County Championship 2018 & 2019 Thread

by jimbohammers Sat 17 Mar 2018, 12:11 pm

Not long until the new season starts so i thought it's time for me to get the thread up.

As always....

Who are your picks for the title?
Who is going down?
Surprise team?
Most runs?
Most wickets?
One to watch?

Discuss here...

by guildfordbat Sat 17 Mar 2018, 7:33 pm

Thanks for the thread, Jimbo.

I'll give your questions some thought ... before getting everything wrong. Smile

by jimbohammers Thu 22 Mar 2018, 10:20 am

Hope you're well Guildford.

Ill go first with the dreaded predictions:

Who are your picks for the title? Lancashire
Who is going down? Somerset and Hampshire
Surprise team? Worcestershire (for staying up!)
Most runs? Keaton Jennings
Most wickets? Graham Onions
One to watch? Jordan Clark (Lancs)

Have high hopes for my team....

by jimbohammers Wed 04 Apr 2018, 2:35 pm

Div 2:

Who are your picks for the title? Middlesex
Surprise team? Gloucestershire
Most runs? Nick Gubbins
Most wickets? Liam Norwell
One to watch? Tom Helm

by guildfordbat Thu 05 Apr 2018, 12:38 am

Hi Jimbo,

Been meaning to give you a reply for ages. I still haven't properly looked at signings for the new season but here goes with a few punts:
Div One title - Yorks with Lancs on their heels.
For the drop - Worcs and Surrey.
Surprise - Surrey as above - they don't have much strength in depth or experience and could be playing catch up with Roy and T Curran at the IPL for the first 4 CC matches; Marsh was never a replacement for Sanga but even he's crocked now and could be out for the season; a lot depending on whether Morkel signs, been rumours for ages but still no announcement.
Runs - Ballance and Westley. Regardless of issues at Test level, they both know the county game.
Wickets - Brooks if he can keep fit; and Bess, particularly if he gets more opportunity which he definitely will if Leach stays with England.
One to watch - Bess may score runs too!

Div Two title - Middlesex and if they play to their capability, it should be by some way.
Surprise - Sussex, under Gillespie's guidance could be pushing for promotion.
Runs - Trott, still too good for this level.
Wickets - Jeetan Patel, as for Trott.
Ones to watch - Salter at Glamorgan, he caught my eye about 3 years ago and immediately fell away but did a bit better last season and might just do something more now after a winter in New Zealand including some coaching from Jeetan Patel; Podmore, moved from Middlesex to Kent for first team opportunities and might reward his new county, some good performances at second eleven level but too many were blocking his way at Lord's; and a real left field choice, Mike Burgess at Sussex.

by jimbohammers Wed 11 Apr 2018, 10:59 am

Shows how much confidence we have in our own teams, Guildford Laugh

backing them both to be relegated! Im guessing you're a bit more confident now with the signing of Morkel!

Interesting shout with Bess. He has done well recently, can't remember if it was the north/south series or the lions (my mind has gone blank!)

by guildfordbat Wed 11 Apr 2018, 1:58 pm

Hi Jimbo - yes, you're not a proper cricket supporter unless you're pessimistic about your own team's chances! Wink

It's taken for ages to get Morkel's signing confirmed but, now we have, it's a very big plus. I have no doubts about his ability to perform well in the county game - my only possible issue is his fitness, you don't get many wickets from the physio's couch!

I also forget the details of Bess' overseas performances. Think he did particularly well in the NvS series and ok for the Lions (? outbowling Leach there).

Btw, my wildcard Burgess scored an undefeated 50 yesterday in the 2 day friendly against Surrey. Kiss of death for the poor lad!

by jimbohammers Thu 12 Apr 2018, 11:56 am

Can't say i have heard of your wildcard 'Burgess', Guildford. But i will keep an eye out now!

First round of fixtures:

Div 1:

Hampshire vs Worcestershire
Lancashire vs Nottinghamshire
Yorkshire vs Essex

Div 2:

Kent vs Gloucestershire
Middlesex vs Northants
Warwickshire vs Sussex

by **LondonTiger** Fri 13 Apr 2018, 7:12 am

Title - Somerset D1, Middlesex D2
Surprise Team - Somerset
Runs - Ballance
Wickets Bess
Relegated- Yorkshire, Hampshire
One to watch - Harry Brook

by Gooseberry Fri 13 Apr 2018, 7:59 am

...and its raining.

