Continuing our series of county previews, here is an assessment of Nottinghamshire's chances in 2008.
2007 in a Nutshell:
A more than satisfactory season given a lengthy spell where 6 seamers were injured, leaving Notts scraping around other counties for stand ins. Without all the injuries, a title might have been possible, but promotion was more than acceptable. Key performances were from David Hussey and Stephen Fleming (second half of the season), with Samit Patel finally forcing a regular place in the side after some consistently high scores in the seconds. In the bowling department, Ryan Sidebottom proved what Notts fans already knew, that he would do a sterling job for England and he was ably backed by Charlie Shreck. Perhaps one of the more unexpected successes was Mark Wagh, who was expected by many to simply be a filler, but turned out to be a consistently high performer.
2008 Prospects:
Whilst Notts knew that they would be without Ryan Sidebottom for most of the season, few expected Stuart Broad, our new signing, to be selected as a regular too at such short notice prior to the start of the new season. This left Notts with only really Charlie Shreck as a key wicket taker, putting them in a precarious position. The signing of Darren Pattinson just a few weeks before the start of the season has given fans hope that we may survive in the top division, though he is a bit of an unknown quantity. As a swing bowler he may well have some success in our cloudy country. With David Hussey joining the controversial IPL and being selected by the Aussies, it looks at though Notts overseas player for the year will be Adam Voges, who looks a useful signing. Whilst new Notts Captain Chris Read has stated that they will be chasing a title, I think Notts fans would be satisfied with a mid table position this year.
Batting:
For a few seasons now, one of Notts problems has been the lack of consistency of the opening batsman, often leaving the likes of Pietersen and Hussey to bail us out lower down the order. After the popular Darren Bicknell finally hung up his boots (and often picked up his pint at Trent Bridge), it was only a matter of time before we said farewell to Jason Gallian too, as he departs to Essex. Bicknell’s replacement, Will Jefferson, performed well last season, though he suffered a few injuries, he still looks a good signing. It remains to be seen whether Gallian’s replacement, Matthew Wood, can do the same. It’s hoped that Mark Wagh can carry last seasons form through and that Samit Patel continues to improve. If he does it can’t be too long before he also strengthens England whilst further depleting Notts! Of course the big ‘downer’ this year is the loss of David Hussey to the IPL. With him now being called up by the Aussies too, it looks unlikely we will see him this season, but hopefully his replacement, Adam Voges, will fill the role of the Huss.
This season is probably also important for Bilal Shafayat, who only a few years ago was being feted as an England player but now struggles to break into the first team. Whilst undoubtedly talented, this could be his make or break year.
Bowling:
As mentioned earlier, this is the key area for Notts this season. With the batting line up looking reasonably strong, most Notts fans last year probably felt that if we could get a good replacement for Sidebottom, we would be in with a shot of the title, so when Stuart Broad was signed that looked done and dusted. However, with his call up and the possibility of losing Graeme Swann for a few games too, it left the bowling with just Charlie Shreck to open, backed by the steady Mark Ealham, who must surely now be in his last season, Paul Franks who can take wickets but is so inconsistent, AJ Harris who must also be near the end of his career and Mark Footitt, who looks a promising youngster, but has suffered injuries and has yet to deliver. A couple of local youngsters have also been signed but it is probably too soon for them.
When Broad was called up late on, this left the management with little time to find a replacement and finally Grimsby born Aussie, Darren Pattinson, was signed. He is an unknown who plays in Victoria with David Hussey and is a swing bowler, which could work at Trent Bridge. He could be the difference between staying in the division and not.
Probable side:
Championship
Jefferson
Wood
Wagh
Voges
Patel
Read (wk) (c)
Broad (Franks when Broad not available)
Swann
Ealham
Sidebottom (Pattinson when Sid not available)
Shreck
Also looking to break into the side are Mark Footitt, Bilal Shafayat, AJ Harris, Rob Ferley and possible a couple of youngsters.
One-day and Twenty20
Swann
Jefferson
Shafayat
Wagh
Voges
Patel
Read (wk) (c)
Broad (Franks when Broad not available)
Ealham
Sidebottom (Pattinson when Sid not available)
Shreck
Without Hussey, Sidebottom and Broad, it’s unlikely that Notts will have a great deal of success in the 20/20 and they will probably be mid table in the one day game. As with the County Championship, I suspect most fans will be satisfied with some decent performances and a mid table position.
