Cloete
International Captain
Division 1: (Using FC divisions)
ACT
ACT has been one of the most impressive teams this season. Manager Simon Fitzsimmons made a number of crucial trades this season and so far most of them have paid off. They are one of the best batting team's in the competition in Four Day and have managed to string together some fine performances. By far their best performance was a crushing win over TN by an innigns and 38 runs. On that occassion it was one of their big name trades in Yashpal who stood up with a fine 173. He has continued his fine season hitting 730 runs @ 66.36. Only 2 batsmen have so far failed for ACT this season and it's thanks to their batting, along with Marshall's fine performances (43@16.16), that they sit just 2 points behind Division 1 FC leaders Tamil Nadu.
Despite being written off by most people this season in the One Day arena, ACT have proven that they are up there with the best. Sitting 3rd in the standings, ACT have won 5 games and lost 3 in the tight Div 1 OD competition. Once again Yashpal has lead the way with the bat and Marshall has been carrying the bowling attack. Their batting consistency has once again been the key to ACT's success however with a large number of batsmen averaging over 30 and chipping in each game. ACT don't possess the team on paper in this form, but have proven that they are serious contenders.
Watch out for: S Yashpal. Having already started so promisingly this season, one of the finest batsmen in the competition is in fine form and ready to set the competition alight.
Predicted finish: One day: 5th Four day: 1st
Grading: A
Auckland:
It's difficult to talk about the Auckland Cricket Club without firstly mentioning one man, Dwayne Leverock. This man has come into the Auckland club and had an immediate impact, ripping through batting line-ups in the top division. Despite appearing out of their depth in the highest stage, Auckland have been competing with the best of them. Although they are sitting 7th at the moment they are 1 point off 6th and 7 off 5th. A safe, mid-table finish is on the cards for the Auckland team and I'm sure they will be happy with that. Despite having no real big names or big time players outside of Leverock, the key to Auckland's performances has been their consistency in their batting. While alot of big names are struggling to average even 30's this Auckland team boasts no less than 8 regulars with averages over 29. With so many batsmen chipping in it has been a real team effort to get them where they are. If they wish to move into the top 4 and challenge the big boys they will need some improvement at the bowling because at the moment Leverock (50 @ 15.52) is doing most of it himself.
A mid-table finish is also on the cards for Auckland in Division 2 OD this season. Once again they have put together a solid looking team with Zac Roberts easily their best player on paper. His performances this season have lived up to the pressure and expectation that Auckland manager Liam Camps would no doubt have placed on the man. Helping himself to 2 100's including a ridiculously fast 143 on the way to 494 runs @ 70.57, he has been the insipiration for an underrated Auckland side. The bowling has been the problem once again however and Leverock is Auckland's best bowler once again but 11 @ 29.91 is nothing to write home about. The consistency of the batting has been the key for Auckland and they have won games on batting performances alone. While everyone continues to perform with the bat they look a safe bet for a mid table spot, if the batsmen fail the bowling will not be able to save this Auckland side. Zac Roberts' form will be crucial in ensuring this solid Auckland team, under new management, avoid the drop.
Watch out for: John Smith. This man has far too much class to be averaging 32.4 in the FC arena and I'm sure during the second half of the season he will carry Auckland's batting. His form isn't bad as he has helped himself to 273 runs @ 54.60 in OD but his consistency in the One Day arena has just been sensational (2 50's, HS of 54).
Predicted Finish: One Day: 4th Four Day: 6th
Grading: B
Hampshire
Hampshire have had an up and down start to the season. They currently sit 2nd last in Division 1 FC but have shown on and off that they are capable of much better things. This talented side has major battign problems and outside of Graham's fine performances and Prassanna's contributions has so far been far too weak. Their bowling too has lacked any depth with Shelley and Best having to take on most of the responsibility. Put simply they are out fo their depth in division 1 but do have a few talented players. For Hampshire to have any chance of surviving the drop qualtiy players like Rahman and Hollins need to statr performing rather than leaving it to abotu 4 players each game. Otherwise it's a season in Division 2 FC.
It's also likely that they'll find themselves in Division 2 OD. That's a good thing, however. They are currently topping the OD table and when you leave a guy with an average of 65 in your 2nds that certainly can't be a bad sign. Despite Thomas' lack of game time Hampshire still top the table on NRR, level on 12 points with Mashonaland and a fair way back to NSW. Chopra and Shetty have been the pivotal batsmen for the English team both of whom have amassed in excess of 300 runs this season. Every batsman has so far chipped in but Hampshire manager Reuben Verghese is no doubt hoping some of the guy's in the high 20's can start to be more consistent. Otherwise who knows, Thomas may get a run. Aldridge has been the standout for Auckland in both forms of the game, however. A number of superlatives can be thrown his way over his form this season but sublime is perhaps the best suited. His demolition of Division 3 batting line-ups has lead to 23 wickets @ a ridiculous 10.13. He's recieved support from every bowler though and Jewell, Hollins and Bond have all been impressive. Hollins can also claim the scary math figures of 7/7, a feat which earned him a player of the round award. If Hampshire's batting can get some consistency about it and Chopra and Shetty keep scoring for fun then Hampshire can just embarrass the rest of Division 3 One Day. Their bowling is just far too good for this division and a promotion to Division 2 would be thoroughly deserved.
