County ratings 2017

[paulsre]

Ratings/ranking takes into account performances in all 3 competitions. Just my view - feel free to add your own.

Essex

What hasn't already been said about a magnificent Championship-winning season? Miles better than everyone else. Not bad with the white ball either - stormed through their 50 over group before coming up against a rampant Nottinghamshire. 9

Nottinghamshire

Absolutely steamrollered everyone in their path to do the 50 over cup / T20 double in style, looking by far the most accomplished side in both. Achieved the goal of promotion from Division 2 despite faltering in the finishing straight. 9

Worcestershire

An exciting home-grown side packed with young talent played consistently from day 1 to secure the Division 2 Championship. While it may be long forgotten, they also topped their 50 over cup group. 8

Northamptonshire

Given their minimal resources, David Ripley and his team continue to perform wonders. Nine wins in Division 2 should have seen them promoted - denied by a careless 5 point deduction. Never really got going in the T20 this time around. 7

Somerset

On the face of it, really not a bad season for Somerset, yet Matt Maynard is on his way out of the club. Yes, they clawed their way out of the relegation places in the Championship, but claw they did. Their white ball performances were commendable and can count themselves unfortunate to twice come up against Notts in the knock-outs, where the latter went on the rampage in the 50 over cup. 6.5

Surrey

Ten draws in the Championship saw Surrey safe but also nowhere near being challengers. Continued to look a smart white ball side on their day - undone by Alex Hales in the one-day final and reached the T20 quarters. 6.5

Glamorgan

Getting to T20 Finals Day boosts their rating, but overall they do seem to be progressing, with a positive outlook under Robert Croft. Encouraging to see so many young home-grown players stepping up in the Championship. 6

Hampshire

Fell away in the Championship after a good start. A return to something like their best in the T20 Blast, where they reached Finals Day, gives their rating a boost. 6

Lancashire

The only side to mount anything resembling a challenge to Essex in the Championship, and finishing second is not to be sneezed at. Not so far off with the white ball but lacked the consistency needed to progress in either group. 6

Derbyshire

After a terrible 2016, any progress was to be welcomed and there was some, notably playing some good T20 cricket under John Wright to reach the quarter-finals. 5

Durham

Hard to rate a club whose heavy points deductions made it difficult to challenge in any competition (they would have progressed in the 50 over cup without the deduction). Battled on in difficult circumstances, including the ongoing player exodus. 5

Warwickshire

Another club that is difficult to rate, as terrible performances in the Championship and 50 over cup contrasted sharply with the emergence of an exciting T20 side who picked up the pace to make it to the final. 5

Yorkshire

A difficult season for Yorkshire, who found it tough going in the Championship from the start. It was also very disappointing to see them fail to even qualify in the Blast, as on their day they look one of the best teams in that format. 5

Sussex

With the players at their disposal, Sussex were expected to challenge in Division 2, but produced erratic performances underpinned by some strange selection policies. White ball was equally up and down, which ultimately cost them a T20 qualification spot. 4.5

Gloucestershire

Another season of anonymity as they failed to make any challenge across all three formats. The emergence of several good youngsters is encouraging, but adding to the trophy cabinet looks some way off. 3

Kent

Okay in the Championship but nothing more, and found wanting with the white ball - their abysmal performance in the 50 over cup marks them down to a... 3

Middlesex

The shock of relegation for the 2016 County Champions capped a season that somehow went wrong on every level. A total no-show with the white ball as well. 3

Leicestershire

With a strife-ridden dressing room before the departure of coach Pierre de Bruyn, this was an abysmal season for Leicestershire. Mucked up a golden opportunity to progress in the 50 over cup, but as they at least qualified from the T20 group they have to be given some points. 2

[WeAreKent]

Yes, I'd mostly agree with that, Paul. I'd rate Sussex a little higher. They were ridiculously inconsistent and either seemed to pulverise teams or get pulverised. But they won 7 CC games and the likes of young bowlers like Archer, Whittingham, Garton and Robinson to back up the experienced Jordan gives them an explosive Div One quality attack.

Glamorgan I think punched above their weight and might have sneaked a 6.5, but I guess your 6 is probably correct.

