Check the average tables at the end of the season. These guys will be leading them. The players who will rip it up in the whites this season.
Owais Shah - Essex: It sort of annoys me to be writing about Shah doing well for a county other than Middlesex, but the simple fact of the matter is that were he still turning out for the Middle, he wouldn't have made this list. After England hopes were dashed once and for all, complacency (which was never far away) set in, and a very ordinary season with little application followed. However, after it was announced that he wasn't getting his contract renewed, Shah pulled an "F-You" century out of the bag, solely so he could turn his back on the pavilion when he made it. With a new county to impress (and more importantly, an old one to stick two fingers up to) expect plenty more defiant centuries from a batsman with oodles of talent.
Samit Patel - Nottinghamshire: Poor old Samit. No matter how many runs he scores (ample, just like his portion size) and how many wickets he chips in with (lol, chips) his unwillingness to shed the poundage means he won't get another international chance, unless he changes his ways. But England's loss is Notts' gain, and if he fires them to another County Championship, they'll give him all of the pies he can eat. Which is probably more then you could even imagine.
Joe Denly - Kent: Speaking of fat batsmen... No too obvious? OK, I'll go for his opening partner. Denly is clinically underrated - in fact I'd find space for him in any England side. While Kent didn't have the greatest of years last time up, in Division Two, Denly should regain the form that saw him into the England side in the first place. Whether he opens, or bats at three behind Key and Northeast, my unwavering faith in Joe Denly makes him a sure selection for my CC players to watch.
Come back later for some more of my county players to watch...
Showing posts with label Rob Key. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Rob Key. Show all posts
Sunday, 3 April 2011
Monday, 28 March 2011
England's Captaincy Conundrum
I awoke this morning to see a barrage of tweets about how Stuart Broad would be an awful England ODI captain, and should never be given the proverbial armband should Strauss step down / get booted out. After rubbing the sleep from my eyes, I saw the article that's prompted all of the hoo-hah, as Michael Vaughan "backs Broad for ODI captain" (which, incidentally, has mispelt Alastair Cook's name - not a great show from the Beeb), who thinks that if Strauss is given the proverbial heave ho from the ODI captaincy, then Broad is the man to replace him. I'm not sure if I agree with Virge, so let's have a look at the potential candidates should Strauss (as now expected) hands over the ODI reigns.
Stuart Broad
Broad's case for inclusion is made fairly well by Vaughan - he's passionate, fiery, and has time on his side to really shape this England team going forward. However, Broad is prone to often overstepping the mark thanks to his temper, which may not be the best example for a captain to be setting for his team (although, Ricky Ponting's been doing it for years). However, it could be seen that the captaincy is "the making of Broad" - forcing him to really watch his behaviour and channel his anger into taking wickets rather than having strops. Choosing Broad would be a surprise decision, and it could be a great success over the next few years. However, if he starts throwing his toys out the pram, his captaincy could be a disaster.
Alastair Cook
It's not even worth starting a sentence about Alastair Cook and captaincy without using the acronym FEC. But that's the term he's had to cope with all of his career, and given he was the man chosen to lead last year's tour of Bangladesh, the powers that be evidently see him as a future leader of England. (The cricket team, although if his post Ashes popularity continues, it could quite well be of the country). His tactical and mental credentials are sound enough, but the only drawback for Cook is that he hasn't been in the ODI team at all over the past two years, which would make it very difficult for him to walk straight back in as captain. While England do have form of shoehorning captains straight back into the team (see Strauss in 2009) Cook hasn't been playing ODIs for a reason, and the selectors need to decide whether weakening the team with a specialist captain is going to be more successful than giving the captaincy to someone less suited but a regular fixture.
Graeme Swann
Swann has probably been the fans choice (or, at least this fan's choice), and would obviously love to do it. His enthusiasm would rub off on the players, and we've seen by the way that he sets his own fields that he clearly has a very switched on cricket brain. However, the only downside is that he may not take the captaincy seriously enough - or if he did, that his "buffoonery" would be stunted. A Swann without the Sprinkler? The captaincy may be a burden which could make Swanny lose his mojo, and while he would be great fun as captain, I'd prefer to see him make jokes and take wickets to keeping straight faced under pressure from the ECB and not bowl as well.
Jimmy Anderson
While he missed the last few games of the World Cup, Anderson will still feel like a regular fixture in this England side, and given his reported displeasure at being passed over in favour of Cook for the Bangladesh captaincy last year, clearly fancies himself. (As captain). Jim would certainly have the respect of the dressing room as well as potentially being inspirational in the field, but what could hold him back immediately is that he is no longer 100% guaranteed of his place in the side. If he was given those assurances, he'd certainly be one of the leading candidates, as he does tick a lot of boxes.
