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Pros are exceptional for the local game. Good ones like Yogi dont come along to often. He has scored some big runs so far but I dont think you can read to much into the Donacloney score as they were a poor bowling side. As Andy said he has been dropped on numerous occasions. Certainly will help the kids out and I know he was round all the local schools as well.
Great to watch.
far be it from me to agree with Messrs Kenny - either senior or junior!! - but Andrew is totally correct. I know that Mr. Angry was sweating in the earlier part of the season until the pro found his feet in our conditions so I'm sure he feels that the pressure is off. Is it an inborn Northern Ireland jealously trait - "I mind him when he had nathin'"? Graham & I had a long chat about this a couple of weeks ago and for once we are in total agreement!!
Guys, a public internet discussion forum is all about discussion and opinion surely?
Oh here we go again, lets start on Derriaghy. So it starts about 8 years ago when we have 3 South Africans and 8 local players who played all their lives at club. Everyone crying their eyes out, now look at majority of the PL teams at least 4 or 5 blow ins/golddiggers/irishpassports holders who don't live in Ireland etc.
Now it's because we have a professional who scores big runs but ofcourse its okay for Obus Pienaar to score huge hundreds and be congratulated and seen as good for the game.
Here's what you don't see from a scorecard for Yogi's runs:-
Dundrum dropped 3 times (once very early on), Carrick dropped in the nineties, Donaghcloney dropped on 56 now if those catches were taken it paints a very different picture. Don't see Billy or Brian on complaining about Kamy at Muckamore scoring 6 - 8 hundreds a season and taking 4 - 5 five fors.
Also early season, slow damp pitches he could hardly score a run, after muckamore game he was totally lost as to where his game was at due to the conditions. After another low score against CSNI, he was devastated. So what does he do, hits the nets straight after the game, spends an hour and a half on the bowling machine. Now the weather has arrived and the pitches harden all of a sudden his hard work pays off, and now the haters arrive from behind the keyboard, get a life.
I suppose the fella at Downpatrick who scored a double hundred shudnt be allowed to play for the seconds the rest of the season, dont think so.
Here's is what bowlers will get out of bowling to Yogi, where not to bowl on good pitches. It'll be a hard lesson but one that will hold them in good stead for the future. Not to mention the challenge of bowling to a good player with the chance of having his wicket in your figures.
Also the benefit to having these good pro's is watching how they construct an innings, how they manipulate the field placings, play the ball late,the use of their wrists and using their feet to the spinners, all things that any young cricketer playing with or against can learn from.
Don't think everyone is having a go Andrew, some people will always jump at the chance though when there is a run of big scores to refer to.
A spell of good weather is always likely to result in some big scores at Queensway, enjoy the rest of the season!
IPS
Re.Yogi
I have worked alongside yogi in primary schools and at our own youth coaching and I have seen the hard yards he has put in taking these sessions to develop young cricketers around lisburn, even seen a few autographs being signed.
However when yogi started the season very poorly by his own standards no one was quick to point out he was below his level. The whole club seen the hard work he put in himself during practice to better himself and regain his confidence. This is now showing on the field and I find it justification for all his extra work he put in for himself.
Re: Derriaghy Pro
I note a considerable amount of postings recently regarding Yogi, the Derriaghy Pro!!! I didn't see the same being posted last year when all the local players ensured the side maintained a reasonable position in Section One!!! The NCU registration rules are transparent, maybe those asking various questions might take time to look at these rules, before posting uninformed opinions!!
re the Derriaghy pro - while some like Billy are wringing their hands I wonder how many clubs are thinking "maybe we should try to poach this guy next year"! Isn't funny how some clubs get the brunt of complaints about players and others - mentioning no names - seem to never get a mention!
Brian he falls well within the registration guidelines which are available on the NCU website. Reading them should answer your question.
re: Derriaghy Pro
Does anyone know how the Union vet pros, a quick search online shows that he would obviously be too strong for Section 1 which is basically social cricket. He averages 35 in first class cricket, 40 in List A and has had an IPL contract!
No issues with Derriaghy at all- you're going to get the best player you can get for the money available but surely the NCU should be doing more to stop players playing so far below their own level that they can embarrass the local 'talent' as he has.
He certainly has a good record!
I think the reason he is allowed in is because more than two years have elapsed since his last FC or List A games?
In response to another dig at derriaghy. The top 5 all got double figures yesterday with 2 half centuries for craig and andy plus 5 wickets for kenny gilliand.
Not our fault with wickets in hand yogi took an extreme liking to the bowling.
Billy Dobbin who are you and what club are you associated with? It seems you've quite the obsession with Yogesh.
As I mentioned earlier his registration was within the guidelines provided by the NCU. As for keeping us up by himself I've never really heard a more nonsensical statement. I think we've proven over the past years that we are more than capable to stay in section one on our own merit as was proven when we had a below par pro last year. I don't quite know what your issue is but Id be happy to discuss whatever your problem is face to face and not while we are both hiding behind a computer.
I see the Derriaghy pro made a decent contribution this weekend again... might be fun to watch for the fans but what good does it do cricket? Derriaghy are going to be kept up solely by his performances.
Surely there has be be a better system of approving pros for what league they play in?
I think the NCU have a solid vetting system but the odd one is always going to slip through the net, or maybe he is just in the form of his life!
Well done to Millpark on their Twenty20 Shield success v Ards.
I have been reflecting about the sort of deals that the pros had back in the 1980s with perks such as sponsored cars. I was reminded of this last week when I saw a pro heading of on his "transport". The saddle looked a bit low and he was pedalling like mad!!
Think the argument about pros is simple. People complain about them if theirs is rubbish but love them if theirs is great. In County Cricket and the IPL, you pay for players who change and win you games. Same as any sport. The coaching they do is regularly invaluable and their ability helps coach both the players at the club they play for and their opponents who have to raise their game when they play them.
