 15 fours and 2 sixes. Ally Brown, a member of the old guard, finished things off, eventually, with 40* after Usman Afzaal had played a torturous innings of 21 from 44 balls with only 1 four. Unfortunately for Middlesex Gareth Berg's bowling was not quite as good as his batting and, although still in with a shout until around the last 10 overs, the Crusaders just couldn't find the cutting edge. Shaun Udal seems to be in despair of his new team mates (having been used to greater things at Hampshire). He seemed to spend most of his time fielding at third man throwing evil looks at members of the crowd, including myself, for applauding enthusiastically when Surrey scored a run.
That Owais Shah hasn't been given his test match run yet is an injustice but if today showed anything of relevance to England it is that James Benning must be given the oppurtunity at the top of England's one day order. When he is on top form he can destroy any attack.
Thursday, 10 April 2008
2008 Season Preview: Middlesex
Continuing our series of county previews, here is an assessment of Middlesex's chances in 2008.
2007 in a nutshell:
Middlesex finished third in both the LVCC 2 and in the 2nd Division of the Pro40, securing promotion in the latter via victory over Northants in the ‘Play-Offs’. A positive season that lacked stand-out individual performances, the runs of Shah, as always, were crucial, while Ed Smith had a fruitful year with the bat during his first year as captain. Until the arrival of Murali Kartik, the side lacked a quality spinner, however the ageing new ball partnership of Richardson and Silverwood benefited from the wet conditions which permeated the summer’s cricket.
2008 Prospects:
Middlesex doubtless have the armoury to force their way back into the top tier of Championship cricket; the likes of Shah, Joyce, Strauss and Smith have all played international cricket, while Compton, Morgan and Godleman have all been marked out as potential internationals. The weakness lies in the bowling department, without a strike bowler or a world-class spinner, there are doubts over the team’s ability to really threaten the strongest top-orders. The evergreen David Nash and star gloveman Ben Scott will share the wicket-keeping duties and either will provide batting depth down the order.
Middlesex have never made the Twenty20 finals, nor have they made a huge impression in the Friends Provident Trophy, so it would be good to see them step up their efforts in the one-day format in order to help them gain momentum in a push for promotion.
Batting:
Owais Shah, when not carrying drinks for England, will inevitably score a stack of gloriously wristy runs. More is expected of Joyce, Morgan and Compton after mediocre 2007s, while everyone’s eyes will be peeled to see if Billy Godleman can live up to the hype surrounding the left-hander’s name. Ed Smith will be hoping he can reproduce the form he showed in all forms of the game in 2007. David Nash has made regular contributions from number 7 throughout his career, although if Ben Scott takes the gloves expect spectacular stumpings as opposed to consistent run-getting.
Bowling:
The aforementioned Richardson carries a heavy workload on tired legs, while Tim Murtagh has enjoyed more success in limited overs cricket than the longer form of the game. Steven Finn is a real talent, only young; he is freakishly tall, gaining bounce, lift and sideways movement and received several rave reviews during the recent Under 19 World Cup. Shaun Udal will need to enjoy a second wind to provide a spin option after the departure of Jamie Dalrymple, while left-arm spinner Chris Peploe has failed to make himself a permanent first team fixture.
The mid-season arrival of Murali Kartik will be of huge benefit to the balance of the attack, while it remains to be seen how new signings Vernon Philander and Dirk Nannes fair in their first years of county cricket.
Probable sides:
Championship
Godleman
Compton
Shah
Smith
Joyce
Morgan
Nash/Scott
Philander/Kartik
Murtagh
Udal/Silverwood
Richardson/Nannes
One Day and Twenty20
Smith
Compton
Shah
Joyce
Morgan
Malan
Scott
Philander
Murtagh
Udal
Nannes
Key Man:
It is difficult to look past Owais Shah, and if he impresses early season he will be, once again, knocking on the England selector’s door. After a pretty average 2007, look for Ed Joyce to rediscover the form that won him a spot at the World Cup.
Rising Star:
All the talk will be about young Godleman who recently scored a pre-season hundred against Surrey, but the real stand-out youngster is Steven Finn, who could burst onto the scene ‘a la’ James Harris and really take batsmen by surprise.
Captain and Coach:
If his writing is anything to go by, Ed Smith is clearly a pretty intelligent guy. Add to this a double first from Cambridge, all the while establishing himself as a cricketer of note and you get the idea that the guy is pretty talented. He is a shrewd captain, who has the respect of the players, and as a batsman he has the ability to really take the game away from the opposition, particularly in the shorter formats.
New coach Toby Radford is a bit of an unknown, having run the Academy for the past three years, he will be keen to promote from within and will know the likes of Finn, Williams, Godleman and Levy (all academy graduates) well. Moreover it may benefit the county to have a fresh break from John Embury and the troubles that went with his time as county coach.
