Down by the Riverside 2022

[captaincolly]

I see that North said that Campbell was appointed after an 'extensive recruitment process'

does this mean that he had to go through his little black phone book of western australia buddies from front cover to back cover before finding one that said "yes"?

Nathan Sowter has signed a one year deal, will surely improve the T20 side but again we need a few more signings. I was going to say I wouldn't be surprised if we don't make them but maybe saying I'll be surprised if we do make them is a better way of putting it!

Geoff Boycott has written an article full of praise for Ben Stokes- described him as England's answer to Steve Waugh! And he still somehow managed to mention Brian Close and uncovered pitches!

[KingOttis]

I see that North said that Campbell was appointed after an 'extensive recruitment process'

does this mean that he had to go through his little black phone book of western australia buddies from front cover to back cover before finding one that said "yes"?

Nathan Sowter has signed a one year deal, will surely improve the T20 side but again we need a few more signings. I was going to say I wouldn't be surprised if we don't make them but maybe saying I'll be surprised if we do make them is a better way of putting it!

Geoff Boycott has written an article full of praise for Ben Stokes- described him as England's answer to Steve Waugh! And he still somehow managed to mention Brian Close and uncovered pitches!

I didn't see much of Sowter last year, but obviously hope he'll improve the white ball team. It really feels though like we're tinkering around the edges. We've got gaping holes in the batting and bowling, and so far we've signed a wicketkeeper and a white ball only spinner. Like you I hope for the best, but am basically half resigned to a completely underwhelming close season, and a woefully under staffed squad yet again. Presumably we're pinning all of our hopes on the overseas bowler, who will (cynicism alert!) probably end up being a moderate Australian seamer.I hope I'm wrong but....
I have never thought of comparing Ben Stokes and Steve Waugh, but it's actually a good comparison. Not based on playing styles particularly, but on the apparent love of pressure and delivering in pressure situations.

[captaincolly]

I see that North said that Campbell was appointed after an 'extensive recruitment process'

does this mean that he had to go through his little black phone book of western australia buddies from front cover to back cover before finding one that said "yes"?

Nathan Sowter has signed a one year deal, will surely improve the T20 side but again we need a few more signings. I was going to say I wouldn't be surprised if we don't make them but maybe saying I'll be surprised if we do make them is a better way of putting it!

Geoff Boycott has written an article full of praise for Ben Stokes- described him as England's answer to Steve Waugh! And he still somehow managed to mention Brian Close and uncovered pitches!

I didn't see much of Sowter last year, but obviously hope he'll improve the white ball team. It really feels though like we're tinkering around the edges. We've got gaping holes in the batting and bowling, and so far we've signed a wicketkeeper and a white ball only spinner. Like you I hope for the best, but am basically half resigned to a completely underwhelming close season, and a woefully under staffed squad yet again. Presumably we're pinning all of our hopes on the overseas bowler, who will (cynicism alert!) probably end up being a moderate Australian seamer.I hope I'm wrong but....
I have never thought of comparing Ben Stokes and Steve Waugh, but it's actually a good comparison. Not based on playing styles particularly, but on the apparent love of pressure and delivering in pressure situations.

Agreed. This squad needs a lot of strengthening and failing to add to it over the past few years has left so many gaps.
Robinson I think is a very good addition , very highly rated player.
Boycott's Stokes and Waugh comparison was because he thought Waugh had the idea of getting his side to bat aggressively and score quickly to give the bowlers more time to get 20 wickets. Although it's a bit ironic for Boycott to praise that approach!

[Durhamfootman]

Is Sowter just a T20 signing. I saw that he was available for the 50 over comp depending on whether he had a Hundred contract, but with pitches the way they have been for the CC is there not a place for a leggie not called Borthwick?

Yorks have signed Neil Wagner for 10 CC matches. I imagine we'll go for a rookie, bit part Western Australia seamer. Happy to be proved wrong

[Durhamfootman]

If we could put out

Lees
Jones
Borthwick
Bedingham
Bushnell
Robinson
Trevaskis
Raine
Carse
Potts
Overseas superstar - Durham style

on a regular basis, I'd be fairly sanguine about things, but we all know that Potts and Carse will spend half their time on England duty/lions duty/England camps and Lees and Jones are only a phone call away from being dragged away as well. Raine, Bedders and Sowter... maybe Robinson too could well get dragged off to play in the Silly.

Add in a couple of injuries and half that side might not be available for selection for big chunks of the season and even if it's only for small chunks, there is little chance of getting a settled side out on a consistent basis. Not the sort of thing we need if we want to be dining at the top table anytime soon

[captaincolly]

Is Sowter just a T20 signing. I saw that he was available for the 50 over comp depending on whether he had a Hundred contract, but with pitches the way they have been for the CC is there not a place for a leggie not called Borthwick?

Yorks have signed Neil Wagner for 10 CC matches. I imagine we'll go for a rookie, bit part Western Australia seamer. Happy to be proved wrong

I think he has signed for all competitions but think he's pretty much a one day specialist.
Wagner would have been ideal so no surprise we didn't get him.

[captaincolly]

If we could put out

Lees
Jones
Borthwick
Bedingham
Bushnell
Robinson
Trevaskis
Raine
Carse
Potts
Overseas superstar - Durham style

on a regular basis, I'd be fairly sanguine about things, but we all know that Potts and Carse will spend half their time on England duty/lions duty/England camps and Lees and Jones are only a phone call away from being dragged away as well. Raine, Bedders and Sowter... maybe Robinson too could well get dragged off to play in the Silly.

Add in a couple of injuries and half that side might not be available for selection for big chunks of the season and even if it's only for small chunks, there is little chance of getting a settled side out on a consistent basis. Not the sort of thing we need if we want to be dining at the top table anytime soon

Couldn't agree more. On paper we can put out a pretty decent looking side- in the CC, at least - but the chances of all the players being avaliable for the whole season are pretty much non existent.

[Durhamfootman]

Jhye Richardson would be a potent signing, if we could keep him fit (big ask). Western Australia bowler, who is presumably known by MN

[Durhamfootman]

Bear with me on this, but at the end of this podcast, Dobell has something very interesting to say about Woody. Worth scanning through to near the very end

big statement to make, but Woody gets so much stick for many things it's nice to hear someone say this