GLOUCESTERSHIRE CCC PLAYER ALLOCATION - 5th of March 2014 Six teams from the top two divisions of the Wadworth 6X West of England Premier League (WEPL) have been allocated Gloucestershire CCC professionals for the 2014 season. Bristol, Cheltenham, Downend, Frocester, Keynsham and Thornbury all took part in a draft similar to the system used in American professional sport, with the lowest ranked side from 2013 getting the first pick. This was successfully brought in last year to try and support Gloucestershire teams in maintaining their status in the top two tiers of club cricket. Despite being just outside the county, Bristol and Keynsham are involved due to their ongoing support of Gloucestershire cricket. GCCC professionals were split into three pairs and three groups of three players to ensure that clubs are likely to have one of them available every Saturday. Where possible players that perform similar roles were paired together to allow clubs to pick based on the specific needs of their team. As in 2013 Cheltenham were the first club to choose and opted for the trio of batsman Dan Housego and seamers David Payne and Liam Norwell. Thornbury picked allrounders Will Gidman – who played six times for them last season – and Graeme McCarter. They are also able to play Chris Dent and Tom Shrewsbury who are classed as ‘homegrown’ players as they played for the club for a minimum of two years before being contracted Downend CC have drafted seamers James Fuller and Craig Miles alongside batsman Ian Cockbain who scored 426 runs at an average of 106 in just six innings for them last year. Last season’s Premier 1 runners-up Frocester CC will be hoping to go one better after picking up spinners Jack Taylor and Tom Smith, while Bristol - who finished one place below them - have been allocated ‘keepers Gareth Roderick and Cameron Herring. They will also be able to play ‘homegrown’ player Will Tavare. Young seamer Matt Taylor returns to Keynsham for whom he played 11 times in 2013. He will be joined by fellow bowler Ian Saxelby and batsman Benny Howell. The allocation was organised by Gloucestershire Cricket Board chief executive Steve Silk and GCCC batting coach and academy director Owen Dawkins. Owen said: “Strong, competitive leagues are crucial for developing all cricketers in Gloucestershire. When the schedule allows we are keen for our professionals to play their part in driving the competition forward. The lads that played club cricket last season really enjoyed it and it became a good topic of conversation in the dressing room.” In 2013 Gloucestershire players made more appearances for clubs than ever before, with 14 professionals played a combined total of 70 times in the league. Downend (14) had more player appearances than any other club followed by Bristol (12) and Keynsham (11). Allocated pros at Gloucester City Winget and Cheltenham played 10 times while Thornbury (7) and Frocester (6) had the lowest number. Matt Taylor (11) was the pro who made the most club appearances. Steve Silk said: “The draft process that we have put in place, with the lowest ranked teams getting first pick of players, proved successful last season and has been received positively by our clubs. We feel this approach supports Gloucestershire clubs to remain in Premier 1 and 2 which is important for the development of our young players. “Last year was our most successful to date with players making more appearances in club cricket than ever before. The skills and experience they bring to a dressing room are invaluable and can only improve the standard of club cricket going forward.” Under the allocation agreement teams will not be allowed to play two GCCC players in the same match unless one of them is home grown. However Academy players are free to play alongside a professional. The final decision on availability will be made by GCCC based on the fitness, recent work load and the individual needs of the players. For example seam bowlers will generally not bowl in club cricket and are more likely to play as a batsman in order to prevent injuries. One of the other conditions of the draft is that GCCC are able to stipulate where their players bat eg top four, top seven etc. Clubs will not pay their allocated players but will provide free pitch hire for Second XI, Academy and county youth games when required. In addition to the draft, three pros have been allocated to clubs and/or leagues as non-playing ambassadors. Hamish Marshall will perform an ambassadorial role for the Gloucestershire County Cricket League and Rockhampton CC, Alex Gidman will do the same for Stroud CC and Hatherley and Reddings CC. Gloucestershire skipper Michael Klinger will support the Bristol Youth League and Brislington CC. 2014 Gloucestershire Player Allocation Bristol CC – Cameron Herring and Gareth Roderick Cheltenham CC – Dan Housego, David Payne and Liam Norwell Downend CC – Ian Cockbain, James Fuller, Craig Miles Frocester CC – Jack Taylor, Tom Smith Keynsham CC – Benny Howell, Matt Taylor, Ian Saxelby Thornbury CC –Will Gidman, Graeme McCarter
Posted on: Thu, 06 Mar 2014 14:13:49 +0000
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