2007 in a nutshell:
Middlesex finished third in both the LVCC 2 and in the 2nd Division of the Pro40, securing promotion in the latter via victory over Northants in the ‘Play-Offs’. A positive season that lacked stand-out individual performances, the runs of Shah, as always, were crucial, while Ed Smith had a fruitful year with the bat during his first year as captain. Until the arrival of Murali Kartik, the side lacked a quality spinner, however the ageing new ball partnership of Richardson and Silverwood benefited from the wet conditions which permeated the summer’s cricket.
2008 Prospects:
Middlesex doubtless have the armoury to force their way back into the top tier of Championship cricket; the likes of Shah, Joyce, Strauss and Smith have all played international cricket, while Compton, Morgan and Godleman have all been marked out as potential internationals. The weakness lies in the bowling department, without a strike bowler or a world-class spinner, there are doubts over the team’s ability to really threaten the strongest top-orders. The evergreen David Nash and star gloveman Ben Scott will share the wicket-keeping duties and either will provide batting depth down the order.
Middlesex have never made the Twenty20 finals, nor have they made a huge impression in the Friends Provident Trophy, so it would be good to see them step up their efforts in the one-day format in order to help them gain momentum in a push for promotion.
Batting:
Owais Shah, when not carrying drinks for England, will inevitably score a stack of gloriously wristy runs. More is expected of Joyce, Morgan and Compton after mediocre 2007s, while everyone’s eyes will be peeled to see if Billy Godleman can live up to the hype surrounding the left-hander’s name. Ed Smith will be hoping he can reproduce the form he showed in all forms of the game in 2007. David Nash has made regular contributions from number 7 throughout his career, although if Ben Scott takes the gloves expect spectacular stumpings as opposed to consistent run-getting.
Bowling:
The aforementioned Richardson carries a heavy workload on tired legs, while Tim Murtagh has enjoyed more success in limited overs cricket than the longer form of the game. Steven Finn is a real talent, only young; he is freakishly tall, gaining bounce, lift and sideways movement and received several rave reviews during the recent Under 19 World Cup. Shaun Udal will need to enjoy a second wind to provide a spin option after the departure of Jamie Dalrymple, while left-arm spinner Chris Peploe has failed to make himself a permanent first team fixture.
The mid-season arrival of Murali Kartik will be of huge benefit to the balance of the attack, while it remains to be seen how new signings Vernon Philander and Dirk Nannes fair in their first years of county cricket.
Probable sides:
Championship
Godleman
Compton
Shah
Smith
Joyce
Morgan
Nash/Scott
Philander/Kartik
Murtagh
Udal/Silverwood
Richardson/Nannes
One Day and Twenty20
Smith
Compton
Shah
Joyce
Morgan
Malan
Scott
Philander
Murtagh
Udal
Nannes
Key Man:
It is difficult to look past Owais Shah, and if he impresses early season he will be, once again, knocking on the England selector’s door. After a pretty average 2007, look for Ed Joyce to rediscover the form that won him a spot at the World Cup.
Rising Star:
All the talk will be about young Godleman who recently scored a pre-season hundred against Surrey, but the real stand-out youngster is Steven Finn, who could burst onto the scene ‘a la’ James Harris and really take batsmen by surprise.
Captain and Coach:
If his writing is anything to go by, Ed Smith is clearly a pretty intelligent guy. Add to this a double first from Cambridge, all the while establishing himself as a cricketer of note and you get the idea that the guy is pretty talented. He is a shrewd captain, who has the respect of the players, and as a batsman he has the ability to really take the game away from the opposition, particularly in the shorter formats.
New coach Toby Radford is a bit of an unknown, having run the Academy for the past three years, he will be keen to promote from within and will know the likes of Finn, Williams, Godleman and Levy (all academy graduates) well. Moreover it may benefit the county to have a fresh break from John Embury and the troubles that went with his time as county coach.
Saturday, 5 April 2008
The Young Pretenders 2008
We continue our brief look at the top eleven up and coming talented youngsters who will be on display in county cricket over the English summer. The qualifiers are all under the age of 23 and are looking to establish themselves in their respective county sides this season.
Billy Godleman (19) – Middlesex – Left Hand Opening Batsman
Godleman was identified as a future England player when he was just 15 years of age. He is the second youngest player to have represented Middlesex, behind his team mate and fellow young pretender, Steven Finn. He scored an unbeaten 149 against Pakistan U19’s in 2007, which is the highest innings score by an England youth player. He has a little of Andrew Strauss about him, in that he likes to play square of the wicket, especially to leg. He is also a part time leg spinner.
Tom Smith (22) – Lancashire – Right Arm Medium-Fast Bowler
Smith promised much at youth level and hasn’t had a bad start to his Lancashire career. He is an economical and accurate bowler who excels at bringing the ball back into the batsman. He is also handy with the bat and will likely make a decent number eight in the future. Furthermore, to make him a fully multi-faceted cricketer, Smith is an able slip fielder. Smith has a lot of competition for a place though, in the form of Dominic Cork, Sajid Mahmood, James Anderson, Andrew Flintoff, Glenn Chapple, Kyle Hogg and Oliver Newby.
