Derbyshire v Kent preview

Following on from my previous post, it would appear that Essex have come in with a late bid for the services of Greg Smith, according to comments I have had from down south. Given that no one else had and Derbyshire had withdrawn their contract offer, the chances are he'll be lining up in a side of perennial under-achievement next year through Hobson's choice. How a side that features ten Doeschate, Shah and Bopara on a regular basis, as well as Masters and Foster, doesn't stroll promotion is beyond me. Maybe that's the issue, too many big names and under-achievers. You can insert your own wisecrack at this point...

If Smith does leave, it is with my best wishes. Maybe he will become a top all-rounder, or maybe never get there. Time will tell, as always and we can revisit that one in 12 months time.

So, Smith is not included in the squad of 13 for tomorrow against Kent, which reads:

Martin Guptill, Matt Lineker, Paul Borrington, Wayne Madsen, Wes Durston, Dan Redfern, Ross Whiteley, Luke Sutton, Jonathan Clare, Tim Groenewald, Tony Palladino, Mark Footitt and Tom Knight.

Can't see Knight playing on a likely green track and Borrington will be in the squad as cover for Guptill, but Derbyshire will go in with four seamers, five including Ross Whiteley. It is a good team and we'll see how Mr Madsen does in the middle order, with Matt Lineker due to open with Martin Guptill.

As for Kent, I'm a little suprised our club site is pushing the potential appearance of James Tredwell, when his club revealed at the weekend that his season was over with a torn hamstring. With no Rob Key nor Martin van Jaarsveld, the visitors have inexperience in their ranks and have announced this 12:

Joe Denly, Daniel Bell-Drummond, Sam Northeast, Alex Blake, Darren Stevens, Azhar Mahmood
Geraint Jones (captain), Adam Ball, Matt Coles, David Balcombe, Adam Riley, Chris Piesley.

Meanwhile Kent have announced the signing for 2012 of Nottinghamshire bowler Charlie Shreck, who is thus spared a winter of worry over his future, as well as regular airing of a favourite joke - what's white and trembles in the winter? A nervous Shreck...

Anyway, four days of cricket to go at Derby, then one at Chesterfield, before the winter hits us once more. I hope for good weather, a sound performance and of course a win. Promotion is no longer a possibility, but third place would be a true reflection of some good cricket this year.

C'mon the shire!