Somerset
The New Wave - prospects early 2023
By Grockle et al
January 21 2023
As Tom Lammonby commits himself to Somerset until 2025 it is probably time to have a look at our prospects for the early part of the 2023 season as the 'New Wave' takes over from the 'Old Guard' with the retirement of the last of the trio of Trego, Trescothick and Hildreth. I've been holding off to see if we had international announcements at the start of the year but in the absence we should look at what we have without that aspect. It's quite promising.
The start of a new year always promises more to a cricket fan than the end of the old one. You spend the Christmas period looking back at the season before but as January hits the road you start to look forward to the new summer prospects. With 60 days to go before Somerset face the University game it is time for a look at that.
We have had no information on the prospects for international stars from Taunton. Will Rillee return for another white ball extravaganza like last year? It is doubtful that Matt Renshaw will do anything but a fleeting visit in the summer with the Australians in the UK for the Ashes. We may let him get his eye in but personally I'd rather look for someone for a season. I liked Umam Ul Haq and so did Tom Lommonby I think. A real opening batsman with the confidence of a man used to opening the batting. We could also do with a bowler and again, personally I don't mean Peter Siddle in some kind of player coach role. I loved watching Siddle when he got it right but he is 37-ish and we've had people at the back end of their career coming back for a second season but barely showing up before. A young sub-continental paceman would be far more useful. Or a spinner if Jack Leach is kept in the England camp as a mentor for Rehan Ahmed and barely makes an appearance for the county.
Anyway that is all to come. What does our Championship side look like without the internationals? Have we made any forward progress from the start of 2022? Do we have some reasons for optimism this year?
Well we've brought in some people. Tom Kohler Cadmore is no minor signing. Though the prospects of him in a white ball side make fans salivate, he is also a front end red ball player, a good fielder and a keeper. You would expect him to put some backbone in any side he plays for. But he is another middle order bat in a squad full of midddle order bats. Will we use him as an opener in 4 days? He's been tried there for Yorkshire but I expect him to only be there if we don't take on an international opening bat. Tom Lammonby has seen the county commit to him as an opening batsman, he has obvious talent and has ousted Tom Banton in that number 2 position... don't expect that to change in the early games. James Rew may take over there during the season unless TKC is used with Lewis Goldsworthy in the 4/5 position. The expectation would be for an International batsman to partner Tom Lammonby with Tom Abell at number 3 in the spring games. An outsider to all this is Andrew Umeed an opening batsman we signed last year and then hardly used though he produced solid work when asked to. I am personally still dubious as to the motives for signing him, no disrespect to his ability, his presence in the SACA camp had an influence I'd suggest. Not sure whether he will show in the CC1 team unless we hit big injury problems but if he proves me wrong good on him.
What the hell do you do with the 4 to 6 positions however is more of a quandry. The signing of Sean Dickson from Durham suggests the number 4 spot is probably his now James Hildreth has called it a day. He is a definite top order bat and the coaches will be hoping he can provide the consistency to move a more solid front end base into the stroke play of our lower middle order. 5 and 6 is perm any 1 from... Kohler-Cadmore, Goldsworthy, Bartlett, Banton, Davies, Rew.
Steve Davies will probably not show though he is probably our best keeeper. The batting of the younger players may very well keep him out during his last season. James Rew has to play as a batsman, he may give the gloves to TKC who also has to play. The question is how do you get the solidity and class of Lewis Goldsworthy into the side without ignoring the explosive ability of Tom Banton who has worked so hard at his red ball game in 2022? The option is that Goldsworthy operates as the second spinner though we really didn't use him all that often in that role and if Jack is available then he won't feature as such in early games.
So unless we do not pick up an international front end batsman and open with Lammonby and Rew or TKC (unlikely) then we have a bulky middle order that will have to fight itself into a slimmer version with some real talent being left out if that is the case. Personally,we need to include both Rew and Goldsworthy in our top 6 batting order for the solidity they showed every time they played. Good luck in picking your first team choice guys!!
