The final part of our series on players to keep an eye on in the World Twenty20

Brydon Coverdale, Daniel Brettig, Mohammad Isam and Umar Farooq18-Sep-2012Glenn Maxwell
Australia
When Australia’s selectors named the 15-man squad for the World Twenty20, Maxwell was the only uncapped member of the group. Having had more than six months to whittle down their preferred T20 squad, it was as if the selectors suddenly decided, what the hell, let’s give him a whirl. They had certainly been keeping an eye on him for some time. Maxwell had emerged in early 2010, when he won his first limited-overs chances for Victoria, and much like Steven Smith, he showed promise with both bat and ball without seeming to favour either discipline. It wasn’t until the next season, when he blasted a 19-ball half-century against Tasmania, the quickest fifty in Australia’s domestic one-day history, that his potential really became apparent. He earned T20 deals with Delhi Daredevils and Hampshire in 2012 and followed that with his initial appearances for Australia in the UAE, where he did not appear out of place at international level.What’s he about?
A destructive No. 6 or 7 batsman, Maxwell makes clearing the midwicket boundary look easy. He scores quickly and rarely appears flustered, which should serve him well in a world tournament. His offspin is handy, but he is not a frontline bowler. However, his value in the field is significant. The captain, George Bailey, has said Maxwell is “one of the best fielders we’ve got, if not the best fielder in this group”. In a squad that boasts David Warner, Daniel Christian, Michael Hussey and Cameron White, that’s saying something.What the team needs
Power-hitting from the lower middle order hasn’t always been Australia’s strength in T20. If David Warner and Shane Watson can get the team away to quick starts, they need to keep that momentum up, and Maxwell is one man who can do that. He could find himself promoted to pinch-hit higher up the order if the openers have provided a strong start, otherwise he will be required for fours and sixes in the dying overs. Maxwell is also likely to be Australia’s second spinner on the turning surfaces in Sri Lanka.Big day out
56* (38) v Pakistan, Sharjah, 2012
If the selectors had any questions about Maxwell’s composure, those were answered in this match. Chasing 245, he came in at No. 7 with 86 runs still required. He played his natural game and, despite losing two partners along the way, steered Australia home with three overs to spare. Such was his confidence that he launched Junaid Khan over long-on for six to complete the win.Trivia and stats
Maxwell enjoyed a productive T20 season for Hampshire this year, scoring 179 runs at an average of 44.75 and a strike rate of 175.49.Of the top 50 run-scorers in the Friends Life t20 this year, only Matt Prior and Scott Styris had higher strike rates than Maxwell.When he scored his 19-ball fifty against Tasmania, the fastest in Australia’s domestic one-day history, he had come to the crease with 102 runs needed at more than ten an over. His efforts propelled Victoria to a one-wicket victory.Quotable
“I’m looking forward to getting some opportunities in the batting order and looking forward to doing what the team needs from me in the right situations, whether that be quick runs or saving our arses.”Thisara Perera
Sri Lanka
An allrounder of similar promise to his school-mate Angelo Mathews, Perera arrived on the domestic scene in Sri Lanka as a 19-year-old in 2008. Just over a year after he made his List A debut, he was part of Sri Lanka’s ODI side, and he has made himself a valuable member of the side in the past two years. Perera has earned contracts with both Mumbai Indians and Kochi Tuskers Kerala in the IPL, and was one of the top ten scorers in the Sri Lankan Premier League this year. Although his lower-order striking is a serious weapon, it is his bowling that he considers his primary function in the team. And while his best work for Sri Lanka has come in the 50-over format, in home conditions this tournament could provide a great opportunity for Perera to explode on to the T20 international scene.Thisara Perera picks bowling as his priority but Sri Lanka will be expecting some big shots off his bat too•AFPWhat’s he about?
As a batsman Perera is most valuable in a finishing role, coming in in the lower middle order and using his power and timing to pierce or clear the boundary. He can be especially effective in chasing situations and has been compared to Lance Klusener by the Sri Lanka coach Graham Ford. As a bowler, he does not have the pace of some of his colleagues but uses his height to his advantage, nibbles the ball off the seam, and has a happy knack of getting big bags of wickets. He is also one of the best fielders in the squad.What the team needs
Although Lasith Malinga and Ajantha Mendis will be key weapons with the ball, Sri Lanka will also look to Perera for wickets. But in this tournament he could well have just as much impact with the bat, coming in late and striking boundaries. In the past couple of years it has become apparent that no team playing Sri Lanka feels entirely comfortable while Perera remains at the crease.Big day out
69* (44) and 2 for 34 v South Africa, Kimberley, 2012
This was a match in which Perera showed the true potential of his limited-overs batting. In a big chase of 300, he came to the crease at 194 for 4, with 15 overs remaining. Though it was his first game of the series, Perera showed no signs of rust and repeatedly dispatched Robin Peterson over the boundary. His fifty came from 30 balls and he sealed the win with eight balls remaining. Perera had also taken two important wickets around the 40-over mark of South Africa’s innings, which stopped them progressing to score closer to 350.Trivia and stats
Perera is the most recent man to take an ODI hat-trick – and the fourth Sri Lankan – having picked up Younis Khan, Shahid Afridi and Sarfraz Ahmed from consecutive balls in Colombo in June.He was the fifth-fastest Sri Lankan to reach 50 ODI wickets, getting there in his 36th match. Only Mendis, Malinga, Dilhara Fernando and Sajeewa de Silva reached the mark quicker.Quotable
“I have been selected as a bowling allrounder so my first priority is as a bowler.”Vettori can put batting sides under pressure with his tight bowling•Getty ImagesDaniel Vettori
New Zealand
When Vettori stepped away from T20 internationals in 2010, it was done with the understanding that he wanted to keep an eye on the major limited-overs events to come in future years. Eighteen months later Vettori’s beard is shaggier, and the attraction of the World Twenty20 in Sri Lanka on pitches lending themselves to his artful left-arm spin has proven too much. After a groin injury kept him out of New Zealand’s Tests in India, Vettori made a quiet comeback in a narrow T20 victory over MS Dhoni’s side, and is now lined up to bring his familiar brand of intelligence and fight to the Black Caps’ campaign.What’s he about?
Vettori has evolved greatly as a cricketer down the years, becoming a master of subtle variations in line, flight and pace. This has compensated for the loss of some spinning torque, necessitated by a body that has creaked at times with the weight of a 15-year international career. His batting has also been a credit to Vettori’s determination, growing out of awkward beginnings to a place where it is arguable that no one in the current New Zealand set-up knows better about how to make a hundred. In the shortest format, however, it is his spin bowling that provides greatest value.What the team needs
A calm, experienced head and a potent spinning tandem with Nathan McCullum. At times Vettori has been cast in the role of run-miser, as opposing teams have recognised his threat and treated him with respect. His penchant for bowling at difficult times is unmatched among his countrymen. Freed of the burden of captaincy, and on Sri Lankan pitches favourable to spin, Vettori will need to chase wickets in the company of McCullum, while also pinching pesky lower-order runs where required.Big day out
2 for 11 v Sri Lanka, Colombo, 2009
Ross Taylor made 60 and Jacob Oram plucked a hat-trick, but it was Vettori’s admirably tight spell of four overs that went furthest towards handing New Zealand a three-run win over the hosts. His two victims included Kumar Sangakkara, who popped a catch to midwicket.Trivia and stats
With 35 T20 wickets, Vettori is second to Nathan McCullum among New Zealand bowlers in the format.Vettori’s wickets return has decreased with each World T20 he has played in. He claimed 11 in six matches in South Africa in 2007, four in two in England in 2009, and just three in five in the West Indies in 2010.Quotable
“Not being captain takes a bit of stress off my performance, with the fact that I can just worry about myself and hopefully help out some of the younger guys.”Tamim Iqbal is yet to prove himself in high-pressure T20s•AFP Tamim Iqbal
Bangladesh
Though one of the world’s most exciting openers, Tamim’s credentials in the shortest format haven’t been up to scratch. But not because he has lacked opportunities. In the three World Twenty20s so far he averages only 14. He hasn’t fared well for Nottinghamshire in the format either, with a highest of 47 in 2011. His best performance so far has been for Chittagong in the 2009-10 NCL T20s, in which he averaged over 48. His strike rate in T20Is too has been ordinary. On many occasions he has batted at a faster rate in Tests – he notched up his Lord’s hundred at a strike rate of 103. His much-anticipated inclusion in the IPL amounted to nothing after Pune Warriors didn’t pick him in their XI. His first innings in the SLPL, however – an unbeaten 93 – gives hope for a better World Twenty20 performance this time around.What’s he about?
Tamim has shown a willingness to adapt and is a quick learner. Having worked hard on his leg-side play, he has also shown that he can counter defensive field settings in Test cricket. As the one constant in the Bangladesh top order, he will be asked to prolong his innings past the Powerplay, though he is capable of blasting a few during the six-over field restrictions.What the team needs
Having settled for Mohammad Ashraful as his opening partner, Tamim will be expected to play his natural game as long as he can play a big innings. He has all the shots to make up for a slow start, though it is unlikely he will start slow. His recent experience playing in Pallekele will also be handy as Bangladesh play both their group games at this venue.Big day out
69 not out v Netherlands, The Hague, 2012
Bangladesh had just suffered a demoralising loss to Scotland in the previous game and it was necessary for one of the batsmen to stay at the crease during the 145-run chase against Netherlands. Having been dropped in the first over, Tamim took only a few chances, using his feet against the spinners in the Powerplay. He hammered a few more after crossing 30, and two more boundaries after he had reached his maiden T20I fifty.Trivia and stats
Tamim holds the record for the highest score in an ODI innings for Bangladesh.Quotable
“Personally, I felt happy after the Europe tour. I thought it was a decent effort in conditions which I wouldn’t call ideal for T20 cricket.”Javed Ahmadi
Afghanistan
Ahmadi led Afghanistan Under-19 in the World Cup plate final against Sri Lanka on August 24 in Brisbane and the next day was part of the senior side that took on Australia in an ODI in Sharjah, a 15-hour flight away. At 20, he is sturdy for his age and has a striking energy. He was third on the run-scoring charts in the U-19 World Cup, making 285 at 47.50. Although he has been in the Afghanistan U-19 squad since 2010, he has also turned out for the national senior side at regular intervals, and has played ten ODIs, having made his debut against Scotland in 2010.What’s he about?
Ahmadi’s attacking approach is his defining feature as an opener. He has the tendency to go hard every ball he plays. The off side is his strong area – he loves to drive and compares his batting to former England captain Michael Vaughan, although Michael Clarke is his favourite player. Though he isn’t a regular spinner, Ahmadi can add some value with his fingerspin.What the team needs
For Afghanistan to get a flying start to their innings Ahmadi has to play a key role. They don’t have murderous batsmen like Chris Gayle or David Warner but Ahmadi can do the job at the top.Afghanistan will depend on Javed Ahmadi to give them good starts•ICCBig day out
134 (111) v Scotland, U-19 World Cup, Brisbane

