Here in my first year as a cricket blogger I am going to pick five players from the county scene and tell you to watch out for them season. I am not going to look just at young players, but perhaps the older players who have not shone yet – or maybe even an old pro, who may have the season of a career. As my interest is generally in the domestic game, I am going to stick to that.
1) Rikki Clarke (Derbys) – having been essentially a fringe player at Surrey for a few years, Clarke finally looked to have pushed into the first XI last season, however, he ended up playing only 10 championship matches. Having finally accepted his medium pace bowling is never going to be a threat, he appears to be concentrating on his batting. However, an average of only 23 was not good enough to keep him at Surrey – and the revolution that is Derbyshire quickly snapped him up. I see a fruitful season ahead for him, named as captain and likely to have no issues over selection, this could be a big season for the perennial underachiever.
2) Steven Finn (Middx) – perhaps a predictable one this, but you just cannot ignore a 6’ 8” fast bowler! Having already played 5 first class matches and boasting a highly impressive bowling average of 20.50 (16 wickets) this could be a big season for the young Londoner. He probably won’t be in the first XI at the start of the season, but expect to see his name around, and he is my pick to emulate JAR Harris of Glamorgan as young player of the year.
3) Of all of the new signings this winter, one has hardly managed to bat any eyelids at all – but could indeed be one of the shrewdest acquisitions of them all. William Porterfield has finally made the step into county cricket and I would not be surprised to see him finish near the top of the batting averages come September. Boasting a highly impressive set of averages – ODI – 59.92 (how many England players can say that); first class – 47.13 – he certainly has pedigree. I really admire Gloucestershire for taking this gamble and it is one I fully expect to pay off – especially look out for him in the one day competitions.
4) James Tredwell (Kent) – I saw Tredwell in a T20 game at Notts last season and his economic 4 overs really impressed me. The off spinner, who can also bat more than a bit, took 36 wickets at 35 last season, and I can see this getting better as he gains more experience. Never mentioned in the same breath as the words ‘England’ and ‘No. 8’, Tredwell will keep plugging away this season – do not be surprised to see him top 50 wickets this season.
5) Finally, and predictably enough, I have to include a Worcestershire player, and I am going to go for Simon Jones. This is a really big year for ‘Jonah’. He has made the break from his home county, and perhaps the break will do him the world of good. He has wintered well and if he stays fit all season he will be pushing the 75 wicket mark on a relatively new, green track at New Road. That is a heck of an ‘if’ though and it is without doubt a risk from a county that is already in some serious financial problems after the floods of 2007. All of that said however, England play the first Ashes test of 2009 at Sophia Gardens. . . incentive if ever there was any. . .
Showing posts with label 2008 ones to watch. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 2008 ones to watch. Show all posts
Monday, 14 April 2008
Sunday, 6 April 2008
The Young Pretenders 2008
We finalise our brief look at the top eleven up and coming talented youngsters who will be on display in county cricket over the English summer. The qualifiers are all under the age of 23 and are looking to establish themselves in their respective county sides this season.
Moeen Ali (20) – Worcestershire – Left Hand Top Order Batsman / Right Arm Offbreak Bowler
Ali is an explosive and exciting player who likes to dominate the opposition. He once smashed a century off just 56 balls against Sri Lanka U19’s and he is a confident leader. He has mainly been used at the top of the order in limited overs cricket to date, where he has plundered a century and four fifties in just 19 innings. He will be hoping for more first class action this year and with his talent he should get it. Ali is also a good offspin bowler, which makes him a formidable allround player. Brother, Kadeer, plays for Gloucestershire, whilst cousin, Kabir, is also based at New Road and the early signs are that Moeen can outshine them both.
Alex Wakely (19) – Northants – Right Hand Middle Order Batsman / Right Arm Medium-Fast Bowler
Wakely captained England U19’s at the 2008 World Cup and has performed admirably at that level. He has yet to translate his undoubted ability and performances at U19 level into first team county cricket however, although he has notched up two fifties in the County Championship to date. He possesses every shot in the book and is also a capable support bowler. However, he needs to improve under pressure, when the going isn’t so good. This will be a big year for him.
The IX Young Pretenders for 2008
Billy Godleman
Mark Stoneman
Alex Wakely
Tom Westley
Laurie Evans
Moeen Ali
Chris Jordan
Liam Dawson
James Harris
Tom Smith
Steven Finn
NB: Gary Wilson and Tom Burrows are the wicket keepers to watch but they are unlikely to gain as much exposure to first team cricket this time out. Craig Kieswetter meanwhile has already made his breakthrough and it will be interesting to see how he fairs in division one.
