*Official* English Domestic Season (2004)

[chris.hinton]

FINAL SCORES FROM NORTHANTS - Northants v KENT pre season practice.

Northants 109 all out. Amjad Khan 5-37.

KENT 201-9 and 49-1

Rain brought an early finish to this pre season practice match and Simon Willis will be driving back to Canterbury reasonably pleased with this performance - the highlights being Rob Keys innings of 64, and Amjad Khan's five wicket haul.

However, Kent fans will also be delighted that one of the older hands -Min Patel - weighed in with three wickets, whilst at the other end of the age range newcomer David Stiff picked up a brace of victims.

With Key, James Tredwell and Martin Saggers selected for the MCC v Sussex match starting at Lords on Friday, Kent have added Joe Denly, Alamgir Sheriyar and Rob Ferley to the squad that will face Surrey tomorrow in a one day match at The St Lawrence Ground.


The full Kent squad for tomorrow is David Fulton (Capt), Joe Denly, Ed Smith, Matt Walker, Michael Carberry, Alex Loudon, Niall O'Brien (Wkt), Rob Ferley, Min Patel, Alamgir Sheriyar, Amjad Khan, David Stiff and Matt Dennington.

When i see the Kent Squad i think Averagethere are no kids coming though

 

[Rich2001]

When i see the Kent Squad i think Averagethere are no kids coming though

No kids are you looking at the right team here?

* D.Stiif
* J.Treadwell
* R.Farley
* M.Carberry
* G.Jones
* O'Brien
* J.Denly
* S.Cusand
* A Khan
* M.Dennington
* A.Louden

Are all young, plus I haven't even got to our 2nd X1 yet!

 

[Tom Halsey]

No mate, but this is

Yep - about as biased as I would be if I said that Ronald Charles Irani was the greatest all-rounder the game has ever seen. :P

 

[luckyeddie]

Yep - about as biased as I would be if I said that Ronald Charles Irani was the greatest all-rounder the game has ever seen. :P

<quack> That would be Rikki

 

[Langeveldt]

Somerset kick off the season against Loughboro Uni tomorrow... Rarely can a season have started with so few expectations...

Anyway the weather is brilliant at the moment, and ill post some pics on my photography thingy... (brand spanking new camera!!)

 

[marc71178]

Runs for Ian Bell today - good to see - is this his year?

 

[Langeveldt]

Runs for Ian Bell today - good to see - is this his year?

hopefully.. Id be wanting him and Ed Smith to replace the older guys in the middle order when they eventually call it a day...

 

[Tom Halsey]

Bell maybe, not Ed Smith. Not convinced about him.

 

[Langeveldt]

Bell maybe, not Ed Smith. Not convinced about him.

I think its hard to be convinced about Smith... I believe he hasnt played enough and deserves another go...

 

[Rich2001]

I think its hard to be convinced about Smith... I believe he hasnt played enough and deserves another go...

Smithy hit 101* the other day from just 22 overs and in a team total of 140/2.

Lets hope he carries that form into the season :original:

 

[Tom Halsey]

If I know your average Kent player's ability, it was probably lucky for him to score that many runs.

 

[Rich2001]

If I know your average Kent player's ability, it was probably lucky for him to score that many runs.

Arh but luck is a key part of the game and now lets think, which of the fantasticly talented Essex players even scored close to Smith last season... common all togeter now was it None


(Oh common, Tom stop crying at the failure... you blanetly knew that response was comming your way :biggrin: )

 

[Tom Halsey]

Lol, but how many stupendous Kent players....um....erm....d'oh!

 

[Magrat Garlick]

This was Durham's offering on April 1.

I must confess that I was really tempted to run it as a CW headline - Andrew Jarvis certainly wanted me to do so, but whether that was to make me look an ass I'm not sure....

Durham CCC has completed the unique signing Norwegian all rounder Loof Lirpa as a Twenty20 specialist. Loof will join the staff in early July for the duration of the competition and will add considerable options to the team.

The 24 year old all rounder is considered as the David Beckham of Norwegian cricket, having finished the last three seasons as the leading bowler and batsman in the competition.

Loof's rise to play for Durham owes a great deal to Geoff Cook's holiday destination. Geoff explains, "I spotted Loof playing during my holiday last year to Norway. He was head and shoulders above the other players and I saw a talent that could transfer to the English game. He came and netted earlier this year and has earned his chance to play Twenty20. It’s a game he is used to as they only play limited overs cricket in the Norwegian league."

David Harker, Durham CCC Chief Executive sees many benefits to the deal. "Not only do we get a real gem of a player for the Twenty20 Cup, but Loof's signing could open up many commercial opportunities in Norway" he said.

