Jeremiahs jolted

Life after John Bracewell and Ian Harvey began with a chorus of told-you-sos as six outings against senior opposition failed to shift the zero from the W column - but that was as grave as the new world got. Under Mark Alleyne and Chris Taylor the all-for-oneness endured: the last 27 matches in Championship, National and C&G brought 14 wins and only five defeats. Mike Smith said goodbye in style, James Averis had his irresistible days and Taylor refound fitness and puckishness, yet the choicest stats suggest it was largely a two-man show. In contrast to 2002, when 11 men passed 100, no county had fewer Championship centurions (three); no innings was more dominant than Craig Spearman's 341 against Middlesex, no seamer more incisive than Jon Lewis.

Rewriting two of WG Grace's most cherished records capped another rousing season for Spearman (2,306 runs in the three senior events at 52); Lewis reeled in 100 victims at 21 all told; only in the Championship (57 at 25) did they cost more than 19 apiece. All the same a lesser light stole the heart. Asking Steve Adshead to fill Jack Russell's gloves after failing to pass muster at a number of other counties seemed a bit like that PR campaign to turn Cliff Richard into a British Elvis. But six 50s, 59 catches, 15 stumpings and enough grit to cover the M1 was the perfect response from a fellow who knew it was now or never.

Player of the Year: Steve Adshead
High: Phil Weston's hundred in the C&G final
Low: Farewell Mr Weetabix

This article was first published in the November issue of The Wisden Cricketer.
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