In all of the 20Twenty excitement, it’s all change at the top of both divisions of the County Championship as Notts and Worcester take their chances, while Lancashire are frustrated/ hang on (delete according to viewpoint) against Hampshire.
Division 1
Only two games in the top division, and with Durham not playing Nottinghamshire had the chance to return to the top – as did Yorkshire, mathematically. Notts decision to bat first looked to have backfired as they were bowled out for 213. However, this was enough for a decent first innings lead, as Yorkshire, missing Antony McGrath who was injured in the warm up, made just 161 with Charlie Shrek taking five wickets. Batting got easier second time round, particularly as Rana Naved picked up an injury which restricted his bowling and Notts made 350, leaving Yorkshire needing 403. Despite an outstanding 132 (his maiden first class century) from Adam Lyth, it was a player at the other end of his career that took the plaudits as Mark Ealham finished up with seven wickets in the total of 290 and Notts ran out comfortable winners to top the table. Yorkshire are beginning to look over their shoulders.
Lancashire could have gone top with a win over Hampshire and started well with 357 in their first innings, Imran Tahir taking five wickets on debut for Hants. A stand of 145 between Michael Brown and Chris Benham rescued Hants from 35 for 3, but their total of 288 still gave Lancs a decent lead. However, Tahir went two better second time round, taking 7 wickets as Lancs struggled to 155, leaving Hants needing 225 for victory in 71 overs. A poor start meant that the chase was more about survival. However, at the close of play they had reached 215 for 7, only 10 runs short of an unlikely victory. They stay in the bottom two, while Lancs move up to 2nd.
Division 2
With Warwickshire having a week off, Worcestershire had the chance to go top against a Middlesex team who’s mind was on the 20Twenty finals. Indeed Middlesex were indebted to a fine 91 from Shaun Udal to get them to 300, Kabir Ali taking 5 wickets. Worcester went 61 runs better, with Ben Smith getting out in the 90s again. In the second innings, it was only a century partnership between Dawid Malan and Ben Scott that got Middlesex to 164, with Gareth Batty taking 5 wickets. Worcester knocked off the 105 needed for victory without losing a wicket to go top while Middlesex’s challenge is faltering.
Also keeping up the pressure at the top are Essex, who restricted Gloucestershire to 275 in their first innings, despite Marcus North getting 98. However, at 109 for 6 Essex were struggling and only a lower order rally, centred around James Foster took them to a four run first innings lead, Steve Kirby taking five wickets. Danesh Kaneria took five wickets second time round as Gloucester struggled to 184. Essex were quickly 7 for 2, but then reached the 181 needed for vitory without losing another wicket, Ravi Bopara getting a hundred with support from Neil Dexter. Essex are 4th, but with a game in hand over Worcester and Northants, who are also still in the hunt.
Northamptonshire stayed in contention with a Kolpakshire derby win against Leicestershire. Northants made 373 first time round with David Sales contributing 151. this was enough for a lead of 200 as Leicestershire struggled to 173. Following on they had reached 92 for 6 before Paul Nixon’s 73 at least meant that Northants had to bat again, ending on 226. Northants lost 2 wickets in their chase of 27, but still ran out comfortable winners to move 3rd in the table.
England Player Watch
Another century for Ravi Bopara who is having an excellent season for Essex. In contrast Owais Shah made just 7 runs in his two innings.
On the bowling front, Adil Rashid is back in the wickets, taking 6, while Matthew Hoggard took five wickets. Charlie Shrek took a 5-fer and given the selector’s current love of Notts bowlers, he time may come soon!
Player of the Week
Not many matches, but some outstanding performances. Adam Lyth deserves credit for his maiden century as does David Sales for his 151. Mark Ealham turned back the years with his 7-fer, however it was another 7-fer that almost took Hampshire to an unlikely victory that wins the award. Last season he played one game for Yorkshire and looked out of his depth. This season he’s started his Hants career with 12 wickets in a match and the Player of the Week is Imran Tahir.
