Derbyshire sign Rana Naved-Ul-Hasan!

Anyone see that one coming?

Me neither. I'm sure I read recently that Sussex had engaged their powerhouse all-rounder Rana Naved-Ul-Hasan for this year's T20. They, along with others, sought the signature of an inspirational cricketer who is a genuine name in the game. This time Derbyshire won out, securing the services of a real star in world T20 to the County Ground, in a move that should ensure healthy crowds for this season's fixtures, as well as improved prospects. It also amply illustrates that contacts in the wider game of cricket are alive and well at the County Ground.

What will we see? First, a player who gives 100% in any game he plays. Rana has given great service to Sussex and his time at Yorkshire was hindered only by a bad shoulder injury. He is a folk hero down in Tasmania, where they call him "The People's Mullet", reference to his flowing locks. His aeroplane celebration of wickets is enjoyed and his unerring ability to drop yorkers of varying pace into the blockhole have made him a player in demand. He doesn't have searing pace, but he has a quick ball, coupled with control and the ability, like most seam bowlers from Pakistan, to bowl a devastating yorker and mix it up while maintaining accuracy. Sixteen wickets at 15 for Sussex last year and a batting average of 24; fifteen wickets at 17 for Hobart, where he only batted three times. This is a player at the top of his game, a genuine go-to bowler, as you can see in these clips:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=goVKwAZgjJ4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h0Zc1HyiFKQ

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sxjIYryprxo

I like that run out. 32 needed from 2 balls and he's still aiming to keep the runs down. That's my kind of player...

His Test record was steady, rather than spectacular, though over a hundred wickets in one-day internationals highlights his forte. 626 first-class wickets at 24 is impressive, but 100 wickets at 19 in T20 pinpoints his strength. Those statistics I produced the other day seem all the more pertinent now.

He has been the overseas star for the past three winters in Hobart. This year he took them to the Big Bash semi-finals with fifteen wickets and but for some odd captaincy may well have taken them all the way. Rana didn't get in until over 40 were required with less than four overs to go, yet they got within seven of a shock thanks to some mighty hitting. His unbeaten 30 from just 14 balls was far quicker than anyone else managed in the match on a slow pitch.

His batting has no frills, like his compatriots Shahid Afridi and Abdul Razzaq. If its there, he hits it a long way, often over the ropes, yet five first-class centuries highlight him as more than just a slogger. If he is required to cover for Usman Khawaja in July when Australia A tour we will enjoy the services of a very good cricketer who can add valuable late order runs as well as taking wickets.

One story highlights why I rate him highly. I saw him at Denby in 2008, playing for Yorkshire 2nds on his way back from serious injury (a dislocated shoulder) and Derbyshire, thanks to a fine spell from Ross Whiteley, were in control of the game. When Rana came in, the game changed. His forty-odd from around 20 balls took us apart. So too did his three wickets later, when Freddie Klokker's century had put us in a strong position. You could have excused a player of his reputation not trying too hard in such circumstances, but his efforts won the game.

In short, Rana is a game-changer, exactly what Karl Krikken and Chris Grant set out to sign. I'm delighted that we have got him at Derbyshire for that very reason, but also for something else. We saw off the interests of other counties in acquiring his services and that hasn't happened too many times in my experience.It might be a start of the turning of the tide, where Derbyshire are seen from a totally new perspective by agents, fans and the media.

Last week I wrote that we could do with signing "someone like" Rana Naved-Ul-Hasan. We've now got the real thing. Start growing your hair folks, the Mullet will soon be in town.

And beware of low flying aircraft....