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[chaminda_00]

Kandurata Season Preview – Part 1

Ins: Tendulkar Darden, Wally Locke, Nathan Blakewell, Paul Bellson, Ethan Stollmeyer
Outs: Marvan Atapattu, Sajith Fernando, Thilan Samaraweera, James Midlane, Steve Bevan

As the off season comes to an end, it time to look at how Kandy favourite cricket team, Kandurata, are looking ahead to season three. Will they be able to retain their FC title? Will they be able to finally win promote in One Dayers?

Overall this off season has been fairly quite for Kandurata in comparison to the massive trading of other sides. The only trade the club where involved in was the purchase of Indian batsmen and former Colombo Colts batsmen Tendulkar Darden. But the big news was the players that left the club either being released or sold to West Midlands as part of the Darden trade.

With the loss of local heroes Atapattu, Fernando and Samaraweera the club looks to have moved away from its Sri Lankan roots and looked global for their talent. Atapattu and Fernando were aging and were on their last legs and their releases were seen as a move to the future. This was evident with Fernado failing to secure a contract this season. But many have questioned the sale of Samaraweera, one of the most consistent batsmen and bowlers over the last two seasons. The line from the club was that they are looking to balance the squad with more seam options. But are draft based recruits Blakewell and Bellson good enough to replace Samaraweera and Fernando?

With the lost of Beven as well as the three Sri Lankan legends, the Kandurata FC side looks a lot different from the side that won last years title. Darden is expected to fill Atapattu role at the top of the order. A role he has never played previously at FC level. A very successful middle order batsmen, but does he have the techinique and temperment to open the batting.

After a successful season playing Academy cricket Adnan Raza will replace Beven in the lower middle order. A lot will be expected of him and Thiru Alwis with the bat. Both have been seen as future of the club for many seasons, but have yet to delivery. With squad restrictions tighten for the club, this will be a make or break season for them.

Bowling wise the major changes have been the introduction of seam bowling all rounders Blakewell and Bellson. These two will place a lot more pressure on Weerartne and Ganegama to perform. Both have had below par seasons over the last couple years. Condition at Kandy is likely to have more pace which may help. Though the performances of spinners Muralitharan and Leigh will make or break their season.

This season likely to be a bit of a rebuilding season for club, with the losses of Atapattu, Samaraweera and Fernando likely to impact some close matches. The club has recruited well, but you can’t buy the experience that trio had and impact they had at home. Prediction Top 4 finish in FC.

 

[chaminda_00]

Kandurata Season Preview – Part 2

Ins: Tendulkar Darden, Wally Locke, Nathan Blakewell, Paul Bellson, Ethan Stollmeyer
Outs: Marvan Atapattu, Sajith Fernando, Thilan Samaraweera, James Midlane, Steve Bevan

After two seasons of just missing out on promotion in One Dayers is this the season the Twenty20 champions can finally take the monkey of their back as chokers and promote?

The signing of Tendulkar Darden and Ethan Stollmeyer has added a lot to what was already a strong top order. In Bowes, Huckerby and Stollmeyer the club probably has statistically the strongest top three in WCC. But Bowes and Huckerby are still getting used to their roles as openers, having batting in the middle over for three-quarters of last season. Stollmeyer comes in for his first season of professionally cricket. Will these three be able to perform week in week out to guide Kandurata to a two top finish?

Unlike previous seasons the club does have depth in the middle order, with Alwis, Bellson and new keeper batsmen Wally Locke providing backup to the top seven. Raza is also expected to take over as the main 5th bowlers, after a successful stint with bowl and bat at the academy last season, allowing the club to play seven specialist batsmen.

But the big question is whether an under performing bowling attack will step up this season and play to their potential. On paper Kandurata have one of the strongest One Day bowling line ups, but have continued to leak runs and lack the ability to take key wickets. With minimum additions to bowling attack apart from new 5th bowling options Raza and Blakewell. A lot of pressure will be on the main four (Weerartne, Ganegama, Muralitharan and Leigh) to step up.

Expect a big season from Kandurata top three as they find the consistency require to make complete challenge for a top two spot. Bowlers will still struggle at times during the season. But with the extra batting power they will be able to make up for that. The 5th bowling will be weakness for the club that may result in some losses that results in the them finishing 2nd.

 

[Jamee999]

Haha good job Jamee particuarly with the last one. BTW your second last pick you got D Gamage not R Wilson as you have there.

Oh. Is D Gamage better?

 

[Simon]

Oh. Is D Gamage better?

you tell me.