Showing posts with label David Sales. Show all posts
Showing posts with label David Sales. Show all posts
Monday, 28 July 2008
Tuesday, 27 May 2008
Championship Review - Week 6
Away from the excitement of the Test at Old Trafford, in Division 1, the Champions beat the league leaders while in Division 2, Middlesex and Essex hung on for what could be vital draws. And Ramps is still waiting for his 100th hundred…
Division 1
Starting with the leaders, Nottinghamshire had Sussex in all sorts of trouble at 74 for 6 until Matt Prior and Robin Martin-Jenkins put on 142 for the 7th wicket, Prior ending up with 131. Notts scored 251 in reply and with Sussex getting 259 in their second innings, Prior again top scoring, Notts needed 286 to win. With Corey Collymore taking four wickets for the second time in the match, Sussex won by 73 runs as Notts made 212. Notts have had a flying start to the season, Sussex have had a poor start to the season. However, there are now just six points between them as the table closes up again.
Ryan McLaren took 5 for 31 as Kent bowled Somerset out for just 202. Kent then made 273, with Martin van Jaarsveld hitting 95. A Marcus Trescothick century brought Somerset back into the game, and their score of 335 meant that Kent were chasing 270 to win. Joe Denly hit 149, but the Kent effort finished 20 runs short and Somerset record their first win of the season to move 4th with a game in hand on all of those above them.
Bizarrely, one of the teams above Somerset, Surrey, are still to register a win, although their strong batting line-up means that there are bonus points a-plenty. The game against Yorkshire was no different as Surrey declared on 466 for 8, with Mark Butcher scoring 205 and Matt Nicholson 133, the pair of them putting on 231 for the 6th wicket. Mark Ramprakash managed just 29 with 14 in the 2nd innings meaning that he remains on 99 centuries. In reply Jacques Rudolph (121) and Andrew Gale (150) also had a stand of over 200 as Yorkshire racked up 525, thanks also to an unbeaten 84 from Tim Bresnan. Losing three wickets before making up the deficit, Surrey were wobbling. However, Yorkshire were a bowler light due to injury to Rana Naved (Yorkshire’s 5th pace bowler to be injured this season along with Gough, Hoggard, Shahzad and Morkel) and an Usman Afzaal century saw Surrey to safety, closing on 299 for 6.
Division 2
Northamptonshire batted first at Glamorgan an scored an impressive 531 for 8 with Niall O’Brien and David Sales both scoring hundreds, Sales getting 173 of just 151 balls. In reply, Jamie Dalrymple offered solid resistance, with 82 off 212 balls, but the Welshmen were bowled out for 278, well short of the follow-on target. They batted even more poorly second time round, making just 154 for Northants to run out winners by an innings and 99 runs.
Division 1
Starting with the leaders, Nottinghamshire had Sussex in all sorts of trouble at 74 for 6 until Matt Prior and Robin Martin-Jenkins put on 142 for the 7th wicket, Prior ending up with 131. Notts scored 251 in reply and with Sussex getting 259 in their second innings, Prior again top scoring, Notts needed 286 to win. With Corey Collymore taking four wickets for the second time in the match, Sussex won by 73 runs as Notts made 212. Notts have had a flying start to the season, Sussex have had a poor start to the season. However, there are now just six points between them as the table closes up again.
Ryan McLaren took 5 for 31 as Kent bowled Somerset out for just 202. Kent then made 273, with Martin van Jaarsveld hitting 95. A Marcus Trescothick century brought Somerset back into the game, and their score of 335 meant that Kent were chasing 270 to win. Joe Denly hit 149, but the Kent effort finished 20 runs short and Somerset record their first win of the season to move 4th with a game in hand on all of those above them.
Bizarrely, one of the teams above Somerset, Surrey, are still to register a win, although their strong batting line-up means that there are bonus points a-plenty. The game against Yorkshire was no different as Surrey declared on 466 for 8, with Mark Butcher scoring 205 and Matt Nicholson 133, the pair of them putting on 231 for the 6th wicket. Mark Ramprakash managed just 29 with 14 in the 2nd innings meaning that he remains on 99 centuries. In reply Jacques Rudolph (121) and Andrew Gale (150) also had a stand of over 200 as Yorkshire racked up 525, thanks also to an unbeaten 84 from Tim Bresnan. Losing three wickets before making up the deficit, Surrey were wobbling. However, Yorkshire were a bowler light due to injury to Rana Naved (Yorkshire’s 5th pace bowler to be injured this season along with Gough, Hoggard, Shahzad and Morkel) and an Usman Afzaal century saw Surrey to safety, closing on 299 for 6.
