Middlesex County Cricket Club Latest News

FORUM OR AGAINST 'EM - MEMBERS HAVE THEIR SAY

Tue, 9 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT

The pre-season forum, held in the Thomas Lord Suite at Lord’s on Monday March 8th was a mixture of optimism and realism, writes Alan Ashton.

Managing director of cricket, Angus Fraser and club captain Shaun Udal answered most of the questions, being supported on the panel by chairman Ian Lovett and head coach, Richard Scott.

The first questioner raised what became one of the themes of the evening – why do Middlesex lose players at the end of a season – Nick Compton in 2009 and Ed Joyce previously? Angus Fraser said Compton had signed on rather reluctantly after 2008 and then decided to move to Somerset. It was inevitable that players would move more frequently than previously. Considerable sums of money were involved, the players’ association discouraged them from signing on for more than two years while all of them had agents who told them “I will get you a better deal” when contracts were discussed.

A later speaker questioned the inevitability and contrasted Middlesex with the 1966 soccer World Cup winning squad. He wanted to see a young captain groomed to lead a young side around him (applause).

Angus Fraser pointed out that they had Morgan in mind to follow Shaun Udal as skipper, but this was blown in the air when he became part of the England set up.

Another speaker wanted agents to be given short shift – “here is the contract, take it or leave it”. She was assured that Compton and Godleman were given precisely the treatment she advocated.

The meeting was told that getting ECB money for playing youngsters would never affect team selection, but Angus’s philosophy was to bring on young players and he would rather see them in a team than say, employing two 35-year-old South African batsmen.

Middlesex were always in the forefront of counties playing youngsters.

Another speaker questioned whether it was possible to fulfil the role of grooming England players and have a successful side in their absence. The chairman pointed out Durham as an example - winning the county championship and having four or five players knocking on England’s door.

Richard Scott was very enthusiastic over the appointment of Mark O’Neill as batting coach while Richard Johnson was already achieving a lot with the young bowlers. He said the squad were visiting Ypres and the Royal Marines training camp near Exeter to instill old-fashioned moral values of loyalty, team spirit etc.

Although the proposals to extend the pavilion at Radlett was progressing slowly, the players were already taking advantage of the training facilities there and regarding it as their home away from Lord’s.

Other topics raised were “the madness” (according to one member) of allowing Scott to go to Worcestershire and then letting him play against us. Angus Fraser said it was better for all concerned that he was playing first class cricket rather than playing in Middlesex’s second eleven. The availability of Gilchrist, the financial necessity of keeping Sky revenue flowing rather than the Ashes series going back to “free to air” television and the lack of fixtures at Southgate this year – Uxbridge being the preferred venue, were also discussed.

The biggest applause of the evening came when Angus Fraser announced the names of players who would probably be turning out later in the year, but whose identity could not be published at the moment.

One member asked the panel for their predictions of their player of the year. Richard Scott plumbed for Scott Newman – “hungry for runs”. Angus Fraser went for Sam Robson having a good run. Ian Lovett expected Owais Shah to do for Middlesex what Ramprakash had done for Surrey while Shaun Udal - with a bit of a wild card – suggested that Robbie Williams, having overcome two bad injuries, would be challenging for a first team place in the second half of the season.

The meeting ended after about an hour and twenty minutes, the diehards (including me) adjourning to the Tavern where discussions continued.

Middlesex Cricket - Seeking to appoint vCricket County Co-ordinator

Tue, 9 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Middlesex Cricket is seeking to appoint part time co-ordinator who will support and promote high quality cricket sport development within the Middlesex County.

Salary: Salary £9,000 per annum

12 month contract, 16 hours per week.

You will be responsible for working with the Middlesex Cricket Development team to recruit and train Volunteer Co-ordinators for clubs throughout the county. You will provide training and support for Volunteer Co-ordinators and run ECB “Be Involved” workshops throughout the County. You will also be a key driver in promoting NatWest CricketForce and the County OSCAs.

With participation in cricket rising rapidly, the need to support clubs in the recruitment of volunteers is paramount and this role aims to address that through the recruitment and training of club volunteer coordinators. Particular emphasis will be placed upon encouraging more 16 -25 year olds to volunteer in cricket, in accordance with the ECB’s vCricket Programme. The ability to build effective, close working relationships with key partners to help support the delivery of cricket development programmes across Middlesex is essential.

