Meanwhile the leading scorer in the CC has just hit tons in both innings and now has 729 runs to his name at an average of 81. Goes by the name of Sean Dickson.
Meanwhile the leading scorer in the CC has just hit tons in both innings and now has 729 runs to his name at an average of 81. Goes by the name of Sean Dickson.
Good chance of an England call-up seems to have scored a lot of runs since leaving Kent.. And he was doing okay for Kent as well...
Meanwhile the leading scorer in the CC has just hit tons in both innings and now has 729 runs to his name at an average of 81. Goes by the name of Sean Dickson.
Good chance of an England call-up seems to have scored a lot of runs since leaving Kent.. And he was doing okay for Kent as well...
He has done well at Durham this season but struggled prior to this and had a bit of a reputation of being a flat track bully with us - he scored double and triple tons on roads and those scores served to mask his overall effectiveness and serve to skew his average. We also know that tracks this season have been very favourable to batsmen but that's not to say that, at the age of 30, he hasn't improved and tightened up his technique.
what's the point of a fixture played on an absolute road?
Think that's been the case this season across the board. I can't help thinking that counties have, in previous seasons, been preparing wickets to suit their bowlers to get them positive results. Due to our inability to produce batsmen that can build big scores I can't help thinking that there has been a directive from the ECB, via their inspectors, to produce more bat friendly tracks to enable our prospective internationals to learn what it is like to build big scores - it's just that it has gone totally the other way.
I've mentioned in passing on the "Club Cricket" thread how difficult it can be for county cricketers to go back to play for clubs principally because the wickets aren't so good and how much more difficult it is to trust the bounce and pace to be consistent - Compton at the weekend played for the Vine and made 18 and the likes of Cox, Crawley etc have struggled for the same reason. There are usually less than 10 players in the KPL that reach 500 runs for the season - and they will have batted 15/16 times on average.
There are a couple more damning stats regarding wickets at club level and specifically on how influential the result becomes with runs on the board as a result of the pitch deteriorating the longer the game goes on:
Last season, in the Kent Premier League (50 over cricket) there were 28 occasions when the side batting first achieved 221 or more and that side went on to win 26 of them. In Div 1 there were 22 occasions when the team batting first reached 223 or more - and they won all 22 of them. So, using those stats, it's probably safe to say that currently a team batting first in the top two Divisions of Kent club cricket and reaching say 225 has a 95% plus chance of winning. At the weekend, in the KPL and Div 1 combined, teams batting first with scores of 141, 155, 182, 228, 232 and 265 won and sides with scores of 129, 138, 144 and 145 lost. A lot of the winning scores achieved in the last few seasons in the KPL are lower than the average winning scores in club T20s - presumably because there is a difference between red and white ball but also because the pitch has only been used for 20 overs before the second team comes in to bat and not 50.
So, what we are now seeing is the toss becoming a massive influencer on the game with teams usually electing to bat first, then trying to preserve as many wickets as possible in the first 30 overs and teeing off in the final 20. By comparison, in Australia you would probably have more than a one in three chance of chasing down 225 plus in Grade 1 cricket. Because the wickets and conditions are that much better for batting.
So, it's not at all levels at batsman's game but it has become so this season in County cricket.
To be fair Zak Crawley has been batting on some tricky pitches this season, judging by his scores...
I think Zak has to work out what batsman he wants to be. The fact is that he has a T20 average of 32.23 and a FC average of 30.46. If he wants to be a top Test batsman he has to stop applying what makes him such a good white ball batsman to the red ball game and value his wicket more. That is as much about decision making as it is technique - why try to play a brand new red cherry pitching on middle and off through mid wicket when the safer option is to play it down the ground for instance?
what's the point of a fixture played on an absolute road?
Think that's been the case this season across the board. I can't help thinking that counties have, in previous seasons, been preparing wickets to suit their bowlers to get them positive results. Due to our inability to produce batsmen that can build big scores I can't help thinking that there has been a directive from the ECB, via their inspectors, to produce more bat friendly tracks to enable our prospective internationals to learn what it is like to build big scores - it's just that it has gone totally the other way.
