Top overseas star

Derbyshire have had many overseas players, with the first "official" one being Chris Wilkins in 1970.

Prior to that time there was Charles Ollivierre, a West Indian whose greatest game came in the same match at Chesterfield in which Essex batsman P.A. "Percy" Perrin scored a triple century and was still on the losing side! Ollivierre scored a double century and an unbeaten 92 to win the game for Derbyshire.

In the 1950's Laurie Johnson qualified for the county and entertained the crowds with an array of front of the wicket strokes seldom associated with county batsmen at that time. Many were deflectors, accumulators, grinders-out. Johnson, a white man, qualified and was a great servant over a number of years.

The names in the poll are, to me, what Miss Jean Brodie would have called the "creme de la creme". Men who made a great contribution, not just as players, but as team mates, influences and MEN. There have been many others, some of whom were worthy of inclusion, some of whom were patently not.

For one thing, inclusion required either sustained good service over a number of years or spectacular service over a single season - hence the inclusion of Dean Jones and Simon Katich.
I would hope there was no argument overthe names on the left, what about the ones who were nearly there?

Daryll Cullinan was a fine batsman, one who exploded into the side with three quick centuries in all cricket. The South African had a good technique but his contribution dwindled as the season progressed as murmurs of an unhappy dressing room abounded. Anyone who has read Dominic Cork's book "Uncorked" will know that Cullinan was apparently an awkward person to deal with (according to Cork) and didn't appreciate some of the horseplay that went on.

Michael Slater created a huge buzz of anticipation when he signed as perhaps the first opening batsman in the modern era who really went for it in Test matches. Some of his innings for Australia were brilliant and there were comparisons made with Victor Trumper, who many considered better than Bradman. Yet Slater of Derby was a major disappointment. There was the odd sparkling innings, with a brilliant partnership with Kim Barnett against Surrey a high point, but you always felt he could be out at any time, especially in the 20's and 30's.

I haven't included the name of Adrian Kuiper although he was a major factor in our Sunday League title. Kuiper the 3-day player was a pale shadow of the one-day beast. He would have been a huge star today with the advent of 20/20 cricket. His medium pace got more wickets than looked likely, while his hitting turned any target into a stroll when he had his range, but the long-form of the game saw Kuiper a modest performer for us, so not quite worthy of inclusion here.

Jon Moss and Travis Birt gave fair service, but only that. The former came on the back of a brilliant Aussie season and did OK with the bat and OK with the ball, but you never felt we had signed a world-beater. The latter had a good first season, although there were even then signs that his technique needed refined, and a second season that was a major disappointment. I have always maintained that any overseas player should average over 50 with the bat or under 25 with the ball and Birt didn't come close. In full flight he was an impressive sight, but his "days" became increasingly sporadic.

Ian Bishop could have been one of the very best. A brilliant fast bowler who got extravagant movement at great pace, the genial Bishop was recommended by Michael Holding and was also a potential all rounder, who scored an excellent century against Yorkshire. I remember seeing an Indian touring side very wary of getting in line against him at Chesterfield as he tore in from the pavilion end. His downfall was a series of back injuries, which required surgery, modification of his action and a reduction in effectiveness. For aesthetic cricket fans, Holding and Bishop opening the bowling would have been as good as it gets.

Mind you,we also had disasters. Chris Harris was signed for a very short term deal. Why? Shahid Afridi came at the start of the season and hadn't a clue on bowler-friendly tracks. Nor did he seem to want to learn, and apart from two or three little cameos was a huge disappointment. At that stage of the year, his leg spin was of negligible use too, and it was a bizarre signing.

Venkat was a fine bowler and a very nice man, but for a side crying out for runs represented some cock-eyed thinking. We had a decent bowling side but couldn't bat an eyelid. This was addressed by the signing of Lawrence Rowe, elegant, prolific (in the Caribbean), oozing talent.
He was also unlucky, injury-prone and a man with eye problems... I recall his good days with pleasure and have seldom seen a batsman with more time at the crease, but it never translated to major runs.

Finally there was Chris Wilkins, the man who started it all. Having lost the 1969 Gillette Cup Final, the feeling was that an overseas star might have made the difference. Wilkins never achieved the heights of a Barry Richards or Mike Procter, and was a pale shadow of the hoped for Eddie Barlow or Graeme Pollock, but was a wonderful entertainer. The way he played kept his average to around the 40 mark, so he was not in the very top class, but no one missed a Wilkins innings in the beer tent.

I may have missed someone in this quick run through, but this piece hopefully highlights what all counties have found - there are good and bad overseas signings. For me, Gloucestershire probably did the best overall. From the wonder that was Mike Procter, to Courtney Walsh then Ian Harvey they have had three fine cricketers and servants.

If Chris Rogers and our two Kolpaks, Charl Langeveldt and Wavell Hinds can emulate those guys there will be no complaints!