16 March 1999
Middlesex Prospects: Gatting looking back to inspire new hope
By Simon Hughes
CONSIGNING a year of turbulence and disastrous experiment to the
'best forgotten' file, Middlesex have returned to some tried and
trusted personnel for the forthcoming season.
The Australian guru, John Buchanan, found English professionals
resistant to his scientific approach and has been replaced as
coach by Mike Gatting, and the former England captain's immediate
predecessor and great friend, Don Bennett, adds his wise
perspective as the new chairman of selectors. Mike Roseberry, the
gritty opening batsman who made important contributions to
Middlesex's championship titles in 1990 and 1993, has been
released from the remainder of his six-year contract with Durham,
and rejoined his old county.
Roseberry could prove to be a valuable recruit. Since the
departure of Desmond Haynes and Roseberry, Middlesex have
struggled to find a consistent opening pair, and badly need
stability at the top of the order. Almost everyone has had a go
at opening in the last couple of years. Roseberry can also supply
a strong vocal lead when the captain, Mark Ramprakash, and senior
pro Angus Fraser are away with England.
After a degree of indecision, Fraser elected to stay and see out
his playing days at Lord's. It is only a moral bonus initially,
though, as his presence in England's Sharjah Trophy and World Cup
parties means he will hardly play any championship cricket before
early July and could then be required for the Test series against
New Zealand.
Overall, the batting looks stronger than the bowling. After a
prolific and energetic 1998, the Australian left-hander, Justin
Langer, returns for a full season and will lead the side in the
captain's absence. Ramprakash, Owais Shah and Paul Weekes
complete a punchy middle-order. Roseberry will probably open with
either David Goodchild or Richard Kettleborough.
Keith Brown's solidity will be missed - he has taken up a
teaching post in Devon - but this gives the jaunty
wicketkeeper-batsman David Nash the big chance he has waited
patiently for. His able understudy is David Alleyne.
The bowling will rely on Richard Johnson and Phil Tufnell.
Johnson, strong and athletic, is a good support bowler rather
than a total destroyer, which leaves the match-winning to
Tufnell.
Jamie Hewitt can also contribute with bat and ball but inevitably
he found his second county season a good deal harder than the
first. Hewitt could also do with a pacey foil at the other end,
but Chris Batt, Tim Bloomfield or Simon Cook do not quite fit the
bill. Talented young England player Aaron Laraman has his knee in
plaster for six weeks.
So the prospect looms of Second Division Championship cricket at
Lord's in 2000 - a reality if they finish lower than ninth. With
Ramprakash and Fraser rarely available together and Gatting
confined to the dressing room, escaping the drop could be touch
and go.
Details & First-Class fixtures
Staff: D Alleyne, I N Blanchett, T F Bloomfield, S J Cook, K P
Dutch, A R C Fraser, D J Goodchild, J P Hewitt, B L Hutton, R L
Johnson, R A Kettleborough, J L Langer, A R Laraman, D F Lye, N D
Martin, D C Nash, *M R Ramprakash, U B A Rashid, M A Roseberry, O
A Shah, A J Strauss, P C R Tufnell, P N Weekes.
New players: D Alleyne, M A Roseberry (Durham).
Departures: K R Brown, M W Gatting (retired), J C Pooley.
1998 record Championship: 17th (W2, L9, D6).
Axa Lge: 12th (W7, L8, NR2).
B&H Cup: Qtr-finals.
NatWest Trophy: Qtr-finals.
First-class fixtures April: Tues 13: Kent (Lord's). Tues 20:
Lancs (Lord's). Wed 28: Gloucs (Bristol). May: Frid 14: Yorks
(Headingley). Wed 19: Hants (Lord's). Wed 26: Sussex (Lord's)
June: Wed 2: Warks (Edgbaston). Wed 9: Glamorgan (Cardiff). Wed
30: Derbys (Lord's). July: Frid 9: Northants (Lord's). Wed 14:
Essex (Southend). Wed 21: Somerset (Taunton). August: Wed 4:
Notts (Southgate). Wed 18: Leics (Southgate). Tues 24: Durham
(Chester-le-Street). Sept: Thurs 9: Surrey (Lord's). Thurs 15:
Worcs (Worcester).
Source :: Electronic Telegraph (https://www.telegraph.co.uk)