The Cricket Thread

E 248 all out

 

Abbas has signed for Notts, confirming that Hants will sign a batsman for their second overseas slot. His first game could be against us as he starts his stint in May!

 

Of course Mo will be missed, extremely skillful bowler, but looking forward to seeing some of our young bowlers in action. I'm not actually sure if Barker still has a contract at Hants, the last contract he signed was up until the end of the 2024 season from what I can find. If he doesn't return that's two spots open - presumably for Baker and Turner.

 

India won by 4 wickets.

 

Yeah it's a huge shame to lose Mo. But given the need to replace Vince, I'm not sure we had too much choice.

Just need to hope we don't waste this opportunity. I don't know who we have in mind to be our overseas batter, but they'll need to be at least half decent. And have solid availability. The last thing we want is to have lost Vince and Mo, and have a underwhelming new overseas player.

 

India set a target of 356 ao. England 154 - 5 25 Overs 214 all out. Pathetic.

 

A left handed keeper-batsman who will open the batting - I think that's ticked 4 boxes in one go! A very exciting talent by all accounts and hopefully will form a formidable opening partnership with Vince.

 

Think Somerset may regret letting this kid go. Sorry Chilcs.

England give bowler Sonny Baker development contract after impressing with Lions - BBC Sport

 

That's potentially an incredible signing by us. I watched a fair bit of the SA20, and the kid looked very, very special. But it's just one tournament, so difficult to know if he can continue that form. I am though very excited.

Very similar attributes to McDermott, who he's clearly replacing.

 

I hope our second overseas T20 player is a leggie personally. Our seam attack is on paper a strong one: Wood, Turner, Baker, Wheal, Howell, Fuller. I think we need a second spinner to complement Dawson.

 

Currie?

 

Yeah I imagine that Currie would be ahead of Wheal in the pecking order. And maybe even ahead of Baker.

We're still being linked to Edwards - possibly for all three formats - but regardless of who the second overseas player is for the Blast, it feels like we've got some squad in that competition depth for once. Pretorius, Vince, Orr, Prest, Weatherley, Albert, Fuller, Howell, Dawson, Currie, Wood, Turner, Baker, Wheal, plus another overseas is 15 players.

 

Forgot about Currie (although he was out on loan last season TBF).

 

Middlesex have signed Kane Williamson for the CC and T20 Blast. Now that's annoying as he would have been a superb addition to our batting line up. Heck of a signing for them. Actually, he does miss the start of the season so maybe not available for as many CC games as I originally thought.

 

The latest reports are that we are expected to sign Mark Stoneman for the upcoming season. Not a terribly exciting signing, in my opinion, but someone solid who goes about his business quietly under the radar would be just the sort of person we're after at the top of the order so I hope he goes well.

And Jack Edwards (all-rounder) expected to be confirmed later this week as the second overseas player.

 

Edwards is an interesting one. He may play T20 as well but I'd still rather we get a quality spinner in.

 

Come up with the above, don't think I'm missing anyone. Seems a shame not to have been able to get Albert or Turner (and perhaps Currie) in there. I also wouldn't be surprised if Brown promoted himself to number 5 in the batting order.

Does anyone know what the latest is with Barker, I'm kind of assuming that he won't be with us in 2025?

 

I wonder if signing Edwards will reduce Fuller's role in the Championship? He wasn't great with the ball last year.

Edwards is by no means a straight swap for Abbas. It would make more sense if we were thinking Edwards for Fuller, and Currie/Baker/Turner for Abbas (or two of them for Abbas and Barker).

I doubt we're thinking Edwards for Barker, because I'm not aware that Edwards' bowling is up to same standard as Barker. But it could be indirectly linked, if we're worried that we'd have a huge tail without Barker and Fuller. Having, say, Edwards and Currie at 8 and 9 would avoid that. So maybe it is yet an indication that Barker has departed?

 

I don't know, he took two 5 for's in the same game recently. His first class bowling average is 27 - not shabby at all.