The ideal candidate will have excellent organisational, communication and influencing skills as well the ability to deliver dynamic and engaging presentations and facilitate meaningful discussion. They must be flexible to work unsociable hours (evenings and weekends) and have access to a car and hold a clean driving licence. Experience of working with recreational sports clubs is essential. They will be confident and self motivated with a positive attitude to work efficiently and effectively in collaboration with all full time staff and volunteers. Experience of or working as a volunteer will be considered an advantage.

Due to the nature of this role, the successful applicant will be asked to apply for an enhanced ECB Criminal Records Bureau disclosure.

To apply please email Phil Knappett, Head of Recreational Cricket at:

phil.knappett@middlesexccc.com

You will receive a full job description and person specification

Application forms with CV should be returned by email only .

Closing date: Friday 19th March
Interviews: Thursday 25th March
Start date: 1st May 2010 (depending on statuary notice required to existing employer)

Short listed candidates will be informed by email by Monday 22nd March at the latest.

Middlesex Cricket seeks to ensure Equal Opportunities and Safeguarding for all - the appointment is subject to a satisfactory enhanced Criminal Records Bureau Disclosure. Any information given on application form or during interview which proves false could lead to instant dismissal from the contract.

Chief Executive's Blog - issue 4

Mon, 8 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Welcome to all readers of my regular Chief Executive’s blog.

With so much going on at the club in preparation for the start of the new season, I hope this blog is continuing to provide you with a useful insight into a few of the things that are happening behind the scenes.

You can catch up on recent week’s developments by simply clicking the following links, where you’ll see each of my first three blogs........issue one, issue two, issue three.

Club secures new match ball sponsor for 2010 season

We’ve been working extremely hard at securing a brighter future for the Club off the field as well as on it, and securing commercial support from Club sponsors is an increasingly important source of revenue for the Club moving forward.

We are delighted to announce that online sports spread betting specialist, Sporting Index, has signed an agreement which will see them become Middlesex’s official match ball sponsor for the 2010 season.

We would like to pass on our thanks to everyone at Sporting Index for their commitment to the Club and we look forward to welcoming them and their guests into the Middlesex fold throughout this coming season at Lord’s.

Congratulations to Steven Finn

On Friday, we announced that Steven Finn had been called up to the England side by the ECB as cover for the fast bowling unit over in Bangladesh (click here to read the article), following injuries to Ryan Sidebottom and Stuart Broad. With Graham Onions also now joining the England injured list, Finny’s chances of making a start in this Friday’s first test match have greatly increased.

On Sunday Finny was a starter in the England Select XI who are currently taking on Bangladesh A in the three day warm up fixture in Chittagong. He immediately sent a firm message to the England test selectors, by taking two wickets in one over, in a hostile seven over spell, coming just 24 hours after he had landed in the country.

On behalf of everyone at Middlesex I would like to congratulate Finny on his England call up and wish him every success on the tour over in Bangladesh.

Media training for some of the Academy players

Being able to perform in front of the world’s media is an increasingly important part of a professional cricketers’ life in today’s game. With this in mind we’ve been up at the Academy in Finchley this week holding some media training for a number of the Academy players. The lads spent their time learning a few essential tips on how best to handle media interviews and learning those all important do’s and don’ts in a variety of different media scenarios!

The Academy lads will have their chance to put all they’ve learnt into good practice in a couple of weeks time, when they’ll be interviewed by some journalists who have kindly accepted our invitation to come in and interview MD of Cricket Angus Fraser, Academy Director Graeme West and each of the players in question, for a profile article which will be written and published in their respective titles in the coming weeks.

Fundraising sporting lunch a huge success

This week saw us hosting another of our ever popular Balls Brothers charity sporting lunches in the City in aid of Breakthrough Breast Cancer and the Middlesex Academy - with Jason Leonard in attendance as the sporting guest.

The Club runs these charity lunches at regular occasions throughout the season, with lunches on 21st May with David Gower, 10th June with the Australian Legends and on 1st July with Michael Vaughan already planned in the diary over the next few months.

We’d be delighted if you could join us at any of our forthcoming Balls Brothers sporting lunches and help us continue to raise essential funds for both Breakthrough Breast Cancer and the Middlesex Academy.

