A month to go!

The sun is in the sky, the crocus are through and the daffodils are poking their foliage through the earth as a new Spring dawns...

It's OK, you've not clicked on the new site for poets anonymous, but I'm filled with the joys of a new Spring and a summer full of promise and excitement. That's not just because we're heading off to Tennessee this summer again (our fourth trip) but because, like most years at this time I'm full of optimism about Derbyshire's prospects.

To be fair, I usually am and end up with major disappointments so this year I've told myself to be a little more cautious about how we're going to do. Make no doubts about it, if this side plays to potential they are more than capable of holding their own in one day cricket and, given reasonable breaks in the Championship, could conceivably gain promotion in the long - dare I say proper - form of the game.

Those breaks are to do with the fitness of players and the weather being kind to them and I'm sure that fans of most counties across the country are feeling equally optimistic given similar good fortune in these areas. For Derbyshire, logic suggests that we'll be really lucky to get our pace attack through the summer unscathed and this is where our hopes may fall. I would back Langeveldt, Wagg, Clare and Lungley as a quartet against any in Division 2. With Greg Smith hopefully fit after last year's serious injury and Tim Groenewald to back them up, maybe even force his way in, the seam attack has plenty of potency.

Yet Charl has had to pace himself this winter in South Africa, playing mainly one day matches, while Tom Lungley missed most of last year with a succession of injuries. Waggy finished last season close to a physical wreck (but kept going) while Jon Clare could be due the second season blues that find out so many players as their style becomes known on the circuit. The loss of one or two of these may mean that teen prospect Atif Sheikh comes in the frame but it would be worrying if our hopes were to depend on a talented yet raw youngster.

Pressure would then fall on the spinners to win matches and again there are question marks. Jake Needham improved last season and looked like he could become a good spinner, but with the occasional support of Dan Redfern and Greg Smith he carries our spin bowling hopes. What happens if he too gets injured? Mark Lawson from Yorkshire has a short term contract at the start of the season but April and May isn't the time for leggies to shine as a rule, even top class ones. I remember vividly when we had Shahid Afridi for the early season a few years back and he barely turned a ball in his time with us, so Lawson has a lot to do. I'm sure that John Morris will base Lawson's potential on his ability to do damage on dryer mid-late season tracks as we're otherwise likely to hit problems in away matches in Wales and Northampton...

If Chris Rogers carries his winter form for Victoria into the Championship we'll have no worries on the batting front, but he should not have to carry things all the time. There is enough talent in the squad for the batting to post totals that enable the bowlers to set close fields and put pressure on the opposition. Steve Stubbings will partner Rogers early season while Paul Borrington is at University, while I think Wavell will drop down to four or five so he's away from the new ball. I'd be surprised if Dan Redfern doesn't get a crack at four and Smith should be at six, which leaves several players fighting for first drop in the Championship side.

So: Dan Birch, Dominic Telo, John Sadler, Garry Park. Who would YOU pick? All have their merits. Birch is an improved batsman although not yet the Sandiacre Slugger who has destroyed league attacks. If he could cut out the silly dismissals and also show he can concentrate for long periods in the field he is worth a shout. Telo is a fair player but likewise needs to realise that bright 30's are neither here nor there at this level. Sadler is a player with great powers of concentration and a good range of strokes, but needs to build again after a poor 2008. Meanwhile Park has arrived from Durham with a reputation as a dashing stroke player who is not the best of starters but can score very quickly once he is in. Added to that he is arguably the best cover point in the country and probably has a 20-run start from his work in the field.

So there you have this season's first poll. Let's see who you would like to see at number three this year. I'll tell you my choice next time, but for what its worth, the rest of my April Championship side for 2009, assuming all players are fit and in form, would be:

Chris Rogers
Steve Stubbings
X
Dan Redfern
Wavell Hinds
Greg Smith
James Pipe
Graham Wagg
Jon Clare
Jake Needham
Charl Langeveldt

In future articles I'll give you my one day side and my 20/20 side and will also give my forecasts for where we'll finish this season. Not long till the blog is back in daily action. I'm soaking my fingers in methylated spirits in readiness!