The signing of Tom Lace announced today on a season-long loan, pretty much sorts the batting as far as I am concerned for 2019.
Lace did pretty well last season in a few appearances and looked a correct and organised batsman who will thrive on the additional responsibilities that he will get at Derbyshire. His chances of breaking through at Lord's in the immediate future are slim, given their talented line up, but if David Houghton rates him as a batsman that will do me quite nicely.
A likely top six will be Godleman, Lace, Reece, Madsen, Hughes, Critchley, with Anuj Dal and perhaps Tom Wood in reserve. Add in a couple of overseas players who can bat for the T20 and it looks a decent line up that should score runs.
I commented on Twitter that a similar deal for a seam bowler would be nice. It is perhaps unrealistic to expect Hardus Viljoen and Ravi Rampaul to stay fit throughout the season, though both owe us a decent summer after a largely disappointing 2018. It may be equally unrealistic to expect Tony Palladino to take fifty wickets again, and we would then be down to the teenage seamers and whatever overseas player we manage to sign.
Someone mentioned Doug Bracewell the other day and that's not a bad shout. I don't see there being too many options and he would certainly fit the criteria of a bowler who knows how to handle a bat. So too might Joe Mennie, who did well for Lancashire last season but to my knowledge hasn't yet been re-engaged for 2019. Or maybe they might look again at Jason Holder, who was in the frame for 2018, or another South African, where we obviously have strong links.
It is all a minefield and you can get deals prepared then find them dashed by short-notice tours and the myriad T20 competitions around the globe.
What we shouldn't forget, however, is that we should have Luis Reece this year, which will make a huge impact in the field on early season wickets.
For me that overseas role is key, but there's a decent squad taking shape, and plenty of reasons to be cheerful at this stage.
You make a good point regarding Reece as an all rounder this year PF. He was such a loss to the balance of the side last time round. Bringing Lace in allows Madsen to drop to four which I think is a better position for him and with Hosein following the six you mention runs in theory shouldn't be a problem. I'm expecting more from Godleman this time as I think the lessening of responsibility will help him focus on his captaincy and batting.
ReplyDeleteNote in one of the other threads Jeevan Mendis; I really liked his enthusiasm but there is an abundance of spinners for the Chamionship but perhaps as one of the T20 overseas. Not sure about Bracewell and I saw a bit of Mennie last year - he started really well but fell away although might be fine in division two.
Things are looking promising.
A bit underwhelming if that is one of the two new faces which has been rumoured. I don't think Tom Lace will weigh in with many runs next season, feel free to pick this post back out if he proves me wrong Peakfan.
ReplyDeleteOk Peakfan, great blog as always, so a left field suggestion ....Jesse Ryder...still only 33, explosive batsman at his best, more than useful nagging seamer in English conditions, now discarded by NZ domestic cricket...worth a punt?
ReplyDeleteProblem with Tom Lace is unless it’s got potential for a perm deal I don’t see the point. Surely we would be better taking a punt on a young lad from the league (Ali is mentioned) or that lad who was released from Warks. If he nails it next season sure he might contribute to promotion. Fingers crossed. But he would be straight back to Middlesex for 2020 and we are back to square one. I liked what I saw last season. I think he showed potential without kicking on with a big score but for me we are just doing Middlesex a favour really.
ReplyDeleteI agree the batting line-up looks pretty solid, Peakfan, but there is very little experienced back-up. The Reece injury cost us dearly last season. Given that the overseas slot is going to a bowlibg all-rounder, I would like to see an experienced, quality all-format middle order run-getter added - that, I feel, would lift us into serious contention for silverware.
ReplyDeleteI know - money! But we have offloaded two presumably big earners in Wilson and Slater and What about the revenue from the concerts/ firework event? £200k plus surely?
I know we're not on the "rich list" of counties but something doesn't quite add up, even allowing for the contract renewals. Hopefully DH has plans in that direction and we might be pleasantly surprised. Even if it's only a loan player.
Not sure about Ryder, mate. He has been a good cricketer, but you don't get rejected for no reason and while he had a decent start to a stint at Essex, it ended pretty miserably.
ReplyDeleteHe's like Cosgrove at Leicestershire too. Tremendous hitter of a ball but when the form goes, it is all down to the lack of fitness. Harsh, but true...
Money? I don't think there's a lot left after new deals for players, and let's not forget we have a T20 coach and player to sign on, at the very least