The missing link? My 50-over side...

Yes, he's 40 and he'll not be as mobile as he once was in the field, but the acquisition of Australian-with-a-British-passport Stuart Law may turn out to be a masterstroke by John Morris for a number of reasons.

For one thing he has solved the mystery of the missing Clarke money. I mentioned a couple of weeks back that perhaps there was an ace up the sleeve for the 20/20, then when I heard Chris Rogers was playing the full season thought that I'd got it wrong. Then we sign Law for the FP Trophy and 20/20 and everything is clear. There's also an option for him to play in the Pro 40 later in the season and from what he says on the Derby Telegraph website a possibility for next season as well.

We signed Ron Headley back in the 1970's on a similar basis, although it's fair to say that Headley, although a fine player, was not of the same class as Stuart Law. He played some good innings and shared vibrant partnerships with Eddie Barlow, but Law is signed as much for what he can teach as what he can do. And let's not forget how many runs Graeme Hick scored for Worcestershire in the past two seasons.

Interesting - and pleasing that Law won't play 4-day matches as I think our batting is adequate for that. The side I highlighted last week for the Championship has enough to post totals that will win games, but my concerns were for the one day side. On far too many occasions last year we collapsed horribly when faced with moderate chases and the side seemed to panic when the run rate exceeded six an over. Realistically, seven - even eight - an over with wickets in hand doesn't need everyone to come out batting like Babe Ruth.
If Stuart Law can help our batsmen understand that good placement and quick running can make eight an over WITHOUT BOUNDARIES we'll be half way to a decent one day side.

Take a 50 over match. If a team scores just four an over from the first 25, then six an over from the second 25 they'll score 250. That wins more games than it loses. Yes, I know that conditions can make such scores implausible, but is four singles an over such a problem? I don't think so.

I'd reckon that people will now look at our one day side and be impressed. We've international players at the top of the order, a bunch of all rounders, a fine wicket keeper batsman and good bowlers. Given that the one day season opens with the 50-over FP Trophy, here's my first choice side:

Chris Rogers
Dan Birch/Tim Groenewald
Stuart Law
Wavell Hinds
Garry Park
Greg Smith
James Pipe
Graham Wagg
Jon Clare/Tim Groenewald
Jake Needham
Charl Langeveldt

Dan Birch would make my one day side as opener because he just might take a side apart in the early overs. Alternatively, and more of a gamble, the huge hitting Groenewald could go in as a pinch hitter. Buck will play around whichever one and anchor the innings and Law will do what he has always done so well. With Wavell to slap it around at four, Park and Smith to run quickly and hit hard in the middle and Pipe and Wagg to follow....tasty huh?

Jon Clare is a tremendous prospect but also a young player who must not be overworked. I see him as an integral member of the four day side but one who may need breathers in the short form. With Jake at ten there's plenty of batting and then there's Champagne Charl to finish off.

There's also seven, eight - maybe nine bowlers here. Let's not forget that Law was Lancashire skipper last year and was good enough to be the first Queenslander to steer them to a Sheffield Shield win and play 51 one-dayers for Australia. Even if his star is on the wane, I suspect there's enough in the tank to worry sides as he walks out to bat. As for hiding him in the field, I really don't think that will be necessary. He'll not be the team whippet, but he'll be no Fred Rumsey or Ole Mortensen either. Fielding might be another reason to try Groenewald as a pinch hitter or move up either Wavell or Smith to open as Dan Birch isn't a natural mover or especially lithe.

Whatever else, this signing has made the season even more eagerly anticipated and also rendered my poll redundant! Despite a lead for "we'll have good days and bad", the question on "we're a batsman short" doesn't apply now - so I've changed it and we'll start again.

Nice work Coach Morris... I may be alone but I like your style. Unlike last season's big money signing, this feller has nothing to prove, as he's been there, done it and not only bought but printed the T shirt.

The club site reports that membership sales are way ahead of the game. After this news they could well be on overtime in the office...