The_Lickey_Banker
Member
Andy wrote:
I'd rather back Taz Ali who has shown promise in his 2 appearances this season.
I don't disagree with you, Andy, just that, being our sole frontline red ball spin bowler, is a lot to put on that young man's shoulders. Briggs & Lintott haven't (yet - Jake hasn't had much chance), 'pulled up any daisies' and we need another option. TW's left arm spin, complements TA's leg breaks and I think Thilan MIGHT (still early days) prove his worth for a contract.
Playing for our 2nds against Essex today. A 26 year old Sri Lankan born (but British citizen & English qualified) , left hand bat & spinner. He was released by Middlesex last summer, after being at Lords since 2012. An Academy graduate there, he made his 2nd team debut in 2015 (playing 120 appearances for them) and went on to a First team debut in 2020. He made 11 1st class appearances (with a best bowling figure of 3 for 28) and 24 Limited overs games (a T20 best of 3 for 18 - averaging 28).
When released, Middlesex said he, "had great talent, but future First team opportunities are likely to be limited". I would guess, Second Division cricket and the notoriously bad financial situation at Middlesex, probably meant they had to significantly trim the squad.
After being released, he joined the South Asian team and already has proved his worth for them. He took 10 wickets (for 130 in 48 overs) against our 2nds at Portland Road last week!
I really hope he gets a good run out for our Second team in the next couple of months and proves his potential (even at 26, spinners can still develop) - and gets a contract with us. We are desperately short of spin back up - and although not extensive experience, he does have more than the likes of Taz Ali, who had to be drafted in recently.
So, a cracking lineup for the 3 day Friendly against Essex:-
Isaac Mohammed
Jani
Gekis
Malik (Captain)
Wylie
Dandy (Keeper)
Lintott
Miles
Simmons
Thilan Walallawita (see Players thread)
Blakemore
Sylvester
SO pleased Jani is back with us - his record this season is wonderful and having seen him bat at Portland Road, he has such potential.
Also, I am really pleased with the selection of Thilan Walallawita (left hand bat & spinner). He 'demolished' our batting, when playing for the South Asian team last week - taking 10 for 130 in 48 overs. After being an Academy graduate at Lords, he had 120 appearances for Middlesex 2nds, played in 11 First class matches & 24 Limited overs games. Released by Middlesex last summer. Check out the Players thread for a bit more detail.
We won the toss and put Essex in.
Highveld wrote:
An excellent partnership from Kai & Michael, in only their 2nd first class games, showing potential to be regular lower order contributers with the bat.
While Ed Barnard didn't get any wickets, is economy rate of 1.91 was important in slowing the Durham scoring rate and placing pressure on their batsmen.
Even though it is still early in the season, some worrying trends are developing, and what is especially concerning is the lack of reserve batsmen with any first team experience. It might be time for Tony Frost to start phoning other counties to see which batsmen they may be willing to release on loan.
Early days I know, but seeing Vaansh Jani play for the 2nds last week and looking at his averages for Loughborough UCCE and the South Asian team this season (and form in Aussie League cricket over the Winter), I do think there is a quality batter there, waiting for First team opportunities.
I'm not sure if he'll play for our 2nds or Loughborough tomorrow, but keep an eye on him (check out the 2nds thread on the Yorkshire game). I really hope a contract could be in the offing.
Bald_Reynard wrote:
The_Lickey_Banker wrote:
I don't know anything about Jani, but have found out a bit. Vaansh Jani had a decent season with Middlesex 2nd's last year (with one ton to his name) and has played recently for Loughborough UCCE (with a 138, 23, 69 & 21* - averaging 84, in two games this season). A right hand bat and part time off spin bowler.
Jani has kept up his good run of form this season - 65 off 76 balls, with 11x4's and 1x6. Could well be one to have a run in the 2nds, combined with his outings for Loughborough.
