Hampshire CCC 2025

[Gloucester Saint]

1 hour ago, Lighthouse said:

From 131-4 to 133-8.

154 all out, tail couldn’t wag this time. Sussex 11/1 so hopefully they find the surface as tricky.

Cant imagine Orr is too happy at not being selected against his former country, assuming fit.

[Andrew Watson]

You would have thought that Orr would have been well motivated to play in this game. Perhaps Ron [ Weston Saint ]can tell us the reasons why he was not picked in the next day or two.

[Andrew Watson]

Perhaps with Sean Ervines brother Craig as his test captain, Brian Bennett might consider coming to Hants next year [ I know he will only be 22 ]. However with Giles White in charge is that ever likely to happen.

[Lighthouse]

Young Turner kept the game alive in the final session there, Sussex were walking away with it until he came into the attack. The wicket looked very green to my eye, it was pretty breezy out there too.

[Hodgey]

Sussex going to get 300 plus here. Game will be over tomorrow - another disastrous first innings - we really aren’t learning 

[Andrew Watson]

Another collapse imminent ?   Simpson might not be stylish,but he is sure effective,might help he is left handed [, obdurate like Jack Russell,but I doubt any of our batters will show such resilience and fight to keep their wickets intact.

Would love to be proved wrong, but just cannot see it.

[Gloucester Saint]

4 hours ago, Andrew Watson said:

Another collapse imminent ?   Simpson might not be stylish,but he is sure effective,might help he is left handed [, obdurate like Jack Russell,but I doubt any of our batters will show such resilience and fight to keep their wickets intact.

Would love to be proved wrong, but just cannot see it.

You weren’t proved wrong, another collapse and almost certainly a hefty home defeat to newly promoted neighbours. 

[badgerx16]

6 minutes ago, Gloucester Saint said:

You weren’t proved wrong, another collapse and almost certainly a hefty home defeat to newly promoted neighbours. 

Whilst Abbas, playing for Notts, demolishes Yorkshire.

[Gloucester Saint]

11 hours ago, badgerx16 said:

Whilst Abbas, playing for Notts, demolishes Yorkshire.

We didn’t make the most of the bowling conditions, I’ll give you that, and Baker/Abbas as a trade hasn’t worked out, but the top order has been pathetic this season, and this match, Dawson, Brown and the tail couldn’t bail them out as they have been. Vince is the bigger loss of the two. Stoneman was never the answer averaging low 30s in D2, we’ve got Albert if we want someone to block and not get it off the square. A quality overseas top order batter was what Hants needed, not Brett Hampton. Has Rasmus branched out into cricket?

[Window Cleaner]

3 hours ago, Gloucester Saint said:

We didn’t make the most of the bowling conditions, I’ll give you that, and Baker/Abbas as a trade hasn’t worked out, but the top order has been pathetic this season, and this match, Dawson, Brown and the tail couldn’t bail them out as they have been. Vince is the bigger loss of the two. Stoneman was never the answer averaging low 30s in D2, we’ve got Albert if we want someone to block and not get it off the square. A quality overseas top order batter was what Hants needed, not Brett Hampton. Has Rasmus branched out into cricket?

Well I don't think you can compare Abbas and Baker anyway. To see Wheal opening the bowling saddens me, he is just a plug away average seamer who'll always be a bit part player in any respectable side. Turner needs to be told to stop bowling short, good pace, but it's oft so wild.

The batting is a catastrophy, any decent seamer who can bowl straight and pitched up will as likely as not destroy us.

As I've said before, we need change from the top down. 

[Andrew Watson]

Total disgrace,very well summed up in the above 2 posts. [ Dawson, Middleton and Brown are the only 3 batsman,who come out of this game with any credit ].

[Andrew Watson]

As an aside I know that Prest and Albert are out of form and low of confidence,surely the only way to change that is graft and fight,aside from time in the seconds,3 of their 4 dismissals in this game were down to attrocious shot selection. As for the Stoneman experiment it is just not working, is their anyone at the club able to forcibly tell the players it is just not good enough ? I doubt it. Not replacing Vince,even for this one season,was another awful decision.

 

[Window Cleaner]

20 hours ago, Andrew Watson said:

As an aside I know that Prest and Albert are out of form and low of confidence,surely the only way to change that is graft and fight,aside from time in the seconds,3 of their 4 dismissals in this game were down to attrocious shot selection. As for the Stoneman experiment it is just not working, is their anyone at the club able to forcibly tell the players it is just not good enough ? I doubt it. Not replacing Vince,even for this one season,was another awful decision.

