The Shakespearean Animals CC

[Cabinet96]

Botha not a bad pick IMO. His leadership will be useful, but tbh you probably could have drafted him a couple of rounds later.

[Noble One]

I don't recall the sim taking captaincy into account.

[Cabinet96]

Well there goes my theory. Don't know much about how the sim works tbh.

[Howe_zat]

You leave captaincy instructions for whoever's doing the simming. That would typically overrule the on-field captain.

[Dan]

I went in thinking that: a) Botha has performed to a decent degree as a spinner in a domestic comp that doesn't favour spinners all that much, b) he can bat, c) he can basically fill any gap I have at some point and d) he allows me a little bit more flexibility if bowlers don't turn up (which I'm guessing could be an issue, given the make-up of my attack), by batting at 7 with 4 bowlers following.

To me he's just one of those guys who is a bit underrated by CW - and I stress 'a bit', as he's not that good, but he's a guy I feel I want to have, and can use in a variety of places. At worst, if he doesn't come off, I end up with decent bench strength.

[Himannv]

Interesting choice although I think you could have waited a round or two to pick him. Keep the write-ups coming, they make for really interesting reading.

[Dan]

Usman Salahuddin
Draft Round: 7
Playing Role: Batsman

Usman Salahuddin idolises Mohammad Yousuf, and the similarities are endless. Both bat at number 4, both are prolific scorers, both were identified as hugely talented at a young age, and Salahuddin appears set to play a major role within Pakistani cricket for years to come, as Yousuf did a generation prior.

His First Class and List A strike rates do not suggest a strokeplayer, however he is more than capable of attacking when necessary, and he is difficult to dislodge once at the crease - at U/19 level he remained undefeated throughout a 3 match limited overs series against Australia, and his average in Pakistani domestic cricket hovers above the 50 mark.

He made his international debut in 2011, directly opposite his Shakespearean Animals CC teammate Darren Bravo, and didn't exactly light the world on fire, however he was not helped by a decidedly average LBW decision and a nonsensical run out leading to his dismissals in both matches.

Regardless of this unfortunate introduction to the international scene, Salahuddin appears to be readying himself to take another chance, should it arise. In his recent Pentangular Tournament in Pakistan, runs were abundant for the young right hander, as he made 3 centuries in as many matches to help Punjab to the title.

The Shakespearean Animals CC is glad to announce that Usman Salahuddin has joined the club, adding another promising young player to an increasingly powerful line-up.

Originally Posted by Current Shakespearean Animals CC Contract Listing

1. Peter Nevill
2. Alastair Cook
3. Trent Boult
4. Darren Bravo
5. Marchant de Lange
6. Johan Botha
7. Usman Salahuddin

[Dan]

Ben Stokes
Draft Round: 8
Playing Role: All Rounder

Ben Stokes is another one of world cricket's brightest young talents, and looks set to have a long international career ahead of him. He debuted for Durham in May 2009, picking up the wicket of county stalwart and CWPL opponent Mark Ramprakash with his third delivery. He was contracted in December of that year, and had a productive run through the Under-19 World Cup in 2010.

From then, however, he has gone from strength to strength. After making a 50 on debut against the MCC XI in Abu Dhabi, he made 740 Championship runs at 46 in 2010, but the following year was when his career began to explode.

He began with 6/68 and an explosive hundred against Hampshire, including 5 sixes in an over, notched up 150 against Warwickshire in the Pro40, and was selected for England to play ODIs against Ireland and India, as well as T20is against the West Indies.

His rise has been rapid, but Stokes deserves the attention he is getting from the international selectors - his First Class batting average is over 45, his bowling figure a shade over 30, and while his List A batting is not quite as impressive, his bowling in the shorter format has been spectacular.

The only issue for Stokes thus far has been a serious finger injury that forced him into playing as a specialist batsman for much of 2011, but he has since recovered and took 4/3 in a demolition of Durham MCCU, bowling them out for 18 in the 2012 opener. He added those incredible figures to scores of 93 and 65, both made at a strike rate of 130, and a wicket in the first innings. The continuation of his form, both in County Cricket and the CWPL, makes Stokes a mouth-watering prospect for any side.

