Interesting question

There was an interesting question from the club by text the other night. Who will be Derbyshire's key man next season? Aside from the fact that they all will, as we won't win if we're not a team, I've chosen four.

I was interested to see a couple of people suggesting Tom Knight, but I don't see the youngster doing that this year. He has too many international commitments and, realistically, will more than likely play as a second spinner in T20 more than anything. That's why we signed David Wainwright, Karl Krikken being well aware that the lad is likely to be seen marginally more at the County Ground this summer than a herd of wildebeest....

For me, key man number one is Wayne Madsen. If the new skipper rediscovers his batting mojo and takes to captaincy like I think he will, Derbyshire will be in the promotion shake-up in the Championship. Madsen, Durston and the combined overseas roles are capable of one thousand runs each. I've less confidence in our batting than the bowling, so if they did that we would go pretty close.

Number two is Tom Poynton. A wicket-keeper is the hub or focal point of any side in the field and can dictate attitudes. If TP continues in his chirpy Krikkenesque style, geeing up the players during the quieter periods, he will do well. If he holds most of what goes his way at the same time - and he'll not lack for chances - he will be a real asset. A few pugnacious knocks down the order could make him one to watch in 2012.

Number three is David Wainwright. I'll back our seam attack against any in that division, but every decent side needs a spinner who can keep it quiet when the conditions favour batsmen and bowl them out when it starts to turn. Wainwright can do that, but he's also good enough to score 500 runs or more and give us genuine ballast in the middle and lower order. Again, 500 runs and 40 wickets from him should see a strong Derbyshire finish.

Number four is more generic, those who come in as T20 overseas stars. I've written before that we need a hitter and a quick bowler and nothing will change my mind on that. Derbyshire have been largely rubbish at T20 over the years, by dint of an attack too "samey" and a batting side that lacked the player to give them the lightning start in the Powerplay that so often dictates the course of the game.

To pluck two names at random, a Herschelle Gibbs and Brett Lee-type player at either end of the order would make a huge difference. I don't like T20 as much as the "proper" stuff, but it is here to stay and you need to invest in the right players to bring in crowds and become contenders for the quarter-finals. Results mean bigger crowds, they lead to more money and that leads to happy, smiley faces down Derby way.

A clutch of all-rounders, attractive stroke players, decent spinners and a fine fielding side - we're not that far short you know...