Forum Review

By David Slater
September 28 2003

The end of season forum was held on Wednesday evening, with Vinny Codrington, John Embury and Andrew Strauss answering questions.

The evening began with Straussy and Embers being congratulated on achieving their goals for the season. They were asked to give a brief overview of the season. Straussy began by saying there are signs of development and improvement in the squad but it was very disappointing not to go up in the NCL. He said he was especially delighted with the progress we have shown in the one-day game. He commented on the learning curve division one provided and finished by saying he believes we are not far off being a top class side.

Embers back up this view but admitted there are weaknesses in the spin and pace categories. He stated that the club aimed to sort them out. He commented on the rising self-belief in the squad and whilst Razzaq and Noffke turned out to be disappointing, Joe Dawes was “fantastic” and “will be missed”. He finished by again saying that if the club sign the right players we can challenge for the title by 2005.

It was then open to questions from the floor. The first was are the club prepared to sign players better then what we have (Ben Gannon was referred to) in order to develop further in order to challenge for the County Championship? Embers answered firstly expressing his disappointment in Razzaq. He then said that Ashley Noffke had progressed and that his injury came at a bad time. He claimed we would have done better had we had them all year. In response to the comments about the signing of Gannon, Embers said that Gannon was signed, as he was all that was available when the club needed to replace Laraman who left his departure late. He has now been released (read our interview with Ben which will be published in the next couple of months). He added that we are after various players who are all in high demand. He also commented that the problem with tempting players to London is the higher cost of living and the club (this has also happened in Rugby) have to pay more to tempt players to move to the capital.

Whilst on the subject of signing players, Seaxe Man asked why John Maunders was released instead of being loaned out. Embers again answered saying that Maunders couldn’t have been loaned out as no club was immediately after him.

Embers also said that in May when David Alleyne and then David Nash were injured in the same week, the club tried to sign Ben Scott (who is now being rumoured as a replacement to Alleyne) on loan. Keith Medlycott was all for this but pointed out that when a side signs a player on loan they have to do so for 6 weeks. With no definite idea of when either player would be back, it was decided not to sign Scott, as there was no guarantee he would get to play. He added, quite understandably the rule needs to be changed.

Finally the matter of a transfer system was brought up. The view given was that this wouldn’t take off, as there isn’t the money to have a transfer system.

There were various other topics raised.

“Hutton inquiry”

Bowling – Straussy admitted he might have been under bowled at times. He said that Ben looks for swinging conditions and isn’t consistent enough for varied conditions. Straussy did say Ben can become a big threat but Ben doesn’t believe he is consistent enough yet, the club also believe Ed Joyce is in a similar stage. They hope to develop both of their bowling further.

Batting – Embers said that he had been moved around the order in the county championship because the club felt that playing Nashy at 4 would provide more runs early on in the order. They admitted it didn’t work. In the one-day game Weekes was at the top of the order because of his experience. They hope for Ben to take over soon but not now as it takes him a while to get going.

20/20

Vinny said that 4,000 people attended each match and a total of £20,000 was made. He said that they hope to play Essex at Southgate, Sussex at Richmond and Sorry at Lord’s. They want this match on a Thursday night and the MCC are putting pressure on the ECB to get that match at that time. However it will take 4-6 weeks for the fixture list to be confirmed.

Using spin earlier in games.

Embers began by saying that the flat pitch at Lord’s doesn’t help finger spin (that’s my hopes of replacing Tuffers in the side gone then!). Because of that the academy are trying to develop leg spinners and have a large number of youngsters on their books. He added that the club are aiming to sign an overseas player who is a spinner but he is very expensive and comes with no guarantee of success. With regards to Mushtaq Ahmed, Embers said he was happy to take a lower salary with a high bonus play, which a lot of players aren’t (even though it may be the way to get the best out of them). To cut spiralling wage demands, he feels a wage cap needs to be in place. He also said that Chris Peploe and Jamie Dalrymple have promise but need 4-5 years to develop.

Nashy to Somerset.

Embers told the forum that Nashy always claims sides are after him in hope of getting a high salary! However they stated that he has another year left on his contract and won’t be leaving this winter. We were also told that the club are after a wicket keeper who can bat.

Sussex match at Hove.

Two topics from this match were discussed. The first was Chris Adams’s conduct whilst Middlesex were batting. Straussy did complain to the umpires but they did not agree with his view. The second was Owais Shah’s dismissal. We were told Ace felt he had let himself and the team down but had compensated for that in the NCL game v Hants.

Notts at home.

Straussy was then asked if he felt the last afternoon of the Notts match was good PR for county cricket. He began by saying how pleased he was to get Pieterson out. He said he did ask Notts if they wanted to make a game of it but as Shreck and Cairns were injured they declined the offer. He claimed Sven Koenig was on at him all season to let him bowl so he decided to have a look at him and claimed to be impressed.

Robin Weston

The club released Weston for two reasons; a) free funds to sign new players and b) he was a quiet player who didn’t really fit in with the team so well. They are looking for a replacement.

Second XI

The aim is to develop talent Embers told the audience, but he agreed there is currently a lack of quality in the second XI

Nick Compton

The audience were told his injury is career threatening and were asked to keep their fingers crossed for him.

After this the audience applauded the announcement that Straussy will be marrying his fiancée Ruth next month (18th) in Australia. Ben Hutton will be best man. A round of applause for his England call up followed this up. The date for the next forum was announced (Monday 23rd of February). The forum then ended and most of the audience went to the Middlesex room for the annual party.