New signing?

Interesting question posed by "Anon" as a reply to my last article:

"Who do you think Derbyshire should get this summer for the 2009 season?
Also I think John Morris should try to pursue Lance Klusener because he is a world class all-rounder
Also Derbyshire try and attempt to get Saqlain Mushtaq instead of Mark Lawson because Saqlain is a world class spinner and help Jake Needham
Plus I am not impressed with signing of John Morris has made Garry Park and Tim Groenwald".

Well, the options are running out! Klusener is still on the market, but rumour suggests that this is primarily because he is asking funny money for another county stint and may well need to be realistic to return to the County game. I've heard up to £150K being quoted and cannot think anyone would bite at that sort of price. Glamorgan were rumoured to be interested, but that level of money rules us out of it. Same goes for Stuart Law, another fine (but aging) batsman who would be a good signing but only if, to quote dear old Brucie, "the price is right".

To be fair, Klusener struggles to justify the term "all-rounder" these days and sightings of him with a ball in his hand last year were a tad infrequent. His batting has probably improved, so he is still a force to be reckoned with but not as an all-rounder.

As for Saqlain, the same applies. His agent appears to be pricing him out of the game and I would go back to when we signed Venkat in the 1970's with a cautionary tale. His signing was ostensibly to help the young off-spinners Bob Swindell and Geoff Miller, but Venkat got choice of ends and Miller never got a game while the Indian was with Derbyshire. Swindell also lacked opportunities as we never played two off-spinners (Fred Swarbrook being his regular partner) and drifted from the game, an unfulfilled talent.

Saqlain has had chronic knee problems and he no longer seems able to pivot as he once did, which is crucial for an off-spinner and his wicket-taking has reduced as a result. So in short - thanks, but no thanks!

As for the younger signings, I'm more optimistic. Park could be an inspired bit of work. We have some fine fielders, but Park will up the ante considerably and is apparently in the Jonty Rhodes class in the covers. As a batsman his record in Durham Seconds, as well as in occasional first team games, suggests a player of some ability. I think he brings something different and may be a shrewd bit of work. He can also keep wicket and bowl medium pace, so if we want to save a bob or two, we could always send him and Waggy to away matches in a Smart car and there's enough versatility to keep things going...

Groenewald I'm less sure about but he was well rated in South Africa and can both hit a ball and the deck hard. Maybe he'll flourish on increased opportunity and he has a tough act to follow. The last two all-rounders we have signed from Warwickshire were Messrs Welch and Wagg - more of the same would do nicely, thank you.

We should still have some money in the coffers after the release of Clarke, Doshi, Dean and White. Unless we pick up a good number three, my guess is that Morris may augment the 20/20 ranks with an explosive batsman or all rounder. James Hopes would be a good signing and new kid on the block David Warner will have opened a few eyes with his heroics against South Africa at the weekend. I wouldn't say no to JP Duminy either, but much depends on whether Chris Rogers plays 20/20, or indeed is with us from June onwards. Buck may well find himself on the Ashes tour if he continues in his current form, especially if Matt Hayden falls from grace. I can't see them blooding a youngster in an Ashes series, but you never can tell.

Until the next time - farewell!