SIXTY?

I came across an article today that said Kent have whittled down a list of sixty candidates to replace Joe Denly and Martin van Jaarsveld. Are there that many batsmen of county standard currently available? I would assume that an overseas player or players must make up a fair percentage of them, as I would currently struggle to think of ten players who would improve Derbyshire, let alone sixty. I expect them to be at the forefront of those pursuing James Dalrymple, therefore keeping him in the south. Even in their current financial straits, the release of those two should enable good offers to be made, such as the one that looks set to keep Azhar Mahmood with them for another two seasons.

I've been down south over recent days and there has been little happening. The forum is seriously quiet (pleasant after some of the recent shenanigans) and the only county-related news I have come across is another century for Usman Khawaja for New South Wales and more runs for Martin Guptill in Zimbabwe. To be fair, their attack shouldn't worry a player of Guptill's ability too much, though Khawaja's effort should keep him at the forefront of selectors minds over in Oz.

I still find it hard to believe how erratic South African form can be, watching them collapse against Australia yesterday. They are currently missing AB de Villiers through injury but that batting line up should be capable of so much more against a weak Australian attack. I think inconsistent selection is part of the problem and they don't seem to know what their strongest side is. Kallis, Smith and Amla are certainties in the batting, as are Steyn and Morne Morkel, but the rest of the side seems to change with the frequency that most people reserve for underwear. Duminy blows hot and cold, Prince seems out of favour (a player I rate) Ingram, Petersen and several others compete for the remaining places with no current consideration for Jacques Rudolph, in my opinion an outstanding player (who we nearly had at Derbyshire...sigh...)

In the bowling they also flit between an array of spinners and seamers with none really given an opportunity to cement a place and presumably suffering as a result. It is consistency of selection that generates team spirit, which in turn often produces results, the team pulling together at key points in the game.

I hope that we see that consistency from Karl Krikken next season. There are times when players need a break and half the job in being a top coach is knowing when that is. Yet the earlier that Krikk can identify his first choice line-up for most circumstances the greater chance of that team developing the collective spirit that will stand them in good stead for the next campaign.