Division 2 FC Discussion Thread

[chaminda_00]

FS Eagles – Predicated finish 7th

The Eagles are another side that over the last couple seasons have been building into a side that could be a force in WCC. However changes in management over the last couple seasons since Dave Watt left, have meant they haven’t improved in the weak areas of there side.

The FS Eagles batting line is up there with one better line ups in D2. But like Colts probably lack a genuine superstar. In Stuart Maxwell they have most prolific run scorers in WCC history, but many feel his best days are past him. Willy McPhee is other potential superstar, but is probably a class below the Smith, Darden and Pollard of D2. The Eagles will need a lot of run from all there batsmen if they are to be competitive.

The bowling again has always had the potential to be something special, but unlike many other D2 sides. The Eagles haven’t added any significant additions to their bowling attack that will take it to another level.

Overall they should have a decent enough side to stay with most teams in this league, but lack the match winning quality to push for promotion spot. They do however have a good enough side to maintain a spot in this league if their players, in particular bowlers step up.

Key Player: N Ul Hasan

 

[chaminda_00]

Hampshire – Predicated finish 5th

Hampshire like Auckland have always been seen as side that is capable of one day matching the likes of TN. But like Auckland had their chance of glory last season in Division One and failed to make the most of it. Unlike Auckland they have made some improvements to their side and look stronger then they were last season. Will these improvements be enough to win D2 or at least get promotion?

Having a look at their squad they have a very well balanced squad with some top end talent, some experience players and a couple all rounder who may provide depth in batting and bowling. But to look at the credentials as potential champion you need to look deeper. Once you do you find some holes that the top sides may exploit.

Their batting line up lead by Pollard is right up there with the top sides, but they do lack high end depth after their top couple batsmen. This is something that the top bowlers in D2 might exploit. You get past Pollard you might get past their whole batting line up.

Their bowling attack is strong, but in comparison to attacks such as NSW, Yorkshire and Colts they seem to be a class below. They do however have good depth which could come in handy if their first choice bowlers fail.

Will this season be a repeat of the last season, so much expectation but so little reward? Unfortunately for the Hampshire faithful, it might just be. Except the Hampshire boys to put on some dominate performances during the season, but struggle against the sides with top quality bowling attack and batting line ups.

Key Player: N Hollins

 

[chaminda_00]

New South Wales – Predicted finish 2nd

New South Wales a proud team that hasn’t had a great deal of success over the last couple seasons. Will Season 8 be a blast from the past for NSW, where they will return to the glory days of the past? Or will this season be another where the Blues continue their slide down the WCC ladder.

Over the last couple season NSW have always had a strong batting line up lead by the likes of Martin, Kallis and Sehwag. What they have lacked in the past is depth after those three. This season they have brought in young South African super-bat Jean Symes. Along with him and the more experience Quayle and Parmer. NSW now have got a batting line up that arguably the most well rounded batting line up in D2, with experience and talent.

But the key for NSW push for the title is the support that their bowlers can provide Q Moore. Like NSW three main batsmen, Moore hasn’t had a great of support over the years from NSW back up bowlers. Bloom and Roll this season have been joined by Sri Lankan youngster Nisal Randika. The performance of these three to back up Moore could make or break NSW season. With some very strong batting lines up in D2, wickets from Moore wont be enough to push for promotion or the title, the need a lot of wickets from the other three as well.

Expect NSW overall to be a bit up and down this season, but their batting should keep them in most matches. What will decide where they finish on the table is the performance of their bowler and in particular back up bowlers. If Randika and co can provide significant support for Moore, we could see NSW return to their glory. If they provide little support expect mid table mediocrity.

Key Player: N Randika

 

[chaminda_00]

Titans – Predicted finish 3rd

Titans another side that has the potential to push the likes of TN in a couple seasons time. They have their at D1 glory last season, but it probably was a couple seasons too early. The Titans have probably on the strongest top 4 in WCC, as well as some talented bowler to back them up. The Titans are a side that could really dominate D2 and take some sides apart. But the question like for Hampshire and Auckland, have they improved on the weak areas of their side last season.

