2015 County Cricket Thread

[Inspector Todd]

I have permission! Thought I would get this kicked off early, chance to review and track winter progress of counties in regards to contracts and transfers etc.

At Northamptonshire we have had a bit of a troubled winter to follow the car crash of the 2014 season. Things seem to be getting better though, and with the change at the top there are a couple of reasons to feel optimistic about 2015. Having a realistic chance of winning a Championship match is nice!!

Sad to see some of the old guard leaving at the backend of 2014, Andrew Hall, James Middlebrook and David Sales. Matt Spriegel was rightly released. Stephen Peters has decided to stick about to see his contract out, which is fortunate as we lack opening options for the 4 day game. Following a rather stingy 1 year deal offered to Richard Kettleborough, he chose to go to Glamorgan.

Josh Cobb has been brought in, and closely followed by Adam Rossington who impressed on loan last season and was a rare shining light. Personally pleased to have Richard Levi back as a Kolpak, and at long last we seem to have got the Rory Kleinvelt deal over the line after 3 years of trying. Although I wonder on his fitness to be honest.

Short of another opener for the 4 day game and an additional spinner alongside Graeme White.

Keeping key players like David Willey, Azharullah, Steven Crook, coupled with the return of a fit Alex Wakely, hopefully we can push the top 4 in Division Two.

With Afridi joining for the T20 you have to quietly hope for the knockout stages of that competition, while in the Royal London I'll take a good showing as any qualification is unlikely, that and a win when they pitch up for a game in Milton Keynes.....a win that hasn't happened in years at Campbell Park.

 

[RavenBish]

Yorkshire's to lose again for me, unless Notts or Warks pull out something special.

Lyth, Lees with Maxwell (T20 only) and Finch in as overseas players and their middle-order too, it's just a ridiculous glut of batsmen even without Root and Ballance.

Notts have done things a bit weirdly tbh, Philander comes in for a bit and they've got Hilfenhaus too, who I don't think is the most inspiring overseas capture. Greg Smith and Gidman are solid additions but will hardly strengthen the side too much either. Just another year of hoping that the likes of Lumb, Patel and Mullaney don't bottle it when the pressure's on. Taylor (if he's around) needs to be much better than he was in 2014 and Hales needs to be consistent. Big year for the young lad Jake Libby too, he could end up seriously good.
Enough talent to contend but not enough to challenge Yorks or Warks I fear, probably battle it out with Durham for 3rd.

 

[JonBCFC]

I like playing Northamptonshire, always an easy win in all seriousness though, I didn't realise you signed Cobb... Fantastic player, I don't thibk Levi is what he used to be though.

I haven't really followed somersets going ins during the off season, just that we have lost kieswetter for the foreseeable future due to sight issues (massive loss) and we've signed on jim Appleby, who is a fantastic all rounded imo.. Not sure who our overseas is.

Think the title will be between Yorkshire and Notts this year, with us mid table and doing fuck all in the other formats.

 

[JonBCFC]

Just checked our overseas and we have abdur Rehman, who was absolutely quality a couple of seasons ago so hopefully he will come good.

 

[Inspector Todd]

I like playing Northamptonshire, always an easy win in all seriousness though, I didn't realise you signed Cobb... Fantastic player, I don't thibk Levi is what he used to be though.

I haven't really followed somersets going ins during the off season, just that we have lost kieswetter for the foreseeable future due to sight issues (massive loss) and we've signed on jim Appleby, who is a fantastic all rounded imo.. Not sure who our overseas is.

Think the title will be between Yorkshire and Notts this year, with us mid table and doing fuck all in the other formats.

Yes it's not a favourite fixture of mine. Mind you, when we beat you in the 2013 T20 competition, that was the moment I knew we would go close to winning it.

 

[lordofthepies]

Lancs were absolutely pathetic in the championship last year. The batting, as usual, let them down. The bowling attack is a bit of a concern for the first time in a while too - the superb Kyle Hogg has been forced to retire and Glen Chapple is finally effectively retiring too. Kyle Jarvis arrived to great fanfare but has done nothing yet. Probably a relief to get rid of Kabir Ali and definitely a relief to shed Wayne White. With Kerrigan, Parry and Lilley, there's no problem with the spinners, but I think they need another steamer. I'm prepared to be proven wrong, but I'm not convinced that Nathan Buck is the answer. I imagine that Tom Bailey will be asked to do a lot.

Watch out for Haseeb Hameed, I've yet to see him play but he's supposed to be ludicrously talented. He's still at school and will be away with England under-19s at some point, but they reckon he will play some part this year.

Alviro Petersen is a ridiculously good Kolpak signing and it was very pleasing that his mate Ashwell Prince reversed his decision to retire. Tom Smith was a surprise choice as captain but he's a bloody good player so hope it'll come good. I'd expect Giles to do good stuff as coach, some changes to the coaching structure had to made, because with the exception of the title win of 4 years ago, thus squad has been massively under-performing for years. 2 relegations in 3 years is not acceptable. Despite past financial problems, we have a budget that most counties could only dream of, so it's not unrealistic to expect better. I don't understand why talented players like Croft and Brown have not done more, perhaps Giles can persuade them to do so.

