Sheffield Shield 1999
Pre-Season Reports
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NEW SOUTH WALES - Manager: Brad Hicks
TUBBY'S BACK!
The return of Mark "Tubby" Taylor for a full season in the Sheffield Shield after his recent retirement from the Australian team has inspired the NSW team to really put in this season and the boys have been training the house down. With the team riddled with players who at some stage having played for their country in either the one-day or test scene I am confident that we will once again have a successful season. We are planning to travel down to Melbourne on Friday afternoon and get one good practice session on the M.C.G on Saturday before the big first game clash on Sunday. The Waugh Brothers have both been very impressive in the nets and are itching to get a chance at having a go at Warney and his boys.
QUEENSLAND - Manager: Tony Noyeaux
Coach Noyeaux has been working furiously in the off season to put on the field one of the strongest batting sides in the Shield. His commitment to this aim was cemented by enlisting Greg Chappell to drill the boys. The results are no doubt there, with Hayden, Law, Love and Symonds all looking Test quality.
Many onlookers have suggested Queensland's bowling looks weaker than American Beer, but with Dale, Bichel and Kaspers, this just isn't true. Of course, they'll be getting plenty of assistence from Australia's and the World's best Keeper behind the stumps. Hopefully they won't have to defend small totals.
Ian Healy has accepted the captaincy of the Queensland team. Noyeaux has plenty of confidence in this veteran.
"Looking forward to a great season", said Coach Noyeaux at his first press conference.
PREDICTIONS:
BEST BATSMEN: Law & Hayden
BEST BOWLERS: Dale & Kasprowicz
SOUTH AUSTRALIA - Manager: Trevor Hansford
In an interview today with South Australia's new manager Trevor Hansford he said that they were looking for a consistent season and that they were hoping to still be around come finals time. The morale of the team at training has been high and all players are enthusiastic to start the new season. Hopefully all players will be able to keep themselves injury free and be available for selection for all games.
TASMANIA - Manager: Nick Rogers
The Tasmanian Sheffield Shield side had a positive early training session this week, with a lot of players looking to find form and take Tasmania back to their form of 1997/98, where they made the final. Players to watch this season in the Tasmanian outfit are the dashing Dene Hills, the dangerous Ricky Ponting, and the ever-reliable David Boon. With the addition of Gerard Denton, and the improving form of Mark Ridgway, Tasmania will be a team to watch this PBeM season. Manager Nick Rogers was confident about the Tigers' prospects, saying: "These players are a fine bunch of blokes, and very talented. A semi-final place is almost expected, so the boys are ready to go for the 'Gabba this week. Tony Noyeaux and the boys look like they are a capable bunch, so a early win would do our boys the world of wonders."
VICTORIA - Manager: "Westie"
Well as we come into a new season with the players having a long training season in the nets it will be interesting to see how Victoria can do after a disappointing last year. Williams a genuine fast bowler has looked good in the nets and will be given a chance to see what he can do this season, along with Fleming, Warne and Reiffel this should be a good bowling attack and not to forget Hodge's handy off spin. The batting is also looking better this year with Elliott, Hodge and Harper looking in good touch and with the new comer from QLD, Mott a lot will be expected from this batting line up. We will see just what form they are in with the first match to be played in early Feb.
WESTERN AUSTRALIA - Manager: Chris Rogers
West Australian Coach Chris Rogers has been keeping his side under wraps as the team prepares for their first round clash against South Australia. West Australia are quietly confident that they will get off to a good start in the competition, recording good results in trial games earlier this week. Adam Gilchrist, who leads the side, had this to say: "We'll take it right up the Sandgropers. They've been a thorn in our side for years, so we're looking to overcome that now." Players showing fine form in the lead up games included young batsmen Michael Hussey and Simon Katich, as well as Test newcomer Matt Nicholson. WA should do well in the first game.
NEW SOUTH WALES 2nd XI - Manager: Wally Cowan
It is often said that there are enough talented players in Australia to form two Test strength teams. At full strength, the same could be said for NSW. Therefore NSW will be red-hot favourites to take out the 2nd XI championship in this league. That puts enormous pressure on the players (and the manager) and so we will be on our toes right from the start.
The selectors have named a very strong squad including Test bowler Simon Cook and the highly experienced Brad McNamara and David Freedman. Many of the younger players will be keen to put in good performances to put pressure on the 1st XI. Two players to watch are keeper-batsman Brad Haddin and young speedster Brett Lee, younger brother of Shane.
QUEENSLAND 2nd XI - Manager: Bradley Ashcroft
A brief interview conducted with QLD 2nd XI manager Bradley Ashcroft
News Reporter: So Bradley how do you think you team will go this year?
BA: Well, I'm optimistic. We are going to have to hope that our senior players who have played for the 1st XI before can perform well and lead the younger players.
News Reporter: Anyone we should be looking out for?
BA: Well, we have Dixon and Perren, who are two great youngsters that are playing really well and Carseldine is great player too. They will hopefully lead our batting along with some of our allrounders such as Miller and Prestwidge. As for bowling, Paul Jackson our captain hopefully will spin some teams out like he has before for Victoria and Qld 1st XI. And of course allrounder Prestwidge can take a few wickets too with his pace.
News Reporter: Any comments for your fellow managers?
BA: Well, I would like to wish them all good luck.
News Reporter: Thanks for joining us.
SOUTH AUSTRALIA 2nd XI - Manager: Tyrone Marshall
My name is Tyrone Marshall and I am 15 years old and I live in Shrewsbury, Shropshire, England.
I have a website for cricket gaming called the ICGW and the address is: http://www.icgw.com/
TASMANIA 2nd XI - Manager: Dave Hickey
After recent successes with the Zimbabwe Test team in other leagues, manager Dave Hickey has surprised many onlookers by accepting an offer to manage the Tasmanian 2nd XI in the new Sheffield Shield league. "Anyone can manage the top sides but it is a real challenge to prepare a team who the critics do not rate. There is no better feeling than knocking over a highly-rated team when they expect an easy victory" he said.
The Tasmanian 2nd XI is a young side with some first-class experience, especially in the fast bowling department. Hickey expects several players to apply pressure for 1st XI selection before the end of the season. In particular, he nominated two teenagers as players to watch - batting all-rounder Scott Kremerskothen and left-arm wrist spinner Shannon Tubb.
VICTORIA 2nd XI - Manager: Christo McDonald
Being the newly appointed manager of the Victoria 2nd XI in my first season in Sheffield Shield cricket, I am there to get the most out of my players. They have also to prove that they are better than the other Victoria side in this league. Pre-season training went better than planned, with a lot of time going into fielding. Fielding is going to make the difference between the teams this season. Michael Foster is, as captain, the in-form batsmen in the pre-season games, with Ashley Gilbert leading the bowling attack. Final word for the other teams as they battle to play us in the final, WATCH OUT!!!
WESTERN AUSTRALIA 2nd XI - Manager: Dave Symes
As this is only my first time as a PBeM manager (in any sport) I'm not expecting anything special e.g. bowling everyone one out for about 10 and then knocking off all the runs (all eleven of them!!!!)
Honestly, I hope I'll do ok but do hope it will be enjoyable. Hi to all you cricket fans out there. Good Luck!