With a top order of Holland, Smith, Darden and Van Vuuren, they will tear a few bowling attacks apart and make them look like school boys. But the key is will they have the depth to match to top sides that have bowlers that can knock over that top four cheaply. Big seasons are required from Hutchinson, Wykes, Prior and co, but are they good enough to combat bowling attacks such as Yorkshire, NSW and Hampshire. Most likely they will probably fall short.

Their bowling attack with Harkness, Ranjith and Indrasiri is probably up there with the best bowling attacks in D2. But what they lack is depth after these guys, Titans will need big seasons from Jayasuriya and Van Vuuren to support these guys on the occasions that batsmen get past their main three bowlers. Both may lack the experience however to provide significant support required.

Except a season with a lot of positives for the Titans, with some really dominate performances. But also expect a few too many matches where they let their opposition off or don’t turn up. As a side their strong to finish below the top end of the table and should be fighting to promotion all season long. But may lose a couple too matches to win the championship.

Key Player: A Van Vuuren

 

[chaminda_00]

Warwickshire – Predicted finish 8th

Warwickshire a side that once was a superpower in WCC, under former manager Kurt Nibblet. Not a lot has changed in terms of playing personal from their glory days. But what has changed is bar for performance and they type of players required to reach that performance. During the off season Warwickshire have worked hard on build a solid One Day side to complete in Division One. Will this focus result in the slide further down the ladder in FC?

Their batting line up is right up there with the top batting line up in D2 and has some pretty good depth. What they lack however is out and out quality; Dave Howarth isn’t the batsmen he once was. Like a few of their other top end batsmen they have fallen away over the last couple seasons and now are just above far.

Unfortunately it’s a similar situation with the bowling attack. The once strong force that was Gregson, Rigby and Jones is now not much more then an average FC bowling attack. This is probably the area they are really going to struggle this season. Will this trio along with Gayle be able over the top batting line ups in D2 often enough to push for promotion.

By the looks of it this might be a season for Warwickshire to sort out who is good enough for D2 and above and who become below par. But looking at the career records of these players it had to imagine a team that has players like Howarth, Vernon, Sriram, Jones, Gregson and Rigby could be fighting for regulation and not promotion. But this fact is a sign of the changing nature of WCC. Can Ash Chaulk get the most out of these veterans and keep those dreams of FC dominance alive or will this season mark a changing of the guard at Warwickshire.

Key Player: B Gregson

 

[chaminda_00]

Yorkshire – Predicted finish 1st

Yorkshire the quite achiever, a club that has been building their team up for the last couple seasons, for a shot at the FC championship. Have they done enough through their heavy recruitment to build a side capable of taking out the title?

Yorkshire in the last couple seasons had a fairly strong batting line up with a good mix between experience and talent. This season they probably have most talented batting line up in D2, with some very good depth down to No 7. There is a some slight weak link in their batting line up, in terms of overall experience, in comparison to NSW. But unlike NSW they have a bit more talent in Jayawardene, Smith, Love and Kumar. Add that to the high performing Tendulkar you have the strongest batting line up in D2.

There depth in bowling is probably what is likely to their key for their push for championship. In Cole, Khan and Evans have three potential match winners. In Kaneria and Laker they have two experienced support bowlers. Unlike most sides in D2, they have few more outlets to take wickets, which will make a significant difference in a long season.

Depth in number is what likely to win this league and the depth that Yorkshire have is likely to get them over the line. They have match winners in Smith and Cole, but also have other players to call on if they fail. Expect them to at least be there and there about for the title race, and a near shoe in for promotion. It will take a special season from another team to get ahead of Yorkshire over 14 rounds.

Key Player: Y Cole

 

[Goughy]

Great pre-season reports and interesting reading.

 

[bugssy]

yer quality stuff mate. great reading. Go the mighty Blues