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 is the last of the 11 contracted players in the form of Andy Underwood.

Batting 2007:

Scores: 21, 38, 20, 19*, 35*, 52*, 16, 0, 12*, 7, 115,

50’s: 1
100’s: 1
Total runs: 335
Average: 47.86

4’s: 52
6’s: 4

Mode of dismissal:
Bowled, Bowled, Bowled, Not out, Not out, Not out, Caught, Bowled, Not out, Caught, Caught

What a year with the bat ! Andy was outstanding throughout the season and returned a phenomenal average of a shade under 48.

His first ever 50 came against Edmonton County Teachers in a Twenty20 contest that had class stamped all over it. During this great knock he managed to attack at the right time and yet still manage preserve his wicket.

There was however a slight mid season wobble after this maiden 50, but Andy stormed back in monstrous style by smashing a masterly 115 against Edmonton. This was an innings of pure class constructed in and old fashioned way. At the start of the innings, Andy got his head down and grafted to build a solid base without taking any risks. Once the solid base was established he exploded into his most powerful best and quickly accumulated with boundary after boundary. The highlight of this particular innings came in the shape of the incident with Sir Garfield Sobers.

Garfield popped a short delivery into Andy’s ribs, followed by a minor sledging of, “Feel that batsman”. Andy did not show any pain, dusted himself down and promptly hit a perfect straight drive off Sir Garfield’s next delivery, accompanied by the retort, “Feel that bowler” !

Bowling 2007:

5-0-20-0

4-0-21-1

1-0-4-0

2-0-19-2

9-0-50-1

Total for season: 21-0-114-4
Average: 28.5
Economy: 5.43

Method of dismissal:
Caught, Stumped, Bowled, Bowled

Andy’s bowling did not set the world on fire this year, but he does provide the captain an accurate and testing option if he is not keeping wicket.

He bowled particularly well against Ockbrook and Borrowash by bowling 9 straight overs and limiting good batsmen with a good economy rate.

Andy’s bowling just needs time to develop, but part of the problem is that he often ends up keeping wicket so he struggles to establish consistency.

Summary:

Batting is clearly what God put Andy on the earth to do, as his body shape and eye hand co-ordination are perfect to take apart any bowling attack.

Andy is equally at home against fast bowling or spin and looks capable of returning big scores every time he walks out to the wicket.

Next season will see Andy trying to maintain the magnificent standards that he has set for himself this year. Although it is going to be hard, he certainly has the raw materials in his locker.

Depending on how many games he plays, he should be looking to accumulate 500 runs in 2008.