The State of Play
Popular Captain
By Grockle
November 10 2006
Now we seem to have got through the regional phase of the AGM round it is time to take stock. Until the main meeting in late December/early January some of the pieces are not in the big jigsaw but we know enough.
So what will "Somerset" look like in the 2007 season then? Big question and one we need a really good answer to. The support doesn't seem to be wavering but a samll county cannot sustain itself through poor season after poor season any more and we need a good shot of positives to get us back to the 'moving forward' agenda. We've been to the regional AGM's or we've read the reponses and so we can start to look at what the 'big picture' is beginning to take shape into.
Andy Hurry and Jason Kerr will be in charge of their respective groups with possibly more help from the likes of Jimmy Cook to fill in the gaps they feel they have. Brian Rose is the big man at the back, the cricket voice of the club and the man who gets the final 'buck' should it be passed. So the same people but not business as usual one would hope. New more dynamic work to enthuse and motivate seems to be the order of the winter. I personally was very impressed with Andy's honesty about the issues and his willingness to discuss and take comments made about those issues at the meetings. I have hopes...
The captaincy is not decided and won't be until after the Ashes at the earliest. The poll we have just completed clearly put the job in the hands of Ian Blackwell but the future of Justin Langer as a Somerset player/ coach/ mentor may be a deciding factor. Andy Caddick impressed with his no nonsense approach at the end of last season and although the job probably won't go his way he may look at the VC position as a possible. Cameron White will return as a member of the squad and be allowed to get on with the bashing of the ball which is what should happen.
The bowling has been looked at. No Johnno next year. The powers are looking to the Caddick/Willoughby partnership to be supplemented by Steffan Jones at the death, Mr Phillips' economy rate and the young raw Turner. We can't discount our own Gareth Andrew or 'Trigger' from the equation either although Rob Woodman may need to re-assert his position via the seconds.
Spinners coming out of our ears of course but no real distinct out and out slow man. Prospects for the return of Blackie to matchwinning ways with the ball. Mike Munday is still a 'prospect' and maybe 2007 is the time for him to become more than that and turn into a realistic 'option'. But where to put him?
And that brings us to the batting. Loadsa players, not so many positions. The place of Matt Wood, John Francis and Arul Suppiah in a regular side may cause a few quandries for selection. Especially if Marcus doesn't improve on his first innings in Australia against the President's XI and JL makes career changes after the Downunder tour. Where will Wes Durston look for a berth with the likes of Cameron White AND Ian Blackwell looking at the number 4 to 6 slots and given the end of season re-emergence of the Hildreth we know and love so much. We were slavering in the same way last year and the batting boys didn't come up with any of the goods we really expected so we hope to be spoiled for choice in what should be a very strong line-up for the next campaign. But will we be?
From one keeper to 3 is a bit of a jump. From one player leading to field to being the last in the list is something that I assume Carl Gazzard will be looking to address during the winter. The astonishing maturity of Sam Spurway when he took over the first team gloves must have been a shock to many. The important fighting runs he provided and the quality of his glovework didn't do him any harm either. Keiswetter (apologies if I've got it wrong, I'm trying to do it from memory at the moment) offers another level of run-making but I haven't seen him keep yet. Healthy competition from real keepers is a good thing.
It all looks good. But looks, as Somerset supporters know only too well can be deceiving. We won't be watching it in a gleaming new ground, things won't start changing before the middle of the season at best but those plans are going ahead and look exciting as well.
A new start and promise becoming reality?..ohh yes please. For once please let's see all this speculation in the cold dark days become something that accentuates the summer sun and makes us all glow inside as well as outside!!