In the Eating

By Grockle
January 12 2006

So we now know who our international contingent will be..both Aussies, both young, both spinners AND we get an extra..another Kolpak pace man. Cullen, White and Willoughby...enough pace or spin to win. The proof of the puddiing will be in the eating!

The make-up of the squad is complete with the announcement of Dan Cullen, Cameron White and Charl Willoughby as our last three pieces of the Somerset 2006 jigsaw.  We asked for bowlers instead of more batsmen (however good they may be) and we got them.  We were told no Kolpak's unless we couldn't find anything we needed elsewhere and we have a Kolpak.  We suggested our problems were in the depth of our pace attack and we have a paceman (who we predicted was going to sign a month ago) and two spinners.  Are we happy or are we worried?

I personally am a little unsure.  Two young Australian prospects do whet the appetite and especially a 'leggie' (White) but he is being touted as the 'Somerset allrounder' already.  One international wicket and an average of 29.27 does not an established allrounder make.  An attacking spinner is something we could do with, but he is described as 'nagging'.  Well he could be a good foil for pace at the other end.  The number six spot is the one being fought for and he has some batting although I assume he will want to improve his average.  'No nonsense' style sounds interesting.  He seems a good bet.

Willoughby is 'yer safe bet' signing and one we announced some weeks ago now.  A good solid 40 wicket man....and a lefty which is an added bonus.  He is what we wanted.  Bit of experience, track record with an English county (Leicestershire), bit of international experience and the capability to have the odd big game.  Like the idea.  Not sure about the Kolpak aspect or the three year contract but he'll be useful next year.

Cullen is well thought of in the land down under and has predictions of a glorious future ahead.  But what do we need him for?  Is he here for experience?  He has some promise but we have some of our own.  I hope he does well but I hope he is also expected to earn his place by paying his dues with his fellow spinners (Blackwell, Suppiah, Munday and Durston) before he moves up to the first team.

So where does that leave us?  I think a paceman short.  But I am willing to expect improvement from the men we have and that may be the difference.  The first Championship team will look something like this at the start of the season (leaving the Trescothick card out of the mix for the moment).

Wood, Francis J, Suppiah, Blackwell, Hildreth, White, Trego, Gazzard, Johnson, Willoughby, Caddick

It looks interesting.  A front end that promises with Arul probably having to wait to make his name if Banger pops home, but also having to do that with the bat primarily.  A really exciting middle order who could make hay in the right conditions and an established and experienced pace attack which is formidable....while it stays fit.

No starting place for Wes Durston, Keith Parsons, Rob Woodman, Simon Francis, Gareth Andrew or Dan Cullen but performances, and injuries I am sure, may change that dramatically.

Richard Johnson has a difficult benefit year because we need him fit as much as possible.  The winters of a number of players may well determine their future at the club because we may be light in the area of established pace reputations, but we are not light in the area of 'pace bowlers'.

Gareth Andrew and Simon Francis will be waiting to pounce on the opportunity in the one dayers or if injury occurs.  But are they up to filling the shoes?

And if we lose batsmen?  Well Neil Edwards and Keith Parsons will be looking for that opening.