Yesterday's news of a new two-year contract for Harvey Hosein, taking him to the end of 2020, reinforces the opening day of his tenure statement by David Houghton.
The role seems to be going to a young man who has looked likely to fill it for a number of summers now, but at last seems to have a clear run at making the job his own.
I have no problem with this at all. As a batsman I have always rated him highly and think we would get the best out of him batting higher than the more usual seven in the order. He has a very orthodox technique and has showed an ability to play straight and stay in when wickets are tumbling around him.
I would see him batting at six, but could make an argument for him at five, where his preferred method would enjoy the support of 'proper' batsmen at the other end. He is still very slight in build, of course, and as he fills out the boundary shots will become more frequent.
I thought him improved as a keeper when I saw him at the end of the season and he would look better still if we had more bowlers whose radar was more than a thing for only occasional use. The acid test will come in his work with the spinners and his standing up to Messrs Critchley, Qadri and McKiernan over the next summer or two will determine his long term suitability for the gloves.
As I said the other day, I would let him work with Daryn Smit over the winter and let Smit mentor his glove work. Indeed, let Smit skipper and mentor the seconds, available for the first team as required, because we all know his quality behind the stumps. His genial personality will work well with younger cricketers and trialists too.
No one will complain at this, though. Like the rest of you, I hope he makes the role his own and we can all celebrate long term success.
Well done Harvey!
No one will complain, you're right, and it seems that Mr Houghton has immediately brought commonsense to the table.
ReplyDeleteThat the selection structure of 2018 did for so long only act as self serving for a clique, it has taken an outsider, if you like, to see it for what it was, and make a bold statement about the way forward.
Having the backing of the new Director of Everything must mean a great deal, and now we will see if HH has what it takes, with the uncertainty of the last two years kicked into very long grass.
Some good work done with contracts recently. I really hope we get Critchley done then that’s all of our starting team for me bar any new signings such as a batsmen or two and an overseas.
ReplyDeleteGodleman ✅
Reece ✅
Madsen ✅
Hughes ✅
Hosein ✅
Palladino ✅
Add Critchley to that and we have secured the players we want to secure. Then a case if we can get a bowling coach who can work with Rampaul and Viljoen otherwise I would try to pay them off and try to secure some new signings.