Division 2
Northamptonshire batted first at Glamorgan an scored an impressive 531 for 8 with Niall O’Brien and David Sales both scoring hundreds, Sales getting 173 of just 151 balls. In reply, Jamie Dalrymple offered solid resistance, with 82 off 212 balls, but the Welshmen were bowled out for 278, well short of the follow-on target. They batted even more poorly second time round, making just 154 for Northants to run out winners by an innings and 99 runs.
Glamorgan feels the South African heat in Swansea.
Northants Nicky Boje and Johann Louw above.
Forever Swansea. Glamorgan's display versus Northants spoilt their annual visit to the old St Helens ground, a fans favourite (Pics c/o RTE).
The most exciting finish of the week was at Chelmsford where David Masters took 6 for 24 as Leicestershire made just 159, Paul Nixon and Jacques du Toit putting on 86 of these for the 6th wicket. However, Essex did little better, Nadeem Malik taking 6 for 46 as they made 164 for a lead of five runs. In a complete turnaround, the Foxes then made 449 second time round, with HD Ackerman getting a ton and Paul Nixon unbeaten on 92, despite Ryan ten Doeschate taking 5-fer. Needing 445 to win, Essex were always struggling but hung on for a draw thanks to a gutsy lower order resistance, mainly from James Foster scoring 88 from 212 balls, but also Masters scoring just 5 from 87 deliveries, and Tony Palladino with 2 from 53 deliveries.
England Player Watch
Ravi Bopara followed a golden duck with 87 for Essex as the pressure builds on the out of form Paul Collingwood, while his main contender for the next batting place, Owais Shah made 36 and 50 for Middlesex. Joe Denly also started with a golden duck for Kent, but followed it with 149, while Rob Key got two starts with 48 and 26. However, change at the top of the England batting line-up seems unlikely.
Matt Prior kept up his stellar start to the season with a century and a fifty in Sussex’s win, and should be in consideration for a specialist batsman’s role as well as putting pressure on Tim Ambrose. Also keeping up the pressure on Ambrose is Chris Read, who scored a fifty for Notts in the same match and James Foster, whose 88 saved Essex from defeat.
Bowling wise, Tim Bresnan took four wickets on a batsman friendly track, while his good form with the bat continues. However, the more likely next bowlers in line for England, Chris Tremlett and Graeme Onions both had the week off.
Player of the week
Mentions to Mark Butcher for his double century, David Sales for his brutal attack on Glamorgan and David Masters for six wickets and surviving 87 deliveries as Essex saved the game against Leicestershire. However, the player of the week is the second wicket-keeper of the season to win the award. No other Sussex batsman made a fifty, while he got a ton and a fifty as Notts were defeated, the Player of the Week is Matt Prior.
Tuesday, 8 April 2008
2008 Season Preview: Northamptonshire
Continuing our series of county previews, here is an assessment of Northants's chances in 2008.
2007 In a Nutshell:
The season began poorly for Northamptonshire with a second consecutive abysmal Friends Provident Trophy campaign where they recorded a solitary win over Scotland. It failed to pick up in the middle as they never threatened to even flirt with promotion in the Championship while a typically awful performance against Somerset killed off hopes of securing a Twenty20 quarter-final berth. The end to the season was little short of apocalyptic. The Steelbacks looked to have secured their first division status in the Totesport League before a last over meltdown, featuring the team’s two best players – David Sales and Lance Klusener – doomed them to the relegation playoff, where they capitulated against Middlesex, thus ensuring that 2008 will be spent down among the dead men in both forms of the game.
2008 Prospects:
At first glance it doesn’t look good, although their may be some reason for optimism. The ECB’s decision to block the registration of Johannes van der Wath and Andrew Hall is potentially a fatal blow. The seam bowling is too weak to expect a serious challenge for promotion in the Championship and the team lacks proven quality at the top of the batting order. Usman Afzaal left for Surrey and while his attitude may not be missed, his runs will be and it could once again be a case of Sales against the world, as Northamptonshire battle for respectability. Despite the losses of Hall and van der Wath there is sufficient all-round talent to suggest that they could feature in the mix for one of the limited overs trophies, although they will need the cards to fall in their favour.
