Alec Stewart has just said words to the effect of "I will give you two names should the selectors consider replacing Bairstow in the Test side - and it's not Buttler who is going to the IPL and not playing for Lancs in the Championship - but Steve Davies who will be keeping again and in two years time I guarantee that Foakes will be the England keeper".
I've always liked Davies but am surprised that he is taking the gloves again firstly because I thought Wilson had that job but also because Foakes hasn't come to Surrey to play in the 2nd X1 for the next couple of seasons.
Alec Stewart has just said words to the effect of "I will give you two names should the selectors consider replacing Bairstow in the Test side - and it's not Buttler who is going to the IPL and not playing for Lancs in the Championship - but Steve Davies who will be keeping again and in two years time I guarantee that Foakes will be the England keeper".
I've always liked Davies but am surprised that he is taking the gloves again firstly because I thought Wilson had that job but also because Foakes hasn't come to Surrey to play in the 2nd X1 for the next couple of seasons.
Why would he need to be replaced ??!! I've had the misfortune to have a 'talk' with Stewart - so up his own its unbelieveble.
Alec Stewart has just said words to the effect of "I will give you two names should the selectors consider replacing Bairstow in the Test side - and it's not Buttler who is going to the IPL and not playing for Lancs in the Championship - but Steve Davies who will be keeping again and in two years time I guarantee that Foakes will be the England keeper".
I've always liked Davies but am surprised that he is taking the gloves again firstly because I thought Wilson had that job but also because Foakes hasn't come to Surrey to play in the 2nd X1 for the next couple of seasons.
Why would he need to be replaced ??!! I've had the misfortune to have a 'talk' with Stewart - so up his own its unbelieveble.
He's not saying he needs to be replaced at this stage but he can't keep playing catch up for his drops. They cost England about 150 runs today.
Technically (and I find it amazing that Bairstow has got to this level with such basic faults) his weight is in the wrong place a lot of the time i.e. on his left side which prevents him then from moving to the right in time.
In any event, we are only talking about replacing him with the gloves - and not necessarily in the side.
Alec Stewart has just said words to the effect of "I will give you two names should the selectors consider replacing Bairstow in the Test side - and it's not Buttler who is going to the IPL and not playing for Lancs in the Championship - but Steve Davies who will be keeping again and in two years time I guarantee that Foakes will be the England keeper".
I've always liked Davies but am surprised that he is taking the gloves again firstly because I thought Wilson had that job but also because Foakes hasn't come to Surrey to play in the 2nd X1 for the next couple of seasons.
Few things to say on that.
1) I rated Stewie the player highly.. even though I was very young when he retired it's clear to say he was class. However Stewie the Director of Cricket/ coach I don't rate so highly.. part of me thinks he's there on reputation rather than ability and also because he's a freemason so friends in the right places. So never fully believe everything he says..
2) Davies has stated he has no intention of returning to keeping. Although he is pretty useless in the field and was looking a little fat last season.
3) Davies the batsman is very good at County level. But he is a former player. As demonstrated last season he has an unbelievable start to the season and scored two double tons I believe but then tailed off awfully and had a very poor finish to the season. He always seems a little streaky in the longer format, too many shots loop up in the air. And I feel his technique would be found out at test level. He could possibly do a job in the one day team but he is a way down the pecking order
So Davies the batsman is not up to it at test level so hos only way into the side is as a keeper. But I feel that ship has sailed both in terms of him wanting the gloves and the selectors considering him.
As for Foakes, whilst I see a lot of potential there he never cemented his place in any format last year. His glovework is superior to that of Wilson. But his batting let him down at times.. and Wilson is a senior player and vice captain so not likely to be dropped.. This is a big year for him we will see who ends up first choice at the end of the season.
Bored on the way home from work so thought I'd do my usual pre season forward look. I know it's early but I can't wait for the cricket season to start to distract me from the football. At least one of the teams I support does well! (Must be tough for you Kent fans!)
So the main news over the summer is the signing of 29 year old, left arm quick Mark Footit. He was the joint highest wicket taker in Div 2 with our own Tom Curran. He took 76 wickets at a shade over 23. This is backing up his 82 the previous year. Footit topped off his summer by being called up to the England squad for the test series against South Africa that has just finished, he can be considered unlucky not to play the final match of the series. I think it's clear to say this will be one quality signing and he adds some much needed experience to our bowling attack after the retirements of Tremlett and Linley.
In other news much of the current squad have signed contract extensions including, the Skipper - Batty, Wilson, Foakes, Dunn, Ansari, Curran, Curran and Roy. There may be others but these are the ones I could find with a quick search.