I think we could well have found another hugely able batting star in 19 year old Vaansh Jani. He followed up his 65 in the 1st innings with 159 not out in the 2nd. Off 160 balls, with 23x4's and 3x6's! Combined with his scores for Loughborough and the South Asian team already this season, that indicates a quality that we must tie down with a contract - before another County does.
Bald_Reynard wrote:
The_Lickey_Banker wrote:
Team for the 3 day Friendly at Portland Road, starting today:-
Isaac Mohammed
Malik
Gekis
Jani
Wylie
Lintott
Briggs
Miles (Captain)
Simmons
Dandy (Keeper)
Blakemore
SylvesterYorkshire won the toss and chose to bowl.
And I wonder if the Sylvester in the team, is Adam Sylvester, who had a good season with Kent 2nd's last year and previously with Worcestershire & Derbyshire 2nd's (turning out for Derby in one CC game against Glamorgan, in 2022) ? A right arm seamer.
It is Adam Sylvester (on the Scorecard as AR Sylvester - I've looked on Cricinfo - Adam Ryan). He's playing as the bowler in the 12 man team (and doesn't bat). Interestingly, there's a B Sylvester bowling for Yorkshire - I don't know if that's a coincidence, or he's related.
I don't know anything about Jani, but have found out a bit. Vaansh Jani had a decent season with Middlesex 2nd's last year (with one ton to his name) and has played recently for Loughborough UCCE (with a 138, 23, 69 & 21* - averaging 84, in two games this season). A right hand bat and part time off spin bowler.
Team for the 3 day Friendly at Portland Road, starting today:-
Isaac Mohammed
Malik
Gekis
Jani
Wylie
Lintott
Briggs
Miles (Captain)
Simmons
Dandy (Keeper)
Blakemore
Sylvester
Yorkshire won the toss and chose to bowl.
Andy wrote:
Squads up, 14 man. Looks like a shootout between Booth and Simmons. Taz Ali and Lintott are in the squad though...Smith obviously keeping, all the batters who we expected to be there are there. Simmons has impressed pre season apparently.
Miles must be miles off it to not even get in the squad here.
Yep, the 14 are:-
Davies
Taz Ali
Bamber
Barnard
Booth
Briggs
Fernando
Hain
Lintott
Mousley
Shaikh
Simmons
Smith
Yates
I reckon the 3 to miss out are most likely to be Ali, Lintott & Simmons, but I'd give Jake L a go, instead of Briggs (he's failed once too often in the CC).
Team:-
Isaac Mohammed
Malik
Shaikh (also playing for the 1st's !)
Gekis
Wylie
Lintott (Captain)
Miles
Tazeen Ali
Dandy (Keeper)
Blakemore
Mahmood
Highveld wrote:
V Nhants March 25/26 https://live.nvplay.com/ecb/?tab=m_scorecard#m381da344-3408-435f-8bdc-2c63bd7cbb98
&
2nd xi https://live.nvplay.com/ecb/?tab=m_summary#m2825acba-495b-4996-9c23-bb645306ac43
First team:-
Davies (Captain)
Yates
Shaikh (also playing for the 2nd's !)
Hain
Mousley
Barnard
Smith (Keeper)
Briggs
Booth
Bamber
Simmons
Lintott has 'burning desire' to play red-ball cricket - https://www.bbc.com/sport/cricket/articles/cj3ed01n605o
Great interview on BBC Cricket. Talking about his history, his record and his desire to play red ball cricket. I had a feeling he'd supplant Briggs as our first choice spinner in the CC this season and this interview probably has been done to justify that.
Good on him, he deserves it. For his perseverance, as much as his skills.
Bald_Reynard wrote:
The_Lickey_Banker wrote:
https://edgbaston.com/fixtures/first-xi/warwickshire-v-yorkshire-friendly-15-march/
First match on tour.
A good win. Pleased for Barnard, Ali & Yates, but Garton in at 6 and doing well opening the bowling, promises something for this season (perhaps might even get a few CC matches).