Billy Godleman (19) – Middlesex – Left Hand Opening Batsman
Godleman was identified as a future England player when he was just 15 years of age. He is the second youngest player to have represented Middlesex, behind his team mate and fellow young pretender, Steven Finn. He scored an unbeaten 149 against Pakistan U19’s in 2007, which is the highest innings score by an England youth player. He has a little of Andrew Strauss about him, in that he likes to play square of the wicket, especially to leg. He is also a part time leg spinner.
Tom Smith (22) – Lancashire – Right Arm Medium-Fast Bowler
Smith promised much at youth level and hasn’t had a bad start to his Lancashire career. He is an economical and accurate bowler who excels at bringing the ball back into the batsman. He is also handy with the bat and will likely make a decent number eight in the future. Furthermore, to make him a fully multi-faceted cricketer, Smith is an able slip fielder. Smith has a lot of competition for a place though, in the form of Dominic Cork, Sajid Mahmood, James Anderson, Andrew Flintoff, Glenn Chapple, Kyle Hogg and Oliver Newby.
Thursday, 3 April 2008
The Young Pretenders 2008
We take a brief look at the top eleven up and coming talented youngsters who will be on display in county cricket over the English summer. The qualifiers are all under the age of 23 and are looking to establish themselves in their respective county sides this season.
Steven Finn (19) – Middlesex – Opening Right Arm Medium-Fast Bowler
Standing at an imposing 6 foot 8 inches tall, Finn is a real prospect. He debuted for Middlesex at the tender age of 16 and has taken 13 wickets in his 4 matches to date. He has been a regular for England U19’s and is looking to establish himself this year. He will have an excellent chance to do so given the release of Richard Johnson, Chad Keegan, Chris Wright and Chris Whelan. He will be vying with Tim Murtagh for the final bowling place in the County Championship side, providing of course that Chris Silverwood and Alan Richardson remain fit. Finn also plays Basketball rather unsurprisingly.
Laurie Evans (20) – Surrey – Right Hand Middle Order Batsman
Evans made his breakthrough at the end of last season and scored 365 runs in just eight first class innings, with a top score of 133 not out and an average just in excess of fifty. That is fine going indeed, but it will be interesting to see how he fares on the greener, wetter, spring time wickets. He will be given plenty of opportunities to impress this year at Surrey, with both Ricki Clarke and Azhar Mahmood having moved on and Alistair Brown, Mark Ramprakash and Mark Butcher all in the twilights of their respective careers.
Steven Finn (19) – Middlesex – Opening Right Arm Medium-Fast Bowler
Standing at an imposing 6 foot 8 inches tall, Finn is a real prospect. He debuted for Middlesex at the tender age of 16 and has taken 13 wickets in his 4 matches to date. He has been a regular for England U19’s and is looking to establish himself this year. He will have an excellent chance to do so given the release of Richard Johnson, Chad Keegan, Chris Wright and Chris Whelan. He will be vying with Tim Murtagh for the final bowling place in the County Championship side, providing of course that Chris Silverwood and Alan Richardson remain fit. Finn also plays Basketball rather unsurprisingly.
Laurie Evans (20) – Surrey – Right Hand Middle Order Batsman
Evans made his breakthrough at the end of last season and scored 365 runs in just eight first class innings, with a top score of 133 not out and an average just in excess of fifty. That is fine going indeed, but it will be interesting to see how he fares on the greener, wetter, spring time wickets. He will be given plenty of opportunities to impress this year at Surrey, with both Ricki Clarke and Azhar Mahmood having moved on and Alistair Brown, Mark Ramprakash and Mark Butcher all in the twilights of their respective careers.
Wednesday, 2 April 2008
Mystic Richard’s 2008 Predictions – Division 2
Yes I know I said that Hampshire would win Division 1, Kent would be relegated and Essex would go up last season. However, that doesn’t stop me from having another go this season. Division 1 will follow, with the predictions in reverse order.
9 Gloucestershire
Finished 7th last season and with little movement in or out, it’s difficult not to see them going backwards. Marcus North and Steve Kirby look to be their main players with bat and ball and they will be looking for success in the shorter versions of the game.
8 Leicestershire
Stuart Broad won’t be a huge loss to the Foxes as he is likely to spent the season with England rather than in county cricket. However, there is very little in the way of home grown talent and journeyman Kolpaks aplenty.
7 Northamptonshire
Another team looking to rely heavily on Kolpaks, although the ICL seems to have put paid to some of these. Another season of mediocrity beckons.
6 Glamorgan
Bottom of the pile last season, but they seem to have recruited well, with Matt Wood and Jamie Dalrymple talented players looking to kickstart their careers. Add to that the emerging talent coming out of Wales then they seem to be turning the corner. Neutrals will be hoping that this is the case as they seem to be doing a lot more to develop their homegrown talent than the Kolpakshire counties of Northants and Leicester.
5 Worcestershire
Relegated by quite some distance last season, regardless of the problems that the club had with the flooding of the New Road pitch. The signing of Simon Jones is interesting and all England fans will hope that it marks his rehabilitation. With Graeme Hick, Vikram Solanki and Ben Smith, they shouldn’t be short of runs, while Kabir Ali and Fidel Edwards should take wickets. Likely to be one of five teams challenging for promotion, but will come up short.
