Tim Hancock      

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)