English off-season 13/14

[theegyptian]

Plenty of county players playing all over the world this winter.

Already a few already out in Aus playing grade cricket. Chris Dent, Will Tavare(both glos) + others already played a game. Many more to come over the next few months. James Taylor heading out to Perth again.

ECB named some additional squads to the ashes and performance squad this past week

The following players will undertake S&C programme pre-xmas and bowling programme in Potchefstroom in February:

Mike Reed – Glamorgan CCC
Craig Miles – Gloucestershire CCC
Tom Helm – Middlesex CCC
Craig Overton – Somerset CCC
Olly Stone – Northamptonshire CCC

Scholarships overseas –

The following players will be playing Grade cricket in Australia this winter, organised by the ECB:

Scott Borthwick – Durham CCC
Rory Burns – Surrey CCC
Luke Wells – Sussex CCC

The following players will be attending the Darren Lehman Cricket Academy in Adelaide this winter, organised by the ECB:

Matt Dunn – Surrey CCC
Ned Eckersley – Leicestershire CCC
James Sykes – Leicestershire CCC
Ryan Buckley – Durham CCC

+ Fell, Kohler-Cadmore(both worcs), Payne(glos) arranged by their counties.

Plenty of others are out in Aus independently playing grade cricket. Welcome to Weet-Bix MyCricket:

Kieswetter, Hales, Tremlett, Lumb, Shah, Mascarenhas(now playing as a local) and Wright have all signed up for the big bash. Onions signed for SA franchise Dolphins for the winter. Presumably a few will turn out in Zimbabwe as they have the last few years + wherever they can get get a game including BPL, IPL, NZ


On the county scene in the last week Buttler has joined Lancs and Harmison retired. Hampshire have been the busiest releasing a few players and bringing in Matt Coles and Will Smith. Many counties in the process of releasing players. At present there hasn't been too many big names released.

Winter well all.

 

[Pothas]

Pleased with Hampshire's moves so far, keenly awaiting to see who this overseas bowler is going to be.

Hope Liam Dawson gets himself a good spot overseas.

 

[Howe_zat]

The following players will be attending the Darren Lehman Cricket Academy in Adelaide this winter,

where they will learn to walk

 

[Watson33]

Steve Rhodes has confirmed Worcestershire are to have an overseas player for the coming season. Would like to see an international all-rounder come in, someone like Shakib Al-Hasan. He was terrific for Worcestershire.

 

[theegyptian]

I missed this nugget of greatneess but Ravi has turned up in Bangladesh playing for Prime Bank. Scored 74 on debut. L E G E N D.

Prime Bank Cricket Club v Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club at Bogra, Oct 7, 2013 | Cricket Scorecard | ESPN Cricinfo

 

[fredfertang]

Sounds like a dangerous place to me - looks like it may cost Darren Stevens his career

 

[Woodster]

Maurice Chambers has signed a two-year deal at Northants after Essex decided to let him go. Warwickshire, where he spent time on loan at the end of this season, also offered him a contract but understandably he believes he has a better chance of regular first-team cricket at Wantage Road. As for Essex, with Masters, Napier, Topley, and Mills, there is sufficient quality there but some strength in depth may be required especially as Saj Mahmood's signing last year appears to be a real flop. Reece Topley had an outstanding season with 48 wickets, so too Napier, while Masters was as reliable and consistent as ever topping 50 wickets in the CC again. Tymal Mills found the going tough at times but will be all the better for a taste of some competitive CC cricket, he should also be buoyed by his very impressive spells against England in the tour game where he certainly made life uncomfortable for some very accomplished batsmen.

At 26 Chambers is understandably seeking first-team cricket, and I don't blame him for moving on. He will be hoping to develop just as Chris Wright did after leaving Essex.

 

[grecian]

Maurice Chambers has signed a two-year deal at Northants after Essex decided to let him go. Warwickshire, where he spent time on loan at the end of this season, also offered him a contract but understandably he believes he has a better chance of regular first-team cricket at Wantage Road. As for Essex, with Masters, Napier, Topley, and Mills, there is sufficient quality there but some strength in depth may be required especially as Saj Mahmood's signing last year appears to be a real flop. Reece Topley had an outstanding season with 48 wickets, so too Napier, while Masters was as reliable and consistent as ever topping 50 wickets in the CC again. Tymal Mills found the going tough at times but will be all the better for a taste of some competitive CC cricket, he should also be buoyed by his very impressive spells against England in the tour game where he certainly made life uncomfortable for some very accomplished batsmen.

At 26 Chambers is understandably seeking first-team cricket, and I don't blame him for moving on. He will be hoping to develop just as Chris Wright did after leaving Essex.

That was a massive shock, who could have predicted that?

 

[Woodster]

That was a massive shock, who could have predicted that?

I am detecting a hint of sarcasm there mate.

 

[SeamUp]

Follow all the ins and outs - BBC Sport - County ins & outs - signings, departures and rumours

Charlie Shreck has left Kent. Not updated above yet.

ENGLAND DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME

Dominic Sibley, the Surrey schoolboy who became the youngest scorer of a Championship double-hundred last week, has been named among England's Under-19 touring party for a tri-series in the UAE during December. Yorkshire's 15-year-old bowler Matthew Fisher was also included in the 18-man squad.

