Woodster
International Captain
Was just reading an article about the drop off in quality in County cricket in England and how the quality of the overseas player was generally much higher due to the fact the international schedules were not as demanding and the T20 competitions that coincide with the English season, and reward the better players in this format so handsomely, were not around. Throw in the fact that the regulations have tightened when trying to sign players on the 'Kolpak' ruling (which has benefitted in some areas) and the standard will inevitably suffer.
Of course on the plus side is the younger players getting more of an opportunity and exposure in first-class and LO cricket. So was just wondering what people's take is on this year's crop of overseas signings so far, focusing mainly on the players available for the County Championship games. There have been 11 confirmed overseas players so far, as follows -
Derby - Shiv Chanderpaul
Glamorgan - Jacques Rudolph
Gloucester - Michael Klinger
Hampshire - Kyle Abbott
Leicester - Ramnaresh Sarwan
Northants - Jackson Bird
Notts - Peter Siddle
Somerset - Alviro Petersen
Surrey - Graeme Smith
Warwicks - Jeetan Patel
Yorkshire - Kane Williamson
It seems a fairly even split. There are the experienced players that will offer the club more than just their performances on the field. The likes of Chanderpaul, Sarwan, Rudolph, Klinger, Smith and Patel who you would all say probably have their best days behind them but can add so much to a club and their younger players coming through and even the experienced players that are still willing and determined to learn and develop.
The other group are players that may be peaking and still have international and Test aspirations. Abbott, Bird and Siddle all hope to force their way back into their Test teams, with Siddle only very recently losing his spot. Would imagine his workload will be very closely monitored by CA and Darren Lehmann. Petersen and Williamson both vital part of their Test sides and could be permanent fixtures in Test cricket for a good few years yet.
So while the older days threw up world class performers such as the Richards, Garners, Marshalls, Akrams, Waqars, etc, etc, it is highly unlikely national boards will sanction their key players to compete in an entire domestic season anymore. Is this a decent batch of overseas players or are the supporters of the counties these days still being short-changed ?
Of course on the plus side is the younger players getting more of an opportunity and exposure in first-class and LO cricket. So was just wondering what people's take is on this year's crop of overseas signings so far, focusing mainly on the players available for the County Championship games. There have been 11 confirmed overseas players so far, as follows -
Derby - Shiv Chanderpaul
Glamorgan - Jacques Rudolph
Gloucester - Michael Klinger
Hampshire - Kyle Abbott
Leicester - Ramnaresh Sarwan
Northants - Jackson Bird
Notts - Peter Siddle
Somerset - Alviro Petersen
Surrey - Graeme Smith
Warwicks - Jeetan Patel
Yorkshire - Kane Williamson
It seems a fairly even split. There are the experienced players that will offer the club more than just their performances on the field. The likes of Chanderpaul, Sarwan, Rudolph, Klinger, Smith and Patel who you would all say probably have their best days behind them but can add so much to a club and their younger players coming through and even the experienced players that are still willing and determined to learn and develop.
The other group are players that may be peaking and still have international and Test aspirations. Abbott, Bird and Siddle all hope to force their way back into their Test teams, with Siddle only very recently losing his spot. Would imagine his workload will be very closely monitored by CA and Darren Lehmann. Petersen and Williamson both vital part of their Test sides and could be permanent fixtures in Test cricket for a good few years yet.
So while the older days threw up world class performers such as the Richards, Garners, Marshalls, Akrams, Waqars, etc, etc, it is highly unlikely national boards will sanction their key players to compete in an entire domestic season anymore. Is this a decent batch of overseas players or are the supporters of the counties these days still being short-changed ?