Tour a success

For all the fact that a small minority will reckon we should have saved the money, stayed at home and frozen our socks off, even indoors, there is no doubt in my opinion that the Caribbean tour has been both worthwhile and a success.

Most of the players have scored runs, taken wickets or spent time in the middle. More importantly, there has been an opportunity for the squad to gel and for the new boys to assimilate themselves into the team.

Again, there have been good performances from Mark Footitt and Lee Goddard, the former showing himself to be a bowler of good pace and a different angle, while the latter has confirmed his ability both behind and in front of the stumps with some assured displays. I remain convinced that he will be an admirable replacement for James Pipe and will make a major contribution this year and for many more to come. Footitt could just prove to be the strike bowler we lacked last year. If he stays fit, gains confidence and bowls quickly, there will be some batsmen hopping around this summer as the new man can be seriously lively.

Yet for all their promise, the eye-openers have been three men who may have been deemed peripheral figures in the squad by some. Paul Borrington was regarded as lightweight and a one-paced batsman, Chesney Hughes was an untried talent and John Sadler yesterday's man, about to take charge of the Second XI.

In the space of a few days it has all changed. Bozza has produced two very impressive one day displays, the second of which showed an admirable ability to pace an innings. I saw him a couple of years ago for the Seconds and he looked an organised, phlegmatic player, but one who would only accumulate behind square and seldom endanger anyone fielding in front of the wicket. He has now filled out and is obviously hitting the ball cleanly. One only needs to add the figures from an impressive Australian winter to his Caribbean stats to highlight a lad who must come into contention this summer in all aspects of the game.

Chesney Hughes is another, although he is not yet qualified and is unlikely to play much more than T20 and its relaxed regulations. What a prospect he seems though, with more the build of a heavyweight boxer and the power to match. We may yet have the pinch hitter so important in T20 already on our staff, one able to bowl respectable and tidy slow left arm into the bargain. At just 19 he is a tremendous prospect and offers genuine optimism for the future of God's own county cricket side, just like the 21 year old Borrington and the 19 year old all rounder, the precociously talented Dan Redfern. While we have all drooled over his silky batting potential, Redders has suggested his off spin could be another useful weapon for the county.

Where they fit in is the (nice) problem at this stage. One assumes that Rogers and Madsen will be the regular openers, that Park will bat three and Smith at four. All scored heavily last season, so Redfern and Borrington may well find themselves at five and six in the championship, both able to push the score along or rebuild as required.

Yet there's also John Sadler. He showed at Leicester that he was a very good one day batsman and for one reason or another (ill health and injury in his first year, everyone else's form last year) it hasn't worked out at the County Ground. He could, however, be a very good and potent weapon at six in one day cricket, as well as an excellent role model for the younger players in the Seconds.

With Goddard, Wagg, Peterson, Groenewald, Clare and Jones at the other end, we shouldn't lack for runs this season. I'm just thrilled that John Morris has a real, genuine selection dilemma to sort out of the very best kind.

This weekend I will deliver my pre-season preview for the Championship, then next week will do the same for one day cricket. In between times, why not let me know how you expect the Championship campaign to go in this week's poll?

See you soon.