1999 COUNTY REVIEW BY SEAN BEYNON
(first published in CricInfo365)

Derbyshire

The mood at the racecourse ground in April was as dark as the early season cloud-cover. Dominic Cork made it quite clear that he wanted to leave, only to be was told by the committee that he couldn't. The season ended in farce, as a contrived result ensured Derby's place in the top flight, pending an appeal.

In the championship, the bowlers took the honours, three men claiming 50 wickets, whilst no batsmen scored 1000 runs. Robin Weston had a purple patch in mid-season, hitting three tons.

Australian opener Michael Slater had a poor season, and was politely asked not to come back. Still, the bowling was accurate, Paul Aldred's 50 wickets giving cause for optimism. Old stager Phil De Freitas still plods on, as he once again took a whole stack of wickets.

One day cricket saw the Scorpions finish in mid-table obscurity in Division 2, and knocked out in the early stages of the Natwest.

[Results Summary]

The minnows of county cricket will be in the top flight of the championship next year, a fine feat indeed. And with Durham's home, the massively impressive Chester-Le-Street ground awarded a one day international next year, the future looks bright.

David Boon went out to pasture at the end of this year, but John Lewis was the batsman who took the honours. He scored over 1000 runs at 40, with two accomplished centuries. Steve Harmison, described by Justin Langer as 'seriously quick' took centre stage with the ball aided by one test wonder Simon Brown. Harmison gained a place on the England 'A' tour, but unfortunately for Brown, no tour. All he earned was a close second to Boon for the most impressive facial hair at Chester-Le-Street.

In the shorter format of the game, Durham were, to be frank, an embarrassment. Rooted to the bottom of CGU N2 is one thing, to be thrashed by Holland in the Natwest is quite another. Durham still have work to do, but have earned deserved plaudits for what has been a very fine season.

[Results Summary]

Yet more mediocrity for Essex in '99. When one considers the quality Essex have, the core of their squad including Law, Hussain, Cowan, Such, Illot, Pritchard and Irani, then you have to feel that they should challenge for honours.

Law, Irani and Grayson all notched up over 1000 runs, Stewart Law continuing to give the English trundlers a pasting, 1833 runs at 72. Oh, and 8 centuries. The bowlers, though, were fairly erratic, which, as well as some dismal fielding, really let the side down.

Twelfth in the championship then, is not a great result, but is certainly a springboard for next year, Essex really should got straight back into division 1. Essex, like Durham, were dismal in the one-day competitions. Trounced by the majority of opponents, few of whom boast the stars that the Eagles do. Bottom of the NL D1, and a 3rd round defeat in the Natwest all mean that Essex have a great deal of work to do if they are to become a big name in county cricket again, Law or no Law.

[Results Summary]

How times change. In 1997, all of Wales joined to congratulate Glamorgan after they dominated the county championship. In 1999, Glamorgan failed to provide anything near their potential.

The Welshmen propped up the championship table for much of the season, and will find it difficult to get out of division 2. Glamorgan are fortunate enough to have a decent crop of youngsters. Michael Powell knotched up 1000 runs, and Owen Parkin, Darren Thomas and Dean Cosker showed promise with the ball. Of the old guard, with talent of the likes of Maynard, Croft and James to fall back on, Glamorgan should be doing well.

Still, the Dragons' form in the CGU league was poor. Never in the hunt for promotion, Glamorgan should take some comfort from the fact that their's is the only kit out of the 18 counties which has some semblance of class. Someone else with some class is a fellow called Kallis. Jacques will be back next year, his brief appearances this season causing great interest.

[Results Summary]

Please forgive me for gloating a little. Gloucestershire are a particularly unfashionable county, a county which the selectors of the national team seem to by-pass. Gloucestershire are also one of the premier teams in one-day cricket.