Key Man:
It has to be Darren Pattinson. Whilst our batting looks fairly solid, if Pattinson fails to perform, Notts will struggle to take the wickets needed to win games.
Rising Star:
Samit Patel . After a great first season last year, where he performed so consistently it felt like he’d always been in the side, he needs to continue his form and an England call up can’t be too far away, though probably not this year. Mark Footitt, a fast bowler, also has some potential, but injuries and inconsistency have blighted his career to date. He is a bit of an unknown for now.
Captain and Coach:
Although like all managers Mick Newell has come in for some stick, on the whole, the fans seem to be behind him. A shrewd manager rather than an outspoken one, Mick quietly seems to get on with building a winning side. The only doubt sometimes expressed is whether he has what it takes to turn things around when they aren’t going well.
Showing posts with label Charlie Shreck. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Charlie Shreck. Show all posts
Friday, 11 April 2008
Sunday, 15 July 2007
Broad the best of England's young quicks
With Steve Harmison rated as "extremely doubtful" for the first Test by David Graveney, and Messrs Jones and Flintoff still far from consideration, England's pace-bowling resources, yet again, appear stretched, with only Matthew Hoggard a certainty for the next few Tests.
Ryan Sidebottom, who took 16 wickets at under 20 against the West Indies, should also be considered a definite pick - for now at least. Though some worry about his lack of pace – and, subsequently, lack of penetration on docile tracks – Sidebottom offers genuine variety, in that he is a left-armer, and, crucially, control. The Notts bowler surely deserves at least two Tests to prove he can be a threat against good batsmen on flat tracks.
James Anderson has been bowling a lot better in recent weeks (though he did go for 78 in the 2nd ODI against the West Indies) and was today named in the 13-man match squad. In the long-term, he should aim to be a Hoggard with extra pace – but he remains far too erratic. Although he has a strong case for selection, which will be boosted by his terrific bowling (6/79 in the match) during England’s win in India last year, Anderson does not offer anything greatly different to Hoggard and, equally significantly, would probably bat at 11.
The other man in the squad, Stuart Broad is just 21, but he has already impressed with his big-match temperament and penetrating bowling, as when taking 3/20 in the recent ODIs, even being compared, a little prematurely, to Glenn McGrath. He is a 6ft7 beanpole – so his enormous bounce offers a completely different threat – and bowled very well to take 5/76 against India for England Lions. Crucially, Broad has sufficient batting aptitude to bat at number eight, and has scored 50s against the last two English tourists. But, like so many young English bowlers, Broad can prove extremely expensive, and has an economy rate of 3.94 in the Championship this campaign.
Another huge bowler, Chris Tremlett, also played for England Lions against India, and had Sachin Tendulkar twice dropped. Tremlett has all the attributes to be an excellent quick, and a very good first-class record to boot, but he is perceived to have a lackadaisical attitude, and was poor in the CB Series. At 25, his time should be now, but he has only averaged 37 for Hampshire in the Championship this campaign and, though he averages almost 20 with the bat in his career, does not merit a Test debut.
Liam Plunkett played three Tests against the West Indies earlier in the summer and, though occasionally lethal when he gets it right (which he did in the CB Series), Plunkett is very erratic, often causing extras to be amongst the top scorers. At 22, the Durham quick should have a long international career ahead of him, but there are problems with his action (a victim of excess biomechanics) and England, thankfully, look to have realised he would be best served with a run in county cricket.
His Durham colleague Graham Onions has been talked of all season as a potential England bowler, but can prove horribly expensive and was dropped for the game at Surrey recently. However the pacey seamer is regarded as a wicket-taker and has a very aggressive approach, as he proved in taking three wickets against the Indian tourists.