Batting:
As Sales go, so go Northamptonshire. He was superb last year and single-handedly kept the county in a number of games. He has stepped down from the captaincy in a bid to boost his international prospects and is comfortably the most gifted player of his generation not to have been offered the chance at the highest level. There are rumours that this will be his last year at Wantage Road, so Northamptonshire fans should enjoy him while they still can.
Stephen Peters is assured of one opening spot and has the ability to score 1,000 runs and provide some impetus early on. Andrew Crook, Alex Wakeley and Rob White look set to contest the other opening spot and the number three position. Wakeley is an exciting prospect and should be given his head while White has the ability to be brilliant or awful. Crook is no more than a body. At this stage of their careers White and Crook have yet to prove they can produce on a consistent basis, while Wakeley is still finding his way. It won’t be a surprise if Sales finds himself walking to the crease with the scoreboard reading 20-2 on a regular basis.
Skipper Nicky Boje and Lance Klusener will likely bat at five and six with the wicketkeeper, Niall O’Brien or Rikki Wessels, at seven. With Johann Louw and Stephen Crook coming in lower down Northamptonshire will not lack depth and if Klusener can maintain the form he has shown in his first two seasons with the county, Northamptonshire could spring a few surprises.
Wicketkeeper:
Take your pick between O’Brien and Wessels. Northamptonshire couldn’t make up their mind last season and then muddled the situation further by giving both players two-year contracts. The two keepers played musical chairs last season and although Wessels looks the better prospect, O’Brien appears to have his supporters. It won’t be a shock to see O’Brien take the gloves – not a move guaranteed to have the Wantage road faithful turning cartwheels of delight – although Wessels will have the opportunity to earn a berth as a specialist batsman and both could figure in the limited overs competition where Wessels’ destructive hitting at the end of the innings is a legitimate threat.
Bowling:
At the end of last year Northamptonshire were fielding arguably the worst seam bowling attack in the county’s history. After Stephen Crook was injured and van der Wath returned to South Africa, Northamptonshire were forced to rely on David Wigley, David Lucas and Richard Logan. Their efforts with the new ball fluctuated between iffy and abysmal and it was a major surprise that all three were offered new contracts for 2008. It will be an even bigger surprise – and not a particularly pleasant one – if all three feature on a regular basis this season.
This year Northamptonshire will place their hopes on Klusener defying the advance of time – he turns 37 in September – Crook staying fit and Louw showing the form he displayed in his first stint with the county in 2004. Yet although that trio represents a considerable upgrade over Lucas, Wigley and Logan, it is hardly an attack that will cause opposing batsmen to regard a visit to Wantage Road with any degree of trepidation. The tracks will continue to offer turn at Wantage Road and Northamptonshire could do better than expected if Monty Panesar’s exile from England’s One Day Squad continues. Boje will bowl a lot of overs and showed in a brief spell at the end of last season that he is a more potent threat than Jason Brown. Brown has a benefit to occupy him this year and could potentially find himself reduced to the role of one day specialist. Meanwhile, youngster Graeme White could force his way into the reckoning this summer.
Probable Side:
Championship
Peters
Wakeley / A Crook
White
Sales
Boje (c)
Klusener
O’Brien / Wessels (wk)
S Crook
Louw
Lucas / Wigley
Panesar / Brown
Northamptonshire’s biggest problem will be negotiating the new ball when they bat and then picking up 20 wickets when they bowl. If Rob White and Peters produce runs at the top of the order and provide Sales with a platform, runs should not be a major problem. However, it’s not easy to see the bowlers regularly dismissing a side twice until the pitches begin to take turn. If the selectors continue to ignore Sales and Northamptonshire manage to avoid their customary slow starts and hang around in contention until August, they could spring a surprise.
