Posted by   on (September 20, 2012, 8:58 GMT)

He did ok with us at Somerset. Nothing brilliant, but certainly not as bad as Lancashire fans were telling us. We have enough young talent coming through at the moment to not need Mahmood - these youngsters were wither injured or on international duty hence the loan signing - but I think Mahmood could do a decent job in Div 2 cricket if he keeps his head on the right way. Good luck Saj.

Posted by   on (September 20, 2012, 6:36 GMT)

Go well Saj; you've been exhilarating, exasperating, but, most of all, always entertaining for Lancashire. One thing that hasn't been mentioned is Saj's batting - the natural ability is there for him to be a genuine all-rounder. I bet he scores his maiden hundred against Lancashire next season!

I hope he finds a club. Agreed the priority at Somerset is to develop the four devon born u21 fast bowlers (Dibble Gregory, Overton Overton) into the championship winning pack we hope they'll be.

Unfortunately, Saj was the product of Duncan Fletcher's crazy insistence that all fast bowlers needed to bowl at 90mph to be considered for England. This in an era when the world's top two "quickies" were McGrath and Pollock, neither of whom pushed much above 82mph. It seems only since Andy Flower's regime and David Saker's bowling input that England have finally realised that pace is nothing without line and length. People talk about Jimmy Anderson's control of swing but he was always able to swing the ball (and at greater pace than now). His transformation came when he learned to lose the regular 4 balls that he bowled and now gets wickets not just through swing alone but by creating pressure a la McGrath and Pollock. Saj is a really decent guy and as a Lancastrian he goes with my thanks and best wishes wherever he finds himself. He played for England and not many cricketers have done that..

Saj was the first person who sprung to mind when Essex said they were looking at signing a fast bowler, but wouldn't say who. Wonder if a move down south is on the cards.

well i can understand them letting him go. thers no doubt on his day he an bowl very fast but with little or no line and length and this season we could have used him if he had had those virtues. so maybe a new club will turn that round, but not been nasty i doubt it. we need new blood but with Moores saying he is happy with the squad i find a little unhappy to say the least. i hope they can complete the signing of shahzad on a permanent basis as i think hes a good bowler but we need another bowler and a couple of batters.