A wildcard who could be considered is Sidebottom’s Nottinghamshire team-mate Charlie Shreck. A late developer, Shreck only made his county debut at 25 and is now 29, but, on form, deserves to be selected, having taken 40 Championship wickets at just 23 this season. He is no innocuous seamer, either; Shreck is 6ft7 and has an outstanding career strike-rate of 47. But, though he is experienced and in fantastic form, his status as the ultimate rabbit will probably preclude his selection
Verdict
It is not hard to notice the pattern here: there are a lot of young and promising bowlers who generate a good pace and are renowned as “wicket-takers”, but there is one central problem: they are all very expensive. Indeed, of those under 29, Anderson has the best economy rate this season, a not-so-miserly 3.32 in the Championship. England would probably be best served with someone who can both reduce the size of their tail and go some way to replacing Harmison’s pace, bounce and hostility to supplement Hoggard and Sidebottom in the attack. The best option, hence, appears Stuart Broad: young, aggressive and with a fearless temperament, he should make his Test debut on Thursday.
Ryan Sidebottom, who took 16 wickets at under 20 against the West Indies, should also be considered a definite pick - for now at least. Though some worry about his lack of pace – and, subsequently, lack of penetration on docile tracks – Sidebottom offers genuine variety, in that he is a left-armer, and, crucially, control. The Notts bowler surely deserves at least two Tests to prove he can be a threat against good batsmen on flat tracks.
James Anderson has been bowling a lot better in recent weeks (though he did go for 78 in the 2nd ODI against the West Indies) and was today named in the 13-man match squad. In the long-term, he should aim to be a Hoggard with extra pace – but he remains far too erratic. Although he has a strong case for selection, which will be boosted by his terrific bowling (6/79 in the match) during England’s win in India last year, Anderson does not offer anything greatly different to Hoggard and, equally significantly, would probably bat at 11.
The other man in the squad, Stuart Broad is just 21, but he has already impressed with his big-match temperament and penetrating bowling, as when taking 3/20 in the recent ODIs, even being compared, a little prematurely, to Glenn McGrath. He is a 6ft7 beanpole – so his enormous bounce offers a completely different threat – and bowled very well to take 5/76 against India for England Lions. Crucially, Broad has sufficient batting aptitude to bat at number eight, and has scored 50s against the last two English tourists. But, like so many young English bowlers, Broad can prove extremely expensive, and has an economy rate of 3.94 in the Championship this campaign.
Another huge bowler, Chris Tremlett, also played for England Lions against India, and had Sachin Tendulkar twice dropped. Tremlett has all the attributes to be an excellent quick, and a very good first-class record to boot, but he is perceived to have a lackadaisical attitude, and was poor in the CB Series. At 25, his time should be now, but he has only averaged 37 for Hampshire in the Championship this campaign and, though he averages almost 20 with the bat in his career, does not merit a Test debut.
Liam Plunkett played three Tests against the West Indies earlier in the summer and, though occasionally lethal when he gets it right (which he did in the CB Series), Plunkett is very erratic, often causing extras to be amongst the top scorers. At 22, the Durham quick should have a long international career ahead of him, but there are problems with his action (a victim of excess biomechanics) and England, thankfully, look to have realised he would be best served with a run in county cricket.
His Durham colleague Graham Onions has been talked of all season as a potential England bowler, but can prove horribly expensive and was dropped for the game at Surrey recently. However the pacey seamer is regarded as a wicket-taker and has a very aggressive approach, as he proved in taking three wickets against the Indian tourists.
A wildcard who could be considered is Sidebottom’s Nottinghamshire team-mate Charlie Shreck. A late developer, Shreck only made his county debut at 25 and is now 29, but, on form, deserves to be selected, having taken 40 Championship wickets at just 23 this season. He is no innocuous seamer, either; Shreck is 6ft7 and has an outstanding career strike-rate of 47. But, though he is experienced and in fantastic form, his status as the ultimate rabbit will probably preclude his selection
Verdict
It is not hard to notice the pattern here: there are a lot of young and promising bowlers who generate a good pace and are renowned as “wicket-takers”, but there is one central problem: they are all very expensive. Indeed, of those under 29, Anderson has the best economy rate this season, a not-so-miserly 3.32 in the Championship. England would probably be best served with someone who can both reduce the size of their tail and go some way to replacing Harmison’s pace, bounce and hostility to supplement Hoggard and Sidebottom in the attack. The best option, hence, appears Stuart Broad: young, aggressive and with a fearless temperament, he should make his Test debut on Thursday.
Thursday, 5 April 2007
2007 Season Preview: Nottinghamshire
Notts fan Jack Richardson assesses the club's chances of success in 2007, as we continue our county previews.
