Sounds like Suthar is likely to be coming back later in the season!

If Simmonds goes on not getting games, he might get frustrated and wonder why he's not getting a chance, even looking elsewhere maybe. It would appear with all our injuries and bowlers of similarity, why not give him a chance and see, he's got youth on his side and good pace, time to let him loose.

paulbear wrote:

If Simmonds goes on not getting games, he might get frustrated and wonder why he's not getting a chance, even looking elsewhere maybe. It would appear with all our injuries and bowlers of similarity, why not give him a chance and see, he's got youth on his side and good pace, time to let him loose.

I think Management believe Simmons hasn't done enough (or had enough injury free time), to justify more 1st team opportunities. And I have to say, I agree. I've seen Che a lot in 2nd games and he really hasn't shone - a few notable bowling performances, but, while quick, he has always been expensive and a bit wayward. He is also a decent fielder & batsman (with some big hitting in white ball games) and has always had a great attitude (and is a really likeable guy), but in nearly 5 years, his bowling doesn't inspire belief that he has a future with us.

I think it would be fairer on him, to release him now and see if another County takes him on. He does have some ability and I think new opportunities elsewhere, might kick start a career that has gone backwards at Edgbaston.

Yeah, interesting you have seen him and will have a more rounded view. From the clips I have seen he looks to have a good, sustainable action and he's sharp. It was also around this time last season he got ill and missed the back half of the season including the One Day Cup. So it could be he's starting to put illness and injury behind him. Just fear another one of those Lintott, Benjamin and Ethan Brooks scenarios where someone else signs him, looks after him properly and we look stupid.

From what you say he seems like he could break through and he has the potential. I just looked up that he's been with us almost exactly five years, as you say, just that 2024 was a plateau point. He played in the CC against Essex then, played really well, then injuries and inconsistencies ever since. Might well have developed fine for the first three years. Just have this feeling that it's misfortune or our bad management (or both) that have led to this two year hiatus.

The_Lickey_Banker wrote:

paulbear wrote:

If Simmonds goes on not getting games, he might get frustrated and wonder why he's not getting a chance, even looking elsewhere maybe. It would appear with all our injuries and bowlers of similarity, why not give him a chance and see, he's got youth on his side and good pace, time to let him loose.

I think Management believe Simmons hasn't done enough (or had enough injury free time), to justify more 1st team opportunities. And I have to say, I agree. I've seen Che a lot in 2nd games and he really hasn't shone - a few notable bowling performances, but, while quick, he has always been expensive and a bit wayward. He is also a decent fielder & batsman (with some big hitting in white ball games) and has always had a great attitude (and is a really likeable guy), but in nearly 5 years, his bowling doesn't inspire belief that he has a future with us.

I think it would be fairer on him, to release him now and see if another County takes him on. He does have some ability and I think new opportunities elsewhere, might kick start a career that has gone backwards at Edgbaston.

If a player has been on the staff, with full time professional coaching and fitness support, for five years and has not yet become an established first team player, or even a regular in first team squads, what are the chances of that player actually imnproving to reach established first team player level? I'd say it was very slim indeed, and the question then becomes what is the better use of the budget, another contract to a player who hasn't reached the required standard, or invest in a 18/19 year old with the potential to improve with the full time coaching and support.

I've got two main points here, nothing more i) We have a habit of letting players go and they become better at other counties ii) Questions can be made of our coaching. In addition for Simmons, like I said, the five years doesn't tell the full story. For the first three he was presumably fine and built up to that promising Essex game. The last two is where all the questions arise - and for multiple reasons.

Highveld wrote:

If a player has been on the staff, with full time professional coaching and fitness support, for five years and has not yet become an established first team player, or even a regular in first team squads, what are the chances of that player actually imnproving to reach established first team player level? I'd say it was very slim indeed, and the question then becomes what is the better use of the budget, another contract to a player who hasn't reached the required standard, or invest in a 18/19 year old with the potential to improve with the full time coaching and support.