The captain led from the front, bashing 17 fours and four sixes in his 111-ball knock before he was dismissed in the 38th over. His blazing innings powered Afghanistan to a massive total of 336 – the tournament’s second-highest.Trivia and stats
Ahmadi’s 134 was the highest individual score of the World Cup, and he was the third highest run-getter of the tournament.Quotable
“Javed is the bright talented lad in the team. He is the future of Afghan cricket.”
– Kabir Khan, Afghanistan coach Maxwell and Perera by Brydon Coverdale, Vettori by Daniel Brettig, Tamim by Mohammad Isam, Ahmadi by Umar Farooq

The Sri Lanka captain believes that despite a poor recent record in finals, the team has done well in big tournaments

Andrew Fernando17-Sep-2012South Africa may be the perennial underachievers at major tournaments, but two days after AB de Villiers confronted the chokers tag head on, the ‘C’ word was uttered again, this time by Mahela Jayawardene on the eve of his side’s first group match. It has been a question thrown to him repeatedly in the lead up to the World Twenty20. Three major finals in five years, yet no trophies. Is there a pattern to Sri Lanka’s failures at the final hurdle? Are they simply buckling under pressure?Based merely on statistics, it might appear that way. In the last five world tournaments, Sri Lanka have been one of the most consistent sides, with a semi-final exit to go with the three sets of runners-up medals. Since 2007, only Pakistan have played four semi-finals. Sri Lanka were talked up as serious contenders from the start in each tournament in which they made it to the final. It suggests they have played well through the tournaments but failed to perform in the finals, none of which have been close.But beyond the numbers, there is truth to the notion that Sri Lanka have simply been outplayed by better sides in the crunch encounters. In 2007, Australia still had Matthew Hayden and Glenn McGrath in their ranks, and Adam Gilchrist unleashed a furious 149 in Bridgetown. Pakistan surged late in 2009 World Twenty20, and Shahid Afridi shone with the bat after Mohammed Amir and Abdul Razzak had bowled brilliantly. Last year, Gautam Gambhir and MS Dhoni orchestrated a near-perfect chase. In each of those matches there was no major failing on Sri Lanka’s part, no significant dip in performance – they were simply bested by extraordinary cricket from the other team.”A lot of people have asked us whether we’ve choked in the finals,” Jayawardene said. “But I’d rather be in that position that getting knocked out in the first round or second round. We’re doing some thing pretty good in these big tournaments. We’re handling pressure well and getting into those situations where we can win the tournaments.”This time, with the World T20 being played at home, the expectations have been more intense. Already Sri Lanka are being tagged as favourites, perhaps in the absence of any other side that fits the bill better. South Africa may be the best team in the world, but they are yet to win a big tournament; India have a perceived weakness in their bowling attack as Pakistan have in their batting; Australia have hit a low in the rankings; West Indies are unproven against stiff opposition and England have recently been abysmal in the subcontinent. All this has heaped pressure on the hosts, and though the line most often trotted out by captains is that everyone has an equal chance in Twenty20, George Orwell might retort that one side’s chances are more equal than the rest.

“Sri Lanka is a cricket crazy country and the expectations will be high. We have to accept that.”Mahela Jayawardene

While most teams have downplayed their chances and stressed the fickleness of the format, Sri Lanka seem more comfortable with the pressure. “We’re one of the favourites. We’re part of a pack and if we can get good momentum, we could go all the way,” Jayawardene said. “We can’t play the hype down because we are playing at home. Sri Lanka is a cricket crazy country and the expectations will be high. We have to accept that.”The first step is entry into the Super Eights, and a victory over Zimbabwe in their first match will go a long way in ensuring that. Sri Lanka may have preferred all their matches to be in more familiar Colombo or Pallekele, but they must deal with a trickier venue in Hambantota, which has hosted low-scorers in the past.”The first time we played in Hambantota, it was tough for us on the newly-relaid pitch,” Jayawardene said. “The wind is a bit of a factor as well – it can pick up in the afternoon and evenings so you need to adjust for that. We’ve played a bit of cricket here, so we’ll try and make use of this advantage with the conditions.”The World Twenty20 has never been won by its host nation. Over the next three weeks, Jayawardene’s men will hope to reverse two trends.

The Perth Test will be the last of Ricky Ponting’s career, and South Africa’s veteran Jacques Kallis is battling to be fit for it

Firdose Moonda in Perth29-Nov-2012Unless something as dramatic as Jacques Kallis calling time on his career happens, the Perth Test will be largely about Ricky Ponting. Whether South Africa win a second consecutive series in Australia and keep their No. 1 Test ranking, or whether Michael Clarke’s team wrests it from them, the cricket world will be captivated by Ponting’s farewell.The South African team was too. They arrived at the WACA ground when Ponting was making his announcement, and although they suspected it was going to happen, they were in some awe at being so close to it. “Shame,” said AB de Villiers in typical South African fashion, while Graeme Smith showed genuine concern when he heard Michael Clarke almost broke down during his press conference.Reporters held back from asking Smith about his record of being around when major opposition players retire but they managed to get some of his thoughts. “Initially it was a bit of a shock,” Smith said, conveying a popular sentiment. “I played a lot against Ricky and he is certainly the most competitive man I think I have ever played against. The way he played the game, and the intensity he played the game in, is a credit to him. He has always represented Australia with a lot of dignity and a lot of skill.”Ponting’s last chance to do that will be against South Africa in a match that will decide the No.1 ranking. Graeme Smith’s team knows the power something like a retirement can have. They used the sudden departure of Mark Boucher, who was badly injured in England before his final Test series began, as added motivation on that tour earlier this year.In victory, South Africa dedicated a large portion of their ascension to No.1 to Boucher. Now that they have the title, they do not want to give it up without a heck of a fight, and one of their most resilient fighters has been their longest serving soldier – Jacques Kallis.Even during the 3.3 overs he bowled before limping off Adelaide Oval, Kallis’ impact was significant: he dismissed Ed Cowan and Ponting. Kallis also batted through pain in both innings because his contribution was needed to save the match. His 58 and 46, innings that used up more than four hours, proved that his career is a long way from needing the same resuscitation. It would not have been surprising had Ponting watched that effort and wondered how a man who walked almost the same road as he did was able to continue walking so confidently.Kallis made his Test debut the week after Ponting did in December 1995. He has played ten fewer Tests than Ponting, has 425 fewer runs but three hundreds more. While Ponting has one more opportunity to add to those numbers, Kallis should have several more. Like Ponting, Kallis said he would remain committed to playing international cricket for as long as his body allows and he can contribute. Unlike Ponting, it is Kallis’ fitness rather his form that threatens his future.For the third time in as many tours in 2012, Kallis is battling injury. His current hamstring strain could deny him his own last – a last Test in Australia. It’s unlikely Kallis will return in 2016, when South Africa are due to tour next, and before this series he said he would treasure being successful for a second time in Australia.Kallis has done everything he can to be able to play in Perth, even if only as a batsman, although he will have to field. “We don’t intend on playing the game with ten men so we won’t take the decision lightly,” Smith said, confirming Kallis will bat at No. 4 if picked. “If he is not fit we will look to have someone playing his role in the game but ideally, if he is fit, we’d like to have him playing.”Kallis knows how important he is to the side and has spent hours with physiotherapist Brandon Jackson to try and recover. He has followed the requirements for rest and if he remains in any pain, he isn’t showing it. He wants to play in Perth almost more than South Africa want him to. “Mentally we know that he is hungry to play and he has shown that in the way that he has gone about his rehab,” Smith said. “He wants to get on the park and perform.”So does Ponting, but he thinks after Tuesday he no longer deserves to. That realisation alone brought tears to grown men’s eyes. And then the air lightened a bit, as it does when these things happen. By the time the Australians had left, South Africa were training in sunshine with a strong wind blowing. In the second net was Kallis.He moved with ease. He got forward to defend with the grace of a construction vehicle and the determination of a whole fleet. He walked without difficulty, he bent down, he got back up, he carried on. He was struck on the hand by a net bowler and casually wrung it out before continuing. He was in the zone.When he finished, Kallis walked to a nearby bench, took his gloves off as though nothing had happened and packed his things. He looked around for a few minutes, he tussled his hair, he saw his team-mates chatting to some reporters and he passed by with smiles for all. In those eyes was the same look Kallis has worn throughout his career. The one that says, “I’m still here and I’m still going to be.”