22 years waiting for a trophy, and then two come along at once. Winners of both showpiece finals in '99, the west-country team should feel well satisfied. For this was the first season A.W. (After Walsh). Jack Russell had a fantastic year, and is still bristling with confidence and quality. Mark Alleyne skippered the side well, whilst Matt Windows and Tim Hancock scored good runs. Mike Smith was pick of the pacemen, along with Ian Harvey who claimed countless wickets with his slower ball.

However, Gloucester finished dead bottom of the championship. There is still much work to do. The nervous energy preceded Lord's, and lethargy followed afterwards. In the CGU, Gloucester avoided relegation thanks to some useful team performances.

[Results Summary]

A season which promised much for Hampshire petered out towards the climax of the year. Hampshire start in Division 1 of the championship next year, after an incredible scrap in September, just 13 points separating 4th and 12th.

It was a case, very simply of 'should have done better,' for Hampshire. On the other hand, the future looks bright. Hampshire move to a new ground in 2001, the faithful are counting down the days until Shane Warne arrives in Southampton. Darren Kenway, Jason Laney and Will Kendall are all young batsmen with composed techniques who posses all the shots. The bowling was weak though, which is why Hampshire slipped.

The CGU was a disaster for the Hawks, relegated to Division 2 with nothing to show for months of hard work. All is not lost, in just seven short months, the cry of 'Bowling Warney,' will ring loud as the best spinner of all time works his magic.

[Results Summary]

Kent enjoyed another excellent season in 1999, whilst still remaining the bridesmaids of county cricket. Third in the National League, and fifth in the championship are statistics that prove Kent are a fine outfit.

Kent is very much old England. They were reluctant to provide what they considered to be a superfluous nickname for one day cricket. The Spitfires may be old fashioned, but the cricket at Canterbury is never dull, for Andrew Symonds is never dull.

The brash Queenslander, who had a nationality crisis during two seasons with Gloucestershire, before deciding he was an Aussie, cracked two centuries and four fifties, as well as taking useful wickets with his cutters.

On the bowling front, Dr. Julian Thompson impressed many with his smooth action and accuracy which earned him 64 wickets. Thompson, who is 30, has decided to concentrate on his medical career and has retired from cricket.

Kent have been the nearly men for too long. Next season, they should bridge the final gap and start winning trophies.

[Results Summary]

The undisputed champions of the one-day game in England continued to reign supreme in 1999. although the red-rose county were eliminated in the quarter finals of both trophies, they earned a deserved victory in National League Division 1.

The Lighting must take a great deal of credit for bringing cricket forward. Countless floodlit games bought in the crowds who were entertained by both the quality of cricket and the entertainment on offer.

Andrew Flintoff blazed the trail in both one and four day cricket. One can only hope that he manages to repeat his performances for Lancashire in England colours. Peter Martin was ever-dependable, his 50 wickets helping Lancashire finish 2nd in the championship, and, of course, it was vastly encouraging to see Mike Atherton back to full fitness and in great form.

One man, however, helped to make Lancashire's season complete. The man who could turn an orange in a cabbage patch. Muttiah Murlitharan. Hopefully, the nonsense about his action will stop now, as this great spinner has earned himself a recall for the next two years. Not surpassing really, as Murali bamboozled batsman with an incredible 66 wickets in seven matches. Unbelievable stuff.

[Results Summary]

The news that Alan Mullally has left Leicestershire for pastures new will come as a body blow for the club. Mullally was clearly not seeing eye to eye with the committee, and will be missed.

1999 was a decent season for Leicester. Surrey were runaway county champions, and should have been put under more pressure by a Leicester side that seemed to have lost a little zest. Survival was achieved, just, in Division 1 of the National League, as the midlands team made no mark on one- day cricket.

None of the batsmen appeared to have progressed particularly, and Aftab Habib was, to be generous, a shambles in test cricket. Darren Stevens is an exciting, free scoring young batsman to look out for, but it was stalwarts Chris Lewis and Michael Kasprowicz who led the bowling attack.

