Interviews
Simon - South Australia
How does it feel to be on the top?
Well this is my first season in charge of South Australia and im already feeling the pressure. some people dont think i can keep SA at the top, but i am aiming to prove them wrong.
How easy or difficult is it to manage one of the best teams WCC has seen?
I imagine its going to be tough to keep sA at the top. We have good enough players to stay there, but the competition is stiff, Kent, Karnakata, Surrey etc... all have excellent teams who are going to be tough to beat.
Out of all your players, who do you think is the best performer in batting?
This season we will be looking for Allen and Midlane to really stand up in both forms. The young guys like Hammett and Haylett will hopefully play to their ability and we will go ok. But i see Allen as thebig key in the batting line up and hes expecting to bat number three.
How about bowling?
Ferguson is our best four day bowler for sure. But a few of the older plays like Axelby and Snow will contribute a lot in four day. Snow will get some bowling, but maybe not as much as he would expect. Bond will play a limited role in four day cricket as we are trying to get the best out of him in one dayers.
Are injuries a worry to you?
If we were to get injuries we would certainly prfer them in the batting line up. Our attack is very good, but like most teams there isnt a lot of depth to cover the injuries.
Which team do you like to play the most against?
With ACT it was always a big thrill to beat Mashonaland. New South Wales were always great rivals of mine and im expecting that to grow now that im back with a top team. I can see a real rivalry with kent starting though. we have a number of their former players and they have quite a few of South Australia's.
Which player do you wish you had in your squad?
Theres a couple that every manager would want. Western Province boys Darden and LLewellyn come to mind first. O Clarke from Canterbury will have a very good year i think. But for me id like one or two of my forwer guys. My old captain at ACT Michael Dawn is a fantastic player and hes another who i think is going to have a cracking year.
If you could manage some other team, which will it be?
Well South Australia are my third team, so im slowing getting closer to managing all the teams! If i was told i couldnt manage SA anymore i would like to go back to ACT or maybe have a crack with Guyana. hey have a good team this year and will win the 4d title, it could be exciting to bring thm all the way from the bottom. but they have a really good manager who wont be stepping over and he should guide them extrmely well.
Where would you like to see your team improve on?
Being reigning one day and four day division 1 champs its hard to see where the team could improve. This season im hoping all the players contribute with some match winning efforts rather than relying on two or three blokes every week.
Do you take a shower everyday?
HAHA yes. of course, doesnt everyone?!?!
How many times a day?
Usually twice, morning and night. but god knows what thats got to do with wcc!!!!
What other sports beside Cricket do you like?
Formula 1, Rugby League and tennis of course head the list. but i think everyone already knew that!
Do you have a girl friend?
No. but im working on that, hopefully there will be some good news on that front in the next few days
Whats your age?
19, im 20 in about 2 weeks. OMG im gonna be 20, i feel old.
Describe yourself in less then 5 words
unmotivated, interesting, misunderstood, tired, annoyed.
Tendulkar or Ponting?
Punter for sure, Sachin isnt what he used to be!
- By Nikhil
Well this is my first season in charge of South Australia and im already feeling the pressure. some people dont think i can keep SA at the top, but i am aiming to prove them wrong.
How easy or difficult is it to manage one of the best teams WCC has seen?
I imagine its going to be tough to keep sA at the top. We have good enough players to stay there, but the competition is stiff, Kent, Karnakata, Surrey etc... all have excellent teams who are going to be tough to beat.
Out of all your players, who do you think is the best performer in batting?
This season we will be looking for Allen and Midlane to really stand up in both forms. The young guys like Hammett and Haylett will hopefully play to their ability and we will go ok. But i see Allen as thebig key in the batting line up and hes expecting to bat number three.
How about bowling?
Ferguson is our best four day bowler for sure. But a few of the older plays like Axelby and Snow will contribute a lot in four day. Snow will get some bowling, but maybe not as much as he would expect. Bond will play a limited role in four day cricket as we are trying to get the best out of him in one dayers.
Are injuries a worry to you?
If we were to get injuries we would certainly prfer them in the batting line up. Our attack is very good, but like most teams there isnt a lot of depth to cover the injuries.
Which team do you like to play the most against?
With ACT it was always a big thrill to beat Mashonaland. New South Wales were always great rivals of mine and im expecting that to grow now that im back with a top team. I can see a real rivalry with kent starting though. we have a number of their former players and they have quite a few of South Australia's.
Which player do you wish you had in your squad?
Theres a couple that every manager would want. Western Province boys Darden and LLewellyn come to mind first. O Clarke from Canterbury will have a very good year i think. But for me id like one or two of my forwer guys. My old captain at ACT Michael Dawn is a fantastic player and hes another who i think is going to have a cracking year.
If you could manage some other team, which will it be?
Well South Australia are my third team, so im slowing getting closer to managing all the teams! If i was told i couldnt manage SA anymore i would like to go back to ACT or maybe have a crack with Guyana. hey have a good team this year and will win the 4d title, it could be exciting to bring thm all the way from the bottom. but they have a really good manager who wont be stepping over and he should guide them extrmely well.
Where would you like to see your team improve on?
Being reigning one day and four day division 1 champs its hard to see where the team could improve. This season im hoping all the players contribute with some match winning efforts rather than relying on two or three blokes every week.
Do you take a shower everyday?
HAHA yes. of course, doesnt everyone?!?!
How many times a day?
Usually twice, morning and night. but god knows what thats got to do with wcc!!!!
What other sports beside Cricket do you like?
Formula 1, Rugby League and tennis of course head the list. but i think everyone already knew that!
Do you have a girl friend?
No. but im working on that, hopefully there will be some good news on that front in the next few days
Whats your age?
19, im 20 in about 2 weeks. OMG im gonna be 20, i feel old.
Describe yourself in less then 5 words
unmotivated, interesting, misunderstood, tired, annoyed.
Tendulkar or Ponting?
Punter for sure, Sachin isnt what he used to be!
- By Nikhil