Gloucestershire Cricket Club Allocation for 2013
25 February 2013
Gloucestershire players have been allocated to clubs for the 2013 season based on the draft system used in American professional sport.
Seven teams from the Wadworth 6X West of England Premier League, divisions 1 and 2, have been allocated a pair of players - with the sides finishing lowest in 2012 getting the first pick.
The new system has been implemented to try and ensure Gloucestershire teams maintain their status in the top two tiers of club cricket.
The new method of allocation has been devised by Steve Silk from the Gloucestershire Cricket Board and County Club Academy Director and batting coach Owen Dawkins.
Steve Silk said: “This is the third year of the draft and in the last two years it was done in a hierarchical system with the sides that finished highest in the previous season getting the first pick. We felt that to develop Gloucestershire Cricket we need more teams in Premier 1 and 2 so by using the US model where the lowest teams pick players first it gives them a better chance of maintaining their status in the division and will make the league more competitive.”
Cheltenham, Bristol, Thornbury, Keynsham, Frocester, Gloucester City Winget and Downend are the sides who have benefited from a list of seven pairs of players with Cheltenham – who are newly promoted to Premier Divsion 2 getting the first choice in the draft. They have opted for their former player Gareth Roderick, who is paired with fellow ‘keeper/batsman Richard Coughtrie. Meanwhile last season’s highest-placed Gloucestershire club Downend have selected batsman Ian Cockbain and seamer Paul Muchall (for a full list of drafted players see below).
The pairings have been made to try and ensure that one of the professionals is likely to be available every Saturday and where possible players that perform similar roles have been paired together. This has allowed clubs to pick based on their specific needs within the team, for example sides that wanted a wicketkeeper rather than a bowler were able to choose accordingly.
One player not involved in the allocation process is batsman Chris Dent who will play for his home club Thornbury when available.
Teams will not be allowed to play two allocated players in the same match unless one of them is home grown and academy players are free to play alongside a professional. The final decision on availability will be made by the County Club based on the fitness, recent work load and the individual needs of the players. For example seam bowlers will generally not bowl in club cricket and are more likely to play as a batsman in order to prevent injuries.
In addition four pros have been allocated to clubs and/or leagues as non-playing ambassadors – a new role for 2013. Alex Gidman will help mentor Stroud CC and his home club Hatherley and Reddings CC while Hamish Marshall will assist Rockhampton CC and the Gloucestershire County Cricket League. Ian Saxelby has been allocated to the Bristol Youth Cricket League and Frenchay CC while David Payne is an ambassador for the Bristol and District Cricket Association and the newly-amalgamated Bristol West Indies and Phoenix CC.
Steve Silk said: “All the pros are ambassadors whether they are playing or non-playing. The idea of these new roles is for some of the more senior players to engage with the community and by being affiliated to leagues they will be able to help out with things like trophy presentations which will raise the profile of these competitions and the County Club itself. They will also play a big part in encouraging more people to play cricket – especially youngsters.”
Owen Dawkins said: “As a County Club we are dedicated to the long term development of all Gloucestershire cricketers in partnership with the Gloucestershire Cricket Board. The aim of the new draft system is to improve the overall quality of the league which we hope will strengthen cricket in Gloucestershire at all levels. A competitive league is crucial for developing better cricketers and we want to play our part by making sure our professionals play club cricket when available.”
GCCC Player Allocation 2013
Bristol CC – Dan Housego and Jack Taylor
Cheltenham CC – Richard Coughtrie and Gareth Roderick
Dowend CC – Ian Cockbain and Paul Muchall
Frocester CC – Liam Norwell and Benny Howell
Gloucester City Winget CC – Ed Young and Graeme McCarter
Keynsham CC – James Fuller and Matt Taylor
Thornbury – Will Gidman and Craig Miles