One Day / Twenty/20
Peters
O’Brien (wk)
White
Sales
Boje (c)
Klusener
Wessels
S Crook
Louw
Lucas / Brown
Panesar / Brown
Had Hall and van der Wath been cleared by the ECB, Northamptonshire would have had an excellent chance of winning something in the limited overs format. Even without the two South Africans they should have enough firepower with the bat – plus six bowlers – to cause a few problems for whoever they come up against. If Sales, Klusener and Louw click, Northamptonshire could yet strike gold.
Key Man:
It’s tempting to say Sales or Klusener. However, they’ve both been exceptional for the past two seasons and Northamptonshire don’t exactly have a great deal to show for their efforts. Bowling-wise Stephen Crook needs to stay healthy but the most pressure may be on Rob White. It’s time for White to stand and deliver because if he finally produces the breakout season that he seems capable of, Northamptonshire’s batsmen could run riot. If he doesn’t, he might just find that the club’s hierarchy has lost patience and decides against renewing his contract at the end of the year.
Rising Star:
Alex Wakeley captained the England Under-19s during the winter and went to the same school as Alistair Cook. He showed glimpses last year that he has the talent to develop into a force at the top of the order. He will have the opportunity to cement his place in the side this season and if he takes it Northamptonshire could be in much ruder health than anyone suspects.
Captain and Coach:
It’s tempting to suggest that Boje got the job because no one else was assured of his place in the team. By nature South Africans are not the biggest risk takers but Boje has a more open-minded approach than many of his countrymen and may be inclined to roll the dice more often. In all fairness Northamptonshire have little to lose and even though they have been dealt a lousy hand by the ECB they should not be afraid to raise the stakes.
David Capel has done a decent job with limited resources, both in terms of finances and the size of the squad. He should be encouraged to give Wakeley and Graham White an extended run this year if circumstances allow and if he can persuade Sales to commit his future to the county it will be a major boost to morale.
Outlook:
2008 has something of a do or die element to it for the Steelbacks. It promises to be the last hurrah for Klusener and possibly Sales while a number of the lesser lights are playing for their professional future. 2007 was something of a train wreck but if the ball bounces kindly for them this season the Steelbacks could find themselves in the relatively unaccustomed position of challenging for silverware.
2007 In a Nutshell:
The season began poorly for Northamptonshire with a second consecutive abysmal Friends Provident Trophy campaign where they recorded a solitary win over Scotland. It failed to pick up in the middle as they never threatened to even flirt with promotion in the Championship while a typically awful performance against Somerset killed off hopes of securing a Twenty20 quarter-final berth. The end to the season was little short of apocalyptic. The Steelbacks looked to have secured their first division status in the Totesport League before a last over meltdown, featuring the team’s two best players – David Sales and Lance Klusener – doomed them to the relegation playoff, where they capitulated against Middlesex, thus ensuring that 2008 will be spent down among the dead men in both forms of the game.
2008 Prospects:
At first glance it doesn’t look good, although their may be some reason for optimism. The ECB’s decision to block the registration of Johannes van der Wath and Andrew Hall is potentially a fatal blow. The seam bowling is too weak to expect a serious challenge for promotion in the Championship and the team lacks proven quality at the top of the batting order. Usman Afzaal left for Surrey and while his attitude may not be missed, his runs will be and it could once again be a case of Sales against the world, as Northamptonshire battle for respectability. Despite the losses of Hall and van der Wath there is sufficient all-round talent to suggest that they could feature in the mix for one of the limited overs trophies, although they will need the cards to fall in their favour.
Batting:
As Sales go, so go Northamptonshire. He was superb last year and single-handedly kept the county in a number of games. He has stepped down from the captaincy in a bid to boost his international prospects and is comfortably the most gifted player of his generation not to have been offered the chance at the highest level. There are rumours that this will be his last year at Wantage Road, so Northamptonshire fans should enjoy him while they still can.
Stephen Peters is assured of one opening spot and has the ability to score 1,000 runs and provide some impetus early on. Andrew Crook, Alex Wakeley and Rob White look set to contest the other opening spot and the number three position. Wakeley is an exciting prospect and should be given his head while White has the ability to be brilliant or awful. Crook is no more than a body. At this stage of their careers White and Crook have yet to prove they can produce on a consistent basis, while Wakeley is still finding his way. It won’t be a surprise if Sales finds himself walking to the crease with the scoreboard reading 20-2 on a regular basis.