Number 7? A position Lewis Gregory has called his own whenever he has been fit and available for a number of years. Is that still the case? As the bowling all rounder in the side he has had few equals in the squad until now. He now may face increased competition for that role from Ben Green who has shown real quality with the bat at the back end and some development of bowling 'chops'. Lewis Goldsworthy provides a slow option with batting capability aspointed out. George Thomas may start to ask a few questions this year as a batting allrounder as well. I'd expect Lewis G Senior to start at that position but if injury blunts his bowling again this season I doubt he'll be the first choice by mid season or in the late summer Championship games. He is the 'Old Guard' nowadays and he may find it hard to hold on. On the outside rail of this question is the up and coming Kasey Aldridge who may need to add some beef to his batting but may very well put up a fight for this position in 2023
Spin bowling has been a gap in our CC1 side too often in the past couple of seasons because of illness and other demands on Jack Leach, our first choice spinner whenever available. Roelof van der Merwe has offered creditable backup whenever asked but even he would not call himself a 4 day front line spinner. We've played with the idea of using Lewis Goldsworthy here but that has not really panned out. We even nicked an out of work Surrey man for a game when Jack was not available last summer. We now have Shoaib Bashir, an 18 year old right hand offie as a long term prospect I would assume. Will he play if Jack can't? A lack of first class experience suggests not (he has played for Berkshire and for our seconds) but if he doesn't and England still see Leachy as the first option to Rehan Ahmed or Parkinson then we are still missing a significant spin option and sorry people Dom Bess was not that option andprobably still isn't.
The bowling all rounder role could be taken by either of our first choice seamers. Craig Overton will play when he is available and that may be a lot of the time this year taking into account his lack of real involvement in England campaigns in the 2022/23 winter. Not a problem for a Somerset supporter even though it won't be ideal for the player himself. A season of Cove puts us in the frame for a trophy. His partner whenever possible would be our other batting bowler Josh Davey who always provides more when in partnership with the man from Devon. We've heard rumours of a return by Peter Siddle in a coaching role with the loss of Steve Kirby to Zimbabwe. That wouldn't be a problem but we need international support for our bowling in a more on field role as well and it makes the extension of Jack Brook's playing contract more difficult to understand if he is not to operate as a mentor for the up and coming seam options of Kasey Aldridge, Ned Leonard, the now fit again Sonny Baker and Alfie Ogborne.
Who will join Davey and Overton in the last 4 spots? From a personal view I hope it isn't Jack Brooks who still has something but if it is to be used then use it in 50 over cricket and have him work with the future prospects to get them providing wickets in an up dated 4 day side. We have to see Baker come through this season, he is such an exciting prospect who was sidelined by a back injury for most of 2022. Leonard, also returning from innjury, isn't far behind him and needs to be given his head as well. Plus we have to expect a bowling international option, preferably one nearer 25 years old than 45 years old. But we'll have to see.
It's a better, stronger, more hungry Championship squad. There is competition in many of the places and few old style certainties in the line up. There are some new exciting prospects for the county in the form of new signings and young professionals coming through. I'm presently watching TKC hitting 65 off 23 balls in the ILT20 tournament in Dubai. It doesn't make him a red ball opener but we need him and Dickson to add more consistency to our far too often fragile batting order.
Who will start? Well if we name an international opener or bowler they probably won't be available for early April so let's assume they aren't.
1.Rew/TKC 2. Lammonby 3. Abell 4. Dickson 5. Bartlett/Goldsworthy 6. Rew/Kohler-Cadmore 7. Gregory 8. Overton 9. Davey 10. Leach 11. Baker
Well it's an eleven. I'm sure people will break it up and put others in. If so let us know in the comments... but isn't that a good thing? If this lot play into form and stay fit then they are going to take some beating. If they don't then there are others just bursting to get into the team and they all could do a job for the county as well
Finding optimism in Taunton is like finding rocking horse droppings. Putting out a consistent eleven in 4 day games has been like trying to herd cats or platt fog in the last few years. However if our Championship side 'clicks' we are going to take some counties to the cleaners and I'm ready for some of that in 2023
BRING IT ON!!
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Edited 3 time(s). Last edit at 2023:04:05:10:47:33 by Grockle.
The patience but power of TKC's 107 yesterday against the younger openers Will Smeed and Tom Banton who have all the power and shots but not yet the patience of their older team mate. They are all 'wham bam...' TKC works to score and stay
Some things to learn by one Tom from the other.
Will has hung his flag to different pole and needs to adapt quickly while he has trade value. You are really only as good as your last franchise innings in the world Mr Smeed has chosen. Big gap before the Vitality and then another to the UK 'franchise' for a budding white ball contractee - unless there is an international franchise opportunity in between.
Interesting words from Lewis Goldsworthy in the Gazette as Mike has picked out elsewhere
[www.somersetcountygazette.co.uk]
Dickson has, however, been signed to open.
The above refers to the CC, of course.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2023:01:22:14:57:01 by AGod.
I doubt Dickson will open either... as I say I see him as a 3/4 bat unless they are planning to move Tom L
As long as its all part of a long term plan then options are all open I'm sure.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2023:01:22:17:53:58 by Grockle.
It would, therefore, be distinctly odd for them not to open with him!
If we don't? 2 bowlers? Spinner? Ahh well.February may give us some info.
Siddle Returns!
Peter Siddle is set to return to Somerset this summer.
The Australian fast bowler made a big impression with the Club last season and will be returning to the Cooper Associates County Ground for the start of the season through to the end of July.