The Under-19s form part of a larger England Development Programme intake for the winter, announced by the ECB. The players selected will take on Pakistan and UAE, ahead of the Under-19 World Cup in February 2014, also to be held in the UAE. The other half of the EDP, formed largely of Under-17s, will take part in training and development camps at Loughborough, with fixtures scheduled against Sri Lanka Under-17s next year.

"This winter will offer great development opportunities for both of these squads of young players," the EDP chairman of selectors, David Graveney, said. "We will have two competitive England Under-19 tours for the players selected to be involved in, which will be an excellent opportunity for development and also the testing of skills of our best young players under tournament pressure in challenging conditions.

"The EDP squad will also have a great opportunity to develop their games at a world class facility at the NCPC in Loughborough, with access to a variety of leading coaches, plus later a training camp in Sri Lanka testing their skills under extremely tough conditions."

England U-19s squad: Tom Barber (Hampshire), Ed Barnard (Worcestershire), Karl Carver (Yorkshire), Joe Clarke (Worcestershire), Ben Duckett (Northamptonshire), Harry Finch (Sussex), Matthew Fisher (Yorkshire), Miles Hammond (Gloucestershire), Ryan Higgins (Middlesex), Robert Jones (Lancashire), Lewis McManus (Hampshire), Rob Sayer (Leicestershire), Will Rhodes (Yorkshire), Josh Shaw (Yorkshire), Dom Sibley (Surrey), Jonny Tattersall (Yorkshire), Kishen Velani (Essex), Jack Winslade (Surrey)

England Development Programme squad: Ben Green (Somerset), Max Holden (Middlesex), Arthur Godsal (Middlesex), Aaron Beard (Essex), Harry Dearden (Lancashire), Saqib Mahmood (Lancashire), Haseeb Hameed (Lancashire), Jared Warner (Yorkshire), Mosun Hussain (Yorkshire) Joe Weatherley (Hampshire), Aneurin Donald (Glamorgan), Simon Walton (Nottinghamshire), Matt Taylor (Northamptonshire), Tom Moores (Leicestershire), Brad Taylor (Hampshire), Anuj Dal (Nottinghamshire), Harvey Hosein (Derbyshire)

 

[fredfertang]

Why are Durham skint?

 

[Watson33]

Why are Durham skint?

Didn't they overshoot their salary cap before the 2012 season? They haven't really released too many players since then so maybe they are still close to it so can't bring anyone in. If I recall correctly, I think that's why they didn't bring an overseas in for the season just gone.

 

[theegyptian]

Durham like plenty of counties have pretty severe financial problems.

This article is pretty good at explaining a lot of the reasons. Not new but not a bad overview of county finances and some of the problems they've had since the credit crunch.
County cricket: A commercial crusade for the 21st century | Cricinfo Magazine | ESPN Cricinfo

Pretty impressive (or not) for Durham to actual break the salary cap as they did in 2012. Must have been some terrible book keeping given all the players surrey have gone through the last couple of years and yet durham were the team who broke the salary cap. They did tie up Harmison to a costly 4 year deal of which he barely played for the last two years.

Thankfully even though Durham don't have any money it looks like they'll come out the otherside doing well and they're producing some excellent players. In fairness their story has been incredible. From minor county to three time county champion and producing good players for England in only 21 years. In that time (since 1992) only Warwickshire have more championships(4) whilst surrey and sussex also have 3. Hopefully their story should give motivation to the struggling teams like Glos and Leics.


Couple of articles about Moeen Ali. England Cricket Features: George Dobell speaks to Moeen Ali, a man on a mission | ESPN Cricinfo Moeen Ali: Part Of The Family | All Out Cricket - Ashes.

Interesting stuff. He sounds like a great role model. Is comfortable in his skin and beliefs and comfortable in the english game whilst not preaching for others to change. I know I'd read a few fans talking about Moeen and how he should reeally be playing for England and I like him. BUt the facts are that before this season his previous two seasons in the first division he averaged 26 and 33 with the bat.

His dad says it well "Now people say to me, 'If he didn't have a beard, or if his beard was shorter and neater, he would have played for England already.' But we don't think that's true at all. Not these days. He just needed to be more consistent and, now that he is, he is starting to interest the selectors. That's the way it should be."

Would be great for English cricket and culture if Moeen made the team and was a success though. Would hopefully inspire the muslim community. Need to harness the whole cricket loving community and hopefully illustrate that there are no barriers to whoever wants to play cricket for England- and greater understanding and more positive figures for the non muslim community to look upon.

 

[Watson33]

Durham like plenty of counties have pretty severe financial problems.

This article is pretty good at explaining a lot of the reasons. Not new but not a bad overview of county finances and some of the problems they've had since the credit crunch.
County cricket: A commercial crusade for the 21st century | Cricinfo Magazine | ESPN Cricinfo

Pretty impressive (or not) for Durham to actual break the salary cap as they did in 2012. Must have been some terrible book keeping given all the players surrey have gone through the last couple of years and yet durham were the team who broke the salary cap. They did tie up Harmison to a costly 4 year deal of which he barely played for the last two years.