The Shakespearean Animals CC is glad to announce a major coup, having picked up Stokes in Round 8 of the CWPL Draft. He will play an integral role in the side, and will continue to develop throughout the season.

[Prince EWS]

Originally Posted by rvd619323

I went in thinking that: a) Botha has performed to a decent degree as a spinner in a domestic comp that doesn't favour spinners all that much, b) he can bat, c) he can basically fill any gap I have at some point and d) he allows me a little bit more flexibility if bowlers don't turn up (which I'm guessing could be an issue, given the make-up of my attack), by batting at 7 with 4 bowlers following.

To me he's just one of those guys who is a bit underrated by CW - and I stress 'a bit', as he's not that good, but he's a guy I feel I want to have, and can use in a variety of places. At worst, if he doesn't come off, I end up with decent bench strength.

You may be interested to learn that in Season 1 of CPL (CricSim's version of this with the same database, although it was a while ago now), Botha was quite successful as an opening batsman. Averaged nearly 40 in that role, I believe.

[Dan]

Originally Posted by Prince EWS

You may be interested to learn that in Season 1 of CPL (CricSim's version of this with the same database, although it was a while ago now), Botha was quite successful as an opening batsman. Averaged nearly 40 in that role, I believe.

Extremely interested to hear that actually. May not bother drafting a back-up specialist opener then. Risky, but ideally the first choice openers will play every game anyway.

Would Botha's success be an outlier, or does the sim not take batting position into account?

[Prince EWS]

Originally Posted by rvd619323

Extremely interested to hear that actually. May not bother drafting a back-up specialist opener then. Risky, but ideally the first choice openers will play every game anyway.

Would Botha's success be an outlier, or does the sim not take batting position into account?

He's opened a bit at First Class level and actually went on record at one point saying he preferred it, so that was taken into account.

[Dan]

Originally Posted by Prince EWS

He's opened a bit at First Class level and actually went on record at one point saying he preferred it, so that was taken into account.

That makes a bit more sense then. May have to try it out if another opener fails.

[Dan]

Neil Wagner
Draft Round: 9
Playing Role: Fast Bowler

Very rarely does a man averaging 23 with the ball in first class cricket not have an international cap. Neil Wagner, unfortunately for him, is an exception to this rule.

Wagner was born in Pretoria, South Africa, and moved to his current home in New Zealand in 2008, looking to qualify to play for New Zealand. As of late, he is currently unsure as to whether he is now eligible to play for his new country, but his bowling is as prolific as ever.

In the 2010/11 season he took a record 5 wickets in an over, on his way to 51 scalps overall in the 10-match Plunket Shield. He was named the competition's most valuable player for that summer. The sharp left-armer then followed it up in 2011/12 with 46 wickets in the competition, to once again top the list of wicket takers.

He has far and away been the best bowler in New Zealand over the past two seasons, and is an unfortunate victim of circumstance and ICC eligibility rules preventing his Test debut. With a record of 235 First Class wickets in 54 matches - above 4 wickets a game - at an average of 23.45, he is expected to step up to the next level when his chance arises.

He is also a handy batsman in the lower order, capable of making contributions with the blade - he has opened for Otago in T20 cricket. He averages around 20 as a batsman, although has yet to pass the century mark in first class cricket.

The Shakespearean Animals CC is proud to announce the acquisition of Neil Wagner to join the pace bowling stocks of the club.

[morgieb]

His 23 average is a little weird due to his record in South Africa being boosted by 2nd XI cricket. Still a solid pick though.

[Dan]

Originally Posted by morgieb

His 23 average is a little weird due to his record in South Africa being boosted by 2nd XI cricket. Still a solid pick though.

Averaged 26 last season in the Plunket Shield, and 18 the year before that. Willing to assume playing that Second XI probably takes 3 runs or so off his average.

I'm holding South African bowlers to a slightly higher standard to try and compensate for the whole 'Second XI is still FC' thing.