|
|
Post by rcotswold on Sept 4, 2017 9:36:56 GMT
|
|
jonb
Junior Member
Posts: 59
|
Post by jonb on Sept 5, 2017 8:21:35 GMT
It has been incredibly disappointing - I really thought there were signs of progress, not withstanding the loss of Hamish (and Klinger for 4 day). I'm getting used to our deficiencies in 4 day (batting mainly - yes we lack a top class spinner, but I think most counties do - particularly in div 2), but our white ball form this year was very poor - especially for a squad that looks geared to it.
I'm not sure what wiggle room we have with out of contract players, or what the clubs strategy is going forward as this will influence renewals. For example, if we're going white ball then people like KNB (who I believe is ooc) is probably worth another (something I didn't think I'd say at the start of the season!) but less so if there is limited cash and we need to focus on 4 day.
Batting - signings needed badly here, including a new overseas. Bancroft did quite well in the T20, but he clearly isn't up to red ball cricket in England - need a top 3 batsman here. Other than Dent, none of the other 'domestic' batsmen have had great years either. I sometimes see talk of Cockbain/Howell, but the reality is neither of them have ever consistently hit red ball runs, and there's no reason to believe that will suddenly change at their age. It's going to be easier said than done - we clearly need to bring players in and there is increasingly a concentration of the best talent at 'top' clubs. I said it last year, but it's worth repeating - as much as I don't like the idea, Kolpak is going to be the way forward here if we want to be competitive in 4 day cricket, as we surely won't be able to compete for the quality we desperately need domestically.
The white ball batting for me was the most disappointing (T20 especially). Here I do think we have the players, but (a) got selection consistently wrong - too many times we saw seven bowlers picked (b) players under performed. A white ball line up with Klinger/Mustard/Cockbain/Jack/Roderick/Dent should get runs. We firstly have to pick the players (Dent!) and (b) Get the balance right (Benny batting at 5 - I love the man, but that's surely too high. Not so much as he can't do it - he batted well at times, but too often we had to bat cautiously after losing 2/3 wickets early as we didn't have enough in the shed). Thought Perara bowled well, but you'd need to accept he's a bowler, not a number 7 as he was used!
Final thought on the white ball batting - I just don't believe we can play spin. The way a (relative) part time bowler like Colin Ingram found us out in the 50 over game (and 20 over??) should give people concern.
Bowling - Mostly good. I think the spinners are perfectly adequate in white ball cricket (and as I say, I struggle to see where we'll get much better), but clearly deficient for four day cricket in terms of bowling sides out. In four day cricket there is the basis of a good seam attack (Payne/Norwell mainly), but lord knows what's happened to Craig Miles - still picking up wickets, but really can't keep going for so many runs. Look badly in need of a 3rd/4th seamer who can bat as well (not KNB!). Someone like (again) Will Gidman. I see Josh Shaw is in the squad for todays game - surely this means we're looking to sign him for next year - why else would we be playing him in a dead rubber otherwise (even allowing for others poor form). If not, I really start to question some of the decision making. The seamers in white ball cricket (especially when including Benny/KNB/Perara (or a.n. other overseas) and Matt Taylor, despite his bad year this year) looks in good shape to me and not where I'd focus any limited cash.
I am starting to get used to this as the new reality - as I say it is hard for counties like Glos to pick up players domestically. Focus really has to continue to be on developing our own, as I can't see we're ever going to be able to improve as we won't compete on wages for quality. This means, that as rough as it has been at times, players like Hankins need to be persevered with - I'm concerned though that at the moment it starts and stops with him and there isn't a lot else coming through and banging the door down. It's encouraging that Bracey has been picked, but others (Hammond for example) now seem to have been around for a while and not broken through.
|
|
|
|
Post by procswrongfoot on Sept 18, 2017 15:47:05 GMT
Great post jonb ......personally agree with many of your comments.
A frustrating and forgettable season. A few comments from me:
Team selection issues have been quite baffling. Largely following "same squad again" policy, often ignoring out of form issues and a desperate need to freshen things up. Worryingly, smacks of a stubborn, head in the sands approach. Firm believer in players facing competition for their place, to avoid complacency and comfort zone cricket. Very hard to believe that Cockbain, Smith and Benny have only played 2 CC games between them!
Did we really make any effort to put out our best possible eleven in the T20 comp.
At various times we put out a team composed of:
4 bowlers and 3 all rounders.
All rounders playing purely as batsmen
3 batsmen plus keeper (including Hankins making his T20 debut).
A 3 man pace attack comprising exclusively left arm bowlers. NO,NO,NO (Left arm is meant to create variety and different angles, not more of the same).
As for various players:
Bancroft -big disappointment. His epic farewell effort (against Kent) has been desperately needed all season.
Roderick - largely out of sorts.
Miles - erratic. Come on coaches, earn your corn. Don't waste this nugget.
Matt Taylor - whatever did they do to him last winter on the England Pace Develoment Programme?
KNB - after his first two seasons of mediocrity and seemingly poor fitness, he does seem to have made more effort this season. Rated by Dawson as our "controller" so quite baffling why he is rarely trusted to bowl in T20 where he is regularly picked for the occasional cameo innings. Any ambitious county would surely seek an upgrade (fully realise that I have offended the "Barny Army" crew).
Cockbain - should be competing for a number 5 slot in the CC. (Technique not suited to the demands of a number 3).
Norwell - stand out player of the year. Dent, Payne and Jack Taylor all worthy of mention.
David Payne - must specifically mention and applaud his late order batting. Really seems to value his wicket.
In conclusion:
Our weak batting line up dictates signing a top order overseas batsman for 2018.
Coaching structure needs a good shake up.
Who will we sign (if anyone)? After Batty, Jones and Mustard we have an apparent obsession with signing keepers!
PS
Does a team comprising 4 keepers (Roderick, Mustard, Bancroft and Bracey) set some form of strange record?
PPS
Quite amazed that this forum is still going. Thought it had died out some time ago.
|
|
|
|
Post by rcotswold on Sept 19, 2017 16:46:30 GMT
|
|
steve
Full Member
Posts: 106
|
Post by steve on Oct 2, 2017 7:15:46 GMT
Negatives
Mustard as captain. Kept agreeing to run chases well in excess of 350 (380 last week). With our fragile batting on a fourth day pitch? Really?
Young promising bowlers Miles, Taylor and even Payne appear to be going backwards.What is our coaching team doing?
Team selection all over the shop. Scoring few runs so we play extra bowlers - who then don't even bowl. No balance whatsoever. In need of a genuine all rounder. KNB and Benny not good enough to be considered all rounders in red ball cricket.
Positives
Norwell. Really the only bowler to progress. We need to keep hold of him whatever it takes.
Bracey has shown some exciting promise. With Hankin and Bracey both very young and with their differing styles we have some real hope. A proper overseas batsmen needed.
Taylor and Dent had a decent year and Roderick not too bad after his late start to the season
|
|
