2015 Hampshire Thread

[budgetmeansbudget]

We're a shadow of the side we were last year, so for me Lancs, Surrey and Worcs are all better than us right now.

[st_brendy]

We're a shadow of the side we were last year, so for me Lancs, Surrey and Worcs are all better than us right now.

To me we're the same side who struggled badly in D1 in 2009, 2010 and 2011. And yet we faired pretty fine in D2 in 2012, 2013 and 2014 - despite having pretty much the same squad of players.

Dawson will probably go and score decent runs for Essex, in D2. If we loaned Tommo to a D2 side, he'd probably go and take a sackful of wickets. But they can't cut it at D1 level.

Don't pretend that we were anything special last season. We were not. But some of the D2 teams are so poor, that county cricket as a whole would not miss them if they lost their FC status.

[st_brendy]

24 hours after having Worcs 20-3, I'm worrying about us having to follow-on.

If the ECB ever decide to proceed with this three divisions of six teams each idea, I'm going to be all for it. We personally really need a division between D1 and D2.

No longer am I worrying about us having to follow on, given that I've accepted that we're going to lose this by an innings. No need to worry about something which you've accepted.

[budgetmeansbudget]

I agree so far as the bowling is concerned, not a great attack but good enough to get us out of div two, but not good enough for div one.

However, the batting is where we've really dipped from last season. Carberry, Adams, Vince, and Smith should all be able to play in div one, but they just haven't performed. Carberry is still sulking over his non call up, Vince thinks batting is too easy, and Adams and Smith have fallen well below their levels of capability. Wheater and Ervine are good enough too but both have been inconsistent.

[st_brendy]

I'm still not sure about comparing this season to last season, when it comes to batting, due to the vast differences is bowling line-ups. For example, Carberry's go-slow approach these days at the start of his innings is fine for D2, because he can accelerate when the weak bowlers come on. But in D1, the 1st and 2nd change bowlers are not weak. So comparing this season to when we were last in D1:

2011 Averages

Carberry 56.64
McKenzie 43.07
Dawson 36.32
Adams 33.92
Ervine 30.13
Vince 28.92
Myburgh 26.09
Cork 22.64
Pothas 21.64
Bates 18.54
Dimi 15.83

2015 Averages

Gatting 68.00
Ervine 33.54
Carberry 33.41
Berg 33.15
Smith 32.57
Wheater 31.64
Adams 29.00
Terry 27.85
Dawson 23.00
Vince 18.33

Adams and Ervine are pretty much unchanged. However Carberry is performing massively worse, and Vince and Dawson are performing a fair bit worse.

Smith is failing to score Macca's runs, but Berg is out-performing Cork and Wheater is out-performing Pothas/Bates.

Last time around, only Carberry and Macca can be proud of their averages. This time, no-one. Maybe Berg, given he bats down at 8. (You have to ignore Gatting's average for now, given that it's based on one game and includes a not out).

[st_brendy]

Carberry dropped at slip on 5.

[st_brendy]

148-8

The real sad thing is that I've given up the will to care. Just end this season now, please.

[mark the hawk]

Does anyone actually beleive thatv we will win another game in any form this season ?

the reason can be summed up in two words Dale Benkenstein , sorry but it has to be said.

[st_brendy]

If we're happy to ditch Dawson for constantly fail to get beyond the 30s, then we should now be happy to ditch Terry. I'd rather have 100, 0, 0 from a player than 30, 30, 30. Scores of 30 are not going to win/save you matches (indeed, in his interview yesterday evening Benks was very critical of scores of that ilk - calling them rubbish or useless or words to that effect), but that one 100 might just.

Give Alsop a chance.

[budgetmeansbudget]

Does anyone actually beleive thatv we will win another game in any form this season ?

the reason can be summed up in two words Dale Benkenstein , sorry but it has to be said.

Confidence is at its lowest ebb for many years so it doesn't seem likely right now.

Attempting to lose this game by an innings inside three days and Worcester are second bottom in the division!

[st_brendy]

When it comes to betting, I've always stuck by the mantra of only ever bet how much you can afford to lose.

If I did not live by that mantra though, I'd be putting my whole life savings on us losing to Surrey on Friday night. Cannot see how we have a chance. Confidence has totally and utterly been shot to pieces.

Gatting's contract is up at the end of the season, so let him go. Also let Terry go, and seriously consider letting Adams and Tommo go. The latter two no doubt would do well in D2, but so what. Unlike last time, this time in D2 we need to use it to get players ready for D1. Think long term not short term. Ergo focus away from Adams and Tommo.

No idea who I'd make captain. Vince I don't think is good enough, based on his t20 captaincy to date. Carberry and Ervine are possibles, but maybe too old. Will Smith maybe? Or maybe go full circle (based on his current loan to Essex) and give it to Dawson? Warne always saw something in him, and maybe it could be the making of him.

[budgetmeansbudget]

After reading your post Brendy, I don't think Fraser could put it any better 'We're doomed!'

[SaintPowelly]

Carberry and Ervine are possibles, but maybe too old. Will Smith maybe?

Full name William Rew Smith, Born 28 September 1982 (age 32)

Full name Sean Michael Ervine, Born 6 December 1982 (age 32)

[captaincolly]

Surprised that Ervine is only 32, he seems to have been around for ages. Then again so has Smith.

[SaintPowelly]

The one thing that baffles me the most, is what the f*** does Wood have to do to get a game ?