Player to watch out for: T Thomas. He hasn't had a run for the firsts this season but he's a classy One Day player who's itching for a run. He's played just 3 2nd XI games but has impressed on every occassion, managing 143 runs @ 71.50
Predicted finish: One Day: 1st Four Day: Last (10th)
Grading: B-
More typing to come later
ACT
ACT has been one of the most impressive teams this season. Manager Simon Fitzsimmons made a number of crucial trades this season and so far most of them have paid off. They are one of the best batting team's in the competition in Four Day and have managed to string together some fine performances. By far their best performance was a crushing win over TN by an innigns and 38 runs. On that occassion it was one of their big name trades in Yashpal who stood up with a fine 173. He has continued his fine season hitting 730 runs @ 66.36. Only 2 batsmen have so far failed for ACT this season and it's thanks to their batting, along with Marshall's fine performances (43@16.16), that they sit just 2 points behind Division 1 FC leaders Tamil Nadu.
Despite being written off by most people this season in the One Day arena, ACT have proven that they are up there with the best. Sitting 3rd in the standings, ACT have won 5 games and lost 3 in the tight Div 1 OD competition. Once again Yashpal has lead the way with the bat and Marshall has been carrying the bowling attack. Their batting consistency has once again been the key to ACT's success however with a large number of batsmen averaging over 30 and chipping in each game. ACT don't possess the team on paper in this form, but have proven that they are serious contenders.
Watch out for: S Yashpal. Having already started so promisingly this season, one of the finest batsmen in the competition is in fine form and ready to set the competition alight.
Predicted finish: One day: 5th Four day: 1st
Grading: A
Auckland:
It's difficult to talk about the Auckland Cricket Club without firstly mentioning one man, Dwayne Leverock. This man has come into the Auckland club and had an immediate impact, ripping through batting line-ups in the top division. Despite appearing out of their depth in the highest stage, Auckland have been competing with the best of them. Although they are sitting 7th at the moment they are 1 point off 6th and 7 off 5th. A safe, mid-table finish is on the cards for the Auckland team and I'm sure they will be happy with that. Despite having no real big names or big time players outside of Leverock, the key to Auckland's performances has been their consistency in their batting. While alot of big names are struggling to average even 30's this Auckland team boasts no less than 8 regulars with averages over 29. With so many batsmen chipping in it has been a real team effort to get them where they are. If they wish to move into the top 4 and challenge the big boys they will need some improvement at the bowling because at the moment Leverock (50 @ 15.52) is doing most of it himself.
A mid-table finish is also on the cards for Auckland in Division 2 OD this season. Once again they have put together a solid looking team with Zac Roberts easily their best player on paper. His performances this season have lived up to the pressure and expectation that Auckland manager Liam Camps would no doubt have placed on the man. Helping himself to 2 100's including a ridiculously fast 143 on the way to 494 runs @ 70.57, he has been the insipiration for an underrated Auckland side. The bowling has been the problem once again however and Leverock is Auckland's best bowler once again but 11 @ 29.91 is nothing to write home about. The consistency of the batting has been the key for Auckland and they have won games on batting performances alone. While everyone continues to perform with the bat they look a safe bet for a mid table spot, if the batsmen fail the bowling will not be able to save this Auckland side. Zac Roberts' form will be crucial in ensuring this solid Auckland team, under new management, avoid the drop.
Watch out for: John Smith. This man has far too much class to be averaging 32.4 in the FC arena and I'm sure during the second half of the season he will carry Auckland's batting. His form isn't bad as he has helped himself to 273 runs @ 54.60 in OD but his consistency in the One Day arena has just been sensational (2 50's, HS of 54).
Predicted Finish: One Day: 4th Four Day: 6th
Grading: B
Hampshire
Hampshire have had an up and down start to the season. They currently sit 2nd last in Division 1 FC but have shown on and off that they are capable of much better things. This talented side has major battign problems and outside of Graham's fine performances and Prassanna's contributions has so far been far too weak. Their bowling too has lacked any depth with Shelley and Best having to take on most of the responsibility. Put simply they are out fo their depth in division 1 but do have a few talented players. For Hampshire to have any chance of surviving the drop qualtiy players like Rahman and Hollins need to statr performing rather than leaving it to abotu 4 players each game. Otherwise it's a season in Division 2 FC.
It's also likely that they'll find themselves in Division 2 OD. That's a good thing, however. They are currently topping the OD table and when you leave a guy with an average of 65 in your 2nds that certainly can't be a bad sign. Despite Thomas' lack of game time Hampshire still top the table on NRR, level on 12 points with Mashonaland and a fair way back to NSW. Chopra and Shetty have been the pivotal batsmen for the English team both of whom have amassed in excess of 300 runs this season. Every batsman has so far chipped in but Hampshire manager Reuben Verghese is no doubt hoping some of the guy's in the high 20's can start to be more consistent. Otherwise who knows, Thomas may get a run. Aldridge has been the standout for Auckland in both forms of the game, however. A number of superlatives can be thrown his way over his form this season but sublime is perhaps the best suited. His demolition of Division 3 batting line-ups has lead to 23 wickets @ a ridiculous 10.13. He's recieved support from every bowler though and Jewell, Hollins and Bond have all been impressive. Hollins can also claim the scary math figures of 7/7, a feat which earned him a player of the round award. If Hampshire's batting can get some consistency about it and Chopra and Shetty keep scoring for fun then Hampshire can just embarrass the rest of Division 3 One Day. Their bowling is just far too good for this division and a promotion to Division 2 would be thoroughly deserved.
Player to watch out for: T Thomas. He hasn't had a run for the firsts this season but he's a classy One Day player who's itching for a run. He's played just 3 2nd XI games but has impressed on every occassion, managing 143 runs @ 71.50
Predicted finish: One Day: 1st Four Day: Last (10th)
Grading: B-
More typing to come later
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