More random thoughts

3-15 in three overs at the death, a catch and an unbeaten innings - I reckon the answer to Derbyshire's needs for next season is alive and well and living just outside Glasgow....

Sadly my team, my former employers, were heavily beaten last night as a 13-year old leggie from our club took five wickets in an over. I've never seen that before and the little fella was all smiles as one after another fell to flighted balls that turned one way or another. Three went to leggies and two to googlies, every victim being clean bowled.

 Back to matters of the shire, and regular readers will recall I suggested Garry Park as second team captain/coach several weeks ago, and lo, it came to pass today. It makes a lot of sense, leaving him free to play for the firsts as required and allowing us to retain him when his age and appearance record this year might have otherwise left it in doubt.

I like Park and I'd pay to watch him field, irrespective of anything else he does in a match. A shoulder injury has stopped him bowling much this year, but his bowling can be quite useful and he is an excellent improviser with the bat, as well as being like a greyhound between the wickets. Yes, I'm pleased with this bit of work.

The poll closed with 2/3 of you wanting to see a batsman as our overseas star for next year as things stand. As I wrote the other night, I'd go along with that as things stand now. Much will depend on availability and I just hope we can get someone who will create a bit of a stir.

It was unsurprising to see Nottinghamshire signing Leicestershire's Harry Gurney the other day. Our local rivals seem to be in a habit of doing that sort of thing and they don't produce anywhere near the number of young players of their own that a county of their resources should. Our record more than stands comparison with them.

There have been a few comments about the unfairness, even illegality of the ECB age-related payments system and how it is discriminatory against older players. I haven't a clue on the viability of a legal challenge but suspect that it would come to naught. Essentially, players over 26 who regularly produce good figures will continue to get contracts - there are plenty of them around the circuit. What is happening is that players who might then 'kill' ten years doing OK but little more are gradually being phased out.

As I've written before, the ECB effectively own the first class counties, which are there to produce England players. By rewarding counties for blooding and fielding younger players with potentially long international careers ahead of them, they are controlling and determining that counties will support their plans, in the same way that they penalise those who retain the services of Kolpaks.

You may or may not agree with the policy, but it makes some kind of sense. The modern county game may lack the personalities, especially from overseas, that it once had, but it lacks for nothing in combativeness. Most teams are involved in promotion or relegation, while players need to perform, especially after they reach 26, to preserve their careers.

It is no surprise that such an environment is starting to produce a top quality England side. When all cricket is played at a level of intensity, the international game does not come as such a surprise. The only issue comes for the Matt Linekers and other late developers, players who physically and emotionally may not make it until their mid-20s. In the past such players could still get a belated opportunity and go on to thrive - think of Brian Jackson, plucked from the leagues to do a fine job for Derbyshire, not to mention his namesake, the legendary Les. He didn't play first class cricket till he was 27....

Its a talking point, no doubt about it.