Still around...

I've not gone into hibernation, honestly.

Its just that there's not a heck of a lot to write about just now. The lads who went to South Africa didn't tear up any trees, with Dan Redfern a little out of touch, Tom Poynton barely getting a game and Atif Sheikh injured for a good part of the tour, although he came back with a couple of wickets in the last 20/20 game.

More encouraging was the news that gate revenue at the club increased by 70% last year. Much of this must have come during the 20/20 campaign, although the usual attendances at Chesterfield will have helped. It makes you wonder what would happen if we started winning 20/20 matches...

Good news on the domestic front. Rachel, our daughter said today that she was "desperate" to go to Chesterfield when we visit my folks at Easter.

"Why's that" said her Mum, doubtless thinking that the array of shops, the crooked spire or the market were an obvious lure for her little girl.
"I'd really like to see that cricket ground again" she said, unaware of the broad smile that swept across my face as she spoke...

The realist in me accepts that it has more to do with the very tasty cobs that we had in the park while watching the groundsman go about his duties than the game itself, but lets allow a little romance into it. She's obviously smitten by the wonderful ground and has taken in all those subliminal and non-too subliminal messages I've been sending throughout her 11 years!

That's about it for now. No news of additional signings and we approach February at a fair old rate. Mind you, given that Klusener and Law have yet to sign for anyone, I daresay that conjecture will be ongoing for some time yet - although probably without any real reason.

The bottom line would appear to be that Telo, Sadler, Birch, Park, Smith and Hinds will battle it out for the number three berth as things stand. In my next piece I'll look at those players and give you my opinion on the front runner.