VICTORIA
The Victorians will have 2 different tastes of the WCC this season. They will experience the highs of the 2nd Division 1 Day competition, but also the lows of the 4 Day 4th Division..
Its quite an interesting situation they have as there team boasts a heap of talent, both with the bat and with the ball…
Their batting has names such as Elliott, Sangakarra, Lloyd, Hodge, and Blackwell, their bowling the likes of Lewis, Innes, and Bradburn and also the all-round talents of Harvey and White..
With this kind of talent I’m sure that manager Stephen Pearson will want no less than promotion in the 4 Day game, and in the hotly contested 1 Day game he would love to be challenging the leaders..
Player to Watch Out For: Look for Matthew Elliott to have a big season this year, he was quiet last season, and the thought of having Victoria down in the Division 4 doldrums will certainly fire him up…
SOMERSET
Somerset have been strugglers in the WCC since it began, but this season I can see a few things changing. They have just signed a new manager in Roosterboy, who will be getting his 1st taste of WCC action, but they look a much more complete team this season despite a few losses…
They have a very steady looking batting line-up with Adams, Bowler, Lathwell, Key and Butcher all capable of destroying teams, and their bowling line-up looks solid as well with Caddick, Morris, Johnson, Bulbeck and Wilson all boasting a wealth of experience…
In Division 4 for both forms of the game I think there best chance to move up is in the 4 day competition. Keep an eye out for somerset…
Player to Watch Out For: Jimmy Adams has made his way to Somerset and looks the goods, His 1st season in the WCC and I think he will gain a big reputation on the way to guiding Somerset to their best season yet…
WESTERN PROVINCE
Western Province held the pride of South Africa on their shoulders in their 1st season in the WCC, and now with the entrance of Free State to the WCC they have increased pressure. But after what many would call a disappointing season, they look set for a big year. They have recruited well picking up the likes of Mail, Cox, Richardson, Vincent, Astle, Irani, Jayawardene and Brett Lee, but in the process lost big names such as Kirsten, Kallis, Akhtar and Smith, But the squad looks much more balanced and seems to have a lot more depth. In Division 4 in 4 Day they look to be one of the main contenders, whereas in 1 Day they look as though they could struggle in a strong looking Division 3…
Province Manager Ian Markus has signalled that the rivalry against Sri Lanka’s Colts, could be the decisive game in his teams 4 Day chase for the crown…
Player to Watch Out For: Ishmael Nelson, not only was he the 1st player christened by the WP club in a strange move by manager Ian Markus, But he also looks to be their best bowler. For a rap like that to come to a young player when he has the likes of Brett Lee beside him is a big call, but this kid is the real deal. If he fires WP are well on their way to a title…