I'd mentally pinned it down to either Gary or Alex Hughes, who did a sterling job last summer with limited opportunities. My own preference would be to see Alex made vice-captain, where his enthusiasm, commitment and cricket brain will be a good asset. This competition is his forte and I can see him as a future county skipper, but he now has an excellent learning opportunity.
Gary Wilson has proved a great success since his move from Surrey last winter. He is articulate, affable and intelligent, playing his cricket in an aggressive and bullish manner that bodes well. Having skippered Surrey to a semi-final in his time there, and having played the game at international standard, he knows the way to success.
I don't think he will keep wicket, as that would be asking a lot of him. Besides, in Daryn Smit we have an excellent keeper who has crucially kept to Imran Tahir on many occasions and can doubtless read his many variations. It is, however, an option, if the balance of the side needs tweaked.
I strongly feel, however, that the route to our improved fortunes lies in two things.
The first is luck with injuries and fitness. If we can field an attack of Imran Tahir, Matt Henry, Hardus Viljoen and maybe Will Davis, along with a combo of Shiv Thakor, Matt Critchley and Ben Cotton, we should win some matches. Yet if a couple of the first four names are injured we are back to square one.
The second is in thinking outside of the box in the batting. Gary apparently mentioned yesterday a line up that included Billy Godleman, and I don't think this is his competition. I have complete respect for Billy as a cricketer, captain and man, but like some other very good cricketers - Chris Rogers, Simon Katich and, in his earlier years, Usman Khawaja among them - he has struggled in this format.
I could easily name eight of a first choice T20 side, assuming fitness, but the other three names will make the difference in winning more games and escaping the group.
I'd have Matt Critchley as one, a bowler who did well last year and proved in the RLODC that he can hit a long ball, then either Luis Reece or Tom Wood to open.
And I can't get away from the need for someone else to bat with them, take advantage of the Power play and give us a good chance of a start. Unless, throwing in a curve ball, we try Alex or Matt Critchley at the top as a pinch hitter. Until last year, when time caught up with him, Wes Durston did that job so well and could bowl a few overs too.
A pipe dream maybe, but without it, even with Wright's nous and Wilson's captaincy, I expect us to challenge for top four, but ultimately just miss out on the knock out stage in what is always a strong group.
My side:
Wood/Reece (or Wood and Reece)
?
Thakor
Madsen
Wilson
Hughes
Smit
Critchley
Henry
Viljoen
Tahir
Thoughts?
I suspect billy will play and imagine wilson will keep wicket. Agree batting does not look powefull enough for t20 format. We may need the bowlers to rescue us too many times..
ReplyDeleteI have a very simplistic view of T20 Peakfan. It is that if one batsman comes off, any team can find themselves in a very comfortable position.
ReplyDeleteLike yourself, I am not sure of Billy G in this type of cricket, and would therefore give Tom Wood a bit of a run, anywhere from one to four.
For the first couple of games I would go with.....
Reece
Wood
Wilson
Madsen
Thakor
Hughes
Smit
Henry
Taylor
Viljoen
Tahir
Critchley has regularly been going for 6/7+ an over in local cricket. Translate that to pro T20 & we could have a liability on our hands.
ReplyDeleteCritchley probably gets in my Xl as he can clear the ropes but he would be an option as 5th bowler. He may only bowl 1-2 overs at best. If the pitch is right maybe more. But he would be an option to make up the numbers knowing he can smash it out of the park. I was at the 50 over match at Yorkshire earlier this season and he hit some belters that day
ReplyDeleteI think there's a stat that says if a player scores 75 or more you'll win 75% of games.
ReplyDeleteGodleman will probably play, but shouldn't, because Wilson is his mate - that's how we operate. In my opinion Tom Wood should get the nod and Ben Slater in front of Reece every day of the week (in all formats).
PF - you have every respect for Godleman as a man? Do you know him? If not its a very odd thing to say. In my mind, when his name is mentioned, I think of disciplinary indiscretions. Throwing the ball at, and squaring-up to, opposition players. I also think he's a mighty fine opening batsman but thats it.
Azz...
I have chatted to Billy two or three times Azz and find him an engaging, modest and approachable bloke.
ReplyDeleteI respect a lot of people that I don't know. I respect fire fighters and emergency services personnel who have dealt with recent tragedies. I especially respect Billy because he has worked very hard to turn around a career that was skidding to a halt. Through that hard work he has made himself into a very solid, extremely competent opening batsman and county captain, which seemed a distant possibility when he came to us.
So he made a mistake or two in his younger days. Haven't you? I have, and it is how you react to such things that determine your life, your career and how people perceive you.
And I will take a bloke who stands up to the opposition every day of the week, rather than one who meekly surrenders their wicket as soon as the opposition get mouthy.
And it happens a lot...
Standing up to the opposition might provide some good spectacle. It may also prove detrimental to the team in suspensions and match bans. What's more impressive, and what youngsters should aspire to, is to use any mouthiness to strengthen their resolve; to really knuckle down and do well. Use the words as a tool to motivate - don't behave as one. Be the bigger man and not a 'big man'!
ReplyDeleteWe need to put nurses and doctors into your list of respected professions PF. I think you understand my sentiment regarding BG and your respect for him as a man. I assumed he'd been involved with charities or some equally worthwhile work rather than turning an ailing career around.
I agree; he has worked hard and is reaping the rewards of that hard work.
Azz...