*Official* English Domestic Off Season 2010/11

[chris.hinton]

Where have you heard this?

Lets hope its not true

 

[Neil Pickup]

Devon spin bowler Chris Metters is poised to turn professional with Warwickshire next season.

I remember umpiring this bloke as an U15 or U16 playing for South Devon II against Exeter II on a baking hot Saturday in Newton Abbot in summer 05 or 06. Started off bowling seam ups but switched to spin at my end halfway through - looked like an afterthought as it was almost too hot for anyone to do anything else. Don't think anyone expected it to end up quite like this...

 

[WorcsRoyal]

Lets hope its not true

Haven't seen anything of it on the Worcs forum

 

[chris.hinton]

I reckon its just a silly rumour

 

[Woodster]

Ryan Sidebottom has returned to Yorkshire to give them something extra in the hope of bring the County Championship to Headingley next season. Should be a strong attack next season, potentially Sidebottom, Shahzad, Bresnan, Hannon-Dalby, Rashid. With Patterson in the mix aswell.

 

[superkingdave]

Might not be the place for it but I saw we have named our Hong Kong Sixes squad

Rory Hamilton-Brown,Jos Buttler (wicketkeeper), Rikki Clarke, Chris Nash, Darren Stevens, Peter Trego & Steven Croft

Interesting squad

Looks like the square is being turned at OT as well

 

[Neil Pickup]

The Buzz | Cricket Blogs | Fifteen year-old is Britain's youngest umpire | Cricinfo.com

Should he make it to Test level, I'll be able to bore you rigid with the fact that half of his games so far have been with my County/District sides.

 

[Jarquis]

I'm keen to try and get an Umpiring qualification of some kind.

 

[stumpski]

Yes read that. The square turning 90 degrees to ensure that one day when the sun's out does not hinder play!

Will be interesting when it is finished, as to the difference it makes.

Does that mean the members in the pavilion will be watching from side-on though? Can't imagine that would be popular, a lot of people like to watch from behind the bowler. That said, they have to put up with it at Hove, as I'm sure Zaremba could confirm. And there's usually nothing to stop members sitting in the public seats - I often do at the Oval.

 

[zaremba]

You're right, Stumpski. The viewing at Hove is generally poor, attractive ground though it is in some respects. There used to be a minimal amount of raised viewing behind the bowler's arm in the late and unlamented Gilligan stand, but that's been demolished to build something fit for human habitation.

 

[Woodster]

Does that mean the members in the pavilion will be watching from side-on though? Can't imagine that would be popular, a lot of people like to watch from behind the bowler. That said, they have to put up with it at Hove, as I'm sure Zaremba could confirm. And there's usually nothing to stop members sitting in the public seats - I often do at the Oval.

No it now means the members in the pavilion will be watching from behing the bowler, as the way it was set out before was that you were watching it from side-on.

 

[aussie]

No it now means the members in the pavilion will be watching from behing the bowler, as the way it was set out before was that you were watching it from side-on.

Will have mixed feelings about this change.

 

[TT Boy]

Will have mixed feelings about this change.

Why, you a member?

 

[aussie]

Why, you a member?

Yea.

 

[Woodster]

Things continue to go from bad to worse for Gloucestershire in regards to players leaving Bristol. Will Porterfield, the Ireland skipper, has opted to join Warwickshire, who of course recently announced the capture of Younis Khan on a two-year deal. Leading wicket-taker last season Gemaal Hussain has left the club in the hope of signing for a Division One side, similar to former Gloucester team-mate Steve Kirby who left the county earlier this year with the same ambitions and joined Somerset.

Bit of a kick in the teeth for Gloucester who gave Hussain his opportunity, but loyalty is evident in small doses these days, but can you really blame a player for being ambitious ? Personally another season at bowler-friendly Bristol would have done him no harm, unless he anticipates a second season slump and so wants to cash in with a top club while his stock is relatively high.

In all probability he is 26 and cannot afford to stand still if he has any international ambitions and wants to get exposure in the top division. Reasonable choice or lack of loyalty to the county that took a punt on him ?

Throw into the mix Anthony Ireland also moving on to Middlesex and Gloucester's seam bowling options have diminished considerably. Although seem to recollect they signed a quick from New Zealand at the end of the season.

 

[Woodster]

Gemaal Hussain has joined Steve Kirby in linking up with Somerset. Will be interesting to see how those two guys go on the relatively batting-favoured Taunton tracks. It should certainly help them develop their skills in removing good batsmen on good decks, rather than what they have been used to at Bristol where wickets tend to be much easier to come by for the seamers.

In theory it should help their development, although the long days spent chasing leather in the Taunton sunshine may have them questioning their decisions.

 

[fredfertang]

Hadn't realised how long in the tooth Somerset's seam attack was last year, although Kirby won't do anything for the average age of the squad

 

[blahblahblah]

BBC Sport - Cricket - Changes in county cricket schedule put off until 2012

 

[Woodster]

Hadn't realised how long in the tooth Somerset's seam attack was last year, although Kirby won't do anything for the average age of the squad

Yes it did need freshening up, and although as you say, Kirby will not lower the average age too much, he will give the attack an extra edge, as will Hussain.

 

[Woodster]

BBC Sport - Cricket - Changes in county cricket schedule put off until 2012

Yes it comes as no surprise that there is to be no immediate changes affecting next season's schedule,as it says in the article, counties are already committed to certain financial budgets and so pulling the plug on a number of home T20 games would seriously hinder their income.