By Kevin Ziants
October 18 2004

Barmy Kev turns Sensible Kev (proving there's a first time for everything!) and gives us his ratings and views on the 2004 Middlesex squad.

Andrew Strauss

CC Bat. Av. - 114, NCL Bat. Av. - 117

Rating-8

While only played 5 matches all season still did not let us down, apart from C&G ¼ final. Scored  95 in only CC game when just arrived from W. Indies. Sadly, for ‘Sex centrally contracted so will se less of him.

Sven Koenig

CC Bat. Av. – 35.96

Rating 6

Not as consistent as previous years, but managed to get 2 tons including a crucial one against Worcs.  Been an excellent servant for us and wish him well

Ben Hutton

CC  Bat Av.- 40.32, CC Bowl Av. - 44.12, NCL Bat Ave. - 19.97, NCL Bowl Av.  -23.55

Rating 7

Our first player to reach 1,000 runs. Seemed to either get very big  or low scores. Once played in looked set for big score.  Managed 5 tons.  Did excellent job as stand in captain with 2 crucial wins.  But after that he suffered loss of form. Needs to score quicker in 1 day game, but proved a useful fill in bowler.

Owais Shah

CC Bat Ave- 53.33, NCL Bat. Av. - 43.23

Rating 9

My player of season.  Recovered from disappointment of being relieved of captaincy to be a match winner and played a crucial role in all our CC wins and in certain NCL games.   Without him relegation may have ocuured and our promotion may have not occurred. To cap it all he got the crucial wicket against Kent.   

Ed Joyce

CC Bat. Ave. – 43.14, NCL Bat Ave. – 44.44

Rating 8

Arguably our most consistent player. Scored a brilliant crucial ton against Sorry. Still excellent at rotating strike in 1 day game and keeping scoring ticking over without the need for extravagant shots.

Nick Compton

CC Bat. Ave. - 16, NCL Bat Ave- 12.14

Rating 3

A very disappointing season.  Apart from a steady performance against Worcs, a  series of failures.  Would hope to fulfil his undoubted promise next year.

Jamie Dalrymple

CC Bat. Ave- 38.35, CC Bowl Ave. - 38.5, NCL Bat Ave. - 16.75, NCL Bowling – 35

Rating 6

His average distorted by his superb 244 against Sorry. Had more failures than successes after.   Some useful 1 day performances but needs to develop more consistency. However, improvement on last year and can only get better.

Paul Weekes

CC Bat. Ave- 43.52, CC Bowling Ave. -44.84, NCL Bat Ave. -57.64, NCL Bowli. Av. -39.08

Rating 9

Superb season.  Prolific high scoring in NCL, as well as some class performances in CC.  His bowling mediocre, but still economical for 1 dayers.   

Lance Klusener

CC Bat Ave. - 24.28,CC Bowl Ave. - 51.76, NCL Bat. Ave - 85.0, NCL Bowl. - 36.88

Rating 6

Mixture from Zulu.  His batting beat Notts alone and always useful to have at end for some dynamic hitting in 1 dayers. His bowling ordinary but his extreme varying of pace made batsman think.  In CC very few good performances but was the only batsman who performed at Gloucester.   

Need to take into account he was on megabucks as a world class performer and only showed this on few occasions.

Ben Scott

CC Bat Ave. -23.75, NCL Bat. Ave. - 11.66

Rating 7

Mainly due to Nashes injury was regular in both forms.  Proved excellent at standing up to medium pacers, which was more than useful in our 1 day triumph. Still prone to errors. Batting improved with century at end.

David Nash

CC Bat Ave. -34.66, NCL Bat Ave .-11.6

Rating 6

Injuries restricted appearances but even if fit would have possibly played more as a specialist batsman.  Always reliable and credit due to intimidating Batty out at Hoval.

Stuart Clark

CC Bat Ave. -23.0, CC Bowling Ave. -21.7, NCL Bat. 1 innings 26 NO, NCL Bowling 16 Overs 2-64

Rating 7

In his limited time made some useful contributions with bat and ball and fully committed. Wouldn’t mind him back next year.

Ajit Agakar

CC Bat Ave. -13.5, CC Bowl. Ave. - 32.3, NCL Bat Ave. -2 innings 2 runs, Bowling 12 Overs 3-67

Rating 4

Little chance to shine and really did not perform to a high standard in any of his opportunities

Simon Cook

CC Bat. Ave. – 17.35, CC Bowl. Ave. - 29.64, NCL Bat. Ave.- 12.4, NCL Bowling Ave 15.35. With a record 39 wickets.

Rating  9

His 1 day bowling breaking records was absolute class.  As well as taking wickets was economical at 4.5.  Proved a threat in CC too.  Some useful batting, but still has problem with spin.  We will miss you Cookie.

Chad Keegan

CC Bat. Ave. -18.75, CC Bowl Ave. - 29.61, NCL Bat. Ave. - 8.0, NCL Bowl Ave. - 26.61

Rating 6

Certainly missed him when injured. Unable to reach the heights of last year, but still our most threatening bowler.  Failed as a 1 day pinch hitter.

Mel Betts

CC Bat. Ave. - 15.0, CC Bowl. Ave. - 39.0, NCL Bat. Ave. - 8.0, NCL Bowl. Ave. 19.18

Rating 5

Was at times superb with match winning performances then ridiculously expensive and had major no ball problems including a hat trick against Worcs.  Showed can bat a bit and an excellent fielder

Chris Peploe

CC Bat. Ave. - 15.0, CC Bowl Av. -39.52

Rating 5

Improved on last year, but does not seem the kind of bowler to spin teams out. Was given a lot of overs in games did play.  Can bat a bit and I’m sure under Embers guidance will get better.

Nantie Heywood 

CC Bat. Ave. -5.0, CC Bowl. Ave. - 29.61, NCL DNB, NCL Bowl. Ave. – 25.66

Rating 6

Well didn’t live up to great expectations, but put in some hostile performances and was let down at times by fielders. His bowling gave us a chance in the crucial win against Sorry. However, was too wayward at times.

Glenn McGrath

CC Bat. Ave. -9.33, CC Bowl. Ave. - 23.88, NCL Bat Ave. – 5, NCL Bowl Ave. - 42.66

Rating 7.

Certainly did himself justice in his short time. Even got some runs.  Took crucial wickets and was our most economical 1 day bowler.

Paul Hutchinson

CC Bat. Ave. - 3.57 ( from 9 innings), CC Bowl Ave. -61.22, NCL DNB, NCL Bowl Ave. 16 Overs 2 for 56.

Rating 2

His CC average really speaks for itself.  However, bowled 16 tight overs in NCL.  Injury prone, we should send him back to Sussex