There are a good few counties around the circuit who would have been very keen to chat to Chesney had he gone out of contract at the end of the season. For all that he has gone back a little in the last two summers, he remains a young player of massive potential. Given any error in line and length, he has the strength and timing to take attacks apart. His footwork can improve, but there are few harder hitting batsmen on the circuit. Throw in his safe pair of hands and his handy slow left arm and you have a potent talent.
His signature marks the end of an excellent winter in which the county has secured all of its best players for the medium term and picked up one of the greats of the world game. We only need a comparable summer and few fans will have complaints.
Mind you, over on Cricinfo the bell has been tolling for us already, at least according to many of the correspondents under George Dobell's article on our prospects. I don't buy into the negativity though and will gladly tell you why, in a few more characters than I'm allowed over there.
Too many fans seem to have division one cricketers built into a master race, superior beings who bowl faster and more accurately, as well as hitting the ball further and being nigh impossible to get out on wickets far better than those in division two. Why, reading some of the comments I was left with the impression that the bowlers would be lobbing Molotov cocktails at our batsmen, while opposition batting feasted on our sub-standard bowling fare.
That there are very good players in that division is undeniable. But there are some fairly average ones too, just as was the case last year in the second division. As I pointed out this morning in response to a comment, James Harris, Ryan Sidebottom, David Masters, Ajmal Shahzad, Jack Brooks, Matthew Hoggard, Matt Coles, Charlie Shreck, Steve Harmison, David Balcombe and Nathan Buck were all faced at different times in 2012. All fine bowlers, none of them out of place at a higher level.
Perhaps the intensity of the cricket is greater, but I'd like to think we will be prepared for that. Bowlers will still bowl bad balls and there's no real mystery bowlers to contend with. George Dockrell is a talented young bowler, but to read someone citing his menace conjures up Hedley Verity, rather than a young Irish lad on a steep learning curve. Boyd Rankin was also mentioned and though an improved bowler since his days at Derbyshire he's not exactly Dale Steyn...
Likewise, reference to sub-standard wickets in division two ignores the fact that early season tracks across the country were poor last year. When people like Marcus Trescothick, Murray Goodwin and Mark Ramprakash can't buy a run, there has to be wider issues. Then there are those who say that our 'overrated' bowling won't get good players out on top batting tracks. A valid comment? Except for the fact that a good batting track is the same for both sides, of course. Unless Somerset plan to bat against us at Taunton, then take us to a local farm for our innings, I can't think there would be undue concern.
The only thing that would stymie our season would be injury. Luck tends to even out over a summer, but if we lost Madsen to a groin strain for a month and Chanderpaul broke a finger, our batting would be very inexperienced. Likewise, if Palladino pulled up lame and missed several weeks, at the same time as Tim Groenewald's knee caused him issues we would struggle. Our first choice side is the requisite standard, but some of the young tyros coming through need development time.
We don't have space on the staff, nor the money, for experienced reserves. Any worthwhile players want first team action anyway, so every team in division one will hope for good fortune where fitness is concerned and none of them will bank on success as a result of performances from those outside a first choice side.
As long as we go out, as we did last summer, to win each session, to compete and ensure that every player gives his very best we will be OK. It is only if the foot comes off the gas and we become blase about things when we could run into trouble. There will be days, as I've said before, when we come up against a side that is too good, too experienced and in form. We'll perhaps lose then, but as long as we battle to the end, fans will understand.
Because there will be other days when we're the side on top. I'm convinced of that.
Enjoy your weekend.
Very good news about Chesney Hughes. I agree he didn,t have the best of times last season,but in fairness he was never given an opportunity in four day cricket. He has enormous potential and over the next three years it needs to be brought to the surface. By 2015 we will know if he is going to make the grade. I believe he will and in doing so become a major asset to the club.
ReplyDeleteI think we,ve got to get used to the negativity from outsiders and turn it to our advantage. In a way i,m glad we are the "experts" rubbing rags. They are probably the same people who told England to bowl first in the last test match!.
As iv,e said before,if we win 4 games we will stay up,simple as that. It may well be that pitches are more batsman friendly this year. We are equipped to deal with it and if so the spinners will play a leading role. Notts and Warwickshire will be strong but they are far from invincible and can be beaten. Division one is not as strong as many believe and at the end of the day it,s eleven verses eleven. If we play positively and take our opportunities when they arise we will be okay.
use the guy and build his confidence.The potential there is huge and imo it was managed badly last season- one of the few negatives. Chesney, like everyone else, needs to feel he is rated and wanted and I do feel he really has the capability to be an explosive matchwinner.
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