I've mentioned in passing on the "Club Cricket" thread how difficult it can be for county cricketers to go back to play for clubs principally because the wickets aren't so good and how much more difficult it is to trust the bounce and pace to be consistent - Compton at the weekend played for the Vine and made 18 and the likes of Cox, Crawley etc have struggled for the same reason. There are usually less than 10 players in the KPL that reach 500 runs for the season - and they will have batted 15/16 times on average.
There are a couple more damning stats regarding wickets at club level and specifically on how influential the result becomes with runs on the board as a result of the pitch deteriorating the longer the game goes on:
Last season, in the Kent Premier League (50 over cricket) there were 28 occasions when the side batting first achieved 221 or more and that side went on to win 26 of them. In Div 1 there were 22 occasions when the team batting first reached 223 or more - and they won all 22 of them. So, using those stats, it's probably safe to say that currently a team batting first in the top two Divisions of Kent club cricket and reaching say 225 has a 95% plus chance of winning. At the weekend, in the KPL and Div 1 combined, teams batting first with scores of 141, 155, 182, 228, 232 and 265 won and sides with scores of 129, 138, 144 and 145 lost. A lot of the winning scores achieved in the last few seasons in the KPL are lower than the average winning scores in club T20s - presumably because there is a difference between red and white ball but also because the pitch has only been used for 20 overs before the second team comes in to bat and not 50.
So, what we are now seeing is the toss becoming a massive influencer on the game with teams usually electing to bat first, then trying to preserve as many wickets as possible in the first 30 overs and teeing off in the final 20. By comparison, in Australia you would probably have more than a one in three chance of chasing down 225 plus in Grade 1 cricket. Because the wickets and conditions are that much better for batting.
So, it's not at all levels at batsman's game but it has become so this season in County cricket.
I was jokingly going to suggest that the batsmen-friendly pitches this season were part of the red-ball reset ... you know, look at all the great young batting talent coming through.
But you worry me now by saying that it is actually all part of the Grand Plan.
For God's sake. Our batting will only improve when our guys develop appropriate technique. Crawley is the prime example.
Compulsory Boycott DVDs is what we need. Not flat tracks.
what's the point of a fixture played on an absolute road?
Think that's been the case this season across the board. I can't help thinking that counties have, in previous seasons, been preparing wickets to suit their bowlers to get them positive results. Due to our inability to produce batsmen that can build big scores I can't help thinking that there has been a directive from the ECB, via their inspectors, to produce more bat friendly tracks to enable our prospective internationals to learn what it is like to build big scores - it's just that it has gone totally the other way.
I've mentioned in passing on the "Club Cricket" thread how difficult it can be for county cricketers to go back to play for clubs principally because the wickets aren't so good and how much more difficult it is to trust the bounce and pace to be consistent - Compton at the weekend played for the Vine and made 18 and the likes of Cox, Crawley etc have struggled for the same reason. There are usually less than 10 players in the KPL that reach 500 runs for the season - and they will have batted 15/16 times on average.
There are a couple more damning stats regarding wickets at club level and specifically on how influential the result becomes with runs on the board as a result of the pitch deteriorating the longer the game goes on:
Last season, in the Kent Premier League (50 over cricket) there were 28 occasions when the side batting first achieved 221 or more and that side went on to win 26 of them. In Div 1 there were 22 occasions when the team batting first reached 223 or more - and they won all 22 of them. So, using those stats, it's probably safe to say that currently a team batting first in the top two Divisions of Kent club cricket and reaching say 225 has a 95% plus chance of winning. At the weekend, in the KPL and Div 1 combined, teams batting first with scores of 141, 155, 182, 228, 232 and 265 won and sides with scores of 129, 138, 144 and 145 lost. A lot of the winning scores achieved in the last few seasons in the KPL are lower than the average winning scores in club T20s - presumably because there is a difference between red and white ball but also because the pitch has only been used for 20 overs before the second team comes in to bat and not 50.
