|
|
Post by hhsussex on Nov 20, 2014 19:15:53 GMT
Quite apart from the state of the pitches early in the spring it will be necessary to have a significant number of overs bowled by spinners because of the slow over-rate of our star seamers. Last season Middlesex chose the option of an all-seam attack at Hove for the opening game, and not only lost comfortably but were fined 2 points for unacceptably slow overs. This has become one of the things that umpires are marked on, ensuring that overs are delivered quickly and that the old excuses of time lost for fall of wickets or changing a ball are not accepted as readily as before. This is one of the reasons that Zaidi was peresevered with well into May, despite his appalling lack of form with the bat and his innocuous bowling. If neither Zaidi nor Beer bowls in April and May - half of the championship programme - then Nash and Wells will have to get through 10 or 15 overs a game as a minimum, just to avoid points penalties, and regardless of the runs they may give away. Nash is a better bowler than Wells, of course, but his forte is 3 or 4 overs as a partnership-breaker, not as a key member of the attack. To bowl Beer in these circumstances would risk a really heavy leakage of runs, and would probably destroy whatever confidence he has into the bargain. Additionally his batting is certainly not strong enough for him to go in at 7. All true. Thank you. And because it is true I believe that Zaidi will get the call - unless an option c) which is either a guaranteed, nailed-on Azeem Rafiq with good batting and accurate bowling, or a post-Magoffin Twenty20 and Championship friendly twirler from afar sails into our ken. |
|
|
|
Post by grandavefan on Nov 21, 2014 9:07:09 GMT
Funny I always thought cricket was about bowlers getting wickets, not bowlers not going for runs? No wonder we haven't won a trophy in recent years. Be brave. Yorkshire have shown the way.
I think if Prior plays, which he will, then it allows Beer to play. On paper Sussex should have enough accurate firepower to allow him to bowl with confidence. I also think that early inclusion of Mills is premature. Remember he wasn't fit and couldn't get a game a Essex what makes some of you think he'll be any different here?
The attack with Beer has the look of balance and some attacking bowling, which we might need to get wickets.
As for Rafiq, he's training, not trialling. He always did have too much to say and he hasn't learnt a thing.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Nov 21, 2014 9:38:38 GMT
I always thought cricket was about bowlers getting wickets, not bowlers not going for runs? Actually about both and always has been; although in Shahzad and Mills I think we have signed two bowlers who largely share your philosophy on this.I think if Prior plays, which he will, then it allows Beer to play. Prior presumably is a straight replacement for Brown? In which case the batting is a little stronger; but I can't see how it has any real impact on the balance of the side or how it "allows" additional bowling options that don't apply with Brown in the side.I also think that early inclusion of Mills is premature. Remember he wasn't fit and couldn't get a game a Essex what makes some of you think he'll be any different here? a) Robinson didn't sign him against strong competition from Lancs and Worcs in order not to play him
b) Robinson has also stated the strategy is to play four seamers; the quickest bowler on Sussex's books (some say the quickest man in England) is not going to be left out in favour of Anyon, Hobden or, if he stays, Lewis Hatchett.This poll has launched a very good discussion about not only spin options but bowling strategy for 2015 in general. When this poll closes we should think of another one, as beyond simply ticking a box in a multiple choice question, it clearly works as an excellent device to generate debate. |
|
|
|
Post by moderator1 on Nov 21, 2014 11:36:24 GMT
Thank you borderman, that's what we hoped to achieve, knowing that we have a wide audience representing many different strands of opinion. We're very open to suggestions for future polls and the debate that they engender. |
|
|
|
Post by moderator1 on Nov 23, 2014 8:54:37 GMT
Thank you all for participating in an excellent debate and for producing an enthralling week of polling. At the end you voted for Zaidi as the main spinner for Sussex next season by the narrowest of margins - one vote - over Will Beer, with two votes going to Azeem Rafiq and none to the other options. Inevitably the debate has polarised opinion about the merits of "imported" talent versus home-grown, but it has also focused attention on the balance of the side and the likely shape of the team with the two new fast bowlers entering the squad.
Now it remains to be seen if our own votes, so fervently cast, and so stirringly defended, will have any effect at all upon the actualite, so here's to you, Mr Robinson!
|
|
|
|
Post by jonboy on Dec 10, 2014 16:25:30 GMT
Interesting reading the comments today from Somerset coach, saying he intends to go into most games playing two spinners, Rehman, plus one of the younger ones. I suppose having seamers who can bat, like Trego, Allenby and Gregory, means they can afford to do this
|
|
