Somerset Squad Prospects

By Grockle
April 23 2002

The squad has a lot to prove and dreams to fulfill..but will they? There are so many issues within this group and although they are the strongest we've had for a long time, will they handle it?

On February 15 I wrote the stuff below in black analysing the position as far as the squad was concerned.  Have things changed?

2002 is going to be a make or break season for many players at both ends of their careers. 

THE CAPTAIN

Jamie Cox what a season for him.   He comes back as an English season winner and an Australian season runner up in the one day arena (Tasmania lost the Pura Cup Final).  He has a great deal of expectation to deal with.  People are thinking that a CC1 title is not beyond this lot given a good injury record in 2002 and a better start than in 2001.  If Buzz can hit the floor running and give us the kind of start he gave us in his first year then things could get serious very quickly.

THE YOUNGSTERS

Matt Bulbeck is in training in Oz and seems to be getting over his major injury, this is the season where he will be expected to show whether he can hack it or not.  Some people have yet to be convinced that he can't be 'psyched' out by batsmen and we need to see a full season of results to finally believe that this left hander is the prospect we hope he is. March - "Well he certainly looked the best of the bunch in the friendlies and if he's got it right then the left hand/right hand attack could cause some real problems.  The first few weeks are going to be important"

Matt Wood the opener looked ready at the end of last season and his cool head suggests that he can make himself a real asset in the top five this year.  He hasn't got the panache of Trescothick but he seems to make runs and we could do with his stability.  Will Coxey use him as an opener?  Well if he does it increases the pressure on some others!  March - "Use him for heaven's sake.  He's made runs every time he's been at bat.  Let's go with a prospect in the Championship matches at least (Although it probably won't be the ones that banger plays).  Piran Holloway may have a fight on his hands to get into the longer game.

Peter Trego is not the man he was last season.   If the large gentleman I saw the other day in the Academy is the same person then he's wider and taller this year.  Again there are questions hanging over him.   Why did he make such a promising start to last season and then disappear?  Are the rumours about him being 'egocentric' true?  Do we give a toss if he puts bat to ball and ball to wicket?  It may stop him showing us though, if he can't get on with the squad. March - "He seems to have put some of these things behind him.   There certainly wasn't any sense of tension in the squad during the games last week and friendly banter was the order of the day.  He'll have to fight to get a place in the squad and he isn't the first choice with the bat or the ball.  A long hard season for Peter methinks!!"

Joe Tucker had a hard start to 2001, he needs to put up a challenge for a first team place as an 'all rounder' because the bowler options may be a bit full.  He may find the going tough again and it will be an illustration of his strength of character how he handles this. March - "Injury at the start of the season and a probable 'seconds-heavy' summer for Mr Tucker but he does seem well up for it and let's hope the injury isn't a big factor in 2002"

Carl Gazzard returns after a long lay off with shoulder problems.  He will look to estqablish himself as the Somerset number Two...but will he be willing to wait for Rob Turner to give up his established position as the number One? March - " No-one really knows how major this foot injury of Rob Turner's is and he won't want it to affect his attendances in his Benefit Year.  However, it may mean Carl gets an early shot at the crown, unless Mike Burns is called upon to maintain experience and take over the gloves.   But I'm writing off Rob before I know so let's wait and see"

THE OLD GUARD

Graham Rose are we going to see Hagar in the maroon of Somerset again?  He seems to be working with that in mind but the early season will surely make a decision for him.  Either he can give what he defines as 100% or he should move aside gracefully.  Personally I'd like to see some of the old Rose in 2002.  I wouldn't however want to be in a position of wishing he would retire because he isn't what he was.  Graham is one who should bow out at his best. March - "He's back and bowling, now much is he in the plans for 2002?  We'll have to wait and see but he could be a useful asset to have back and it's great to see"

Peter Bowler how long is this guy going to defy the years?  He produces year after year and there is no worries that he won't do it again in 2002.  But will the finiancial rewards of the legal profession and his work with other ex professionals infringe on his playing career to the point where he gives it up and goes into something else.  Kim Barnett is just going on and on, is it something about Derbyshire?  Will Pete become the Kim of Taunton? March - " As long as he wants to bat is OK with me.  He can stay as long as he likes"