So, what we are now seeing is the toss becoming a massive influencer on the game with teams usually electing to bat first, then trying to preserve as many wickets as possible in the first 30 overs and teeing off in the final 20. By comparison, in Australia you would probably have more than a one in three chance of chasing down 225 plus in Grade 1 cricket. Because the wickets and conditions are that much better for batting.
So, it's not at all levels at batsman's game but it has become so this season in County cricket.
I was jokingly going to suggest that the batsmen-friendly pitches this season were part of the red-ball reset ... you know, look at all the great young batting talent coming through.
But you worry me now by saying that it is actually all part of the Grand Plan.
For God's sake. Our batting will only improve when our guys develop appropriate technique. Crawley is the prime example.
Compulsory Boycott DVDs is what we need. Not flat tracks.
I think it is all part of the plan. But also in that plan is the fact that spinners such as Parkinson aren't having to wait 'til July to bowl long spells. Previously, Kent at this time of year haven't even bothered with a front line spinner and gone in with five seamers instead.
what's the point of a fixture played on an absolute road?
Think that's been the case this season across the board. I can't help thinking that counties have, in previous seasons, been preparing wickets to suit their bowlers to get them positive results. Due to our inability to produce batsmen that can build big scores I can't help thinking that there has been a directive from the ECB, via their inspectors, to produce more bat friendly tracks to enable our prospective internationals to learn what it is like to build big scores - it's just that it has gone totally the other way.
I've mentioned in passing on the "Club Cricket" thread how difficult it can be for county cricketers to go back to play for clubs principally because the wickets aren't so good and how much more difficult it is to trust the bounce and pace to be consistent - Compton at the weekend played for the Vine and made 18 and the likes of Cox, Crawley etc have struggled for the same reason. There are usually less than 10 players in the KPL that reach 500 runs for the season - and they will have batted 15/16 times on average.
There are a couple more damning stats regarding wickets at club level and specifically on how influential the result becomes with runs on the board as a result of the pitch deteriorating the longer the game goes on:
Last season, in the Kent Premier League (50 over cricket) there were 28 occasions when the side batting first achieved 221 or more and that side went on to win 26 of them. In Div 1 there were 22 occasions when the team batting first reached 223 or more - and they won all 22 of them. So, using those stats, it's probably safe to say that currently a team batting first in the top two Divisions of Kent club cricket and reaching say 225 has a 95% plus chance of winning. At the weekend, in the KPL and Div 1 combined, teams batting first with scores of 141, 155, 182, 228, 232 and 265 won and sides with scores of 129, 138, 144 and 145 lost. A lot of the winning scores achieved in the last few seasons in the KPL are lower than the average winning scores in club T20s - presumably because there is a difference between red and white ball but also because the pitch has only been used for 20 overs before the second team comes in to bat and not 50.
So, what we are now seeing is the toss becoming a massive influencer on the game with teams usually electing to bat first, then trying to preserve as many wickets as possible in the first 30 overs and teeing off in the final 20. By comparison, in Australia you would probably have more than a one in three chance of chasing down 225 plus in Grade 1 cricket. Because the wickets and conditions are that much better for batting.
So, it's not at all levels at batsman's game but it has become so this season in County cricket.
I was jokingly going to suggest that the batsmen-friendly pitches this season were part of the red-ball reset ... you know, look at all the great young batting talent coming through.
But you worry me now by saying that it is actually all part of the Grand Plan.
For God's sake. Our batting will only improve when our guys develop appropriate technique. Crawley is the prime example.
Compulsory Boycott DVDs is what we need. Not flat tracks.
I think it is all part of the plan. But also in that plan is the fact that spinners such as Parkinson aren't having to wait 'til July to bowl long spells. Previously, Kent at this time of year haven't even bothered with a front line spinner and gone in with five seamers instead.
I'm staggered.
So, the ECB thinks that our players will improve and be able to play long Test match innings because they have previously gorged themselves on easy wickets?
Do they really believe that the best way to prepare for cricket at the highest level is to make batting easier?
I can't wait for the First Test against New Zealand. Full of bright young things with a season's average of 60+ ... and out for 5 in the first 10 minutes.
what's the point of a fixture played on an absolute road?
