2006 English Domestic Season Build-up

[Collyisamackem]

I thought it may be good to start this around now. I'm not sure of the exact date of the start of the season but nonetheless cannot wait for it as Durham return to division one of the County Championship and National (Totesport) League. I don't have much to say, but it will be interesting to see if we can develop our young leg spinner, Dave (DJ) Barrick http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/engla...ayer/9455.html.

So, let's have your opinions from the counties on what's coming this summer, and what you expect to see. I'd like it if people could name at least one young player who may have been promoted late last season or over the winter.

[cantplaycantalk]

Hi Colly, well I would say Durham are probably in for a tough year, I can see us missing key players for a lot of the season, so unless something happens in India to return Colly and Plunkett to county cricket for the majority of the season we will be 3 key players down before the year even starts, and with Hussey now firmly in the Aus 1st team and Lewis on the edges we will have to watch for Aus and Aus A series at the start and end of the season.
That said I think this year could be a big season for Gary Pratt he showed enough last year in the one dayers for me to want to see him get a serious run out in both forms of the game this year. We also have three young players jockeying for the 1st choice wicket keepers spot so that could be interesting to watch.
I think Leics have definately turned the corner and I think they will do well this year, while unfortunately I still think Yorkshire are a pale shadow of the team that they were a few years ago and they will struggle.

Whatever happens, here's to a Long hot summer and a lot of good cricket.

[Holden]

dunno how Hampshire will be doing

Lets hope players like Warne, Pieterson, Katich, Clarke, Watson, Udal, Tremlett etc... show them what they got...

[Collyisamackem]

Watson and Clarke are not playing for Hampshire this year, but as long as Warney is you'll do very well.

[Vrock]

Warne seems to have given Hampshire something and a half. He has not only stated he wants to bowl as much as he is needed but he brings a very good cricket brain and gives the side that bit extra. Shame they lost out on Watson this season...he did well with bat and ball.

[Andy Mellon]

You're right VRock. Whatever you say about him as a person, you cannot deny that he's an exceptional cricketer who has one of the best cricket brains in the business. He's virtually single-handedly turned Hampshire around. He's created a buzz and atmosphere that decent players want to come and join in on!

As for my team, Essex, once again it'll be the bowling that'll let us down. Andre Adams is again one overseas 'weapon', there'll be no Danish Kaneria this year and we haven't signed a second overseas player. Our fast bowling looks very, very fragile with Gough, Tudor, Napier and Adams. There's no more Wallace (Ashley Cowan) or Justin Bishop to provide backup and the young seamers we have (Westfield, Chambers, Palladino) look someway short of being 1st class standard at the moment.

Coupled to this, the batting order is reliant on a strange mixture of youth (Cook, Bopara) and old age (Flower, Flower, Irani. Andy Flower isn't going to go on forever!

[Collyisamackem]

Your batting is safe for a while Andy, but I agree, the bowling is suspect. Our problem is our batting isn't the best, but our bowling is. Even if we lose Harmy and Plunkett, we have Davies, Gibson et al to back up. Interestingly Cricinfo still has Noffke pencilled in for some reason. Maybe he's stepping in when Lewis is on international duty? It will be interesting to see how Muchall and Lowe do this season, and if Colly can continue his blinding form of last season. Australia aren't too busy this summer, so Hussey will play a big part again I feel,

[greg]

Think this will be a long hard season for Yorkshire.Not enough depth in the batting and certainly lacking a pace bowler.Hopefully Bresnan can progress again and possibly push for international recognition some time in the future but other than that prospects in the championship look grim.

Be nice to get an injury free season out of Craig White but that is probably too much to ask.Best hopes are in the one day competitions as when they have a full team out it is decent but they lack strength in depth.

[Collyisamackem]

I don't know why, but Bresnan doesn't convince me right now. I saw him in a couple of games last year when he didn't seem to threaten as much as his wicket haul may suggest - is he fast enough for international cricket? We had this debate over Mark Davies in the A-team, and whilst Bresnan is clearly faster than Davies, he's maybe not fast enough for the demands of the pace brigade. What do you think?

[greg]

Pollock,McGrath and Hoggard are hardly express pace but are very effective at international level.
Tino Best is quick but you wouldn't pick him above those 3 just because he is a quicker bowler.