Michael Cawdron is one of many 'nearly men' in English cricket. Certainly he is a talented, committed bowling all-rounder capable of much. He never managed however, to secure a regular place in a talented Gloucestershire side, and his move to Northamptonshire could finally secure him regular first team cricket. At 27, hopes for higher honours have all but vanished, but Cawdron still has time to become a decent first-class player.

After four years on the Gloucestershire staff, Cawdron eventually made his first-class debut in 1999, celebrating with three five wicket hauls in his first three matches. He also figured in Gloucestershire's golden 1999 and 2000 seasons, where the Bristol-based club won five one-day trophies. His form in these matches was varied, sometimes impressing with swing and seam rather than raw pace. Unfortunately, these good performances were punctuated by nervy, confidence-crushing spells, where he was targeted as the weak link of the attack.

A first-class bowling average of under 25 reflects Cawdron's potential. However, the fact that he only made six CricInfo Championship appearances in 2001, in a team missing Mike Smith and John Lewis through injury, perhaps suggests the lack of confidence the club had in him. His accuracy in one-day games in 2001 was good, and he may have felt aggrieved not to have made more performances.

Gloucestershire released Mike Cawdron at the end of the 2001 season, preferring to place their faith in younger players. He was quickly snapped up by Northamptonshire, and is likely to figure heavily in their set-up, bolstering a below average bowling attack. (Sean Beynon, Copyright CricInfo January 2002)