Something for the weekend

Again, apologies for the lack of posts this week but a combination of little news and too much work has been the reason. Anyway, I'm back now for a Saturday morning roundup of the week's important events.

First, the club have reached an agreement with Andrew Brown, a worthy man who gave good service to the club as a batsman who never quite established himself as a senior player, despite some plucky knocks, as well as in a coaching capacity. Whatever happened earlier in the year, Brown was caught up in it and his future now lies elsewhere. Like all Derbyshire fans, I wish him well in new ventures.

There were few runs for either Martin Guptill or Usman Khawaja in the Test match between their respective countries in Tasmania, though on a dodgy wicket that was hardly surprising. There's still no news on whether Khawaja will join us for the second half of the season, though that may be just a matter of time. As I have said before, I think he is a fine player, though I'll confess to reservations over his ability in the T20, a format in which he has minimal experience. He is obviously a player of very high class, but so was Chris Rogers and he wasn't a T20 player either. If Khawaja does sign and his contract includes appearing in the T20, I hope that he proves me wrong and I will gladly acknowledge the fact if he does so.

Dave Warner played a lone hand in the Australians second innings and is now being taken seriously as a "proper" batsman, not just a slogger with a good eye. You don't make a score like that on a "sporting" track without being able to play and I'll hold up my hand as someone who had written him off as nothing more than a tonker. I'm happy to revise that opinion, not just in the light of one innings, but several played by the player over recent months. As I write, he is holding together Sydney Thunder's run chase against the Melbourne Stars, an unbeaten 55 from 86-4, suggesting that his side will stand or fall on his efforts, especially after the early losses of Gayle and Khawaja.

Over on the Forum there are "rumours" that Martin Guptill is going to play IPL after all, apparently voiced by "someone in the pub". With respect to those concerned, I'll wait and see if anything emanates from the club before I get overly upset about this one, as anyone can start a story. Why, only yesterday I had a call from Chris Grant asking if I was free to bowl my spin variations in the T20 next season. After protracted discussions, where my price rose to a Belgian Bun and a cappuccino, I signed on the dotted line. Can't get enough spinners in that game, even if one is less mobile than he used to be, thanks to a dodgy left knee...

That was a joke, by the way...

In a related story, I was mildly amused to see Somerset announcing the signing of Vernon Philander for the early part of the season, as long as he doesn't get picked for the IPL. Given the player is on fire at present, I'd have thought the chances of him not getting an IPL deal are remote and Somerset's announcement will reek of a few that Derbyshire have made over the years. There was a time when Langer/Jayawardene/Rudolph/Yousuf/Astle and others were announced, only to fall foul to scheduling or injuries that some of us never knew existed as body parts.

I don't know the contractual situation at Derbyshire, but would like to think that Martin Guptill signed having thought it through and that was it. Should anything happen to the contrary it would do no one any favours. I haven't a clue how some counties are going to get an overseas next year and some have said they may well not bother. Maybe I should make myself up a bogus CV and tout myself around a few clubs as Etienne van der Leiderhosen, an all-rounder from Cape Province. It's worked before in professional sport...

England Lions announced their winter touring squad and for the first time in what seems around ten years there was no place for Steve Kirby of Somerset. The penny must have finally dropped that the player is now 34... no places for Derbyshire players, but there's plenty of young talent in the Derbyshire squad and such a place is something for them to aspire to in the coming seasons. 

Finally today, it was good to get texts from the club regarding the fact that three Christmas parties were in full swing there last night. On such events will the club flourish and that level of usage can only help to swell the coffers, thoroughly justifying the outlay on the marquee and other venues. In turn, it will help the club to retain their young talent and attract others. I wish all concerned the best of luck with their continued efforts.

Have a good one!

PS Warner 95 not out from 45 balls as I close. Not bad...