I was just about to post a similar comment. I guess the other options would be Prest, Organ or even Gubbins. Felix seems to have played himself into the starting XI for the first game, probably at 7 with Dawson moving up to 5 and Brown at 6 (as in the current game).
If we had a top opener in place of Weatherley, I might go so far as to make us favourites for the title. Not only would such a player provide us with his own valuable source of runs, but he'd also help to keep our middle order away from the new ball - and that middle order could score a ton of runs against an older ball, tired bowlers etc. But we are where we are. I don't particularly have faith in Weatherley coming good. But given that he finally managed in the t20s last season, maybe this season will be where it happens for him in red ball too? I doubt it, but who knows. At least until Donald is match ready, I would be inclined to stick with Weatherley. (My thinking isn't so much about opening with Donald. But more that if Donald was to slot in at 6 or 7, someone like Organ might then become an option to open. Again, that's not ideal - Organ has found himself a really nice role down the order. But competition for places, and I suspect a desire to play Crane regularly in red ball cricket, might result in Organ being squeezed out of a place down the order when everyone is fit and ready.)
I'm a tiny bit surprised. It's not that I'm against the signing (I mean, he's playing for Oz might now), it's just that Wood, Wheal and Currie formed a pretty decent seam attack last season. Given that none of them (nor Ellis) are all-rounders, and Crane is a nailed-on starter, it probably means one of those three (most likely Currie) dropping out. Improving any area of our team is a good thing. I just thought our t20 middle order was more a priority to strengthen than our seam attack.
Then again, you could argue that when we needed Wood and Wheal the most last season - ie the end of the SF - they both let us down terribly. Even just marginally better death bowling would have won us the match, and maybe the trophy.
I see that Abbott, Albert, Alsop, Currie, Dawson, Donald, Fuller, Gubbins, Holland, McManus, Turner, Weatherley and Wood have all entered themselves into next week's 100 draft. Importantly, only Abbott has a reserve price. So the rest can in theory be signed at any price bracket. That will make Dawson in particular very popular (maybe even a return to the Brave). But other than him, it's only Weatherley and Wood who I give any chance to. I imagine for most of them, it's less the draft itself that they're putting themselves forward for, but rather the opportunity to become a replacement player mid-tournament. By the end of last year's competition, some really random players were getting gigs as replacement players. My understanding is that in order to be a replacement player, you first need to have been in the draft itself.
Well done Pakistan in winning the ODI series against the powerful Aussies. I hope England lassies can do the same in the final later today.
It's a strange one with Weatherley, it almost seems that he is being groomed as a future captain and i'm sure that other players would've been dropped with a similar red ball average that he has. He is always in conference with Vince and Abbott on the field of play which must mean that he is within the trusted circle.
I am very jealous at Essex getting Rossington. He would have been a great addition to our t20 batting, whilst providing a bit more batting depth. I'm not so fussed about missing out on him as a keeper (Brown and McDermott have hopefully sorted that). But as a big hitting batter, most certainly. First it was Davies, now it's Rossington. Either would have been great.
I shouldn't think that Adam Wheater is too impressed at seeing another established keeper rock up on the eve of the new season. I get the impression that he's one who isn't that keen on playing as a batsman only, he wants the gloves.
Dawson and Wood signed by London Spirit - I think they've got most of Hampshire's T20 bowling attack now!
Each team has one right to match which means they have the option of retaining a player they had last year for the same price as another team bids.
I think The Brave look really strong again. Rehan Ahmed could be a real steal. Brave seem to have all their bases covered.