Moeen Ali (20) – Worcestershire – Left Hand Top Order Batsman / Right Arm Offbreak Bowler
Ali is an explosive and exciting player who likes to dominate the opposition. He once smashed a century off just 56 balls against Sri Lanka U19’s and he is a confident leader. He has mainly been used at the top of the order in limited overs cricket to date, where he has plundered a century and four fifties in just 19 innings. He will be hoping for more first class action this year and with his talent he should get it. Ali is also a good offspin bowler, which makes him a formidable allround player. Brother, Kadeer, plays for Gloucestershire, whilst cousin, Kabir, is also based at New Road and the early signs are that Moeen can outshine them both.
Alex Wakely (19) – Northants – Right Hand Middle Order Batsman / Right Arm Medium-Fast Bowler
Wakely captained England U19’s at the 2008 World Cup and has performed admirably at that level. He has yet to translate his undoubted ability and performances at U19 level into first team county cricket however, although he has notched up two fifties in the County Championship to date. He possesses every shot in the book and is also a capable support bowler. However, he needs to improve under pressure, when the going isn’t so good. This will be a big year for him.
The IX Young Pretenders for 2008
Billy Godleman
Mark Stoneman
Alex Wakely
Tom Westley
Laurie Evans
Moeen Ali
Chris Jordan
Liam Dawson
James Harris
Tom Smith
Steven Finn
NB: Gary Wilson and Tom Burrows are the wicket keepers to watch but they are unlikely to gain as much exposure to first team cricket this time out. Craig Kieswetter meanwhile has already made his breakthrough and it will be interesting to see how he fairs in division one.
Saturday, 5 April 2008
The Young Pretenders 2008
We continue our brief look at the top eleven up and coming talented youngsters who will be on display in county cricket over the English summer. The qualifiers are all under the age of 23 and are looking to establish themselves in their respective county sides this season.
Billy Godleman (19) – Middlesex – Left Hand Opening Batsman
Godleman was identified as a future England player when he was just 15 years of age. He is the second youngest player to have represented Middlesex, behind his team mate and fellow young pretender, Steven Finn. He scored an unbeaten 149 against Pakistan U19’s in 2007, which is the highest innings score by an England youth player. He has a little of Andrew Strauss about him, in that he likes to play square of the wicket, especially to leg. He is also a part time leg spinner.
Tom Smith (22) – Lancashire – Right Arm Medium-Fast Bowler
Smith promised much at youth level and hasn’t had a bad start to his Lancashire career. He is an economical and accurate bowler who excels at bringing the ball back into the batsman. He is also handy with the bat and will likely make a decent number eight in the future. Furthermore, to make him a fully multi-faceted cricketer, Smith is an able slip fielder. Smith has a lot of competition for a place though, in the form of Dominic Cork, Sajid Mahmood, James Anderson, Andrew Flintoff, Glenn Chapple, Kyle Hogg and Oliver Newby.
Billy Godleman (19) – Middlesex – Left Hand Opening Batsman
Godleman was identified as a future England player when he was just 15 years of age. He is the second youngest player to have represented Middlesex, behind his team mate and fellow young pretender, Steven Finn. He scored an unbeaten 149 against Pakistan U19’s in 2007, which is the highest innings score by an England youth player. He has a little of Andrew Strauss about him, in that he likes to play square of the wicket, especially to leg. He is also a part time leg spinner.
Tom Smith (22) – Lancashire – Right Arm Medium-Fast Bowler
Smith promised much at youth level and hasn’t had a bad start to his Lancashire career. He is an economical and accurate bowler who excels at bringing the ball back into the batsman. He is also handy with the bat and will likely make a decent number eight in the future. Furthermore, to make him a fully multi-faceted cricketer, Smith is an able slip fielder. Smith has a lot of competition for a place though, in the form of Dominic Cork, Sajid Mahmood, James Anderson, Andrew Flintoff, Glenn Chapple, Kyle Hogg and Oliver Newby.
Friday, 4 April 2008
The Young Pretenders 2008
We continue our brief look at the top eleven up and coming talented youngsters who will be on display in county cricket over the English summer. The qualifiers are all under the age of 23 and are looking to establish themselves in their respective county sides this season.
