Back in business

In the words of that old classic by Willie Nelson - well hello there, my it's been a long, long time.

Having lost internet connection for a couple of weeks when my laptop went away to hospital, I'm now back online and in possession of a much healthier and repaired machine.

So what's been happening? The answer to that is - not a lot.
After the signings of Messrs Park and Groenewald, we're all champing at the bit for more.

Of course, we don't know for sure that there will be much more, but it's a widely held assumption if one does the Maths of the departed. Given that Clarke was on a lot of money, Doshi would have been on a fair salary and Kevin Dean was an experienced professional, there must have been a fair amount on wages for that little lot. Throw in Wayne White's money and it's a fair chunk of the playing budget available.

Of course, Chris Rogers as overseas player would earn less than Rogers the overseas star and skipper, while Graham Wagg has deservedly got an improved deal. My guess, however, would be that we may have 70-80K left for team improvements.

Like most fans, I'd like to see this go on another batsman, ideally one of experience and reputation. A Law, Klusener or Blackwell if you will, though they may all be out of our league and compass. If we sign one of these, I still feel that there is a great need for someone to be our lynchpin in the 20/20 next year. Perhaps Chris Rogers is going to play the full season next year and that would give us an improved batting line-up, but we must have more from the top-order batting next year. Rogers apart, the early order was brittle and it is in need of an old and experienced head. Maybe Law is too old at 40, but his erstwhile team mates and supporters reckoned him the best batsman at the club. Given Hick had some good years post-40, Law might have something to offer the young talent coming through.

As for the new players, I think that Park could be a real gem. In recent seasons for the Durham seconds he has averaged between 50 and 70, while doing pretty well on the occasional first team appearance. His fielding should be worth a few runs before he goes out, so well worth a watch, that one.

Groenewald doesn't appear to have been a huge favourite with Bears fans, but interestingly his bowling average has come down every season. His batting is explosive and he definitely offers more than White, the man he replaced. Whether he is a regular in the four day side, only time will tell, but I wouldn't be surprised to see him in there.

I fancy us to do well next year in the Championship, though I'm wary of using the "P" word. With this side in April, I think we'd be a match for most sides:

Chris Rogers
Steve Stubbings
Wavell Hinds
Stuart Law
Dan Redfern
Garry Park
Greg Smith
James Pipe
Graham Wagg
Jonathan Clare
Charl Langeveldt

We'll need to fit Jake Needham in somewhere when it turns, and there's also Mark Lawson. Throw in Tom Lungley and Ian Hunter as reserve seamers with Groenewald and we've good competition.
Batting competition too.

Pipe at 8, Clare at 10. Good line-up eh?