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[Manormanic]

Aww guys, I'm flattered to have a thread named after me.

I was quiet because I was taking a pre-season break up some hills in T'Lake District.  Though when I got back to find that score I was tempted to head back up them to life as a Hermit. 

My thoughts on the season ahead - I think Division One is pretty open.  Warwickshire have the strongest batting line up and an overseas player available for the full season, and I maintain as I have elsewhere that Hannon-Dalby will prove to be an inspired signing for them, Sussex have a good first choice XI (though perhaps not the strength in depth) and Nottinghamshire will probably be there or thereabouts come the end of the season.  A lot of pundits have gone for Surrey, but I actually wonder if Middlesex are the stronger of the two Capital Counties - Harris will do well for them, Roland-Jones is a quality seamer and they have a lot of batting resources to call on.

As for Yorkshire.  Well, it was funny reading the "pundits" lining up to call us champions in witing in the Yorkshire Post. I think the bowling is going to be decent - Bresnan, Sidebottom, Rashid, Rafiq and Ashraf have all got he quality and Brooks will be pushing to prove he can cut it in D1 (as will Steve Patterson for that matter) - but the absence of Root for this game has shown that the batting is going to be challenged, especially if Bairstow and Ballance are in England's sights again.  Lyth is a make shift opener, Lees making his debut...

I'D say mid-table.

As for D2, Lancashire and Hampshire will probably run away with it unless the weather helps someone to do a Derbyshire...

[procricket]

Has rashid got more than a year left in his contract if not I suspect he might be playing at another County soon

[Manormanic]

Has rashid got more than a year left in his contract if not I suspect he might be playing at another County soon

I honestly don't know the answer to that one!

[arsenal123]

Willey has been performing to a very high standard.  I have only seen a bit of him, anyone got anything to report on him?  Future test match player?  In competition with Woakes for the best player that has "not enough pace for test cricket club"?

[A-Swing-And-A-Miss]

Smith failed again for Surrey making just 3 to bring his season total to 5 from two innings'. Luckily his opening partner, Burns, has faired much better and has been well supported by a very solid upper and middle order of Wilson, Solanki, Davies, De Bruyn along with Harianth and/or Roy. Nice to see Tremlett playing again, hopefully he has a good season(although perhaps not so good that he gets stolen by England)

[Red Ink Cricket]

Willey has been performing to a very high standard.  I have only seen a bit of him, anyone got anything to report on him?  Future test match player?  In competition with Woakes for the best player that has "not enough pace for test cricket club"?

A complete tool of an ex club mate pinned him against a wall in a club game cos he was being a arrogant little so and so. He was about 15 I think, the team mate was 16. He no longer plays with us and obviously willeys arrogance has served him well.

On a serious note he does seem to have started well. I'd say he could do with a good couple of seasons playing well first

[Manormanic]

He looks promising - though I would be hard pressed to call him more promising than Topley or Mills in the left armers club.