4 Derbyshire
An interesting off season for Derbyshire, with Rikki Clarke and Nayan Doshi both coming from Surrey and both in the last chance saloon for their respective careers. Mahela Jayawardene should score bucketloads of runs while the underrated bowling attack of Tom Lungley and Graham Wagg will take the wickets to see them in the hunt this season.
3 Warwickshire
An end of season capitulation and a resurgent Surrey saw the Bears relegated and their new recruits on the pitch don’t stir the blood as much as the off field team of Ashley Giles and Allan Donald. A season of rebuilding beckons, particularly as Tim Ambrose and Ian Bell are unlikely to be at Edgbaston much during the summer. Jon Trott and Jim Troughton will score enough runs to make them competitive. However, they will struggle to bowl teams out, even in Division 2.
2 Essex
Surely this has to be the season they go up. Ravi Bopara and James Foster will need big seasons to get them back into the international reckoning, while in Danesh Kaneria they have arguably the most dangerous bowler in the Division. The seam attack looks light, but the recruitment of David Masters looks shrewd.
1 Middlesex
The two teams promoted last season were two of the best seen in Division 2 for a while. Middlesex chased them all the way and should see their efforts better rewarded this season. Ed Joyce, Ed Smith and particularly Owais Shah form the best batting line up in the division, while they will also be looking for Billy Godleman to kick on after a promising first season. The pace attack is reliant on the veterans Chris Silverwood and Alan Richardson with Tim Murtagh giving support, although the highly rated Steve Finn will be looking to play a full season and could be a revelation. Murali Kartik and Shaun Udal provide the spin option and this team is far too good for Division 2.
9 Gloucestershire
Finished 7th last season and with little movement in or out, it’s difficult not to see them going backwards. Marcus North and Steve Kirby look to be their main players with bat and ball and they will be looking for success in the shorter versions of the game.
8 Leicestershire
Stuart Broad won’t be a huge loss to the Foxes as he is likely to spent the season with England rather than in county cricket. However, there is very little in the way of home grown talent and journeyman Kolpaks aplenty.
7 Northamptonshire
Another team looking to rely heavily on Kolpaks, although the ICL seems to have put paid to some of these. Another season of mediocrity beckons.
6 Glamorgan
Bottom of the pile last season, but they seem to have recruited well, with Matt Wood and Jamie Dalrymple talented players looking to kickstart their careers. Add to that the emerging talent coming out of Wales then they seem to be turning the corner. Neutrals will be hoping that this is the case as they seem to be doing a lot more to develop their homegrown talent than the Kolpakshire counties of Northants and Leicester.
5 Worcestershire
Relegated by quite some distance last season, regardless of the problems that the club had with the flooding of the New Road pitch. The signing of Simon Jones is interesting and all England fans will hope that it marks his rehabilitation. With Graeme Hick, Vikram Solanki and Ben Smith, they shouldn’t be short of runs, while Kabir Ali and Fidel Edwards should take wickets. Likely to be one of five teams challenging for promotion, but will come up short.
4 Derbyshire
An interesting off season for Derbyshire, with Rikki Clarke and Nayan Doshi both coming from Surrey and both in the last chance saloon for their respective careers. Mahela Jayawardene should score bucketloads of runs while the underrated bowling attack of Tom Lungley and Graham Wagg will take the wickets to see them in the hunt this season.
3 Warwickshire
An end of season capitulation and a resurgent Surrey saw the Bears relegated and their new recruits on the pitch don’t stir the blood as much as the off field team of Ashley Giles and Allan Donald. A season of rebuilding beckons, particularly as Tim Ambrose and Ian Bell are unlikely to be at Edgbaston much during the summer. Jon Trott and Jim Troughton will score enough runs to make them competitive. However, they will struggle to bowl teams out, even in Division 2.
2 Essex
Surely this has to be the season they go up. Ravi Bopara and James Foster will need big seasons to get them back into the international reckoning, while in Danesh Kaneria they have arguably the most dangerous bowler in the Division. The seam attack looks light, but the recruitment of David Masters looks shrewd.
1 Middlesex
The two teams promoted last season were two of the best seen in Division 2 for a while. Middlesex chased them all the way and should see their efforts better rewarded this season. Ed Joyce, Ed Smith and particularly Owais Shah form the best batting line up in the division, while they will also be looking for Billy Godleman to kick on after a promising first season. The pace attack is reliant on the veterans Chris Silverwood and Alan Richardson with Tim Murtagh giving support, although the highly rated Steve Finn will be looking to play a full season and could be a revelation. Murali Kartik and Shaun Udal provide the spin option and this team is far too good for Division 2.