Liam Dawson (18) – Hampshire – Slow Left Arm Spin Bowler
Now Hampshire’s premier spin bowler following the departures of veterans Shane Warne and Shaun Udal, Dawson has some big boots to fill. It will be interesting to see if the Rose Bowl pitches will favour spin bowling quite as much now that Warne has gone. Only Greg Lamb provides real competition to Dawson, although he is more of an allrounder, rather than a specialist bowler. Dawson hasn’t taken a wicket for the Hawks yet, but that is sure to change this year. An able batsman, capable of batting reliably at number eight, or possibly higher, he is also a decent fielder, who has been well capped at U19 level.
Mark Stoneman (20) – Durham – Left Hand Opening Batsman
Stoneman made his breakthrough into the Durham first team last year, scoring one hundred and a fifty in the eight first class matches which he figured in. He is a gritty batsman, slightly in the Boycott mould. Stoneman will need to draw on that grit as he faces a tough fight to force his way into a Durham top order which will boast both Neil McKenzie and Michael Di Venuto during the first part of the season. Thereafter, McKenzie will be replaced by Shivnarine Chanderpaul, which should free an opening slot for Stoneman, who will be eager to take it.
Chris Jordan (19) – Surrey – Right Arm Fast-Medium Bowler
Jordan has the potential to make the biggest impact of all these young guns this season. He was swept into the Surrey first team at the back end of last season and helped them to safety with some simply stunning performances for a player of his years. Jordan was first spotted playing at home in Barbados and was instantly recognised as a player of great promise. He already bowls in the late 80’s and he is yet another young bowler who can bat. In fact, he has enough talent with the bat to become a genuine allrounder in the not too distant future, though his bowling alone would get him into most sides. He is qualified for England, but it is believed that he favours his native Windies. Either way, this young quick is on the way up and Surrey will certainly benefit this year, but how many more years will this young wonderkid be around for? If he keeps up his current average of 24.50 and strike rate of 41.70, not long!
Liam Dawson (18) – Hampshire – Slow Left Arm Spin Bowler
Now Hampshire’s premier spin bowler following the departures of veterans Shane Warne and Shaun Udal, Dawson has some big boots to fill. It will be interesting to see if the Rose Bowl pitches will favour spin bowling quite as much now that Warne has gone. Only Greg Lamb provides real competition to Dawson, although he is more of an allrounder, rather than a specialist bowler. Dawson hasn’t taken a wicket for the Hawks yet, but that is sure to change this year. An able batsman, capable of batting reliably at number eight, or possibly higher, he is also a decent fielder, who has been well capped at U19 level.
Mark Stoneman (20) – Durham – Left Hand Opening Batsman
Stoneman made his breakthrough into the Durham first team last year, scoring one hundred and a fifty in the eight first class matches which he figured in. He is a gritty batsman, slightly in the Boycott mould. Stoneman will need to draw on that grit as he faces a tough fight to force his way into a Durham top order which will boast both Neil McKenzie and Michael Di Venuto during the first part of the season. Thereafter, McKenzie will be replaced by Shivnarine Chanderpaul, which should free an opening slot for Stoneman, who will be eager to take it.
Chris Jordan (19) – Surrey – Right Arm Fast-Medium Bowler
Jordan has the potential to make the biggest impact of all these young guns this season. He was swept into the Surrey first team at the back end of last season and helped them to safety with some simply stunning performances for a player of his years. Jordan was first spotted playing at home in Barbados and was instantly recognised as a player of great promise. He already bowls in the late 80’s and he is yet another young bowler who can bat. In fact, he has enough talent with the bat to become a genuine allrounder in the not too distant future, though his bowling alone would get him into most sides. He is qualified for England, but it is believed that he favours his native Windies. Either way, this young quick is on the way up and Surrey will certainly benefit this year, but how many more years will this young wonderkid be around for? If he keeps up his current average of 24.50 and strike rate of 41.70, not long!
The Young Pretenders 2008
We continue our brief look at the top eleven up and coming talented youngsters who will be on display in county cricket over the English summer. The qualifiers are all under the age of 23 and are looking to establish themselves in their respective county sides this season.
