Another good article on TME re having Div 1 & 2.

http://www.testmatchextra.com/Blogs.aspx?BlogView=Post&PostID=dd1bbbe1-9984-46a9-8040-3347faab565f&BloggerID=61629cca-18ca-40f1-9a2c-3d8c8de071b8

The second division has often had the more exciting signings . It just goes to show how tough it will be for WCCC this season and even more pressure for bumpy than in 2009.

As is the case at club level , a bold signing or two goes along way to securing promotion . Staying up , as even Mrs Bumpy will no doubt remind him , is the problem.

More two tier tomfoolery - if you like that sort of thing - courtesy of Somersets own Deep, Backward and Square

I like this sort of thing ! What both articles seem to suggest then is that the two tier idea hasn't really made cricket that more competitive. Some individuals have performed better in Div 2 but there are enough perfomances which have dipped to actually show consistency between both leagues. Plus, I counted 7 sides who've played more Div 1 seasons than Div 2 which suggests the fluid nature of the current system.

Perhaps the message is that the best thing about the two teir system is that it makes more matches meaningful right to the end of the season, but nothing more. The standard of Div 2 is not significantly worse at all.

From the article Asia provided, there are two ex-Worcs players mentioned. Batty's bowling average was 39.25 in Div 1 and 32.52 in Div 2. Kabby's figures dipped from 31.3 to 25.39

Other stalwarts and ex-players of interest not illustrated in the above blog

VS Solanki 70 1 2433 35.26 181 12 6432 38.06 -2.80
BF Smith 127 12 4129 35.90 141 11 6027 46.36 -10.46
SC Moore 86 5 2838 35.04 97 11 3907 45.43 -10.39
PA Jaques 17 0 541 31.82 82 5 5034 65.38 -33.55

Hatties data is skewed by his short and not altogether convincing spell in D1 with us in the flood hit 2007 season - he has been mysteriously overlooked by DeepBP. We already knew the skipper was Mr. Consistent, but the figures suggest he has never made hay in D2 unlike Smudge and Mandy.

MS Mason 45 6239 2830 96 29.48 65 9604 4482 180 24.90 4.58
A Richardson 53 8454 4356 138 31.57 46 9651 4302 144 29.88 1.69

With all the departures it is not easy to find a number of current players with D1 and D2 experience. Its a pity that injuries and returning from long-term injuries have distorted the bowlers figures although everybody has to take the rough with the smooth - in 2007 Mase's single wicket cost 62, and in 2004 and 2009 Alans figures were 6 @ 88.7 and 11 @ 56.2. Fingers crossed things look quite promising in 2010 CC with these senior players on board and healthy.

Note this is season by season FC information, not CC only so is probably slightly inflated by university and tour games. DeepBP's full tables show a wider D1 / D2 gap when the CC only is considered.