"Summer"

Title - Surrey, Warickshire
Surprise Team - Leicestershire taking 20 wickets once in the season sparking wild celebrations and another statue
Runs - Ballance
Wickets - Morkel
Relegated- Notts, Hamps
One to watch - Aneurin Donald

Im fancying Surrey for the title because they have a bowling heavy result orientated team. Avoiding draws is the real key to the title, and whilst they hmay suffer a bit from England call ups and have some holes in their batting line up for me they have the strongets bowling line up in a pretty weak looking D1.

Overall there looks to be a lot of opportunities for young players to step up this season with a large number of old hands retiring, not the usual volume and standard of overseas signings weve seen in recent years, and a number of England players quitting red ball cricket.
England call ups could play a big part in how the season pans out too. To me D1 is showing a decline in quality, and D2 has been oalmost irrelevant for a number of years when it comes to devleoping test class players. Sooner or later there needs ot be a shake up and rationalisation of the counties.

by guildfordbat Fri 13 Apr 2018, 8:40 am

LondonTiger wrote:Title - Somerset D1, Middlesex D2
Surprise Team - Somerset
Runs - Ballance
Wickets Bess
Relegated- Yorkshire, Hampshire
One to watch - Harry Brook

Tiger - is it just natural pessimism for your own county that leads you to tipping Yorks for the drop or are there other reasons?

Have to say that I'm feeling a lot more upbeat about Surrey's chances following this week's signings of Morkel and Elgar.

by **Good Golly I'm Olly** Fri 13 Apr 2018, 9:00 am

Who are your picks for the title? - Lancashire
Who is going down? - Worcestershire and Hampshire
Surprise team? - Leicestershire - fancy them to do well
Most runs? - Liam Livingstone
Most wickets? - Saqib Mahmood
One to watch? - Joe Clarke. Think this will be the season he officially "arrives"

by **LondonTiger** Fri 13 Apr 2018, 9:26 am

guildfordbat wrote:
LondonTiger wrote:Title - Somerset D1, Middlesex D2
Surprise Team - Somerset
Runs - Ballance
Wickets Bess
Relegated- Yorkshire, Hampshire
One to watch - Harry Brook

Tiger - is it just natural pessimism for your own county that leads you to tipping Yorks for the drop or are there other reasons?

Have to say that I'm feeling a lot more upbeat about Surrey's chances following this week's signings of Morkel and Elgar.

Some of it is pessimism, though supported by history.

The batting issues of the last few seasons do not seem to have been resolved. Yet again I can see us being 3 down for very little on a regular basis. We will be far too dependent on runs from the skipper.

We have survived in the past due to the bowling and lower order runs. However the absence of Rashid will hurt, while currently we have Willey and Plunkett in IPL and Coad, Patterson and Fisher injured. Bresnan, Brooks and Patterson are all past their prime.

Finally we start the season with two matches at home, a threadbare attack and an opposition able to insert us in friendly bowling conditions without a toss. It could get ugly.

by **Mat** Fri 13 Apr 2018, 10:44 am

Title - Lancs
Surprise Team - Worcs
Runs - Ballance - Although outside chance Moeen if his England appearances reduce
Wickets - Morkel
Relegated - Somerset, Notts
One to watch - Josh Tongue

by jimbohammers Fri 13 Apr 2018, 12:29 pm

50 up for Vince off 49 balls.
Good recovery after being 5-1.

Only other game in play and Middlesex are 54-3 vs Northants

by Duty281 Fri 13 Apr 2018, 1:57 pm

Title - Lancashire
Relegated - Somerset and Worcestershire

Middlesex should do the business in the second tier.

Anyway, a fairly miserable day to start the season.

by Jetty Sat 14 Apr 2018, 1:34 am

Title - Surrey
Surprise Team - 2nd Worcs
Runs - Elgar
Wickets J Leach Worcs
Relegated - Yorks, Lancs
One to watch - Bess

by guildfordbat Sat 14 Apr 2018, 7:49 am

Hi Jetty - Elgar is only with Surrey for the first part of the season (something like 7 CC matches) - so he'll really have to go some to be top run scorer! Good signing though.

by guildfordbat Sat 14 Apr 2018, 8:20 am

jimbohammers wrote:50 up for Vince off 49 balls.
Good recovery after being 5-1.

Only other game in play and Middlesex are 54-3 vs Northants

Hi Jimbo - by the close, a good first day of the season for Hants for a couple of reasons.