Tom Westley (19) – Essex – Right Hand Middle Order Batsman
Another young batsman who has come through the ranks at Essex is young Tom Westley. He already has a first class fifty to his name and he is also a more than useful limited overs player. Under the tutelage of Graham Gooch and playing on the benign surfaces at Chelmsford, Westley has an excellent chance to secure himself a permanent place in the Essex first team, in both formats of the game. Apart from being a brilliant prospect with the bat, Westley is also a very handy offspinner, as match figures of 9-91 in the SEC against Middlesex demonstrate.
James Harris (17) – Glamorgan – Right Arm Medium-Fast Bowler
Another regular in the England U19 squad, young Harris was the youngest player to take a seven wicket haul in the County Championship, aged just 17. He is a product of Glamorgan’s partially enforced policy of giving youth a chance to shine. He has taken 33 wickets in his 9 first class matches to date and he is sure to gain more exposure to first team cricket this year. He is another young bowler who also knows how to hold a bat, as a top score of 87 not out shows.
Tom Westley (19) – Essex – Right Hand Middle Order Batsman
Another young batsman who has come through the ranks at Essex is young Tom Westley. He already has a first class fifty to his name and he is also a more than useful limited overs player. Under the tutelage of Graham Gooch and playing on the benign surfaces at Chelmsford, Westley has an excellent chance to secure himself a permanent place in the Essex first team, in both formats of the game. Apart from being a brilliant prospect with the bat, Westley is also a very handy offspinner, as match figures of 9-91 in the SEC against Middlesex demonstrate.
James Harris (17) – Glamorgan – Right Arm Medium-Fast Bowler
Another regular in the England U19 squad, young Harris was the youngest player to take a seven wicket haul in the County Championship, aged just 17. He is a product of Glamorgan’s partially enforced policy of giving youth a chance to shine. He has taken 33 wickets in his 9 first class matches to date and he is sure to gain more exposure to first team cricket this year. He is another young bowler who also knows how to hold a bat, as a top score of 87 not out shows.
Thursday, 3 April 2008
The Young Pretenders 2008
We take a brief look at the top eleven up and coming talented youngsters who will be on display in county cricket over the English summer. The qualifiers are all under the age of 23 and are looking to establish themselves in their respective county sides this season.
Steven Finn (19) – Middlesex – Opening Right Arm Medium-Fast Bowler
Standing at an imposing 6 foot 8 inches tall, Finn is a real prospect. He debuted for Middlesex at the tender age of 16 and has taken 13 wickets in his 4 matches to date. He has been a regular for England U19’s and is looking to establish himself this year. He will have an excellent chance to do so given the release of Richard Johnson, Chad Keegan, Chris Wright and Chris Whelan. He will be vying with Tim Murtagh for the final bowling place in the County Championship side, providing of course that Chris Silverwood and Alan Richardson remain fit. Finn also plays Basketball rather unsurprisingly.
Laurie Evans (20) – Surrey – Right Hand Middle Order Batsman
Evans made his breakthrough at the end of last season and scored 365 runs in just eight first class innings, with a top score of 133 not out and an average just in excess of fifty. That is fine going indeed, but it will be interesting to see how he fares on the greener, wetter, spring time wickets. He will be given plenty of opportunities to impress this year at Surrey, with both Ricki Clarke and Azhar Mahmood having moved on and Alistair Brown, Mark Ramprakash and Mark Butcher all in the twilights of their respective careers.
Steven Finn (19) – Middlesex – Opening Right Arm Medium-Fast Bowler
Standing at an imposing 6 foot 8 inches tall, Finn is a real prospect. He debuted for Middlesex at the tender age of 16 and has taken 13 wickets in his 4 matches to date. He has been a regular for England U19’s and is looking to establish himself this year. He will have an excellent chance to do so given the release of Richard Johnson, Chad Keegan, Chris Wright and Chris Whelan. He will be vying with Tim Murtagh for the final bowling place in the County Championship side, providing of course that Chris Silverwood and Alan Richardson remain fit. Finn also plays Basketball rather unsurprisingly.
Laurie Evans (20) – Surrey – Right Hand Middle Order Batsman
Evans made his breakthrough at the end of last season and scored 365 runs in just eight first class innings, with a top score of 133 not out and an average just in excess of fifty. That is fine going indeed, but it will be interesting to see how he fares on the greener, wetter, spring time wickets. He will be given plenty of opportunities to impress this year at Surrey, with both Ricki Clarke and Azhar Mahmood having moved on and Alistair Brown, Mark Ramprakash and Mark Butcher all in the twilights of their respective careers.
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