 

[Inspector Todd]

Lancs were absolutely pathetic in the championship last year. The batting, as usual, let them down. The bowling attack is a bit of a concern for the first time in a while too - the superb Kyle Hogg has been forced to retire and Glen Chapple is finally effectively retiring too. Kyle Jarvis arrived to great fanfare but has done nothing yet. Probably a relief to get rid of Kabir Ali and definitely a relief to shed Wayne White. With Kerrigan, Parry and Lilley, there's no problem with the spinners, but I think they need another steamer. I'm prepared to be proven wrong, but I'm not convinced that Nathan Buck is the answer. I imagine that Tom Bailey will be asked to do a lot.

Watch out for Haseeb Hameed, I've yet to see him play but he's supposed to be ludicrously talented. He's still at school and will be away with England under-19s at some point, but they reckon he will play some part this year.

Alviro Petersen is a ridiculously good Kolpak signing and it was very pleasing that his mate Ashwell Prince reversed his decision to retire. Tom Smith was a surprise choice as captain but he's a bloody good player so hope it'll come good. I'd expect Giles to do good stuff as coach, some changes to the coaching structure had to made, because with the exception of the title win of 4 years ago, thus squad has been massively under-performing for years. 2 relegations in 3 years is not acceptable. Despite past financial problems, we have a budget that most counties could only dream of, so it's not unrealistic to expect better. I don't understand why talented players like Croft and Brown have not done more, perhaps Giles can persuade them to do so.

Whatever the Lancs squad I'm still expecting a couple of thrashings next season...

 

[CFC91]

After coming good towards the end of the season hopefully Derbyshire can kick on and have a good season. Guptill is back and if he is as good as he was last time then we should get runs on the board and with Footit who was excellent last season i'm hoping we can kick on.

Would like us to have a good run in the T20 this year too - we are usually awful.

 

[S2_Blade]

Was brilliant to win title last year and more than capable of winning it again with the squad we have.
Great to see floodlights installed at Headingley for new season also.

 

[Bobbin']

Hoping Kent can improve on the last couple of seasons, although not entirely hopeful.

Really pleased to have Joe Denly back, hoping he can re-discover his form before he left in 2011.

 

[WAP]

Only been to one T20 game in my life and couldn't name a single Hampshire player.. but how do you rate "our" chances?

 

[Inspector Todd]

Only been to one T20 game in my life and couldn't name a single Hampshire player.. but how do you rate "our" chances?

Hampshire are always in with a chance of silverware. Only one day or T20 though.

4 day is a bit of a write off for Hants to be honest. Not sure they are that bothered.

 

[Walkley_Owl]

We should win this.

 

[LeoRahi]

Pujara signs for YCCC after Younis pulls out

http://www.espncricinfo.com/county-cricket-2015/content/story/857915.html

 

[Inspector Todd]

So we have set Gloucestershire 454 to win in our first game. Great recovery thanks to David Willey's first ton. If he stays out the England setup, we may have a chance of coming back up.

Cobb and Keogh look decent too.

Pitch flattening out though, lot depends on the start we have tomorrow. Got to be confident though.

 

[JonBCFC]

Great start for us, lost at home to Durham in 3 days!

 

[S2_Blade]

Epic performance from us to beat Worcestershire, not bad to say we were missing 6 players to England duty.

 

[Inspector Todd]

We couldn't knock over Gloucs in a day. Flat-track, beautiful weather.

Only got them 2 down. Nice to be chasing games though this season, as opposed to just being whipped.

 

[mowgli]

Hampshire are always in with a chance of silverware. Only one day or T20 though.

4 day is a bit of a write off for Hants to be honest. Not sure they are that bothered.

Agrre we're a better one day side than a four day one, saying thatc we did get promotion last season, not a good result in our first game against Sussex though.

 

[Bobbin']

Not a great start for Denley on his return to Kent, and Key follows shortly after.

 

[Skinner]

87-5 ffs

 

[Bobbin']

87-5 ffs

Going to be another long season.

 

[Bobbin']

Jesse Ryder tearing through Kent at the moment, 5-43.

Not even going to get to tea on day one by the look of it, anyone know what the weather is supposed to be like the next few days!?

 

[Skinner]

Sun all week

Sangakkara got his first half century for Surrey.

You heading up to Beckenham for the T20 on May 29th Bobbin'?

 

[Bobbin']

I did think about it, but 5.30 start isn't ideal for me as I finish work then and would have to take half day.

I'm going to the reverse fixture at The Oval on 19th June with my Surrey supporting manager. Do you ever get down there?

 

[Skinner]

I only went down to Canterbury once last year, the T20 against Surrey. It's just a bit of a trek to get down there and I don't get much time to do so.

 

[Bobbin']

Yeah, I don't get to go as often as I'd like, as you say it's a bit of a trek, not always easy with a lot of games being midweek and not ideal times.

Do try and get up there with my old man a couple of times a season though.

 

[Skinner]

All out for 193, Christ

 

[Bobbin']

Not even a bonus point.

 

[Aber gas]

Hales going well for notts , against a good Yorkshire attack . Keeps going like this and the selectors will have to have look .