Leicestershire have the quality, the youth mixed with the experience. They didn't have a bad season by any means whatsoever, but they should be setting themselves higher standards.

[Results Summary]

How Middlesex have fallen from grace. A mere decade ago the London based outfit were a major force in domestic cricket. Now, they struggle to make more than a blip on the cricket-watchers radar.

Mark Ramprakash is, to an extent, Middlesex in microcosm. You look at him, see how much he promises, and eventually decide it's time to stop watching and give up as the promise fails to deliver. Ramprakash, ousted from the England set-up, has decided he no longer wishes to captain Middlesex, and one can hardly blame him.

This was a dire season. With the exception of Langer, Tufnell and Ramprakash, no player made any impact. The fact that Ramprakash manages to is perhaps a reflection of the quality of English cricket. Still, with only two decent batsmen and one quality bowler, it is hardly surprising that Middlesex finished 16th in the championship and won just five of their National League games. The bowling was unpenetrative; whilst teams felt they were through the batting as soon as Langer and Ramprakash were back in the hutch. Even Owais Shah, the youngster everyone expected to be playing for England by now averaged only 25. Much work is needed if Middlesex are to re- enter the fray.

[Results Summary]

England have so many 21 year old batsman that average over 50 in a full season, they can't know what to do with them. Or not, as the case may be. They do, at least have one in David Sales, who has power, pinnace and presence at the crease. This is a man who makes big centuries. Regularly. Of course, he is one man who won't be touring South Africa this winter, presumably the ECB want to wait until he reaches 25, by when he will have had his technique so ruined by county cricket, he might just as well bat with a blindfold.

Even with Sales, this wasn't a bumper year for Northants. Disappointing championship form has lead to a place in Division 2 next year. However, they did manage promotion in the National League thanks to some excellent wins.

Perhaps the most surprising aspect of this season for Northants was the abject failure of Mal Loye. Loye looked for all the world a quality player in 1998, so much so that Radio Northampton launched a car sticker campaign, "Mal Loye for England." This year, though Loye played just 11 games, scoring 300 runs at 16, Loye is one who has slipped through the net. Both Graeme and Alec Swann did sterling jobs, it is encouraging to see Graeme in the England party.

The bowling attack was made up of veterans, and it showed. If Northants can invest in a couple of quicks in the close season, they will be a force to be reckoned with in 2000.

[Results Summary]

Although Notts failed this season, there is much cause for hope. Firstly, of course is that the Rawalpindi Express has taken a wrong turning and found himself at Trent Bridge. For Shoaib will be sending down his thunderbolts for Nottingham next year. In support will be the excellent Paul Franks, who impressed many, scooping 63 wickets in the season. Vasbert Drakes, the man who makes way for Shoaib has the memory of 80 wickets to take home with him.

The bowlers, then were impressive. The batsmen were not, which is why Notts will be competing in Division 2 of both competitions next year. Guy Welton and Usman Afzaal showed glimpses of class, but it was left to Paul Johnson, 34 years young, to top the averages. Only five centuries were scored by Notts batsmen in '99, something which must be improved on. Saying that, when you have Shoaib hurtling in, it is unlikely that Nottinghamshire will produce too many belters next year.

[Results Summary]

Somerset are one of only five teams to have the honour of starting the 2000 season in Division 1 of both competitions. Add to that a Natwest Final appearance, and it becomes quite clear that Somerset had a very good season indeed.

The Dragons finished 4th in the Championship and were promoted in 2nd place in the CGU National League Division 2. This was thanks, in no small measure to the batting and captaincy of Jamie Cox. The Australian topped the batting averages with nearly 1500 runs at over 50, and lead an impressive, professional squad of cricketers. Indeed, it can be said that virtually every member of the Somerset squad made a meaningful contribution to the season.

Piran Holloway was outstanding, if sometimes outrageous in the shorter game, helping Somerset to Lord's. They may not have won the game, but the trip to Lord's was reward enough for a fine team.

