Warwickshire CCC unofficial fans forum
bearsfans.org.uk
default profile picture

The_Lickey_Banker

Member
Last seen 5 days ago
Joined:
Posts:
344
Topics:
57

Tayls79 wrote:

In reply to a couple of comments. The "mutual consent" has just happened with Warren Gatland as head coach of Wales rugby, the WRU were celebrating it was done like this as it saved them paying out his contract. My guess is same happened with Robinson, he held out and this week was the deadline at which the club would sack him. So maybe it is actually a good outcome not to have to pay him out. Re Frost as batting coach. I think he could do it in isolation, seems one player per season makes good progress on their batting, but not overall and couldn't help multiple people at the same time. Perhaps he was more suited as batting mentor rather than someone with squad responsibility.

Perhaps worry about having to pay out big compo to Robinson, could be why no DoC appointment hasn't yet been made? Didn't know how much we could afford to spend on a DoC!

With Frosty going from LEAD Batting Coach (and I agree with a few here, he might be good in a one-to-one role, but not as the main guy) and Westie 'moving upstairs', there must be a big shake up of the Coaching team coming.

PS I'm pleased TF has got responsibility for overseeing pitches - of course, that's where he started working after retiring from playing. And he will still be able to be used for batting 'mentoring'.

Bald_Reynard wrote:

The_Lickey_Banker wrote:

BristolBear wrote:

The private school thing is crucial. Because league cricket doesn’t produce players the same way anymore.
If you look at the likes of Yorkshire, Lancashire, Surrey, Sussex, Middlesex, Somerset even Kent. They use partnerships with schools. Sedbergh, Whitgift, Tonbridge, Cranleigh, Manchester Grammar, Merchant Taylor’s, Eastbourne, Millfield, King’s Taunton, all have strong links to the counties. They get year round coaching with top coaches, with top facilities, playing other schools with strong teams. Those counties go out of their way to get the best young players into those schools on scholarships.
It’s a shame the sport has come to this because the ECB and government destroyed cricket in the state system. But the club should have adapted like so many others.

Completely agree. The obvious tie up for us is Rugby School. But there's also Warwick & Solihull (and Princethorpe to a lesser degree). Can't believe we've not done that before now.

https://www.thecricketer.com/Topics/schools/warwickshire_return_sparks_hope_cricket_rugby_school.html

The interview with Powell, only strengthens the case to formally link up with Rugby School (and with other Independent schools in the County - and Staffordshire, our connected Minor County) to bring on the next generation of Bears.

https://www.thecricketer.com/Topics/schools/the_cricketer_schools_guide_2024_reveals_uks_best_schools_cricket.html

Good shout, BR. Yes, Rugby, Warwick, Solihull etc could all forge partnerships with the Bears. And there are 3 schools in Staffordshire, with a great cricketing pedigree - all ranked in the top 100 schools in Cricketer magazine. Newcastle-u-Lyme, Denstone College (who regularly host Staffs County games) and Queen Mary's, Walsall. Denstone produced Alex Thomson, but unfortunately, most of their better players have been 'poached' by (neighbouring) Derbyshire.

BosworthBear wrote:

Highveld wrote:

Dan Mousley is an example of a school giving a scholarship to get a talented sportman to represent the school.

Well Dan was already at Bablake but it was a very keen ex Master called Terry Patchett who then donated the scholarship.

I forgot Bablake in my list of prospective Independent Schools we could link with. A great sporting school, with a good record of bringing cricketers along - not just Dan M. Now they tied up with King Henry's, there could be a great opportunity to improve our intake from Cov.

BristolBear wrote:

The private school thing is crucial. Because league cricket doesn’t produce players the same way anymore.
If you look at the likes of Yorkshire, Lancashire, Surrey, Sussex, Middlesex, Somerset even Kent. They use partnerships with schools. Sedbergh, Whitgift, Tonbridge, Cranleigh, Manchester Grammar, Merchant Taylor’s, Eastbourne, Millfield, King’s Taunton, all have strong links to the counties. They get year round coaching with top coaches, with top facilities, playing other schools with strong teams. Those counties go out of their way to get the best young players into those schools on scholarships.
It’s a shame the sport has come to this because the ECB and government destroyed cricket in the state system. But the club should have adapted like so many others.

