Overseas - but who's coming over here?

At a time when many counties are facing financial difficulties, it is nice to read Keith Loring saying that "large sums"  are available to Karl Krikken ahead of the new season.

By the same token, it is not news. We have known for some time that money has been set aside for "a strike bowler" for the T20, while the second half of the season's overseas role is up for grabs. Add in the money from the retirement of Luke Sutton and yes, there is a fair old pot in there.

Of course, Mr Loring is absolutely correct in saying that little can happen until IPL and international schedules are known. I've written before that we could sign someone like Malinga, Lee, Morkel or Steyn, then find them injured in the IPL and us up a creek without a paddle. Then again, we could be if we make no moves and play a waiting game.

I still think Usman Khawaja will be the man for the second half of the campaign, as I cannot see him making the Aussie one-day set up. I think he could win us 50 over and four day games with his batting, but don't see him as a T20 player at this stage, as I wrote the other day. Neither were Simon Katich or Marcus North, both of who played the format for us, as well as Chris Rogers. All fine cricketers, but not explosive enough to win matches where an innings only lasts for 120 balls. I watched Katich and North play in the Big Bash at the weekend and it didn't seem right. Cultured cricketers both, when the team's need cried out for a more rustic approach and a need to clear the infield and the boundary.

 Leicestershire showed ther route to success in T20 - two talented all-rounders who could score quickly and bowl tight in McDonald and Razzaq, backed up by tigerish fielding. Derbyshire's tactic in T20 may well be for a spearhead and one other seamer, backed up by spin from Durston, Hughes and Wainwright. Because of the congested calendar it is hard to find worthwhile names who will be tempted by what we have to offer in comparison to the riches of the old Raj. It is romantic, exciting and ultimately pointless to think of Gayle coming over, while Dave Warner and the main players of Australian one-day cricket will be on tour here at the time.

I still think there would be a good chance to persuade a top South African over ahead of their tour here in July, especially some of their fringe players. Pairing, for example, JP Duminy and Rusty Theron would make us a side to reckon with. though for that matter, the muscular ex-Spondon man Colin Ingram and Theron might cost less than Brett Lee, Morne Morkel or Lasith Malinga and might be considerably better value. Ingram is having an excellent winter but won't make the cut in the Saffer team ahead of Messrs Kallis, Rudolph, Smith, de Villiers, Amla and Prince. A powerful hitter to give early impetus to an innings would be crucial to success, but so too would someone like Theron, who bowls a full length, varying his pace to good effect at the death.

Allowing for my guesswork on who may or may not be both affordable and interested, we could do much worse. By the same token, it is who Krikk comes up with that really matters.