By David Slater
September 24 2004

With the season over it was time once again for the end of year forum, this year held in the banqueting suites at Lord’s with a panel of John Embury, Vinny Codrington and new club captain Ben Hutton, with Chris Lowe as chair.

John Embury’s opening comments

As usual the evening began with John Embury opening with his thoughts on the season gone and the future. He began by confirming that Ben Hutton as club captain. He said that the choice had been between Hutton and Ed Joyce but Joyce had ruled himself out as he found it tough making the decisions and preferred to focus on his game. Embury said they felt it would be wrong to bring someone in from outside the club and felt Hutton was a natural choice.

At this point Chris Lowe informed the audience that the panel would not be able to comment on players signing and leaving the club due to contractual reason.

Five overseas players

Embury was then asked if he felt having o many overseas players at the club was a good thing or not. He replied saying it was a bad thing and explained how we ended up with five. It was largely down to injuries and international calls but they did hope that Nantie Hayward would be at the club all year and that Klusener would either stay on or be replaced by a spinner.

Embury did add that the signing of players like Ajit Agarkar, Glenn McGrath and Stuart Clark did help provide fresh legs towards the end of the year.

Form at end of season

The next question was about our form at the end of the season. Embury again answered saying we hadn’t played well and had Owais Shah been out early against Sussex at Hove we would have lost that match as well. With regards to Northants, the club was very disappointed not to beat them and felt they would have done so with a quality spinner. The Kent game however was the most disappointing of the lot.

At the end of the day the management feel we weren’t far off winning the title in hindsight and we need to keep on evolving in order to reach that target.

Academy/Emerging players

One member asked for a review of the youth set up at the club and how it had done in 2004. Embury again answered saying that with a full time squad of just 16 for most of the season they had to make full use of the academy players which in turn lead to a successful year through development. Several players (Godleman and Whelan were two singled out) had impressed and the club were also hoping to sign, but facing stiff competition from other counties, a 16-year-old Irish spinner.

Ben Hutton’s views on captaincy

Hutton was asked for his feelings about being given one of the greatest jobs in Cricket: The Middlesex captaincy. He said he had enjoyed leading the side when he had been needed and was aware of the skills he would need to develop and believes it will improve him as a player. He added that he had played under 7 captains at the club and will look towards them for tips to develop

Selection policy

Next up was a query about who selects the side. Embury told the audience a selection panel consisting of himself, Alan Moss, Jason Pooley and normally the club captain although given the changes the captain hadn’t had a big say this season.

This topic also lead to a discussion about the selectors involvement with the changes in captaincy. They felt that having made Owais Shah vice captain it was only fair they give him a chance at the main job. When they realised it wasn’t working they chose to bring in Ed Joyce. They feel given Hutton’s rise in form whilst he was leading the side and the mini fall after, he was the best person to lead the side forward.

Incidents costing matches

The panel were asked about two incidents that cost vital matches;

1. The run out of Jamie Dalrymple at Bristol in the C&G quarter final
2. Ben Scott’s run out at home to Worcestershire in the Totesport League

Embury’s reply was “most run outs are cock-ups” and blamed communication errors, saying it was one of those things. Hutton added that running between the wickets was something they needed to work on during pre-season along with catching at slips and fielding. They hope to do this by incorporating indoor 6-a-side cricket into the schedule for training.

Producing English Players

One member raised the issue of what incentive is there for counties to produce England qualified players given that once England play them you won’t see them again. Embury again replied saying that the club has to support them and continue to produce new players, as it’s their duty to all players. He also added that the players need to have ambition.

Pitches at Lord's

Another member raised the issue of the quality of pitches at Lord's. As anyone at Day 4 of the Northants match will know the pitch for that match was far from perfect. Embury said that the MCC's head groundsman, Mick Hunt, prefers short grass on the pitches where as the club want more as they feel that will produce a better pitch for getting a result. The club have spoke to John Stephenson, who recently moved to the MCC, about the problems they have and hope that the quality of pitches will improve for 2005.

Bonus points system

Once again the issue of bonus points came up. This season Warwickshire won the title mainly down to batting well and not so much by winning matches. The view from the panel was that the County Championship could increase its entertainment value if the overs where you collect bonus points were reduced to 110. This would also cut down the number of drawn matches.

Official website

Vinny Codrington final got a question to answer when the issue of updates on the official website was raised. Vinny agreed it needs more updates and is high on the agenda. He added there would be development on the website next year. He also announced that Victoria Skelton, who is currently responsible for the official website will leave the club at the end of the month.

David Nash

An update on David Nash was requested. He has been diagnosed with a disc problem in the lower back. Greg Rosenbauer the club physio is working on it but John Embury feels Nash needs to work on his fitness.

Twenty20 Cup

Two issues about the Twenty20 Cup were raised. Firstly was form. Embury said that the match at Lord’s was an intimidating atmosphere for some of the players who weren’t used to playing in front of crowds that size. On the field Hutton feels we need to be smarter are follow the lead Surrey have set. 

The second issue was the format for next year. Early indications are is we will play the return fixtures from 2004 (Sussex, Essex and Surrey away, Hampshire and Kent at home) plus a sixth match against our nearest side at the away team’s home ground from the earlier match, so Surrey at Lord’s.

Priorities for 2005

The panel gave two priorities for next year:

1. The County Championship
2. Improving skills in the limited overs game.

Vice captain

James D raised the issue of the vice captaincy. Embury fielded this question saying it hadn’t been discussed yet but we may not have one as the committee seem to be split on whether we need one or not but he personally feels we do

Prize money

The final issue raised was should Nottinghamshire and ourselves have received prize money for winning second division titles. The view was no as it wasn’t the top division.

The forum ended with Chris Lowe asking the panel what they would be doing during the winter. Vinny answered saying “signing new players”. Hutton is going on holiday next week and will spend four months working as a trainee insurance broker in the city. Embury will spend his winter working with the academy and working towards a successful 2005.