The absence of a high-quality allrounder from England’s squad has limited their attack options

George Dobell in Mumbai22-Nov-2012It was not Monty Panesar that England missed in Ahmedabad. It was not Steven Finn, either. Not entirely, anyway.It was actually Ian Botham. Or Andrew Flintoff. Or Tony Grieg. It was the absence of a high-quality allrounder who could balance the side.As England prepare for the second Test in Mumbai, it is worth looking at the record books. India have only lost at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai six times, twice to England, the most recent defeat coming in 2006.Talk of that 2006 Test usually evokes memories of Shaun Udal. The offspinner claimed 4 for 14 – including the wicket of Sachin Tendulkar – in the fourth innings to bowl England to a victory that levelled the series. Flintoff, however, made two half-centuries and claimed four wickets and had England not possessed his all-round strength they may well not have risked selecting Udal, the second spinner.England’s only other victory at the Wankhede came in 1980. On that occasion, Botham took 13 wickets and scored a century in one of the most accomplished all-round performances in history. Again, Botham’s all-round skill allowed England to field a five-man attack containing two spinners. It was the same story in 1976-77 – England won that five-Test series 3-1, when they were captained and balanced by Grieg’s offspin in a five-man attack.Even in 1984-85, when they came from behind to win 2-1, they tried to find that same balance. On that occasion, Chris Cowdrey was less effective as an allrounder and England were obliged to rely on a four-man attack split between two seamers and two spinners, with Cowdrey and Mike Gatting filling in as support bowlers.The similarity is that on each occasion England have won, with the exception of 1984-85, they have possessed a Test-quality allrounder capable of balancing the side and allowing them to play five bowlers.That is not an option as they go into the second Test of this series. Perhaps, one day, Ben Stokes might develop into that quality allrounder or perhaps, one day, it will be accepted that Rikki Clarke has matured into the cricketer his talent suggested he might become when he was prematurely selected almost a decade ago. For now, though, England have to decide to go into the game with either a five-man attack and risk exposing a long tail, or a four-man attack lacking either a second spinner or a third seamer. The pretence that Samit Patel should be considered a true allrounder was undermined by Andy Flower, the England coach, describing the bowling in Ahmedabad as a “four-and-a-half” man attack.Neither option is ideal. With the batsmen so unconvincing in the first Test, England are loathe to weaken it further and risk a tail that starts with Graeme Swann at No. 7 or No. 8. But, at the same time, they struggled for penetration and variety in the first Test and have admitted it was an error to omit Panesar from the side. He looks certain to play in Mumbai on a recently used track that will, inevitably, aid spinners.Selection is complicated further by illness to Stuart Broad. His place was far from secure anyway, but the idea of risking a recently sick man with a sore heel in a two-man attack may force a further rethink. Stuart Meaker, by far the most impressive and quickest of England’s seamers in practice, could be on the brink of a Test debut.He could find less sympathetic places to make it. While Meaker, relatively short for a modern fast bowler, is not one to generate steepling bounce, he may enjoy the humidity and the sea fret that sometimes aids swing bowling at the ground. He may surprise a few with his pace and his skill, too.Stuart Meaker is in contention for a Test debut in Mumbai•Getty ImagesHis selection might be regarded as a step into the future. While the current team have achieved unheralded success for England, this has been an awful year for them. Indeed, if they lose in Mumbai they will have equalled the most losses an England team has ever experienced in a Test year: eight.Flower has to learn from history. He has to avoid the error made by one of his predecessors, Duncan Fletcher, and be prepared to renew the team. Fletcher, and England, suffered when he persisted with a team that was clearly past its best for the Ashes tour of 2006-07 on the basis that they had performed so well in 2005. But milk that was good last week may be sour today. Meaker and Finn may just represent the future of England fast bowling. Broad and Tim Bresnan, if they cannot recover the pace they once had, may represent the past.Alastair Cook, the England captain, rejected any notion that the England team had become a little too cosy. “I disagree wholeheartedly with that,” he said. “That’s not true.” But while Cook accepted England had underperformed in Ahmedabad, he also reiterated his belief in his players.”Clearly last week was tough for confidence when you get beaten in such a heavy manner,” he said. “First-innings runs are vital. I spoke about it when we lost the game and we have been speaking about it ever since.”We have to hold our hands up: in these conditions we haven’t played well enough to get the results. There’s no one else who we can blame.”I am confident. The guys have done it in the past. A couple of guys have done it in subcontinental conditions, a couple haven’t done it in subcontinental conditions but we know if we’re going to win this game we’re going to have to score runs.”It is an obvious point but true. If England’s batsmen continue to struggle, technically or temperamentally, against spin, it will make no difference what bowling attack they field.

The Kaul brothers, Siddarth and Uday, have been integral to Punjab’s success in this Ranji Trophy season

Amol Karhadkar in Rajkot15-Jan-2013There are several noteworthy aspects to Punjab’s journey to the semi-finals of the Ranji Trophy. One of their two captains this season is a match shy of joining the 100-Test club, while the other is only 21 years old. They have an opener who has a fair chance of ending his debut season as the highest run-scorer of the tournament. They also have an impressive battery of fast bowlers. And they have the only pair of siblings to play together in this Indian domestic season.Uday and Siddarth, the Kaul brothers, have been an integral part of Punjab’s fairytale ride, as they approach the semi-final against Saurashtra as favourites. They have completely different skills: Uday, the older of the two, is a wicketkeeper-batsman, while Siddarth is a fast bowler.Both brothers are chasing one man’s dream, that of Tej Kaul, their father, coach and mentor. Tej had kept wicket and opened the batting for Jammu & Kashmir for a brief period during the 1970s before becoming a coach. Uday followed in Tej’s footsteps, while Siddarth, on the other hand, followed his father’s instincts and instructions to the tee.”He [Uday] always wanted to be like dad, but I always followed what our father told me to be,” Siddarth said. “He somehow always saw a fast bowler in me and here I am, doing what he wanted me to do day in and day out.” Siddarth, with 38 wickets in eight games, is the fifth highest wicket-taker this season.Both players earned their accolades in different ways. Siddarth, who was a member of India’s victorious Under-19 World Cup campaign in 2008, was an instant hit at the first-class level. Two months before that Under-19 tournament, he had made his first-class debut with a five-wicket haul against Orissa. Since then it has been a topsy-turvy ride, primarily due to injuries.Uday, on the other hand, had to toil to make a name among his team-mates and in the domestic cricket fraternity. After emerging as one of the most consistent wicketkeeper-batsmen in 2009-10 and 2010-11, a back injury disturbed Uday’s rhythm last season. But he returned and made a big impact. With 614 runs, which include three centuries, he is Punjab’s second highest run-scorer. “We don’t compare each other’s success, in fact we revel in it,” Uday said. “It’s been an excellent season so far. I hope we can carry forward and help Punjab win the Ranji title that has eluded us for 20 years.”Siddarth’s frequent injures were a major reason for Punjab’s opponents’ batting card not having “c Kaul b Kaul” more often, but they haven’t forgotten its first occurrence. “It was [Rashmi] Das from Orissa, in my first game,” Siddarth said.Uday adds: “Even though he got five in his first innings in Ranji, it would have been more had I taken those chances off his bowling. I think I dropped two or three catches off his bowling in that game.”It isn’t dropped catches, though, that lead to arguments between the two. Usually, it is the choice of music. While Siddarth is “not that into English” songs, Uday prefers to listen to English classics. But that doesn’t stop them from sharing a room most of the times when they are on tour.”Being together helps both of us – as individuals and cricketers,” Siddarth, the more outspoken of the pair, said. “When it comes to cricket, it helps me immensely for him to be behind the wickets. There are some observations that only a studious ‘keeper can make about a bowler. And he puts them across time and again to help me become a better bowler.”With the brothers sharing a strong bond, Punjab’s team management is more than happy to let them be together. “Both are serious about the game and take care of each other, so we know that they are looking after each other,” the coach and manager Arun Sharma said. “That in a way means two players less when it comes to man-management.”

