Azhar Ali
Posted by: Grockle (IP Logged)
Date: 16 July, 2018 17:19
Well, we have our man. Now we have to use him effectively and work around him successfully.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 25/07/2018 21:06 by Grockle.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 25/07/2018 21:06 by Grockle.
Re: Azhar Ali
Posted by: Nailsea_Fizz (IP Logged)
Date: 16 July, 2018 18:46
Well how is one meant to form an opinion on this signing, without the in depth statistical career analysis and character assessment together with the lengthy list of possible / probable batting weaknesses against county trundles.
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Re: Azhar Ali
Posted by: cricketjerry-mouse (IP Logged)
Date: 16 July, 2018 19:24
Well, Azhar Ali made 26 and 101 not out when Pakistan played Somerset at Taunton in July 2016, the match in which Dom Bess made his debut and Marcus Trescothick salvaged a draw for Somerset with a second innings ton.
He is the only Pakistan player in the Top 20 Test batsman, coming in at No.15, two places below Alastair Cook and two above Jonny Bairstow.
A pretty good pedigree at this late stage of recruitment.
He is the only Pakistan player in the Top 20 Test batsman, coming in at No.15, two places below Alastair Cook and two above Jonny Bairstow.
A pretty good pedigree at this late stage of recruitment.
Re: Azhar Ali
Posted by: Grockle (IP Logged)
Date: 16 July, 2018 19:46
You take the best of what's about when you are late to the store I suppose. He seems a better option than some we have looked at in the recent past but will he elongate our batting line-up or take the place of a young player already in the side?
Where does he bat and who does he bat instead of with Banger coming back as well?
Where does he bat and who does he bat instead of with Banger coming back as well?
Re: Azhar Ali
Posted by: Cleavo (IP Logged)
Date: 16 July, 2018 21:19
Great signing at such short notice!
Proven and world class performer at test match level. Hopefully, he can have the same impact as Renshaw had in the volume of runs he scores starting at Worcester Sunday.
I’d imagine Azhar will probably bat at 3, which would mean George will drop out. He could also open alongside Tres to give us a left and right hand combination at top of the order, so Eddie would drop out. Tough decisions for the management, but that’s what they are paid to do.
Proven and world class performer at test match level. Hopefully, he can have the same impact as Renshaw had in the volume of runs he scores starting at Worcester Sunday.
I’d imagine Azhar will probably bat at 3, which would mean George will drop out. He could also open alongside Tres to give us a left and right hand combination at top of the order, so Eddie would drop out. Tough decisions for the management, but that’s what they are paid to do.
Re: Azhar Ali
Posted by: wsm fan (IP Logged)
Date: 16 July, 2018 21:42
There seems to be unanimous approval of this signing.
So Hurry has done a good job?
Can we all just remember this incase things go wrong!
This is an excellent signing and just what we need.
Great work Andy Hurry & co.
If it all goes wrong can we not all turn on Hurry & Azhar as to how crazy it was to sign a Pakistani undercooked.
Jim Allenby was a great signing. The reality turned out to be very underwhelming indeed but the logic of the signing appeared fool proof!
So Hurry has done a good job?
Can we all just remember this incase things go wrong!
This is an excellent signing and just what we need.
Great work Andy Hurry & co.
If it all goes wrong can we not all turn on Hurry & Azhar as to how crazy it was to sign a Pakistani undercooked.
Jim Allenby was a great signing. The reality turned out to be very underwhelming indeed but the logic of the signing appeared fool proof!
Re: Azhar Ali
Posted by: Mike TA1 (IP Logged)
Date: 16 July, 2018 21:57
A good end of the season county championship matches in sight.
I did say that it was the work visa we were waiting to finalise.
I did say that it was the work visa we were waiting to finalise.
Re: Azhar Ali
Posted by: Farmer White (IP Logged)
Date: 17 July, 2018 00:04
Out of curiosity, and the following stats are intended as no more than that, I looked at Somerset's first and second wicket CC partnerships this year. Can't read too much into them because there have been several changes in personnel in the top three positions this season. But for what they are worth:
First wicket : 1, 1, 5, 6, 65, 51, 39, 62, 29, 53, 18, 55, 64. Ave 34.54
Second wicket: 6, 10, 140, 4, 134, 16, 1, 55, 96, 4, 15, 85, 9. Ave 44.23
or on average the fall of wickets have therefore been 1-35 2-79.
The opening partnerships have been more consistent. The second wicket partnerships inconsistent but more productive overall.
First wicket : 1, 1, 5, 6, 65, 51, 39, 62, 29, 53, 18, 55, 64. Ave 34.54
Second wicket: 6, 10, 140, 4, 134, 16, 1, 55, 96, 4, 15, 85, 9. Ave 44.23
or on average the fall of wickets have therefore been 1-35 2-79.
The opening partnerships have been more consistent. The second wicket partnerships inconsistent but more productive overall.
Re: Azhar Ali
Posted by: Grockle (IP Logged)
Date: 17 July, 2018 10:07
He can't play T20 because his contract is not for it.
He would have cost more probably and may have had to be administered in a different way had we wanted him to do both - not sure how it differs.
I'd also put forward that presently our T20 unit may not be one that we think a second international would have had any significant effect on unless he was a bowler/allrounder. So Azhar is not the T20 man.
He would have cost more probably and may have had to be administered in a different way had we wanted him to do both - not sure how it differs.
I'd also put forward that presently our T20 unit may not be one that we think a second international would have had any significant effect on unless he was a bowler/allrounder. So Azhar is not the T20 man.
Re: Azhar Ali
Posted by: wsm fan (IP Logged)
Date: 17 July, 2018 10:15
He most definitely could be.