Head Coach Martyn Moxon said, "Loof is a great player to work with. This is a step up in class for him, but he has shown a willingness to listen and learn and I'm sure he will surprise a few people come July. He is a powerful middle order batsman who bowls medium pace in a similar style to Adam Hollioake. If the Twenty20 Cup works out well for Loof, there is an option to extend his contract for the remainder of the National Cricket League season."

Captain Jon Lewis added, "Initially I was sceptical about brining someone in without a traditional cricket background. However, after watching him bat in the nets and face a few overs from him, I was totally convinced. He's a bit of a joker too so he should fit in really well with the rest of the lads."

Loof is currently travelling back to Norway where he will continue to work before heading back to Durham in the summer. Speaking before he left Loof said, "Det er en ære for meg å ha sjansen å leke i England", which translates as "It’s a great honour for me to have the chance to play in England." He added, "I used to watch Ian Botham on television and to play for the same county that he did will be amazing. I hope I can be an inspiration to other cricketers in Norway and help develop the game internationally."


I wish I had.

Why didn't I read this thread before?

*starts the LLAS - and the worst part is, we've got an allrounder of that kind of talent in the Norwegian league *

 

[Rich2001]

Who would you say are the 5 players in general (and/or your team) to watch for this season in the domestic game?

 

[Tom Halsey]

Well, we have Will Jefferson - in for a big year, mefinks.
I have been known to vouch for Middlebrook for England - I think he deserves it.
Cowan is back from injury - hopefully with a bang!
Foster - IMO should be playing for England.
Irani - Had a good couple of years on the domestic scene.

 

[Rich2001]

Well I have gone for a bit of a mixture too, we all know what the experianced players at Kent are like, and roughly how they will perform so decided to go on a youth watch instead for my Kent ones.

David Stiff - Heard great things about this guy, leads the England Under 19 attack and has a Harmy style as he is tall and gets bounce and is also rather quick, can't really comment much as only seen him bowl once or twice, but iam going to the game tommorow so will hopfully get a good look.


Amjad Khan - Hit the ground running in his debut season as Saggers strike partern, but last season in-between injuries wasn't anywhere as good as he could have been, also look out this season for him to shine with the bat in Ealham's absent.


James Treadwell - Picked for England's Acadmey 4 times in a row shows England certianly have a eye on him, will be under huge pressure from the squad to improve his game with the return of fans favourite Min Patel and also the other youngster Rob Farley. Treadwell like Khan will also step into Ealham's batting spot too, he appears to be the more suited All-Rounder with a couple of 100's for the 2nds when he has opened the batting.


Niall O'Brien - With Jonesy with England for at least the New Zealand series Niall O'Brien will be given the gloves, the back room staff have said he is just as good as Jones and has played well when given the oppotunites, another Kent WK who is also very handy with the bat and solid behind the stumps.


Alamgir Sheriyar - Coming from Worcs with a impressive record, he not only would he help with the wicket taking and workload but also with his variation being a left-armer he offered something a bit different from the right-arm attack that it was. Unfortuantly his season was a big let down and only a late season surge recovered his figures slightly. With 12 bowlers in the squad all of whom have played first X1 cricket in the last year he will have to have a big season to keep in the side.


Matthew Dennington - Picked for the 20/20 cup last season Denny took his chance and produced some fine returns, enough for Fulton to play him in the NCL for the end part of the season. He is young and has a talent and could well be the new Ealham, as also a good batsman by all accounts although he never really fired in that department last season. He could make the step up and be a key member in both squads. He needs to start the season well as this Kent fan isn't sure he fits into the squad on paper, although he is a good player.

 

[Langeveldt]

Photos galore!!

So made it down to the Somerset Loughborough game today...

Please check out my Photo thread !!!

Any piccy requests will be dealt with when I go tomorrow! So if you have any, fire away....

 

[marc71178]

Looking solely at the Bears:

Bell
Wagh
Troughton

Does any county have a better all-English middle order?

Streak - if he is there all season that is a great boost for us.

Knight - consistently done it in County Cricket.

 

[Langeveldt]

I think expectations are super low at somerset this year....ive heard no whisperings of even hoping for promotion...

Looking at them though..

Gareth Andrew - talented all rounder.. a consitant quickish bowler who skids the ball through and doesnt bowl any rubbish..

Simon Francis - Academy, and vastly improved fast bowler..

Neil Edwards - Comes from the "zooider school of baaaaating".. He gives the ball a whack, a bit of a young trescothick... good fielder too

James Hildreth - U19 cricketer - RH batsman