Durhamfootman wrote:assuming Colly does retire
Lees
Steel
Burnham
Clark
Richardson/Harte
Smith
Davies (wk)
Wood
Weighell
Salisbury
Rushworth
Insert big snarling early season overseas fast bowler into that bowling line up where appropriate and replace him with a prolific late season overseas spin bowler where appropriate
could win promotion with a line up like that
if Axar can make a real impression in the CC between now and the end of the season, he could realistically earn himself a nice regular bit of work post IPL next year and for a few years to come. Whether he's good enough to do that, or whether English conditions will suit him, I'm not sure
My worry is the batting looks potentially fragile - question marks over all of them as they're either unproven or the more experienced ones don't have a track record of scoring heavily. If Steel can make some big scores in the remaining games and Lees shrugs off his poor form over the last 2 years ( and there's no reason why the change of club won't do the trick ) it would be ideal but I think we need at least one more batsman with a healthy average and a recent record of prolific scoring. And I think such a signing is necessary even if Colly does play on - I suspect he won't but if he does the chances of him scoring 1000 CC runs as well as performing well in the one day competitions are not great.
I also think we need a strike bowler ( in addition to overseas ) because we can almost guarantee Weighell, Wood and the likes of Carse ( seems to be a feeling that his career may even be in jeopardy ) Potts, McCarthy will have their customary injury absences. I think Rimmington could be useful in the 4 day game if he is part of a very strong seam attack and despite being infuriatingly erratic he has had some good performances in the one day matches.
That said I think we'll do very well to persuade a top class batsman and bowler to join - there's the financial issue and also even without that we are not likely to be anywhere near the top of anyone's wish list of clubs to join. If Colly goes it will free up some cash but will Woody have any sort of England contract?
Other thing is - if Colly goes and we don't manage to bring in a big signing of two - who will be captain? Smith would be the safe choice but perhaps not certain of his place otherwise it'd have to be either someone trying to establish themselves whilst also captaining ( could be disastrous!) or give it to Rushy who for all his admirable qualities does not seem to be captaincy material. Woody maybe? On second thoughts ...no!