by sussexpob » Sun May 12, 2024 4:36 pm
Ah! Buliding for the future. I remember that from last time it happened..... we dropped our two best bowlers for some worthy young guns, then lost a series to one of the worst statistical batting line ups to play in test cricket post the Victorian era. It all paid off a few years later when we failed to win the Ashes and got smashed apart in India. What a plan that was.
The future back in 2021...
Matthew Fisher.... 1 test where he looked toothless vs a pub XI batting line up. Currently averaging over 40 for the year in Division 2.
Saqid Mahmood.... Hasnt taken a wicket in a year. Coming off a devastating back injury.
Craig Overton... played a few games, made Bonner and Blackwood feel like Lara and Viv. His last test ball bowled is still officially a live ball, as it has yet to reach the batsman.
And then we have the other younger guns who are under ECB contracts.
Josh Tongue... not bowled a single ball in 9 months, another with a serious injury.
Gus Atkinson... pulled out the IPL citing injury concerns. Has already had 4 stress factures to the back. Played 2 games this year, and then hasnt been fit.
Matt Potts... cant currently buy a wicket to save his life. Averages 60 this year.
Brydon Carse.... Averaging 286 this year for his 1 wicket...
John Turner... not played. In fact he has 4 wickets in the CC in his career (hes 23). Very inspiring.
Spin prospects from our last series this year....
Hartley.... 1/178
Bashir.... 4/300
England Lions bowlers from the last series in India this winter.
Tom Lawes... 5 wickets this season so far.
Callum Parkinson..... 2/100.... 2/206... 5/140...
Oliver Price.... 1/250 this season
Dan Mousley... has 5 wickets in 27 games in FC career
Jack Carson... Currently facing a possible lengthy time out with a back injury.
Players who have been picked for the Lions in the last 2 years and have bowled, or have been picked as Developmental players on ECB contracts.
Sam Conners... Averages 37 a wicket
Jamie Overton... No wicket in his last 5 innings bowled, more of a batter now
Sam Cook.... kicking ass.
Matt Critchley... Averages 40, basically a batsman
Thomas Prest.... 4 wickets in 11 FC games... turned into a LO batter specialist
Jacob Bethell.... 1 for 281 runs in his FC career
Tom Abell... now 31, only has 64 FC wickets
Mason Crane.... He's rubbish
Liam Patterson White ... averages 33 in FC
Lydon James... Averages 35 in FC
David Payne... Averages 30, now nearly 34 years old
George Scrimshaw... 18 FC wickets... cant get a county game
Jake Linton... 3 FC wickets and over 3 (got to be the most bizarre Lions pick ever)
Benny Howell...Also over 30, not very good, cant get a game
So Aside from Sam Cook, who was dropped from the Lions in recent times because he doesnt bowl quickly, Jamie Porter who was picked before that for the Lions and dropped for the same reason, we basically have not a single player taking wickets right now who is a standout performer who deservesa test call.
Those players that have in recent times are all long term injury concerns.
Dropping an all time legend to shoe in an out of form player who can't take wickets in April against Derbyshire is hardly a great idea.
2010 French Open fantasy league guru 2010 Wimbledon fantasy league guru 2014 Masters golf fantasy guru 2015 Players Championship FL Guru 2016 Masters Golf Fantasy Guru
And a hat and bra to you too, my good sirs!