Over the next couple of weeks in the countdown to the season we will be taking a look in detail at a few of our key players in terms of what they did in 2009, and what they should be looking to do in 2010. 

We start with Mat Freeman. 

Mat enjoyed a very successful 2009 by returning 17 wickets and scoring 265 runs. 

Bowling has always been what Mat is in the team for, but his batting has improved so significantly that he must now be looking for that genuine reclassification as an all rounder. Mat took the bat out to the middle last year on 15 occasions and was only out 7 times to return an excellent average of 37.86. 

Batting higher up the order may take away some of the “Not out” factor, but he must look to push himself and record a much deserved maiden half century. He will surely only end up batting at 10 or 11 again if he has taken a five fer in the first innings of the match. 

The bowling in 2009 was miserly in terms of runs conceded and often offered the captain a steady end while he considered the state of the match.  

However, the wickets did not flow and Mat’s best figures were a rather disappointing 2 for 15. A bowler of Mat’s pedigree should be returning better than a 2 fer for the accuracy and pace that he returns week in week out.    

Breaking through the 20 wicket barrier will be an initial target on the bowling front for 2010, and the batting target will be that maiden 50 as previously mentioned. Other personal targets should be attempts on the best batting average trophy and the best bowling average trophy. He may even fancy a dash at the most 6’s trophy after that sensational whack into the pavilion at Eastnor Castle !