Both teams are in transition, but while Australia have a solid recent record, India need a series win to confirm they can compete against top sides

Sharda Ugra21-Feb-2013The India v Australia rivalry, all heat, dust, noise and light is a terrific thing. What is often forgotten is that it is a very modern marvel, sort of like the mobile phone. While technological innovation is not its parent, the intensity and frequency of India v Australia does not stem from any rich, historical tradition, like the Ashes or India v Pakistan.India v Australia in loop arose from administrative foresight. Until the institution of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in 1996-97, India and Australia had played 50 Tests in 47 years. Since then, including the forthcoming series it will be 36 Tests in 17 years.Once Jolimont wised up to the fact that TV rights earnings around Indian cricket were about to send cash registers into overdrive, India and Australia formed a friendship which, even if hardly beautiful on a few occasions, has remained most fruitful.For that though, a generation of cricketers must be thanked. They happened, in curious synchronicity, to be among the greatest cricketers produced by either country. Chart toppers in the record books, significant figures in their nation’s cricketing history, cavaliers and round heads, wizards and workmen, aristocrats and rogues. Who created, out of an economic prophesy, a 21st century sporting rivalry that has transfixed millions.When Michael Clarke and MS Dhoni walk out to toss on Friday in Chennai, they know that their dressing rooms are now titan-less. A smattering of figures remain on either side but without the combined force of the entire cast, the teams stand weakened.Yet, this is neither tragedy nor disaster, merely cricket’s natural order moving on its natural course. It is why this ’13 series (ouch, not the most fortuitous of numbers) contains two sub-plots: a tussle between teams in transition and the attempt by a new generation to renew and re-energise the rivalry.While India and Australia will essentially be running into each other over the next few weeks, as teams they cannot be considered to be on the same plane. Australia would like to think they are on their way up and India must show the world that at least they have solid footing on their own ground. Winning will be the only proof for India. The only doomsday for Australia would be a complete wipe-out. Like we said, not on the same plane.Of these two “teams in transition,” one has had a recent series record that reads 0-4, 2-0, 0-4, 2-0, 1-2, ten defeats in 17 Tests. In their last five series, the other’s record reads, 1-1, 4-0, 2-0, 0-1, 3-0, two defeats in 15 Tests. One of the two is transitioning fine, the other suffering from frequent palpitations.Two days before the Chennai Test, Australia threw down all their cards, naming their eleven and talking about attacking India’s under-pressure spinners. India’s wagons were tightly circled but even Sunil Gavaskar was jokingly heard at the Pataudi Memorial lecture calling for some extra slices of luck for the Indians. “As they need it a bit more than the Australians do. The Australians have been winning while the Indians have not.”Along with luck, the least India need is a calamity-proof plan because in terms of the experience and quality at their disposal at the moment, Australia are far from an all-bases-covered England. India’s plans against England included not offering them any spinners in practice matches and calling for a fizzing turner in Mumbai. It was the kind of message whose messengers ask to be shot.Some common sense against Australia. The first two practice matches had spinners causing a minor flutter through the Australian ranks, even though their best batsman and its team’s central figure, captain Clarke, played no part in either.What works in India’s favour is the fact that the series is being played in the latter half of the home season, where the wickets are far more tired and worn than they were when England came touring.The return of Harbhajan Singh into this series is totemic. He has been, for a while now, India v Australia on two legs. His selection though has been made in the hope that along with him, his prime form will return too.In an Indian dressing room environment of excess ‘cool’ even in repeated defeat, it must be remembered Harbhajan can be the most obvious heat-generator in the series. Yet, Australia’s new batsmen carry no baggage vis-a-vis Harbhajan and understand that the first two Tests is the most chance he is going to get. If playing three spinners on the go does not work in Chennai or Hyderabad, one will surely have to be jettisoned in time for Mohali.Harbhajan will need a stack of wickets to stick around, particularly given that the Indian selectors are constantly under instructions to pursue a ‘youth policy’ (the reason behind ignoring Wasim Jaffer from the two Tests).As much as the role of the Indian spinners has been spotlighted, the response of India’s batsmen to Australia’s medium pacers will tell us more. The use of swing with pure pace even on knee-nuzzler Indian wickets hurries and rattles batsmen, particularly the less assured. The last four-man pace attack to win a Test series in India was South Africa 2000: with a combination of Donald, Pollock, Kallis with Cronje/Klusener/Hayward and Nicky Boje in support.As Siddle, Pattinson, Starc and Henriques try to bear up to the load of bowling in India, they will
reveal much about India’s batting too.It is not about finding out whether Virender Sehwag and his new glasses have it in them to put in a few more years opening for India (it would be nice to know, though). Or whether Sachin Tendulkar can produce an innings of final remembrance in what could well be his last Test series in India.Seasons in the not so distant future are not going to contain Tendulkar and Sehwag. The series against Australia will prove as to whether they will contain the names that crowd the playing eleven today. Like Cheteshwar Pujara’s capability to play spin is not in doubt, but his instinctive and beloved pull shot against the quick men will get another working over. The answer that will be sought from Virat Kohli is not about his ability to play the flamboyant drives over extra cover, but whether he is capable of reining himself in.On the Australian side, they are energised by David Warner opening the innings, but Phil Hughes, slotted in the No. 3, averages under 37 after 20 Tests. Ed Cowan enjoyed a decent turn out in the three-day match versus India-A, but is still on the look-out for a career-defining series. What the rivalry needs – and indeed is ideally set up for – is a fresh new name to drive it.At its epic height, India versus Australia has always ended up representative of ‘all or nothing’ for both sides. This time things appear slightly more even-tempered. But maybe this is merely before the first ball is bowled.

The 27-year-old has often frustrated himself with inconsistent performances, but has come back stronger and mature, say team-mates and coaches

Sharda Ugra13-Mar-2013The two-day Gang of Four soap opera has done the implausible: diverted attention from India in India. India will be pleased. Not least Shikhar Dhawan, who will on Thursday step into the space once occupied by Virender Sehwag – at least, on the scorecard.Dhawan, 27, is another opener off the production line from Delhi. If Sehwag make-shifted into the position and turned it his own, Aakash Chopra, Gautam Gambhir and now Dhawan have always been fully-certified openers.Dhawan’s move up the order to an India Test spot has come from the poor run of form for both Sehwag and Gambhir. Until now, Dhawan has had to bide his time through the better part of nine years in first-class cricket, due to Sehwag and Gambhir’s occupation of the opening slots, and the crests and troughs of his own career. This season, though, Dhawan finds himself on a crest that he hopes will last longer.His inclusion in the Indian team, before the series against Australia, came on the back of 833 first-class runs at 55.53, which included four hundreds and three fifties. This is Dhawan’s most prolific season, and in it, his colleagues and coaches see signs of maturity, which should help him tide over what have so far been his turbulent twenties.A free-stroking left-hand batsman with dazzling shots square of the wicket, Dhawan is at his best when playing freely. His Delhi team-mate, Rajat Bhatia, says that over the last few seasons he has seen “a much more mature player who understands the importance of big runs”. Another Delhi player, Mithun Manhas, says Dhawan’s appetite for big scores has only grown. “He is focused on his game, and knows how to take care of his weaknesses, as much as he concentrates on his strengths,” Manhas said.Delhi coach Vijay Dahiya tells a story of two seasons, and specifically two matches, both at Delhi’s most seamer-friendly venue, the Roshanara Club Ground. In December 2010, Delhi had to score 136 in the fourth innings to beat Railways. They muffed the chase, losing by 22 runs, with Dhawan pilloried for his dismissal.In December 2012, Maharashtra set Delhi a target of 270 at the same venue, where their highest successful chase had been 160. Delhi won by seven wickets, with Dhawan not out on 116. He was involved in two major partnerships. Dhawan had said to his coach then, “I messed it up the last time. This time I wanted to make sure I didn’t.”In Mohali, a ground he is familiar with, Dhawan gets another chance to lift his game even higher. He is famous in India for being the top-scorer and the player of the tournament in the 2004 Under-19 World Cup. Team-mates in that junior squad included Suresh Raina, Robin Uthappa and RP Singh, who have since then played 31 Tests, 255 ODIs and 57 T20 internationals between them.Dhawan’s time with India has been all of five ODIs, and a T20 International in 2011, when he was roped in because of his shot-making skills and extraordinarily high fielding and fitness levels. It turned pear-shaped for him in his brief stint with India, but Dhawan’s sudden spurts of performances in domestic cricket have always kept him in the mix. He has been on India A squads to Australia, England and the West Indies over those nine seasons. His best performance on those three tours was his 179 against Yorkshire in a three-day match in 2010.What was missing from Dhawan’s game was a consistent run, across not merely a handful of matches but through entire seasons. His school coach, Madan Sharma, is relieved that Dhawan has begun to convert attractive 60s and 70s into bigger scores.”He’s at an age when batsmen mature, between 26 and 30,” Madan said. “While he has always been hard-working, he has learnt tough lessons, and grown to where he now understands how important it is to protect his wicket, and which ball to leave.”The younger Dhawan, according to Sharma, was a careless batsman, who had a ” [lofting-and-getting-out]” approach to batting. He is now gratified to find that the older Dhawan has found what could be the even keel he has been critically missing so far.Dahiya sees a batsman who has worked on his technique against the short ball, has looked “very solid” on his front foot, and has found a way to be carefree after the frustrations of an unpredictable career. “He’s become mentally stronger,” Dahiya said.In an interview earlier this year, Dhawan explained it simply, “I realised that I was not using my brains, but only my talent.” He has made it a habit of noting down his observations from a net session or an innings, and going through them during the season. Bhatia has first-hand experience of Dhawan’s intensity around his batting from the many discussions after a day’s play. About how different batsmen would handle the ball that dismissed him.Bhatia said: “I would always say to him, ‘Don’t concentrate so hard on your technique. Concentrate on watching the bowler, watching the ball and on scoring runs.'” Consistently.

