Tim Ambrose - Our loss, Warwickshire's gain

[CHAPPERS]

WARWICKSHIRE may turn to the Australia squad for help after being stunned by the recall to South Africa of fast bowler Makhaya Ntini.

The United Cricket Board of South Africa have called the paceman to a training camp beginning next Wednesday even though there are no international matches until mid-October.

The club desperately tried to retain the services of Ntini, but to no avail.

The Bears are now looking for suitable replacements and they could seek help from the Australian squad in action at The Oval.

That has led to the intriguing prospect of Brett Lee or Glenn McGrath opening the bowling for Warwickshire during the final couple of weeks of the season.

Without Ntini, the Warwickshire attack appears worryingly thin. A new-ball attack of Dougie Brown and Neil Carter, backed by James Anyon and Naqaash Tahir, would seem to lack bite.

It is possible that Ntini could play in the key Championship match against Surrey before he leaves, but he will not be available for the final few weeks of the season.

Warwickshire need a few wins in the totesport League in order to clinch promotion.

They are not yet safe from relegation in the County Championship, either.

Meanwhile, the club have delayed the cricket committee meeting until the end of the month. By then, it is hoped that the new coach will have been appointed and their input will be sought before any big decisions are made. Mark Greatbatch and Andy Moles are the clear favourites for the role but John Wright, tipped by some, did not apply.

The captaincy may also be decided sooner rather than later and Heath Streak remains the overwhelming favourite. He is expected to retire from international cricket in order to concentrate on his county commitments.


One man likely to be joining the club is Sussex's Tim Ambrose. The 22-year-old is the outstanding candidate among available wicketkeeper-batsmen, particularly since Luke Sutton seems destined to sign for Lancashire.

 

[Trigger]

Terrible decision by us to let him go, he is our best wicket keeper and one of the best in the country, if only he could have scored a few more runs when given a chance...

 

[Simon Morgan]

that is rather shocking, but couldn't really see him featuring in our squad, so probably for the best

 

[Gwylan]

He had chances last year and this and didn't take them. Matty's a much better batsman and probably a better keeper too.

Sussex have also got a young keeper (whose name I've forgotten) who's meant to be pretty hot.

 

[Uncle Buck]

He had chances last year and this and didn't take them. Matty's a much better batsman and probably a better keeper too.

Sussex have also got a young keeper (whose name I've forgotten) who's meant to be pretty hot.

Ambrose behind the stumps was a much better keeper than Prior.

However he had a real confidence issue over the last two years.

 

[Scotty Mac]

Ambrose behind the stumps was a much better keeper than Prior.

However he had a real confidence issue over the last two years.

i always prefered ambrose to prior - letting him go could prove to be a decision that comes back to slap us in the face

 

[tricky]

He had one cracking year where he and prior were batting like demons and both keeping wicket well, but over the last two years he just hasn't taken any chance that came his way.

He needs first team action - so I think it's only fair to let him go.

 

[Gwylan]

Ambrose behind the stumps was a much better keeper than Prior.

In that case, why did Prior replace him as keeper? And why does Prior keep wicket when the two of them play together?

The answer was that Ambrose was a really sloppy keeper - think Geraint Jones but not as tidy. He was liability behind the stumps and Moores (an ex keeper himself) soon realised that.

 

[Uncle Buck]

In that case, why did Prior replace him as keeper? And why does Prior keep wicket when the two of them play together?

The answer was that Ambrose was a really sloppy keeper - think Geraint Jones but not as tidy. He was liability behind the stumps and Moores (an ex keeper himself) soon realised that.

He was not dropped due to his keeping. He completely lost it as a batsman last year and then got injured. Cottey came in and did well and Prior went behind the stumps. This year Prior has retained the gloves, simply because for some stupid reason people think he might be England quality, when in fact, at best on the keeping front he is at best third in line. Ambrose has not been able to find any form with the bat and coupled with the emergence of Yardy has not been able to hold down a regular spot.

Ambrose as a keeper is nearer the class of Chris Read, where as sadly Priors keeping skills are closer to those of Jones.

 

[Gwylan]

He was not dropped due to his keeping. He completely lost it as a batsman last year and then got injured. Cottey came in and did well and Prior went behind the stumps. This year Prior has retained the gloves, simply because for some stupid reason people think he might be England quality, when in fact, at best on the keeping front he is at best third in line. Ambrose has not been able to find any form with the bat and coupled with the emergence of Yardy has not been able to hold down a regular spot.

Ambrose as a keeper is nearer the class of Chris Read, where as sadly Priors keeping skills are closer to those of Jones.

Just not true. Prior replaced Ambrose as keeper when both were still in the side.

You ignore my main point. Why, if Ambrose is the better keeper, does Prior keep wicket when both are in the side? The Sussex coach is an ex-keeper and widely recognised as the best in the country; he works with both players on a regular basis and clearly thinks that Prior is the better keeper.

I agree that Prior's not much to shout about either but that's ignoring how poor Ambrose was. A group of us were calling for Ambrose to be replaced as keeper and at the time I hadn't seen Prior keep wicket; I just knew he couldn't be worse than Ambrose - and he isn't.