Ian Bell
Bell has really grown leaps and bounds in maturity over the past 18 months, and seemed to have been given much more responsibility from Cap'n Strauss this World Cup. After being in the international arena for a good 6 or so years, Bell has progressed into becoming a senior player, and he also has the advantage of having time on his side, as he is still only 28. Bell's got a great track record - having steered Warwickshire to a CB40 win last year, and would get my vote to replace Strauss as ODI captain.
Rob Key
OK, this isn't going to happen - but why not? If England were going to bring in Cook as a specialist captain, why not forget him and go straight to the top, and get Big Keysy back. Just a thought.
Paul Collingwood
If Colly was five years younger and still churning out the runs, then yes. But surely his international career is over? However, Durham Paul is still England's T20 captain, so would be in the hat at least. But if chosen as captain, England would be making a long term committment to Colly, and long term are words which wouldn't suit Collingwood at all. He had his chance as ODI captain, and won't be called for again.
Andrew Strauss
Technically Strauss still is ODI captain, and given the success he's had over the past two years as England captain, it's not beyond the realms of improbability that the selectors write off the World Cup as "one of those things" and back Strauss to lead going forward. Whether Strauss wants to lead is another question, but he's certainly not disgraced himself since taking over, and could still be England captain when they next take to the field.
So there you have it. My head says Bell, my heart says Swann, but my belly says Rob Key. Thoughts?
Stuart Broad
Broad's case for inclusion is made fairly well by Vaughan - he's passionate, fiery, and has time on his side to really shape this England team going forward. However, Broad is prone to often overstepping the mark thanks to his temper, which may not be the best example for a captain to be setting for his team (although, Ricky Ponting's been doing it for years). However, it could be seen that the captaincy is "the making of Broad" - forcing him to really watch his behaviour and channel his anger into taking wickets rather than having strops. Choosing Broad would be a surprise decision, and it could be a great success over the next few years. However, if he starts throwing his toys out the pram, his captaincy could be a disaster.
Alastair Cook
It's not even worth starting a sentence about Alastair Cook and captaincy without using the acronym FEC. But that's the term he's had to cope with all of his career, and given he was the man chosen to lead last year's tour of Bangladesh, the powers that be evidently see him as a future leader of England. (The cricket team, although if his post Ashes popularity continues, it could quite well be of the country). His tactical and mental credentials are sound enough, but the only drawback for Cook is that he hasn't been in the ODI team at all over the past two years, which would make it very difficult for him to walk straight back in as captain. While England do have form of shoehorning captains straight back into the team (see Strauss in 2009) Cook hasn't been playing ODIs for a reason, and the selectors need to decide whether weakening the team with a specialist captain is going to be more successful than giving the captaincy to someone less suited but a regular fixture.
Graeme Swann
Swann has probably been the fans choice (or, at least this fan's choice), and would obviously love to do it. His enthusiasm would rub off on the players, and we've seen by the way that he sets his own fields that he clearly has a very switched on cricket brain. However, the only downside is that he may not take the captaincy seriously enough - or if he did, that his "buffoonery" would be stunted. A Swann without the Sprinkler? The captaincy may be a burden which could make Swanny lose his mojo, and while he would be great fun as captain, I'd prefer to see him make jokes and take wickets to keeping straight faced under pressure from the ECB and not bowl as well.
Jimmy Anderson
While he missed the last few games of the World Cup, Anderson will still feel like a regular fixture in this England side, and given his reported displeasure at being passed over in favour of Cook for the Bangladesh captaincy last year, clearly fancies himself. (As captain). Jim would certainly have the respect of the dressing room as well as potentially being inspirational in the field, but what could hold him back immediately is that he is no longer 100% guaranteed of his place in the side. If he was given those assurances, he'd certainly be one of the leading candidates, as he does tick a lot of boxes.
Ian Bell
Bell has really grown leaps and bounds in maturity over the past 18 months, and seemed to have been given much more responsibility from Cap'n Strauss this World Cup. After being in the international arena for a good 6 or so years, Bell has progressed into becoming a senior player, and he also has the advantage of having time on his side, as he is still only 28. Bell's got a great track record - having steered Warwickshire to a CB40 win last year, and would get my vote to replace Strauss as ODI captain.
Rob Key
OK, this isn't going to happen - but why not? If England were going to bring in Cook as a specialist captain, why not forget him and go straight to the top, and get Big Keysy back. Just a thought.
