Interview with Will Jefferson

[Andy Mellon]

In case you don't venture outside of the England forum, here's a link to a interview conducted by WAT with England hopeful, Will Jefferson:

http://www.world-a-team.com/showthread.php?t=2133

[Goochie]

Hi Andy

Good interview with Will, very interesting, lets hope he will be able to bowl again, Essex certainly need him. Have you thought of posting this on the ECCC message board as well, I am sure the people on there would be interested as well.

Claire

[Andy Mellon]

I raised a post on the Essex message board, but all postings on their forum need to be approved by the moderator, and he obviously hasn't approved it because it links to this website. Its rather disappointing when they helped to set up the interview in the first place, and they knew I was doing it for this site!!

Do you post on the Essex MB then, Claire? Do you get a chance to see much of Essex playing? How do you think we'll do next season?

[Goochie]

Hi Andy, yes I do post on the Essex MB, and last year wrote the BBC supporters view on how well Essex would do that season. Did not get it very right, said would be promoted, oh well. Try and see Essex as much as possible, have been a member for about 10 years, started watching them in the earlier 1980, with the great team of Gooch, Border etc. As can see from my username Goochie is my favourite Essex player, did have the privilege of meeting him a few times as well, so very happy. Chances next season not sure, I always positive that they would do well, but looks a hard league in the Division 2 this year, lots of good quality teams. Have no worries about our batting with Jefferson, Irani and Flower supported by the youngsters, should do well. Have fears over our bowling, Kaneria excellent, but cannot expect to do all the work, like to see Palladino play if he is fit, and hopefully Cowan regain some form, still think bowling out teams twice a problem, plus the ability to field, we did drop a large amount of catches last season! One day stuff always think we do okay in, so hopefully stay up in the sunday stuff, twenty twenty bit of a lottery, and we have a hard draw in the C&G with Lancashire, so cannot see us winning anything, but you never know. How long you been following Essex and how do you think we'll do next season? Do you think need more players? Tudor?

[Andy Mellon]

I have similar views on Essex to you, Claire. My opinion is largely that the batting line up is formidable (Napes and Adams in at 8 and 9 I'm guessing next year!!) but very weak with fast bowling options. Gough is likely to be available, but he's more suited to the 1-day game and his fitness is questionable. Similarly, I'm not certain whether Cowan or Clarke could play for a whole season. We have to be looking elsewhere for bowling talent, and Adams isn't the answer. I can see us relying more and more on Danish this year, and one fantastic bowler won't be enough to carry us to the first division. Although Tudor is an option, with the number of bowling crocks we already have, we might as well bring back Neil Foster! We really need to sign some decent fast bowling prospects. The name's we've tried over the past few seasons (McGarry, McCoubrey, Bishop) haven't really been first-class in ability. I have hopes for Palladino, but I had hopes for Zobi Sharif!

When did I get into Essex cricket? Hmm. As I was born and bred in Essex, there were no other options, and when I was growing up (80s and 90s) Essex were a good team to support: with players like Graham Gooch, Brian Hardie, Ken McEwan, Derek Pringle, Neil Foster, John Lever, Keith Fletcher and Nasser Hussain - those were salad days really. I haven't been to see a game at the county ground for a number of years - basically since I moved away from Essex in 2001. As I now live in Hants, I get to see the games Essex play at the Rose Bowl - which is something I suppose.

I have fears Essex are on the wane a bit as a power - they don't seem to have the money or the inclination to bring in the players that are needed to support the bowlers, and if they keep signing Kolpaks, we may end up losing Ali Cook or Ravi Bopara who both look decent prospects.

What was your opinion on Nasser retiring from all cricket? Personally, I was very disappointed that he didn't give the Essex faithful a chance to give him a proper send off!!
Anyway, its good to be able to voice opinions about Essex cricket - the ECCC forum is a bit odd with decent discussions often decending into slanging matches, or long discussions about how Halstead will do in the league this year against Shoeburyness...

[Goochie]

"As I now live in Hants, I get to see the games Essex play at the Rose Bowl" - is the Rose Bowl any good? I have not been there yet, but heard supposed to be, although had traffic problems last year with the international match. Must be better than the concrete jungle that is Chelmsford!!

