Re: Luke Hollman signs two year deal
Jonathan Winsky
08 November, 2019 18:16
After the departure of Ollie Rayner and the naming of Nathan Sowter in Oval Invincibles’ squad for The Hundred, it was important that Middlesex gave a contract to (or signed from elsewhere) another spinner, so it is great that Luke Hollman has signed his first professional contract.
The fact that Sowter will be unavailable for much or all of our 50-over campaign means that Hollman stands a great chance of playing for our first XI in 2020, and will also be in contention if Sowter gets injured or if we feel the need to select two spinners for a particular match. Previously, an alternative way to get a second spinner into our side would have been for Dawid Malan or Paul Stirling to do some bowling, but the departures of those two players reduces the likelihood of us seeking that option, which is good news for Hollman.
Something else which works in Hollman’s favour is that he is capable of contributing with the bat, so if he is named in our side, then all won’t be lost
if when our top-order get out cheaply.
Hopefully Hollman will enter next season on the back of performing well for England in the U-19 World Cup in South Africa in January and February.
Although Hollman has beaten Thilan Walallawita in the race to sign a contract, it seems that Walallawita remains in our plans, as
he was one of eight Middlesex players to volunteer for the Felix Project on Monday night. Indeed, it wouldn’t take much for Walallawita to be required for our 1st XI, as he could come into contention if either Sowter or Hollman become unavailable and we require two spinners in a match. Indeed, this scenario could well happen in the 50-over competition, as Sowter will be unavailable, and the fact our overseas player berth will be filled by Peter Handscomb means that we can’t bring in an overseas spinner.