In the queue behind Billings but potentially a better player. Ambitious.
Would have thought Surrey would have been a better option. Much nearer to home and they only have five keepers at the moment.
Interesting how things happen - Buttler left Somerset for Lancs because he couldn't get the gloves off Kieswetter who very soon after had to retire due to injury thus creating this opening for Ryan Davies. Meanwhile Buttler's form suffers and unless it improves quickly he may find himself out of the Test side. And back at Lancs who have Alex Davies - named in this season's PCA Team Of The Year.
Surprising that an 18 year old would leave Kent to get more game time, when he's still learning his trade, and there's a good chance Billings will be absent on international duty. Strange that Somerset are so confident that an 18 year old will be experienced enough to be their regular keeper.
In the past they got Godfrey Evans out of retirement. Steve Marsh in an emergency?
D B-D isn't an option as you have to be doing it week in week out. The 2nd XI have been using Rob Sehmi of Tunbridge Wells as well as Matt Stiddard and Oli Robinson, both of Bexley. Oli is a Kent scholar but isn't 17 yet.
The likelihood is that, if they don't want to use one of these, they will get in someone from a leaver from another county on a short term contract.
At least both sides have left the door open but I am somewhat surprised that he has said he will continue to play for Sandwich in the 2nd tier of Kent cricket!
Michael Bates seems to be regarded as a very good keeper, but not so much of a batsman. Hampshire released him, he played a few games for Somerset this summer, but then they signed Luke Ronchi on a short term deal and now Davies. Could be worth a shout?
Bates is one of the best keepers in the country. Sadly he belongs to another era when batting wasn't so much a requisite. He doesn't average 20 in first class cricket and struggles to attain double figures in all other forms of the game.
If Coles could step up to the mark as a true all rounder it wouldn't quite be so much of an issue but you couldn't with confidence bat him at 7 and a tail of Bates, Coles, Tredwell, Claydon and Thomas would be pretty woeful.
As a short term measure they might be able to lure Geraint Jones out of retirement although I'm not sure how that would fit with his duties as master in charge of cricket at Brentwood School.
Davies has been given a three year deal at Somerset which was probably about two years more than at Kent. And he has probably been given the guarantee of first team cricket - subject to form of course.
Somerset have also signed Chris Rogers on a one year deal.
Davies has been given a three year deal at Somerset which was probably about two years more than at Kent. And he has probably been given the guarantee of first team cricket - subject to form of course.
Somerset have also signed Chris Rogers on a one year deal.
There's no way an 18/19 year old can be a guaranteed first teamer though, young players have dips in form as they learn their game. I'd be staggered if he played the whole of next season
Davies has been given a three year deal at Somerset which was probably about two years more than at Kent. And he has probably been given the guarantee of first team cricket - subject to form of course.
Somerset have also signed Chris Rogers on a one year deal.
There's no way an 18/19 year old can be a guaranteed first teamer though, young players have dips in form as they learn their game. I'd be staggered if he played the whole of next season
In normal circumstances I would say so but there are a few things in Davies' favour - Somerset don't seem to have a legitimate rival for the spot, Davies is an England U19 International so has more experience than your average 19 year old and Jos Buttler (again England U19) played the whole of the season in 2010 for Somerset as a 19 year old, keeping for the first half of the season until Kieswetter returned.
Davies has been given a three year deal at Somerset which was probably about two years more than at Kent. And he has probably been given the guarantee of first team cricket - subject to form of course.
Somerset have also signed Chris Rogers on a one year deal.
There's no way an 18/19 year old can be a guaranteed first teamer though, young players have dips in form as they learn their game. I'd be staggered if he played the whole of next season
In normal circumstances I would say so but there are a few things in Davies' favour - Somerset don't seem to have a legitimate rival for the spot, Davies is an England U19 International so has more experience than your average 19 year old and Jos Buttler (again England U19) played the whole of the season in 2010 for Somerset as a 19 year old, keeping for the first half of the season until Kieswetter returned.
To me it's one thing having a youngster like Davies in 2015 or Buttler in 2010 covering for an older player, it's another thing to go into that season with the youngster as the main keeper. Especially when 2 out of their top 3 (Trescothick and Rogers) will be twice his age!
Davies has been given a three year deal at Somerset which was probably about two years more than at Kent. And he has probably been given the guarantee of first team cricket - subject to form of course.
Somerset have also signed Chris Rogers on a one year deal.
There's no way an 18/19 year old can be a guaranteed first teamer though, young players have dips in form as they learn their game. I'd be staggered if he played the whole of next season
In normal circumstances I would say so but there are a few things in Davies' favour - Somerset don't seem to have a legitimate rival for the spot, Davies is an England U19 International so has more experience than your average 19 year old and Jos Buttler (again England U19) played the whole of the season in 2010 for Somerset as a 19 year old, keeping for the first half of the season until Kieswetter returned.
