So I'll try this... all comments are welcome, do not expect this to be as great as other stories I've (pratially) read over here but I thought I'd share my choices of signing players and some highs and lows. Don't expect regular updates, I'll post once in a while or every day depending on how busy I am and how the reactions are.
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Can Utch get them to the top?
D. Utch from Holland had been assigned to manage Somerset CCC from 2007 on. The board hoped he could get Somerset to win trophies and promoting to the first division of the County Championship and the Pro League within three years.
It's the first of April and we're at the brink of a new season of county cricket.
Somerset are among the favourites for the Challenge Trophy after their win last year. The County Championship was won by Warwickshire last year, newcomers in division one are Essex and Somerset. The 2007 twenty20 season ended in that fantastic final between Kent and Somerset with Kent posting 195-4 and Somerset's John Francis and Matthew Wood chasing and getting ahead of the run rate until the tenth over from where on Kent took the lead and Somerset finished off on 178-8. Pro League winners Lancashire will be looking to retain their title. Somerset, missing promotion because they lost three of their last four Pro League games, are eager to promote this year.
Somerset will be led by Marcus Trescothick, no. 5 World Test Player and Matthew Wood, leading domestic run scorer in the 2007 County Championship. Much is expected from Justin Kemp in his second season at Somerset and from Baragamage Amarasinghe, newly signed Sri Lankan offspinner. Somerset will be hoping Michael Munday improves further to take a lot of first-class wickets this season (after his 66 last year). Other key players will be brutal batsman and off-spinner Wesley Durston and opening bowler Richard Johnson.
Last season's statistics, for you to have a look at.
Last season's first XI: Wood (c) and Francis opening, Kemp at 3, Durston at 4, Hildreth at 5, Trescothick/Gazzard/Spurway (wk) at 6, Laraman (after Moore was dropped) at 7, Louw (after Phillips was dropped from the FC squad) at 8, Munday (FC) or Phillips (OD) at 9, Johnson and Willoughby
Some thoughts by the manager
Matthew Wood managed some great centuries, while Justin Kemp did great as a batting all-rounder, together they managed to break Somerset's record partnership for the second wicket: they put together 292 in the match in which Kemp went on to 222.
Although I had 7 bowlers in my XI, I couldn't take the needed wickets in FC matches, Munday will need to improve, what I expect he will, and Willoughby and Johnson, the opening bowlers, will need to improve as well, I'm in doubt over renewing Willoughby's contract.
Ian Blackwell didn't manage to score runs and with Munday and Durston there was enough spin for me. I guess mr. Blackwell can say his goodbyes. As will Parsons, he couldn't prove his worth and it's to risky for me to keep him along with new youth players. Lett, Moore and Winters (this year's youth players) will be given a chance because they can improve, and because they have contracts running.
Because many players have contracts for next year I will have to cut some. Durston has deserved a new contract, as has Kemp, if he is available.
Louw won't get a new contract, as he was only a final (cheap) addition to the squad. Having a look at all contracts I think Willoughby, who is out of contract, will not get a new one.
The off-season activities:
New signings:
Batsmen: none
Wicketkeeper: R Osborne (youth)
All-rounder: S Jefferson (youth RM)
Bowlers: B Amarasinghe, N Reed (youth RF), I Hunter, S Johnston (youth RM)
Retired: Parsons
Out: Gazzard, Spurway, Trego, Phillips Louw, and Willoughby
Overseas players: J Kemp and H Boteju
Captain: M Wood Vice-Captains: M Trescothick and R Johnson
_______________________________________________________
Can Utch get them to the top?
D. Utch from Holland had been assigned to manage Somerset CCC from 2007 on. The board hoped he could get Somerset to win trophies and promoting to the first division of the County Championship and the Pro League within three years.
It's the first of April and we're at the brink of a new season of county cricket.
Somerset are among the favourites for the Challenge Trophy after their win last year. The County Championship was won by Warwickshire last year, newcomers in division one are Essex and Somerset. The 2007 twenty20 season ended in that fantastic final between Kent and Somerset with Kent posting 195-4 and Somerset's John Francis and Matthew Wood chasing and getting ahead of the run rate until the tenth over from where on Kent took the lead and Somerset finished off on 178-8. Pro League winners Lancashire will be looking to retain their title. Somerset, missing promotion because they lost three of their last four Pro League games, are eager to promote this year.
Somerset will be led by Marcus Trescothick, no. 5 World Test Player and Matthew Wood, leading domestic run scorer in the 2007 County Championship. Much is expected from Justin Kemp in his second season at Somerset and from Baragamage Amarasinghe, newly signed Sri Lankan offspinner. Somerset will be hoping Michael Munday improves further to take a lot of first-class wickets this season (after his 66 last year). Other key players will be brutal batsman and off-spinner Wesley Durston and opening bowler Richard Johnson.
Last season's statistics, for you to have a look at.
Last season's first XI: Wood (c) and Francis opening, Kemp at 3, Durston at 4, Hildreth at 5, Trescothick/Gazzard/Spurway (wk) at 6, Laraman (after Moore was dropped) at 7, Louw (after Phillips was dropped from the FC squad) at 8, Munday (FC) or Phillips (OD) at 9, Johnson and Willoughby
Some thoughts by the manager
Matthew Wood managed some great centuries, while Justin Kemp did great as a batting all-rounder, together they managed to break Somerset's record partnership for the second wicket: they put together 292 in the match in which Kemp went on to 222.
Although I had 7 bowlers in my XI, I couldn't take the needed wickets in FC matches, Munday will need to improve, what I expect he will, and Willoughby and Johnson, the opening bowlers, will need to improve as well, I'm in doubt over renewing Willoughby's contract.
Ian Blackwell didn't manage to score runs and with Munday and Durston there was enough spin for me. I guess mr. Blackwell can say his goodbyes. As will Parsons, he couldn't prove his worth and it's to risky for me to keep him along with new youth players. Lett, Moore and Winters (this year's youth players) will be given a chance because they can improve, and because they have contracts running.
Because many players have contracts for next year I will have to cut some. Durston has deserved a new contract, as has Kemp, if he is available.
Louw won't get a new contract, as he was only a final (cheap) addition to the squad. Having a look at all contracts I think Willoughby, who is out of contract, will not get a new one.
The off-season activities:
New signings:
Batsmen: none
Wicketkeeper: R Osborne (youth)
All-rounder: S Jefferson (youth RM)
Bowlers: B Amarasinghe, N Reed (youth RF), I Hunter, S Johnston (youth RM)
Retired: Parsons
Out: Gazzard, Spurway, Trego, Phillips Louw, and Willoughby
Overseas players: J Kemp and H Boteju
Captain: M Wood Vice-Captains: M Trescothick and R Johnson
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. So, tell us about what you've experienced at Somerset over the past year.
good luck