 

[Simon]

COBRAS SQUAD ANNOUNCED

With season three about to get underway South African heavyweights Cape Cobras have finalised their seventeen man squad for the campaign. The team has high hopes for the competitions and in particular will be looking to regain their division one first class crown that they lost to Kandurata last year. These are the players that will be looking to bring the silverware home.

1. Graeme Smith (Captain) LHB/ROS Age: 29
WCC FC Stats: Matches: 20 Bat: 1980 runs @ 58.24 - Bowl: -
WCC OD Stats: Matches: 20 Bat: 1106 runs @ 65.06 - Bowl: 9 wickets @ 47.67
Smith is the inspirational skipper of the Cobras outfit. He claimed last years WCC player of the year award and is the leading runscorer in FC history.

8. William Fitzstanford (Vice-Captain) RHB/RM Age: 21
WCC FC Stats: Matches: 10 Bat: 508 runs @ 56.44 - Bowl: 30 wickets @ 34.37
WCC OD Stats: Matches: 10 Bat: 79 runs @ 19.75 - Bowl: 13 wickets @ 34.15
Entering his second year in WCC he has been promoted to vice captain after the retirement of Jacques Kallis. The talented all rounder will be looking to lead the bowling attack while contributing with the bat.

26. Ben Allen LHB/DNB Age: 26
WCC FC Stats: Matches: 10 Bat: 586 runs @ 36.63 - Bowl: -
WCC OD Stats: Matches: 10 Bat: 612 runs @ 87.43 - Bowl: -
A dynamic OD season has seen him become the leading batsman in the side for that form of the game. Likely to be a back up in first class but should get matches.

2. Frank Hammett RHB/RLS Age: 23
WCC FC Stats: Matches: 20 Bat: 1630 runs @ 52.58 - Bowl: 3 wickets @ 34.33
WCC OD Stats: Matches: 18 Bat: 455 runs @ 30.33 - Bowl: -
A move to opener has seen him become a leading batsman in WCC. Will again form an impressive partnership with Smith. Recent strengthening of the squad will see him play a back up role in OD.

17. Herb Jenkins RHB/RFM Age: 24
WCC FC Stats: Matches: 4 Bat: 35 runs @ 8.75 - Bowl: 14 wickets @ 44.93
WCC OD Stats: Matches: 4 Bat: 6 runs @ 3.00 - Bowl: 3 wickets @ 74.67
Unable to secure a fulltime role with Qld last year he comes to Cobras full of promise. Likely to start as a back up player but is next cab off the rank in both forms.

7. Matthew Wade LHB/WK Age: 22
WCC FC Stats: Matches: 7 Bat: 268 runs @ 38.85 - Bowl: -
WCC OD Stats: Has Not Played
Failed to play a first team game for Cobras last term after his move from Victoria. But after a stellar academy season he looks set to take the gloves in both forms of the game.

14. Neil Dexter RHB/RMF Age: 25
WCC FC Stats: Matches: 18 Bat: 1341 runs @ 46.24 - Bowl: 4 wickets @ 67.25
WCC OD Stats: Matches: 4 Bat: 104 runs @ 52.00 - Bowl: 3 wickets @ 48.00
New signing from Kent will be looking to establish himself in both sides. Signed mainly to fill the vacant number 3 spot in FC he could see himself play as the all rounder in the OD team too.

27. Nisitha Rupasighe RHB/SLA Age: 30
WCC FC Stats: Matches: 12 Bat: 64 runs @ 5.82 - Bowl: 35 wickets @ 40.80
WCC OD Stats: Matches: 19 Bat: 15 runs @ 5.00 - Bowl: 27 wickets @ 37.56
Last seasons star recruit failed to shine but history shows he wont stay down for a long, a talented left arm spinner who has the ability to destroy batting line ups. Look for more in season 3.

9. Naved Ul-Hasan RHB/RFM Age: 30
WCC FC Stats: Has Not Played
WCC OD Stats: Has Not Played
Nominated himself for the draft for season 3 and will be looking to make an impact in both forms of the game. Mainly an opening bowler he does have some batting ability.

6. Paul Hemp LHB/LM Age: 24
WCC FC Stats: Has Not Played
WCC OD Stats: Has Not Played
After spending two years at the academy he is finally ready to make an impact in WCC. Will slot into the Cobras OD middle order with no fuss.

5. Ryan Bacon RHB/ROS Age: 17
WCC FC Stats: Has Not Played
WCC OD Stats: Has Not Played
Bacon Bacon Bacon, everybody loves Bacon. A talented middle order batsman who is another that will get a chance to prove himself in OD cricket. FC matches could be out of reach at this stage.

