He's a quality pick. Scored buckets of runs in the last couple of seasons since sorting out his technique, if I had continued in this he'd definately have been an early-ish pick up for me. If he wasn't 30 odd he'd be a lot closer to the England setup than he currently is I feel.
I think he's learnt a bit from Carbs in all honesty as he used to just nudge it about and that's why he never got the jig in the OD's and T20s. Since Carberry arrived he's improved as a player in all formats, probably just encouraged to play his strokes more and it definately has worked!
Munaf Patel has been added to the squad. He is likely to go straight into the squad as an opener bowler with Vaas moving to first change. Patel has a very impressive domestic record and has not done badly in the test arena when has featured either. The hope is he can form a partnership with the new ball with fellow Indian Zaheer. However, he will have to be on the top of his game with Collymore and Theron snapping at his heels to take his spot. 13. Munaf Patel Code: Mat Inns NO Runs HS Ave BF SR 100 50 4s 6s Ct St Tests 12 13 5 56 15* 7.00 137 40.87 0 0 7 1 6 0 First-class 52 60 20 607 78 15.17 862 70.41 0 1 13 0 Mat Inns Balls Runs Wkts BBI BBM Ave Econ SR 4w 5w 10 Tests 12 23 2394 1230 34 4/25 7/97 36.17 3.08 70.4 1 0 0 First-class 52 9400 4461 191 6/50 23.35 2.84 49.2 12 7 1
The Claymores squad is rounding off well in the latter stages of the draft with a back-up opener, spinner and middle order batsman. The squad will be looking to finish off strong with the first pick of round 17 and the very last pick of the draft. Hoping not to have to scrap the barrell completely by that point. 14. Michael Lumb Code: Mat Inns NO Runs HS Ave BF SR 100 50 4s 6s Ct St First-class 134 224 15 7266 219 34.76 12 45 92 0 Mat Inns Balls Runs Wkts BBI BBM Ave Econ SR 4w 5w 10 First-class 134 318 242 6 2/10 40.33 4.56 53.0 0 0 0 15. Saeed Ajmal Code: Mat Inns NO Runs HS Ave BF SR 100 50 4s 6s Ct St Tests 9 16 7 98 50 10.88 199 49.24 0 1 12 0 2 0 First-class 92 123 42 965 53 11.91 0 3 30 0 Mat Inns Balls Runs Wkts BBI BBM Ave Econ SR 4w 5w 10 Tests 9 17 2747 1311 33 5/82 5/103 39.72 2.86 83.2 2 1 0 First-class 92 18475 8551 302 7/63 28.31 2.77 61.1 18 1 16. Mohammad Kaif Code: Mat Inns NO Runs HS Ave BF SR 100 50 4s 6s Ct St Tests 13 22 3 624 148* 32.84 1548 40.31 1 3 64 2 14 0 First-class 127 201 21 7456 202* 41.42 14 45 114 0 Mat Inns Balls Runs Wkts BBI BBM Ave Econ SR 4w 5w 10 Tests 13 1 18 4 0 1.33 0 0 0 First-class 127 1472 709 20 3/4 35.45 2.88 73.6 0 0
Saha has been added as the back-up keeper. 17. Wriddhiman Saha Code: Mat Inns NO Runs HS Ave BF SR 100 50 4s 6s Ct St Tests 1 2 0 36 36 18.00 104 34.61 0 0 4 0 0 0 First-class 32 48 6 1643 178* 39.11 3684 44.59 4 7 202 10 74 4
I have been tempted to pick him the past few rounds but kept holding out hoping no one else would grab him first. I wasn't really wanting to risk letting him be the very last pick of the entire thing though.
I never got round to posting my last pick due to be on my mobile so thought I would do it now. Tom Smith is a talented all-rounder who is handy with both bat and ball. He would only probably only get a shout if Vaas picked up and injury and even then if Mathews was not going well with the ball I may just have to go with 4 specialist bowlers. 18. Tom Smith Code: Mat Inns NO Runs HS Ave BF SR 100 50 4s 6s Ct St First-class 56 78 16 1626 128 26.22 3636 44.71 3 5 199 9 50 0 Mat Inns Balls Runs Wkts BBI BBM Ave Econ SR 4w 5w 10 First-class 56 7588 3792 116 6/46 32.68 2.99 65.4 3 2 0
Vaas's batting has really improved in the last few years; he certainly wouldn't look out of place at seven if Mathews dished up pies IMO.
Yeah Vaas has improved a lot towards the tail end of his career and could bat 7. IIRC I said this to Eds on msn around the time I picked him. Unfortunately I have a bad feeling about Mathews' bowling as his stats don't measure up to his actual ability with the ball, due to not bowling much yet.
Given that he hasn't taken a FC wicket in 3 seasons I think I will just stick with Mathews and Pathan as my 5th option. Kaif won't even make the starting XI.
Mathews doing nothing with the ball is slightly worrying, at least Pathan did well when bowling in the 2nd innings. I am a bit concerned I am going to have to play a bowler at 8 and give me a long tail.
Cribb, would Sriram be capable of opening in this? I know he did open a few times in his career but mainly played at 3. Just wondering as I am thinking how I could reshuffle my line-up if Mathews blows with the ball again.
After 2 winless games and premier seam bowler Zaheer Khan being injured the Claymores will be looking at areas of their side where they can make changes to strengthen their line-up.
The Claymores are pleased to announce the signing of Ryan Hinds who was traded from his previous club the Carvers for South African seamer Rusty Theron. The club felt that Theron, while being talented, would not have much of an opportunity to play in the competition. Hinds gives the club some allround back-up with his batting and spin bowling, he could also play as a genuine batsman if required. Ryan Hinds Code: Mat Inns NO Runs HS Ave BF SR 100 50 4s 6s Ct St Tests 15 25 1 505 84 21.04 1245 40.56 0 2 61 2 7 0 First-class 116 189 19 6630 240 39.00 12 34 87 0 Mat Inns Balls Runs Wkts BBI BBM Ave Econ SR 4w 5w 10 Tests 15 22 1743 870 13 2/45 4/131 66.92 2.99 134.0 0 0 0 First-class 116 14472 6059 222 9/68 27.29 2.51 65.1 5 1