Completely agree. The obvious tie up for us is Rugby School. But there's also Warwick & Solihull (and Princethorpe to a lesser degree). Can't believe we've not done that before now.

https://edgbaston.com/news/ali-returns-to-england-u19s-for-south-africa-series/

Good news about Tazeem. Interesting that Robinson is being quoted - first time he's appeared 'above the parapet' for a while.

https://edgbaston.com/news/bears-hunt-for-next-generation-of-seam-bowlers/

An Academy player, making a step towards the first team. Played a couple of times for the Seconds.

Again, interesting that no comment from Robinson - Stuart Barnes did the chat.

GerryShedd wrote:

In his Cricketer article, George Dobell said:
"It is too early to say for sure if Larsen will be the only member of the administrative or coaching staff to leave or to comment on who may replace him. While former club captain, Jim Troughton, would be a popular appointment, he is thriving in his current role on the coaching staff at Surrey and may prove tough to lure back. Equally, Ashley Giles has his hands full at Worcestershire and is unlikely to return at this stage.
If Larsen really is to oversee the transition, he will, no doubt, suggest a New Zealander replace him."
Liking a joke, George adds: "A return from Mark Greatbatch, however, seems most unlikely."

Dan Vettori hasn't done much since leaving the Aussie national team last year.

Solbear wrote:

Contract extended again with Afghanistan:

https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/afghanistan-cricket-news-jonathan-trott-to-continue-as-mens-head-coach-through-2025-1464328

That's one favourite for Head Coach out of the running then.
I guess the DoC appointment will be made before we do anything about that. We still wait (with high expectations) for an update on that - especially on the speculation of Jim Troughton coming back to Edgbaston.

I agree Troughton could be a decent appointment, but I think it's a big jump after 2 years as an Assistant / Batting Coach at Surrey, plus experience as a 'not entirely successful' 1st Team Coach for us (and then Assistant 2nd Team Coach at Somerset), for the role that Larsen had.

Bald_Reynard wrote:

The_Lickey_Banker wrote:

Bald_Reynard wrote:

https://edgbaston.com/news/bears-performance-director-larsen-leaves-warwickshire/

Larsen resigned, to go back to New Zealand. Hopefully, the 'Review' will lead to Robinson following him out if the door. A new broom is needed.

Very interesting - again - that no comment from Robinson. About how he will miss Larsen, how much he has enjoyed working with him ..... blah, blah! I'm remain confident that MR is looking at a door which is very much ajar for him!

I wouldn't be surprised to learn that, IF (big if !) the 'Review' concludes that Robinson should go, we'll have to wait to wave a final farewell to him, with the priority to appoint a new Director of Cricket (or whatever title they come up for the job). That person will be tasked with leading the search for a new Head Coach. Robinson will obviously have to stay on, temporarily, to oversee training.

https://www.thecricketer.com/Topics/county-cricket-premium/warwickshire_freshen_up_high_performance_leadership_team_after_gavin_larsen_departure.html

Can those with online access to The Cricketer (Gerry?!), summarise what they say about, "freshening up the high performance leadership team"? Could that involve Coaching staff?!

Bald_Reynard wrote:

https://edgbaston.com/news/bears-performance-director-larsen-leaves-warwickshire/

Larsen resigned, to go back to New Zealand. Hopefully, the 'Review' will lead to Robinson following him out if the door. A new broom is needed.

Very interesting - again - that no comment from Robinson. About how he will miss Larsen, how much he has enjoyed working with him ..... blah, blah! I'm remain confident that MR is looking at a door which is very much ajar for him!

https://edgbaston.com/news/new-zealand-test-captain-latham-signs-for-warwickshire/

As KoS predicted - a major Overseas signing. NZ Captain - I guess Larsen was instrumental in getting him.

Bald_Reynard wrote:

Solbear wrote:

KingofSpain wrote:

Players have reported back to Edgbaston. No sign of Robinson...

Not so sure about that - looks like he's supervising training in a video posted on the Bears Facebook page on Monday 11th November....

I expect he's just there temporarily 'covering' early training and nets, until a proper replacement is made. The fact that he's not made any public pronouncements in nearly 2 months, must mean he's on his way.

