It is what happens in sport when outstanding teams - and there have been times when this one has been - don't integrate new blood into a successful lineup. The one sure thing in sport is that time wait for no one, everyone has a sell-by date. Sadly, that has been passed by too many of this England squad.
I will be honest, my major interest in this competition has been spotting a potential second overseas player for Derbyshire. Just to clarify, I won't have any say in that decision...
Nor do I have any knowledge of the budget, but I would have to say that if we are going for another Pakistan player, the only feasible bowler on display has been Mohammad Wasim Jr. He was a late introduction to the side, but has bowled with commendable pace, skill and accuracy since his call up. Haris Rauf has had an awful series and surely a chance for Zaman Khan might have been more beneficial? Hassan Ali has also had a poor series and the Pakistan bowling has been largely underwhelming.
The spinners on display don't look especially threatening, though of course you are judging them against the very best. They appear more bits 'n' pieces players, probably good for Vitality Blast, but not likely to take wickets in large amounts in the four-day game.
So perhaps Derbyshire might split the overseas role. Were there budget to do so I would consider Abrar Ahmed, omitted from this tournament, as a match-winning leggie for the four day game. I always think they are good value in England, as batters so rarely face a decent one.
Meanwhile, I would love to see Faqhar Zaman for the Blast at some point. Not just on the basis of yesterday's extraordinary innings against New Zealand, but because he is a proven match winner. There also seems a mutual respect between he and Mohammad Amir, who he called 'the best bowler I have faced' recently. Amir yesterday referred to Fakhar as an 'impact player' and Pakistan's tournament may have been very different had he been available throughout. In three innings he has made 219 runs and he was not remotely fazed by chasing 400 yesterday. Eleven sixes rained from his bat yesterday and the thought of him doing that over here has its appeal.
Of course he will be in demand and the likelihood is that a bigger budget than ours will get his services.
Yet the perfect fit for our overseas role is not from Pakistan.
Rachin Ravindra of New Zealand is an outstanding batting talent, a very fine fielder and a more than respectable purveyor of left arm spin. He looks a very special player and one who would be a very good fit for our needs.
I suspect most Heads of Cricket around the country will feel the same and I am sure that he and several other Kiwis will not lack for offers in the aftermath of this competition.
But of course, the T20 World Cup will take these players out of the equation, so the search will focus on those who don't make squads.
Finally, congratulations to Harry Came on his selection for an MCC squad touring Kenya.
He did very well in the season just finished and looks to be a player with a very bright future.
I will certainly be keeping more of an eye on events in Kenya cricket circles than is usually the case.
Go well, Harry.
Hearing a certain Ross Whiteley is coming back to Derbyshire. Heard anything about that Steve?
ReplyDeleteEngland's problems were exacerbated by the poor form of Bairstow, Root, Buttler and Livingstone. Heaven knows why Brook wasn't selected more often.
ReplyDeleteI think you're right to say that the second overseas should be split. I can't think of a spinner who both bats well enough and is a good enough red-ball bowler to do both. I'm not so sure about Abrar Ahmed: I think he'd be a great signing for A county, but not for Derbys in 2024 simply because they need someone who can bat at eight as well as bowl good spin. I don't think Chappell is a no. 8--and it would commit them to playing Chappell over Aitchison (and Brown) in the Championship regardless of their relative bowling merits.
ReplyDeleteI can't think of a Pakistani who fits that exact role in red-ball, which was why I wondered about Mendis (do we KNOW, btw, that Arthur wants a Pakistani, or is that just the assumption based on his being DoC there? Of course he'll also have a contacts list in Sri Lanka, South Africa and Australia...) Noman Ali is probably the nearest, but I've never been wildly impressed by him. If it's definitely decided to split the roles, then the best out there outside India in that role would be Maharaj...although I would think a lot of counties would be after him. He would be a cracking signing.
I don't agree with you about Ravindra--although I think again he'd be a wonderful (hypothetical!) signing for some county: his performances in the WC will have him inked in both for an IPL team and the World T20, you'd think. But for Derbys next year he's too much batting all-rounder (or in red-ball, batter-who-bowls) rather than bowling all-rounder or bowler-who-bats.
2024 won't be the year for Fakhar either, given the World T20--but he'd be fun for 2025, wouldn't he?!
How much would a Pakistani overseas player actually cost? I assume that their domestic cricket is not particularly well rewarded and although there is a plethora of franchise leagues they are denied access to the IPL. Also, given IPL involvement in SA and USA leagues I am not sure if many play there. To get a gig in the 100 a good showing in English domestic cricket would be beneficial.
ReplyDeleteI appreciate that you have to (probably) factor in flights and accommodation but I assume that the cost is comparable to an established senior pro? Would be interesting to learn the answer from somebody who knows!
My name is Andrew Townsin - sorry I couldn't figure out how to get my name on comment.
Hi Andrew, there's no definite answer to that one. An experienced player like Shan Masood would likely cost twice what Zaman Khan and Haider Ali command. The trick is to spot potential before others and get them relatively inexpensively.
ReplyDeleteOf course, players wanting exposure will accept slightly less in the hope of the long-term benefits in overseas competitions, as well as the national side. Yes you factor in accommodation and flights but it doesn't need to cost the earth.
Just have the contacts and an awareness of the up and coming talent..