Fascinating news breaking this morning, with Jeevan Mendis announced as the other half of our overseas pairing for next summer.An aggressive left-hand batsman and right arm leg-spin bowler, Mendis is a signing that few will have seen coming but should be both intrigued and impressed by. A genuine all rounder, with a batting average in the top thirties and a bowling one in the mid-twenties, he could be quite special.
He will play at the start of the season and will form an exciting spin pairing with Imran Tahir. Matt Critchley must feel that Christmas has come early, to work with two quality purveyors of his art.
More from me later, but a player who has made his reputation in the world T20 competitions now has a chance to build one in this country.
Thirty-three years old, he has a lot of experience, once again fitting the bill for the type of man Kim Barnett set out to sign.
He's delivered too, and deserves congratulations for conducting his business smoothly and with the minimum of fuss.
More from me - and an in depth look at the signing - later.
I'm not sure I read it as he'll play with Tahir. I've not re-read it but I think it says the word 'until'.
ReplyDeleteI'll be honest, I've never heard of him but his stats are decent.
Cannot complain about the 2 overseas signings, I believe this also shows that the club rate Matt very highly, having him work with these 2 guys for a season will be massive for him and will only improve him as a player, do we think that there will be anymore singings? Im still convinced we need another top order experienced bat and another stike bowler, thoughts?
ReplyDeleteNo he wont play with Tahir but the two in a 'job share' role gives us quality spin all summer. Not many counties have that option. His batting ability is an added bonus.
ReplyDeleteWhile this signing may not have the wow factor of Tahir, I think it is an excellent signing, it will be interesting to see how he goes on early season English pitches, but having two quality leg spinners and the developing Critchley throughout the season will stand us in good stead.
ReplyDeleteIt is clear that in both statements the club have said they want these players to come in not just to play but to develop our younger players too, which I think is really important.
I'm not too worried about the signing of another batsman, I think we need a strike bowler to help out battery of young seamers and reduce the work load of Palladino now.
So far though the club have done excellent business in the transfer market this Winter and should be congratulated on this.
Didn't see that one coming. I like the fact we've gone leg spin again and his batting is a bonus. Wonder where he will bat in the championship - top 6 I imagine. Might scupper my hopes of another front line batsmen. I think a strike bowler seamer and we are done. Bar the gun bat/capt (Guptill) for the T20. We also need to appoint the coaches but we are getting there. Good work so far. I must say though we absolutely MUST get an experienced and proven seam bowler. Palladino is the only one that is senior but we need a seamer who can lead the attack. Important to have leaders in all disciplines. Madsen the batting one. We obviously have 2 mentors for Critch now in this job share and we need someone for the bowling unit. Palladino is starting to coach yes but we need a go to man. I wouldn't be against a Kolpak here as not sure there is anyone to do it domestically unless Footitt was missing the East Midlands. We never replaced him.
ReplyDeleteJust seen an interview with Kim Barnett on Facebook and he says "hopefully a non overseas fast bowler to come". Brilliant. I would be happy if it's someone senior who is a shoe in to play as I do think we have a lot of potential in the seam bowling department but we can't afford to have say 3 of them play at one. For example Palladino, new senior seamer, Milnes and Davis would work for me as a front line seaming group. Obviously you'd have Thakor too and the leggy. Would be good. Then we'd have Taylor, Cotton, Cork and Henmings backing up that unit. However, I wouldn't want to go into the new season with just Palladino as the experience. He needs some help.
ReplyDeleteInteresting signing although I can't see many wickets turning square in April and May. Also I would have thought we would have needed a batsman with a tighter technique for those early championship matches in my opinion but maybe they are future signings?
ReplyDeleteJust watched Kims interview and he states we are still after an non overseas fast bowler, and the 20/20 players, what is the ruling for overseas 20/20 in 2017? Anything changed?
ReplyDeleteStill allowed two overseas and Tahir will be one to my knowledge.
ReplyDeleteThey could offer a T20 only contract if they found a qualified player...
I would like another batsmen Huw Lloyd but I totally agree the main priority now needs to be an experienced striker bowler to lead the attack with Palladino.
ReplyDeleteDidn't see this one coming. Intrigued to see us signing a spinner to play in April. If the wickets offer bounce this will help Mendis no end, though I hope he comes over before the start of the season to adjust to the climate. Worth noting that whilst his averages are very good for an all rounder, the standard of SL domestic cricket isn't as good as here. Not that that makes it a bad signing.
ReplyDeleteI hope that even for the early 50 over games, Critchley gets to play alongside Mendis, as with Hughes and Thakor, we only need 2 specialist seamers to give us a strong 6 man attack with options. What would your RLC eleven be now peakfan?
Slip/close catching practice needs to be a priority this winter. News of these two signings sends a message that wickets are going to be different at the 3As County Ground next year. I am really pleased that everyone sees the signings as part of the development of Matt and not a replacement for him. Another thing these signings have done is get people excited about next season.
ReplyDeleteCan I take it that from these comments we are all getting a little excited for next season? Im certainly glad Ive already got my membership (1st year as a full member I might add) are we all going to follow suit? I hope so, the club deserved it.
ReplyDeleteMy 50 over would be something like this, no idea if Mendis is ok at 5 hoping so
ReplyDelete1 Godleman
2 Slater
3 Madsen
4 Broom
5 Mendis
6 Thakor
7 Wilson (w/k)
8 Critchley
9 Milnes
10 Palladino
11 Experienced strike bowler❓
When KB says "non overseas fast bowler" do we read into that it's someone with right to work in U.K.? Ie a kolpak or a broom type signing? I hope so as I don't think it's likely we will get what we need if we are talking domestically ie in the county gamw now. Exciting news if so
ReplyDeleteHard to call a first choice side Mark! That's pretty close to a side that most would pick. The improved strength of the squad being that you don't have Luis Reece nor Alex Hughes in it, both players who would lengthen the batting and give additional bowling options.
ReplyDeleteNor is there Ben Cotton, a very good one day bowler, nor Harvey Hosein, Tom Taylor nor Will Davis. I also fancy Tom Wood to push for a one-day starting berth.
Decisions, decisions...
Yes Peakfan we have some real depth now. Reece is an exciting option. Hughes I like a lot. His bowling in white ball is quite tight. Cotton could easily play instead of Palladino or rotate with him. I like Ben in white ball cricket. Exciting times. Main thing is I think we need competition to raise standards. Harvey will get his chances when Wilson is away with Ireland.
ReplyDelete