Derbyshire sign Garry Park

Derbyshire have announced the signing of 25 year old Durham all-rounder Garry Park, who has rejected an offer at Durham in favour of greater opportunities at Derby on a two-year contract.
While not an established player, Park averages in the mid-30's with the bat and has a first class century to his name. He also bowls medium pace, is a brilliant fielder and can keep wicket. If we are stricken with injuries, it suggests that between the South African born but English qualified Park and 'Sobers' Wagg we cover most of the bases...
Another all-rounder, according to the club site, although with two first class wickets at 160 each, I'd suggest he is a batsman who can bowl, rather than a genuine one. Perhaps a swap - and one assumes less expensive - for Rikki Clarke, means that the balance of the squad is maintained. Park is a very competent wicket keeper, so I suspect we may not see Tom New signed this winter, despite an impressive spell at the end of the season. With Mark Lawson presumably a swap for Nayan Doshi, we are now needing another Kevin Dean. There appears few genuine options out there. Rumours persist that Liam Plunkett is unsettled at the Riverside, but he apparently signed a new contract recently which suggests bridges are not yet burnt. There'd be massive competition for his services anyway and Ashley Giles is probably camped outside his house as I write...
This is a solid signing and while we all hope for a top batsman, I don't see many options out there. Perhaps the rationale may be for Sadler or Telo to step up next year and the spare money could go on a top player for the 20/20?
In other news, I'm heartened by the inclusion of Dan Redfern, Tom Poynton and Atif Sheikh in the England U19 squad of 15 to tour South Africa this winter. We all know what a talent Redfern is, but Poynton will be the long term replacement for James Pipe and is a fine keeper and a batsman of talent too. Meanwhile, Sheikh must be a real find to be in the squad at just 17. The left arm quickie might be the'new Kevin Dean', although one assumes he has a long way to go. It is more evidence of the excellent work going on in the Academy under Karl Krikken, and there must be a few counties looking at our set up with a degree of envy.
More news and views as things happen - see you all soon!