Other signings: well I expect we will sign an overseas player for the T20 slogfest.
I expect Azhar will be back for the shorter formats for the umpteenth year running! He was actually playing in very first Surrey match I was taken to by my dad as a 4 year old!) What a legend!
Sanga is going to be back for the entire season as he no longer has Sri Lanka commitments.. is class on and off the field.
I would also like to see a few signings from other teams second 11s similar to Burke was last year as I feel we don't have enough depth for a sustained campaign and as Charlton fans know well there are only so many youth players you can throw into the first team.
So the outs
As well as the retirements of the Viscount - Linley (who has in my mind been poorly treated, but we won't go there) and Tremlett. Solanki also announced his retirement. Whilst these players weren't featuring much in the side towards the second half of the season it dies leave us short of back up and experienced players around the squad.
Don't expect to see much if any of Pietersen, I'm sure he will be spending too much time off earning money to play for us even in the T20 Blast!
Quicks T. Curran, Dunn, Footit, Meaker, Dernbach, Balcombe
In my eyes a good squad but lacking depth! (Oh no, the CAFC problem) particularly as we may lose a number of players for periods of the year on internationals etc. I reckon the following:
Burns, if we keep getting through openers as we are, it can't be long now before he is considered for England. Especially if he has a good start to the season.
Ansari, already had two England call ups. And with a subcontinent winter next year I think they'd like to get him around the squad in the summer.
Roy, will play the shorter formats for England. May well go off and play IPL or another one of those...
Wilson, will miss some games to play for Ireland.
Sam Curran will be away with Eng U19s
Tom Curran must be somewhere on England's radar.
Footit, likely to make a test squad or two.
My 11 for championship would be
Burns Harinath Sanga Roy Davies Ansari Wilson S. Curran T.Curran Footit Dunn
With Batty in for S.Curran on spinning wickets, Wilson to captain in his absence. We will need to rotate our quicks so Burke, Meaker and Dernbach will feature.
It's a big year for Burns, score big runs and he will be in England reckoning. Harinath deserves his chance at the top of the order. Have promoted Roy to 4. If he has any test ambition, which he says he has, then he will need to prove himself at 4 in Div 1. Not saying I would have him in the test team but he says he wants to. Wilson as keeper as he is the man in possession and is a senior player. Foakes may well oust him as the season goes on. Ansari to move down the order as he has increasingly become our premier spinner and so will have to managed his workload. Think he will benefit from it. Four man pace attack for the first part of the season and Batts to come in when it's a bunsen.
My 11 for the shorter formats would be
Roy Davies Sanga Burns Wilson Ansari Azhar S.Curran T.Curran Batty Dernbach
The formula that worked well in the cup last year. Maybe a bit bowler heavy. Wouldn't mind a batsman/batting allrounder in as an overseas.
Choosing to stick with the squad which kept us up. Which is 100% the right thing to do. However we shouldn't expect too much from the youngest members of the squad, whilst they performed unbelievably last season they are still young and so inconsistency should be expected. We need the more senior members of the squad to step up and show the young un's how it's done. Namely Batty, Sanga, Wilson, Roy, Davies, Dernbach, Footit. And to a lesser extend players like Burns and Ansari.
Predictions.
Well I think if we show the form that we showed last year we could compete at the top of the table. However I am expecting some inconsistency and if we lose players to other competitions/internationals then we may run out of steam. So I would take a mid table /staying up finish with some good performances along the way. That way the youngsters are a year older and experienced in the first division and we are ready to mount a charge the following year! Come on the Rey!
One for the Kent fans (who we all know spend more time on this thread than their own coz it's clearly better!) 13 out of a squad of 21 are academy products. Say what you like about us but you can't say we don't bring players through or blood youngsters. ..
I thought I read somewhere that Sam Curran will miss some of the season as he will be taking his A-Levels. That really does put his young age into perspective.
I hope to catch a game or two when I'm next in London as it'll be before the start of the football season
Yes. Haven't heard much/anything about him but he seems highly thought of and has the right "philosophy" so let's hope he can carry on the good work! He certainly has a record for improving young players and he has a lot of young talent to work with here...
Dernbach injured.. going to have surgery on his back. Will miss the first part of the season. No huge loss in my opinion, not likely to play in the championship but needs to be back for slogfest & one day cup..
Really weird signing... think we've gone a bit over the top on overseas this year. This takes our total up to 5.