Firstly, I reckon Hants will be the happier of the 2 sides. Worcs elected to bowl in what I assume were typical April conditions doing no favours for the batting side. To end up with 290 therefore seems a useful score - around par or even a bit better. Very handy last wicket partnership of 48 - the second highest of Hants' innings - between Berg (finishing up with 75 not out) and Edwards (just 1 run but he kept the Ice Man company for almost 10 overs). Worcs then ended the day on 40/2, that's probably one more wicket lost than the visitors would have been comfortable with.

Secondly, no play at all in the two other matches in Division One. That obviously increases the chances of those games being drawn (not many captains are prepared to take a gamble in the opening round). If your boys can capitalise on their current position against Worcs, you could by Monday evening have some breathing space over the other Div One counties as well as, of course, leading the table.

by guildfordbat Sat 14 Apr 2018, 8:34 am

Mat wrote:Title - Lancs
Surprise Team - Worcs
Runs - Ballance - Although outside chance Moeen if his England appearances reduce
Wickets - Morkel
Relegated - Somerset, Notts
One to watch - Josh Tongue

Mat - following your post, just to flag that going into day two of the new season Worcs lead the Division One table! 3 points to Hants' 2 with no play and so no points in the two other matches. Very Happy

by Jetty Sat 14 Apr 2018, 1:07 pm

guildfordbat wrote:Hi Jetty - Elgar is only with Surrey for the first part of the season (something like 7 CC matches) - so he'll really have to go some to be top run scorer! Good signing though.

by JDizzle Sat 14 Apr 2018, 1:15 pm

Title - Essex and Middlesex
Runs - Keaton Jennings
Wickets - Darren Stevens
Relegated- Worcs and Notts
Ones to watch - Ed Barnard, Saqib Mahmood and Zak Crawley

by guildfordbat Sat 14 Apr 2018, 7:47 pm

Hi again Jimbo - Hants should still be the happier side in their match against Worcs. However, I can understand it if you're a bit anxious and even more annoyed about Amla being run out shortly before the close.

Hants lead by 242 with 2 wickets left in a pretty low scoring match, 290 being the highest innings score from Hants first dig. Another 50 runs would be brilliant for Hants but 30 is probably a more realistic aim. In any case, I still go for a Hants win ....

by guildfordbat Sat 14 Apr 2018, 8:07 pm

JDizzle wrote:Title - Essex and Middlesex
Runs - Keaton Jennings
Wickets - Darren Stevens
Relegated- Worcs and Notts
Ones to watch - Ed Barnard, Saqib Mahmood and Zak Crawley

Hi JD - Kent's new signing and my one to watch Harry Podmore had a more than respectable brief spell against Gloucs today with a return of 3/2/6/1. However, that was put in the shade by old hand Darren Stevens with 10/4/19/3. Smile

by JDizzle Sat 14 Apr 2018, 8:21 pm

There are definitely questions to be asked about County Cricket in April (and CC in general!) when a 41 year old Darren Stevens can return those figures but you can't knock the bloke - relentless consistency!

One of my ones to watch, Zak Crawley, top scored for Kent too. Admittedly it was only with 15! Not seen him bat, but Rob Key tips him for the top so I expect big things!

by guildfordbat Sat 14 Apr 2018, 9:09 pm

JD,

100% about County Cricket and Stevens.

I don't know Crawley at all but we both know and rate Key's judgement - I'll look out for him.

by Corporalhumblebucket Sun 15 Apr 2018, 11:58 am

Bit late on the draw but I would back Lancs for title. I think Surrey will be in the mix for relegation because of inability to bowl sides out twice, but with this season their batting at best average.

by guildfordbat Sun 15 Apr 2018, 12:57 pm

First 4 Warks wickets taken by Sussex's Olly Stone. He was one of Olly's ones to watch a year or two back.

Meanwhile, things going very well for Jimbo and Hants ....

by Duty281 Sun 15 Apr 2018, 3:32 pm

Kent currently 10/3 to beat Gloucestershire. Seems generous.

Gloucestershire only need 108, but it's very tough to bat on.

by guildfordbat Sun 15 Apr 2018, 4:41 pm

Duty281 wrote:Kent currently 10/3 to beat Gloucestershire. Seems generous.

Gloucestershire only need 108, but it's very tough to bat on.

