Burgoyne, 20 this year, had a superb all-round match but his side, the Southern Rocks (I always want to start singing the old Glen Campbell song Southern Nights when I write that...) were still heavily beaten by the Mid-West Rhinos. Burgoyne scored 104 and 44 in his two innings and figures of 3-86 and 3-27 with the ball, fully emphasising his talent.
His two centuries have come in only 12 first-class knocks and, following on from some powerful displays for the Seconds last summer and some bright cameos in the CB40 he is most definitely one to watch.
His spell in Zimbabwe with Dave Houghton has done him the world of good and Houghton has given him the responsibility of batting at four, something to which he has responded. If this vein of form continues through Barbados and into the new season, the player will be putting pressure on the likely middle order batsman before too long.
Not that I'm suggesting he will replace Shivnarine Chanderpaul, just in case you wondered...
Meanwhile our first opponents, Warwickshire, have picked up one of Australia's brightest batting talents in 17-year old Sam Hain. Born in Hong Kong to British parents, Hain made the Australian under-19 side at just 16 and is highly regarded. He has now decided to move to England once he finishes his education and few would doubt the county champions have pulled off a coup.
Hain attended Loretto School in Edinburgh on an exchange a couple of years back and scored a couple of centuries for Musselburgh as a 14-year old, indicative of precocious talent. While there are no guarantees that early talent will be realised (Dominic Telo anyone?) the thinking money is on Hain doing pretty well.
Moving on to senior cricketers, two Aussie speedsters will be plying their trade in the T20 this summer. Dirk Nannes will be with Glamorgan, while Shaun Tait will turn out for Essex, news that will make a few opening batsmen check out their thigh, chest and arm guards sometime soon.
When Nannes retires he should be able to open his own cricket memorabilia business, as this will be his fourth English county to go with contracts in most T20 competitions around the globe in recent years. His collection of cricket tops must be the only thing more impressive than his fast and skiddy left-arm bowling.
I'd have to say that Tait is an enigma. I've seen him bowl very fast, accurately and well on occasions, but I've also seen him bowl some of the most wildest stuff since Mohammad Ali was in his 'pomp' at Derbyshire. Rumours that Adam Wheater bought out his contract at Essex to move to Hampshire to avoid the possibility of having to 'keep' to him are as yet unsubstantiated....
His problem seems to be that he's not used to longer spells and when I've seen him he is often fine in one or two over bursts, but an extra over often sees his arm drop and his rhythm go. It seems strange that a professional bowler cannot bowl longer spells, but T20 is all Tait plays these days, so perhaps he's just not used to it.
I've no doubt that he, like Nannes, will bowl a good spell or two, though whether he is enough to help them progress in the competition is another thing. With their batting they should do well, but sometimes the parts just don't add up.
Indeed, I was intrigued that Owais Shah only signed a one-year deal at Essex this week and could see him packing up the county game to become a nomadic T20 specialist. Maybe I'm wrong, but his England days appear to be behind him and the money on offer in the short form of the game must exceed that on offer on the county circuit. Given that his IPL commitments often see him at loggerheads with his county masters, I'd not be at all surprised to see that happen.
In closing tonight, I'm delighted to see Derbyshire taking cricket back to Leek and playing Essex there on June 9. The halcyon days of out grounds are long gone, but it is encouraging to see the county encouraging cricket fans in an area that has been a rich source of playing talent over the years.
Fingers crossed for good weather.
Enjoy the rest of your weekend.
I hope we don,t go down the bowler route for T20. I,ve always believed a strong batting line up is the key to these sort of games,followed by liberal use of spin.
ReplyDeleteTait and Nannes are quick but I dare gamble they both go for plenty of runs,a lot more often than they don,t. Pace is rarely the answer in T20. A four over spell is usually not enough to ever win a game,but plenty long enough to lose one.
No, if we don't get Guptill I think it will be another batsman Marc. Its our greater need in my opinion
ReplyDeleteWarwickshire are going to have another cracking season by the looks of it. I just hope we make a game of it in the opener.
ReplyDeleteshame shah signed a deal at all, part time cricketers are not needed. money wasted on him and the inept greg smith, coould have been thrown wheaters way to compensate from him not keeping. hampshire have a fine player on their hands who can be devastatitng and will advance to england honors with his power batting.
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