They have a voodoo practitioner among their backroom staff

Andy Zaltzman25-Feb-2013I am fairly confident that there were not any actual champagne corks popped in the England dressing room at the sight of Zaheer Khan limbering up in practice so gingerly that a Nottingham Chinese takeaway reportedly inquired whether they could use him in a stir-fry with some spring onions, or at the news that India’s lynchpin would, as expected, miss the second Test due to his misbehaving hamstring. However, England’s batsmen must have been mentally high-fiving themselves at the prospect of not having to face the man who tormented them on the same ground four years ago. Seven of England’s current team played in that series-deciding 2007 defeat, in which Zaheer took 9 for 134, with eight of his victims being top-six batsmen.Lord’s was a very good Test, richly speckled superb individual performances and driven by a fluctuating narrative, but it could have been a great one had Zaheer stayed fit (or at least not injured). England’s bowlers applied remorseless pressure, led by Broad’s extraordinary and brilliant renaissance – after 18 months of largely ineffectual toil, he found his 2009-Ashes-winning length, took 7 for 94 in the match, had three catches shelled off his bowling (including a Strauss blooper so simple that he could, should and probably would have taken in his sleep, as the ball would likely have lodged in his pyjama pocket), and had two lbw appeals refused that were so plumb they were last seen heading off in overalls with a tool-kit to fix some broken piping in the Lord’s bathroom. It was a startling performance, and vindication for England’s selectors. Slightly belated vindication, perhaps, but vindication nonetheless.Broad’s bowling might have touched perfection at times at Lord’s, but he still needs to do some major work to refine his appealing technique which remains a counterproductive caterwaul of almost Viking intransigence, and it seems a bizarre oversight that England have not invested in a backroom appealing coach. England are famously well prepared by their large and well-honed support team. Zaheer’s injury – to add to the ones suffered by, amongst others, McGrath in 2005, and Steyn in 2008 and 2009-10 – suggests that amongst that backroom staff is a high-quality voodoo practitioner, who has been working overtime to give England that crucial extra edge.India’s bowlers, by contrast, released England at crucial times in both innings, and ended up twiddling their thumbs until the declaration came, and generously donating runs to the Matt Prior Century Fund (a worthy cause, given how well he played at the start of his innings, but allowing him to negotiate the supposedly-nervous 90s against the fearsome two-prong attack of Dhoni and Raina was surely taking well-meaning charity a step too far).The current world No. 1 team habitually improve as series progress (none more so than Harbhajan Singh, as discussed in last week’s Multistat), but the lack of depth in their bowling is a concern. England may be without the outstanding Chris Tremlett, who has taken to Test cricket like a duck to a Chinese pancake. Should he fail to recover, England will replace him with either Steve Finn, their youngest bowler to take 50 Test wickets, or Tim Bresnan, who took 11 tight-fistedly cheap scalps in the final two Ashes Tests in Australia. India will have to replace Zaheer with either Sreesanth, who since his last tour of England has taken 33 wickets at 44 in 13 sporadic Tests, or Munaf Patel, who seemed to have given up on Test cricket, a form of the game in which he has harvested just 11 luxuriously expensive wickets in the last five years.It will be fascinating to see how India go about trying to retain their No. 1 status after such a disappointing defeat, in which they mixed penetration and listlessness with the ball, and dogged resistance and careless errors with the bat, into a bizarrely inconsistent cricket cocktail that few would order on a night out. It would have been more fascinating to see them try to do so with their best bowler in action, but such is the way of modern cricket. I think India will do well to win a Test. But then, I and many others thought the same after their first-Test griddling last winter in South Africa.Whatever happens in Nottingham, Lord’s provided further proof that one three-day game is insufficient preparation for a touring Test team. Of course, the days are long gone when a touring side would begin the first Test after a solid six to 12 months of warm-up matches, with various players having changed marital status since leaving home, or written epic novels.It should be said that, in days gone by, a long build-up was not always a guarantee of hitting the ground running in the Test series. Len Hutton’s ultimately victorious 1954-55 England Ashes side prepared for the first Test with six four-day matches, and promptly hit the ground stumbling like a drunken pensioner trying to go the wrong way down an escalator – they were hammered by an innings and plenty, before fighting back to clinch the Ashes 3-1 in the fourth Test. Two months after their Brisbane battering. They had fun for another month, drew the final Test, and then hopped on the boat home at the beginning of March, wondering whether their families would still remember them.Nevertheless, one warm-up match to prepare players who had either been playing somewhere else in completely different conditions, or not playing at all after a three-month binge of limited-overs cricket, was clearly insufficient. India at Lord’s reminded me of England in Pakistan in 2005-06, when, after scaling their greatest peak and achieving their ultimate ambition, and weakened by a couple of important injuries, they suffered a post-Ashes anti-climax, a disappointing fishfinger sandwich to follow some mouth-explodingly high-grade sushi.ExtrasThe one question on the south hemisphere’s lips this week has been: for their forthcoming tour of Sri Lanka, should the Australian selectors have recalled Clarrie Grimmett? The pre-war legspin legend has admittedly not been at his best since departing Test cricket in 1936, retiring from the first-class game in 1941, and dying at the age of 88 in 1980.However, in the absence of any cast-iron contenders on the Sheffield Shield scene, Grimmett was probably worth a selectorial punt. After all, as sports pundits – the wisest of all philosophers, according to the Massachusetts Institute Of Sports Punditry – often say: “There is no substitute for experience.” Before adding: “Form is temporary, class is permanent.” With 127 five-wicket hauls in first-class cricket, Grimmett is ahead of Michael Beer and Nathan Lyon by, respectively, 127 and 127 first-class five-wicket hauls. (Although both Beer and Lyon can boast superior Twenty20 records.) (And Grimmett was born and raised in New Zealand, so for Australia to select him now, after all the carping about England’s various imports over the years, would be to slug deep from the thermos flask of hypocrisy.) (The late great Bill O’Reilly was ruled out with a calf strain.)

Kane Williamson is among a rare breed in New Zealand, a batsman who has the ability to last a whole day in Test cricket

Andrew McGlashan in Wellington17-Mar-2013If New Zealand escape Wellington with a draw, as England did last week in Dunedin, the weather will have aided their cause. As if on cue, a record dry summer is ending with a Test series to play. It would be unfair, though, to look past the batting of Kane Williamson in New Zealand’s second innings, which has been another reminder of an emerging talent on the world stage.Helping his team to safety at the Basin Reserve is not new to Williamson. Last year, facing South Africa, he made an unbeaten 102 against an attack featuring Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel (who took all six wickets), Vernon Philander and Marchant de Lange. It was his second Test hundred, to follow a debut ton against India, and was an important innings for someone who had not kicked on from that notable start to his career.Williamson’s career numbers do not jump off the page. A Test average of 31.86 after 22 matches is not the hallmark of a No.3, and he averaged under 40 in first-class cricket during his spell with Gloucestershire, but New Zealand are being patient with him because, beneath the statistics, there is a considerable batsman in the making. Anyone who watched his unbeaten 145 in the one-day series against South Africa will have realised that this is a batsman who can repay the faith.Clearly, he cannot be given forever to fully bed into Test cricket but New Zealand are not so rich in talent that Williamson cannot be persevered with. Both his innings in this match – he was playing very comfortably until chipping a catch back to Stuart Broad for 42 – have suggested that his average will go one way in the long term. His 135 against Sri Lanka, in Colombo, last year to help set up the series-leveling victory was a fantastic display of batsmanship.New Zealand have not had a steady No. 3 since Stephen Fleming retired. Williamson was worked over by the South Africa quick bowlers in the Test series in January, but there is no disgrace in struggling against Steyn and Philander on their home patch. Still only 22, he has been rapidly promoted up the order – his maiden hundred came at No.6, his one against South Africa at No.4 – and asked to forge a career in a tough position. Then there is the pressure of being mentioned in the same breath as Martin Crowe. That is not an easy burden to handle.Ideally, Williamson would have been offered longer to establish his game before being elevated but there is a jam for middle-order slots and less of a clamour for top-order berths in the current generation of New Zealand batsman, although Hamish Rutherford has recently gone against that trend. There is a strong argument that Brendon McCullum should be batting at No. 3, to allow Williamson time to develop at five or six, but the captain feels, and his current form is compelling, that he is best as a counter-attacker lower down.Therefore, Williamson is the man who has to be prepared to face the second ball of the innings. He has certainly been in early on many occasions. Waiting behind the 158-run stand between Rutherford and Peter Fulton in Dunedin was a novelty for him; the first-wicket partnerships of 6 and 25 in this match are more what Williamson has got used to.So far he has faced 174 balls in the second innings and rarely looked in much trouble. England reviewed for an lbw when he had 1 but an inside edge saved him. That was against a full delivery and, perhaps, England have not dragged him forward quite as much as they could have because Williamson looks comfortable on the back foot in defence or attack. The back-foot punch through the off side is becoming a trademark.New Zealand have also been smart in their recent handling of Williamson. They have left him out of the Twenty20 side since the World Twenty20 in Sri Lanka last year. Although there are exceptions with players who instantly grace three formats, the shortest format is not the game to be honing tight techniques. That is not to say Williamson cannot adapt in the future, but right now there are a good supply of batsman in New Zealand who can give the ball a thump, far fewer who have the potential to bat for a day in a Test match. Williamson is one of those.

