Just what we need!

There was the kind of knock that we'll settle for from Robin Peterson in Cape Cobras colours today.

On what looks like a sporting first day track, the Cobras were at one point 85-6 before Peterson, with 70 in two and a quarter hours batting at number eight, steered them to an all out total of 231. Their opponents, the Dolphins (not very threatening sounding name that)had made 72-0 by the close, with RP bowling one solitary but maiden over.

It is good to see how well our players are doing overseas. With Paul Borrington and Chris Rogers scoring well in Australia and Peterson and Garry Park doing well in South Africa it bodes well for next season.

There's a good article in the DET today on John Morris' thought process on signing Robin Peterson. He makes a lot of sense and if you've not already seen it you can do by clicking the link below:

http://www.thisisderbyshire.co.uk/sport/County-cricket-Derbyshire-buck-trend-Kolpak-signing/article-1569448-detail/article.html

Those who think Jake Needham's path is blocked would do well to read this. You could also ask the question - why would JM put him on a contract until the end of 2012 if he didn't rate him?

"Anon" has replied to last night's post by saying he's disappointed we have as many as seven overseas players, whether Kolpak or not. Ignoring the fact that you'd hardly discount someone because they were born abroad (Dexter, Cowdrey and many more..) I don't think it matters, but its enough for me to resurrect a poll.

Would you sooner see a strong Derbyshire side with players signed, within the regulations, from all over the globe, or a poor team of local talent? OK, in an ideal world we'd have a fantastic crop of local youngsters and may have one some day if the Academy bears fruit, but in the intervening period I'm happy to see a better quality side irrespective of origin. What about you?

What concerns me is that the strongest local league side, a natural conduit for the County set-up, is Ockbrook and Borrowash. I saw them on Sky in the club T20 and who was playing? Matt Cassar, Kevin Dean, John Owen, Lian Wharton, Trevor Smith - good players who will get them success, but with absolutely nothing to offer the county set up. A few others were not in the first flush of youth either. Yet who's to say they're wrong and should play youngsters yet lose a few more than they do?

Finally tonight, DCCC Forever asks if I heard anything about our playing a game at Leek this summer. Sorry mate, I've heard nothing, though I know they'd be keen to look at a game in the better outgrounds if the facilities and infrastructure was there. I dare say all will be revealed in good time.