Monday, 25 June 2007
Mystic Richard’s Half Term review – part 2
Having looked at the teams at the lower reaches of Division 2, it’s time to look at the four teams challenging for promotion, and the two teams that are likely to replace them in the 2nd tier
Div 2
Somerset
I predicted 4th and in the promotion mix. They’re currently top and looking good. Batting at Taunton has been a dream this season and seven players have scored tons. Marcus Trescothick, Justin Langer, James Hildreth and Cameron White all have over 700 runs so far this season with Langer’s highest score of 315 being more than any Glamorgan player has managed in total this term. As impressive has been the bowling attack of Andrew Caddick (39 wickets), Charl Willoughby (29) and Peter Trego (21) all at an average of 30 or less. It looked as if the Taunton wicket would prevent too enough home victories but big wins in their last two matches have taken them to the top and they will be difficult to dislodge.
Nottinghamshire
I predicted top and they’re one and half points behind in second, having recently gone off the boil with a loss to Glamorgan and being unable to force a win in a day and a half against Derby. On the batting front David Hussey, Jason Gallian and Mark Wagh all have more than 500 runs, while Samit Patel and Chris Read are both averaging over 50 as well. The bowling has been weakened by Ryan Sidebottom’s England call up, but Charlie Schrek (36 wickets at 24), Mark Ealham (25 at 24), Graeme Swann (24 at 30) and Paul Franks (23 at 30) are a well balanced and effective bowling attack. With Stephen Fleming still to come good this season, it should be a battle royale between the top two.
Essex
I predicted 2nd and they’re currently 3rd and 19 points behind the top two. Ronnie Irani tops the batting averages, but his retirement will hit the team hard, as did the loss of Andy Flower to England. None of the top six in the batting averages have played every game for Essex this season. Ravi Bopara tops the batting aggregate with 496 runs and Essex must be hoping that his injury isn’t serious enough to keep him out of the 2nd half of the season if they are to challenge. They must also hope for more from their opening pair of Mark Bettini and Vanush Chopra who haven’t score a hundred between them. Danesh Kaneria leads the bowling figures by a mile with 47 wickets at 25 and Essex should expect more from their overseas pair of Andre Nel and Andy Bichel. The loss of Irani may just be too much for them to cope with and their challenge could fall just short again.
Middlesex
I predicted 3rd and they are 4th having played a game less than the top three. Owais Shah, following his disappointing England performance, is making up for it in the Championship, along with the highly promising Ben Godleman, who is pushing for an academy place come the winter break. More disappointing have been Ed Joyce and Nick Compton who will both be looking for an improvement in the second half of the season. Bowling wise, Alan Richardson has 26 wickets at just 18, while Chris Silverwood has 23 and 21, meaning that Chaminda Vaas hasn’t been missed while injured and then on International duty. 35 points behind 2nd is a lot to make up, even with a game in hand, but they will be there or thereabouts come September.
Div 1
Surrey
I predicted 5th, higher if Mark Ramprakash continued his form, but thought they would have difficulty taking wickets. Well the last part of that was correct at least. Currently 8th and 24 points behind Kent, they are still win-less, despite the best efforts of Ramprakash who has nearly a thousand runs already this season, averaging over 100. Jon Batty has also had a profitable season, but their problem isn’t scoring runs. Nadeem Doshi is the leading wicket taker with 13 at over 50. Mo Akram tops the bowling averages at nearly 40 runs per wicket. If they can’t bowl a team out twice then they will go down and unless they find some young wicket takers, they may struggle to come back up again.
Worcestershire
I predicted 9th and that is where they are. Graeme Hick and Vikram Solanki have both scored over 500 runs, but no-one is averaging over 50 and there is little contribution from lower in the order. The bowling is heavily reliant on Kabir Ali (26 wickets) and Gareth Batty (19). There has also been little contribution from the overseas players, particularly Doug Bollinger who is averaging 50+ with the ball and 6 with the bat. Very close to their first win against fellow strugglers Surrey, they do at least look as if they could surprise someone, and I’d fancy them to finish above Surrey by the end of the season.
Div 2
Somerset
I predicted 4th and in the promotion mix. They’re currently top and looking good. Batting at Taunton has been a dream this season and seven players have scored tons. Marcus Trescothick, Justin Langer, James Hildreth and Cameron White all have over 700 runs so far this season with Langer’s highest score of 315 being more than any Glamorgan player has managed in total this term. As impressive has been the bowling attack of Andrew Caddick (39 wickets), Charl Willoughby (29) and Peter Trego (21) all at an average of 30 or less. It looked as if the Taunton wicket would prevent too enough home victories but big wins in their last two matches have taken them to the top and they will be difficult to dislodge.
Nottinghamshire
I predicted top and they’re one and half points behind in second, having recently gone off the boil with a loss to Glamorgan and being unable to force a win in a day and a half against Derby. On the batting front David Hussey, Jason Gallian and Mark Wagh all have more than 500 runs, while Samit Patel and Chris Read are both averaging over 50 as well. The bowling has been weakened by Ryan Sidebottom’s England call up, but Charlie Schrek (36 wickets at 24), Mark Ealham (25 at 24), Graeme Swann (24 at 30) and Paul Franks (23 at 30) are a well balanced and effective bowling attack. With Stephen Fleming still to come good this season, it should be a battle royale between the top two.