Piran Holloway is a strange person to put up as a member of the 'old guard' but his problems seem to have been with us for ever! A good start last year was followed by another loss of form and it seems to have become a trait in his game.  Will 2002 be different?  Hope so, he has shown both sides of his game.  I'd rather see the Holloway of 99 personally. March - " He's got to take the chances he gets this season and he has to take them as soon as they are offered or he'll be on the sideline. His ton in the warm-up certainly looked like a return to form but it needs more against better opposition to convince fans I think"

Mike Burns less with the ball and more with the bat from 'George' this year is what is expected.  He has become the Vice Captain and stabalising batsman and that's what we need from him.  As he gets older his scores get bigger...can't ask for more really.

Keith Parsons may also provide more bat than ball in the early part of the season until his off season knee injury is confirmed as 'fixed'.  His C&G heroics were great and this 'six shot' he keeps for special occasions may come in useful.  Is he in the picture for the longer game?   I hope so, he is so flexible but it will depend on whether they can rely on him as a change bowler who makes things happen and that forte is more apparent in Keith's case in the one day game.  He does hold an innings together though, especially if the top five fail.

THE PROSPECTS

Richard Johnson could have returned demoralised by his Indian experience.  Picked and sidelined more than once can be devastating.   On the other hand it can spur a player on to bigger and better things.  If Richard wants to be an international then 2002 is the season to set his stall out.March - "He's got to be in the frame if he puts the wickets in during the early matches.  He has to be ahead of 'Fatboy Ormond' but may be fighting with Kirtley, Silverwood et al.  If Goughie can't come back from his knee injury then Johnno may be doing a little more than carrying drinks.  If he does, he may do little else this year!!"

Ian Blackwell has his eyes on the "batsman who bowls a bit" slot in the one day squad.  He's a slow man which might be a problem but not if the new seamers make the tail long.  He needs some devastating batting performance in the early season to put himself in the frame.March - "He's going for the big hitting batsman, but Freddie has started to get it together and although Ian is classified as 'one to watch' by Wisden he doesn't bowl at the highest level.  He could still be an option for the ODI's and Freddie could also start to get it wrong again now he is 'flavour of the year'.   Don't hold your breath and be glad we have him at the moment.  He was smashing seven bails out of everything last week but can he do the same thing against the good stuff.  If he can we are in for a great season!"

Steffan Jones has come a long way in a short time and has served his time with the ball.  Will he make the step up?  People have their eye on him.  He's put up a target of 75 wickets this year and that kind of progress would have to make selectors consider him.  There's no doubt that he will put in the work, he has the belief but does he have the ability?  March - "He thinks he has and is putting that on the line.  An early injury to get over means we will be looking closely at him at Hove this week.  We need him fit and ready to come on as first change.  If he makes the normal progress he will be faster and cannier.  All well and good if you ask me!"

Simon Francis has been picked by Mr Wells at Derbyshire as a real prospect.  He thinks if he stays fit then he is a real buy.  The impression is that he is here to take the 4th seamer place and it will be interesting to see if he is in when Caddick and Trescothick are unavailable.  He looks smooth and is working hard off the pitch.  Let's see if he's up to it"

BY NO MEANS LEAST...

Keith Dutch is an important part of our bowling options although he got lots of publicity last season for his hitting and fielding.  We need a containing slow bowler and he is it at the moment.  Another heroic summer please Keith!

Rob Turner is still being talked about in some corners as an international prospect but the benefit will probably take up most of his off-field time.  On the field we need him to start in the same vein as he finished last year.  The innovative and solid batsman we had been missing in 2000/2001 started to re-appear and we were a better side for it.  Rob behind the timber and smacking the ball and we are in the right mode for glory!!

 

It's crazy that in a successful squad of 20-ish we should have so many players with so much to prove.  Maybe that is what keep the pot boiling?   Few people feel secure and therefore have to prove themselves all the time.   That must be a good thing, but there are a lot of questions to be answered this year.  I wonder how many answers we will have by September 2002.  March - The first one being who the hell have I missed?  It's gonna be a great year - Positive thinking people!!