The New World as we know it;
Boss on the pitch and off
By Grockle et al
September 26 2012
Somerset end a more satisfying season than some expected but go into the winter of 2012 with a number of question marks hanging over the future position of a number of players... oooh exciting isn't it?
So we end the 2012 season with a semi final berth in the T20, not a lot in CB40 (though we didn't miss out by all that much after an appalling start) and a second place in the Championship with a side of walking wounded and newbies. Most people will look back with a feeling of accomplishment in some areas and the same old frustrations in others with our ability to finish off games and the long term inconsistency of some of our star players. especially when in the spotlilght.
Brian Rose has relinquished the overseer role for a more 'hands off' approach and has given the helm over, for the time being, to Guy Lavender one would assume. The powers seem in no hurry to replace BR because the man for THAT job needs to be carefully chosen and it should not be rushed, even though the timing of the announcement suggested that there might be someone already on the cards.
Marcus Trescothick will be putting his feet up for a while recovering from 'remedial' surgery on his ongoing ankle problem. He'll be discussing England's World Cup T20 ttrials and tribulations as part of the SKY team before resuming his role as the best English opening batsmen in the game. Whether he'll be holding the skipper's reins during 2013 depends on your view of speculation that he will also be part of the change at Taunton. Nothing has come from the clubhouse but a lot has been said on the forums about the role and who should take it... IF it is to be taken of course.
Pete Trego, our "Player of the Year" in waiting will take his PCA MPV award with him to New Zealand after a season keeping our side in many games through Herculean efforts with the ball that netted him 50 first class wickets and a new level of respect from opposition batsmen across the land. His batting was none too shabby either. Shame it only got him some Kiwi winter cricket - many following Somerset would like it to have been more. Is he a possible next or future captain? Some say 'yes' others are not so sure... you'd struggle to find a player with more heart in a crisis.
Nick Compton will be joining up with his England comrades as part of the new look test batting line-up. He'll be popping off to India, passing his team mates; Jos Buttler and Craig Kieswetter on their way back from the World T20 in Sri Lanka. The relative fortunes of the trio will have a major influence on our batting line-up in 2013. Will we see batsmen joining the squad or will it give Alex Barrow and Lewis Gregory the opportunity to settle into first class berths with their batting credentials? What would the absence of both our recognised keepers mean to the side? Will Steve Snell become more than just the odd game fill in option? Will we see the purchase of a Wicketkeeper of the Rob Turner variety? A keeper who bats rather than a batsman who keeps a bit.
Is Saj Mahmoud destined for another season or more at Taunton? Will his loan period become a more permanent arrangement now that Lancashire have said goodbye? With the possibility that Alfonso Thomas will be here from the start of the 2013 campaign do we need another oldish seamer? Well Steve Kirby is no spring chicken any more but with the Overton twins, Craig Meschede and Gemaal Hussain do we need another medium fast man. Pete is now a significant seam bowler and Lewis has yet to decide were his prowess in the longer format lies, bat or ball?
The other question hangs over Adam Dibble's future as a bowler after nearly a whole season without a ball in anger. Will he return from this injury and will he be any use to Somerset if he does.
On to Abdur Rehman. Can't say I was particularly interested in his arrival after all the problems of the T20 internationals. Within about 10 minutes of watching him bowl I personally wanted us to sign him for as long as he would come!! His end of the year performances re-kindled the desire for a wicket taking slow man that Murali Kartik had managed to waft into life and then destroy with his antics during the Surrey game here. "God" to "Sod" in 15 minutes!! The Pakistani bowler contributed far more thank could have been reasonably expected and many hope to see him return next year to partner George Dockrell at least in the first half of the season (International duty may remove him from consideration in the second half). Has that finally taken away an hope of seeing Max Waller regularly in a Somerset shirt? Probably, though it doesn't necessarily open doors elsewhere for him and that is a shame. What of Arul Suppiah? What is his role in the 2013 setup? His form with the bat was difficult to pin down but did not seem wonderful, though there were flashes of sublime technique. Will he still be Marcus's first choice turn to as opening partner? Chris Jones will still be in university next year until the second half of the season and no-one else this year who was tried did any better significantly.
