Ravens will finish a comfortable 7th IMO. they are only getting worse from a season where they did terrible.
If Dempsey got injured it would likely have Gonzo and Man in top 4 still, far from unproven IMO. Also we have the potential to bat deep. With Johns at 8 we will still have a guy who has ability with the bat and not just bale to score 50's ability, as in able to ton up and turn a match in our favour ability. I would agree that our bowling is stronger than our batting but if our batsmen bat like they can and have previously we could have a a good batting line-up.
STICKY WICKETS The Sticky Wickets are the only original club left and Season 9 seems like it could be a new phase for the club. The club that is simply “meh†to everyone needs to try and make a big statement on the Bannerman Shield stage. The Stickies have always been up in the top half of the table, but I think, this might be their bad year that they are due. The Stickies have brought more players in than any other club* and this will add depth to their already strong squad. <a href="http://www.cricsim.com/site/players.php?id=456"style="color: #000000" target="_blank">EI Morris</a>, <a href="http://www.cricsim.com/site/players.php?id=396"style="color: #000000" target="_blank">AJ Son</a>, <a href="http://www.cricsim.com/site/players.php?id=458"style="color: #000000" target="_blank">S Bakkum</a> and <a href="http://www.cricsim.com/site/players.php?id=350"style="color: #000000" target="_blank">MD Dorn</a> are all poached from the reformed Crusaders and former Lions president <a href="http://www.cricsim.com/site/players.php?id=173"style="color: #000000" target="_blank">BC Jacobs</a> makes his way to the Stickies who is followed by former club mate <a href="http://www.cricsim.com/site/players.php?id=166"style="color: #000000" target="_blank">SJ Nova</a>. <a href="http://www.cricsim.com/site/players.php?id=266"style="color: #000000" target="_blank">TA Miokovic</a> is the only major loss to the Stickies with President DG Spiers said to be “glad to rid his hands of troublesome <a href="http://www.cricsim.com/site/players.php?id=311"style="color: #000000" target="_blank">N Spinks</a>â€. <a href="http://www.cricsim.com/site/players.php?id=448"style="color: #000000" target="_blank">LG Fernandes</a> joins the Outs list for the Stickies and Spiers and co. have done well to hold onto <a href="http://www.cricsim.com/site/players.php?id=321"style="color: #000000" target="_blank">DA Alessi</a>. That could be a big factor in their season. There seems to be no real problem area although the pace cordon of the Stickies will need to shine if they are to do well. <a href="http://www.cricsim.com/site/players.php?id=84"style="color: #000000" target="_blank">JT Whicker</a> will need a big season as he is the spearhead of the attack. Alot of matches could come down to him. Up and Coming Star You have to go with <a href="http://www.cricsim.com/site/players.php?id=456"style="color: #000000" target="_blank">EI Morris</a> on that one. The young keeper has already been called into the Great Britain squad for the Provincial Championship after less than 5 games. Averages numbers that a calculator struggles with in both BS and ALC, this is sure to be a big season for him. Player to Watch <a href="http://www.cricsim.com/site/players.php?id=171"style="color: #000000" target="_blank">AJ Parker</a> has always been a consistent workhorse in the Sticky Wickets middle order. A lot of the time, doesn’t get the rewards he deserves due to more recognition of DG Spiers. But he has kept the Stickies in the game numerous times and will more than likely do so again this season. Predicted Finish: 7th *Apart from the Gamblers
With the bit in main part of the Stickies Article about Whicker I would have thought you would have him as the playere to watch. For the same reason as you have Sullo as the Gamblers and Hayes as the Saders player to watch.