Think that's been the case this season across the board. I can't help thinking that counties have, in previous seasons, been preparing wickets to suit their bowlers to get them positive results. Due to our inability to produce batsmen that can build big scores I can't help thinking that there has been a directive from the ECB, via their inspectors, to produce more bat friendly tracks to enable our prospective internationals to learn what it is like to build big scores - it's just that it has gone totally the other way.
I've mentioned in passing on the "Club Cricket" thread how difficult it can be for county cricketers to go back to play for clubs principally because the wickets aren't so good and how much more difficult it is to trust the bounce and pace to be consistent - Compton at the weekend played for the Vine and made 18 and the likes of Cox, Crawley etc have struggled for the same reason. There are usually less than 10 players in the KPL that reach 500 runs for the season - and they will have batted 15/16 times on average.
There are a couple more damning stats regarding wickets at club level and specifically on how influential the result becomes with runs on the board as a result of the pitch deteriorating the longer the game goes on:
Last season, in the Kent Premier League (50 over cricket) there were 28 occasions when the side batting first achieved 221 or more and that side went on to win 26 of them. In Div 1 there were 22 occasions when the team batting first reached 223 or more - and they won all 22 of them. So, using those stats, it's probably safe to say that currently a team batting first in the top two Divisions of Kent club cricket and reaching say 225 has a 95% plus chance of winning. At the weekend, in the KPL and Div 1 combined, teams batting first with scores of 141, 155, 182, 228, 232 and 265 won and sides with scores of 129, 138, 144 and 145 lost. A lot of the winning scores achieved in the last few seasons in the KPL are lower than the average winning scores in club T20s - presumably because there is a difference between red and white ball but also because the pitch has only been used for 20 overs before the second team comes in to bat and not 50.
So, what we are now seeing is the toss becoming a massive influencer on the game with teams usually electing to bat first, then trying to preserve as many wickets as possible in the first 30 overs and teeing off in the final 20. By comparison, in Australia you would probably have more than a one in three chance of chasing down 225 plus in Grade 1 cricket. Because the wickets and conditions are that much better for batting.
So, it's not at all levels at batsman's game but it has become so this season in County cricket.
I was jokingly going to suggest that the batsmen-friendly pitches this season were part of the red-ball reset ... you know, look at all the great young batting talent coming through.
But you worry me now by saying that it is actually all part of the Grand Plan.
For God's sake. Our batting will only improve when our guys develop appropriate technique. Crawley is the prime example.
Compulsory Boycott DVDs is what we need. Not flat tracks.
I think it is all part of the plan. But also in that plan is the fact that spinners such as Parkinson aren't having to wait 'til July to bowl long spells. Previously, Kent at this time of year haven't even bothered with a front line spinner and gone in with five seamers instead.
I'm staggered.
So, the ECB thinks that our players will improve and be able to play long Test match innings because they have previously gorged themselves on easy wickets?
Do they really believe that the best way to prepare for cricket at the highest level is to make batting easier?
I can't wait for the First Test against New Zealand. Full of bright young things with a season's average of 60+ ... and out for 5 in the first 10 minutes.
The other thing that they are trying to encourage is the re-introduction of international class quicks because, without those playing, then teams will readily score 500 plus and it won't prepare them for Test cricket. There won't be anything like as many as there were in the 70s and 80s because of the international schedule but with Jimmy Anderson, Stuart Broad, Peter Siddle, Haris Rauf, Mohammad Abbas, Hassan Ali, Saqib Mahmood, Ollie Robinson, Kyle Abbot, Dan Worrall, Kemar Roche etc is a start - but that isn't enough. It is, however, the reason why counties such as Kent have struggled so much - they don't have anyone with real pace (even Jackson Bird isn't quick and he's left anyway).
Flat tracks do encourage counties to invest in genuine pace, and attacking spin, rather than wibbly wobbly seamers, which must be beneficial for England
Flat tracks do encourage counties to invest in genuine pace, and attacking spin, rather than wibbly wobbly seamers, which must be beneficial for England
That is very true - how many games have we witnessed in recent seasons that have finished well inside three days and in some cases inside two? We can't have it both ways. Interestingly, 17 counties have picked up between 9 and 13 bowling bonus points with the one that hasn't earning just 4 points. No guessing as to which county that is but, as I've already said, that is because they are reliant on seam friendly conditions to succeed rather than raw pace.
