st_brendy wrote:Naturally of course a lot of county fans will see us as enemy number one, for signing a couple of kolpaks to go alongside us somehow being in the wrong for still being in D1 this coming season, but being biased I really don't care. In the space of just three signings this winter (including George Bailey) we've suddenly got ourselves possibly the best squad I can remember during my time of following the club. And they key word there is squad. It goes beyond the first XI. Hell, just picking a first XI is hard enough. And that is without yet signing a second t20 overseas player (who will hopefully either be an opener, or an allrounder - our t20 team could still do with both, subject to Carberry's future).
If the best happens, and Carberry recovers to return, the teams could be something like:
CC
1 & 2: Adams/Caberry/Smith/Alsop filling the top two spots, with two left out.
3 - 6: Ervine/Bailey/Vince/Dawson/Rossouw filling the next four spots (in whatever order), with one left out.
7: McManus (Christ, just think what a batting line-up we would have if Wheater was still here)
8: Berg
9: Abbott
10: Fidel
11. Topley/Wheal (Topley may not be fit, and even if he is, his workload will almost be managed in favour of limited overs cricket)
That's one top bowler short of being title contenders in my view. But certainly sufficient to avoid a bottom two finish, even if a smaller division now.
There's three batsmen there for cover, in addition to Topley or Wheal, plus Crane and the kids (I think realistically we can't now think of Wood as a four-day player, simply due to the injuries he picks up).
One-day
Carberry (if he doesn't recover, then probably Berg or Smith, with everyone moving up one - otherwise we're looking at 10 overs from Slug, albeit an excellent other 40 overs)
Vince
Alsop
Bailey
Ervine
Rossouw
Dawson
McManus
Wood
Abbott
Topley
t20
Carberry
Vince
Bailey
Ervine
Rossouw
Dawson
Overseas All-Rounder (otherwise Berg or Smith - so that Slug is our 6th bowler, regardless)
McManus
Wood
Abbott
Topley
westoelad wrote:Interesting article on the contasting policies on the 2 counties to player recruitment.
http://www.espncricinfo.com/county-cric ... MP=OTC-RSS
southwood wrote:westoelad wrote:Interesting article on the contasting policies on the 2 counties to player recruitment.
http://www.espncricinfo.com/county-cric ... MP=OTC-RSS
Interesting article - barbed comment about Hampshire pinching the young fruit being grown elsewhere as well as hiring Kolpaks.
In think Hants only have 3 England qualified players in their prospective 1st team pool.
#they have enlisted 3 Kopaks, an Aussie with a UK passport and benefitted from Durham's financial woes by offering Asher Hart more than Durham could afford.
southwood wrote:Where are the English qualified players in the Hants line up that have been developed within the County?
Sad when your Chairman campaigned for the relegation of the county that has consistently brought young players through their academy to England Test player level.
SaintPowelly wrote:southwood wrote:Where are the English qualified players in the Hants line up that have been developed within the County?
Sad when your Chairman campaigned for the relegation of the county that has consistently brought young players through their academy to England Test player level.
James Vince, Liam Dawson, Tom Alsop, Lewis McManus, Chris Wood, Mason Crane, Jimmy Adams (1 of our own)
Vince + Dawson made their England debuts this year, Alsop made his Lions debut this winter, Mason Crane has been highly tipped by most pundits, Wood unfortunately isn't fit enough to have a long run and fulfill his potential.
Not too shabby for me.
westoelad wrote:SaintPowelly wrote:southwood wrote:Where are the English qualified players in the Hants line up that have been developed within the County?
Sad when your Chairman campaigned for the relegation of the county that has consistently brought young players through their academy to England Test player level.
James Vince, Liam Dawson, Tom Alsop, Lewis McManus, Chris Wood, Mason Crane, Jimmy Adams (1 of our own)
Vince + Dawson made their England debuts this year, Alsop made his Lions debut this winter, Mason Crane has been highly tipped by most pundits, Wood unfortunately isn't fit enough to have a long run and fulfill his potential.
Not too shabby for me.
Yes SP but how are these youngsters going to develop if theirplaces are going to be blocked by numerous imports from either abroad or other counties
Roussouw
Abbott
Bailey
Ervine
Berg
Edwards
Wheal
Smith
Carberry
Topley
Hart
What sort of message, for example, do the signings of Topley and Hart give to any aspiring young local bowlers?
westoelad wrote:I'm certainly not clutching at straws, don't understand the inference. Of course Abbott can be a benefit to youngsters, I never implied otherwise. Equally I'm fully aware that Vince and Dawson have represented England, whether they've proved they're England class, however would be the more relevant issue.
The issue is have Hants got the correct balance between youth development and imported experience? Certainly have no problem if Hants supporters believe they have.
Hart, incidentally, does look promising-has pace from a beautiful high action. Has had his fair share of injuries in common with most youngsters these days. Obviously still very raw.
westoelad wrote:Rob Key is stating the obvious but what equally is short sighted, particularly as the Kolpak route is almost certainly going to be closed after 2017.Obviously long term success will only be achieved through an effective home grown system for which, as Yorkshire and Durham have illustrated, relies on a strong and structured pyramid league system within the county and any minor county neighbours. Hampshire have an existing pyramid structure,they also have a large catchment area with 3 minor counties to the immediate West. Massive potential therefore to develop a highly effective and exciting academy. It won't be achieved,however, when they are in denial about the ineffectiveness of their current youth policy. The much vaunted Vince has superficially an impressive 1st class average of bordering 40. Look more closely and it reveals prolific scoring in the 2nd division but a paltry average in the 20's in the 1st. Dawson was so highly regarded that he was sent out on loan last season. Nevertheless they may be successful in 2017 but have they a policy long term?.
I don't care frankly but I do wonder if they'd stuck with Benks long term a successful youth structure would have materialised.
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