He will be available for the LV= Insurance County Championship and the Vitality Blast during this time.
Peter was outstanding in red-ball cricket in 2022 and claimed 27 First Class wickets for Somerset at an average 23.92 with a best of six for 51 against Surrey. He also impressed with the white ball, taking 17 Vitality Blast wickets at an average of 17.88 with a best of three for 10.
The former Australian international, who claimed 221 wickets in 67 Tests, also played a valuable mentoring role to the Club’s young bowlers last summer.
Regarding his return, Peter said: “I loved my time at Somerset last summer and when the opportunity to go back came about there was never any doubt that I would take it. It’s a great Club with great people and the Members and supporters are outstanding.
.
“I was made to feel like a part of the family as soon as I arrived and I’m looking forward to joining up with the boys again in a few months’ time.
“Hopefully, I can contribute to Somerset having a big summer in 2023.”
SCCC Director of Cricket, Andy Hurry is pleased to have secured the services of such a quality performer once again. “Peter Siddle was phenomenal for us on and off the field last year. His contributions on the pitch and in the dressing room were of the very highest order. He is a proven winner who will contribute significantly on the field, and with his vast experience will also play a huge role in the development of our aspiring bowlers.
“During his time with us previously, he established an excellent rapport with his teammates, the coaches, our staff and our Members. He will be a valuable addition to our squad this summer and we look forward to welcoming him back to do what he does best in a Somerset shirt in 2023.”
If anything I'd expect Lammonby to drop down given that he's been pretty woeful opening over the last 2 seasons.
Dickson has been bought in to open.
TKC is the Hildy replacement middle order.
Abell had his best ever season at 3.
Rew has claimed the gloves and 6 is his spot, not fair or sensible to have him up top.
Lewis will need to bowl fully to warrant playing at 7. We need 4 proper seamers in April/May.
The next key is 2nd overseas, be it another seamer or an opener.
Which dictates if it's Lammers George Golds Davey etc needed in the remaining 3 spots.....
1 Dickson
2
3 Abell
4 TKC
5
6 Rew
7 Lewis
8 Craig
9 Siddle
10
11 Leach
Lewis is the man who will be conscious of his position (as will Ben Green & Kasey be) & Sonny at least will be knocking pretty loudly on the double figure positions.
50 odd days before it starts panning out and places to fill before then probably.
New seam bowler Ollie Heard has joined the Academy
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2023:02:04:07:38:05 by Grockle.
George nor Goldsworthy are openers, they are competing for that 5 spot.
Lewis is yes the doubt as he needs to bowl fully to be at 7, if not then yep maybe Green comes in. Or we cheat & leave Leach out to play 4 seamers 8 to 11.
Nature of overseas 2 is key.
Seamers we need 6 at least to rotate with so no need to be too precious on an exact attack, it needs to rotate to survive April May red schedule
Always the possibility that one of the youngers has put on a bit of body and pace as well.
Yep I can't see a place for Tom B without injuries
Therefore. one would assume the likes of Smeed(contract dependent) , Lammonby and Banton might all have an interest in been included in the top 6 in WSM's team above
Also reverting to 5 points for a draw , and using the Kookaburra ball for 2 rounds of games in mid summer.
May have to hope Dickson & TCK will add to the base work of Rew & Goldsworthy from last year in order to put some bulk on our first innings scores in 2023
[medium.com]
It's about a 5 minute read
What happens on the field of play remains to be seen.
Fingers crossed we turn up early and strong.
Grizzers
Should be over from mid April until early August, so I'm thinking we should have the Championship well & truly stitched up by then.
Or something like that !
Grizzers
LoL
Seventy-eight Seasons a Somerset Supporter
1. Dickson (certain)
2. Bancroft (if here assuming he will be) or Lammonby?
3. Abell (captain if FULLY fit) Goldswothy if not?
4. TKC (certain)
5. Rew (keeper)
6. Lammonby/Bartlett
7. Gregory(captain if Abell not fit) (certain)
8. Overton (certain)
9. Davey (certain)
10. Siddle (certain if here) Aldridge? Brooks?
11. Leach (certain if available) Bashir?
There are a few more names floating about it - might have more of a chance if there had been 3 friendly games instead of less than 3 days - not sure who has made an early impression in the Emirates but that may be for later.
Somerset will be conservative to start with. Just hope the game gets four days to determine the result.
Thoughts?
I think most people would be happier if he didn't play if there was any possibility he wasn't ready rather than being rushed back into the side when he really isn't fully fit.
To be honest, if they are not committing to him now I'd suggest that he'll not play and Lewis Gregory will captain.
We have the backup so it would probably be better to be safe than sorry when he doesn't get on the pitch effectively for a third of a season or something.
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