Sensible Kev's end of season ratings

By Barmy Kev
September 23 2002

After a very sucsessful seasons for Middlesex, several players stood out. Barmy Kev has become sensible Kev and gives us his views on who was a hit and who was a goldern duck for Middlesex this season.

A Strauss- CC Bat Av. 44.77 NU 32.36
I for one was panicking when Gus departed and Mousey was called in as a replacement captain. But has done a sterling job in keeping good team spirit and leading us to promotion. His critics will say he has been very conservative, but feel this was mainly due our good start and then grinding out draws. Also, some of his tactics in the 1 day game has left me bemused which I will put down to lack of experience. His captaincy has not effected his batting or fielding and has also performed ably as substitute wicket keeper. 8/10

S Koenig- CC Bat Av. 42.69 NU 10.4
Has performed well in mainly anchor role, especially at beginning of season, lost his way a bit in August. He often struggled ( apart from ton in C&G) to pick up the pace of game in 1 dayers and eventually correctly dropped and feel is style is certainly more suited to the longer game. 7/10

R Weston- CC Bat Av 21.25 NU 7.33
Started in team but when all batsmen were firing on all cylinders was struggling and was dropped. Due to injuries got a second chance late on, but failed. 3/10

B Huton. CC Bat Av 32.00 Bowl Av 36.4 NU Bat 32.00 Bowl 37.66
Forced his way into side and made some excellent scores but towards end had a spell of 5 ducks out of 7 innings. Seems to be OK once in. Proved to be a very dangerous 1-day batsmen despite batting at nearly every position. Would like to see him opening here. Also at times was a useful partnership breaker. 6/10

E Joyce CC Bat Av 53.00 NU 17.23
Showed some excellent flair, touted as new David Gower and got picked for academy only to mysteriously being dropped despite maintaining form. Not really suited to 1 day cricket, but am expecting great things next year. 8/10.

Owais Shah- CC Batting 48.52 NU 39.90.
Continuing to improve and deserved o get picked for England 1 dayers. Only Middlesex NU centurion and against Sorry. Bit more consistency required. 8/10

Abdur Razzaq- CC Bat Av 60.66 Bowl Av 29.11 NU Bat8.16 Bowl 21.45
Average distorted by his 203 Not out against Glamorgan, but was a match winner. Had a slow start, but form did pick up and at one stage seemed only bowler capable of taking wickets. His 1-day form for an international was disappointing. Still can’t work out need for such a long run up. Would be happy to see him back next year. 8/10

P Weekes- CC Bat Av 49.27 Bowl Av. 61.11 NU Bat 17.66 Bowl 23.21
For someone who’s mainly known as a bowler this average with 3 centuries superb especially as he was batting mainly at 7 with tail. His bowling perhaps statistically does not look good, but often was able to stem the run rate. He also took 22 catches. Had a good benefit. Please don’t leave us. 8/10

J Darymple- CC Bat Av. 13.20 No wickets NU Bat 25.22 Bowl 30.60
Didn’t quite turn Uni form into championship-but has potential. Often underused as a bowler. Feel he would be a usefull 1 day pinch hitter and can be economical bowler. 5/10

D Nash - CC Bat Av. 49.38 NU Bat37.00
My player of the season. Consistent behind the stumps and played some crucial innings to save follow-ons and get us extra bonus points. Lets hope his back trouble stays away. 9/10

D Alleyne. CC Bat Av. 62.00 NU Bat 5.20
Much criticised perhaps unfairly. His 1 day batting was poor and to use him as an opener was a complete waste. His 2XI form was great, just needed to translate this to 1sts. When put in under pressure at Derbyshire his 49 not out could well have been difference. His keeping more than adequate. 6/10

A Laraman. C/C Bat Av. 27.66 Bowl 38.75 NU Bat 13.66 Bowl 35.85
Did a useful fill in job during injury crisis. His match winning 82 innings batting at 3 against Glous was superb clean striking. Made other useful contributions lower down. His bowling lacked a bit of zip and he seemed to get dispirited quickly. He can improve and time will tell. 6/10

S Cook- C/C Bat Av. 14.00 Bowl 31.87 NU Bat 9.50 Bowling 30.5
Started season brilliantly and then lost his way and was dropped. Then improved towards the end. Bowls well with Noffke. Useful tail end batting. 6/10

A Noffke- C/C Bat Av. 22.55 Bowl 25.06
Was excellent in both spells this season and destroyed Derby and Worcs. Not quite the new Glenn Mcgrath but was unplayable at times and a great team man. He also made a superb 76 at Worcs which helped turn the game. 9/10

C Keegan CC Bat Av. 5.80 Bowl 44.77 NU Bat 20.00 Bowl 32.00
Overall disappointing but had injuries. Had one crucial spell against Worcs which turned game and was better in 1 dayers. He reckons to be considered an all rounder, work needed on batting for this. 5/10

P Tufnell- CC Bat Av. 12.71 Bowling 30.88
One minute he is rubbish and being shown up against lesser known spinners, then world class. I witnessed superb bowling, 8 wickets at Cheltenham and of course he polished Derby off at the death. Who could also forget his 45 against Essex. 7/10

T Bloomfield CC Bat Av. Infinity. 57 Runs two innings both NO
Bowl 63.00 NU Bat 5.33 Bowl 21.25.
Was affected by injury and bowling was ineffective. Seemed to be one of our tighter bowlers in NU. Batting has improved. 5/10

Ian Jones CC Bat Av. 29.00 Bowl 25.00 NU Bat 6.00 Bowl 35.16.
Was only a stop- gap during injury crisis, but did not let us down with bat or ball and always willing on field. 7/10