Travis Head will play T20 for Worcs this week and then against us Sunday.
It is possible, if it doesnt happen (which it wont) it is our choice.
I'm unsure how formats work but sure it wouldnt be difficult to tick the T20 box.
Yes money would presumably increase for 2 formats.
And is he any significant improvement in an area we are lacking?
He will have 25 days to twiddle his thumbs after next Wednesday too before he starts game 2 v Essex.
Travis Head will play T20 for Worcs this week and then against us Sunday.
It is possible, if it doesnt happen (which it wont) it is our choice.
I'm unsure how formats work but sure it wouldnt be difficult to tick the T20 box.
Yes money would presumably increase for 2 formats.
And is he any significant improvement in an area we are lacking?
He will have 25 days to twiddle his thumbs after next Wednesday too before he starts game 2 v Essex.
Re: Azhar Ali
Posted by: AG on apple (IP Logged)
Date: 17 July, 2018 11:05
Here's how I see it:
The 06, 07 and 08 August are liable to be (weather permitting) very important dates in our season. On those days, our seconds face Hants.
That, in my view, will be a very important opportunity for Azhar Ali to play himself into some form, ahead of the final six CC games. Ditto M E Trescothick.
Unless New Road is very flat, then I wouldn't expect too much from Azhar coming into it completely cold with no recent cricket behind him. Not sure I'd expect too much from Marcus either (assuming he plays).
But then that Hants game will be the chance to get them up and running for a potentially very significant final six games of the season.
One assumes that after a month of very warm and dry weather, pitches may well turn from here on out....... Other than at the Oval (second week in September), I'd still think it unlikely, though, that we'd lose BOTH of Jack and Dom to England, so we should have one of them to select in tandem with Roelof.
Azhar Ali is, of course, a thoroughly competent player of spin and should be a major asset in the final stretch on turning tracks.. if we can get him into form before then.
Incidentally, I shall be going to the Test vs Pak on Sunday September 9 and am fervently hoping to see Jack and Dom bowling in tandem on that date.
edited: Dates and fixture edited to make sense. I'd lost track of dates with the intrusion of T20, sorry.
Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 17/07/2018 13:15 by AG on apple.
The 06, 07 and 08 August are liable to be (weather permitting) very important dates in our season. On those days, our seconds face Hants.
That, in my view, will be a very important opportunity for Azhar Ali to play himself into some form, ahead of the final six CC games. Ditto M E Trescothick.
Unless New Road is very flat, then I wouldn't expect too much from Azhar coming into it completely cold with no recent cricket behind him. Not sure I'd expect too much from Marcus either (assuming he plays).
But then that Hants game will be the chance to get them up and running for a potentially very significant final six games of the season.
One assumes that after a month of very warm and dry weather, pitches may well turn from here on out....... Other than at the Oval (second week in September), I'd still think it unlikely, though, that we'd lose BOTH of Jack and Dom to England, so we should have one of them to select in tandem with Roelof.
Azhar Ali is, of course, a thoroughly competent player of spin and should be a major asset in the final stretch on turning tracks.. if we can get him into form before then.
Incidentally, I shall be going to the Test vs Pak on Sunday September 9 and am fervently hoping to see Jack and Dom bowling in tandem on that date.
edited: Dates and fixture edited to make sense. I'd lost track of dates with the intrusion of T20, sorry.
Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 17/07/2018 13:15 by AG on apple.
Re: Azhar Ali
Posted by: Roger ivanhoe (IP Logged)
Date: 17 July, 2018 11:55
AGod, one assumes Azhar will be playing for the first eleven at Worcester, so cannot "Play himself in" for the seconds at Taunton Vale on the 23rd v Middlesex.
Andy Hurry has said he will be playing 7 CC matches for us.
Marcus is playing again today v Hampshire, so we must assume he is fit and that he will also play at Worcester on Sunday this week.
Andy Hurry has said he will be playing 7 CC matches for us.
Marcus is playing again today v Hampshire, so we must assume he is fit and that he will also play at Worcester on Sunday this week.
Re: Azhar Ali
Posted by: Grockle (IP Logged)
Date: 17 July, 2018 12:21
There is certainly no real reason for making an announcement that Mr Ali is here unless he is playing on Sunday.
It's the job of a professional player to do his prep so he isn't 'playing himself in' for a major game. I'm not sure where he is presently but one would assume he is netting and taking advice for the 4 days before he has his initial first team game for Somerset.
'Rusty' is a possibility but unprepared and looking at his first real innings as a 'net' is not. If he wants to 'play himself in' then that prep starts this week and I'm sure it will.
It's the job of a professional player to do his prep so he isn't 'playing himself in' for a major game. I'm not sure where he is presently but one would assume he is netting and taking advice for the 4 days before he has his initial first team game for Somerset.
'Rusty' is a possibility but unprepared and looking at his first real innings as a 'net' is not. If he wants to 'play himself in' then that prep starts this week and I'm sure it will.
Re: Azhar Ali
Posted by: AG on apple (IP Logged)
Date: 17 July, 2018 13:14
Sorry, got my dates wrong - 06, 07, 08 August vs Hants, I should have said - that's the one that he'll hopefully play to help get him into real nick - unless, of course, he magically comes off immediately at New Road, in which case maybe it will be considered superfluous.
Re: Azhar Ali
Posted by: Grockle (IP Logged)
Date: 17 July, 2018 13:35
It's not 'magic'. It's professional cricket.
Players change venues, players change sides, good professionals adapt and the really good ones do not have to learn how to ride the bike again before they become effective.
Players change venues, players change sides, good professionals adapt and the really good ones do not have to learn how to ride the bike again before they become effective.
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