Time to smile

There were perhaps two concerns for Derbyshire fans prior to the confirmation of the signing of Robin Peterson today.

One was that we desperately needed a proven, quality spin bowler as last season highlighted we were lacking in that department. The other was that, having lost the services of the experienced Wavell Hinds from the middle order, we needed an older head in there.

Daniel Redfern, Paul Borrington and Lee Goddard from 5 to 7 in the order is ripe with potential, but there will be times in 2010 when someone who has played at the top level for some time will be more than useful to help stabilise an innings after a flurry of quick wickets. In an ideal world these young players will be coming in with the score reading 270-3 and I think we have the makings of a very strong top order now, but Peterson is a good enough player to bat anywhere required. He can hit a ball when the need arises, but can also dig in and grind it out.

Yet however handy his batting will be (and I’d expect him to make at least 400-500 Championship runs, depending on opportunity) it is his bowling that will make our side far better balanced than in recent years. This is a man with around 400 first class wickets in all cricket. He can bowl accurately when there is no help in the track and take wickets when there is a suggestion of turn. I’m looking forward to seeing how he fares compared to others on the circuit.

His signing won’t necessarily mean the end of Graham Wagg’s spin bowling, but it will mean that there’s less of a tendency to over bowl him. Wagg, Smith, Redfern and Madsen are all capable of useful support at the other end and will benefit from having an experienced international spinner on the staff that they can work with.

It will also confirm us as being one of the best fielding sides in the game. Garry Park and Greg Smith are real livewires in an excellent fielding side and Peterson comes with a reputation in this area.

I think that will be it for this winter, apart from perhaps a Twenty/20 overseas player, but the Peterson signing, following on from that of Mark Footitt, gives me genuine cause for optimism next year.

If Steffan Jones can get Footitt fit and firing (easier to type than say, that one!) we have picked up a genuinely quick and penetrative bowler. With the signing of Peterson, John Morris has a “go to” man who can keep things tight and create that all-important pressure on batsmen. These were areas that cost us in last year’s Championship campaign, but I have a feeling we’ll be much better off in 2010. With a permutation of seamers to suit the track, I’d expect the following first choice side to take the field when the Championship campaign opens next season:

Chris Rogers
Wayne Madsen
Garry Park
Greg Smith
Dan Redfern
Paul Borrington
Robin Peterson
Lee Goddard
Graham Wagg
Seamer
Seamer

As I’ve said before, there may be occasions when an extra seamer may be useful, but Wagg plus two with Smith and Park in reserve should be enough for most surfaces.

The other thing I’d say is that Goddard is a very, very good batsman to have coming in at number eight. Once he establishes himself the runs will flow.
Excited? You bet!