Essex
I predicted 2nd and they’re currently 3rd and 19 points behind the top two. Ronnie Irani tops the batting averages, but his retirement will hit the team hard, as did the loss of Andy Flower to England. None of the top six in the batting averages have played every game for Essex this season. Ravi Bopara tops the batting aggregate with 496 runs and Essex must be hoping that his injury isn’t serious enough to keep him out of the 2nd half of the season if they are to challenge. They must also hope for more from their opening pair of Mark Bettini and Vanush Chopra who haven’t score a hundred between them. Danesh Kaneria leads the bowling figures by a mile with 47 wickets at 25 and Essex should expect more from their overseas pair of Andre Nel and Andy Bichel. The loss of Irani may just be too much for them to cope with and their challenge could fall just short again.
Middlesex
I predicted 3rd and they are 4th having played a game less than the top three. Owais Shah, following his disappointing England performance, is making up for it in the Championship, along with the highly promising Ben Godleman, who is pushing for an academy place come the winter break. More disappointing have been Ed Joyce and Nick Compton who will both be looking for an improvement in the second half of the season. Bowling wise, Alan Richardson has 26 wickets at just 18, while Chris Silverwood has 23 and 21, meaning that Chaminda Vaas hasn’t been missed while injured and then on International duty. 35 points behind 2nd is a lot to make up, even with a game in hand, but they will be there or thereabouts come September.
Div 1
Surrey
I predicted 5th, higher if Mark Ramprakash continued his form, but thought they would have difficulty taking wickets. Well the last part of that was correct at least. Currently 8th and 24 points behind Kent, they are still win-less, despite the best efforts of Ramprakash who has nearly a thousand runs already this season, averaging over 100. Jon Batty has also had a profitable season, but their problem isn’t scoring runs. Nadeem Doshi is the leading wicket taker with 13 at over 50. Mo Akram tops the bowling averages at nearly 40 runs per wicket. If they can’t bowl a team out twice then they will go down and unless they find some young wicket takers, they may struggle to come back up again.
Worcestershire
I predicted 9th and that is where they are. Graeme Hick and Vikram Solanki have both scored over 500 runs, but no-one is averaging over 50 and there is little contribution from lower in the order. The bowling is heavily reliant on Kabir Ali (26 wickets) and Gareth Batty (19). There has also been little contribution from the overseas players, particularly Doug Bollinger who is averaging 50+ with the ball and 6 with the bat. Very close to their first win against fellow strugglers Surrey, they do at least look as if they could surprise someone, and I’d fancy them to finish above Surrey by the end of the season.
Tuesday, 17 April 2007
Mystic Richard’s Division 2 Predictions
The curtain has been raised, Ali Cook has shown Essex what they’re going to miss this season and flush from my successful predictions for the World Cup, I’m putting my neck on the line for the County Championship. Division1 to follow, but here, in reverse order, is my prediction for Div 2.
9 Derbyshire
Mike Di Venuto was their only player to top a thousand runs last season, and he’s not coming back. There is an enormous responsibility on the shoulders of the three Aussies Ian Harvey, Simon Katich and Travis Birt to carry a weak batting line up. The bowling also looks poor with last season’s leading wicket taker, Stefan Jones, also having left. Graeme Welch will have a lot of bowling to do, but the progression of Wayne White and Boyd Rankin should also be watched with an eye on the future. Anything better than bottom should be seen as success.
8 Leicestershire
The loss of Darren Maddy will be difficult to get over, with HD Ackerman and Darren Robinson now heavily relied upon for runs. Jeremy Snape and Paul Nixon will add experience and grit to the middle order, but the bowling looks light, especially if Stuart Broad ends up playing for England for most of the summer. They did well to contend for promotion last season. This season will be a struggle.
7 Glamorgan
A season of change for Glamorgan approaches, not least with the new Sophia Gardens being built. On the pitch, rebuilding is also required and like Leicestershire, they should lose their main strike bowler, Simon Jones, to England for most of the season (if fit). Their bowling will be reliant on David Harrison and the evergreen Robert Croft. Their batting line up looks much stronger, with David Hemp, Jimmy Maher and Michael Powell all capable of big runs. However, it’s the performances of youngsters such as Ben Wright and Huw Waters that will determine the how the future will pan out.
6 Gloucestershire
The loss of Ian Harvey will be a short term blow, particularly in the One Day games, but in Hamish Marshall, Alex Gidman and Craig Spearman, Gloucester have three proven run getters to go with the all round ability of Kadeer Ali and Steve Adshead. On the bowling front, Jon Lewis will be the key man again, with the erratic Steve Kirby in support. Michael Ball’s retirement reduces the slow bowling options somewhat and they need Ian Fisher to contribute more than the meagre ten wickets he managed last season.
5 Northamptonshire
A big turn around last season with David Capel taking over from Kepler Wessels in mid season and should carry on the progression this year. A strong batting line up, with skipper David Sales, Chris Rogers, Usman Afzaal and Lance Klusner all likely to get over a thousand runs. This will also be bolstered by the signing of the Irish wicketkeeper, Niall O’Brien. Top of the bowling averages last year was Monty Panesar, but he won’t be seen much in Northampton this season. “Replacing” him is new signing Richard Dawson who will be looking to recapture the form that got him an England call up. Overall the bowling looks the weak suit, but Northants are an improving team.
