These reports are designed so that the player in question can look at their season in terms of figures. Sometimes bar room chat and banter can hide the truth behind what individuals are achieving.

Today we take a look at how Mat Freeman’s season went.

Mat was billed at the start of the season as a big name signing and he certainly lived up to it. We knew his bowling was A1, but even his oldest sparring partners were completely shocked with his magnificent displays with the bat.

Batting 2007:

Scores: 18*, 16, 1, 6, 3, 18*, 12, 5*, 2*, 35

50’s: 0

100’s: 0

Total runs: 116

Average: 19.33

4’s: 15

6’s: 0

Mode of dismissal:

Not out, Caught, Bowled, Lbw, Lbw, Not Out, Bowled, Not Out, Not Out, Caught

For most of his cricketing life which has now stretched over 20 years, Mat has always been seen as a number 11. Coming in at 11 obviously does not give you much of a chance to get much time at the wicket. This season though, Mat was given a chance and boy did he take it. His average of just fewer than 20 is exceptional and he has proven a very difficult batsman to get out.

Mat’s total of 15 boundaries is very impressive and demonstrates that he has power as well as good technique. His innings on the last day of the season saw Mat at his best with the bat, combining power with his unwillingness to give up his wicket.

Bowling 2007:

8-2-18-2

8-0-40-1

5-2-12-2

3-2-9-0

2.3-1-3-2

8-2-17-1

3-0-15-0

8-0-35-1

5-2-7-1

8-1-25-1

7-0-11-2

7-1-20-0

Total for season: 72.3-13-212-13

Average: 16.31

Economy: 2.94

Method of dismissal:

Bowled, Bowled, Bowled, Caught, Bowled, Caught, Bowled, Caught, Bowled, Bowled, Bowled, Bowled, Bowled,

Amazingly 10 of Mat’s 13 wickets were bowled. This is a statistic that backs up the fact that Mat bowls fast and straight, and a tribute to any fast bowler. The interesting thing for me though with his bowling consistently being on the stumps, is that he didn’t get one Lbw. Does this bring into doubt the fairness of opposition umpires ? Or does it mean that Mat bowls too fast for players to move their legs and block the ball in time ?

Opening the bowling is not all about blasting wickets, it is also about keeping the runs down and stopping the batsmen getting off to a good start. This is also a department that Mat specialises in. His Economy was superb in both Twenty20 and 40 over matches.

Summary:

Overall then, Mat has had a wonderful season with both bat and ball. Next season will hopefully bring more of the same.

The only criticism of this true professional is that he should probably take more wickets than he does. This possibly could be achieved by regularly mixing up his pace and giving batsman something to “Go after” outside off stump. But on the flipside, this would take away what Freeman is all about. Speed, accuracy and consistency.

Mat is a regular at nets and does not need any encouragement to keep the practice up.

Next season will see Mat aiming for 20 wickets and to hit his first half century for the club.