Andrew Caddick was, naturally, superb with the ball, whilst Rob Turner proved his quality, and was more than unlucky not to be on a plane to South Africa in the next couple of weeks. Surely then, if Cox shows as much maturity in the next couple of years as he has in this, Somerset will soon be amongst the trophies.

[Results Summary]

Surrey won their first championship title for over two decades in 1999, and not before time. This year, the side traditionally so weakened by England call-ups dug deep, with the whole squad, stars or not, performing brilliantly.

It was a man with no international experience who shone for Surrey this year. Ian Ward, a left-handed batsman, a near clone to Graham Thorpe, scored 954 runs, including his first ton. Ali Brown proved he was more than a slogger, and all the England players made decent contributions.

With the ball, Saqlain Mushtaq was sublime. The Pakistani took 58 wickets at 11, playing less than half of Surrey's games. Martin Bicknell was admirable, and Ian Salisbury managed somehow to take 60 wickets. Strange really, when you look at the diet of full-tosses, long hops and general dross that he appears to serve up.

The Lions will remain in Division 2, but a championship success proves that the giant has, once more awoken.

[Results Summary]

A mere three points would have given Sussex division 1 status in the championship next year, but the Southern county can take solace in their one-day form which has assured a division 1 place in the National League.

Tasmanian Michael De Venuto was supreme with the bat, with skipper Chris Adams fully deserving his England place. The Sharks were excellent in one- day cricket, winning 13 of their 16 games, regularly trouncing opposition.

Sussex have a crop of decent young bowlers. Rob Kirtley, Jason Lewry and, in particular, Robin Martin-Jenkins had fine seasons. There is a great deal of promise in Sussex, where everything looks very bright indeed.

[Results Summary]

Lady Luck is, apparently, not a Brummie. Warwickshire will feel that fate was against them this year, relegated in the one-day league thanks to an inferior run-rate; and victim of one of the biggest contrived matches in memory to see them edged out of the Championship top flight on games won.

Yes, Warwickshire members can feel hard done by. The truth is though, that the match between Hampshire and Derbyshire, where the two skippers colluded to reach a result suitable to both teams, is nothing new in cricket. It isn't illegal, the two teams involved simply used their brains.

So to the main bulk of the season. Warwickshire were lacking. Their batting was especially poor, no batsman reaching 1000 runs, just five centuries in the season. The bowling too, was pretty mediocre, Ed Giddins the man standing out.

The Bears, the giants of the early 90's are sleeping. But don't for one minute imagine that they won't be back with vengeance

[Results Summary]

Worcester's National League form in '99 was startling. In the hunt for the title until the penultimate round of matches, before being pipped to the post by Yorkshire.

In the championship, Worcester were disappointing. A fragile top-order means that Worcester will begin 2000 in Division 2 of the championship.

Graeme Hick and Vikram Solanki both scored over 1000 runs, it was a privilege to see the two of them in full flow at Cheltenham, one of the most beautiful cricket grounds on earth.

With the ball, the real discovery was that of Alamgir Sheriyar. In previous seasons, the 25 year old left-armer was, at best erratic. This year however, he bowled with real pace, claiming 86 wickets. It is encouraging that Worcester have four of five young Asian players pushing for first team places, the way forward for cricket.

[Results Summary]

Yorkshire had a successful season in '99, but they were once more the bridesmaids. A trip to Lord's was reward in itself for a youngish squad, but the crushing defeat in the Super Cup Final at the hands of Gloucestershire dampened spirits somewhat.

The Phoenix did well to stay in Division 1 of the National League, no doubt dazzling many teams with their truly grotesque orange kit.

Sixth place in the championship seemed a fair result, especially considering Greg Blewett's wretched season. Yorkshire have a fine young bowling attack, and will feel satisfied with the progress of Silverwood, Hamilton, Hutchinson and Sidebottom, young quickies who should star for the tykes in the coming years.

[Results Summary]