 

I suspect that the players know that it's not good enough. The question being can they do anything about it. For me it's roughly the same situation as the football, when the players aren't good enough then there's not much that they can do about it really. From my point of view, we're trying to run on a low cost basis and haven't recruited better players for some reason or other. I'm all for giving home grown a chance but some of them get more chances than others.

We've shipped out  players  as useful as Middleton, Prest and Albert without a second thought so something's not quite right there. 

Also the Barker situation isn't helping, although as a bit of an oldie I don't know how performant he'll be after a year out of first class cricket. Perhaps he'll play some white ball, doesn't usually.

Yet again another Bank Holiday Monday goes by with no cricket, can't be good for the finances.

[Hodgey]

I think they either had to give the kids a chance, lose them, or send them on loan and they chose the first. So far it looks like they are not ready and that looks a bad choice, you would also need every senior player on top of their game for the inevitable learning curve dips and that hasn’t happened either.

I wonder what success outcome really was, I imagine it was competing at the top and youngsters establishing themselves. Think it’s now the same but avoid relegation (mid table comfort). If by the end of the season Albert / Prest / Baker / Currie / Turner have shown clear improvement and we end mid-table I think we should be happy. We still have a huge opening batsman problem (not sure what’s happened with Orr).

Can’t see this squad doing anything in 20/20, they don’t have the right mix of players (unless the South Africans fire from the off and carry the team), but can see them challenging in the one dayer (although that is in effect a B team game now).

 

[Gloucester Saint]

35 minutes ago, Hodgey said:

I think they either had to give the kids a chance, lose them, or send them on loan and they chose the first. So far it looks like they are not ready and that looks a bad choice, you would also need every senior player on top of their game for the inevitable learning curve dips and that hasn’t happened either.

I wonder what success outcome really was, I imagine it was competing at the top and youngsters establishing themselves. Think it’s now the same but avoid relegation (mid table comfort). If by the end of the season Albert / Prest / Baker / Currie / Turner have shown clear improvement and we end mid-table I think we should be happy. We still have a huge opening batsman problem (not sure what’s happened with Orr).

Can’t see this squad doing anything in 20/20, they don’t have the right mix of players (unless the South Africans fire from the off and carry the team), but can see them challenging in the one dayer (although that is in effect a B team game now).

 

D1 survival is a good outcome this season and as long as Abbott and Dawson stay fit we should achieve that. One Day Cup run would be a bonus. Agree on Blast, we haven’t got the ability to clear the ropes nor the death bowling. 

[stevegrant]

I think the one thing I'd cut them slack on is the Vince situation. While obviously the disruption has been known about for a while, I get the feeling those in charge were a bit blindsided by his decision to uproot his family to Dubai, and it didn't leave them enough time to source a suitable replacement, even if there were such a thing available. Mark Stoneman had test experience at the top of the order so I suspect they thought it was a "least bad" option for them as a stop-gap (hence the one-year contract) which would simultaneously plug a gap in the top two and allow others to bat in perhaps a less exposing position. Fair to say it's not worked out yet.

That said, I still rate Yorkshire and Worcestershire as comfortably worse than us, and based on our game the other week Warwickshire too. And we've been inconsistent rather than outright dreadful so far - the wins were both very good and two of the three draws were after being on top in the game and running out of time due to the weather.

But as mentioned by pretty much everyone, we have known that the top order has been fragile for years, really. It was generally Vince or the middle to lower order bailing the others out, and without Vince that leaves fewer bail-out options. I think the bowling has mostly been OK. Abbott has been excellent again, Fuller continuing to prove deceptively important, Dawson good when needed (surprisingly infrequently this year so far due to conditions or opposition team collapses), and Wheal, Turner and Baker have shown glimpses, but they are young players who don't have all the answers yet and will get it wrong sometimes. 

[leesaint88]

On 23/05/2025 at 17:13, Andrew Watson said:

Perhaps with Sean Ervines brother Craig as his test captain, Brian Bennett might consider coming to Hants next year [ I know he will only be 22 ]. However with Giles White in charge is that ever likely to happen.

I work with Sean. I'll get him to tap Craig up... 

[Andrew Watson]

Nice one leesaint88. I thought SE was going to be a pro golfer at one time.

