Tough Job Filling the Void

 

FILLING THE OPEN VOID

 

After the loss of the influential, and successful opening pairing of Darren Bicknell (2006) and Jason Gallian (2007), Notts have strained to fill that void.

On the staff at present we have got several who have risen to the challenge. Indeed, Steven Mullaney has made a fair job of opening, when others cowered away and has done particularly well at the “testing” Trent Bridge. The current incumbents, Ben Slater and Haseeb Hameed* show plenty of promise for the coming seasons, fingers crossed they do succeed. In match situations, I’m sure that Ben Duckett or Joe Clarke would make good stand-ins, if they haven’t already done so, in their limited Nottinghamshire careers, already. So, at the end of a fraught year there are positives signs in at least in that department for Notts CCC, giving us all hope for the future.

Since 2007, striving to fill that void left by behemoths Gallian and Bicknell, many have given it a try and many have settled into a batting position outside the firing-line of the top two, whilst others have fallen by the wayside. Popular Riki Wessels would and could bat anywhere in the top six or seven, when at his peak, but ultimately shied away from opening at Trent Bridge in the first class game, which cemented Steven Mullaney into his makeshift role. Michael Lumb, Hales’ opening partner in the limited overs game, preferred three with the red ball and so Jake Libby arose to be a prolonged candidate as partner for the volunteer Mullaney. Libby played 48 matches over six seasons, scored 4 tons and averaged just less than 27 – not exactly nailed-it, had he?

Nottinghamshire supporters will recall that the negotiating powers of Mr Newell have sought to out-source from overseas on occasion an opening batsman, or four! All good, all successful and all popular moves, but none of them long term. Alas. Hashim Amla, Kraigg Brathwaite*, Ed Cowan* and Phil Jaques all evoke positive memories for Notts members. Out-sourcing has been Mick’s hallmark; who can forget, but many would wish to, the dynamic duo of Will Jefferson and Matt Wood*? Or, the much maligned, Neil Edwards whose top score, and only ton for Notts, was 195 off the Loughborough students; he had 24 matches and averaged 24. Others too have come and gone; the latest being Chris Nash and before him there were Karl Turner*, Scott Newman* (a loanee) and Greg Smith*. Brendan Taylor, International opening batsman, who was a bit of a coup for Newell, the Zimbabwean did a good job for Notts in all formats but didn’t do it as an opening bat too often.

Homegrown Bilal Shafayat scored three centuries during the period post-2007, on his return from Northamptonshire, and averaged 30 before his final release. Then again there’s always Alex Hales, still on the staff with thirteen centuries to his name in Notts FCC colours, who doesn’t wish to add to that total, disappointingly.

One other name stands out, a product of the academy, a former England u19 international who had four years with the Notts senior ranks, but never got a real shot at the job playing just three games over that period, Sam Kelsall*. Player pathway and youth development not being a hallmark of Mr Newell’s career.

I’m sure others will remember more names that have tried or been tried in that position by Notts since 2007, perhaps for just one game but as the catalogue of names above portrays, “it’s a tough job, but someone has to do it”. DG

* denotes never scoring a ton for Notts