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We think Liam Plunkett’s still worth watching. He’s 23 this week. It’s a little bit early to be discarding him.
Ordinarily a promising young English seam bowler could expect to spend the winter with what was the England A team and is now the England Lions. Plunkett did so, but before Christmas he did a little bit extra. He signed up to play for The Dolphins in South Africa. Assuming no bestial confusion arises in poor Plunkett’s mind, we think this was a great move.
Playing in South Africa was the making of Matthew Hoggard, who spent a couple of years with Free State in his youth. Hopefully it’ll have a similar effect on Plunkers. It’s not just the unfamiliar conditions, it’s the independence and the expectation that you have to prove your worth as an overseas signing. Plunkett took 12 wickets at 30.75, which is nowt special, but the experience might mean more than that.
Liam Plunkett’s had a bit of a go at international cricket and he appears to have liked it. He’s going out of his way to improve himself as a cricketer and that can never be bad, particularly when it’s allied to talent – which Plunkett does have. You don’t get picked for England at 20 without being half decent.
Other players to watch in 2008.
Can Sajid Mahmood be one to watch as well please? Please, can he? Please.
Maybe if you make him one to watch, the buffoons at LCCC will give him a run out in the first team and we will be spared the usual trundling.
Saj was in the inaugural ones to watch in 2006. Nothing’s really changed since then.
You can consider Saj to be an unofficial one to watch.
A friend of mine once described him as Bolton’s answer to Barry Manilow – I’ve had a soft spot for him ever since.
Plunky is a pretty damn fine sight roaring into bowl as us Durham gals can testify – he’s back in SA now with the pre-season tour. He may have some competition as an all-rounder for Durham though, junior Harmison has just scored 50+ and taken 3 for not many at all in the same tour match.
Steve Harmison, Graham Onions, Mark Davies, Albie Morkel and Neil Killeen. Pace bowling competition’s ferocious at Durham.
Possibly our tip for the title, though the batting’s far less robust.
Think we’ve got Neil Mckenzie coming over – he can score a few…
Don’t forget Lord Megachief Of Gold.. He’ll be there while Mackenzie’s playing The England in the summer
Sorry KC, Plunkers is yesterday’s man; today is for Tremlers!
Tremlett’s in at the minute, when he’s not injured. We figured he was too ‘mainstream’.
We do like Tremlett though. He’s the closest thing to Andy Caddick England have had since, er, Andy Caddick. Andy Caddick was mint.
Junior Harmison is indeed a fine prospect, and an uninjured Tremlers a joy to behold. However, this year I will mostly be watching Chris Jordan.
plunkett will be a future all rounder and a fixture in the england test and 1 day set up. Liam will go on to bat at number 8 for england and be a first change bowler. Overall he will be considerd as a legdend!!!