Hi Duty - not for me to advise a wise hand like you on betting but I would look at the odds being offered for a Gloucs win or, more likely, keep my money in my pocket. Gloucs can go slowly-slowly to try and carefully reach their target or, if they lose, say, 3 wickets early on, they have the option to change their approach and could choose to throw the bat. Even if they lose a few more wickets in doing so, a blitz for 5 or 6 overs would get them a fair way there.

by **Good Golly I'm Olly** Sun 15 Apr 2018, 5:14 pm

guildfordbat wrote:First 4 Warks wickets taken by Sussex's Olly Stone. He was one of Olly's ones to watch a year or two back.

Meanwhile, things going very well for Jimbo and Hants ....

He seems to have gotten over that ACL injury, and could be in for a big year!

by Duty281 Sun 15 Apr 2018, 6:20 pm

guildfordbat wrote:
Duty281 wrote:Kent currently 10/3 to beat Gloucestershire. Seems generous.

Gloucestershire only need 108, but it's very tough to bat on.

Hi Duty - not for me to advise a wise hand like you on betting but I would look at the odds being offered for a Gloucs win or, more likely, keep my money in my pocket. Gloucs can go slowly-slowly to try and carefully reach their target or, if they lose, say, 3 wickets early on, they have the option to change their approach and could choose to throw the bat. Even if they lose a few more wickets in doing so, a blitz for 5 or 6 overs would get them a fair way there.

Aye, lad, it was a punt! Not one that has come off, either!

by guildfordbat Sun 15 Apr 2018, 7:24 pm

Duty281 wrote:
guildfordbat wrote:
Duty281 wrote:Kent currently 10/3 to beat Gloucestershire. Seems generous.

Gloucestershire only need 108, but it's very tough to bat on.

Hi Duty - not for me to advise a wise hand like you on betting but I would look at the odds being offered for a Gloucs win or, more likely, keep my money in my pocket. Gloucs can go slowly-slowly to try and carefully reach their target or, if they lose, say, 3 wickets early on, they have the option to change their approach and could choose to throw the bat. Even if they lose a few more wickets in doing so, a blitz for 5 or 6 overs would get them a fair way there.

Aye, lad, it was a punt! Not one that has come off, either!

Keep calling me lad and I might refund your losing bets! Wink

by Gooseberry Mon 16 Apr 2018, 8:17 am

JDizzle wrote:There are definitely questions to be asked about County Cricket in April (and CC in general!) when a 41 year old Darren Stevens can return those figures but you can't knock the bloke - relentless consistency!

One of my ones to watch, Zak Crawley, top scored for Kent too. Admittedly it was only with 15! Not seen him bat, but Rob Key tips him for the top so I expect big things!

I cant find the article now but I remember last season someone citing himn as the perfect example wrong with county cricket and why the pitches are discouraging players form devleoping the skills needed to thrive in test cricket outside England.
Stevens isnothing more than a medium pacer who relies on the pitch and air to do the work for him, yet has consitently been one of the top wicket takers for the best part of two decades and one of the top CC performers. Well over 400 first class wickets, averaging mid twenties with the ball and mid 30s with the bat ...but never earnt a cap in any format beacuse he simply isnt very good.
Mind you could say the same about Vernon Philander Whistle

by Duty281 Mon 16 Apr 2018, 10:44 am

Play at Yorkshire abandoned without a ball being bowled due to a wet outfield.

I live about 10 miles from Headingley and there hasn't been any rain since Saturday.

by Duty281 Mon 16 Apr 2018, 11:56 am

49/0 becomes 73 all out. Pathetic, really, for Lancashire.

by **LondonTiger** Mon 16 Apr 2018, 12:06 pm

Duty281 wrote:Play at Yorkshire abandoned without a ball being bowled due to a wet outfield.

I live about 10 miles from Headingley and there hasn't been any rain since Saturday.

It rained for about 30 minutes yesterday at the ground, though after play had been abandoned. Plenty of theories that teh drainage has been affected by the development work, but the groundstaff were supporting the Chief Exec's statement that the issues are due to the extreme conditions over the last 6 weeks leading to a very high water table.

Game due to start this Friday in doubt.

by Duty281 Mon 16 Apr 2018, 12:26 pm

Duty281 wrote:49/0 becomes 73 all out. Pathetic, really, for Lancashire.

Utterly bizarre morning in Manchester. Nottingham, chasing a grand total of 10, have slipped to 5/3 and then 9/4! They will stumble over the line.

by Duty281 Mon 16 Apr 2018, 12:28 pm

LondonTiger wrote:
Duty281 wrote:Play at Yorkshire abandoned without a ball being bowled due to a wet outfield.

