Division 3 FC Discussion Thread

[chaminda_00]

Teams

Guyana
Karachi
Mashonaland
Mumbai
Queensland
Surrey
Tasmania
Victoria

Here is the place to discuss season preview, mid season reports, season reviews, player signings, media releases, match previews, team announcements and match reports. Basically everything and anything to do with Division 3 FC.

Discuss

 

[chaminda_00]

Alright before i do season previews i just want to see what managers goals are for this season. Are they looking for promotion, maintaining their spot in the division or just a rebuilding year.

Fire away

 

[Umpire Money]

Mumbai are definitly looking for promotion after a good draft I think we have good enough players and some decent bowlers now and I think anything other than a promotion is a failed season.

 

[chaminda_00]

Guyana – Predicated finish 4th

Guyana has always been seen as underperforming side that capable of playing in the top divisions. A side that’s always been seen as somewhat of an underachiever. In the last two seasons manager Kyle Wright has been looking to change the side from one with a bunch of superstars but little depth to a better rounded side. Based on the model that former Karachi manager Dave Kearsley used to great success.

Will this be the key to greater success for Guyana. The key to the evolution of the Guyana is that they have kept their main players in Jenkins, e-Akbar and Satti and added similar players around them.

Their superior depth should play a major in keeping them in a lot of matches this season. But the key to their chances of winning the championship will be the strike power of e-Akbar and co with the ball. Guyana does have a good variety and depth in their bowling attack, but in comparison to other sides in D3, they lack out and out strike bowlers such as Harwood and Curgenven.

Overall the depth and in particular batting depth should keep them in most matches. But they loss the odd match too often due to a lack strike bowler to win matches from no where. They are a side that will need to grind out victories. Expect them to be higher mid table and fighting for a promotion spot.

Key player: F e-Akbar

More to come...

 

[chaminda_00]

Karachi – Predicated finish 6th

Karachi a side that once seen as the next big thing in WCC. But after a change of management they struggled to maintain their push up the WCC ladder and now find themselves back in D3.

The strength of their previous was depth across the board. This however is a lot different to previous sides with the strength their potential match winners with the ball. In players like Phil Leigh and Oliver Malone they have a couple bowlers who could not only win them matches, but a championship.The weakness however is the limited matches their bowling attack has played. They go into this season with 4-6 relatively inexperienced bowlers, who will be required to perform at a consistent level if they are a chance at the title.

But if you look deeper into this Karachi side they are expected to play 2-3 all rounders in the bowling attack. This means they do have quite a weak batting line up once you get past the top 5. With the strength of some the bowling attacks in D3, this lack of depth is likely to be exploited pretty significantly.

Karachi are side if things click and top 5 stands up and their bowling does click, they could really be pushing not only for a top 3 spot but for a championship. But they do need a lot of things to go their way if they are going to stay in the race for duration of the long season. Expect then to put together some big performances, but fall away when matches are there to be won. This season likely to be a rebuilding season for Karachi, but they could cause some upsets.

Key Player: P Leigh

 

[chaminda_00]

Mashonaland – Predicated finish 3rd

Could this season be the coming of age of talent bunch of players from Zimbabwe? A side that came into last season expected to take all before then in Division Three. But due to the inexperience of their players they did struggle to stay with the top sides for the whole season. With a season behind this talent bunch can they take their game to another level.

Once again they start this season as one of the favourites with a side that has good depth in batting and bowling. Their batting line up will be lead by the talented Ryan ten Doeschate, known around these parts as RTD. The Mash boys will require a big season from their star signing. But unlike a player such as Richard Levi from Mumbai, RTD has a lot more support in Lewis, Mullick and Bhatia. This support should be significant in their push for D3 title.

Their bowling attack is probably going to make or break their season. In Joshi they have a potential superstar spinner and they have good support in Prasad and Matthie. But the key will be the performance of all rounders Burke and Qulton. If these two can provide decent support they could have bowling attack to be reckoned with. But if they fail to deliver like Qulton did last season, it could be a weak the top sides could target.

Mash would be expected to be there and there about all season. But the will require some top performances from some of their lesser players during the season in particular all rounders Qulton and Burke. The balance and depth these two provide to the side will probably make a massive difference in a lot of matches. The performances of these two will keep them in many games. But it will be up to the likes of RTD and Joshi to win it for Mash from there.

Key Player: Q Qulton

 

[bugssy]

some good predictions there mate. how many of these are u going to do

 

[chaminda_00]

Mumbai – Predicated finish 8th

Mumbai have always been seen as one of the lesser sides in WCC, a team that over the years have struggled with consistent management. They go into this season however under the management of one of the most experienced managers in WCC in Jason Pike, who will be entering his 2nd season with the club.

Last was pretty disappointing for the club finish last and only winning one match. There was some significant weakness in the Mumbai squad that Pike has looked to improve on. The most significant improvement has been in the bowling attack with Withe and Cassell, Tamhane signed up to support Nazir and Tait. A lack of depth in bowling was the major concern area for Mumbai last season.

