Whither Wainright?

Yorkshire today announced that David Wainwright has taken up a clause in his contract that allows him to leave if he is not getting first team cricket. By this evening, the player was set to join pretty much every other county, according to fans on their forum.

Essex are supposedly one of them, but having declared they are seeking an overseas batsman and an experienced bowler, I'm not sure how Wainwright fits in. Having also signed the all-rounder they sought in Greg Smith, I'd be surprised if the player ended up in the south.

Kent have also been mentioned, but they have no money and I can't see Wainwright necessarily displacing James Tredwell in their first team. For what it is worth, I think Derbyshire will be in for the player if we are unable to sign Danish Kaneria. He almost came here on loan mid-season, which suggests that the people that matter rate the lad, and a move to us would mean he doesn't need to start a new home elsewhere.

He's a fair player, capable of runs as a solid batsman if given the opportunity, while his spin should get more wickets with regular use. His record this season, albeit in division one, was not overly impressive - twelve wickets at 37 and a batting average of 29 - but in only four matches was not too bad either. I've always thought he had an easy bowling style and would agree with someone on the Forum tonight, that he could eventually become a genuine all-rounder, perhaps a decent replacement for Greg Smith in the side.

Put it this way. If I woke up one morning this winter to see that we had signed him, I would be pleased, though tonight's Bradford newspaper suggests that Northamptonshire, Middlesex and Warwickshire may be interested.

Yorkshire also released two young players today, seamer Ben Sanderson and all-rounder Lee Hodgson. Some of you may recall a good spell by Sanderson in this year's T20 at Derby, when he took 4-21 in a good spell of accurate bowling.

It is natural to see everyone released as a potential player for Derbyshire, but we need to remember that our budget is finite and recruits are likely to be more established, in my opinion. Suggestions of signing Middlesex's Dan Housego, for example, neglect the fact that his record thus far is inferior to our own youngsters like Borrington, Redfern and Hughes. While his second team record suggests he can bat, I don't see him as someone to strengthen our side ahead of next year. If we're bringing in a batsman, bearing in mind we have a lot of them coming through the Academy, for me it has to be someone close to an automatic choice.

Finally tonight, good discussion over on the Forum about cricket's financial future. I'll give you my thoughts on that another night!