Tuesday thoughts

I'd a couple of surprises when I got home this evening. England 89 all out v South Africa A. OK, not that big a surprise, but Cook made 22 in 13 overs. Eh? Did he think it a Test match? What a shambles... mind you, what a track.

Then I check the teletext and it says "Derbyshire sign Jones/du Plessis". Blimey, that was a shocker alright (you're best to say that last bit in a Dick Van Dyke "Mary Poppins" voice for true effect). Turns out the Lanky boys hope to retain Frankie-boy somehow, just when I thought JM had picked us up a good Kolpak!

So, we've at last confirmed the signing of Steffan Jones as seamer and bowling coach. It's been a few weeks since I found this signing alluded to in the Bristol local news and mentioned it on the blog. It has taken some time to finalise as Steffan was in India with Somerset and then had a break, but it is good to see him officially a Derbyshire player.

Coach too. I'm not sure how good a bowling coach he will be, but he must have his badges and if John Morris is confident that he can do the job then that will do me and should do the same for other fans. I cannot think there will be anyone better at ensuring bowling fitness, as Jones always looks a strapping picture of health and vitality. If he can pass that on to less robust members of the bowling line up it will be money well spent.

Two more years as a bowler will be an asset as Jones usually has the ball in the right areas and he will be a key member of the attack. Like all the seamers, there will be occasions where he will be rested and at 35 we cannot expect him to play in every game, but I'm confident that Jones will play an important role for Derbyshire next season and could help to energise and rejuvenate our strike bowlers.

Master villain amusingly asked if I was going to do a Simon Cowell and start to praise him if/when we sign Jason Brown. Put it this way, I'll run round the County Ground clad only in my jockstrap if Brown signs for us. The pattern of John Morris' signings is that he likes multi-faceted players who bring more than just batting or bowling to the table. Brown looks to be past his best as a bowler, is only an average fielder and can't bat. If we signed him I'd be concerned that the wheels were coming off, quite frankly. Any signing HAS to be better than you already have to be worthwhile. Outside of his immediate family, few would suggest that of Brown and Derbyshire. Jake Needham, for all that he struggled in 2009, offers far more and crucially has time to improve - something that Brown doesn't have. We need an experienced spinner, but not one past his prime.

Master villain also suggests that we may be interested in Oliver Newby, who has apparently yet to agree terms with Lancashire. Newby and Nottinghamshire's Mark Footitt are both young seamers who, I would agree with him, could do a job at Derby. Any potential move would, for me, be dependent on three things. The first would be their salary demands, which we don't know. The second would be their age, which we do know and where they both score as being under 26. The third is whether John Morris wants another seam bowler.

With Jones, Wagg, Groenewald, Hunter, Lungley and Clare we have six, with Smith and Park as back up to some extent. There's also Atif Sheikh coming through, so Morris may feel that this is enough to get him through the season. If he doesn't, who knows - we may make a move for one of them.

Both have considerable ability and while Newby has the greater experience, Footitt is younger and has the asset of being different to the rest of the attack in being a fastish left armer with an excellent strike rate. Variety is the spice of life, but as I've said ad nauseum on this blog, it may well be hypothetical as we may not have the money.

A greater concern could be the batting. We have what I see as a top six of excellent potential in Rogers, Madsen, Park, Smith, Redfern and Borrington, but only John Sadler, assuming he signs a new contract, in reserve. We only need a couple of broken fingers or injuries in the early season to have a problem, but perhaps Morris would at that point dip into the loan market.

Having been driving up and down the country for the past few days I've had plenty of opportunity to think about next season while watching the proliferating speed cameras and think that if we have the budget we really need to sign a name for the second overseas role in the Twenty/20. There's a lot of cricket in there next season and it does not offer the same restrictions that the Championship and 40-over competition will do with regard to age groups. We really need to make an impression and get the crowds in to see a good side. If we lose the first four games and are left with a lot of dead matches, the County Ground will be like a rock club on Village People tribute night...

A big hitting batsman, perhaps ideally one who can bowl some overs, would be a great asset. I highlighted a few names last week who I thought could do a great job for us but we'll not know for some time who is available with the ever-increasing international calendar.

Finally to Lancashire and what a surprise to see them sign Daren Powell last week. Nothing about the West Indian's career suggests a man who will cut swathes through county batting line-ups and their fans are pretty scathing about it on 606. Some will remember a brief and unspectacular foray at Derby a year or two back and Hampshire fans were unimpressed by him when he had a stint there. I wrote last week that I could see counties still "going Kolpak" in the right circumstances, but I'm not sure what they must be at Old Trafford for this to seem a good move.

If Powell is the answer, I can only assume it's a darned funny question...