As a supplement and as it is winning games wot counts , a table of games won in 2017 across all three tournaments (incluiding knock-out stages of the white ball comps):-

1 Notts 25

2. Essex 22

3. Worcs 18

4. Norrthants 16
Surrey 16
Yorks 16

7. Glam 15
Somerset 15
Sussex 15

10. Lancs 14
Hants 14

12. Derbys 13
Warwicks 13

14. Kent 11
Leics 11

16. Durham 10
Glos 10
Middx 10
__________________

[1000yardstare]

Runs/wickets
Players used in brackets

Div I
7067/171 Surrey (22)
6103/206 Lancs (18)
5861/247 Essex (18)
5843/179 Warks (26)
5748/220 Som (20)
5696/201 Middx (19)
5243/192 Yorks (25)
5138/220 Hants (21)

Div 2
7472/225 Sussex (24)
6695/207 Kent (21)
6655/218 Dur (22)
6613/229 Worcs (17)
6387/238 N'hants (21)
6254/162 Leics (26)
6032/248 Notts (21)
6014/193 Glam (21)
5891/181 Derbys (23)
5753/193 Gloucs (20)

[Ali TT]

Essex won as many county championship matches this year as Leicestershire have in the past seven.

[oldandfat]

Interesting that those who used least players seem to have done best.

[geoff_boycotts_grandmother]

Disappointing that Essex get fewer points than they achieved Championship wins.

[paulsre]

Originally Posted by oldandfat

Interesting that those who used least players seem to have done best.

Yes, it is. The performances of Essex, Worcestershire and Northants give food for thought to some other counties.

[gmdf]

Originally Posted by paulsre

Yes, it is. The performances of Essex, Worcestershire and Northants give food for thought to some other counties.

But is it entirely surprising - if a team is doing well, why should they bring in new players? (Not disagreeing with your point, but I'm not sure it is terribly illuminating!)

[paulsre]

Originally Posted by Ali TT

Essex won as many county championship matches this year as Leicestershire have in the past seven.

A figure that reflects terribly on Leicestershire.

That tale of woe does indeed date back that many years, when they began to completely neglect Championship cricket in favour of T20. When the successful T20 side also fell apart, things crumbled even more.

Although they rallied somewhat in 2016, I feel their opening match this year, when they were well matched by Loughborough and Shreck had his meltdown, set the tone for the whole season.

New skipper Michael Carberry has work to do.

[WeAreKent]

I think in retrospect you are right about Shreck's meltdown - that sent out dire warning signals at the very start of the season and Leics' season never recovered from his stupidity.

A 39 year old getting banned for bullying and abusing a bunch of teenage students in a non-competitve match with nothing riding on it was not only a terrible example for an experienced pro to set young kids starting out in the game but his offence meant his team started the CC season with minus 16 pts.

One suspects he was actually ranting and raging at the dying of his own skills. He only played one more game after that, taking 1-141, and getting rid was one of the few good calls Leics made all season!

[oldandfat]

Originally Posted by paulsre

New skipper Michael Carberry has work to do.

Primarily on his own game!

[Summer of '77]

I think I'd rate Notts as an 8.5 rather than a 9. They did, after all, finish one place lower in the Championship than last season.

[paulsre]

Originally Posted by Summer of '77

I think I'd rate Notts as an 8.5 rather than a 9. They did, after all, finish one place lower in the Championship than last season.

You bad man.

[Arachibutyrophobic]

Originally Posted by Summer of '77

I think I'd rate Notts as an 8.5 rather than a 9. They did, after all, finish one place lower in the Championship than last season.

I think I'd agree. I know I should be overjoyed at the season we had but I do feel a slight sense of disappointment at the way we just about stumbled over the line at the end (due to Northant's salad dodging attack only being able to get through about 11 overs an hour) after the lead we built up when we had Broad, Ball and Pattinson.

I might even go for 8.

[Ali TT]

Originally Posted by Summer of '77

I think I'd rate Notts as an 8.5 rather than a 9. They did, after all, finish one place lower in the Championship than last season.

But would you have scored them more last year because they finished that one position higher?