Derbyshire v Kent day 2

Good cricket today at the County Ground, with an impressive century for Ross Whiteley being followed by another from Joe Denly of Kent. If stories are true Denly could be lining up for Essex alongside Greg Smith next season, though this is conjecture season and rumour is rife.

Whatever the truth in that, Ross Whiteley has taken to county cricket like the proverbial duck to water, playing a succession of punishing innings while displaying a good technique and a willingness to graft when conditions don't favour flashing shots. At 22 he looks a terrific prospect and is only going to get better. I look forward to watching that improvement in the years ahead.

He had good support from the tail today, but after removing the top order, Denly and the ever-dangerous Azhar Mahmood brought Kent back into the game with a partnership of 92, after Darren Stevens had helped the opener add a century stand. Mahmood has been an exemplary county overseas player for years, first at Surrey and latterly for Kent.

As indeed was fellow countryman Danish Kaneria at Essex, who I mentioned last night must be high on Derbyshire's list for next year. In the last few weeks I have suggested two other potential candidates in Simon Katich and Marcus North. It now appears that Katich is likely to return to Hampshire, while North is going to Glamorgan next year and has been interviewed as a prospective captain. After them, I genuinely cannot think of anyone else of real, established class who may be available for the full season, apart from Kaneria.

We could have done with him wheeling away today, as the Derbyshire attack was a little 'samey'. Sometimes just a change of pace can get wickets, but a bowler who can turn it both ways and extract bounce like Kaneria is worth his weight in gold as games go into a third and fourth day. He will not, I'm  sure, lack for suitors when his clearance from the Pakistan Board comes through (note I said when, not if...) but I am convinced that Derbyshire and Chris Grant will be at the front of the pack.

Mr Grant went on record with regard to a landmark signing and Kaneria is, without doubt, a world-class cricketer in all forms of the game. With the signing of a batsman or all-rounder for the T20, Derbyshire would doubtless be strengthened next season. All conjecture at the moment of course, but we're otherwise looking at young up and comings, rather than the real deal. Comments I've received with regard to signing a world-class all-rounder are fair enough, but tell me one who's free and interested next summer and I'll agree with you.

Irrespective of who else comes in over the winter, Kaneria would be a massive signing and would take Derbyshire to another level. Mind you, knowing our luck, if we picked him up he'll be signed to the IPL for the first time then Pakistan will recall him for summer tours to Mozambique and Equatorial Guinea...