Cricket-Match-Special ... A forum for discussion

sussexpob wrote:

Making_Splinters wrote:Rather amusing to be reminded of Sussex's defence of Moores. Can't help but wonder if with hindsight his position on the matter has changed?

He left, they got relegated.... he had the job, it was the first time in decades they won a county championship.... he was at Sussex, won their only championship in nearly 200 years....clearly a terrible county manager.

You forget to mention the wonderful job he's done with England.

Wrong thread. He's got a good record at CC level. He's starting to improve England a little though if the current test (not much I know) is anything to go by.

Here we go for the 2016 season

1st : Yorkshire - Player availability likely to be better than in recent years, enough depth in the batting and seam bowling department to cover eventualities and the current era are determined to go into all time folklore.
2nd: Warwickshire - Will challenge Yorkshire to the end, though historically injuries have affected the Bears and don't have a great deal of depth which could prove criticial when it matters.
3rd: Notts - Peter Moores will get them challenging for the title, but bowling attack not as strong as fellow title chasing candidates.
4th: Middlesex - Have more often than not been title outsiders, may well fall short if Finn and Harris get England call-ups.
5th: Hampshire - Might just surprise a few
6th: Durham - Can't write off a tightly knit team even if it does appear to be weaker than most CC sides on paper
7th: Lancashire - The new toss rules will put the Red Rose at an advantage as they contain a solid bowling attack
8th: Surrey - A combination of too many players in the squad, a new coach and not having a settled side means Surrey could well struggle.
9th: Somerset - Too many mercenaries and a lightweight bowling attack

Warks
Midd
Yorks
Som
Notts
Durham
Surrey
Hants
Lancs

I struggle to see how anyone is stopping Yorkshire, and I struggle to see how Somerset are taking 20 wickets. But apart from, I think it's a relatively level playing field with lots of sides beating each other.

Not sure if this has been posted, but a nice cheeky predictions round up courtesy of The Middle Stump

http://www.themiddlestump.co.uk/2016/04 ... eview.html

Might as well do Division 2 whilst we are at it

This is probably more difficult to predict, given it's a virtual level playing field.

Derbyshire: 6th - Some decent acquisitions over the winter, but the departure of Mark Footitt has left a huge void in the bowling department.
Essex: 4th - If the bowling attack is as good as their batting, then Essex would really be in with a shout of top spot.
Glamorgan: 7th - Neither here or there
Gloucestershire: 9th - Sadly someone has to finish last.
Kent: 2nd - A team who look to be on the up and have enough in personnel to mount a serious challenge for top spot.
Leicestershire: 8th - Some experienced heads in the batting line up are sure to give Leicestershire a competitive edge.
Northants: 3rd - having a small, but tight knit squad can be an advantage and Northants do have quality with both bat and ball.
Sussex: 1st, very strong batting line up and a decent bowling attack at full strength even without Chris Jordan. Though how the club will cope with another injury crisis may remain to be seen.
Worcestershire: 5th - Challenging for the sole promotion spot may be harder than previously experienced due to how well Division 2 clubs have recruited over the winter. Some good youngsters in the rank, but missing a couple of experienced campaigners to compliment the team.

Essex and Sussex will be in the race for top spot and I think it could be Essex now that Ravi is back

I couldn't begin to predict where the rest will finish, other than to say that Leics might suprise a few people this year and not finish bottom. Judging by the first match of the season, Worcs could be in a bit of trouble at home, and that might very well stop them from challenging at the top

Does Ravi ever score any runs?

Averages 40, so better than I thought. Scored 26 tons in thirteen years.

Good that he's playing. I remember he had personal problems that kept him out a year or two ago.

I think that Ravi gives Essex a more balanced side. That he's no longer involved in the IPL might be the difference this year

Durhamfootman wrote:I think that Ravi gives Essex a more balanced side. That he's no longer involved in the IPL might be the difference this year

Having Cook available for 4 game is a big plus for Essex as well.

Having the England boys available for 4 games at the start of the county season should be the norm, imo

Durhamfootman wrote:Having the England boys available for 4 games at the start of the county season should be the norm, imo

Most of the time these days they still seem to be touring at the beginning of the season. It's been left to the players themselves how much they play early season except for Root and Stokes which is understanderable. Still haven't read any explanation why Broad didn't appear for Notts this week.