Flat tracks do encourage counties to invest in genuine pace, and attacking spin, rather than wibbly wobbly seamers, which must be beneficial for England
Our Test squad is in disarray ... but, if you could only fix one thing, it would be the batting.
We have to create a situation that encourages batsmen to develop their technique where they can bat for long periods in all kinds of conditions.
Sadly, there are two reasons why this will not happen:
1) The short form of the game, which encourages the opposite
2) Test cricket is dead. The modern audience doesn't want to watch a slow, painful, skilful knock of 120 in a day .... they want 50 in 32 balls. Only the cricket buffs and the corporate freeloaders want Test cricket
So the game against Surrey starts tomorrow and a squad of 13 has been announced with Denly available for selection. The question is who are the two that are going to be left out - one will be one of the quicks but, as for the other, only Walks knows!!!
History repeating itself for Sam Billings - scored less than a hundred in the IPL and played just one game in the last four and a half weeks. He won't be back in time for these next two CC matches but will be here for most of the Blast and the couple of CC games before that other comp starts and he goes AWOL during the Royal London.
I'm not one who particularly bemoans his absence (or blames him for making the most of his career) because I don't actually think he's that good a player - he's a player of great and inventive shots but an average of 24 and strike rate of 131 from 207 games in franchise T20 and an average of 17 at 130 from 33 innings T20 internationals really does not jump off the page. It is what he brings as a captain and keeper that is his strength but his return is likely to, potentially, in the case of Cox and definitely, in the case of Robinson, restrict their respective opportunities be it where they bat or even whether they play or not in the first place.
History repeating itself for Sam Billings - scored less than a hundred in the IPL and played just one game in the last four and a half weeks. He won't be back in time for these next two CC matches but will be here for most of the Blast and the couple of CC games before that other comp starts and he goes AWOL during the Royal London.
I'm not one who particularly bemoans his absence (or blames him for making the most of his career) because I don't actually think he's that good a player - he's a player of great and inventive shots but an average of 24 and strike rate of 131 from 207 games in franchise T20 and an average of 17 at 130 from 33 innings T20 internationals really does not jump off the page. It is what he brings as a captain and keeper that is his strength but his return is likely to, potentially, in the case of Cox and definitely, in the case of Robinson, restrict their respective opportunities be it where they bat or even whether they play or not in the first place.
He's definitely a good captain. If he had been with us in April, I'm sure we would have done better
Do you go in with 2x seamers , Stevens and Linde plus Denly ? Or do you leave a batter out ?
Beckenham is usually a road ….. could be a lot of overs to bowl if you leave out a bowler
Even with the part timers such as DBD, Denly and Leaning in the side, I really don't see how we can go in with just four front line bowlers especially if Stevens is one of them because as you say Beckenham is, as flat as a pancake, we've already had both Bird and Stewart breaking down in matches. Imagine if that happened to one of our two other seamers - poor Stevens would end up being bowled to death and at the age of 46 that might not be too far off if that were the case!
I think we have to leave out a batsman - on form that should be Crawley but that isn't going to happen. It won't be Leaning as he's captain, or Compton or Cox because of their weight of runs. That leaves Robinson which would be incredibly tough given his two innings in the last game saved the draw, Denly (because he might not actually be that bothered and Walks could argue that he wanted to give the others another chance to prove themselves) or DBD (because he may have been told that he is a white ball player who will be used in the CC when necessary). But it is a real conundrum!
If Robinson does not play it mean Cox will keep and I bet he has not done that for a while. I doubt Harry Podmore will play as he has not played a 4 day game for a while. All though I think he is a good bowler
Comments
We've scored exactly 3,000 runs but for the loss of 77 wickets or the equivalent of an average of 390 all out per innings.