Ridiculous really as we have enough seamers in the squad with
CurranT Footit Dunn Meaker Dernbach Burke CurranS Pillans McKerr
And Morris/Bravo in for the slogfest.
Can't see the need for him at all, and can't see him getting in the first 11 in any format barring serious injury/loss of form crisis.
What we needed was a middle order batsman. Either young up and coming or an experienced one year stop gap. Not another over the hill overseas player who will be the latest in a long line of big name flops.
May just be me but when I go to see Surrey/ any cricket, I go to see young English players who will develop and one day play for England. It's nice to have the odd big name thrown in. But I have soo much enjoyed the likes of Roy, Burns, Ansari and the Curran's develop.
Strange signing but sure they will see it as an option. curran will miss part of the season again with exams, jade is injured, meaner hasn't really played in two years, and footit might get an england call up. As for the two saffas I know very little about them
My mate's son is currently knocking a few runs with the colts on tour in South Africa. My mate is there too, having a brilliant time, lucky so-and-so...
I was expecting him to move on this year and try pastures new, I'm assuming he keeps getting injured or has been over coached. Let's hope he can find some form.
Partly over coached I am let to believe. Crisis of confidence after being repeatedly criticised for being wayward (something quicker bowlers always are). Captain and coach lost confidence in him and injury haven't helped.
Has spent a lot of time away from Surrey this winter. Has been at the England performance centre at Loughborough with specialist coaches. The word is that he has his mojo back. The proof will be in the pudding as they say!
Hope so, him and the Currans could be a real force. Don't rate Dernbach much. Looking forward to the Lancashire game in August, hotel booked, annual pilgrimage with my parents.
Comments
Roys 77 off 35 balls gave us a chance!!
Footitt joins Surrey, how many bowlers do they need?
I've always liked Davies but am surprised that he is taking the gloves again firstly because I thought Wilson had that job but also because Foakes hasn't come to Surrey to play in the 2nd X1 for the next couple of seasons.
I've had the misfortune to have a 'talk' with Stewart - so up his own its unbelieveble.
Technically (and I find it amazing that Bairstow has got to this level with such basic faults) his weight is in the wrong place a lot of the time i.e. on his left side which prevents him then from moving to the right in time.
In any event, we are only talking about replacing him with the gloves - and not necessarily in the side.
1) I rated Stewie the player highly.. even though I was very young when he retired it's clear to say he was class. However Stewie the Director of Cricket/ coach I don't rate so highly.. part of me thinks he's there on reputation rather than ability and also because he's a freemason so friends in the right places. So never fully believe everything he says..
2) Davies has stated he has no intention of returning to keeping. Although he is pretty useless in the field and was looking a little fat last season.
3) Davies the batsman is very good at County level. But he is a former player. As demonstrated last season he has an unbelievable start to the season and scored two double tons I believe but then tailed off awfully and had a very poor finish to the season. He always seems a little streaky in the longer format, too many shots loop up in the air. And I feel his technique would be found out at test level. He could possibly do a job in the one day team but he is a way down the pecking order
So Davies the batsman is not up to it at test level so hos only way into the side is as a keeper. But I feel that ship has sailed both in terms of him wanting the gloves and the selectors considering him.
As for Foakes, whilst I see a lot of potential there he never cemented his place in any format last year. His glovework is superior to that of Wilson. But his batting let him down at times.. and Wilson is a senior player and vice captain so not likely to be dropped.. This is a big year for him we will see who ends up first choice at the end of the season.
So the main news over the summer is the signing of 29 year old, left arm quick Mark Footit. He was the joint highest wicket taker in Div 2 with our own Tom Curran. He took 76 wickets at a shade over 23. This is backing up his 82 the previous year. Footit topped off his summer by being called up to the England squad for the test series against South Africa that has just finished, he can be considered unlucky not to play the final match of the series.
I think it's clear to say this will be one quality signing and he adds some much needed experience to our bowling attack after the retirements of Tremlett and Linley.
In other news much of the current squad have signed contract extensions including, the Skipper - Batty, Wilson, Foakes, Dunn, Ansari, Curran, Curran and Roy.
There may be others but these are the ones I could find with a quick search.
Other signings: well I expect we will sign an overseas player for the T20 slogfest.
I expect Azhar will be back for the shorter formats for the umpteenth year running! He was actually playing in very first Surrey match I was taken to by my dad as a 4 year old!) What a legend!
Sanga is going to be back for the entire season as he no longer has Sri Lanka commitments.. is class on and off the field.
