Apparently (and this was mentioned on the cricket commentary on the first day) our overseas bowler for next year is 'someone who has been here before.'
When I heard this from other sources too, I was surprised. Outside of Zaman Khan, none in the recent past has been a success, so I am in a state of flux between mildly curious and astonished at this stage.
Logically it would be someone from the more recent past (my tongue in cheek suggestion of Venkat to a friend wasn't serious) and these are the bowlers for that period.
2022 - Hayden Kerr, Suranga Lakmal,
2023 - Lakmal, Zaman Khan
2024 - Blair Tickner, Daryn Dupavillon, Mohammad Amir
Possibilities : Hardus Viljoen, Duanne Olivier
I cannot see it being Amir, much as he is the best option above. He will have too many T20 options around the globe and will not want the grind of county cricket. Nor will it be Zaman, who has played no first-class cricket, so, assuming it is a bowler for red ball we are signing at this stage, who would you take?
Surely not Stanlake, who is rarely fit, or Lakmal for the same reason?
Or have I missed someone outside this time period who would be an option? Kerr isn't a front line four day bowler, Viljoen cost a LOT of money first time around and will be 36 by the time next season starts. Olivier has slipped off the radar a little since his stint at Yorkshire, then there are this year's models..
Thoughts? I can only conclude that we are bringing in a big name overseas bat or are spending some of the overseas budget on domestic players, as I don't see game-changers in the names above.
If pushed, I know which one I would take, but I am keen to see what you think!
Logan Van Beek , Lockie Ferguson , Jimmy Neesham
ReplyDeleteThe latter 2 being franchise players to be honest
Yes I omitted them for that reason, Paul. Only van Beek would potentially be a new ball bowler but his commitments with Netherlands would seem to preclude a lengthy stint in England
DeleteViljoen or Olivier would be the only ones to
ReplyDeletegive me any enthusiasm assuming this is for red ball cricket. Not really sure what he's been doing in SA but the younger Olivier would be my pick.
Kerr or Khan being secured for next season's Blast would be my guess if the rumour is true.
ReplyDeleteMatt Henry, Kane Richardson, Mark Watt or Imran Tahir. It might be somebody playing in the Derbyshire leagues such as Chemar Holder. Still surprised Brandon McMullan has not been signed by a county. Parsons (Bucks) is also well worth a look
ReplyDeleteHenry possible, I guess. Richardson was never here, Watt wouldn't be an overseas player and Tahir would make recruitment of late like a youth policy!
DeleteHolder hasn't been here either, but McMullan will surely get a deal from somewhere soon?
McMullen has been playing for Scotland since December 2022, it amazes me no county has given him a contract yet. Scored two 50s in the recent three match T20 series versus Australia which should mark him out as a decent player.
DeleteBlair Tickner.....
ReplyDeleteIn such a group he would appear the better option, I agree. But it would require his domestic circumstances to have moved the right way, for one thing. Thoughts continue to be with his wife and Blair himself
ReplyDeleteIt would be Duanne Olivier for me all day long.....despite his rather ordinary Yorks stint. Still only 32 and with a FC of 540 wickets @ 23 and 59 test wickets @24 with a fresh lease of life back with us could be a win win ! Cheers Gary
ReplyDeleteOlivier, unless we are looking for somebody to captain the twos.
ReplyDeleteIs it definitely a pace bowler? We had the Sri Lankan spinner a few years back didn’t we?
ReplyDeleteOlivier would be the one who would excite me; he was super for us.
Chris