To me it's one thing having a youngster like Davies in 2015 or Buttler in 2010 covering for an older player, it's another thing to go into that season with the youngster as the main keeper. Especially when 2 out of their top 3 (Trescothick and Rogers) will be twice his age!
Bet you wouldn't say that if they were all at Kent ;-)
In any case Trescothick has kept for England so he can take the gloves if necessary - sure he can manage four days of keeping and batting!
Davies has been given a three year deal at Somerset which was probably about two years more than at Kent. And he has probably been given the guarantee of first team cricket - subject to form of course.
Somerset have also signed Chris Rogers on a one year deal.
There's no way an 18/19 year old can be a guaranteed first teamer though, young players have dips in form as they learn their game. I'd be staggered if he played the whole of next season
In normal circumstances I would say so but there are a few things in Davies' favour - Somerset don't seem to have a legitimate rival for the spot, Davies is an England U19 International so has more experience than your average 19 year old and Jos Buttler (again England U19) played the whole of the season in 2010 for Somerset as a 19 year old, keeping for the first half of the season until Kieswetter returned.
To me it's one thing having a youngster like Davies in 2015 or Buttler in 2010 covering for an older player, it's another thing to go into that season with the youngster as the main keeper. Especially when 2 out of their top 3 (Trescothick and Rogers) will be twice his age!
Bet you wouldn't say that if they were all at Kent ;-)
In any case Trescothick has kept for England so he can take the gloves if necessary - sure he can manage four days of keeping and batting!
I'd be very having then playing for Kent, but I think with Key and Stevens we've enough "experienced" players!
Davies has been given a three year deal at Somerset which was probably about two years more than at Kent. And he has probably been given the guarantee of first team cricket - subject to form of course.
Somerset have also signed Chris Rogers on a one year deal.
There's no way an 18/19 year old can be a guaranteed first teamer though, young players have dips in form as they learn their game. I'd be staggered if he played the whole of next season
I'll be staggered too, mostly because I think it's highly likely Buttler will be sent back to county cricket to get some form
Davies has been given a three year deal at Somerset which was probably about two years more than at Kent. And he has probably been given the guarantee of first team cricket - subject to form of course.
Somerset have also signed Chris Rogers on a one year deal.
There's no way an 18/19 year old can be a guaranteed first teamer though, young players have dips in form as they learn their game. I'd be staggered if he played the whole of next season
I'll be staggered too, mostly because I think it's highly likely Buttler will be sent back to county cricket to get some form
Back to Lancashire or will that county not want to upset Alex Davies? The ECB might then agree for Buttler to go on a short term loan - perhaps to Somerset or even us!
Fixtures for 2016 out today. Some interesting matches. Bit miffed that from 2 June to 19 Sept only 8 days of championship cricket at Canterbury if the matches last 4 days!
Ex Kent player Wayne Parnell - more renowned for his quick bowling has scored 99 and 75no for Cape Cobras in last 2 T20 innings as an emergency opener after Richard Levi was hit on head by a stray ball on the head whilst fielding.
Comments
Interesting how things happen - Buttler left Somerset for Lancs because he couldn't get the gloves off Kieswetter who very soon after had to retire due to injury thus creating this opening for Ryan Davies. Meanwhile Buttler's form suffers and unless it improves quickly he may find himself out of the Test side. And back at Lancs who have Alex Davies - named in this season's PCA Team Of The Year.
In the past they got Godfrey Evans out of retirement. Steve Marsh in an emergency or more likely Gojo.
Surprising that an 18 year old would leave Kent to get more game time, when he's still learning his trade, and there's a good chance Billings will be absent on international duty.
Strange that Somerset are so confident that an 18 year old will be experienced enough to be their regular keeper.
The likelihood is that, if they don't want to use one of these, they will get in someone from a leaver from another county on a short term contract.
kentonline.co.uk/canterbury/sport/kent-prospect-signs-for-somerset-44362/
I blame the bloody agent!
At least both sides have left the door open but I am somewhat surprised that he has said he will continue to play for Sandwich in the 2nd tier of Kent cricket!
http://www.espncricinfo.com/county-cricket-2015/content/story/859595.html
If Coles could step up to the mark as a true all rounder it wouldn't quite be so much of an issue but you couldn't with confidence bat him at 7 and a tail of Bates, Coles, Tredwell, Claydon and Thomas would be pretty woeful.
As a short term measure they might be able to lure Geraint Jones out of retirement although I'm not sure how that would fit with his duties as master in charge of cricket at Brentwood School.
Somerset have also signed Chris Rogers on a one year deal.
In any case Trescothick has kept for England so he can take the gloves if necessary - sure he can manage four days of keeping and batting!
and didn't he nearly win us a trophy with his batting in a limited overs final?