WOOD FIRES IN OZ!!Derbyshire cricketer Tom Wood has got off to a flying start in his third tour of duty in the land down under.
Playing for Frankston Peninsula CC for the second year running, Wood started the campaign with a 96 in the grade A Victorian premier league, one level below state cricket. He backed it up this weekend with 141 in the 50 over competition, helping Frankston record their first win in the campaign. The out of contract ex-Derbyshire batsman played last season for the county in the second eleven, in an attempt to get another contract, amassing 1089 runs across all three formats.
In addition he scored 1103 runs for his club side Ticknall, helping the south Derbyshire club to their first ever premier league and cup double. With no contract available at his home county, Wood remains far from despondent. “The season was ultimately a failure, as my main aim was to force my way into the first team and a second county contract. Unfortunately that did not work out. However there were many highlights for both club and county with the top one being part of Ticknall's league and cup double.
I think Tom deserves an opportunity next year, when he will doubtless score a lot of runs again at those levels. He hasn't had much in the way of first team opportunity and perhaps a prolific winter and a good start back home might see him get that chance.Dave Houghton has offered me the chance to play for the 2s again next season and if I work hard on my game throughout the winter and get the required runs for the seconds next year who knows? My only dream is to be a first class cricketer and I’ll keep working hard to achieve that goal. It’s nice to get the new campaign off to a good start and repay Frankston's faith in me as their overseas pro.'
He averaged over a hundred in 2016, with several major innings for the second team and the Unicorns and while it dropped in 2017, it was far from a disaster and he had a couple of injuries, which didn't help.
2192 runs in all cricket last year suggests a bloke who must surely be worthy of opportunity, perhaps before we bring in someone from another county on loan.
After all, if he never gets the opportunity, how will we ever know if he can hack it at county level? He will be 25 next May and at the stage where he has pretty much worked out what he can and can't do. By the sound of it, there's more of the former than the latter.
It is hard to argue against those statistics and I wish him well.
A far better player than Broderick IMO
ReplyDeleteHe is older, filled out, further developed Simon.
ReplyDeleteAnd crucially not had the health issues of Calum
Looked slightly out of his depth when given the chance previously but may have improved since then and could benefit from Houghton's guidance..
ReplyDeleteFair comment PF
ReplyDeleteI think he got labelled as a bit of a dasher Peakfan. Still got time on his side, so why not take a chance. Wouldn't cost the earth, and is desperate to impress. With DH helping him along, he could make it.
ReplyDeleteFrom memory only had a couple of outings in both red ball and t20. No where near enough time to make a fair judgment. All players and young players especially need a proper run to find their feet. You can’t judge anyone on a couple of games. Give the young players a proper chance and stop looking to sign other players who can’t get in their own county teams. Chaddesden Jim
ReplyDeleteI'd agree with Jim - there needs to be patience (by all) with players like Wood. It does take time to settle; yet at the same time we all make quick judgements because we want quick success by the team. Tricky balance needed.
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