Wednesday 30 April 2008

Derbyshire sign golden Hinds

I thought I'd use that one before someone from the press does this summer...

What do you think of the signing? I'm quite pleased, and think he's a decent cricketer. OK, I'd have preferred Brendan McCullum or James Hopes, but the reality is that the big names from the IPL are sufficiently secure financially to not need the County grind, for whatever length of time.

Hinds has a good, but not spectacular first class record, and didn't set the heather on fire in the ICL. After a quick 59 in the first game, he settled down to a tournament average of 21. To be fair to him, that is only to be expected in 20/20, as the nature of the game suggests that few will average over 40. I doubt Bradman would be especially prolific in that form of the game.

What it does is give us a player who can score quickly, bowl tidily and field brilliantly. In many ways, he's a better bet for that competition than Chris Rogers, who will earn a well deserved rest for the duration of the 20/20. Hinds will enable Morris to play an extra batsman if he wants, and will give him someone who can keep it tight. As we've got Charl Langeveldt, fresh from his exploits in South Africa's version of the game, and Nayan Doshi, arguably the best spinner in the form in recent years, we might surprise a few teams.

The problem is we're in a very tough group yet again. Durham, Yorkshire, Lancashire, Notts and Leicester is as tough a company as it gets and it is very much the group of death. That, plus the fact we play most of them in the FP trophy, is why I predicted pre-season that our best bet of one day success was in the Pro 40, where the teams look more beatable.

Anyway, full credit to the men in charge of the club for another sound signing. Here's hoping Wavell brings some real Caribbean panache to the County Ground in July!

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