[Senior] Announcements

[Cynic]

No one has any idea how annoyed I am right now ...

[Cynic]

Hai hai.

I'm going to spend a few hours tonight going through varying age groups and skill criteria to semi-finalise the squad before the first tour. I'm going to try and incorporate a mixture of age groups when appropriate but overall, the skills will be the main factors for selection.

It's going to be a lot of excel work but I'm used to that.

I'll post again when everything's done for the time being. Now, time for some Dire Straits.

[Cynic]

Hai hai.

I've had the list sorted since 12 hours ago but only just finalised the squad now.

Therefore, I present the current 30-man squad:

Batsmen
Mohammed Hafiz
Mark LeCras
Andrew Mcleod
Abhita Padmanabhan
Patty Dangerfield
Chris Knights
Kapil Ramchand
Buddu Sravan
Ayobahu Seshan
Shakib Al-Hasan
Tariq Kapali
Habibul Bashar

Seam bowlers
Abdur Razzak
Squirrel Boris-Hall
Amit Jaffer
Graeme Labrooy
Ali Matin
Beau Waters
Al Akib (AR)
Johnny Rotten
Vinay Shashtri
Topon Das (AR)

Spin bowlers
Kundam Manjanatha
Naimur Asghar
Snato Ghauro
Chris Masten
Kuladipaka Rupesh (AR)
Roshan Kholi

Keepers
Sajedul Aziz
Arun Naidu

As you can see, there is a large mix of mid-20s players whom I will monitor directly over the course of the next two seasons. The core group hasn't changed but as the 28yos in particular age, they will need to be replaced to allow the younger kids opportunities to break through.

I also have around 10 players outside this group whom I'm keeping an eye on so the squad could change from tour to tour.

Now I can focus on the friendly in 12 hours and the upcoming tour.

[Turbz]

I too share the disappointment at how this season has progressed and the National team in general.
There have been 30 players used this season in tours (with 31 last season and 43 in the last 2) which seems excessive. It doesn't look like any direction is evident or any forward planning.
Most of the younger players have enough experience and should still be improving without National representation, so U22 players shouldn't really be considered and haven't. It appears the experience level plays a part rather than skill and age, as parvez mentions the middling players without much experience (low experience for a reason maybe??).
I would be surprised if more than 3 players in the current 25-27 age group (27-29 come World Cup time) is in the best touring squad come the end of next season (ie. WC). I'd almost question it at this point in time.
You would question the loyalty and support of the current management team and some of the club views that can be a hindrance and a detriment to the National team.

[Turbz]

I am considering it parvez, still almost another 3 months away.
It doesn't particularly help when the managers in charge have stronger affiliations elsewhere (or none at all as the case may be), come and go until the next one arrives.
The peak should be coming up to the end of this season or possibly next season.

[Turbz]

Good start to the tour last night, my team could've won with a similar age and with 7 Bangladeshis.
(the use of an 'all-rounder' and spinners noted..)