2006 in a Nutshell:
Last season was very disappointing for Nottinghamshire with relegation from the County Championship and the loss of the Twenty20 cup final at Trent Bridge. Despite some brilliant contributions with the ball by Charlie Shreck, the batters underperformed, collecting only 40 batting points. Going down by only ½ a point was frustrating as was that no-ball in the final of the Twenty20 cup. In the one day game Notts are very much an improving side, despite an average finish in the then-named C&G trophy.
2007 Prospects
Batting:
The batting needs to improve and should do with the signings of Will Jefferson, Mark Wagh and Bilal Shafayat. With Stephen Fleming and David Hussey as overseas players, there should be no problem in the middle order, but Jason Gallian’s form was awful last season. Chris Read and the evergreen Mark Ealham are dangerous middle order batsmen in both forms of the game.
Bowling:
The bowling was, on the whole, very good for Notts last season, and hopefully that will continue. With the arrival of Rob Ferley from Kent to bolster the spin attack, and with Shreck, Ryan Sidebottom, And Harris and Mark Ealham as quicks, finding 20 wickets in a four-day game shouldn’t be too difficult.
Probable Championship side:
Gallian
Jefferson
Wagh
Fleming
Hussey
Read
Ealham
Swann
Sidebottom
Harris
Shreck
However, because of the World Cup Fleming won’t arrive until May 23rd, so this may give a chance for Samit Patel to shine.
The one-day team changes basically every match; it could look like
Jefferson
Swann
Fleming
Patel
Hussey
Read
Ealham
Franks
Sidebottom
Harris
Shreck
Key Man:
The key man will probably be David Hussey. Captaining the team until Fleming returns, hopefully he can recapture the same form with the bat he had last season and with Victoria in the winter. He should thrive in Division 2 facing lesser bowling attacks, as Mark Ramprakash did for Surrey last season.
Captain and Coach:
The coach Mick Newell seems a bit of a coward to me, and I am not totally convinced about him. Having been promoted or relegated every season he has been here, I think he is too inconsistent. Fleming is a very fine captain, perhaps the best in the world. It will be interesting to see how Hussey does as captain in the interim.
2007 county previews home
2006 in a Nutshell:
Last season was very disappointing for Nottinghamshire with relegation from the County Championship and the loss of the Twenty20 cup final at Trent Bridge. Despite some brilliant contributions with the ball by Charlie Shreck, the batters underperformed, collecting only 40 batting points. Going down by only ½ a point was frustrating as was that no-ball in the final of the Twenty20 cup. In the one day game Notts are very much an improving side, despite an average finish in the then-named C&G trophy.
2007 Prospects
Batting:
The batting needs to improve and should do with the signings of Will Jefferson, Mark Wagh and Bilal Shafayat. With Stephen Fleming and David Hussey as overseas players, there should be no problem in the middle order, but Jason Gallian’s form was awful last season. Chris Read and the evergreen Mark Ealham are dangerous middle order batsmen in both forms of the game.
Bowling:
The bowling was, on the whole, very good for Notts last season, and hopefully that will continue. With the arrival of Rob Ferley from Kent to bolster the spin attack, and with Shreck, Ryan Sidebottom, And Harris and Mark Ealham as quicks, finding 20 wickets in a four-day game shouldn’t be too difficult.
Probable Championship side:
Gallian
Jefferson
Wagh
Fleming
Hussey
Read
Ealham
Swann
Sidebottom
Harris
Shreck
However, because of the World Cup Fleming won’t arrive until May 23rd, so this may give a chance for Samit Patel to shine.
The one-day team changes basically every match; it could look like
Jefferson
Swann
Fleming
Patel
Hussey
Read
Ealham
Franks
Sidebottom
Harris
Shreck
Key Man:
The key man will probably be David Hussey. Captaining the team until Fleming returns, hopefully he can recapture the same form with the bat he had last season and with Victoria in the winter. He should thrive in Division 2 facing lesser bowling attacks, as Mark Ramprakash did for Surrey last season.
Captain and Coach:
The coach Mick Newell seems a bit of a coward to me, and I am not totally convinced about him. Having been promoted or relegated every season he has been here, I think he is too inconsistent. Fleming is a very fine captain, perhaps the best in the world. It will be interesting to see how Hussey does as captain in the interim.
2007 county previews home
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