Black Wednesday: English Home Tests - Now Exclusive to SKY

[SpaceMonkey]

The squad touring South Africa are not the only ones who have contributed to the success of 2004.
When was Strauss with The Academy, BTW? You may be right but I can't remember it OTTOMH.

he was in the first intake way back.

 

[Richard]

Way back - all those 3 years ago!
Doesn't time fly...

 

[SpaceMonkey]

Way back - all those 3 years ago!
Doesn't time fly...

yep! 3 years is plenty!

 

[PY]

Eight members of the squad touring SA have spent time at the academy, including Jones / Harmison / Strauss / Flintoff of the Starting XI.
All 3 of the batsmen next in line (Pieterson / Bell / Key) spent time there as well as Batty / Anderson.

The bowling coach Cooley has alot to say for the improvement in all our bowlers and alot of the work on them was done on tours but also using the facilities that the National Academy provided.

I was about to say, maybe the Academy hasn't had all of the current squad for a full winter but the facilities at Loughborough have been used extensively and a cricket-mad friend down at the university has seen almost all the current team down there at various points along the way.

I'm still angry about this deal but as with most things, I've become lathargic (sp?) over time. As Rich has so pessimistically put it, being shafted in cricketing terms is becoming a regular thing recently.

 

[chris.hinton]

We Have a Good Cricket Side (England) well not good Great but the System is still flawed as Counties sign Second Rate South Africans and Zimbabwians who are no better then whatr Counties all ready have and the sky deal will create a more of a problem.

Development from 17-21 is a problem too..... we have too many kids dropping out of the game

 

[Neil Pickup]

If they weren't better then they wouldn't be signed, chairmen/committees don't go out of their way to make the teams worse...

 

[Langeveldt]

If they weren't better then they wouldn't be signed, chairmen/committees don't go out of their way to make the teams worse...

But they could well stop an English player (a young Trescothick, Vaughan) from becoming any better...

 

[Neil Pickup]

If they're *that* good, and have the mental fortitude needed, they're not going to get disheartened because Anyshire have signed Jaaakob van der Mercenery, are they?

 

[Langeveldt]

If they're *that* good, and have the mental fortitude needed, they're not going to get disheartened because Anyshire have signed Jaaakob van der Mercenery, are they?

Yet when Jaakob van der Mercenry is averaging a Hick esque 50 odd and a young batsman is trying to make his way in, he will never be able too.. Then he could move to another club and find old Shane Colonial is doing exactly the same thing.. It sets a very dangerous precedent

 

[Neil Pickup]

If the youngster's good enough, he'll make it - look at the England football side. We've got what must be 100+ nations represented in the English game. If someone has the talent, there are enough far-sighted people in this country to make sure they'll get a fair crack.

Plus, the ECB grant's getting incentivised soon, anyway, based on number of eligible players you have in your side...

 

[SpaceMonkey]

Theres so many county teams in England its actually a blessing that good kolpak players will come into the game. They will raise the level of play (the reason many want 6 regional teams). As was said previously. If someones good enough they'll come through. The only ones that wouldn't would be players who would never get close to the England team anyway, so to be blunt who cares if they dont get to spend 15 years rotting in the First Class game just making a living.
The only bad point could be that counties will see it cheaper to bring in poor Kolpak players than to put money into devloping English yougsters. But with the National Academy up that shouldnt be too much of a problem.

 

[Langeveldt]

if they dont get to spend 15 years rotting in the First Class game just making a living.

Hmm, FC cricket shouldnt be that unappealing! A bit insulting to the likes of Matthew Maynard, Glen Chapple etc.

 

[Scaly piscine]

People always say that "if someone is good enough they'll come through" but it's not strictly the case. Look at all the Brits held back in the Arsenal squad, to me it's obvious that guys will have to wait longer for their chance if there's a big influx of kolpak players.

 

[marc71178]

Development from 17-21 is a problem too..... we have too many kids dropping out of the game

I believe it's called "survival of the fittest"

 

[chris.hinton]

We are not Producing the players in the English game either..... Kopack players are wrong for the game.... Country Chairman are more Interested in SHORT Term there are all financial Secure so why not Blood youth

Which counties have done that?????? Worcester should bring though Mitchell, Khalid instead of signing Mason and Harrity

 

[SpaceMonkey]

We are not Producing the players in the English game either..... Kopack players are wrong for the game.... Country Chairman are more Interested in SHORT Term there are all financial Secure so why not Blood youth

Which counties have done that?????? Worcester should bring though Mitchell, Khalid instead of signing Mason and Harrity

Khalid was given plenty chances and just wasnt good enough (yet). Davis got some games last season and hopefully will play a fuller part next season. Worcs need players like Mason (Harrity was a disaster). We just dont have the pool of local talent that a Yorkshire / Lancashire / Surrey would have.

 

[marc71178]

Country Chairman are more Interested in SHORT Term there are all financial Secure so why not Blood youth

That's interesting, apparently all 18 counties are financially secure!

 

[Neil Pickup]

17-21 is the dropout from any professional sport - whether potential is realised or not. The problems start when the dropping out starts to hit at younger ages, as it is with the FA Youth Acadamies now, which aren't producing players or giving them alternatives. Now, that's problems. Cricket isn't there.

 

[chris.hinton]

Space Monkey Worcester are part of the best club cricket league in England... the talent is there

 

[superkingdave]

I beg to differ