Members Forum 1/9

[Crisp]

I attended the members forum tonight, hosted by the Chairman, Derek Bowden, Chris Silverwood and Jamie Porter.

Points of interest as follows
Ground development-unchanged nothing happening the earliest expected start date will be end of next season.
Colchester-No decision made as yet, if its viable then it may be positive for future games.
Clubs finances-in a good place and we have had a good summer.
T20-big decision expected in next few weeks from ECB, Essex are anti franchise cricket, 2017 is protected from T20 change of format.
Olympic stadium will be used if possible for 20/20.

Playing side
We would be interested in signing Mohammed Amir for next season.
No magic formula to replace Napier, work with what we have.
Always interested in all players that become available.
Wheater here to cover for Cook for the last 2 games no plans to sign him as yet.
Asked about signing a spinner, answered can you find me one in English cricket?
Arron Nijjar, gone backwards, cannot get in his university team but scored runs lately for the 2s.
Dixon and Quinn have been injured-not used to such a workload, but Silverwood has been impressed with both, Dixon playing again and taking wickets in 2s.
Irani was at the 1 day game at Headingly.
Some guy complained that we were picking teams to suit white ball cricket?
Silverwood stated that was nonsense and asked as to when and it was the club policy to win every game in each discipline.
Applause was given to the coach and team

[nat]

Well I can find them a (decent) spinner if they want one. I'll work on a commission basis, no win/success no fee.

Thanks for the quick write-up.

[IlfordEagle]

A good & concise summary, Thank You for doing that for our benefit.

[squarelegumpire]

Many thanks, Crisp.

Gather from your comments that no-one asked whether Foster was going to be full-time next year.

Thought Nijjar did OK, but only just, when I watched him at Coggeshall. However, who is keeping out of the Uni team? Is there a possibility there?

[bwildered]

Many thanks Crisp on last night's Q & A summary . Was it well attended ?

[Daren Mootoo]

Thanks Crisp. I intended to be there, but NotWork SouthEast had other ideas.

 With regard to a spinner, might we try and get Tom Craddock back? I couldn't get my head around his release and his five wickets against England in 2013 lives on in my memory.

[Mog]

Thanks Crisp. I intended to be there, but NotWork SouthEast had other ideas.

 With regard to a spinner, might we try and get Tom Craddock back? I couldn't get my head around his release and his five wickets against England in 2013 lives on in my memory.

Try recalling the name Grayson. It's only in the cold light of day, after his departure (Grayson not Craddock) can you fully appreciate his terrible judgement call on a whole host of players, both released and signed.

[LeedsExile]

Tom Craddock had an unsuccessful time with Yorkshire seconds. At the recent Yorkshire members forum it was said that he had been released because he had not developed but they would continue to monitor his progress. Presumably he is playing league cricket somewhere now? I really do not think he is the answer.

[Mog]

I attended the members forum tonight, hosted by the Chairman, Derek Bowden, Chris Silverwood and Jamie Porter.

Points of interest as follows
Ground development-unchanged nothing happening the earliest expected start date will be end of next season.
Colchester-No decision made as yet, if its viable then it may be positive for future games.
Clubs finances-in a good place and we have had a good summer.
T20-big decision expected in next few weeks from ECB, Essex are anti franchise cricket, 2017 is protected from T20 change of format.
Olympic stadium will be used if possible for 20/20.

Playing side
We would be interested in signing Mohammed Amir for next season.
No magic formula to replace Napier, work with what we have.
Always interested in all players that become available.
Wheater here to cover for Cook for the last 2 games no plans to sign him as yet.
Asked about signing a spinner, answered can you find me one in English cricket?
Arron Nijjar, gone backwards, cannot get in his university team but scored runs lately for the 2s.
Dixon and Quinn have been injured-not used to such a workload, but Silverwood has been impressed with both, Dixon playing again and taking wickets in 2s.
Irani was at the 1 day game at Headingly.
Some guy complained that we were picking teams to suit white ball cricket?
Silverwood stated that was nonsense and asked as to when and it was the club policy to win every game in each discipline.
Applause was given to the coach and team

Thanks for the bullet points, Crisp.
When are the Club going to demonstrate some honesty over this embarrassment of a 'ground redevelopment'? They clearly have no idea what to do now, or for the past 5 years. Are they waiting for some as yet unidentified benefactor to come forward to rescue them?
I've offered the Club my professional input previously and was ignored......

