New Signing Rumours

[procswrongfoot]

There seems to be a rumour doing the rounds on the Middlesex forum suggesting that Ryan Higgins is on his way to Bristol. Now out of contract apparently. The Middlesex fans seem pretty disappointed at this rumour
I did see his quite blistering late order 68 not out in the T20 at the Cheltenham Festival, which turned our certain victory into an unlikely tie. Thus his name is not completely unknown to us.
Very interesting if true. Signing an all rounder would presumably have implications on the contract situation of one of our existing players.
Watch this space !!!

[rcotswold]

We certainly need several 'new' players! A disappointing season all told; a few highlights but inconsistency and strange team selections cost us; plus a squad of 'nearly' players. Sadly we do not have the wherewithal to sever quite a few contracts. Not sure where one would start; batsmen, urgent; bowlers a foil to Norwell needed and a decent spinner, not a defensive one!

[jonb]

It seems to be more than a rumour - I saw it mentioned yesterday in a Guardian round up of the season, which you'd think is a reliable source. Apparently moving as he wants to play all 3 formats - I've no idea how good his bowling is, but I do think we need a 3rd/4th seamer who can bat, so could be a good move.

In terms of T20, you'd think (judging on his knock at Cheltenham, which was very impressive) this will give us some serious hitting power down the order - Jack/KNB/Benny/Higgins at 6/7/8/9 (or more likely 5/6/7/8) would give us some serious power, open us up to play two out and out bowlers and possibly go for an extra overseas batsman. The only caveat to this is that he could be a straight replacement for KNB who is out of contract, which presumably is what Proc is referring to!

[rcotswold]

This has just been 'posted' in The Guardian30/8/2017] by "Mike"

..."Gloucestershire
As usual the optimism faded rapidly, with our inability to score runs the main culprit. Michael Klinger was an expensive disappointment and we need to look elsewhere next season. We always seem to get the crumbs left on the table and I can’t see much changing. Late season we saw a glimpse of what might be with a couple of youngsters making good scores but the opposition wasn’t great. And the performance in the T20 and Royal London competitions were dreadful. Roll on next season. Mike"

Compared to all the other counties it is a rather short synopsis ofd the season; but then we have very little to shout about! Interesting re Klinger; not doing so well in Aus either at the moment. Feel a considerable re-think ought to be on the cards; and that includes the coaching staff plus our underachieving players!

[steve]

Confirmed signing of Ryan Higgins!

Very positive.

He is young (we normally sign players over 32)
Has a T20 SR of 132
(Has done very little four day bowling but has 12 wickets at 23)

[procswrongfoot]

Absolutely delighted that the original rumour has turned into a confirmed signing.

Seems to be a young man with plenty of potential who desperately wants to play plenty of first team cricket. The
Middlesex fans seem genuinely disappointed at his departure as is Gus Fraser, so I have lots of good vibes about this signing.

Apparently, Fraser said that Ryan leaving Middlesex was all about not being able to guarantee him a batting position within the team. Ryan replied (on Twitter) that it wasn't about batting position, it was about opportunity.
Subsequently, at the Midlesex members forum last night, Gus Fraser is quoted as saying "He was offered a contract but left because we were unable to guarantee that he would bat in the top 5 in red ball cricket".

Obviously, make of this want you want.. I get the distinct impression that we certainly do not have a coast along cricketer joining the ranks, which is great news.

I did have a quick look at his Cricinfo profile (normally very reliable). This has rather confused me stating that he is a RHB and a right arm off break (bowling style). I was pretty certain that when he played against us in the T20 that he was bowling medium pace type seamers. Or am I getting him mixed up with one of the other Middlesex youngsters who bowled at Cheltenham. Is there anyone out there who can confirm what he bowls?

From memory the last player we signed from Middlesex was Dan Housego. Always showed glimpses of decent ability but could never retain any real consistency. Of course, in the other direction went Anthony Ireland and more recently James Fuller. What on earth has happened to Fuller, he seems to have totally disappeared off the radar...long term injury perhaps?

[jonb]

Proc - I'm pretty sure he does bowl right arm seam - cricinfo whilst usually reliable, has been know to get it wrong for lesser known players (pretty sure that either Liam or Craig Miles is listed as medium as opposed to anything quicker!). Agree with everyone that it seems an incredibly positive signing, and the vibes seem that he's been signed more as a batsman - asking a lot for him to step straight in, but we were never going to be able to afford 'proven' quality, so a highly promising youngster must be the next best thing.

I believe James Fuller did pick up at least one or two injuries - though it also shouldn't be forgotten that his seam bowling competition at Middlesex consists of Steve Finn, Toby Roland Jones & James Harris (off the top of my head, so there will be more!) - he will always have to fight hard for a place even when he is fit.

[procswrongfoot]

Jonb......belated thanks for your response. You are spot on regarding the bowling style.

Eventually, I decided on a bit more research in order to get a definitive view on this.. Found a YouTube on Ryan (could not really face trying to unearth his whirlwind blast against us at Cheltenham.......pretty painful to watch at the time). Somewhat ironically, the vid was from a Second Eleven Middlesex v Glos (50 over comp) in 2016. Ryan opened the bowling for Middlesex (taking 2 wickets in his first over) and also opened the batting (scoring 75). Decent medium pace and some very impressive straight hitting.

Sorry that I can't somehow manage to do a link to the YouTube (somewhat beyond my limited IT ability).

(Similarly, a bit of research on James Fuller, who does not seem to have played since mid May. Apparently, he needs another operation on his right elbow. Sadly, he does seem to have had an injury plagued career. Hope that we might see him in some white ball against us next season).

Interesting that we have announced that Grieshaber and Gilmour have been released. No news on KNB and Liddle who I am pretty certain are both out of contract.

[josehones]

Oct 3, 2017 15:17:35 GMT procswrongfoot said:

Absolutely delighted that the original rumour has turned into a confirmed signing.

Seems to be a young man with plenty of potential who desperately wants to play plenty of first team cricket. The
Middlesex fans seem genuinely disappointed at his departure as is Gus Fraser, so I have lots of good vibes about this signing.

Apparently, Fraser said that Ryan leaving Middlesex was all about not being able to guarantee winning tips to him a batting position within the team. Ryan replied (on Twitter) that it wasn't about batting position, it was about opportunity.
Subsequently, at the Midlesex members forum last night, Gus Fraser is quoted as saying "He was offered a contract but left because we were unable to guarantee that he would bat in the top 5 in red ball cricket".

Obviously, make of this want you want.. I get the distinct impression that we certainly do not have a coast along cricketer joining the ranks, which is great news.

I did have a quick look at his Cricinfo profile (normally very reliable). This has rather confused me stating that he is a RHB and a right arm off break (bowling style). I was pretty certain that when he played against us in the T20 that he was bowling medium pace type seamers. Or am I getting him mixed up with one of the other Middlesex youngsters who bowled at Cheltenham. Is there anyone out there who can confirm what he bowls?

From memory the last player we signed from Middlesex was Dan Housego. Always showed glimpses of decent ability but could never retain any real consistency. Of course, in the other direction went Anthony Ireland and more recently James Fuller. What on earth has happened to Fuller, he seems to have totally disappeared off the radar...long term injury perhaps?

no doubt... we are all delighted