Weston Saint

First, Lumb will replace Dawson tomorrow. That is not the reason Hampshire bowled first despite winning the toss nor did it preclude Dawson from batting or bowling. The wicket was very green but it was a baking hot day and a mistake. I spoke to David Fulton (Sky) ex Kent skipper. He would have batted. He told me some years ago that he won the toss on a similar green wicket on a baking hot day against Sussex. He put them in, they scored a massive amount and Kent lost. He said he learned from that decision. Spoke to Tim Tremlett. They expect the wicket not to deteriorate. Hampshire's bowling in the morning was poor. David Griffiths tells me he has a hip injury but hopes to return soon. The same applies to Ali. I heard second hand that Dimi is playing for the seconds this week so he should not be far away. That is todays news.

Ali still not fit but McKenzie returns Hampshire Squad: 4 Jimmy Adams 6 Michael Lumb 7 Sean Ervine 8 Liam Dawson 9 Nic Pothas 12 Dominic Cork 14 James Vince 15 Michael Carberry 20 Chris Benham 21 James Tomlinson 27 Neil McKenzie 34 Rangana Herath 84 David Balcombe http://www.rosebowlplc.com/news/hampshire-v-yorkshire-cc-preview/

Please try and stop the bickering. When Cortese appointed Pardew it was with a publicised 5 year plan. Even though we had a -10 point start our early form was diabolical and I am told Cortese, after about 6 games were uncertain he wanted Pardew to continue but was persuaded by others with football experience to persevere and Cortese apparently took that advice. In December we were making good progress so Cortese and Pardew got together to consider updating the time plan. Pardew has admitted that he told Cortese that with the right signing he could get to the playoffs. Money was made available and the new time line was agreed i.e. playoffs with probable promotion followed by consolidation and the target of Premier in 3 more years making 4 overall. Pardew failed to get us into the playoffs despite a gallant effort from him and the team so obviously his position was in doubt. I suspect Cortese was not happy and likely took advice again from those who understood the game. He also had a meeting with Pardew to discuss the plan, requirements and no doubt laid on the line that failure to gain promotion next year was not an option. The outcome was that Pardew lives to fight a new campaign. As for the suggestion that Cortese does not engage with the staff my information is that he is a hard taskmaster, firm but fair. Perhaps he wants the lines of communication at SMS understood and applied. We know the club was in a shambles before he came in. Why should he communicate with the supporters or press on a regular basis? He has a Manager to engage in that process. If there is an issue with any staff including Pardew that is private and not for public consumption. That includes praise or criticism. How many times have we heard a Chairman tell the press he had faith in his Manager only to sack him within weeks? Cortese, for me is still on trial but so is Pardew. Can Cortese deliver? He is not doing too bad so far and we will see how he takes the business forward next season. Can Pardew deliver? I can see weaknesses but I am confident he will get us promoted next season. After that I am not so sure.

Tomorrow sees what might be a high scoring match. Why do I say that? Most runs this season in Championship Div 1 1. A Lyth 633 from 6 matches 2. J Rudolf 595 from 6 matches 3. S Ervine 553 from 6 matches 4. A McGrath 522 from 6 matches 5. J Adams 504 from 6 matches 12 M Carberry 425 from 5 matches From the bowling most wickets 8. K Ali 19 from 4 matches (but likely to be out injured) 9 O Hanon-Dalby 19 from 6 matches 10 D Griffiths 18 from 5 matches 14 A Rashid 17 from 6 matches 15 D Patterson 16 from 4 Weather looks set fair. Looking forward to this one after the win against the leaders Notts in the CCC and the leaders Warwickshire in the Clydsdale 40's Confidence will be back in the dressing room.

Good post Frank and comments I subscribe to as well

I suspect nothing will happen until after the world cup

No loan approach in January so he had nothing to turn down.