12. Rajat Bhatia RHB/RFM Age: 30
WCC FC Stats: Matches: 20 Bat: 971 runs @ 27.74 - Bowl: 39 wickets @ 31.46
WCC OD Stats: Has Not Played
A talented fast bowling all rounder who has been short of runs in his WCC career. After two seasons with NZI the Cobras will be looking to get the most out of him this season.

3. Richard Levi RHB/DNB Age: 22
WCC FC Stats: Matches: 20 Bat: 1786 runs @ 68.69 - Bowl: -
WCC OD Stats: Matches: 2 Bat: 2 runs @ n/a - Bowl: -
One of the stars of WCC will be trying to continue his excellent career form, although looking unlikely he'll be trying to push for more OD game time too.

13. Steffan Kahl RHB/WK Age: 24
WCC FC Stats: Has Not Played
WCC OD Stats: Has Not Played
Kahl was a late addition to the WCC draft after initially missing nomination for the academy. Could start in the one day side as a batsman and with some good grade performances will put the heat on Wade to perform.

10. Seekkuge Prasanna RHB/RLS Age: 23
WCC FC Stats: Has Not Played
WCC OD Stats: Has Not Played
Much sort after first draft picks will wow the crowds this season. Comes with a huge reputation of running through batting orders and it will be interesting to see if he can do it outside of the turning wickets of Sri Lanka.

20. Tom Pickworth LHB/LF Age: 18
WCC FC Stats: Has Not Played
WCC OD Stats: Has Not Played
Exciting Australian youngster was close to securing a contract with Victoria but was given a WCC lifeline by Cobras. A Fast bowler who is a bit all over the shop but does have a lot of batting ability too. Could spend some time at the academy.

16. VVS Laxman RHB/ROS Age: 35
WCC FC Stats: Matches: 20 Bat: 1406 runs @ 41.35 - Bowl: -
WCC OD Stats: Matches: 9 Bat: 263 runs @ 32.88 - Bowl: 1 wicket @ 66
Indian veteran will add experience to a young middle order in the FC game. Should see a few matches in OD cricket too.

 

[SirBloody Idiot]

OFF-SEASON ROUND UP
SOUTH ZONE THROW LIFELINES IN ATTEMPT TO STRENGTHEN SIDE

After one of the more puzzling draft decisions of the off-season period, struggling club South Zone India today unveiled their new squad; former South Australian quick Mark Cleary among them. Cleary played just twelve matches for the Redbacks in season one, before being released to play a season of Academy cricket with Mali side Bamako. Cleary played a key role in the Bamako side which finished second in the first class division, and South Zone recruiting manager Ashish Dhama hoped his experience would help an attack which struggled to take twenty wickets last season. "We thought Mark was very unlucky to be released after season one, and we did consider drafting him last season," he said at the press conference. "But he's taken a year off and shown he still has what it takes to be a dangerous bowler and a handy batsman, so we hope that he will be a very important part of our pace attack this season." Cleary's best performance in an inconsistent attack was a sensational 7-87 alongside Ben Hilfenhaus against Garoua.

Cleary is one of three veteran players who join the side, with former New South Wales quick Nathan Bracken hoping to reignite his career on the other side of the globe. South Zone were heavily criticised for paying over the odds for the embattled left-armer as they traded away a second round draft pick, but they will hope that he can show his undoubted class for the Indian side. "We have no doubt that Bracken is a classy bowler, and we are very happy to pick up an experienced player who has previously played well in Indian conditions," Dhama said. Bracken's record in World Club Cricket is horrible with a bowling average in excess of fifty in both forms of the game, but the long-haired trundler last season showed glimpses of form as he bowled quite brilliantly in the Twenty20 competition.

The prize recruit of the off-season, though, is Cobras all-rounder Justin Kemp who came at the steep price of veteran batsman VVS Laxman. Kemp was unceremoniously shut out for much of Season II, but has one of the best records for a first class player going around; averaging in excess of fifty with the bat, and less than thirty with the ball. The 31-year old noted his excitement at being given the chance to shine in the top six of a lineup. "I probably didn't get the chance to bat where I liked for the Cobras, but hopefully here I can be given a chance to bat more in both forms of the game," he said. "We've got a very strong batting lineup, but I think the loss of Laxman will open up a spot for me to take."