ESPNcricinfo’s senior correspondent George Dobell looks at the prospects for clubs in Division Two

George Dobell09-Apr-2013EssexLast year 5th, CC Div 2; Quarter-finals, FLt20; 5th in Group A, CB40.2012 in a nutshell Disappointing. Bearing in mind the talent available in the Essex squad, there were realistic hopes that the club would achieve promotion and challenge for a limited-overs trophy in 2012. In the end, they did neither and, to increase their frustration, a seamer they had released – Chris Wright – played a prominent role in helping Warwickshire to the Championship title. They finished below Netherlands in the CB40 and won only three games in Division Two – only Northants did worse. There are some mitigating factors: the club was weakened by IPL absences – Owais Shah and Ryan ten Doeschate both missed several weeks of the season – Ravi Bopara played a peripheral part due to personal issues and England call-ups, and poor weather did little to help gain any momentum. Had they prevailed in a brave run-chase against Hampshire – they fell three short when chasing 360 at Chelmsford in July – their Championship season may have ended differently. Still, there is no escaping the fact that too few of their promising young players have developed as anticipated and too much is required of senior players such as Graham Napier, David Masters, Shah and Bopara. The decision to release Michael Comber and the loss of Adam Wheater to Hampshire underlined the impression that the club continues to struggle to develop their players once they graduate from the academy to the professional game. Chopping and changing the side has not helped.2013 prospects The squad remains as strong as any in the second division and is seemingly well suited to limited-overs cricket, too. The bowling attack has a nice blend of youth and experience and the batting looks strong, long and explosive. Their new acquisitions are intriguing: Australian Rob Quiney looks a modest overseas signing but, keen to force his way into Ashes contention, has all the motivation required to succeed, while Sajid Mahmood, for all his qualities, has been frustrating his coaches for more than a decade. Quite why a club blessed with so much young bowling talent requires such an addition remains open to debate. Shaun Tait should prove an eye-catching signing in the T20 and, along with the likes of ten Doeschate, Bopara and Napier, gives Essex several potential match-winners. Anything less than qualification to the quarter-finals of the T20 should be considered a failure, while they really should be able to mount a serious promotion challenge.Key player If Bopara is available for the entire season, he could play a huge role for Essex. He topped their batting averages in the Championship and the CB40 last year and, requiring outstanding performances in order to revive his international career, should be motivated. Quite what frame of mind he may be in remains to be seen but, if Bopara is fit and firing, he could well lead a promotion challenge.Bright young thing Essex is a club bursting with young talent. Ben Foakes, a wicketkeeper batsman, has already been fast-tracked into the England Lions side and looks set to start the season playing as a specialist batsman. Tymal Mills, a left-arm bowler of unusual pace, is equally exciting. But the real gem may turn out to be another left-arm bowler, Reece Topley. Blessed with great height and an ability to swing the ball, Topley appears to have all the attributes to develop into a high-class performer.Captain/coach Paul Grayson, the head coach, and James Foster, the captain, have been together for a few years but, despite assembling a strong squad, have yet to gain the success that was anticipated. The fact that Essex have just appointed a new chief executive – Derek Bowden succeeding David East – could herald change if 2013 is another year of underachievement.ESPNcricinfo verdict On paper, they have the talent to challenge for limited-overs trophies and promotion but if they are to prosper they will have to work out which is their best team and stick with it.GlamorganLast year 6th, CC Div 2; Group stage, FLt20; 6th in Group B, CB40.2012 in a nutshell Glamorgan continued to drift in 2012. They started poorly in the Championship, failing to win a game until mid-July, and had it not been for a final-match success against Kent, they would have finished bottom. Their T20 season was blighted by the weather, losing more games – five – to the rain than any other club, while their CB40 campaign never really got going. They won only one of their first six games, with the rain again doing them few favours. To make matters worse, they were unable to retain James Harris, one of the gems of their youth system; Robert Croft, who topped the bowling averages at the age of 42, retired at the end of the season; and they had to deal with the grief of losing a former team-mate, Tom Maynard, in such tragic circumstances. There was little reason for cheer.2013 prospects At full strength, Glamorgan have a team that could prove tough opposition in the Championship. The arrival of Michael Hogan should significantly strengthen the bowling and if Jim Allenby and Marcus North replicate their 2012 form, Graham Wagg can remain fit and Murray Goodwin can rediscover his form and combine with the reliable Mark Wallace and Stewart Walters, perhaps they could finish in mid-table. But the failure of locally developed player to contribute significantly continues to undermine the team.Key player Allenby was the leading wicket-taker in the 2012 Championship season as well as being the second-highest run-scorer and won the Cricket Society’s award for the leading allrounder in domestic first-class cricket. He also led the side in T20 cricket and remains a key player in all formats.Bright young thing Mike Reed, a very tall fast bowler, broke into the side at the end of last year and fared well. There is not huge competition for the category at Glamorgan, though, which is a concern.Captain/coach Wallace, who has a benefit season, will continue to captain the Championship side, with North taking control of the limited-overs teams. Matthew Mott continues as head of elite performance. After two years at the helm, it is hard to ascertain much progress.ESPNcricinfo verdict The failure to develop local players means the side appears to be longer on experience than it is on England potential. A long-term plan is hard to make out.GloucestershireLast year: 6th, CC Div 2; Quarter-finals, FLt20; 3rd in Group A, CB40.2012 in a nutshell: Finishing bottom of the Second Division of the Championship can never be classified as anything other than a disappointment. No team in Division Two lost more games than Gloucestershire. Two defeats against a strong Yorkshire side might have been accepted – especially as both could have been avoided, arising from manufactured chases – but losses to Leicestershire and Northants were more disappointing. But it was not, perhaps, quite as bad a season as it may look at first glance. Only five points separated Gloucestershire in ninth and Glamorgan in sixth and their limited-overs form was encouraging, culminating in an FLt20 quarterfinal. For a club with a young squad and small playing budget, it was always likely to prove another rebuilding season.2013 prospects: Within realistic boundaries, there is cause for cautious optimism in Bristol. While a sustained promotion challenge seems unlikely, it is not unreasonable to expect a move up the table with Gloucestershire’s season likely to be defined by their success against the rivals with which they share low budgets and young squads: Leicestershire, Worcestershire, Glamorgan and Northants. The seam bowling unit – including Liam Norwell, David Payne, Will Gidman, James Fuller and Ian Saxelby – is as strong as most in the lower division, but the lack of a quality spin bowler remains a concern. The batting has been Gloucestershire’s weakness for many seasons and certainly cost them promotion in 2009. They will hope to have talented opener Chris Dent fit for the whole campaign and that Alex Gidman’s decision to resign the captaincy to concentrate on his batting pays dividends. Much will also be expected of Gidman’s replacement, new overseas player Michael Klinger. With a little fortune, they could reach mid table and enjoy a decent showing in limited-overs cricket. But expectations cannot be great.Key player: A few years ago, Alex Gidman was a target of Warwickshire and seen as a potential England player. But his career has drifted and he has scored just two first-class centuries in the last three seasons and averaged just 28.36. Now, freed from the burden of captaincy, Gloucestershire require far more consistent returns from him.Bright young thing: The most encouraging aspect of Gloucestershire cricket is the presence of several talented, young players in the squad. David Payne, a strong left-arm seamer of brisk pace, could develop into a fine player, while Chris Dent is a left-handed top-order batsman of decent potential. Both are former England U19 players, both are 22-years-old and both could, if well managed, play large parts in reviving Gloucestershire cricket over the next decade.Captain /coach: Michael Klinger, a 32-year-old Australian, is the new captain. Arriving on the back of a modest Australian season – he averaged 19.41 in nine Sheffield Shield games in 2012-13 – he also struggled for Worcestershire last year, averaging 29.30 in six Championship games with a highest score of 69. Gloucestershire need far more from him this year. John Bracewell, the coach, continues to live off the reputation he gained from Gloucestershire’s excellent limited-overs form from his first stay at the club. But it would be nice to see a little more progress in his plans.ESPNcricinfo verdict: Gloucestershire possess some good young players and the redevelopment of Nevil Road will be completed without incurring crippling debt, but it is hard to see the club flourishing on the field in the immediate future.Hampshire did the double in 2012 but will want to improve their Championship showing•Getty ImagesHampshireLast year: 4th, CC Div 2; Winners, FLt20; Winners, CB40.2012 in a nutshell: Excellent in limited-overs cricket and mediocre in the Championship. Hampshire won the limited-overs double in 2012 and, with three games to play in the Championship season, were in a promotion position. They lost all three (against Leicestershire, Essex and Derbyshire) and slipped into mid-table. They topped their CB40 group with seven wins from 10 completed matches