Fanstastic result. Just what was needed. McKenzie justifies his signing at last

Not asked the question but I suspect he would. Reason for no other enquiries is that he is still under contract with Wolves and as far as I know he has not been put on the transfer list. We have a world cup just about to start and I suspect until that is over we will hear very little about transfers. Sheffield Utd we after him when he signed for Wolves so they might come back if he is to move on. I expect Pardew to do the same but wages might be a stumbling block. I do not know what Drew earnes but it is quite a bit more than he previously earned with Saints.

Not correct according to my contact, his father.

103 to win in 32 overs minimum with 6 wickets in hand but only 14 overs to the new ball. Three results still possible. Hants slightly favourite but another wicket loss will change all that!

Absolutely agree. The person who put up the post and photo must have the mind of a demented portsmouth supporter.

If you are who I think you are, if you were educated where I think you were, if you work for who I think you do and if you hold the position I think you do, I am very worried about not only you but the rest of us as well.

Really, so his father who played golf with Drew yesterday is wrong when he says that Drew knows nothing about any approach. And your source is who?

I am a close friend of his Mum & Dad going back to before they were married. Kept in touch when they worked in Jersey and then SA including when they visited UK to see family with Paul & Drew as young kids. When they came back they rented my brother in laws place until they bought there own. So no not professional.

I did not ask the question as to whether he had been told he could go so VFTT may be right. My question was before he posted this thread.

That is a question I will not ask whilst he is contracted to Wolves or until they say he can move on.

OK I can now confirm this is unfounded speculation. Drew is not aware of any approach. It is known that Pardew rates him but that is all at present.

OK I can now confirm this is unfounded speculation. Drew is not aware of any approach. It is known that Pardew rates him but that is all at present. I will put this on the other Surman threads as well.

Well done Minty, everyone stays away from posting and you come on and take a wicket. 154-3 Benham gone

He is registered to Hampshire but has a central contract with England who pay his wages. Hampshire pay him nothing. If he plays for us we have to pay a fee to England.

Spring term report for Hampshire Championship players: Adams – started well but has stuttered of late. Still a useful opening bat and with the lack of any alternative he will get a continued run in the team. Carberry – has carried on where he left off last season and no suprise he is in the Lions squad. Our best player at present Dawson – likable and enthusiastic chap but mid to late order batsman at most. He needs to develop his bowling or he will find himself out of the first team. Benham – Should be a good player but regularly loses focus and it is a toss up between him and Dawson to miss out when Lumb returns McKenzie – very disappointing at present. Let’s hope he improves as the season goes on. Vince – This lad will play for England in a few years if he develops the way he is at present. Could be in the Gower or Vaughan class in shot making. Just needs to concentrate when he has 30 or 40 and he will start making some 3 figure scores. Pothas – Good keeper still but his batting is suffering this year from the responsibility of skippering the side. Not really captaining the side with authority. The dressing room is very down at present. Ervine – in great form with the bat and although his bowling has not returned to it’s former effectiveness it is improving. Perhaps time to move ahead of Pothas in the batting line up. Cork – Getting on a bit now but his enthusiasm for the game is still there and his experience is essential at this time. I would have had him as captain whist Dimi is out with injury. Ali – Has shown he can take wickets for us but his knee injury is a worry. He expected to be back this week but on Friday he broke down warming up with the players. Herath – engaging individual and a steady bowler in the Maru mould but not likely to take a great deal of wickets. Shame we did not decide to stick with Briggs. Griffiths – pace and taking wickets. Bit expensive but he is taking wickets regularly Tomlinson - Not as good as last year but more economical than Griffiths and if he can continue todays form he should stay ahead of Griffiths. Balcolme - First outing this season so not fair to comment. Briggs – Started well and unlucky to lose out to a late overseas import. His time will come again. Overall, some good individual performances but when one fires 3 or 4 others do not. We lack penetration and that is a big worry at present. Must do better.

270 all out. Good day so far. Tricky 8 or 9 overs to survive tonight

Read c Pothas b Tomlinson 22 147/6

AD Brown lbw b Ervine 42 107/5