Whilst the experienced signings took most of the focus of the press conference, 20-year old batsman Nicholas Chalker has apparently generated a great deal of excitement within his new club after being selected at pick eleven in this year's draft. The classy Australian batsman played his cricket for Academy side Port Louis last season, and after a slow start to the season began to shine at the top of the order with a season best 124 against Tunis. Talking of his move to South Zone, Chalker expressed his excitement to play with fellow Port Louis batsman Francois du Plessis. "Yeah, it is a great honour to play in the same batting lineup as legends like [Rahul] Dravid and [Subramaniam] Badrinath," he said. "These are guys you idolise as a kid, so it is a dream to get the chance here." He's joined in the side by South African keeper Stephen Wessells who impressed for Lebanese side Tripoli in the Academy last season. Replacing Amit Deshpande as the side's backup wicketkeeper, the eighteen year old expects to be backup for Prasad Reddy for much of the season. "[Reddy] is a very good batsman and a very good keeper, so if I can play a couple of games this year I'll be very happy," Wessells said. Dhama, however, expected more from Wessells: "What we lacked last season was real competition for spots, and I think the signings we have made all are capable of slotting into the side. These are very exciting times for South Zone." The highlight of Wessells season last year was an unbeaten 93 as a seventeen year old against a fiery Cairo attack.

 

[Simon]

Wow mate that is a dead set huge effort, awesome job.

 

[Jamee999]

Wow.

 

[Mister Wright]

Double wow!

 

[alternative]

Incredible. Nice writeup's btw guys.

 

[Blewy]

McTavish come's out Firing

Newly appointed West Midlands Lightning coach Hamish McTavish has taken no time to settle in to his new position before he has come out firing at other managers in the WCC.

McTavish took no prisoners in his opening interview today, ridiculing NSW manager Jamee Gray for not even knowing his players, as well as SZI's Sir Bloody Idiot for signing a player he deemed as a "gimp"..

"Look at first i thought i was going to be in for a big challenge, but seriously look at the chimps, or should i say CHUMPS who are managing some of the opposition. Firstly their's this Gray bloke from NSW who has no idea who is even playing for him, and then he signs some useless sheila, Seriously whats this world coming to? She better be careful cause my blokes will be aiming to take her head off, and if we dont succeed at least we'll have the after match entertainment organised already" McTavish told reporters.

He continued the attack towards SZI "Well their manager obviously has the right name, although i think i'd leave off the Sir, and just call him Bloody Idiot. He signs this guy from a side like South Australia in an attempt to strengthen his side, seriously the only thing he should be signing from South Australia is a minister from one of the many churches, cause the lord is the only guy who can help them. I mean seriously Mark Cleary, the guy is a GIMP and wouldnt look out of place playing in the local womans league"

When quizzed on his team McTavish was extremely confident, "As i said earlier when i took the job i thought it would be a challenge, but seriously its going to be a cakewalk, and i won't need to miss as many jug sessions at the local"..

Hamish certainly is going to leave a mark on this upcoming WCC season, one way or another.

 

[luffy]

Titans managers early season predictions.

FC

Well, this will be tight, but I reckon we have the ability to come in first. Unsure about the rest, but West Midlands will come last for sure.

Same applies for OD.

Some new rivalries may be caused this year.

 

[Blewy]

McTavish Challenges FLUFF

West Midlands manager Hamish McTavish responded to Titans manager Matt Luff's comments that the Lightning would finish last in First Class Cricket this season, "This fella, whats his name? Fluff? Seriously, what kind of name is that anyway?? he's making these comments on the basis of what i dont know.. His complete cricketing knowledge could be printed on the back of a paddle pop stick. There's 1 thing i will garauntee this season, and that is we will not only demolish his crappy side on the pitch, we'll give them a right royal flogging off it as well".

 

[Umpire Money]

Manager Rubbed Wrongly by McTavish

The new West Midland manager, Hamish McTavish, has been very outspoken in recent days about certain managers and its starting to get on the wrong side of managers, especially established managers. South Zone India and NSW to name a few, but have not come out in the media to respond to these rants.

We did manage to catch up with Tasmania Tigers manager at training where his players are training for the new season. With another good preseason and some good pick ups in the draft, they are looking at promotion in both FC and OD. However, manager Jason Pike is playing this down as there is alot of work ahead.

Jason Pike responded ' we do have alot of work ahead of us to make promotion this year, we are quietly confident but personally I think we are a batsmen light. Which may not help towards the back end of the season.'
He also had a bit to say about McTavish ' he is rubbing some of the managers the wrong way, I got an sms from Jamee Gray the other day hoping he would just go away, well I can just say that maybe he should. I know it could be good for the game but if we have any clown managing our respectable and professional teams we might as well pack up and go home. I personally think that he has a mouth on him and that we better beat them, he should be very happy that Brendon Goff who we all respect and love has such an influence down there because if not West Midlands could be a rabble by the end of the year.'