Yes, I was wondering if the new regime might give Garton more chances this season. He is quick and hasn't been given much of a run out in red ball games in recent years. That left arm seamer we've been looking for since Barker left? We could have 2 lefties playing this season, with Fernando also on board.
https://edgbaston.com/fixtures/first-xi/warwickshire-v-yorkshire-friendly-15-march/
First match on tour.
Reabank wrote:
I think it shows they are thinking seriously about what skills they need and maybe there is an opportunity to be the best county at using data and the best at preventing injuries. I wish him all the best.
Looking at the structure as a whole it seems to me light on cricket experience. There's no - one on the board with top level playing experience, chairman and CEO are from rugby backgrounds and the top cricket bloke (whatever they want to call him) has never worked in cricket. That leaves Westwood as the most senior cricket person but he's just stepping up to a new role. I would have thought Matt Walker would have been a better fit at either head coach or top cricket person with Westwood and / or Thomas reporting to him.
Apparently, Westy has only got the Head Coach job on a short term contract. I wouldn't be surprised if Matt Walker moves up (especially with all his experience), assuming he does a decent job with the batting and IW isn't fitting the bill.
Whatever happens, Thomas will need all the help he can get from Westwood, Walker, Barnes, Kerrigan & Frost (and Maiden) to get up to speed on cricketing knowledge.
Andy wrote:
Performance Director.
No I don't know either.
https://edgbaston.com/news/warwickshire-ccc-appoint-leading-sports-performance-specialist/
Wow, that's a big leap into the dark, isn't it? No track record, experience or knowledge of cricket (it seems). Gymnastics, Boxing, Judo, Athletics, Rugby, Football, yes, but ..... I thought we were a cricket club !
I know people jabber on about 'transferable skills' a lot these days, but surely experience of the actual game you're playing, should be the main aim in professional sport. It's all bl**dy Dan Ashworth's fault!
GerryShedd wrote:
The Times article makes it clear that alongside Jim Troughton on the shortlist for the Performance Director role are "some names from outside cricket".
With regard to Moeen, it seems that he will have a player-coach role with the Bears during the Group stages of the Blast but his contract will end in July so, unless there is a new agreement, he won't be available should the Bears qualify for Finals Day. Also it seems that, after this season, he will have no playing role in English domestic cricket but will still be up for hire in franchise tournaments around the world. He is already committed to the IPL in April and May and the Caribbean Premier League in August and September.
Although I don't regard The Times' Lizzie Ammon as the most reliable source, the gist of her article is being repeated elsewhere.
Given what you say about Ammon's reliability, Gerry, I wonder if, "names from outside cricket", really means one name - Dan Ashworth!? She'll have heard he's 'advising on High Performance matters' and put 2 & 2 together, to make 5!
Bald_Reynard wrote:
https://edgbaston.com/news/matthew-walker-joins-bears-as-batting-coach/
A decent CV. I think he'll be a good addition.
Just waiting on an announcement about the new Director of Cricket [or that stupid title, High Performance Director (Men)] now !
Surely the HPD won't be Dan Ashworth will it?! It sounds like he's in some way connected to the job in this article, though as a 'Consultant'.
Wow! That's a different take by George. Without seeing the article, it does look like Robinson has been made the scapegoat for most of our failures in the last few years. I believe he has been (a big) part of the problem, but its not just been him. Larsen goes with his head held pretty highly by the club in their public announcements and yet he is also to blame (not least for many of the recruitment decisions made).
I hope the full story about these changes comes to light soon. Us poor Members and supporters need to know all the facts about this 'Review' process.
https://edgbaston.com/news/westwood-first-interview-with-bears-new-first-team-coach/
Westwood talking about his new job. It's interesting that he praises Robinson, saying he was, "a humble guy, great to be around and a good man-manager", a very different take from what George D said in his Cricketer article, about MR's relationships in the dressing room!?