In the past Mumbai’s batting line up has relied heavy on Sachin Tendulkar to score majority of their runs. Mumbai really struggled to replace Tendulkar last season, but this season they feel they found a replacement in Richard Levi, a young South African batsman.

Will these additions to the Mumbai squad improve their performances this season, most likely yes. But the problem for Mumbai is that their squad is still fair way behind majority of sides in D3. The real weakness for them is their lack of depth in batting with bowling all rounder Imran Tamhane expected to bat at 6. They will need a lot of runs from their top order if they are going to stay competitive this season. Their bowling attack is stronger but in comparison to other sides is still a fair way off. This season won’t seem as long as last season, as they should be more competitive. But isn’t going to take some top performances from some players if they are going to push for promotion.

Key Player – I Tamhane

 

[chaminda_00]

some good predictions there mate. how many of these are u going to do

I'll finish D3 FC tonight and start D2 FC. D1 FC over the next a couple days. One Day will be next week.

 

[chaminda_00]

Queensland – Predicated finish 2nd

It was only two season ago that Queensland were in Division One in First Class cricket. But after a poor season where they came second last, new appointed manager at the time Gaurav Nayak decided to change the focus of the club into a more One Day oriented team.

Last season they had a fairly poor season in First Class cricket, but they did find a superstar in Ahmed Wascoroni. The young Bangladeshi spinner took WCC by surprise to carry Queensland to some upset wins. These wins allow them to finish mid table and gain some credibility in First Class cricket.

Going into this season Queensland have made some significant improvements to their side, in particular in their bowling attack. Rahul Curgenven, remember this name, mark my words this young Indian seamers will be the next big thing in WCC, well in First Class cricket at least. He does look like he may struggle in the shorter version of the game.

Along with Gary Newlands and Wascoroni Queensland have one of the strongest, if not the strongest bowling attack in D3. With the likes of Sudesh, Goodwin and Jones to support they also have the depth to worry most batting line ups. But the key will be Curgenven, who is expected to win many matches on the back of his own performances.

The major weak area to their side is the batting line, which is probably one the weakest on D3. They may lose the odd game during the season on the back of their batsmen not scoring enough runs. But if there batting line up does step up they will be hard to beat for title with Curgenven ripping through batting line up like no tomorrow.

Key Player: R Curgenven

 

[NZTailender]

Mumbai – Predicated finish 8th

Mumbai have always been seen as one of the lesser sides in WCC, a team that over the years have struggled with consistent management.
[/I]

Not quite. Mumbai has traditionally been one of the better sides until around season 5/6.

 

[chaminda_00]

Surrey – Predicated finish 7th

Like Queensland it was only two seasons ago Surrey where at the top of FC cricket in Division One. Since then they fallen a long way in FC cricket. Last season they looked to put greater importance on OD cricket, which resulted in coming dead last in Division. Now it must be time to work on the Surrey FC side and get back into the higher divisions, where they sat for a long time under long term manager Marc Robbins.

Going into this season Surrey look like they have pretty handy batting line up. This batting line along with their batter friendly pitch should keep them in a lot matches during the season. But the key for them is whether they can bowl sides out. Looking at their bowling attack they seem to have weakest bowling attack in D3. The lack wickets and match winning bowler may see them struggle to maintain a push for promotion.

Surrey is expected to be around the middle of the league and shouldn’t be too far of a promotion spot. But unless they can find a match winning bowler, they may struggle to finish of games. There batting has got depth, but it does lack a top quality batsmen to combat some top line bowlers in D3, which also might count against them this season. A season for rebuilding for Surrey, seems the most likely scenario.

Key Player: K Raza

 

[chaminda_00]

Not quite. Mumbai has traditionally been one of the better sides until around season 5/6.

Don't let the facts get in the way of a good story.

 

[chaminda_00]

Tasmania – Predicted finish 1st

The boys from the tear drop state of Australia, a team that has been developing slowly for the last couple seasons. Last season they were probably the strongest side for large parts of the season in D3 FC. But what they lack was depth in certain areas and genuine super star. They lost a few games last season, that they probably shouldn’t have lost, or had some games taken away from then due some crazy performances.

The turning point in the development of this side was the sale of their own local junior U Samuels to TN. That sale brought the club some much need depth that they could work on, but also meant they lost their match winner. Since that sale Tasmania have been working on develop a good all round side, which has depth now in both batting and bowling.

The biggest signing for Tasmania in the off season and one that has the potential to take their game to another level is Nathan Murray. The young South African all rounder provides them superstar batsmen they needed for a couple seasons. But also allows them to have significant depth bowling. With fellow all rounder Joginder Sharma, Tasmania can now bat down to 8 but also have five quality bowling options to call on. This balance in their side is what makes Tasmania the favourite for the title.

Key Player: N Murray

 

[Mister Wright]

Guyana – Predicated finish 4th

Guyana has always been seen as underperforming side that capable of playing in the top divisions. A side that’s always been seen as somewhat of an underachiever. In the last two seasons manager Kyle Wright has been looking to change the side from one with a bunch of superstars but little depth to a better rounded side. Based on the model that former Karachi manager Dave Kearsley used to great success.

