Due to the runaway sucess (!) of this feature, I have put it on the Raggybear archive as a permenent post.
Warwickshire's start to the season has been disrupted somewhat by various injuries and problems with availability of key players. As usual news is a little patchy and in various places, so this is where the Raggybear comes into its own (with its patented traffic light system for availability, specifically for those people who are in a rush, or who are illiterate but with the capacity to recognise names). News as at today is:
Tim Ambrose - was available and waiting on Sunday, will play in the Championship game against Northants this week.
Ian Bell - will join up with the team for this week's championship match
Monde Zondeki - due to join the squad this week and expected to make his debut in the Championship
Boyd Rankin - missed out on last week's game through a lack of match fitness following his recovery from a broken foot but has now picked up a new shoulder injury which is ruling him out for now. He is due to have a scan this week.
Jim Troughton - continues to be troubled by the back injury he picked up before last week's game. Is due to begin training today, but is very doubtful for the game on Wednesday.
Naqqash Tahir - has begun light training following his shin splints problem, is unlikely to play this week.
Jimmy Anyon - has started training again, following recovery from a torn muscle in his right forearm but could still miss out this week. - updated, in the squad for CC match against Northants
Ian Salisbury - is in the squad for the CC game against Northants.
Stuart Hole - last reported to have a hamstring strain on 9th April, still out as far as I know.
Nick James - has fully recovered from the broken toe he suffered in the nets and played for the seconds last week and was in the squad for the FP Trophy game on Sunday.
Monday, 21 April 2008
Injury Update
Monday, 10 March 2008
Ambrose in for the long term
Cricket 365 are carrying an interview with Ashley Giles, in which he states that he believes Tim Ambrose did enough on debut to ensure that he is the long-term answerfor England's wicketkeeper position. With a first innings 55, two catches and only 1 bye conceeded in just over 193 overs.
He said "I can see Tim playing for England for a long time and consequently I don't think Warwickshire will be seeing him for a long time."
"I was watching Tim the other day and he looks like he has taken to the role easily. He's got very good hands and to also get a half-century on your debut is really pleasing. Hopefully he will keep on producing because it is great for England and great for Warwickshire in the sense of producing another Test cricketer."
He finished by saying, "That is the risk you take when you have good players [losing them to England] but you've got to have strength in depth and we've got a good young keeper in Richard Johnson while Tony Frost, with his experience, is coming back to the club."
It is great news for England and Ambrose that he made such an assured debut, but not so good news from the point of view of Warwickshire's forthcoming domestic campaign. It will be a big season for Ambrose in the England side, but an equally big one for Richard Johnson.
Thursday, 10 January 2008
Cold Snap
Frost has returned to Edgbaston.
Sorry, forgive the puntastic opening to this article, the actual news is that former Warwickshire wicket keeper, Tony Frost has been tempted out of retirement. It appears Giles was keen to bring in some experienced cover, with Tim Ambrose appearing to be on the verge of getting his chance in the England set-up.
That would leave the only other wicketkeeper in the squad as 19yo academy player, Richard Johnson. Who was granted a full contract at the end of last season. Rather than hunt around for a backup, Giles has raided the ground staff and persuaded Frost to reverse his retirement.
It could be a sensible decision, but only if Ambrose does not become first choice for England. Frost spent last season playing in the Warwickshire league and I believe he will be able to provide cover for the odd game. However he is 32 and has not played any first class cricket since 2006, he also retired in the first place partly due to injuries. I would not be comfortable in him playing virtually every one day and first class match in the event Ambrose becomes first choise for England.
The forthcoming England tour of New Zealand will have a say in Warwickshire's season, as we will have a much better idea following that of Ambrose's immediate future in the England set-up. It is likely that the squad for the return fixtures against New Zealand in England will be announced following the first couple of Championship and Friend's Provident Trophy games. It is likely that any Warwickshire players featuring for England in both Tests and One-Dayers would only then be avaliable for the Twenty20 at the begining of July and for a brief period in the middle of August.
If; and with the selection policy on wicketkeepers, it is a big if, England pick Ambrose for the summer it will almost certainly mean first team cricket for Richard Johnson at some point next season.
Lastly in the course of researching this article (believe it or not I do spend a few minutes checking my facts!) I found that Cricinfo have got ageing former Surrey seamer Richard Johnson (age 33) in the Warwickshire squad, rather than young academy wicket keeper Richard Johnson (age 19).