McTavish's introduction has made an instant impact off the field, but to see if it has made an impact on it is yet to be seen.

 

[Blewy]

Fragile is the word - McTavish

After hearing of Tasmania's Jason Pike's comments about his media actions to date Hamish McTavish had this to say, "Look Pike say's he's heard from that Gray guy from NSW, and that he was upset, well all i have to say to these managers is HARDEN UP. I mean if their teams are as mentally fragile as their managers then this competition is going to get easier and easier by the day".

Gray(NSW), Sir Bloody Idiot(SZI) and Fluffy(Titans) all appear to have seeked out counselling since McTavish's comments were released and are nowhere to be found, 1 in fact has been placed on suicide watch.

Asked for comments on Tasmania's Pike, McTavish wasnt as aggressive, "Look i have alot of respect for Pike, anyone that can live and ply their trade in a land where everyone has 6 fingers and is related gets kudo's for me. It will be a tough match for us no doubt, we will need to ship in our own entertainment as none of their females will be interested in our players as we have no blood relations with them, however i will look forward to having a beer with Pike as i think he is one of the less Whingy managers in WCC - Not that thats hard to achieve with some of the competition going round".

McTavish has apparently been lined up for a interview from the Official WCC magazine, which will be released in the coming weeks and will no doubt cause a few people to duck for cover.

 

[99*]

Betting opens on WCC
Kandurata favourites for FC repeat

Bookies have opened betting for the First Class season with the Sri Lankan's paying $1.25 to win it all. Auckland are placed as early outsiders this year.

First Class Divison I 
Kandurata: $1.25
Cobras: $2.00
Queensland: $3.10
Kent: $3.50
NSW: $4.90
SZI: $6.00
WA: $7.50
Auckland: $10.00

In Division Two odds the West Midlands Lightning are surprising favourites to promote, the oddsmakers giving new owner B. Goff and loud-mouth manager H. McTavish a big target to reach.

First Class Division II
West Midlands: $1.70
SA: $1.90
Yorkshire: $2.20
Titans: $2.20
Tasmania: $3.00
Victoria: $4.50
NZI: $5.50
Karachi: $5.50

Top run scorer odds have also been opened with Australian powerhouse Mathew Hayden favourite to top the Div I run charts.

Top Run Scorer First Class Division I
M. Hayden (QLD): $1.30
G. Smith (CC): $1.45
M. Jayawardene (KAN): $1.80
R. Dravid (SZI): $2.20
K. Pietersen (KNT): $3.00
[SIZE="2"]Other players on request[/SIZE]

Division Two sees Tasmania's Ricky Ponting leading the odds.

Top Run Scorer First Class Division II
R. Ponting (TAS): $1.20
V. Sehwag (NZI): $1.50
D. Hussey (VIC): $2.10
G. Gambhir (NZI): $2.80
M. Love (SA): $3.30
[SIZE="2"]Other players on request[/SIZE]

Division one top wicket taker has Kandurata's Muralitharan as unbackable favourite this season.

Top Wicket Taker First Class Division I
M. Muralitharan (KAN): $1.05
S. Bond (AKL): $2.00
J. Gillespie (QLD): $2.90
N. Ul-Hasan (CC): $3.30
B. Edmondson (WA): $5.00
[SIZE="2"]Other players on request[/SIZE]

Dale Steyn leads the Division two odds, with firey South Australia Shaun Tait just behind.

Top Wicket Taker First Class Division II
D. Steyn (TIT): $1.60
S. Tait (SA): $1.70
S. Akthar (KAR): $2.40
B. Rankin (WTM): $3.00
S. Mushtaq (YKS): $4.40
[SIZE="2"]Other players on request[/SIZE]

Stay tuned, as tommorow the One Day odds will be released.

 

[alternative]

Nice work mate, will look fwd to OD's and also T20's if anyone is planning on doing it.

 

[Simon]

Odds too low in general, would like S Prassana's odds on top wicket taker in FC div 1! Player with the lowest bowling average in the game.

 

[chaminda_00]

Odds too low in general, would like S Prassana's odds on top wicket taker in FC div 1! Player with the lowest bowling average in the game.

I hear he has to bowl on highway.

 

[Simon]

I hear he has to bowl on highway.

I think my ground conditions of 5-4-5 are a little fairer this year, plus the ammount of spinning wickets everyone is producing will benefit me with Prassana and Rupasinghe.