There is no doubt that the giant (6'8") bowler can generate serious pace and he has looked a player of raw talent for a few years. Dave Houghton has pursued him for a while and he was due to come in 2019, but injury ruled him out.
He has been unlucky in his career so far, with three stress fractures to his back, another to his pelvis and one to his foot at different stages. Maybe the hard Australian tracks don't help and perhaps it may be easier on his body over here. At his height, a long back is going to face stresses and strains, the question mark against the signing being whether he can, properly nursed and alternated with Dustin Melton, get through a long English summer.
I hope he can. If he does, he could be a game-changer. Concentrating on the positives, which I like to do, his height and pace will see few enjoy batting against him. If he gets his rhythm, then an attack with him at one end and Michael Cohen at the other will be comfortably our fastest since the halcyon days of Bishop, Holding and Malcolm.
Let's hope that the gods are kind to Billy. He deserves a break and this signing COULD be very special.
The season cannot come fast enough now!
Here he is in T20 action. Enjoy!
https://youtu.be/5jdGQesqE7Q
I'm a little disappointed; I think Sean Abbott would have offered a lot more consistency. You've said it in your article PF - he has historic injury problems but let's hope you're proved right and I'm wrong.
ReplyDeleteA good signing if he has better luck with injuries. We have had fast bowlers in the past who have had hardly played because of injury issues. I would have preferred him to be used only for the t20 matches, and hired another bowler from abroad for the Championship games. Good luck and welcome to Derbyshire CCC.
ReplyDeleteI think it is an excellent signing. Every overseas signing is a risk with availability and injury. I'm sure a few other counties around the country will be a bit disappointed that they didn't try for Billy with him being available for a full season. What has impressed me with the interview is that he is coming to learn and improve. A lot of batsmen will not fancy playing Derby on wickets with any pace on. An exciting season ahead.
ReplyDeleteVery few overseas players seem to come for an entire season, with us at least, so that alone is a positive.
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