Thankfully even though Durham don't have any money it looks like they'll come out the otherside doing well and they're producing some excellent players. In fairness their story has been incredible. From minor county to three time county champion and producing good players for England in only 21 years. In that time (since 1992) only Warwickshire have more championships(4) whilst surrey and sussex also have 3. Hopefully their story should give motivation to the struggling teams like Glos and Leics.


Couple of articles about Moeen Ali. England Cricket Features: George Dobell speaks to Moeen Ali, a man on a mission | ESPN Cricinfo Moeen Ali: Part Of The Family | All Out Cricket - Ashes.

Interesting stuff. He sounds like a great role model. Is comfortable in his skin and beliefs and comfortable in the english game whilst not preaching for others to change. I know I'd read a few fans talking about Moeen and how he should reeally be playing for England and I like him. BUt the facts are that before this season his previous two seasons in the first division he averaged 26 and 33 with the bat.

His dad says it well "Now people say to me, 'If he didn't have a beard, or if his beard was shorter and neater, he would have played for England already.' But we don't think that's true at all. Not these days. He just needed to be more consistent and, now that he is, he is starting to interest the selectors. That's the way it should be."

Would be great for English cricket and culture if Moeen made the team and was a success though. Would hopefully inspire the muslim community. Need to harness the whole cricket loving community and hopefully illustrate that there are no barriers to whoever wants to play cricket for England- and greater understanding and more positive figures for the non muslim community to look upon.

Yeah I read that on the train this morning on my way into Uni, excellent piece from George Dobell. Always do like reading his pieces, very good writing most of the time!

 

[theegyptian]

Luke Wright, David Willey, James Fuller (and Brad Hodge) all signed up for auckland in the NZ T20 this winter. First overseas job for Willey.

 

[Woodster]

Lancashire have shown their faith in the current squad following promotion to the top division by handing out new contracts to 15 of the squad. Evergreen Glenn Chapple has signed on for another year, Kyle Hogg, who was in impressive form with the ball during 2013 has extended his contractual stay for two more years, as has spinner and England hopeful Simon Kerrigan. The full list with contract length is as follows -
Chapple (1 yr), Hogg (2 yrs), Kerrigan (2 yrs), Newby (1 yr), Aganthangelou (1 yr), Horton (2 yrs), Lilley (2 yrs), Clark (2 yrs), Davies (2 yrs), Parry (2 yrs), Procter (2 yrs), Reece (2 yrs), Livingstone (1 year, first pro contract), and Smith (2 yrs).

Also, Northants have completed the signing of former player Graeme White on a two-year deal. While Leicestershire have confirmed pace bowler Ollie Freckingham has been rewarded for a promising season in 2013 with a new two-year contract.

 

[stumpski]

Toby Radford, the former Middlesex and Sussex batsman, has joined Glamorgan as chief coach. It may not be widely known that he's the son of Brian Radford, the journalist and writer (with some interesting thoughts here on corruption in cricket - BBC News - Meet the Author: Brian Radford) and an old mate of my dad's from his own days in the newspaper business. Dad was always interested in how his mate's son was getting on and used to ask me about his progress. It didn't work out for him in county cricket, although five 50s in 14 matches wasn't too shabby.

 

[theegyptian]

Two games in and Onions yet to bowl for the Dolphins due to rain. Scotty Borthwick made a ton on debut for Northern District in sydney grade cricket.

England are in kind of a meh position with regards to spin bowlers now. Kerrigan is going to have to do a lot to regain any kind of trust from England. So once Swann goes and given Monty is pushing on it's gonna be interesting to say the least.

The other options at present aren't exactly great. Rafiq has looked decent but has struggled with injuries and his action in the last couple of years. Ravi Patel has done well for Middlesex but he's basically played 1/2 a season. But otherwise there haven't really been any others worthy of even mentioning and that is a massive worry.

With that in mind I was thinking about possible permutation says in 3 or 4 years time. I like the look of Borthwick as a batsman. His runs this season were excellent- tough wickets and high pressure situations. But it's one season. The same with Moeen Ali. They both need more consistent batting performances.

But if say down the line they were both churning out the runs England may be left in a situation where they had to resort to a Borthwick/Ali spin bowling attack.

Cook, Root, Borthwick, Ali, Taylor, Ballance, Bairstow, Stokes, Broad, Finn, Topley

Obviously that's a 5 year down the road path with a lot of ifs and buts. But the fact is the spin bowling talent coming through at the moment looks awful. England might be forced into something like the team above due to lack of alternative spin bowling options. Neither Ali or Borthwick are good enough bowlers at present and almost certainly neither will ever be test class spinners but if there is no-else in a few years time they may be forced down this route.

 

[Dan]

Jackson Bird signs with Northants

Given he's replacing Copeland, they've got themselves a pretty similar bowler overall. Hopefully it'll do wonders for his development as a bowler. 10 FC games, 7 T20s.

 

[theegyptian]

Yes decent signing. Bowling definitely Northants strength. Not sure the batting will be good enough in the first division but the bowling is good with decent depth.