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Haven't completely abandoned my NZ under GrahamB story yet, but thought I'd take charge of what appears to be the weakest English county side and see how I could get on. 
Looking at the squad available for the start of the 2012 season, it seemed that we could do with strengthening in all aspects!
A better opening batsman to partner Rob Key was seen as a priority for a start, despite the fact that young Sam Northeast does show some potential.
With a limited budget available, we found a useful 19 year old called Neil Naylor (second team batting average of 58.25 and with a well rounded batting style).
There were no standout top order or middle order batsmen available, so we'll likely play our reserve keeper, Sam Billings, as a batsman as necessary.
Our pace attack looks okay, with Mark Davies likely to receive useful support from Charlie Shreck, Simon Cook, overseas player Brendan Nash (who appears to be an all-rounder more than just a batsman), Azhar Mahmood and Darren Stevens.
We only have one quality spinner in James Tredwell, but with no standouts available in the market, he'll have to go it alone.
Taking all that into account, we'll likely ask our groundsman to prepare wickets that suit pace rather than spin.
Finally, we signed Zimbabwean, Hamilton Masakadza, as our reserve overseas player. He seems to be useful both with bat and ball. He could come in useful with his leg spin, as support for Tredwell.
With the squad complete, the budget allocation was finalised - 50,000 going into much needed coaching, 40,000 into physio (to keep our number one players available as much as possible) and the minimum 10,000 into our youth set up.
Rob Key will captain the side.
Looking at the squad available for the start of the 2012 season, it seemed that we could do with strengthening in all aspects!
A better opening batsman to partner Rob Key was seen as a priority for a start, despite the fact that young Sam Northeast does show some potential.
With a limited budget available, we found a useful 19 year old called Neil Naylor (second team batting average of 58.25 and with a well rounded batting style).
There were no standout top order or middle order batsmen available, so we'll likely play our reserve keeper, Sam Billings, as a batsman as necessary.
Our pace attack looks okay, with Mark Davies likely to receive useful support from Charlie Shreck, Simon Cook, overseas player Brendan Nash (who appears to be an all-rounder more than just a batsman), Azhar Mahmood and Darren Stevens.
We only have one quality spinner in James Tredwell, but with no standouts available in the market, he'll have to go it alone.
Taking all that into account, we'll likely ask our groundsman to prepare wickets that suit pace rather than spin.
Finally, we signed Zimbabwean, Hamilton Masakadza, as our reserve overseas player. He seems to be useful both with bat and ball. He could come in useful with his leg spin, as support for Tredwell.
With the squad complete, the budget allocation was finalised - 50,000 going into much needed coaching, 40,000 into physio (to keep our number one players available as much as possible) and the minimum 10,000 into our youth set up.
Rob Key will captain the side.
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