4 Somerset
Bottom last year, with only Cameron White scoring over a thousand runs. This year, they will be bolstered by Justin Langer, who scored a triple hundred in one of his two games last season, and Marcus Trescothick, who will surely not be recalled in to the test team without a great deal more cricket under his belt. On the bowling side they look very strong, with the signing of Stefan Jones adding to Charll Willoughby and Andy Caddick meaning that Richard Johnson shouldn’t be missed. The top four in the division will be tight and Somerset will be challenging for promotion.
3 Middlesex
Relegated last season after falling away at the end of the summer, their bowling was hugely reliant on the previously injury prone Chris Silverwood. The return of Richard Johnson and the signing of Chaminda Vaas should take some of the pressure off Silverwood and allow the impressive batting line up to make a challenge for promotion. Andrew Strauss won’t be seen much, but Nick Compton, Ben Smith, Owais Shah and Ed Joyce will all be pushing for international recognition, as will Jamie Dalrymple as England’s second spinner.
2 Essex
On the plus side, the World Cup and the mid season ODI break means that Ali Cook will play a bit more for his county this season. However, that will be at the expense of Ravi Bopara, who has been one of the plusses for England over the winter. The loss of Darren Gough will be a blow to Essex, but with seven players getting more than 20 championship wickets last season and Andre Nel and Danesh Kaneria coming in, bowling teams out shouldn’t be a problem. Likewise, with the Flower brothers, Ronnie Irani and the hugely promising Varun Choppra and Mark Pettini and World Cup star Ryan Ten Doeschate, runs should be plentiful. It’s also a big season for James Foster, with a prospective new England coach to impress. Just short last year – they should go up this year.
1 Nottinghamshire
Champions one year relegated the next. By half a point. They should go back up comfortably as champions this year with David Hussey and Stephen Fleming scoring heavily. A return to form by Jason Gallian would also be welcome although The signing of the highly rated Will Jefferson and Bilal Shafayat will add good support. On the bowling front, they have a balanced attack, led by Ryan Sidebottom and Charlie Shreck, with the evergreen Mark Ealham and Andy Harris and spin from Graeme Swann. Like Foster at Essex, Chris Read may have another England coach to try to impress, and should spend more of the season with England than Notts.
9 Derbyshire
Mike Di Venuto was their only player to top a thousand runs last season, and he’s not coming back. There is an enormous responsibility on the shoulders of the three Aussies Ian Harvey, Simon Katich and Travis Birt to carry a weak batting line up. The bowling also looks poor with last season’s leading wicket taker, Stefan Jones, also having left. Graeme Welch will have a lot of bowling to do, but the progression of Wayne White and Boyd Rankin should also be watched with an eye on the future. Anything better than bottom should be seen as success.
8 Leicestershire
The loss of Darren Maddy will be difficult to get over, with HD Ackerman and Darren Robinson now heavily relied upon for runs. Jeremy Snape and Paul Nixon will add experience and grit to the middle order, but the bowling looks light, especially if Stuart Broad ends up playing for England for most of the summer. They did well to contend for promotion last season. This season will be a struggle.
7 Glamorgan
A season of change for Glamorgan approaches, not least with the new Sophia Gardens being built. On the pitch, rebuilding is also required and like Leicestershire, they should lose their main strike bowler, Simon Jones, to England for most of the season (if fit). Their bowling will be reliant on David Harrison and the evergreen Robert Croft. Their batting line up looks much stronger, with David Hemp, Jimmy Maher and Michael Powell all capable of big runs. However, it’s the performances of youngsters such as Ben Wright and Huw Waters that will determine the how the future will pan out.
6 Gloucestershire
The loss of Ian Harvey will be a short term blow, particularly in the One Day games, but in Hamish Marshall, Alex Gidman and Craig Spearman, Gloucester have three proven run getters to go with the all round ability of Kadeer Ali and Steve Adshead. On the bowling front, Jon Lewis will be the key man again, with the erratic Steve Kirby in support. Michael Ball’s retirement reduces the slow bowling options somewhat and they need Ian Fisher to contribute more than the meagre ten wickets he managed last season.
5 Northamptonshire
A big turn around last season with David Capel taking over from Kepler Wessels in mid season and should carry on the progression this year. A strong batting line up, with skipper David Sales, Chris Rogers, Usman Afzaal and Lance Klusner all likely to get over a thousand runs. This will also be bolstered by the signing of the Irish wicketkeeper, Niall O’Brien. Top of the bowling averages last year was Monty Panesar, but he won’t be seen much in Northampton this season. “Replacing” him is new signing Richard Dawson who will be looking to recapture the form that got him an England call up. Overall the bowling looks the weak suit, but Northants are an improving team.