"I have fears Essex are on the wane a bit as a power" - ups and downs in all sports, currently on a down but I am sure we will come again (always optimistic), have many exciting youngsters at the club, if they can be nurtured correctly should be a success. Not sure Irani is the right captain for the job, too emotional, maybe Flower slightly saner!! might do a better job, what do you think?

Nasser could not agreed with you more, could have at least seen out the season, would have been a fitting if he managed to get us promoted, rather than leave us mid-season. However money talks and I am sure Sky offered him a nice big contract. Really with Nasser, Essex was not that important, only really cared about playing for England, so no surprise that soon as he gave that up that, would finish completely. Also only really in the last season before retiring did he start scoring runs for Essex, most of the time he actually scored very little, did not seem interested!

"ECCC forum is a bit odd" you telling me, very strange, everyone on there seems to be very depressed and constantly criticising, rarely say anything positive, I know we did not have a great season, but also did not have such a bad season, the top 9 all scored hundreds, lots of wickets for Kaneria, so not all that bad, although you would not know it from that board! This is why nice to have found this board so post!

[Zainub]

Good interview, I found that bit about one of his leg being longer than the other very interesting. His being able to bowl will definately help Essex's causes.

Hi Goochie!

I'm predominantly a Pakistan fan, but I'll be supporting Essex this season because of Kaneria, in fact I will do so as long as he plays for you, may be even after that. I think he will take over 100 wickets and take us through to Div 1

[Andy Mellon]

Originally Posted by Goochie

is the Rose Bowl any good?

In a word - no. In more than a word, if you think Chelmsford County Ground is a concrete wilderness, than the Rose Bowl's summat else! Concrete everywhere, no parking and very poorly served by public transport. On top of that, the pitch is a bit hard for batting, supposedly!

Originally Posted by Goochie

maybe Flower slightly saner!! might do a better job, what do you think?

Hmmm. An interesting idea, Flower certainly has the experience, and I have no doubts that he'd be a good captain. The problem is that we need Flower to lead the charge this season. He should be the classiest batsman in English cricket, who actually gets to play; though he hasn't shown such form for Essex yet. Also, while Ronnie isn't the most astute of captains, it hasn't affected his batting, which was pretty fabulous last season by all accounts. For those two things, Ronnie should remain captain. However, are there any other credible alternatives? Paul Grayson's being phased out slowly and I wouldn't want Will Jefferson or Jamie Foster to shoulder that burden when they should be looking to move onto the next level.

Originally Posted by Goochie

This is why nice to have found this board so post!

I agree with a lot of what you've said really. Kaneria was absolutely marvellous when he got to play last season; international commitments permitting. He really does look to have been an astute signing. Also, as Zainub is showing - such policies and signings bring rewards in additional fans recruited to the cause!

I don't often post on the ECCC website as the atmosphere is a bit cliquey and intimidating. This forum on the other hand is *generally* populated with the more reserved and sane of posters, which is good for debate and discussion. There's also a domestic cricket forum on this website for county cricket posts - which is brimming over with debates on the latest county topics. I'm trying to drum up some county fans to post on here to add to the cricket fanbase!

I look forward to hearing your opinions on the other topics we have to read here, as well as discussing the latest developments at Essex!

[Goochie]

Hi Zainub, great to hear that you are supporting Essex now, Kaneria was a pleasure to watch last season, he carried our attack, did not seem to mind bowling lots of overs, seems he does this for Pakistan as well. Lets hope he can play all season, bit concerned with Pakistan introducing central contracts that we might lose him. If we don't we will definitely be one of the leading wicket takes, he nearly was last season only failed as missed couple of matches with Pakistan. Kaneria is our second Pakistan overseas player, we also had Salim Malik as well who was great, I know supposedly banned for match fixing!, but he was a fantastic batsman for us, played some great innings. So do really well with them as overseas players.

[Zainub]

I think most people here think playing county cricket has helped Kaneria's developement, and as long as he doesn't get injuried playing it, most people are fine with it, players themselves are very keen on playing county cricket, because it is essentially a very good chance for them to earn some extra income, while also gain valuable experience in English conditions.

Salim Malik was a classy batsmen, did a lot of work for Pakistan as well, but I unfortunately don't have any way near the same amount of respect I once use to have for him as do I now.