Tickets cost £75 per person for a three course lunch and sporting celebrity speaker, with details of all future lunches available by clicking here.

This evening’s pre-season forum

I hope to see many of you at Lord’s this evening for the first of our members’ forums of the year. The forum is being held in the Thomas Lord Suite from 7pm, and as always, this is your chance to pitch your questions to those on the top table, which tonight will be made up of Chairman Ian Lovett, First Team Captain Shaun Udal, Head Coach Richard Scott and Managing Director of Cricket Angus Fraser.

If you’re planning on attending this evening’s forum at Lord’s I very much look forward to seeing you here later, if not, then we’ll no doubt catch up over the coming weeks.

Thanks again for taking the time to read this blog.

Until next time.

Vinny

Vinny Codrington
Chief Executive, Middlesex County Cricket Club

Pre-season Members Forum - 8th March

Thu, 4 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Middlesex County Cricket Club's pre-season Members' Forum will be held on Monday 8th March at Lord's Cricket Ground.

The Forum will take place in the Thomas Lord Suite and will start at 7pm. All Middlesex members are invited to attend the forum and take the opportunity to ask the panel any questions they have about the club, new signings and the forthcoming season. The panel will be made up of Chairman Ian Lovett, Managing Director of Cricket Angus Fraser, Head Coach Richard Scott and Club Captain Shaun Udal.

We look forward to seeing as many Middlesex members as possible on the evening.

PLEASE NOTE: This Forum is for Middlesex Members only.

The MCC have confirmed that the Bowlers’ Bar will be open from 5.30 p.m. until close - usually around 10 p.m. - the dress code for the Bowlers Bar is slightly relaxed, however denim jeans are still not permitted.

Steven Finn of Middlesex called up to England squad in Bangladesh

Thu, 4 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT

The ECB have just announced that Middlesex fast bowler Steven Finn will be flying out to Bangladesh this afternoon to join up with the full England squad, as cover for the fast bowling unit, following the injuries sustained by both Ryan Sidebottom and Stuart Broad.

Sidebottom had to sit out of Tuesday’s two wicket win in the second ODI against Bangladesh after picking up an injury to his right thigh. Whilst he trained with the squad today, he has since been advised that he will return home and not play any further part in the tour due to the severity of his injury. Broad sat out training today and remains a serious doubt for tomorrow’s ODI game, following the back injury he picked up which led to him prematurely leaving the field during England’s last match.

Finn received the news of his call up earlier today and an announcement was officially made to the media by England Team Director Andy Flower in Bangladesh, following a team net session earlier this morning.

Speaking of Steven’s call up, Angus Fraser, Middlesex’s Managing Director of Cricket had this to say........

“This is absolutely fantastic news for Steven and everyone at Middlesex County Cricket Club. We’re all clearly aware of his potential and of the progress he continues to make, and he more than deserves the recognition that this call up gives him.

Middlesex take great pride in producing England cricketers and hopefully Steven will follow in the footsteps of those before him and get the opportunity to represent his country at the highest level in the very near future.

Everyone at Middlesex would like to pass on our congratulations to Steven for his call up and we wish him all the best of luck over in Bangladesh.”

Finn’s rise to a full England call up has been nothing short of meteoric to say the very least! Still only 20 years of age, Finn has been an instrumental part of the Middlesex bowling attack for the past two seasons.

Last season Finn took an impressive 53 First Class wickets for Middlesex at an average of 30, which led to a call up to the England Performance Programme squad in November. This was followed by an England Lions call up for the tour to the United Arab Emirates in February of this year, where Finn opened the Lions bowling attack in the shock Twenty20 victory over the full England side, picking up the wickets of Joe Denly and Matt Prior on his way to match figures of 2 for 25.

On hearing the news of his call up, Steven Finn said.....

“I am delighted to be given such a fantastic opportunity. To be called up to the full England side is a real honour for me, and I am really excited to be joining up with squad over in Bangladesh. Whether I get to play any matches over there remains to be seen, however the opportunity alone to train with the squad and impress in front of the coaching team is a fantastic enough experience for me. Whilst I am coming in as cover for the bowling unit, I intend to work as hard as I can and enjoy the experience of being around the England squad and coaching staff.”