4 Somerset
Bottom last year, with only Cameron White scoring over a thousand runs. This year, they will be bolstered by Justin Langer, who scored a triple hundred in one of his two games last season, and Marcus Trescothick, who will surely not be recalled in to the test team without a great deal more cricket under his belt. On the bowling side they look very strong, with the signing of Stefan Jones adding to Charll Willoughby and Andy Caddick meaning that Richard Johnson shouldn’t be missed. The top four in the division will be tight and Somerset will be challenging for promotion.
3 Middlesex
Relegated last season after falling away at the end of the summer, their bowling was hugely reliant on the previously injury prone Chris Silverwood. The return of Richard Johnson and the signing of Chaminda Vaas should take some of the pressure off Silverwood and allow the impressive batting line up to make a challenge for promotion. Andrew Strauss won’t be seen much, but Nick Compton, Ben Smith, Owais Shah and Ed Joyce will all be pushing for international recognition, as will Jamie Dalrymple as England’s second spinner.
2 Essex
On the plus side, the World Cup and the mid season ODI break means that Ali Cook will play a bit more for his county this season. However, that will be at the expense of Ravi Bopara, who has been one of the plusses for England over the winter. The loss of Darren Gough will be a blow to Essex, but with seven players getting more than 20 championship wickets last season and Andre Nel and Danesh Kaneria coming in, bowling teams out shouldn’t be a problem. Likewise, with the Flower brothers, Ronnie Irani and the hugely promising Varun Choppra and Mark Pettini and World Cup star Ryan Ten Doeschate, runs should be plentiful. It’s also a big season for James Foster, with a prospective new England coach to impress. Just short last year – they should go up this year.
1 Nottinghamshire
Champions one year relegated the next. By half a point. They should go back up comfortably as champions this year with David Hussey and Stephen Fleming scoring heavily. A return to form by Jason Gallian would also be welcome although The signing of the highly rated Will Jefferson and Bilal Shafayat will add good support. On the bowling front, they have a balanced attack, led by Ryan Sidebottom and Charlie Shreck, with the evergreen Mark Ealham and Andy Harris and spin from Graeme Swann. Like Foster at Essex, Chris Read may have another England coach to try to impress, and should spend more of the season with England than Notts.
Friday, 13 April 2007
Ed Smith
As the 2007 county season approaches, we will be compiling a list of six men to watch; not necessarily the finest players, but those with particularly significant and interesting seasons ahead.
Ed Smith (Middlesex)
Ed Smith has had only brief experience leading in county cricket before; in 2004, he filled in while Kent skipper David Fulton was injured. But his relationship with Andrew Symonds was so fractious that the Australian refused to take orders from Smith. It was little surprise when Smith left for Middlesex at the end of the season.
Since joining, Smith’s form has been steady, though he has not been helped by being used both in the middle order and as an opener. But his weight of runs has been nowhere near that of 2003, when he was the first batsman to score 1000 runs and earned his only three England caps.
At 29, Smith, the owner of a punchy and attractive off-drive, knows time is running out on an international recall. But he claims he has more pressing concerns: leading a hugely talented Middlesex side, which he has just been opened captain of, back to the First Division.
Smith will be certainly taken out of his bubble, which may move his game onto the next level. He must use his analytical mind to achieve similar results to another intellectual – Mike Brearley, who lead Middlesex with great success for 11 seasons. He says he shall be an attacking captain who, similar to Michael Vaughan, encourages players to express themselves. If all goes well then – who knows? – Smith may even be considered a potential national skipper when Vaughan retires.
See Tim de Lisle's piece: From reading to leading
This is particularly interesting:
Ed Smith (Middlesex)
Ed Smith has had only brief experience leading in county cricket before; in 2004, he filled in while Kent skipper David Fulton was injured. But his relationship with Andrew Symonds was so fractious that the Australian refused to take orders from Smith. It was little surprise when Smith left for Middlesex at the end of the season.
Since joining, Smith’s form has been steady, though he has not been helped by being used both in the middle order and as an opener. But his weight of runs has been nowhere near that of 2003, when he was the first batsman to score 1000 runs and earned his only three England caps.
At 29, Smith, the owner of a punchy and attractive off-drive, knows time is running out on an international recall. But he claims he has more pressing concerns: leading a hugely talented Middlesex side, which he has just been opened captain of, back to the First Division.
Smith will be certainly taken out of his bubble, which may move his game onto the next level. He must use his analytical mind to achieve similar results to another intellectual – Mike Brearley, who lead Middlesex with great success for 11 seasons. He says he shall be an attacking captain who, similar to Michael Vaughan, encourages players to express themselves. If all goes well then – who knows? – Smith may even be considered a potential national skipper when Vaughan retires.
See Tim de Lisle's piece: From reading to leading
This is particularly interesting:
My hunch is that Smith will resurface, as Nasser Hussain did, twice, after three-year spells in the cold. Part of England's undoing in Australia was that they banked on youth in the absence of Michael Vaughan and Marcus Trescothick; they could do with a Mike Hussey or two. And captaincy, which can take a man out of himself and also give him more prominence, could be the catalyst.
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