[Andy]

Tom Craddock had an unsuccessful time with Yorkshire seconds. At the recent Yorkshire members forum it was said that he had been released because he had not developed but they would continue to monitor his progress. Presumably he is playing league cricket somewhere now? I really do not think he is the answer.

Not a good enough batsman, I believe, which would explain his inability to hold down a contract. Pity, this is the problem with the county system - lack of flexibility. A specialist spinner is seen as a luxury, whereas in Australia the likes of Bryce McGain even get picked for the international side (even though the latter didn't have that much success).

[nat]

Tom Craddock had an unsuccessful time with Yorkshire seconds. At the recent Yorkshire members forum it was said that he had been released because he had not developed but they would continue to monitor his progress. Presumably he is playing league cricket somewhere now? I really do not think he is the answer.

Not a good enough batsman, I believe, which would explain his inability to hold down a contract. Pity, this is the problem with the county system - lack of flexibility. A specialist spinner is seen as a luxury, whereas in Australia the likes of Bryce McGain even get picked for the international side (even though the latter didn't have that much success).

It's a thankless task bowling spin in England these days. Flat pitches, small grounds and big bats predicate against it. I believe bat thickness will be regulated (and reduced) from next year so there might be some hope.

[nat]

I attended the members forum tonight, hosted by the Chairman, Derek Bowden, Chris Silverwood and Jamie Porter.

Points of interest as follows
Ground development-unchanged nothing happening the earliest expected start date will be end of next season.
Colchester-No decision made as yet, if its viable then it may be positive for future games.
Clubs finances-in a good place and we have had a good summer.
T20-big decision expected in next few weeks from ECB, Essex are anti franchise cricket, 2017 is protected from T20 change of format.
Olympic stadium will be used if possible for 20/20.

Playing side
We would be interested in signing Mohammed Amir for next season.
No magic formula to replace Napier, work with what we have.
Always interested in all players that become available.
Wheater here to cover for Cook for the last 2 games no plans to sign him as yet.
Asked about signing a spinner, answered can you find me one in English cricket?
Arron Nijjar, gone backwards, cannot get in his university team but scored runs lately for the 2s.
Dixon and Quinn have been injured-not used to such a workload, but Silverwood has been impressed with both, Dixon playing again and taking wickets in 2s.
Irani was at the 1 day game at Headingly.
Some guy complained that we were picking teams to suit white ball cricket?
Silverwood stated that was nonsense and asked as to when and it was the club policy to win every game in each discipline.
Applause was given to the coach and team

Thanks for the bullet points, Crisp.
When are the Club going to demonstrate some honesty over this embarrassment of a 'ground redevelopment'? They clearly have no idea what to do now, or for the past 5 years. Are they waiting for some as yet unidentified benefactor to come forward to rescue them?
I've offered the Club my professional input previously and was ignored......

If they have been reading your posts on this forum I can understand why.

[Andy]

Not a good enough batsman, I believe, which would explain his inability to hold down a contract. Pity, this is the problem with the county system - lack of flexibility. A specialist spinner is seen as a luxury, whereas in Australia the likes of Bryce McGain even get picked for the international side (even though the latter didn't have that much success).

It's a thankless task bowling spin in England these days. Flat pitches, small grounds and big bats predicate against it. I believe bat thickness will be regulated (and reduced) from next year so there might be some hope.

To be fair, the fact that batters are so unused to spin, that should be an advantage. T20 cricket sees more spin than CC, which is one good thing for the shorn-off format.

[neil]

Well I can find them a (decent) spinner if they want one. I'll work on a commission basis, no win/success no fee.

Thanks for the quick write-up.

Given they aren't going to do that how about sharing your thoughts on who the possibles might be?

I guess we are looking for home grown or otherwise qualified as a non overseas - available, who would want to come to us and who could hit the ground running in Division 1. (I assume we won't be so bothered if we don't go up)

Off the top of my head most Div 1 teams have a reasonable spinner or two - Borthwick , Batty, Patel, Rashid, Parry etc so I'm very inclined to the view that we would need one if we got promoted

[nat]

OK you may be correct about being paid a commission so I'll give 'em a freebie this time.

I obviously don't know their availability but how about;

Hickey (Durham)
Parry (Lancs)
White (Northants)
Keogh (Northants)
Dawson (Hants)
Souter (Middx)

Big Ron should be able to use his silver tongue to persuade one of these players to move. Plus a big cheque of course.