There's a suggestion on a couple of boards that we're in the market for Chris Taylor and Anthony McGrath of Yorkshire.
Not a hope. I may as well start a rumour that I'm going to join the club next year as their first over-50.
While Taylor did OK at Derby, he went away on a bad footing and I would doubt would be welcomed back. McGrath is a fine player, but as such, and most recently the skipper, will be on a salary in advance of what we could afford. Having said that, he'll be 34 next season and therefore no use under the legislation coming into force.
Sorry guys, but this won't happen in a gazillion years and nor should it. Could anyone say Taylor is better than our current top 5?
I can't.
Peakfan, you are right on Taylor he was 'bad news' and Yorkshire released him twice so no thanks on that one.
ReplyDeleteMcGrath might be different though and would help our one day side taking over the Wavell Hinds spot as I see it. He might not come cheap but we would not face the Kolpak penalties with McGrath and he would be a lot better player than Hinds. There seems to be another upheaval going on at Yorkshire again and McGrath might fancy a change.
DCCCFOREVER
I wouldnt say no to Taylor coming back.
ReplyDeleteChris, as his agent you would say that. He needs a job! He was nothing but trouble and eventually went on strike. We don't want his sort at Derby.
ReplyDeleteOn the BBC website tonight they are already discussing who is going to replace McGrath as Yorkshire captain so it seems that there is no smoke without fire!
DCCCFOREVER
LOL @ agent comment
ReplyDeleteI think some people here need to check stats from when Taylor was at the Club. I knew Taylor quite well from his days living in Derby and my Sons recieve coaching from him. People need to know the full story before commenting and I can assure you a certain Simon Katich had a lot to do with Chris's departure.
ReplyDeleteI believe he was begged by all and sundry at the club to stay, the Board, Chief Exec, Don Amott, fellow players. He told me it was a matter of principle after what Katich had done which not only affected him but also his family.
For what it is worth, whenever I bump into Chris he speaks very highly of Derbyshire, the club and the supporters. He told me last week at a coaching session in Derby that his one regret in cricket was to leave Derbyshire when Katich himself left just 2 months after.
He won numerous games for us single handedly in his first season of real 1st team cricket. He gave back to the club with his coaching and was a very liked character in the dressing rooms from hearing Stubbo and Pipesy's view on him.
From seeing our batsmen last year, fair play they performed well, but Taylor would be in my top 5. He is better than Park,Smith (maybe not the 20/20s), Borrington and Sadler for a start. He was also good in the field.
Make your own minds up but people forget easily. 2006 was a vintage year for Taylor, especially in the 1 dayers and we are missing a trick in not re-signing him.
By the way, for the record, he told me last week that if a 'Northern' County (I presume he meant North of Birmingham) came in for him he would love to continue playing. I believe he intends to sign for Staffs if not.