Paul Collingwood
If Colly was five years younger and still churning out the runs, then yes. But surely his international career is over? However, Durham Paul is still England's T20 captain, so would be in the hat at least. But if chosen as captain, England would be making a long term committment to Colly, and long term are words which wouldn't suit Collingwood at all. He had his chance as ODI captain, and won't be called for again.
Andrew Strauss
Technically Strauss still is ODI captain, and given the success he's had over the past two years as England captain, it's not beyond the realms of improbability that the selectors write off the World Cup as "one of those things" and back Strauss to lead going forward. Whether Strauss wants to lead is another question, but he's certainly not disgraced himself since taking over, and could still be England captain when they next take to the field.
So there you have it. My head says Bell, my heart says Swann, but my belly says Rob Key. Thoughts?
Friday, 5 November 2010
Podcast - ODI Likey
Download the Short Midwicket Podcast on iTunes
It's been ODI ahoy recently, with some cracking games. So Will looks at them and the future of ODI cricket. Australia are in turmoil (so naturally this is dissected), and Rob Key likes fast food. Everyone's a winner.
Emails to shortmidwicketpodcast@hotmail.co.uk, tweets to @shortmidwicket, and blogs for your perusal are at theshortmidwicket.blogspot.com!
It's been ODI ahoy recently, with some cracking games. So Will looks at them and the future of ODI cricket. Australia are in turmoil (so naturally this is dissected), and Rob Key likes fast food. Everyone's a winner.
Emails to shortmidwicketpodcast@hotmail.co.uk, tweets to @shortmidwicket, and blogs for your perusal are at theshortmidwicket.blogspot.com!
Wednesday, 31 March 2010
Denly's England Worries
While he is not a Middlesex player, Joe Denly is one of my favourite domestic players. Having watched him progress from young upstart to international, Denly's career path has been of great interest to me. While I at first ignored his poor international form, it became apparent that he wasn't quite ready for international cricket. With great sadness, I called for his head; and his removal from England's Twenty20 squad. And today I got my wish. (I know, I've only just learned how to do links on here!)
Only I didn't get my wish. Yes, the squad is probably better off with Michael Lumb in it than with Joe Denly, but that still doesn't make me feel any better. I want to see Joe Denly play for England like I see him play for Kent, with a swash-buckling confidence that he deserves to make runs. I want him to have the same understanding in his opening partnerships for England like he has with Rob Key, and the same assurance at the crease. But none of this will be seen this April in the West Indies, with neither Denly nor Key being picked for the squad.
This is probably for the best; Kieswetter will open with one of Bopara and Lumb (who are both playing with mixed success in the IPL), which would be a better opening partnership than Denly who is still struggling with his technique and confidence at international level. England will have a greater chance of success without Joe Denly.
While I am upset for now, it is Denly who should be the most worried. If he does not have a very good season for Kent, there is no guarantee that he will be the 'next-in-line' if there are injuries or loss of form. And if he is given another international chance, he will need to seize it in a much better way than he has already. I do not believe Denly's international career is over, but he will need to prove to the selectors that he has the attributes to become an accomplished one day, and later test player for England. And I for one hope that he can.
Only I didn't get my wish. Yes, the squad is probably better off with Michael Lumb in it than with Joe Denly, but that still doesn't make me feel any better. I want to see Joe Denly play for England like I see him play for Kent, with a swash-buckling confidence that he deserves to make runs. I want him to have the same understanding in his opening partnerships for England like he has with Rob Key, and the same assurance at the crease. But none of this will be seen this April in the West Indies, with neither Denly nor Key being picked for the squad.
This is probably for the best; Kieswetter will open with one of Bopara and Lumb (who are both playing with mixed success in the IPL), which would be a better opening partnership than Denly who is still struggling with his technique and confidence at international level. England will have a greater chance of success without Joe Denly.
While I am upset for now, it is Denly who should be the most worried. If he does not have a very good season for Kent, there is no guarantee that he will be the 'next-in-line' if there are injuries or loss of form. And if he is given another international chance, he will need to seize it in a much better way than he has already. I do not believe Denly's international career is over, but he will need to prove to the selectors that he has the attributes to become an accomplished one day, and later test player for England. And I for one hope that he can.