Skipper Nicky Boje and Lance Klusener will likely bat at five and six with the wicketkeeper, Niall O’Brien or Rikki Wessels, at seven. With Johann Louw and Stephen Crook coming in lower down Northamptonshire will not lack depth and if Klusener can maintain the form he has shown in his first two seasons with the county, Northamptonshire could spring a few surprises.
Wicketkeeper:
Take your pick between O’Brien and Wessels. Northamptonshire couldn’t make up their mind last season and then muddled the situation further by giving both players two-year contracts. The two keepers played musical chairs last season and although Wessels looks the better prospect, O’Brien appears to have his supporters. It won’t be a shock to see O’Brien take the gloves – not a move guaranteed to have the Wantage road faithful turning cartwheels of delight – although Wessels will have the opportunity to earn a berth as a specialist batsman and both could figure in the limited overs competition where Wessels’ destructive hitting at the end of the innings is a legitimate threat.
Bowling:
At the end of last year Northamptonshire were fielding arguably the worst seam bowling attack in the county’s history. After Stephen Crook was injured and van der Wath returned to South Africa, Northamptonshire were forced to rely on David Wigley, David Lucas and Richard Logan. Their efforts with the new ball fluctuated between iffy and abysmal and it was a major surprise that all three were offered new contracts for 2008. It will be an even bigger surprise – and not a particularly pleasant one – if all three feature on a regular basis this season.
This year Northamptonshire will place their hopes on Klusener defying the advance of time – he turns 37 in September – Crook staying fit and Louw showing the form he displayed in his first stint with the county in 2004. Yet although that trio represents a considerable upgrade over Lucas, Wigley and Logan, it is hardly an attack that will cause opposing batsmen to regard a visit to Wantage Road with any degree of trepidation. The tracks will continue to offer turn at Wantage Road and Northamptonshire could do better than expected if Monty Panesar’s exile from England’s One Day Squad continues. Boje will bowl a lot of overs and showed in a brief spell at the end of last season that he is a more potent threat than Jason Brown. Brown has a benefit to occupy him this year and could potentially find himself reduced to the role of one day specialist. Meanwhile, youngster Graeme White could force his way into the reckoning this summer.
Probable Side:
Championship
Peters
Wakeley / A Crook
White
Sales
Boje (c)
Klusener
O’Brien / Wessels (wk)
S Crook
Louw
Lucas / Wigley
Panesar / Brown
Northamptonshire’s biggest problem will be negotiating the new ball when they bat and then picking up 20 wickets when they bowl. If Rob White and Peters produce runs at the top of the order and provide Sales with a platform, runs should not be a major problem. However, it’s not easy to see the bowlers regularly dismissing a side twice until the pitches begin to take turn. If the selectors continue to ignore Sales and Northamptonshire manage to avoid their customary slow starts and hang around in contention until August, they could spring a surprise.
One Day / Twenty/20
Peters
O’Brien (wk)
White
Sales
Boje (c)
Klusener
Wessels
S Crook
Louw
Lucas / Brown
Panesar / Brown
Had Hall and van der Wath been cleared by the ECB, Northamptonshire would have had an excellent chance of winning something in the limited overs format. Even without the two South Africans they should have enough firepower with the bat – plus six bowlers – to cause a few problems for whoever they come up against. If Sales, Klusener and Louw click, Northamptonshire could yet strike gold.
Key Man:
It’s tempting to say Sales or Klusener. However, they’ve both been exceptional for the past two seasons and Northamptonshire don’t exactly have a great deal to show for their efforts. Bowling-wise Stephen Crook needs to stay healthy but the most pressure may be on Rob White. It’s time for White to stand and deliver because if he finally produces the breakout season that he seems capable of, Northamptonshire’s batsmen could run riot. If he doesn’t, he might just find that the club’s hierarchy has lost patience and decides against renewing his contract at the end of the year.
Rising Star:
Alex Wakeley captained the England Under-19s during the winter and went to the same school as Alistair Cook. He showed glimpses last year that he has the talent to develop into a force at the top of the order. He will have the opportunity to cement his place in the side this season and if he takes it Northamptonshire could be in much ruder health than anyone suspects.
