Calls from the most ardent Gloucestershire fans for Tim Hancock to be called
into the England one-day squad were always optimistic, and he will be
grateful for a regular spot in the Gloucester side this year. Hancock had an
awful 2001, plagued by bad form and a broken hand, and saw his batting
average hover just above twenty in the two major competitions.
He remains, however, a talented opening batsman, and a thoroughly useful
person to have on the field. Tremendously committed, he is a fine outfielder
and decent occasional bowler. His batting is his main suit, and it is this
which he must improve.
Technically, Hancock is fairly accomplished. He moves into position
early, and is comfortable on the back foot and driving through the leg-side.
He is naturally aggressive, and tries to dominate the bowling. Lapses of
concentration have cost him dear though, and in seasons past he has often
got to 50 and played an altogether over-ambitious stroke to lead to his
downfall. He is also a natural leader, and was named as Gloucestershire
vice-captain, doing well in a pre-season tour of South Africa in his only
captaincy experience.
Presuming he stays fit, there is still a lot of cricket left in Hancock.
With Kim Barnett, Mike Smith and Jack Russell approaching retirement, it
will be those players currently in their cricketing 'middle-age' - Hancock,
Matt Windows and John Lewis, who will be expected to continue the good work.
Hancock would certainly appear to be a potential future captain, though he
needs consistency and an assured spot in the team, something which he has
held before, in 2002. (Sean Beynon, Copyright CricInfo January 2002)
