So, no change there then...

Friday night, mid-December, wind blowing and the rain pouring down. Makes you think of the cricket...

In Australia at present, Chris Rogers averages just under 90 in 4-day games for Victoria, and just over 50 in the short form (that Western Australia thought he couldn't play). Hands up if you'd take those averages from Captain Buck next year?
The only slight concern is that if he carries on in such a rich vein of form and Messrs Hayden and Katich have trouble with the Saffer quicks, our skipper could feasibly get a Test recall and then end up on the plane to England wearing the baggy green. I know that Shaun Marsh is a good player and in the frame, but the Aussies generally reward a player in form with a place in the team, not necessarily bothering about the age of the individual.

Added to the fact that Chris has a proven track record in England and a lot of experience and its not too hard to see how he could be unavailable to us in 2009. I'm not sure where this would leave us, except somewhere up a creek and without a paddle. He is a huge part of our batting and looking at the current staff I can't see where there's an obvious 1,000 runs next year. Plenty of guys who may step up to the plate, lots of potential, but none that you'd put your next mortgage payment on to do so.

I think we need Rogers in there and also a number three batsman to be genuine contenders next year. We have Stubbings and Borrington, but neither are fluent players and if Rogers went early the scoreboard operator would be taking it easy for a while.

Dom Telo could emerge from last season's trauma but has a lot to prove. John Sadler has the ability, but again, needs a good start to redeem himself. Greg Smith is a number six for me, while Wavell will enjoy five, away from the moving ball, especially early season. Dan Redfern is a four, so....

Not sure where that leaves us. Could Garry Park get a chance at three? He's batted there for Durham and certainly their second string and one assumes that he's not come here to play second team cricket for a lesser team. It's an interesting one, that's for sure.

Meanwhile in South Africa, Charl Langeveldt has 23 wickets at 22 and still looks a class quick bowler. One only hopes he gets through the winter unscathed and is able to spearhead our attack in 2009.

If Langeveldt, Wagg, Clare and Lungley all stay fit, I'd expect that attack to carry us to a Championship promotion slot. With plenty of all-rounders, runs should come throughout the order, but ultimate success will be very much dependent on who bats three and how well they do.

Enough for now. Maybe we'll hear news of a signing next week. Now that would be a nice Christmas present!