Captain and Coach:
It’s tempting to suggest that Boje got the job because no one else was assured of his place in the team. By nature South Africans are not the biggest risk takers but Boje has a more open-minded approach than many of his countrymen and may be inclined to roll the dice more often. In all fairness Northamptonshire have little to lose and even though they have been dealt a lousy hand by the ECB they should not be afraid to raise the stakes.
David Capel has done a decent job with limited resources, both in terms of finances and the size of the squad. He should be encouraged to give Wakeley and Graham White an extended run this year if circumstances allow and if he can persuade Sales to commit his future to the county it will be a major boost to morale.
Outlook:
2008 has something of a do or die element to it for the Steelbacks. It promises to be the last hurrah for Klusener and possibly Sales while a number of the lesser lights are playing for their professional future. 2007 was something of a train wreck but if the ball bounces kindly for them this season the Steelbacks could find themselves in the relatively unaccustomed position of challenging for silverware.
Saturday, 24 February 2007
2007 Season Preview: Northamptonshire
In the build-up to the new county season, we are running fans' county previews, beginning with Northants. Do feel free to email one to cricketingworld@hotmail.com, in the same format as the preview below.
2006 in a nutshell:
It was an average season for Northants in 2006, that saw us win only 1 C and G tie early on and some poor championship form gave us a bad start to the season. In June Kelper Wessels got sacked as coach and we never looked back - we qualified for the Twenty20 quarter-finals, came 3rd in the Pro40, and even our championship form picked up. Lance Klusener was our star man, basically running the show.
2007 prospects:
I am hopeful for 2007, we have a good group of players, and, with a fine captain and captain, this may even be the year in which we finally win a trophy.
Batting:
I am disappointed to lose Bilal Shafayat after only 2 years at Northants. He was a key batsmen to us and was averaging nearly 50 in first class games until he had to fill in with the gloves, due to Riki Wessels' injury. We have two good overseas pros this year: Johan Van der Wath (South Africa) and Chris Rogers (Australia). We shouldn’t lose these two to international duty and they could play a key role - Rogers was superb last season hitting two double hundreds and a triple hundred. Meanwhile, Lance Klusener batted exceptionally last season. Uzman Afzaal, Stephen Peters and the reliable Sales should complete the batting order with Wessels or Niall O’Brien in at 5, 6 or 7 with the gloves.
It will be interesting to see who emerges as the regular gloveman; Wessels has done a good job in the last couple of seasons, but O’Brien has international experience and do we let a capped international play 2nd team cricket? Wessels starts as favourite to play because O’Brien was only brought in for cover, but an impressive World Cup could even it out for O’Brien. It is anyone’s guess at this stage who will play. This is a hell of a one-day batting unit and not a bad one in the Championship arena. Rob White will play a part too, mostly in the one-day tournaments in which his huge hitting can be very effective.
Bowling:
A virtually new look bowling line-up all together. Out - Phillips, Nicholson. In - Logan, Browning (youth and 2nd team player), Dawson.
Sadly, it seems Monty Panesar won’t be in the team much more, going on to international hero status. This means we have signed Richard Dawson from Yorkshire as our 2nd spinner - he will certainly play in the majority of games. Richard Logan looks a half-decent signing and I am looking forward to seeing how he does. Browning probably won’t play too much as he is only 18 and will play a lot of 2nd team stuff.
Put these new bowlers with the old Jason Brown, we have a respectable line up, with Van Der Wath opening the bowling and Klusener putting in a few overs.
Probable Championship side:
Peters
Rogers
Afzaal
Sales (capt)
Wessels / O’Brien (wk)
Klusener
Van Der Wath
Wigley/Crook
Logan
Dawson
Brown
With our powerful batting line-up, I feel we have every chance of winning the Pro40 competition. In the Championship, promotion will probably prove elusive, while the Twenty20 is anyone's guess. Considering Northants' penchant for starting the season slowly, though, do not expect much in the C & G Trophy.
Key Man:
Got to be Lance Klusener. He is a legend down here already. Had a great season last season and we are hoping for much of the same. He plays as a batsmen in Championship cricket now, just bowling as a fill-in. He can still hit it a mile when he gets going, although his inconsistency in one-day cricket is slightly frustrating. However when he is at his best in one-day cricket he is a match-winner: last season he almost single-handedly won us a few games, in both formats.