STINGRAYS It’s rare that a team enters their second season in the competition with the word rebuilding on everyone’s lips. This is the proposition facing the Stingrays after their first season triumph in the Bannerman Shield. Since holding the shield aloft, they have lost two of the best fast bowlers in the competition in Tyson and Man and replaced them with two relative rookies. It’s not all doom and gloom for the club though. They have improved their batting on last season and still have two top 5 ranked bowlers. The Stingrays seem to have done fairly well with their gains in this off-season. <a href="http://www.cricsim.com/site/players.php?id=410"style="color: #000000" target="_blank">GJ Weaver</a>, <a href="http://www.cricsim.com/site/players.php?id=369"style="color: #000000" target="_blank">DRP Taylor</a>, <a href="http://www.cricsim.com/site/players.php?id=370"style="color: #000000" target="_blank">SIA Yates</a> and <a href="http://www.cricsim.com/site/players.php?id=48"style="color: #000000" target="_blank">BH Borisc</a> are all signed from the now dead Lions. It will be interesting to see how they get on. But what will be even more interesting is the inclusion into the Stingrays squad of a one <a href="http://www.cricsim.com/site/players.php?id=38"style="color: #000000" target="_blank">EL Volavola</a>. Controversy has surrounded him since day 1 and he has been given the chance to have his name on a CricSim Scoresheet once again. <a href="http://www.cricsim.com/site/players.php?id=351"style="color: #000000" target="_blank">LA Pilgrim</a> also joins the Stingrays from the Crusaders. But with these good gains, there comes losses. Some losses are bigger than others, and these ones are fairly big. <a href="http://www.cricsim.com/site/players.php?id=76"style="color: #000000" target="_blank">L Tyson</a> and <a href="http://www.cricsim.com/site/players.php?id=70"style="color: #000000" target="_blank">C Man</a> were part of the Stingray demon bowling quartet last season and have both now moved on. <a href="http://www.cricsim.com/site/players.php?id=395"style="color: #000000" target="_blank">S Das</a> has gone to the Sticky Wickets and <a href="http://www.cricsim.com/site/players.php?id=334"style="color: #000000" target="_blank">G Shriram</a> has taken up an offer by the Ravens. The weakness of the Stingrays has to be the inexperienced pace attack. <a href="http://www.cricsim.com/site/players.php?id=410"style="color: #000000" target="_blank">GJ Weaver</a> and <a href="http://www.cricsim.com/site/players.php?id=370"style="color: #000000" target="_blank">SIA Yates</a> will both be in the attack and are both fairly unproven. <a href="http://www.cricsim.com/site/players.php?id=319"style="color: #000000" target="_blank">AP Farnsworth</a> and Club President <a href="http://www.cricsim.com/site/players.php?id=86"style="color: #000000" target="_blank">GEC King</a> will be relied upon to carry the two “new boys†along. The batting looks very good for the ‘Rays and with the induction of Volavola, the top 7 is brimming with quality. Up and Coming Star This has almost certainly got to go to <a href="http://www.cricsim.com/site/players.php?id=379"style="color: #000000" target="_blank">DG Dafter</a>. Despite already having been selected for Great Britain, Dafter is only entering his second season of cricket at any level. His rise has been somewhat meteoric and capitalising on the obvious talent will be very important this season. Player to Watch <a href="http://www.cricsim.com/site/players.php?id=319"style="color: #000000" target="_blank">AP Farnsworth</a>. While the Stingrays have many stars in their line up, Farnsworth has gone from first change bowler to the spearhead of an inexperienced pace trio. The man has had the most startling beginning to his career since Wilson and if he continues on his path of destruction, the Stingrays will be well placed. Predicted Finish: 2nd
Dont see how Crusaders will finish 8th TBH. I mean, SB Wilson, L Tyson, JU Rocker, C Kovas etc etc. Taking wickets, Hayes, Immanuel etc scoring runs.
VIPERS Without doubt the most improved team over the course of Season 8 will be back in Season 9 and gunning it for the title. With Ryan Gee and Tom Delonge running the show Vipers v2 are better than ever for Season 9. Solid recruitment and no major losses has led to the talk of a CricSim title for the first time ever at the Snakes Pit. Great Britain opening batsman <a href="http://www.cricsim.com/site/players.php?id=362"style="color: #000000" target="_blank">JE McGrath</a> joins up with the Vipers and is followed by Cubs opener <a href="http://www.cricsim.com/site/players.php?id=409"style="color: #000000" target="_blank">LM Sweetman</a>. <a href="http://www.cricsim.com/site/players.php?id=382"style="color: #000000" target="_blank">CB Darts</a> is another positive signing that makes his way from the Pumas. No huge names for the Vipers, but plenty of potential in these 3 signings. Only <a href="http://www.cricsim.com/site/players.php?id=423"style="color: #000000" target="_blank">L Popovic</a> and <a href="http://www.cricsim.com/site/players.php?id=183"style="color: #000000" target="_blank">N Hunt</a> have left the Vipers for Season 9 as they head off to the Gamblers. That’s good work by the club’s board to keep so many players loyal at the club. There seems to be no real jink in the Vipers armour. A positive top order, a solid middle order and the bowling is top draw with certain players definitely developing well. <a href="http://www.cricsim.com/site/players.php?id=339"style="color: #000000" target="_blank">BOY Blunder</a> and <a href="http://www.cricsim.com/site/players.php?id=365"style="color: #000000" target="_blank">DA Eggman</a> will certainly be a formidable force in the bowling attack and <a href="http://www.cricsim.com/site/players.php?id=421"style="color: #000000" target="_blank">J Torres</a> can only improve during Season 9. Up and Coming Star It’s got to be <a href="http://www.cricsim.com/site/players.php?id=421"style="color: #000000" target="_blank">J Torres</a>. Although the Vipers do have many contenders for this position. Torres has been solid when he has played for both New Zealand and the Vipers in Season 8 and this is sure to be his breakthrough season when he cements his spot in the Vipers batting lineup. Player to Watch <a href="http://www.cricsim.com/site/players.php?id=178"style="color: #000000" target="_blank">HJ Bots</a> is the man to watch for the Vipers. This is for 2 reasons. 1) He is an extremely talented spin bowler and can rip a batting order in two. 2) We don’t think he is capable of going 2 seasons without the spoon. He will have to prove us wrong. Predicted Finish: 3rd
