Down by the Riverside 2020

[westoelad]

Let's be totally greedy and hope MDV returns as batting coach.

[captaincolly]

Let's be totally greedy and hope MDV returns as batting coach.

Would be ideal.

[Durhamfootman]

I thought he was going to re-sign last season, if I'm honest.

he will improve the side.

I note that he opened in this latest match

[Arthur Crabtree]

Averaged thirty in the CC last year with two tons. Seems to have given up his bowling too. Now in his thirties. No case for persevering with younger players?

[westoelad]

Averaged thirty in the CC last year with two tons. Seems to have given up his bowling too. Now in his thirties. No case for persevering with younger players?

No younger players to persevere with at the moment but Harte, not a youngster but inexperienced, has nailed his place this season. Next in line are Jones and Bell. An experienced early order Bancroft, Lees, Borthwick and Behardien should enable youngsters to be introduced into the middle order. Throwing kids into the top order, especially at the Riverside is fatal.

[captaincolly]

Averaged thirty in the CC last year with two tons. Seems to have given up his bowling too. Now in his thirties. No case for persevering with younger players?

I think we need to get the right balance, and not sure we have righr now, but either the Academy isn't currently producing the numbers of good enough players right now, or it is but playing in a struggling side is hindering their development.
Borthwick always struck me as someone who was in two minds about leaving and I would expect him to thrive again when he returns- assuming it's a done deal.
The problem we had with all the players leaving was it meant we had to try and bring in some experience but were not an attractive enough proposition to bring in the cream of the crop
That said Lees, Eckersley and Raine have been good signings and I think Borthwick will be a success. Been around for a long time but is still only 30.

[Durhamfootman]

Averaged thirty in the CC last year with two tons. Seems to have given up his bowling too. Now in his thirties. No case for persevering with younger players?

No younger players to persevere with at the moment but Harte, not a youngster but inexperienced, has nailed his place this season. Next in line are Jones and Bell. An experienced early order Bancroft, Lees, Borthwick and Behardien should enable youngsters to be introduced into the middle order. Throwing kids into the top order, especially at the Riverside is fatal.

Behardien or Beddingham?

I know the Bancroft return was deferred, but I don't know about Behardien

[westoelad]

Bedingham only had a 1 year contract; Behardien has a 2 year contract.
Hopefully Bancroft will be back. Hopefully we've got a spinner lined up.

[Durhamfootman]

Well if Bangers and Behardien both return, then we won't have

unless they toss the ball to Borthwick (duck!)

[captaincolly]

Should have read this thread first! Ignore my question on the other one!

[captaincolly]

Lots of stuff on cricinfo about the crisis in South African cricket. It may mean Bedingham might feel his future is more secure in county cricket. He's a British passport holder ( I think) so perhaps we can extend his contract. Has already shown enough promise imo - and wicketkeeping is a handt second string. I've always thought the decision to sign a one year deal was probably down to him.

[westoelad]

Here on an "ancestral" passport so not overseas. I've been impressed more by Harte this season. They won't, nor should they,yet give up on Dickson giving us a top 6 of
Lees
Bancroft
Borthwick
Harte
Behardien
Dickson
Plus Jones and Burnham.
Borthwick returning to me meant Bedingham isn't.

[Durhamfootman]

what is Dickson's status?

[captaincolly]

what is Dickson's status?

His mother is British so he has a UK passport.

[westoelad]

what is Dickson's status?

Pretty crap so far but has a british passport -eligible for England.