Rising Star:
Tough one. Ryan Nelson looks good at only 19, although I doubt it very much that he will break into the first XI. It will be experiance all the way, much like last season.
Captain and Coach:
Very pleased with the captain, David Sales, who is in his benefit year. He is a top batsmen and a good captain, can’t ask for any more than that. David Capel took over for the last third of 2006 and you can’t fault him. Our form went up and he gets on well with the boys. A million times better than Wessels.
2006 in a nutshell:
It was an average season for Northants in 2006, that saw us win only 1 C and G tie early on and some poor championship form gave us a bad start to the season. In June Kelper Wessels got sacked as coach and we never looked back - we qualified for the Twenty20 quarter-finals, came 3rd in the Pro40, and even our championship form picked up. Lance Klusener was our star man, basically running the show.
2007 prospects:
I am hopeful for 2007, we have a good group of players, and, with a fine captain and captain, this may even be the year in which we finally win a trophy.
Batting:
I am disappointed to lose Bilal Shafayat after only 2 years at Northants. He was a key batsmen to us and was averaging nearly 50 in first class games until he had to fill in with the gloves, due to Riki Wessels' injury. We have two good overseas pros this year: Johan Van der Wath (South Africa) and Chris Rogers (Australia). We shouldn’t lose these two to international duty and they could play a key role - Rogers was superb last season hitting two double hundreds and a triple hundred. Meanwhile, Lance Klusener batted exceptionally last season. Uzman Afzaal, Stephen Peters and the reliable Sales should complete the batting order with Wessels or Niall O’Brien in at 5, 6 or 7 with the gloves.
It will be interesting to see who emerges as the regular gloveman; Wessels has done a good job in the last couple of seasons, but O’Brien has international experience and do we let a capped international play 2nd team cricket? Wessels starts as favourite to play because O’Brien was only brought in for cover, but an impressive World Cup could even it out for O’Brien. It is anyone’s guess at this stage who will play. This is a hell of a one-day batting unit and not a bad one in the Championship arena. Rob White will play a part too, mostly in the one-day tournaments in which his huge hitting can be very effective.
Bowling:
A virtually new look bowling line-up all together. Out - Phillips, Nicholson. In - Logan, Browning (youth and 2nd team player), Dawson.
Sadly, it seems Monty Panesar won’t be in the team much more, going on to international hero status. This means we have signed Richard Dawson from Yorkshire as our 2nd spinner - he will certainly play in the majority of games. Richard Logan looks a half-decent signing and I am looking forward to seeing how he does. Browning probably won’t play too much as he is only 18 and will play a lot of 2nd team stuff.
Put these new bowlers with the old Jason Brown, we have a respectable line up, with Van Der Wath opening the bowling and Klusener putting in a few overs.
Probable Championship side:
Peters
Rogers
Afzaal
Sales (capt)
Wessels / O’Brien (wk)
Klusener
Van Der Wath
Wigley/Crook
Logan
Dawson
Brown
With our powerful batting line-up, I feel we have every chance of winning the Pro40 competition. In the Championship, promotion will probably prove elusive, while the Twenty20 is anyone's guess. Considering Northants' penchant for starting the season slowly, though, do not expect much in the C & G Trophy.
Key Man:
Got to be Lance Klusener. He is a legend down here already. Had a great season last season and we are hoping for much of the same. He plays as a batsmen in Championship cricket now, just bowling as a fill-in. He can still hit it a mile when he gets going, although his inconsistency in one-day cricket is slightly frustrating. However when he is at his best in one-day cricket he is a match-winner: last season he almost single-handedly won us a few games, in both formats.
Rising Star:
Tough one. Ryan Nelson looks good at only 19, although I doubt it very much that he will break into the first XI. It will be experiance all the way, much like last season.
Captain and Coach:
Very pleased with the captain, David Sales, who is in his benefit year. He is a top batsmen and a good captain, can’t ask for any more than that. David Capel took over for the last third of 2006 and you can’t fault him. Our form went up and he gets on well with the boys. A million times better than Wessels.
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