I live about 10 miles from Headingley and there hasn't been any rain since Saturday.

It rained for about 30 minutes yesterday at the ground, though after play had been abandoned. Plenty of theories that teh drainage has been affected by the development work, but the groundstaff were supporting the Chief Exec's statement that the issues are due to the extreme conditions over the last 6 weeks leading to a very high water table.

Game due to start this Friday in doubt.

Either way, it's not a good look for Yorkshire Cricket.

Weather absolutely fine in the run-up to Friday, plenty of sunshine and warmth, so it would be calamitous if the game didn't start on time on Friday.

by sirfredperry Mon 16 Apr 2018, 6:18 pm

Middx off to a good start. Amazed that no play was possible at Leeds. OK, there's been a lot of rain, but for a Test ground to stage nothing in four days is pretty awful. No problems with the drainage, say Yorks. I would say there's a serious problem with the drainage if a whole match is rained off including days when it was dry. Headingley ain't Uxbridge (where Middx did get SOME play last year).

by Jetty Tue 17 Apr 2018, 2:30 am

Going down Lancs, Yorks
Going up Middx, Sussex
I didn't realise that Sussex had a number 9 batsman who had a high score of 208 and 10 100s. Wow. First to make a championship 100 this season. Once Archer and Jordan are back....

by jimbohammers Thu 19 Apr 2018, 10:52 am

Round 2 fixtures starting tomorrow, hopefully some more play this week!

Essex vs Lancashire
Somerset vs Worcestershire
Surrey vs Hamsphire
Yorkshire vs Nottinghamshire

Derbyshire vs Middlesex
Durham vs Kent
Gloucestershire vs Glamorgan
Leicestershire vs Sussex
Northamptonshire vs Warwickshire

by JDizzle Fri 20 Apr 2018, 6:34 pm

JDizzle wrote:Title - Essex and Middlesex
Runs - Keaton Jennings
Wickets - Darren Stevens
Relegated- Worcs and Notts
Ones to watch - Ed Barnard, Saqib Mahmood and Zak Crawley

A maiden five wicket haul for Edward today. Good to see. Now Worcs just need to bat him up the order!

by **Good Golly I'm Olly** Fri 20 Apr 2018, 6:37 pm

Not a good start to the season for potential England prospects so far...Hameed in particular has unfortunately picked up where he left off last season

by JDizzle Fri 20 Apr 2018, 7:01 pm

Joe Clarke also hardly heaping the pressure on.

by guildfordbat Sat 21 Apr 2018, 8:29 pm

Goose will say it won't count as it was against Leics, Wink

but 101 not out today for my left field choice Mike Burgess of Sussex. This followed his 48 away to Warks last week. If the lad can overcome a jinx from me, he might just make a living in the game.

by JDizzle Sun 22 Apr 2018, 1:06 pm

JDizzle wrote:
JDizzle wrote:Title - Essex and Middlesex
Runs - Keaton Jennings
Wickets - Darren Stevens
Relegated- Worcs and Notts
Ones to watch - Ed Barnard, Saqib Mahmood and Zak Crawley

A maiden five wicket haul for Edward today. Good to see. Now Worcs just need to bat him up the order!

11 wickets and a first innings 50 for Barnard so far vs Somerset! He'll need to produce something silly for Worcs to get the win though, as they need 200 more with 5 wickets left

by Duty281 Sun 22 Apr 2018, 2:39 pm

Struggling to work out Derbyshire here. 324 runs ahead, all 10 wickets remaining, rain on the horizon and only four and a bit sessions left to force the win...but they're happy to crawl at 2 an over?!

by Corporalhumblebucket Sun 22 Apr 2018, 7:13 pm

Somerset beat Worcs fairly comfortably. Spirited fighteback by Lancs tail, but Essex secure the win. At end of day 3 Yorks well placed against Notts, likewise Surrey against Hants. All four Div 1 matches likely to have a positive result.

by Gooseberry Mon 23 Apr 2018, 8:24 am

guildfordbat wrote:Goose will say it won't count as it was against Leics, but 101 not out today for my left field choice Mike Burgess of Sussex. This followed his 48 away to Warks last week. If the lad can overcome a jinx from me, he might just make a living in the game.

Its div 2 ..it counts for nothing. Against Leicestershire its a black mark for only getting a century Wink

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