I would also like to see a few signings from other teams second 11s similar to Burke was last year as I feel we don't have enough depth for a sustained campaign and as Charlton fans know well there are only so many youth players you can throw into the first team.
So the outs
As well as the retirements of the Viscount - Linley (who has in my mind been poorly treated, but we won't go there) and Tremlett. Solanki also announced his retirement. Whilst these players weren't featuring much in the side towards the second half of the season it dies leave us short of back up and experienced players around the squad.
Don't expect to see much if any of Pietersen, I'm sure he will be spending too much time off earning money to play for us even in the T20 Blast!
This leaves the squad as...
Batsmen,
Burns Harinath, Sibley, Sanga, Roy, Davies
Keepers
Wilson, Foakes
Spinners
Batty, Ansari, Van Den Bergh
Allrounders
S. Curran, Kapil, Burke, Azhar
Quicks
T. Curran, Dunn, Footit, Meaker, Dernbach, Balcombe
In my eyes a good squad but lacking depth! (Oh no, the CAFC problem) particularly as we may lose a number of players for periods of the year on internationals etc. I reckon the following:
Burns, if we keep getting through openers as we are, it can't be long now before he is considered for England. Especially if he has a good start to the season.
Ansari, already had two England call ups. And with a subcontinent winter next year I think they'd like to get him around the squad in the summer.
Roy, will play the shorter formats for England. May well go off and play IPL or another one of those...
Wilson, will miss some games to play for Ireland.
Sam Curran will be away with Eng U19s
Tom Curran must be somewhere on England's radar.
Footit, likely to make a test squad or two.
My 11 for championship would be
Burns
Harinath
Sanga
Roy
Davies
Ansari
Wilson
S. Curran
T.Curran
Footit
Dunn
With Batty in for S.Curran on spinning wickets, Wilson to captain in his absence.
We will need to rotate our quicks so Burke, Meaker and Dernbach will feature.
It's a big year for Burns, score big runs and he will be in England reckoning.
Harinath deserves his chance at the top of the order.
Have promoted Roy to 4. If he has any test ambition, which he says he has, then he will need to prove himself at 4 in Div 1. Not saying I would have him in the test team but he says he wants to.
Wilson as keeper as he is the man in possession and is a senior player. Foakes may well oust him as the season goes on.
Ansari to move down the order as he has increasingly become our premier spinner and so will have to managed his workload. Think he will benefit from it.
Four man pace attack for the first part of the season and Batts to come in when it's a bunsen.
My 11 for the shorter formats would be
Roy
Davies
Sanga
Burns
Wilson
Ansari
Azhar
S.Curran
T.Curran
Batty
Dernbach
The formula that worked well in the cup last year. Maybe a bit bowler heavy. Wouldn't mind a batsman/batting allrounder in as an overseas.
Choosing to stick with the squad which kept us up. Which is 100% the right thing to do. However we shouldn't expect too much from the youngest members of the squad, whilst they performed unbelievably last season they are still young and so inconsistency should be expected. We need the more senior members of the squad to step up and show the young un's how it's done. Namely Batty, Sanga, Wilson, Roy, Davies, Dernbach, Footit. And to a lesser extend players like Burns and Ansari.
Predictions.
Well I think if we show the form that we showed last year we could compete at the top of the table. However I am expecting some inconsistency and if we lose players to other competitions/internationals then we may run out of steam. So I would take a mid table /staying up finish with some good performances along the way. That way the youngsters are a year older and experienced in the first division and we are ready to mount a charge the following year! Come on the Rey!
One for the Kent fans (who we all know spend more time on this thread than their own coz it's clearly better!) 13 out of a squad of 21 are academy products. Say what you like about us but you can't say we don't bring players through or blood youngsters. ..
I hope to catch a game or two when I'm next in London as it'll be before the start of the football season
Which former CAFC player went onto manage England ?
Didn't think he was ever that good but, furthermore, he has always been injury prone.
And do you really need him?
Ridiculous really as we have enough seamers in the squad with
CurranT
Footit
Dunn
Meaker
Dernbach
Burke
CurranS
Pillans
McKerr
And Morris/Bravo in for the slogfest.
Can't see the need for him at all, and can't see him getting in the first 11 in any format barring serious injury/loss of form crisis.
What we needed was a middle order batsman.
Either young up and coming or an experienced one year stop gap. Not another over the hill overseas player who will be the latest in a long line of big name flops.
As for the two saffas I know very little about them
Has spent a lot of time away from Surrey this winter. Has been at the England performance centre at Loughborough with specialist coaches. The word is that he has his mojo back. The proof will be in the pudding as they say!