Wednesday 24 November 2010

Interesting?

A comment tonight on the previous post suggests that we might be trying to sign Tony Palladino from Essex.

I hope so, because he has a decent county record and has taken a fair few wickets for a player still in his mid-twenties. However, I've seen nothing to substantiate it, so won't get carried away at this stage.

While DCCC Forever suggests we have a lot of seamers, I have to disagree.

We have Clare, Turner, Footitt, Groenewald, Sheikh, Hunter and Jones. Of those, Sheikh is a novice and Hunter must have question marks over his fitness, having missed all of last season. With Jones a player/coach and getting no younger, I read that as only five. I don't think you can regard Whiteley and Higginbottom as first team players at this stage, so for me we are potentially a seam bowler light. Steff may be able to carry on, Sheikh could be stronger and a contender next year, Hunter may resurrect his career - but there are still question marks.

While I would agree that we could use a quality spinner, Greg Smith could cover that area and Jake Needham may return from South Africa with his confidence enhanced. Fiscal issues may stop us strengthening in either area, but I'd have to say we'll need better luck with injuries next season as things stand.

3 comments:

  1. i made the comment yesterday, the rumour has done the rounds at a couple of club sides with associations to the player here in essex. he has been told he can leave if he finds another county, but still has a contract for next season. his fitness record is not great mainly due to a nasty shoulder injury at whilst fielding at colchester some years back, and essex probably wouldnt shed many tears as he hardly plays. in the right conditions i.e. overcast and seaming (derby sounds perfect for him!) he can be a handful, but so can most bowlers, otherwise he is basically a medium pacer and could go the distance. his departure would free up some money for a mooted 2nd spinner or o/s player.

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  2. Would rather we signed a spinner a la Munday if he's not been snapped up by someone yet?

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