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The T20 Blast, County Cricket's cash cow; but not in 2020.
No packed grounds consuming premium priced alcohol. No food outlets spicing-up the palettes of those who've rushed to the game direct from work. No queues for the toilets, or queues to return to your seat after queuing for the toilet or queuing for the beer or queuing for the snacks - access is restricted by a power-crazed, green-jacketed, officious stewards. "They're not here for the cricket", he thinks, "they're here for the boom-boom-boom, booming music and Sweet Caroline in the final hour!"
Everyone say, "E-O"! Not in 2020.
Seriously, Trent Bridge have got the package spot-on for the Friday night crowd. The year on year increasing numbers is evidence of this, but not this year. The cricket on show had a certain choreography too, until the model was tweaked, slightly, last season. Boundaries are shortened, the pitch is hard and true and a minimum RPO of 10 is the requirement for the team batting first, if they were to stand any chance of winning. Outlaws: more successful than not, and for those inside the ground it meant lots of 4s and 6s and so lots of noise. Everyone was generally happy - kerr-ching!!! But not in 2020.
The Trent Bridge specialists will be returning from the self-imposed, contractually, extended social isolation: Harry Gurney and Alex Hales to perversely strengthen the squad, when it is least required. There are one day specialists already ensconced: Clarke, Duckett, Trego, Moores, even Samit and Carter, though Mr Moores would argue until he's red in the face that they just need to mature further into the longer format.
In recent times, one of the most rewarding sights as a Notts supporter was the reinvention of Jake Libby from dour, play it safe, opening bat in the first class game, into a swashbuckling, inventive number 2, 3 or 4 batsman in the T20, his transformation and evolution from a make-weight low in the order batsman into a worthy Outlaw was a revelation, not only to the spectators but also to Peter Moores and his band of merry coaches (who obviously aren't as adept at spotting a good player when they see one, as they think they are); only for Jake to make room (and his place in the side) for Chris Nash in a one-off plan for the quater-final against Middlesex and because that came off, also in that impossible to lose semi that Duckett made a fool of himself and his colleagues. Is this another reason why Jake switched counties? Jake the Outlaw Libby, again not in 2020.
To lead the merry Outlaws is the perennial antipodean adopted son, Dan the Outlaw Christian. After four matches of the Bob Willis and some of those same repeated failures, it will do Steven Mullaney good to step back and allow a new dealer to stand-up and shuffle the deck.
First up we have Yorkshire Vikings who welcome back Joe Root, keen to make a splash to regain his place in the England higher echelon in the shortest format for later tussle with the Aussies. DDG
Expect us to go well yet again in this format. We have a pretty sound tried and trusted formula and some good white ball exponents at our disposal. We could miss the 2nd overseas, assuming DC plays(?) and in particular the slow bowling option of Imad Wasim we had last season. However, presumably, most sides will also be weaker overall so this should even things up hopefully. Have to go someway to equalling the brilliant side of 2017 which to me was as good as any domestic one day side anywhere around the globe.
ReplyDeleteJust back from a jog around Bakersfield and reading this informative and humorous editorial above couldn't get the image of Ben'Theres a hole in my bucket'Duckett out of my mind. Slumping to his knees, crestfallen in utter disbelief that he had somehow missed the delivery, his Gunn and Moore willow now completely useless in his hand. Then the utter disbelief and incredulity that wanting was it 12 off 12 with 8 men left in the hutch the once, perennial Qtr Final bottlers had somehow failed to get across the finishing line and into the Final. What to do ? Best to ignore it, try to forget it ever happened and instead cling to the club's record in white ball(Also then ignoring that both Kent and Somerset had destroyed us in the knockout stages of these two competitions. With our squad not being at the mercy of the England ODI selectors for varying reasons wouldn't be surprised if we actually won it again this season. But would the usual good run in this comp. merely paper over the cracks in the red ball format as has appeared to happen in recent seasons ?
ReplyDeleteNotts CCC will be hoping a good run in this Blast 20 comp will distract attention from the very inconsistent 4 day side. We know that many Blast 20 enthusiasts never attend a four day match . We also know many Notts Members dont attend the frenetic ( but profitable) Blast 20 matches even though its free admission for them .
ReplyDeleteReading a lot of the postings on this site its obvious Notts fans want a change at the top ASAP. A lot are simply fed up with whats going on ( or NOT going on!)
For some unknown reason Notts are odds on at 8/11 to win on Thursday evening
I am hoping for a win obviously but fear it will be a close match even with top hitter Hales back in the side .
But is Alex tuned up and in form ? Lets hope so.
But when did he last play an innings? Where was it and what was his score? R
Something occurred to me about white ball only players.
ReplyDeleteWHAT IF IT HAPPENED IN FOOTBALL?
What if some superstar players didnt want the weekly slog of energy sapping League matches ?
WHAT IF SOME ELITE PLAYERS JUST WANTED TO PLAY IN THE GLORY CUP AND INTERNATIONAL MATCHES!
Would the Club Chairmen and Managers allow such a thing to happen?
SURELY NOT!
BUT ITS HAPPENED IN CRICKET!
Fair point Cruetking but I think the difference is that the skill sets are completely different. Only the really gifted are good at both games.
ReplyDeleteThe general feeling of the low mood among the members, when you boil it down past the players that have retired, left, been brought in or playing in the IPL and such like,is that the team haven’t won a championship match in over two years.
ReplyDeleteHarry Gurney, not in 2020
ReplyDelete2020 last year of current contract:Samit Patel, Harry Gurney, Chris Nash, Jack Blatherwick, Ben Compton, Tom Barber
ReplyDeleteLooks like Samit might be e only one to extend!!!
Out of those 6 players - who do we offer contracts to?
ReplyDeleteAnd what length of contract?
I would suspect Gurney and Nash have alternative arrangements already lined-up. Blatherwick and Compton haven't been given a chance and if Nash does move-on, then there is a reason to give Compton time to have an opportunity to prove himself. Samit will be a rolling contract until he breaks. Barber is the one getting opportunities so far, he's shown that he is quick, but that is his only redeeming feature. I'm sure Stempy is working flatout with him to get some accuracy to his bowling but at the moment there's a 4 four ever over making him an ideal replacement for HG....
DeleteFeels to me like Compton and Blatherwick haven’t really had much chance. I would give them both 1 more year. Samit maybe 2 as you could see him in “white ball” for that length of time.
ReplyDeleteNash and Gurney I would let go. I am making an assumption but would think they are comparatively expensive.
Yes I suppose with the new financial situation affecting Notts ( all Countues really) then the cost of a particular players contract comes right to the fore. Also Counties may be reluctant to offer 3 year contracts in future. Possibly too much at stake for the Club in case a player loses form or interest. I suspect two year contracts will be the norm for the younger proven element and one year contracts offered to young hopefuls plus experienced older players well past their prime.
ReplyDelete