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andrew · 03-02-2010, 03:44 PM

Dear George,

I just wondered how hard you think it is for the DOC (KOS) to plan his side batting line up for next season.

I assume he will not know and will have little control over the availability of his two best batsman.

So how can he plan ahead with any degree of certainty?

Kindest regards,

Andrew

(PS: do you have any plans to venture to a warmer climate to cover any sporting events?)

George · 09-02-2010, 09:18 AM

(03-02-2010 03:44 PM)andrew Wrote: Dear George,

I just wondered how hard you think it is for the DOC (KOS) to plan his side batting line up for next season.

I assume he will not know and will have little control over the availability of his two best batsman.

So how can he plan ahead with any degree of certainty?

Kindest regards,

Andrew

(PS: do you have any plans to venture to a warmer climate to cover any sporting events?)

Not very. He’s not that spoilt for choice, is he? There’s every chance that Jonathan Trott and Ian Bell will be unavailable for large portions of the season. As a selector, Ashley will know more about that than anyone and he’ll plan accordingly.

Anyway, you could see their unavailability is a sign of success. Yes, it may cause Warwickshire problems, but surely most supporters will take pleasure in seeing the club’s players prosper at international level and accept the loss of service. It reflects well of the club that they have two batsmen considered among the best six available. Maybe bemoaning their absence is like finding a cloud for every silver lining?

The other positive view would be that younger players may win more opportunity. The likes of Chopra - who is a decent player - could feature heavily. Javed may be seen more often, too. I’m not convinced that some of the other young batsmen are up to it - love to be proved wrong - but I do think the all-rounders (Woakes, Barker, Clarke, Naqs, Carter and Botha) could have a major, positive impact with the bat. I’m a big believer in Clarke but he’s overdue a big season. Time to deliver.

If they’re to prosper, Westwood needs to progress substantially. Troughton, too, needs to be more consistent. Maddy’s return will help.

The really interesting selection might, by mid-season, concern the keeping position. For reasons I don’t understand, Ambrose’s star seem to be fading. I think he’s an excellent cricketer, but Johnson is breathing down his neck and seems to be pencilled in for the start of 2011.

For the first time in many years, Warwickshire’s bowling may be stronger than their batting.

How do I think they’ll do? I think you’ll be focussed more on matters at the bottom than the top of the table.

Do I have any plans to cover any games abroad? Yes. I’m going - God willing - to the MCC v Durham game in Abu Dhabi and the World T20 in the Caribbean.

Cheers,

GD

andrew · 10-02-2010, 09:09 PM

Dear George,

Many thanks,

I suppose I am selfish in respect that if I take a day off work; travel 100 mile round trip to Edgbaston; costing petrol etc; I would like to see our best natsmen.

Good luck with trips to the sun .... hard life innit??

Thanks again for taking the time to respond to my question.

Andrew