*Official* English Domestic Off Season 2010/11

[stumpski]

Quite the exodus going on at Gloucs, with Snell and Kadeer Ali joining Kirby, Hussain, Ireland and Porterfield. That said, it didn't do Worcs any harm last season.

 

[Woodster]

Quite the exodus going on at Gloucs, with Snell and Kadeer Ali joining Kirby, Hussain, Ireland and Porterfield. That said, it didn't do Worcs any harm last season.

Absolutely, it didn't do Worcester any harm at all. I was very surprised by there season tbh, I bet even Steve Rhodes was quietly surprised. They had players that stepped up in the absence of some very good players. Moeen Ali fulfilled all that promise he had shown, while Alexei Kervezee impressed with a string of exciting performances, and Darryl Mitchell led impressively once Solanki had stepped down, and batted consistenly also.

Shakib proved to be a decent overseas recruit, especially with the ball, and the experience and know-how of Alan Richardson was equally vital.

Gloucester will need similar players with similar attitudes to produce the goods. Step forward - Marshall, Gidman, and Lewis will need to be consistent once again.

 

[flibbertyjibber]

Good to see Yorkshire get 9 players to sign contracts nice and early.Keeps the squad together,just need to find a replacement for Rudolph now which won't be easy.

Seems strange not to have infighting and shock departures,plenty of time yet though.

 

[Woodster]

Yes all seems to be going nicely for Yorkshire, some key players signing on the dotted line to extend their stay, the addition of Siddy, but as you say there's still a thousand runs to find from somewhere.

 

[Flem274*]

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.

Bracewell's County right? Good, burn in flames.

Yeah they nicked off with James Fuller. Genuine quick apparently, and can bat as well. There are rumours Bracewell has recruited him to develop him for a professional cricket career in England. I hope not because with the ten million bowling allrounders Otago have, Fuller was never going to get a contract, so it would be a shame to see him go.

That said, now that Gloucs is bowler light Fuller could be a good signing.

 

[Woodster]

Bracewell's County right? Good, burn in flames.

Yeah they nicked off with James Fuller. Genuine quick apparently, and can bat as well. There are rumours Bracewell has recruited him to develop him for a professional cricket career in England. I hope not because with the ten million bowling allrounders Otago have, Fuller was never going to get a contract, so it would be a shame to see him go.

That said, now that Gloucs is bowler light Fuller could be a good signing.

It is indeed Bracewell's county. I am sensing little love lost here.

Will be interesting to see how Fuller goes, he should get plenty of opportunity the way their bowling stocks are looking. When you say a genuine quick, are we talking around 140 kph ?

 

[Neil Pickup]

The youth system and academy seems pretty well set-up and developed - from this outsider's perspective, at least. Expect a number of youngsters to be making their way into the pro game this season.

 

[Woodster]

The youth system and academy seems pretty well set-up and developed - from this outsider's perspective, at least. Expect a number of youngsters to be making their way into the pro game this season.

Yes they've had a few involved with the England Under 19's of late haven't they ? Seem to remember Chris Dent showing a few encouraging signs through the 2010 season with the 1st XI.

Apparently Tom Richardson, their Chief Exec, wants them to sign four more players over the winter, of varying experience levels to ascertain the necessary balance.

 

[Flem274*]

It is indeed Bracewell's county. I am sensing little love lost here.

Will be interesting to see how Fuller goes, he should get plenty of opportunity the way their bowling stocks are looking. When you say a genuine quick, are we talking around 140 kph ?

Howsie is the one who has seen him in the flesh, but I think the word was he's quicker than that. Probably 145+.

 

[Howsie]

Howsie is the one who has seen him in the flesh, but I think the word was he's quicker than that. Probably 145+.

I don't think he'd be that quick, around 140 would seem about right to me but at this stage I doubt he's bowling mid 140's. I wouldn't be surprised if in a couple of years he's bowling at that speed though, he's tall and really athletic. He's quite abit like Morne Morkel tbh, even the action is quite similar.

 

[Woodster]

I don't think he'd be that quick, around 140 would seem about right to me but at this stage I doubt he's bowling mid 140's. I wouldn't be surprised if in a couple of years he's bowling at that speed though, he's tall and really athletic. He's quite abit like Morne Morkel tbh, even the action is quite similar.

If he's around 140kph he should be sharp enough to keep the County batsmen on their toes. It'll be interesting to see what he's like, similar to Morne Morkel, quite a bit to live up to then!

 

[superkingdave]

Dent = spiritual successor to Lewis imo. Wouldn't be surprised to see him have a long and successful career at county level but never quite make it in international cricket.

 

[Bonnie Prince C]

If he's around 140kph he should be sharp enough to keep the County batsmen on their toes. It'll be interesting to see what he's like, similar to Morne Morkel, quite a bit to live up to then!

County cricket needs some more decent paced bowlers. Too many guys who bowl low-mid 80's for my liking.

 

[Woodster]

County cricket needs some more decent paced bowlers. Too many guys who bowl low-mid 80's for my liking.

It would be nice if there was some pacier bowlers around giving the County batsmen a tougher time, but fast bowling is a dying art in most places.

There are some promising paced youngsters on the scene, such as Stuart Meaker, James Harris, Ryan Jones, Boyd Rankin and Jack Brooks, are not necessarily bowlers that will currently make batsmen hop around, but have the potential to be sharp enough.

 

[Pup Clarke]

Out that lot Meaker is genuinely pacey. Who's Ryan Jones btw?

 

[Woodster]

Out that lot Meaker is genuinely pacey. Who's Ryan Jones btw?

Oops, my typo, meant Richard Jones at Worcester.

Yes Meaker does have good pace when I've seen him and looks the quickest on his day of that bunch.

 

[morgieb]

According to cricinfo, Owais Shah has signed with Essex.

 

[morgieb]

Looks like Ben Phillips will play for Nottinghamshire next season as well.

 

[marc71178]

BBC Sport - Cricket - Middlesex bowler Iain O'Brien has ECB appeal rejected

If his wife was Spanish he would be allowed to play - WTF?!

 

[morgieb]

That's a bit rough. Wouldn't O'Brien be allowed to apply for a passport or something if he was married to an English bird?