So, an average of 289 runs per innings difference. That is massive and little wonder that we are struggling to win games.
https://www.kentcricket.co.uk/grounds/the-county-ground/
I've mentioned in passing on the "Club Cricket" thread how difficult it can be for county cricketers to go back to play for clubs principally because the wickets aren't so good and how much more difficult it is to trust the bounce and pace to be consistent - Compton at the weekend played for the Vine and made 18 and the likes of Cox, Crawley etc have struggled for the same reason. There are usually less than 10 players in the KPL that reach 500 runs for the season - and they will have batted 15/16 times on average.
There are a couple more damning stats regarding wickets at club level and specifically on how influential the result becomes with runs on the board as a result of the pitch deteriorating the longer the game goes on:
Last season, in the Kent Premier League (50 over cricket) there were 28 occasions when the side batting first achieved 221 or more and that side went on to win 26 of them. In Div 1 there were 22 occasions when the team batting first reached 223 or more - and they won all 22 of them. So, using those stats, it's probably safe to say that currently a team batting first in the top two Divisions of Kent club cricket and reaching say 225 has a 95% plus chance of winning. At the weekend, in the KPL and Div 1 combined, teams batting first with scores of 141, 155, 182, 228, 232 and 265 won and sides with scores of 129, 138, 144 and 145 lost. A lot of the winning scores achieved in the last few seasons in the KPL are lower than the average winning scores in club T20s - presumably because there is a difference between red and white ball but also because the pitch has only been used for 20 overs before the second team comes in to bat and not 50.
So, what we are now seeing is the toss becoming a massive influencer on the game with teams usually electing to bat first, then trying to preserve as many wickets as possible in the first 30 overs and teeing off in the final 20. By comparison, in Australia you would probably have more than a one in three chance of chasing down 225 plus in Grade 1 cricket. Because the wickets and conditions are that much better for batting.
So, it's not at all levels at batsman's game but it has become so this season in County cricket.
https://www.kentonline.co.uk/maidstone/news/ex-cricketer-denies-sexual-assault-charge-266887/?fbclid=IwAR2rDSmLsG1CmqGigSgrQajwA3984tYKauTGPvQacbXH5bQU8blr9R2nyso
But you worry me now by saying that it is actually all part of the Grand Plan.
For God's sake. Our batting will only improve when our guys develop appropriate technique. Crawley is the prime example.
Compulsory Boycott DVDs is what we need. Not flat tracks.
So, the ECB thinks that our players will improve and be able to play long Test match innings because they have previously gorged themselves on easy wickets?
Do they really believe that the best way to prepare for cricket at the highest level is to make batting easier?
I can't wait for the First Test against New Zealand. Full of bright young things with a season's average of 60+ ... and out for 5 in the first 10 minutes.
We have to create a situation that encourages batsmen to develop their technique where they can bat for long periods in all kinds of conditions.
Sadly, there are two reasons why this will not happen:
1) The short form of the game, which encourages the opposite
2) Test cricket is dead. The modern audience doesn't want to watch a slow, painful, skilful knock of 120 in a day .... they want 50 in 32 balls. Only the cricket buffs and the corporate freeloaders want Test cricket
I'm not one who particularly bemoans his absence (or blames him for making the most of his career) because I don't actually think he's that good a player - he's a player of great and inventive shots but an average of 24 and strike rate of 131 from 207 games in franchise T20 and an average of 17 at 130 from 33 innings T20 internationals really does not jump off the page. It is what he brings as a captain and keeper that is his strength but his return is likely to, potentially, in the case of Cox and definitely, in the case of Robinson, restrict their respective opportunities be it where they bat or even whether they play or not in the first place.
Do you go in with 2x seamers , Stevens and Linde plus Denly ? Or do you leave a batter out ?
I think we have to leave out a batsman - on form that should be Crawley but that isn't going to happen. It won't be Leaning as he's captain, or Compton or Cox because of their weight of runs. That leaves Robinson which would be incredibly tough given his two innings in the last game saved the draw, Denly (because he might not actually be that bothered and Walks could argue that he wanted to give the others another chance to prove themselves) or DBD (because he may have been told that he is a white ball player who will be used in the CC when necessary). But it is a real conundrum!