Monday, 1 March 2010
Twenty20 specialism ignored
While the BBC Sport website emblazon the headline that Alastair Cook has not made the preliminary squad for the World Twenty20, it's worth noting the other players who probably should, ahead of Cook, who shouldn't. Just like normal captain Strauss, stand-in captain Cook has been deemed not 'twenty20' enough for the squad, and as such, will play no part in the Caribbean. And by all accounts, this is a good thing. The selectors have seen the shortest form of the game as a very specialist form, and as such have not selected some of the best 'cricketers' in the country. It has long been recognised that Strauss is to play no part in T20, so why should Cook's 50 tests guarentee him a place on the plane? Ultimately, it is about picking the right players for the format. And to be honest, I don't know if England have done that.
In the two previous World T20s England have selected a squad full of 'specialist' T20 players. Players who would otherwise not be in a fifty-over or test squad were suddenly propelled to the tournaments, with Darren Maddy, Jeremy Snape, Vikram Solanki, James Kirtley and Chris Schofield being picked in 2007, with Dimitri Mascarenhas, James Foster, Robert Key and Graham Napier selected for last year's event. While history has shown that England did not play well at the tournaments, I support the selection of good county Twenty20 players. However, if you look at the current 30 man squad, there doesn't appear to be many specialist T20 players in there (only Mascarenhas from the previously mentioned). Michael Lumb, Peter Trego and Steven Finn aside, there are no players who have been called in on the back of good T20 performances, with all players having either represented England previously or the Lions recently. While the 30 man squad does include the young talents of Finn, David Wainwright and Chris Woakes, it is doubtful whether any will make the final squad, with specialists ostracised from the party.
For last years tournament England made the bold selections of Key and Napier (on the back of continued county T20 excellence), but did not select Napier at all (even for warm-up games), and Key was only shoehorned in at the last minute for the Holland game before being bombed out. While they appeared to make a statement in the selection of Foster that they were looking for consistency behind the stumps, he has not been selected this time - as have Key and Napier, who also miss out. England will never succeed at T20 if they cannot retain some consistency in selection - 15 opening partnerships is testament to that. Of the 30 man squad it is also apparent that some players (Shah, Bopara, Mascarenhas) have been put in purely to justify their central contracts with no intention of taking them to the West Indies. So while England in the past have attempted to treat the 20 over format differently, we will no doubt see a rehash of the current 50 over touring side. Just without captain Cook.
England 30-man ICC World Twenty20 squad
Paul Collingwood (Durham, captain)
James Anderson (Lancashire)
Ian Bell (Warwickshire)
Ravi Bopara (Essex)
Tim Bresnan (Yorkshire)
Stuart Broad (Nottinghamshire)
Steven Davies (Surrey)
Joe Denly (Kent)
Steven Finn (Middlesex)
Craig Kieswetter (Somerset)
Michael Lumb (Hampshire)
Sajid Mahmood (Lancashire)
Dimitri Mascarenhas (Hampshire)
Eoin Morgan (Middlesex)
Graham Onions (Durham)
Kevin Pietersen (Hampshire)
Liam Plunkett (Durham)
Matt Prior (Sussex)
Adil Rashid (Yorkshire)
Owais Shah (Middlesex)
Ajmal Shahzad (Yorkshire)
Ryan Sidebottom (Nottinghamshire)
Graeme Swann (Nottinghamshire)
James Tredwell (Kent)
Peter Trego (Somerset)
Jonathan Trott (Warwickshire)
David Wainwright (Yorkshire)
Chris Woakes (Warwickshire)
Luke Wright (Sussex)
Michael Yardy (Sussex)
In bold are the 15 who will go to the World Cup. You have my word.
In the two previous World T20s England have selected a squad full of 'specialist' T20 players. Players who would otherwise not be in a fifty-over or test squad were suddenly propelled to the tournaments, with Darren Maddy, Jeremy Snape, Vikram Solanki, James Kirtley and Chris Schofield being picked in 2007, with Dimitri Mascarenhas, James Foster, Robert Key and Graham Napier selected for last year's event. While history has shown that England did not play well at the tournaments, I support the selection of good county Twenty20 players. However, if you look at the current 30 man squad, there doesn't appear to be many specialist T20 players in there (only Mascarenhas from the previously mentioned). Michael Lumb, Peter Trego and Steven Finn aside, there are no players who have been called in on the back of good T20 performances, with all players having either represented England previously or the Lions recently. While the 30 man squad does include the young talents of Finn, David Wainwright and Chris Woakes, it is doubtful whether any will make the final squad, with specialists ostracised from the party.