and then defeated Sussex and, in the final, Warwickshire off the last ball to lift the trophy. In the T20 they reached finals day in Cardiff, beating Somerset in a low-scoring semi-final and outwitting Yorkshire in the final. Glenn Maxwell proved an astute signing, with slow bowlers Liam Dawson and Danny Briggs maintaining excellent control and Dimitri Mascarenhas providing a reminder of his excellence as a T20 cricketer.2013 prospects: Hampshire should continue to challenge in the shorter formats and must be considered one of the promotion favourites. Their top-order batting, containing Jimmy Adams, Michael Carberry, overseas player George Bailey and, from June, Neil McKenzie, is as strong as any in Division Two. Adam Wheater, Sean Ervine and James Vince will add impetus while Liam Dawson will be asked to bat long and slow. The bowling is, at first glance, slightly less impressive but, led by David Balcombe, strong as a bull and determined to make up for lost time in his career, and the left-arm swing of James Tomlinson, it will also be augmented by the spin of Saeed Ajaml for the last few weeks of the season. Having won four limited-overs trophies in the last four years, they clearly have a decent formula and there is little reason why that should change .Key player: Signing Adam Wheater as a wicketkeeper batsman was somewhat controversial. Not only did Wheater have a year of his contract to run at Essex, but his arrival threatens the position of Michael Bates, a homegrown Hampshire keeper who has made such a fine impression with the gloves. But Wheater, at 23, only eight months older than Bates, is a vastly superior batsman – he averages 20 more an innings – and will add depth to Hampshire’s batting line-up.Bright young thing: Such is James Vince’s talent that the England selectors ignored his largely unsuccessful season in Division Two last year – he averaged 24.52 and only passed 50 once – and took him on the Lions’ one-day tour to Australia. He struggled there but, at 22, remains a talented and unusually elegant young batsman, capable of scoring freely against decent bowling. His strength, at present, remains in the limited-overs formats – he averaged 55.50 in the CB40 and was Hampshire’s leading run-scorer in the FLt20 – but if he can curb his attacking instincts just a little, he can flourish in all formats.Captain / coach: Jimmy Adams will continue to lead the side in a positive, cheerful manner, leaving Giles White, the head coach, to continue in unobtrusive style. The days when Hampshire could rely upon being bankrolled by Rod Bransgrove are gone – it didn’t really work, anyway – leaving the club more reliant on player development. They seem stronger for it.ESPNcricinfo verdict: Hampshire look capable of winning promotion this year. The batting is unusually strong and the acquisition of Saeed Ajmal on late-season pitches is a major scoop. It won’t be easy to follow up a double-winning season, but Hampshire should continue to be a threat in the shorter formats.KentLast year: Third, CC Div 2: Group stages, T20; Third in Group C, CB402012 in a nutshell: A year of near misses but great improvement. Kent, who finished second from bottom in 2011, narrowly missed out on promotion and a CB40 semi-final in 2012. Unbeaten in the Championship at the end of July, they were then defeated by Derbyshire, Essex and, crucially, Glamorgan in their last game to end their hopes. Just as importantly, Kent were defied by an excellent innings from Jimmy Adams and the rain as they pressed for a win over Hampshire at Southampton at the end of July. Had any of those results gone another way, they could have gone up. It was a similar story in the CB40: they started the final round of games top of their group but lost by nine wickets against Sussex and finished level on points with Warwickshire, who they had beaten easily home and away and over whom they had a better run-rate. But Warwickshire progressed having won more games. There was encouragement, though. Most of their pre-season recruits – intelligent, low-cost additions who had a point to prove – fared well, with Charlie Shreck and Mark Davies claiming 91 Championship wickets between them. The emergence of Sam Northeast – who topped the county’s batting averages in the Championship – also boded well for the future.2013 prospects: Kent is a side, a club even, in something of a transition. A generation of senior players – the likes of Shreck, Stevens, Brendan Nash and Geraint Jones, who are all over 35 – are entering the final phase of their careers and a new batch – the likes of Northeast, Matt Coles, Sam Billings and Daniel Bell-Drummond – are just starting to come through. The club is also adjusting to the new financial reality. Gone are the days when it could attract big-name players with big-money salaries and a sensible new business model has developed with a view to sustaining the club far into the future. Seen in that context, it could be that Kent missed a golden opportunity to go up in 2012. The battle for promotion will be no less fierce this year. Kent, along with Lancashire, Hampshire and Essex, should be among the contenders, but the success of their challenge is again likely to come down to a few key moments. While several key members of their squad may be ageing, there was little sign that any of them were in decline last season and the hope is that Rob Key, now relieved from the burden of captaincy, will be able to recover something approaching his best form in 2013. The young players promise much, but this could be a year too early for most of them.Key player: Darren Stevens will be 37 at the end of April. It took him a long time to find the consistency to complement his talent but now, with bat and ball, in the longest format or the shortest, he is a quality player and as liable to win a match with his teasing swing or his thumping batting.Bright young thing: Kent possess some of the brightest young batting talents in the domestic game. Daniel Bell-Drummond, a 19-year-old, made 90 runs for one dismissal in the match against the full strength South Africa attack last summer and looks a bright prospect, as does Sam Billings, the 21-year-old reserve wicketkeeper who fought his way into the List A side as a specialist batsman. Matt Coles, aged 22, has already won Lions recognition. But it is 23-year-old Sam Northeast of whom most will be expected this year. He made three Championship centuries in 2012 and held his own in the limited-overs sides.Captain /coach: James Tredwell has replaced Rob Key as captain and remains on the periphery of the England team. Former West Indies captain Jimmy Adams is now in his second year as head coach.Cricinfo’s verdict: A club heading in the right direction. Kent have a strong batch of talented young players emerging that could serve them well for the next 10 years or more. While financial pressures remain, the club has a viable business plan now and can look to the future with more confidence than for any time in the last four or five years.There were not too many moments for Lancashire to celebrate last season•PA PhotosLancashireLast year: Eighth (relegated), CC Div 1; Group stages, T20; Semi-finals, CB402012 in a nutshell: To suffer relegation the year after winning the Championship title was a major disappointment. Lancashire started slowly, losing three of their first four games, and never really recovered. They won just one Championship match all season; no team in either division won fewer. The problem was two-fold: the top-order batting failed to fire – Ashwell Prince was the only member of the top order to average over 30 and, along with Steven Croft and Paul Horton, one of only three men to make a Championship century all season; and Stephen Moore, so influential in 2011, failed to pass 50 – and the bowling remained over-reliant on Glen Chapple. Their CB40 form was far better. They topped Group A with more wins than any side in the country, but then came unstuck against Warwickshire in the semi-finals. They also started well in the T20 but then fell away sharply, failing to win any of their last four games. Ajmal Shadzad and Sajid Mahmood were released at the end of the season. Gary Keedy moved to Surrey.2013 prospects: Lancashire have never spent more than a season in the lower division and will be expected to win an immediate return to Division One. With a newly develop ground and big-money naming-rights deal, they will have a large budget advantage on some of their Division Two rivals, but competition for those top two places is likely to be extremely competitive. The level of expectation could become a burden. Lancashire have taken steps to strengthen the areas of weakness from last year: they have retained Ashwell Prince as a Kolpak registration and signed Simon Katich as overseas player, which should add substance to the batting; and they have signed Kabir Ali and Wayne White to add some pace and bite to the seam bowling. But the bowling remains a bit of a concern. Kabir’s fitness record is not encouraging and White, while he has pace, is not the most consistent. The club remain uncomfortably reliant on Chapple, who was 39 in January. The plethora of allrounders should prove an asset in the limited-overs formats, though a lack of bite from the seamers is a concern in the Championship. In the longer-term, there may be growing concerns about the quality of players developing through the club. The production line that used to produce fine seam bowlers has ground to something approaching a halt in the last few years.Key player: It is only three years since 32-year-old Kabir was signed by Hampshire in a big-money transfer from Worcestershire. The move didn’t really work out due to a serious knee injury sustained early in the contract and Kabir joins Lancashire with some doubts over his long-term fitness. If he is injury-free, he remains a high-quality bowler and could prove a valuable acquisition. But if he misses vast chunks of the season, Lancashire are left with a batch of bits and pieces allrounders and useful medium-pacers to support Chapple.Bright young thing: Such was Simon Kerrigan’s influence on the Championship success of 2011 it may appear he has been around too long for inclusion in this category. But he is only 23 and remains a work in progress. A relatively fast, aggressive left-arm spin bowler, he could well be pressing for Monty Panesar’s England spot before the year is out.Captain/coach: Last year’s relegation was a rare setback for Peter Moores at county level. Having won the Championship at two clubs, he remains a major asset