Ya to date they've effectively hamstrung his progress. He's been contracted for 2 years and not played one full 50 over or 4 day game!! That's a world record, and if you consider that Leicestershire are bottom of the log and have changed their team less than any other county it doesn't make sense. They've plugged away with the same guys that don't get them over the line. They're all good players, but they invariably get beat on the day. Its actually their seam bowling that let's them down more than their batting. Even Hendricks and Mulder have taken tap. They actually sat Mulder (their overseas) out of some T20 games.
The guy is a world class international player yet couldn't get a start in the Leicestershire side. If I were on their Board I'd have been asking the coach to justify that!!
They've given other guys opportunities that have been released from other counties long before they've given NW a run. Rishi Patel (ex Essex) is a good example. He's a world class looking player right up to the point where he inexplicably goes out, beautiful stylish technique, maybe the best in England actually, but he's been 4 years as a pro with only 4 fifties and 1 hundred? . They have about 3 similar guys that seem to just do just enough to justify ongoing selections and NW has been forced to sit and wait and nobody really knows why.
Ackerman, their captain once went about 15 innings without getting into double figures, then out of nowhere had 3 fantastic T20 innings and an unbelievable 250 in red ball. But which county will let you go 15 innings without a score? Thats Kohli and Zimbabwe territory.
They've had opportunity to pick up 2 really good older players with good stats that had been released and they've plugged for cheaper options hoping they'll come good. If I were them I'd have really pushed the boat out to get Byrom, but they'd want a Byrom at 2k a month
, they're better off buying lotto tickets. They're the only county with this strategy. The problem is if those guys do end up doing well they're unlikely to pay to retain them. I saw Azhad didn't play the last red ball and I'll bet my bottom dollar that it's a contractual dispute. If they let him go they're dumb. They'll lose Riahn Ahmed the second his contract is up for renewal and again I'll bet my bottom dollar they're going to lose Benny Mike, he'll have other counties after him and they won't match the offer. Ben Mike has a big career ahead of him, they'd be incredibly short sighted to let him go, he's a proper player. He might be the best no 8 batsman in County and bowls quick, but he's wayward. Anyone who does well at Leicestershire gets poached by Notts. I'm sure money is tight for them, but surely pay fewer players better or they'll stay at the bottom of the pile.
If you gave NW 4 years or even 15 innings like they seem to give a lot of others he'd be an established pro by now and an absolute gun T20 opener. Something doesn't stack up.
I'd think a lot hinges on how he goes in this RL 50 over comp which has been weakened by guys playing the 100 and he's going to need to go big in at least 3 games and at least get them starts in a couple of others. That's assuming he opens, they may bat him middle order, who knows with them.
Surrey have 13 guys playing in the 100 and yet they'll still put out a strong list A team. They're the Takashinga of English Cricket
They'd happily sign 200 players and pat themselves on the back because they're so good.