[Andrew Watson]

That is a very good post Steve,but as you say yourself -[ we have known that the top order has been fragile for years ] and nothing has been done about it for years. I accept that the club were caught unaware by the JV situation, however they have dithered for years in putting it right [ even when JV was here].

What was the point being taken over if we still cannot compete for the top players available. We just might have beaten Surrey to the title in either of the last 2 seasons,with a top middle order batsman.

[Weston Saint]

I was aware that James was relocating to Dubai at the end of last season so it should not have come as a surprise. The club also know that he wanted to play in the PSL so as that encroached onto our 2025 season the warnings were there. I appreciate that the final decision was as reported. Prest may be the long term answer in there mind.

However,  it is not as easy as some think in getting a replacement of that experience and standard. Financially, we cannot compete with Surrey and Lancashire at present. We have a limited budget.

We have been looking overseas but again; it is difficult to get any top class player to commit to a season long contract.

Whilst we have new owners, they have asked that we stick to our pre takeover budget for this year so that everything can be reviewed over the season before a new budget is agreed going forward.

We will just have to be patient and enjoy the ride! 

[Gloucester Saint]

Eddie Jack just took an early wicket for England A vs India A at Canterbury https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/scorecard/e-226815

Interesting to see how Singh Dale and Hull go - latter got a wicket as well - as Sam Cook did ok v Zimbabwe but not sure he completed allayed any fears amongst the England management about not having sufficient mph to trouble international red ball batters.

Cook will be a rotation option as suspect this summer to have another look but can’t see him on the plane for the Ashes. 

McKinney another to watch - Crawley and Pope safe for now but along with Bethell he is breathing down their necks.

[Picard]

Meanwhile in T20 Pretorius is on international duty until June 13. Being partially replaced by Fortuin (June 5-8) a spinner. Albert will be behind the stumps. Hoping his batting will be better against the white ball.

First game tonight.

[leesaint88]

19 hours ago, Andrew Watson said:

Nice one leesaint88. I thought SE was going to be a pro golfer at one time.

I think he tried for a couple of years after retiring. 

I've worked with a number of ex sportsmen/women over the years, but Sean is by far one of the nicest, genuine individuals I've had the pleasure of working with.

I do get the odd snippet of insider information, so I'll be on to him next week to see if there is anything on the horizon.. 

[Gloucester Saint]

9 hours ago, Gloucester Saint said:

Eddie Jack just took an early wicket for England A vs India A at Canterbury https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/scorecard/e-226815

Interesting to see how Singh Dale and Hull go - latter got a wicket as well - as Sam Cook did ok v Zimbabwe but not sure he completed allayed any fears amongst the England management about not having sufficient mph to trouble international red ball batters.

Cook will be a rotation option as suspect this summer to have another look but can’t see him on the plane for the Ashes. 

McKinney another to watch - Crawley and Pope safe for now but along with Bethell he is breathing down their necks.

Only one more wicket for England A after that! India A 409/3. 

Edited May 30 by Gloucester Saint

[Hodgey]

Brevis looked very impressive - an explosive player who cleared the rope with ease. as did Albert’s partnership with Vince.

Wasn’t expecting such a big win - good to see Currie and Turner look dangerous too.

Maybe I was wrong per earlier comments (let’s see though after a few games, I’d like to see how we do when Brevis and Vince are our cheaply)

Still don’t understand how Weatherly gets in a 20 over game, thought the anchor eke out the runs and rotate the strike specialist batsman had long gone !

 

Edited May 30 by Hodgey
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[Lighthouse]

I was apprehensive about this year's Blast but Christ alive, I don't think I've ever seen us wallop someone by 106 runs before. Fantastic seeing Vince back again and Brevis looks a heck of a signing. It's just a shame we don't have him and Pretorious both available for the full tournament.

Some dreadful catching though, if I'm being ultra critical. Rossington must be praying to the right god, whoever that is.

[Picard]

On 29/05/2025 at 14:39, leesaint88 said:

I work with Sean. I'll get him to tap Craig up... 

According to commentary Craig and Sean were at the game tonight.

It was Hants third highest win by runs. 

[Weston Saint]

James Vince oozed class on Friday and showed us what we have been missing in the Championship. However, it is unlikely that we will to get him back for red ball next season. He has had a house built in Dubai which they have now moved into, the children are at an English school there and have settled. James wife is happy with the change (mostly driven by her, following the nasty attacks last year) The only down side is that it is very hot!

Because of his residency in Dubai, he is limited to the time he can spend in the UK or he will have to pay taxes on all his earnings, even though much of it would be outside UK! 