For last years tournament England made the bold selections of Key and Napier (on the back of continued county T20 excellence), but did not select Napier at all (even for warm-up games), and Key was only shoehorned in at the last minute for the Holland game before being bombed out. While they appeared to make a statement in the selection of Foster that they were looking for consistency behind the stumps, he has not been selected this time - as have Key and Napier, who also miss out. England will never succeed at T20 if they cannot retain some consistency in selection - 15 opening partnerships is testament to that. Of the 30 man squad it is also apparent that some players (Shah, Bopara, Mascarenhas) have been put in purely to justify their central contracts with no intention of taking them to the West Indies. So while England in the past have attempted to treat the 20 over format differently, we will no doubt see a rehash of the current 50 over touring side. Just without captain Cook.
England 30-man ICC World Twenty20 squad
Paul Collingwood (Durham, captain)
James Anderson (Lancashire)
Ian Bell (Warwickshire)
Ravi Bopara (Essex)
Tim Bresnan (Yorkshire)
Stuart Broad (Nottinghamshire)
Steven Davies (Surrey)
Joe Denly (Kent)
Steven Finn (Middlesex)
Craig Kieswetter (Somerset)
Michael Lumb (Hampshire)
Sajid Mahmood (Lancashire)
Dimitri Mascarenhas (Hampshire)
Eoin Morgan (Middlesex)
Graham Onions (Durham)
Kevin Pietersen (Hampshire)
Liam Plunkett (Durham)
Matt Prior (Sussex)
Adil Rashid (Yorkshire)
Owais Shah (Middlesex)
Ajmal Shahzad (Yorkshire)
Ryan Sidebottom (Nottinghamshire)
Graeme Swann (Nottinghamshire)
James Tredwell (Kent)
Peter Trego (Somerset)
Jonathan Trott (Warwickshire)
David Wainwright (Yorkshire)
Chris Woakes (Warwickshire)
Luke Wright (Sussex)
Michael Yardy (Sussex)
In bold are the 15 who will go to the World Cup. You have my word.
Monday, 22 February 2010
Why I was wrong about Joe Denly
I'm about to start my first ever post on my new blog by linking to another blog. Regular followers of my work will surely be aware of WillAtkinsSports, where I have now been writing for about 6 months. In my most recent post (http://willatkinssports.webs.com/apps/blog/show/2903646-england-s-twenty20-vision) "England's Twenty20 Vision" , I was supportive of young Kent opening bat Joe Denly. Choosing to ignore his previous scores of 0, 0 and 14 in international Twenty20, I was one of the only people in world cricket (other than his mate Rob Key) to actually want him in the team. But I am man enough to realise my mistakes. And only four days after writing my blog, I have changed my mind. I want him out.
To be honest, I was slightly biased about my support for Denly. While I am not a Kent supporter, I have seen them play an awful lot, including the 2008 Twenty20 Cup final. While Kent lost, and Denly didn't make an especially big score, I was impressed by his partnership with the fore mentioned Key. Since then, I have supported his international rise, and argued his case despite the run of consistently low scores. However, while Denly is a perfectly capable county batsman, in his rise to a much higher level he has shown a lack of skill at the moment. While he appears to have lost his place in the fifty-over side, his two single figure scores in the Twenty20 circus series against Pakistan will probably put paid to his hopes of playing in the World Twenty20, with Craig Kieswetter's form coming at the perfect time - three days after his naturalisation.
However - note that I am not knocking Joe Denly. While I would not pick him as opener in the Caribbean (and for that matter - would not pick Jonathan Trott either), I still rate him as a future test player, and once he is able to develop his skills, both cricket-wise and mentally, I would have him in and around the international scene. Denly, however, will need to take advantage when given his next chance - in case he becomes the next Ravi Bopara...
To be honest, I was slightly biased about my support for Denly. While I am not a Kent supporter, I have seen them play an awful lot, including the 2008 Twenty20 Cup final. While Kent lost, and Denly didn't make an especially big score, I was impressed by his partnership with the fore mentioned Key. Since then, I have supported his international rise, and argued his case despite the run of consistently low scores. However, while Denly is a perfectly capable county batsman, in his rise to a much higher level he has shown a lack of skill at the moment. While he appears to have lost his place in the fifty-over side, his two single figure scores in the Twenty20 circus series against Pakistan will probably put paid to his hopes of playing in the World Twenty20, with Craig Kieswetter's form coming at the perfect time - three days after his naturalisation.
However - note that I am not knocking Joe Denly. While I would not pick him as opener in the Caribbean (and for that matter - would not pick Jonathan Trott either), I still rate him as a future test player, and once he is able to develop his skills, both cricket-wise and mentally, I would have him in and around the international scene. Denly, however, will need to take advantage when given his next chance - in case he becomes the next Ravi Bopara...
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