Will this be the key to greater success for Guyana. The key to the evolution of the Guyana is that they have kept their main players in Jenkins, e-Akbar and Satti and added similar players around them.

Their superior depth should play a major in keeping them in a lot of matches this season. But the key to their chances of winning the championship will be the strike power of e-Akbar and co with the ball. Guyana does have a good variety and depth in their bowling attack, but in comparison to other sides in D3, they lack out and out strike bowlers such as Harwood and Curgenven.

Overall the depth and in particular batting depth should keep them in most matches. But they loss the odd match too often due to a lack strike bowler to win matches from no where. They are a side that will need to grind out victories. Expect them to be higher mid table and fighting for a promotion spot.

Key player: F e-Akbar

More to come...

All good points. And fair.

 

[chaminda_00]

Victoria – Predicated finish 5th

After a couple seasons of focussing mainly on the One Day Cricket, the Vics are expected to put more focus on FC cricket. Victoria has always had a team with superstars in FC cricket like Shane Harwood and David Hussey. The Victorians have added in some more top FC players in Ricky Ponting and Sujeewa De Silva.

Overall they still have some major weak errors in their side. But those weaker players all have a lot of experience which can make up for their lower averages. They need some big performances from Ponting and Hussey with the bat. But the like of Bell, Hodge, Stanton, Midlane, Mackle are all capable of big seasons with the bat.

The bowling attack of Victoria is their strength however. Lead by Shane Harwood arguably the best bowler in WCC history. They have an attack that can ripe through the best batting line ups in D3. The key however will be the performance of new signing De Silva. In the past Victoria have struggled to find support for Harwood, but in De Silva they have another bowler that is capable of winning matches himself. Be performances are required from Ahmed and Butt.

If Victoria are to win the title they will need De Silva and Harwood in the top 5 wicket takers, as well as there batsmen regularly scoring 300 plus. Most likely however with the strength of the bowling attacks, there will be few too many matches where their batsmen fail. Also with a few of the other top sides have good depth in their batting, as well as some top end batsmen they maybe able to combat Harwood. Victoria will be a good shot at promotion, but may fall short of the championship.

Key Player: S De Silva

 

[Dark Hunter]

Karachi – Predicated finish 6th

Karachi a side that once seen as the next big thing in WCC. But after a change of management they struggled to maintain their push up the WCC ladder and now find themselves back in D3.

The strength of their previous was depth across the board. This however is a lot different to previous sides with the strength their potential match winners with the ball. In players like Phil Leigh and Oliver Malone they have a couple bowlers who could not only win them matches, but a championship.The weakness however is the limited matches their bowling attack has played. They go into this season with 4-6 relatively inexperienced bowlers, who will be required to perform at a consistent level if they are a chance at the title.

But if you look deeper into this Karachi side they are expected to play 2-3 all rounders in the bowling attack. This means they do have quite a weak batting line up once you get past the top 5. With the strength of some the bowling attacks in D3, this lack of depth is likely to be exploited pretty significantly.

Karachi are side if things click and top 5 stands up and their bowling does click, they could really be pushing not only for a top 3 spot but for a championship. But they do need a lot of things to go their way if they are going to stay in the race for duration of the long season. Expect then to put together some big performances, but fall away when matches are there to be won. This season likely to be a rebuilding season for Karachi, but they could cause some upsets.

Key Player: P Leigh

Unfortunately, i must agree with you, especially on the back of our Pre-Season games. Very well written Tharmi, and not just mine but all of them, great work.

 

[alternative]

Mashonaland – Predicated finish 3rd

Could this season be the coming of age of talent bunch of players from Zimbabwe? A side that came into last season expected to take all before then in Division Three. But due to the inexperience of their players they did struggle to stay with the top sides for the whole season. With a season behind this talent bunch can they take their game to another level.

Once again they start this season as one of the favourites with a side that has good depth in batting and bowling. Their batting line up will be lead by the talented Ryan ten Doeschate, known around these parts as RTD. The Mash boys will require a big season from their star signing. But unlike a player such as Richard Levi from Mumbai, RTD has a lot more support in Lewis, Mullick and Bhatia. This support should be significant in their push for D3 title.

Their bowling attack is probably going to make or break their season. In Joshi they have a potential superstar spinner and they have good support in Prasad and Matthie. But the key will be the performance of all rounders Burke and Qulton. If these two can provide decent support they could have bowling attack to be reckoned with. But if they fail to deliver like Qulton did last season, it could be a weak the top sides could target.

Mash would be expected to be there and there about all season. But the will require some top performances from some of their lesser players during the season in particular all rounders Qulton and Burke. The balance and depth these two provide to the side will probably make a massive difference in a lot of matches. The performances of these two will keep them in many games. But it will be up to the likes of RTD and Joshi to win it for Mash from there.

Key Player: Q Qulton

Pretty much spot on for me. Our batting needs to stand tall and get us over the lines but there are players who can pick up 20 wickets in a game to win us the games so it will be a tough one.

 

[Umpire Money]

After beating the team meant to be predicted to come 2nd, does that mean Mumbai have already shown that we wont come 8th.

It was a comfortable win.