Starting a new game as possibly the best team in all of Wales, Glamorgan. The aim is to build a squad to dominate all forms of domestic cricket. Don't laugh.
Last year was a good year in terms of First Class cricket, mostly through the presence of Marnus Labuschagne pre-Ashes. When he joined last season he looked like another dubious signing but quickly proved the doubters wrong. Once he was called up we tanked in FC but finished a respectable 4th, however in OD and T20 cricket we were, to be gentle, just awful.
We have, somehow, convinced him to return for the 2020 season and this gives a world cass player to build around. We do, however, have no T20 signings. Best to major on FC cricket I think.
A look through the squad shows just one other batsman averages over 35 in his career and the best I can hope for as far as openers go are two batsman who will last about 11 overs each. So with a good top-middle order batsman and an ok no.6 I would ideally like to find and aggressive young opener who can learn the ropes at 3 in FC cricket for a seson before stepping. Failing this a batsman of average aggression to slot in at 4 with Labuschagne at 3.
The bowling won't scare the opposition too much. The main threats are Hogan, and van der Gugten but Hogan is 38. Next up are de Lange and Wagg, who is also north of 35. There are no spinners to speak of. Sisodiya's FC stats look promising but his 2nd XI stats suggest they are misleading. I need to find a spinner who can at least hold an end.
Lastly, if I possibly can I will get someone for the T20s. Anyone I can afford.
I slash the youth and physio budgets and sign three players:
Jeff Porter, a 19yo aggressive opener (hooray) who averages with the 2nd XIs are 48.41 (3day), 38.57 (OD) and 29.59 (T20).
Brad Wadlan, a 31yo SLA all rounder. He is an improvement on what we have and adds some runs but given his age is a stop-gap.
New Zealander Martin Guptil to open in the T20s
I now have an idea of my FC team:
C. Hemphrey
N. Selman
J. Porter
M. Labuschagne
B. Root
C. Cook
B. Wadlan
G. Wagg
M. Hogan
M. De Lange
T. van der Gugten
We should average about 316 in about 88 overs in FC cricket if Labuschagne maintains last year's standards and the all-rounders do well. Unfortunately our bowlers will take about 80 overs to bowl out the opposition for roughly the same total. We should be competitive but much will rest on batting first and Labuschagne to win. Equally if Hogan or van der Gugten hits some poor form we will struggle.
Apart from Guptil I will have to see who is in form when we get to the LO matches.
Next up, the matches.
Last year was a good year in terms of First Class cricket, mostly through the presence of Marnus Labuschagne pre-Ashes. When he joined last season he looked like another dubious signing but quickly proved the doubters wrong. Once he was called up we tanked in FC but finished a respectable 4th, however in OD and T20 cricket we were, to be gentle, just awful.
We have, somehow, convinced him to return for the 2020 season and this gives a world cass player to build around. We do, however, have no T20 signings. Best to major on FC cricket I think.
A look through the squad shows just one other batsman averages over 35 in his career and the best I can hope for as far as openers go are two batsman who will last about 11 overs each. So with a good top-middle order batsman and an ok no.6 I would ideally like to find and aggressive young opener who can learn the ropes at 3 in FC cricket for a seson before stepping. Failing this a batsman of average aggression to slot in at 4 with Labuschagne at 3.
The bowling won't scare the opposition too much. The main threats are Hogan, and van der Gugten but Hogan is 38. Next up are de Lange and Wagg, who is also north of 35. There are no spinners to speak of. Sisodiya's FC stats look promising but his 2nd XI stats suggest they are misleading. I need to find a spinner who can at least hold an end.
Lastly, if I possibly can I will get someone for the T20s. Anyone I can afford.
I slash the youth and physio budgets and sign three players:
Jeff Porter, a 19yo aggressive opener (hooray) who averages with the 2nd XIs are 48.41 (3day), 38.57 (OD) and 29.59 (T20).
Brad Wadlan, a 31yo SLA all rounder. He is an improvement on what we have and adds some runs but given his age is a stop-gap.
New Zealander Martin Guptil to open in the T20s
I now have an idea of my FC team:
C. Hemphrey
N. Selman
J. Porter
M. Labuschagne
B. Root
C. Cook
B. Wadlan
G. Wagg
M. Hogan
M. De Lange
T. van der Gugten
We should average about 316 in about 88 overs in FC cricket if Labuschagne maintains last year's standards and the all-rounders do well. Unfortunately our bowlers will take about 80 overs to bowl out the opposition for roughly the same total. We should be competitive but much will rest on batting first and Labuschagne to win. Equally if Hogan or van der Gugten hits some poor form we will struggle.
Apart from Guptil I will have to see who is in form when we get to the LO matches.
Next up, the matches.
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