I agree, that looks most likely. It strikes me, that an appointment has been made, but that person can't take up his role at the moment. Hence no announcement - he will still be under contract elsewhere.

KingofSpain wrote:

I certainly hope you are right BR.

Meanwhile, as the club dithers, we are missing out on potential coaches and players. Recruitment is crucial. Even today Middlesex have signed Zafar Gohar from Gloucester (classed as a domestic rather than overseas player). He would have been an ideal addition to be our main spinner and he can bat too.

Too true, KoS. Whatever the decision on Robinson (and like you, I hope what BR has speculated, is correct), the Club must come to a judgment about the Head Coach SOON. Every other County is making progress on incoming and outgoing staff - and we are increasingly being left behind. If we sit on the fence any longer, the availability of good quality players (and Coaches) will be significantly restricted.

Bald_Reynard wrote:

https://www.cricketworld.com/ethan-bambers-first-interview-as-a-bear/98007.htm

Interview with Ethan Bamber, VERY interesting (possibly!), that all the WCCC part is done by Larsen, there are no comments by Robinson and no mention by Bamber that he is looking forward to working with / benefiting from the coaching of MR ..... blah blah ..... like new recruits often say.

I might be reading too much into this, but I might not be!!

https://edgbaston.com/news/interview-jacob-bethell-talks-stunning-2024-and-england-call-up/

And nothing from Robinson on Bethell's call up. You'd think the Head Coach would have been pointing out how Jacob has been helped by his route through the County coaching structure. No reference at all to MR !

Bald_Reynard wrote:

https://www.cricketworld.com/ethan-bambers-first-interview-as-a-bear/98007.htm

Interview with Ethan Bamber, VERY interesting (possibly!), that all the WCCC part is done by Larsen, there are no comments by Robinson and no mention by Bamber that he is looking forward to working with / benefiting from the coaching of MR ..... blah blah ..... like new recruits often say.

I might be reading too much into this, but I might not be!!

https://edgbaston.com/news/interview-jacob-bethell-talks-stunning-2024-and-england-call-up/

And nothing from Robinson on Bethell's call up. You'd think the Head Coach would have been pointing out how Jacob has been helped by his route through the County coaching structure. No mention of MR.

KingofSpain wrote:

Total silence since this review was called. No recruitment, no words from the hierarchy.

Interesting news that Darren Lehmann is available and in the running for Northants. We need to move quickly to get him (if Trotty or Bell are unavailable). Ieal replacement for the dead-man walking Robinson.
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/cricket/2024/10/22/darren-lehmann-northamptonshire-county-northants-australia/

Lehmann has been appointed by Northants. A shame, he could have been a good call for us, IF Robinson does go. I'm not expecting that now, but if by any chance, Larsen or the Management/Executive team see sense, I really hope that they might be talking to the likes of Trotty.

Highveld wrote:

One possible option as an "Overseas" player, for part of next season would be Mark Adair, who is the leading all rounder for his country, and is a British citizen.

Strange that a British citizen has to be classed as an "overseas" player, but non brits were not classified as overseas.

I thought 'the ship had sailed' or MA had 'burnt his bridges' at Edgbaston, to mix my metaphors!
And he didn't 'pull up any (Championship bowling) daisies' with Essex in 2023 - 2 wickets at an average of 111, in 2 matches (though his batting average was good - he got 3 x 50's, with an 88).

BristolBear wrote:

On the manner of dismissals/batters approach. It’s interesting to note that Yates has the highest strike rate of any of the recognised batters in the averages above.
That and his up and down form, doesn’t scream of a player you’d consider a natural opener. Normally I’d wonder if a move to 4 might suit him well similar to Root early in his career, but we saw how Yates form was effected when he moved to 3 a couple of years ago.

He has so much potential, just need a top level batting coach to work with him.

That's the key bit! Frost HAS to go, I can't believe he's survived this long. Another one with something on Robinson?!

Team:-
Yates
Davies
Rhodes
Hain
Mousley
Barnard
Burgess
Briggs
Miles
Booth
OHD

As KoS said, Robinson has done his usual 'cunning plan' in packing the batting ranks. So, a lot on the shoulders of the 3 seamers (and some aspiring 'CC spinner' called Briggs !). I think Barnard & Rhodes will be called upon a fair bit.