Matthew Waite – Only 21 and is one of the more unheralded
guys on the Yorkshire staff. He showed some promise in white ball cricket last
year and he has some decent skills. As a middle order batsman he hits the ball
hard but in a conventional manner. His bowling has some of the hallmarks of Ben
Hilfenhaus with a whippy action and rhythmical run-up. He’s about 80mph at the
moment but there is room for improvement if he works on fitness and technical
ability. He’s a long way off the standard at the moment of the international
cricket but there are some buds there. If anything went well he could be a
quality number 6 or 7 allrounder. The
talent is there but needs experience at this point and that isn’t always guaranteed
in a strong Yorkshire squad.
Tom Bailey – A guy who has gone under the radar and I
assumed was just some plodder from the Lancashire seconds but he is someone
that has improved a load over the last couple of years and could have a
breakthrough season in the championship. Gets good carry and cuts the ball
around (rather than any massive swing) but always at the batsman. Could be an outside bet for top wicketaker in
division 1 and might find his way into England lions reckoning.
Adam Rossington – Hits the ball really hard and in a
conventional manner, mainly straight. The kind of player that would probably do
well on Australian wickets (assuming he can play the short ball). Also is a
very good keeper standing up to the wickets although given he’s a little on the
heavier side his skills might not hold up over time. England are very well off when it comes to
keepers and Rossington doesn’t have anywhere near the record to come into the
equation but at only 23 (and with lots of lots games played) Rossington should
be looking to significantly improve his record in all formats over the next
couple of years to put himself in the frame at least.
Rob Keogh – In my mind Keogh was an ok batsman bowling a
little passable part time offspin. But I watched his 9-51 and the shape he gets
on the ball was really excellent. Gets drift and turn whilst bowling at good
pace. You see plenty of guys who bowl very slow and loopy and get some spin,
others flattish but without the spin, but rarely do you get guys who can get
the ball up and down at pace, and Keogh has that. Doesn’t have the consistency yet for
international level or for fulfilling a holding role in first innings but is a
very promising attacking offie. Given England’s lack of spinning options, Keogh
should be betting everything on his spin. There’s a real chance if he’s serious
he could bat 7 for England at some point. I’d wager he’d be already ahead of
Moeen as a bowler. His goal for this season should be 40+ wickets and a lions spot for the winter.