as head coach. Chapple is the captain, with Mike Watkinson the director of cricket.ESPNcricinfo’s verdict: The players brought in should help Lancashire challenge for promotion, but that will not mask longer-term concerns about the quality of players developing at the club. Should remain competitive in limited-overs formats.LeicestershireLast year: 7th, CC Div 2; Group stage, FLt20; 6th in Group A, CB40.2012 in a nutshell: One of the also-rans. Leicestershire never threatened to challenge for promotion or in limited-overs cricket. After winning their first Championship game, they failed to do so again until late August and only by winning their final game did they ensure they would not finish bottom. They never got going in the CB40, failing to win any of their first five matches, and were similarly irrelevant in the FLt20, where they lost their first four matches, despite being the holders. There were a few areas of encouragement: only the two promoted teams lost fewer games in the lower division of the Championship and Shiv Thakor emerged as a player of rich promise. Ramnaresh Sarwan settled in well, too, and was rewarded with the captaincy.2013 prospects: There can be few expectations of silverware. Wayne White, easily their leading wicket-taker in the Championship last year, has left for a fresh start at Lancashire and Sarwan’s form has put him back on the radar of the West Indies’ selectors. Matthew Hoggard, who did not take a five-wicket haul last year, is not the bowler he once was and ongoing financial pressures limit the club’s competiveness in the transfer market. Still, Australian Joe Burns has been signed as cover for Sarwan, Niall O’Brien’s arrival from Northants should strengthen the batting and Anthony Ireland, Robbie Williams and Ollie Freckingham will add competition for bowling places. A decent run in T20 cricket remains possible but a promotion challenge looks unlikely. Off the pitch, the club hope they can progress the ground development plans which would enable them to spend more on their cricket budget.Key player: Nathan Buck, the 21-year-old seamer, endured a tough 2012, averaging 47.75 with the ball in the Championship. He is better than that, though, and if used – and rested – sensibly could develop into a match-winner.Bright young thing: Thakor, a 19-year-old batting allrounder, is the latest to emerge from Leicestershire’s remarkable production line. He topped the county’s Championship batting averages last year and is tipped to have an outstanding future. How long Leicestershire can keep hold of him remains to be seen but, for now, he should enjoy and benefit from first-team cricket in all formats.Captain/coach: Sarwan is the Championship captain, with Josh Cobb taking over for limited-overs cricket. Phil Whitticase remains the head coach.ESPNcricinfo verdict: While promotion or a trophy are unlikely, Leicestershire do at least continue to produce players. If Cobb, Thakor, Buck, Matthew Boyce and co. can find form, they could surprise a few.NorthamptonshireLast season 8th, CC Div 2; Group stages, T20; Sixth in Group C, CB402012 in a nutshell: A dire year. No team won fewer games in the Championship, the CB40 or the FLt20 in 2012 and the previous head coach, David Capel, paid for the failure with his job. While the red ball form was a disappointment – Northants had come close to winning promotion in 2011 – the white ball form was far worse as the club rely on limited-overs success to attract spectators. The bowling lacked incision, the batting lacked reliability and, crucially, in key passages of play, Northants seemed fragile. The failure precipitated some introspection at the club and, under the relatively new chief executive, David Smith, the club have reappraised their role in the game. There was a change of captaincy, the departure of some senior players – the club accepted they were unable to hold on to Jack Brooks and also released Chaminda Vaas, Rob White and Niall O’Brien.2013 prospects: It will take time to turn things round at Northants. Without the budget to compete in the transfer market, they must recruit and develop far more of their own players if they are to regain relevance. In the long-term, their on-field success may rely on the improvement in the off-field facilities that is designed to increase the club’s financial turnover significantly. Hosting concerts, conferences and improving community links are essential to the club’s futures. The early signs are positive, though: they have recruited wisely – Matt Spriegel and Steven Crook are reliable, affordable players with points to prove, while Azharullah is an intriguing fast-bowling addition – and they have two of the better players in the England U19 team, Olly Stone and Ben Duckett, who it is hoped will form the spine of the team for years to come. Others, like Rob Newton and Alex Wakely, should be moving into their prime while the likes of Luke Evans looks to have the raw materials to make a strong impression. Expectations need to be tempered but Northants should be able to make noticeable advances in 2013.Key player: Northants require far a greater contribution from Andrew Hall. Astute enough to have signed a long-term contract before the financial squeeze had hit – or before Northants had realised it had hit, anyway – Hall is far and away the most expensive player in the squad. To whom much is given, much is expected.Bright young thing: Ben Duckett may still be at school but, so promising is his keeping, that the club were keen to move Niall O’Brien on in order to provide more opportunity for the 18-year-old. Olly Stone, a 19-year-old seamer who claimed the best-ever bowling figures for England in an U19 Test of 11 for 79, is also one for the future.Captain/coach: With Hall having stepped down, Northants have two new captains this year. Stephen Peters is captain of the Championship side with Alex Wakely in charge of the limited-overs teams. The aim is to inject new energy into the squad and instil greater team unity and fight. Under the enthusiastic head coach, David Ripley, a burgeoning spirit seems to be building.Cricinfo’s verdict: Northants hit rock bottom last year, but it seems the experience has helped the club refocus on its role and responsibilities to the game. A determination to develop home-grown players will take time to come to fruition but, with young players offered opportunity and encouragement, the club should take the first steps on the road of progress in 2013.Alan Richardson will continue to windmill for the Worcestershire cause•Getty ImagesWorcestershireLast year: 9th (relegated), CC Div 1; Quarter-finals, T20; 7th, CB40 Group A2012 in a nutshell: Grim. Worcestershire were bottom of Division One in the County Championship – no team in either division lost as many games as their eight – and bottom of their CB40 group. A chronic lack of runs – no one averaged more than 35 and no one who played more than 10 games averaged more than 28 – was the overwhelming issue, though the failure of talented younger players to improve was, in its own way, just as disappointing. Players thought of as the future of the club, such as Richard Jones and Alexei Kervezee, were dropped, as were experienced pros such as Vikram Solanki and David Lucas. Solanki and wicketkeeper Ben Scott paid for their lack of runs by being released at the end of the season. Some of those brought in looked some way short of the standard required in Division One. The one redeeming feature was their progression to the quarter-final stages of the FLt20, which equalled their best performance in the format.2013 prospects: It is hard to be optimistic. With financial constraints widening the gap between the rich counties and the poor, Worcestershire have been obliged to bring in some young and inexperienced players with plenty to prove in the professional game. Most pertinently, it is unclear who will keep wicket, with Ben Cox, 21, and Michael Johnson, 24 and signed from the Birmingham League, vying for the gloves. The batting appears thin, with much required of the overseas player, Thilan Samaraweera, and the likes of Daryl Mitchell and Moeen Ali, while Alan Richardson continues to lead the bowling attack. It does not bode well that they remain so reliant upon a seamer who will be 38 in May. Promotion appears unlikely.But Worcestershire have surprised us before. In 2010, despite similar financial issues and the departure of several players, they bounced straight back into the top division thanks to a close-knit team spirit and some encouraging individual performances. There is some young talent at the club. The likes of Jones, Kervezee and Aneesh Kapil have all promised much at times and, if Gareth Andrew can remain fit, there is a decent first-team squad available, which could challenge any side in Division Two. There are a lot of ‘ifs’ and a concern remains over the lack of depth in the squad and the relative failure of talented young players to develop as they might have done in recent years. Jacob Oram looks a decent T20 signing, so long as he stays fit and complements the club’s other allrounders, and Worcestershire could be dangerous in the shortest format.Key player: Ali, as a top-order batsman in all formats and the main spin bowler, has developed into a valuable player. By his standards, however, he underachieved with the bat in 2012, averaging 26.08 in the Championship, and Worcestershire will need far more from him if they are to prosper. The fact that he is out of contract at the end of the season suggests this may well be his last at New Road.Bright young thing: Kervezee has been around for several years now but has not, perhaps, pushed on as hoped. Now aged 23, it is time for him to kick-on. Kapil, 19, is a richly talented player, too.Captain/coach: Knowing they cannot compete with the salaries offered elsewhere, Worcestershire have made a point of building a friendly, stable club that sticks with its senior staff. Whether that has made the club a little too cosy is moot and there is little doubt that, at many clubs, Steve Rhodes would have struggled to survive some of the setbacks of recent times. Bearing in mind the budget with which he works, however, there is much to be said for loyalty to a man utterly committed to the culture and best interests of the club. With Daryl Mitchell he forms a leadership team devoted far beyond the normal requirements of the job.ESPNcricinfo verdict: At full strength Worcestershire have a decent team. But there is a lack of depth and it will be a surprise if they win promotion or go close to a limited-overs trophy.