CAPTAIN Marvel Raju Mazumder has revealed his end of term report – and warned it’s so bad he’s sending the squad back to school.

The King’s Road skip – left seething after seeing his side crumble last season – got out his red marker pen to name and shame the players who could do better.

In a sober assessment on how his team can up their average grades in 2010, Raju even vowed to bring out the CANE if players don’t start revising their technique.

KRCSC News had asked the privately-educated all-rounder to come up with a warts-and-all evaluation of the Orange Caps’ individual and team performances over 2009.

And he did. Raju wrote about the ups and the downs, while refusing to pull his punches. Raju even wrote about himself, admitting he gets “frustrated” at the crease.

Overall, the tinkerman pinpointed three areas of improvement for next season to make the team into a formidable fighting unit.

They are: fielding, batting and match day organisation.

Then he outlined each player’s strengths and weaknesses in bid to bring out the best in his battle-weary squad.

On the team’s performance in the field, Raju said: “We’ve started to become more familiar with what needs to be done but we still have a few rough edges.

“Firstly catches. Most of us aren’t doing it right – we’re not intertwining our fingers to prevent the ball slipping through. For the high ones, we’re not taking the ball to the shoulder as we ought to be doing.

“There are three different types of catches that we should be taking more often. The ones that come to you at a good height and a manageable speed, the lofted ones for which you need to move, and the hard shots at or near you.

“As for ground fielding, we are becoming quite good. I find that often we are in two minds as to attack the ball or wait for it to come to you. It depends on the situation.

“At the beginning of the innings, we ought to attack and that means the fielders too. That also means returning the ball to the bowler as quickly as possible even if the chance of a run out is gone.”

On the team’s performance at the crease, he said: “Collectively we have two major batting weaknesses. We’re not great at defence and our feet movement isn’t great.

“The solution to this would be to get tips from our more experienced and talented players such as Dean, Giles, Tom Barnes, Tony and watching coaching videos. Cricket: The Bob Woolmer Way is a very good one and can be found on YouTube.”

And on The Road’s organisation, Raju said: “We need to improve over rates – it should take less than two and a half hours in field to complete an innings.

“When we’re batting, the changing of umpires and scorers (and batters padding up) needs to be a lot smoother. It ought to get to a stage when people are volunteering but the first step is senior players taking the lead.”

Finally, Raju handed out individual reports on all the King’s Road players – with the overall mark being a C- MUST DO BETTER.

On Jamie “Keats” Keating, Raju delivered his poetic words: “At nets, Jamie is arguably the most destructive batsman. He can shatter the confidence of any bowler.

“Given his tendency to be clean bowled, it has been suggested to him to being more defensive and playing straighter. I think this has been a little detrimental to him as he appears cramped when he bats and reduced his scoring range to the mid-off to mid-on range.

“His aggressive nature should not be curbed but he needs to work on defence and feet movement (like all of us). His natural power should be used for good, rather than evil, to drive those half volleys and full tosses hard and low.

“As for his bowling, I’ve used him sparingly this season but he has picked up wickets. His deliveries have a nice flight although like any slow bowler, a small margin of error will usually be punished.”

On ageing lothario James Pritchard, Raju said: “Good first full season. Very enthusiastic member. Starting to look more assured with the bat and has been useful with bowling.

“Would like to see him at nets so that we can help with technique for both batting and bowling. With a natural fitness miles superior to the average King’s Roader, hopefully we can help him become an intimidating quick bowler.

“I’m happy for him to have started to make suggestions when in the field and as a willing volunteer under the helmet.”

Training … more is needed
Training … more is needed
On Leon Watson, Raju said: “Most improved player, with more frequent decent scores with the bat. A big match player with three half-centuries against the Badgers last season and suggestions to make as a senior member of the team.

“Would like to see such form and involvement in non-derby matches. I’ve used him as one of my go-to bowlers and is very reliable with his line and length.”

On himself, Raju said: “As a batter, I need to be more confident at the crease. I get easily frustrated at the crease which doesn’t help my teammate.

“Need to work on getting on the back foot to play the cut and the pull, show more patience to slow bowlers and try to settle at the crease sooner.

“As a bowler, I think I overbowled myself at the beginning of the season. Aiming to improve control, trying to work on a managable lofty delivery and maybe even one that actually turns.

On James Couldrey: “In my opinion, the most difficult bowler to face at nets. We all know that with more control, batters would have found him harder to score off leading them to lose patience, play risky shots and lose their wicket.

“Very quick pace and some swing, would like to see him have some alternatives if his stock ball isn’t reaping the rewards.

“Batting frequently at 11, he’s missed out on batting on a few occasions but still managed four double figure scores. Will try to prevent him batting at 10 or 11 as frequently as last season.”

On Amir Alipour-Mehraban: “First season of cricket. Found his strength with his slow bowling although he does a bit of a Paul Adams-esque head spin at release.

“With more control and some coaching of technique, he’ll definitely be a regular wicket taker. Hesitant with the bat in matches, needs to transfer his net form by being a bit more adventurous without forgetting basics and being reckless.

“Showing more commitment in the field, often fielding in the deep but needs to be a lot quicker to react.”

On Matt Cocken: “Big improvement on all fronts. Did get some very good starts and will be disappointed to have scored a half-century.

“Foot movement is a lot better, he’s started to do a pre-emptive shuffle across his stumps to get into position. However for someone so good, he does get bowled too often (usually once he’s in attacking mode).

“His cut shot also needs a little work as it has got him out on a few occasions. His bowling has become more controlled and intelligent.

“Can swing the ball and has a useful slower ball. We didn’t see enough of his bowling as he has been keeping wicket – a skill he is becoming proficient at.”

On burly Welshman David Hughes: “Has been playing smarter although has not been rewarded with better scores.

“Has been opening the batting and faced some very good bowling. A solid improvement in his defence. Would like him to share his thoughts and give suggestions on the pitch.”

On Kevin Pittaway: “Two great knocks with the bat in the middle of the season, unlucky not to get half-centuries on either occasion.

“His carefree nature has brought him reward but it has also led to some very short innings – I think he should stick with it. Also very supportive and helpful as a batting partner.

“His bowling has been a lot more controlled and unlucky not to have taken more wickets. Mocked for his misfielding in 2008, he’s had a reliable pair of hands this season with six catches.”

On Player of the Season, Adam Majeed: “Great smart bowler and a great individual to have on the team. Being a chief bowler, he’s often batted very low – something that ought to be changed for next season. Very good fielder too.”

On big Tony Swann: “Added a lot of quality to team with experience and competitive nature. Played less than half the matches and probably didn’t bowl as well as could have despite taking lots of wickets.

“Good influence and has been a joy to watch his batting. Big score potential.”

On Chris “Becks” Beckett: “Didn’t play as much but showed a lot of promise with the bat despite his lack of familiarity with the game.

“Needs to be more about the game and needs to learn about batting and bowling technique. Enthusiastic member of the team.”

On newboy Simon Biffen: “Good pace bowler but when his line is wrong, he has been punished. Better control equates to more reward.

“An aggressive batsman, needs a more time in the middle to become better. His natural fitness and commitment makes him a very good fielder.”

On Jamie Smith: “Didn’t see that much of him this season, and when we did, he didn’t do as well as in 2008. Want to see him more often in nets and matches.”

On Andy Saker: “Had a couple of good knocks with bat and bowled fantastically against Ball-cutters. Would like to see him more often.”

On Tim Walker: “Seemed very nervous in matches. Showed a lot of promise bowling in the nets and should be given a chance with the ball in matches.”

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