The Cricket Paper’s experts offer their team of the season from Division One
While champions Yorkshire dominated our team with four representatives, relegated Sussex managed two in the 12.
Those honours went to Hove’s evergreen Aussie seamer Steve Magoffin and, in the 12th man berth, big-hitting Luke Wright.
Somerset, despite a season-long struggle, provided both openers in veteran former England star Marcus Trescothick and the increasingly prolific James Hildreth to slot in above a Yorkshire middle order.
Durham, consistent challengers over the past few seasons, also had two in the XI, Scott Borthwick and Chris Rushworth.
1: James Hildreth – Somerset
An ever-present, no player scored more runs than James Hildreth’s 1,390 in Division One. The Somerset stroke-maker scored at an average of 53.46 – a model of absolute consistency over his 27 innings with a highest score of 220 not out.
The 31-year-old’s appetite for runs was key to Somerset’s survival, with one of the highlights coming in the county’s final game – his 118 setting up a winning first-innings target of 438.
Taunton may be reputed as a haven for run-making, but Hildreth’s ability to play all bowling well sees him opening with his county partner Trescothick.
2: Marcus Trescothick – Somerset
Like Hildreth, Trescothick has been cashing in at Taunton for years, but he still has one of the finest techniques against pace; simplicity coupled with one of the sharpest eyes in the game.
Not as prolific as he was, but Trescothick’s 1,284 runs at 45.86 are still a more-than-handy return.
However, there is more to run-making and he remains one of the game’s most respected senior pros, with a superb cricket brain who spreads an air of calmness through the younger members of the team.
Rewarded with another year’s contract by the county he has served so loyally throughout his career.
3: Andrew Gale – Yorkshire
Gale may not have been as prolific as many other top-order batsmen, but his leadership qualities are highly admired. There was also a united feeling of warmth for the player as he led Yorkshire’s Championship celebrations after being suspended and unable to lift the trophy they won last year. Still clocked up 1,006 runs at 40.24, with three centuries. After winning the title at Lord’s against Middlesex, Gale would have been desperate to lead Yorkshire to a record points total, something they achieved in no small part due to the skipper’s match-winning 125 against Hampshire the following week.
4: Jonny Bairstow – Yorkshire
With a first-class average of 92.33, Bairstow was the standout domestic batsman, despite only featuring in nine matches due to England commitments. Plagued by critics who questioned his technique, Bairstow worked tirelessly on tightening up his defence, and the Yorkshire coaching staff identified the need to let the player work on his own game. From 15 Championship innings, he complied five centuries and five fifties – top score 219 not out. The weight of runs in the end forced the selectors’ hand as he was called up for the third Test against Australia.
5: Jack Leaning – Yorkshire
The 21-year-old was voted Young Player of the Year at this week’s Cricket Writer’s awards, and his measured batting in the middle-order has been a key ingredient in Yorkshire’s title charge. Averaging just over 40, the stylish right-hander grew in confidence under the guidance of Jason Gillespie with three centuries, his maiden first-class ton coming against Notts in April. While he may look something of a dasher with an array of strokes all around the wicket, Leaning has built a reputation through junior and 2nd XI cricket for compiling gritty runs. A bright future awaits
6: Chris Read – Notts
It would be tempting to throw the keeper’s gloves to Bairstow and go for an extra batsman or bowler, but Read’s glovework remains of the highest standard. The 37-year-old wrapped the 2015 season up by edging past the 1,000-dismissal mark in first-class cricket, and he is showing little sign of losing his touch standing up to the spinners and medium pacers – a skill few can match. To complement his keeping, Read looks more assured with a bat every season, and this term he scored 873 runs at 51.35, mostly at No.7. And we haven’t even mentioned the added workload on his game of the captaincy. His inclusion is slightly harsh on Sussex’s Ben Brown, though…
7: Tim Bresnan – Yorkshire
It’s difficult to see how Bresnan can force his way back into England contention, but should the selectors come calling, they will find a more resilient cricketer than the one who played his last Test in Melbourne almost two years ago. His 849 runs at 49.94 were one of the biggest reasons for the county’s dominance; his appetite for runs key in taking totals away from the opposition just as they smelt the blood of the Tykes’ tail. His 40 wickets came at a more modest 30.89, but with the workload being shared among an army of quicks at Headingley, Bresnan remains at the heart of the attack. Played every game for the champions.
8: Scott Borthwick – Durham
People are quick to forget that Borthwick was in the England selectors’ eyes just two years ago, the leg-spinning all-rounder earning a place on the doomed tour of Australia. But with the progression of Moeen Ali and Adil Rashid, he appears to be way down the international pecking order. His return with the ball – 5 wickets at 42.73 – did not set the world on fire but his 1,286 runs at 42.87 get him in.
9: James Harris – Middlesex
A toss-up between Jack Brooks and the Middlesex man, but in the end we’ve gone for the latter… just. Truth is; Brooks has been supported with an embarrassment of fast-bowling riches at Headingley, while Harris has led Middlesex’s inexperienced attack with great measure and control. His 69 wickets leave him joint-second in the top-flight’s bowling charts, and he has been a model of consistency at Lord’s, with his 9-34 being the best return in the country in 2015. Economy rate was high, pushing towards four an over, but Harris’ knack for wickets kept Middlesex in the hunt for the title… sort of.
10: Steve Magoffin – Sussex
His efforts weren’t enough to save Sussex from relegation, but the Australian’s statistics cannot be ignored.
At 6ft 5in, Magoffin is capable of generating steepling bounce from a wicket-to-wicket line, as well as decent pace. Only Rushworth has bowled more Championship overs and taken more five-fors (seven) than Magoffin’s four. If Sussex had the same level of consistency elsewhere in their seam attack, their end-of-season fate would have been different. A canny operator, there was even talk of the 35-year-old featuring for Australia in the summer.
11: Chris Rushworth – Durham
PCA Player of the Year, it is to Rushworth’s credit that many experts in the media were talking up the seamer’s chances of an England call-up following the side strain to Jimmy Anderson. That never came, but it did nothing to stop the Durham man from banging on the door. His relentless wicket-taking ability meant there was always daylight between him and the rest and with 83 top-flight scalps in the bag this season (14 more than the next best of Steve Magoffin and James Harris). Rushworth may lack a yard of pace, but his sideways movement and unerring accuracy make him a serious handful.
12th man: Luke Wright – Sussex
If it wasn’t for Bresnan’s form, Wright would have been a shoo-in for the all-rounder’s spot, even though he hasn’t contributed with the ball in the Championship, but made 1210 runs at 46.54, with two tons and a top score of 226.
Other honourable mentions:
Fidel Edwards – Hampshire
Jack Brooks – Yorkshire
Ben Brown – Sussex
Tom Fell – Worcestershire
This piece originally featured in The Cricket Paper on Friday October 2, 2015
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