Finally but certainly no because it is any less important. What place does James Hildreth have in all this? As the turn to captain when Banger was sidelined we all thought his future was pretty much assured but his return to the ranks and the captaincy of Alfonso then put the succesion in doubt. Looking at the man's statistics for the year they look good but there is something about the season that makes one feel uneasy to call his season 'good'. Hopes that Nick might be following him into the England batting line-up - so clear and expected this time two years ago - have been dashed. James is now way off the pace after being the next expected debutant in the summer of 2011. If his inconsistency has put paid to international aspirations then what is in store for the batsman if he also does not desire a county captaincy? He is the wild card in all this speculation and discussion. With Compo hopefully out of the equation and with the absence of both the keepers in the batting line-up, James IS the middle order. Can we rely on that?
So much stuff, so few answers and so little to go on. It will definitely be an interesting if somewhat unsettling winter.
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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2012:10:11:07:19:46 by Grockle.
I think we need re-inforcements in light of the injury records of some players and the potential international commitments of others.
One big problem is that most commentators would say that there exists a sizeable gulf between Div One and Div Two with the result that most of the better players in the country are already concentrated in Div One and some of those to whom that does not apply (e.g. Harris, Brooks) are or will be moving up for next season.
If there aren't many players worth having from Div Two counties and there isn't much movement between players amongst Div One counties then that leaves potential candidates for new recruits pretty thin on the ground.
Of course, that means that many other Div One counties will also struggle to recruit new faces and we are by no means the only Div One county in need of new faces. Notts, for example, tried hard for James Harris and understandbly so because they must be desperate for a long-term replacement for Andre Adams, who has carried their attack.
A tough winter, IMO, for whoever it is at SCCC that is in charge of this now.
Who knows even Mr G Hussain may get it right next year
Any takers?
Somerset County Cricket Club – Director of Cricket
Somerset County Cricket Club is one of the most consistent and successful professional teams in the country with a worldwide profile. Success on the pitch has been matched off it, with the Club being profitable in 20 out of the last 21 years, including achieving the third highest profit in the game in 2011. With a superb ground, ongoing development plans and an extremely talented playing squad, prospects look excellent for 2013 and beyond.
The new Director of Cricket will lead the cricketing affairs of the Club, setting the overarching strategy as well as directing the delivery of First Team cricket in partnership with the Head Coach and supporting staff. This is not just a strategic role but one that requires hands-on involvement in the coaching, mentoring and development of individual players and the team more broadly. Whilst the achievement of First Team success will be the Director of Cricket’s core priority, they will also be responsible for the continued developing of an outstanding Academy and player pathway.
The successful candidate will be a well-established coach at first-class or international level and this will have been preceded by an excellent playing career, preferably at international level. You will need to be an exceptional leader and motivator with the capacity and breadth to span a wide range of responsibilities. In addition, you will need to display the highest standards of written and verbal communication skills.
Somerset is a Club with a unique and proud history. We have ambitious plans to develop the Club both on and off the field and the Director of Cricket’s role is an outstanding opportunity to build on the Club’s success and enviable reputation as one of the best sides in England and Wales. This is a senior role and an attractive salary and bonus package will be available for the right candidate.
If you would like to apply, please send a CV and covering note to recruitment@somersetcountycc.co.uk or if you’d prefer an initial conversation, please call our retained adviser, Peter Tucker of Novo Executive Search and Selection, on +44 7970 520956.
I'm also not sure that there is a sound reason why it should be 'preferable,' for us to find a former international player to take this role?
This is the Recreational Cricket Board Job.
Andy Fairbairn is the new man replacing John Willford who threw in the towel rather quickly.
Btw...I had not realised that we had made a profit in all but one of the past 21 years. Knew we'd done well in recent years but had thought we'd been a bit hard up prior to that.
Edit - I wish I could have edited those $ signs into £ signs that would have been fun.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2012:09:26:21:16:10 by Mike TA1.