[Picard]

4 hours ago, Weston Saint said:

James Vince oozed class on Friday and showed us what we have been missing in the Championship. However, it is unlikely that we will to get him back for red ball next season. He has had a house built in Dubai which they have now moved into, the children are at an English school there and have settled. James wife is happy with the change (mostly driven by her, following the nasty attacks last year) The only down side is that it is very hot!

Because of his residency in Dubai, he is limited to the time he can spend in the UK or he will have to pay taxes on all his earnings, even though much of it would be outside UK! 

Do you know if Brevis will be playing in the county championship in June and July?

[Weston Saint]

22 hours ago, Picard said:

Do you know if Brevis will be playing in the county championship in June and July?

No idea at present. Coach kept them all in the dressing room on Friday after the win. He has signed for T20 at least. Nothing more said.

He has had 20 1st class games (33 innings) with 4 x 100 plus and 6 x 50 plus with a top score of 169 so a possibility. Only 22 as well.

He bats as No 4 in Red ball.

[John B]

23 hours ago, Picard said:

Do you know if Brevis will be playing in the county championship in June and July?

I thought Edwards and Abbott were our overseas players

[Dman]

21 hours ago, John B said:

I thought Edwards and Abbott were our overseas players

Edwards is injured. He was replaced by Hampton, who was absolutly dreadful and subsequently sent home. 

I don't think Edwards is coming now? I actually hope he isn't - Fuller has done well enough this season for us not to need another all-rounder. We need a top / middle order bat to help us get scores on the board. 

[Lighthouse]

Agree that we’re alright for all-rounders. Barker is coming back next month, Kelly is highly rated for the future and there’s always Organ for a spin option.

A top order batsman has to be a priority, if we can persuade Brevis to get in on the County team, that’d be frickin’ sweet awesome.

[Picard]

45 minutes ago, Lighthouse said:

Agree that we’re alright for all-rounders. Barker is coming back next month, Kelly is highly rated for the future and there’s always Organ for a spin option.

A top order batsman has to be a priority, if we can persuade Brevis to get in on the County team, that’d be frickin’ sweet awesome.

This is how his signing was announced:

Hampshire have signed South Africa batter Dewald Brevis to play in their Vitality T20 Blast campaign. Brevis, 21, will also be available for Hamphire's two County Championship fixtures during the break in the Blast.

From ESPN.

[Lighthouse]

Cracking bowling tonight. Were chugging along fine with the bat too, until the rain came. Currie has come on loans.

[Picard]

21 minutes ago, Lighthouse said:

Cracking bowling tonight. Were chugging along fine with the bat too, until the rain came. Currie has come on loans.

Currie went on loan and has come on loads.👍

[Andrew Watson]

Well played tonight Hants.

[Lighthouse]

10 hours ago, Picard said:

Currie went on loan and has come on loads.👍

I'll blame autocorrect for that but yes, you get the idea. 

[Window Cleaner]

Indeed excellent bowling by Currie.

I see that the two South African batters are called up for their series against Zimbabwe, end of juin I think.

Will that leave us 2 batters short for the T20?

 

[Picard]

42 minutes ago, Window Cleaner said:

Indeed excellent bowling by Currie.

I see that the two South African batters are called up for their series against Zimbabwe, end of juin I think.

Will that leave us 2 batters short for the T20?

 

They would be available for the knockout matches I think. Hants looking to recruit 2 batters for July

[Hodgey]

Another impressive win. Such a shame Brevis will be out for a few weeks after call up, and will we ever see Pretorious ?.

I’ve been so impressed with Albert. Couldn’t seem to hit a barn door in the championship and under intense pressure, but had taken the gloves and opened much better than McDermott last year. Him and Vince look like a natural pairing. If we find a rope clearer whilst Brevis is out we should be in business. Bowling looks really strong.

Only negative is that Prest and Weatherly have yet to convince (that said only two innings in for them)

[Lighthouse]

Three absolute thumpings so far. NRR looking very healthy, if it comes down to that. 

[Picard]

On 05/06/2025 at 23:13, Lighthouse said:

Cracking bowling tonight. Were chugging along fine with the bat too, until the rain came. Currie has come on loans.

Currie had a very good first season in T20(as did Turner) in 2021 being in the top 3 on bowling average and strike rate . Perhaps unknown bowlers can surprise the batters. The following seasons weren't so good but hopefully now he can do well.