It represents excellent news for Derbyshire CCC and its supporters as the player has improved immeasurably since his arrival from Somerset. John Morris to some extent took a gamble on a player who had shown himself a bowler of pace at Taunton, yet one who sometimes struggled to maintain a line and length. Such issues can be a problem for all those who exceed regulation pace, of course, but Turner is now a far better bowler. He still has genuine pace, but can now lock on an excellent yorker, as well as a very fast bouncer that will keep batsmen on their toes.As much as anything, fans appreciate that Turner always gives 100%. He is not a bowler who on occasion seems to go through the motions, but runs up for every ball as if it will be his last. He has, in short, become a favourite and can expect to play a growing role in our side over the next two summers.
It is also nice to see the player showing his gratitude for a club that resurrected a career that was going nowhere fast at Somerset. I understand the player had interest from elsewhere, yet has shown a loyalty to the club that is good to see, the buoyant team spirit almost certainly being a major factor.
At the other end of the scale, the departure of Matt Lineker is tinged with sadness and he is a victim of an improved club and the ECB regulations. There are no financial contributions from the ECB for players of Lineker's age, although there have been a number of earlier eras in the club's history where he may have secured another deal. Yet Derbyshire are now a club with aspirations and, unless things go horribly pear-shaped in the last three matches, should find themselves in division one next summer.For all that Lineker made some encouraging starts in the senior side and scored heavily at Second XI level, he was unable to translate his obvious talent to the first-class stage. The gulf between being an outstanding club cricketer and even a decent county cricketer is large and Lineker is not the first, nor will be the last to find it a little too large.
Perhaps he might have bridged that gap given time, but time is something the club didn't have and his late start was a factor. One of the key areas that we need to strengthen in the winter is the opening batting, where we only have one player, Paul Borrington, who is a specialist in the role. The latter is under contract until he is 26, but will be equally aware that he will need to evidence having made the grade by that stage or face a career outside the game, such is the harsh reality of modern county cricket.
I am sure that all Derbyshire fans will wish Matt Lineker, a lovely man, the very best of luck for the future. He will undoubtedly continue to score thousands of runs in local cricket, where he has been the best batsman for the last five years and is likely to continue to be for many more to come.
As for Derbyshire, the hunt for opening batsmen for next summer will gather pace. One of these slots may well be filled by an overseas batsman, but the out of contract lists will be getting scoured and I am confident that we will bring in someone of the requisite ability by the time next summer comes around.
One more point before closing for now. I had several e mails last night saying that Jonathan Clare was being chased by Nottinghamshire, something that I cannot verify at this stage. It is inevitable that the players of a successful county will be pursued and especially when one's neighbours have a scouting network that seems to extend the full distance between Derby and Leicester. You also have to factor in that the agents of some players are less concerned about the best deal from a long-term professional perspective than lining the pockets of the player and themselves in the short term. I don't know if there is any truth in the story, or if the latter statement is more relevant here, but there are plenty of players who saw greener grass outside Derby who found that it became parched very quickly when they got there. Ask Matt Cassar, Adrian Rollins, Robin Weston and Greg Smith for starters...
With Paul Franks free to talk to other counties, logically Nottinghamshire will be seeking a replacement, though time will tell if it is our enigmatic all-rounder. I hope not, but players will always come and go and one can only enjoy them while you can. It is another reason to bring through your own, of course, in that they may well show greater loyalty than others of a more nomadic bent. No one can blame a sportsman who looks for greater reward, but there is often a bigger picture - will there be the regular opportunities elsewhere?
No doubt we will hear more in the coming days and weeks.
As usual a fair and balanced article. I feel sorry for Matt Lineker,who definately had the abilty to play First Class cricket. I understand why he was not retained , but he has suffered from the combination of his contract ending at the end of season which was probably the worst weather and conditions for batting that we have experienced for many years.Quality batsmen all over the country have struggled,especially those facing the new ball in bowler friendly conditions. Stephen Moore is a case in example,a fine player excelling in the one day format but struggling against the moving ball and close fielders.Our own result based, green pitches have made our bowling attack look very strong and the batsmen less so.I am sure the reality is more even.Quite regularly, we see batting becoming much easier down the order with notable big scores as the ball gets soft and damp.
ReplyDeletePleased for Mark Turner who as a strike bowler has probably benefitted from those same conditions but has also improved accuracy, control and length without too much compromise on his main asset of pace combined with superb attitude.
As an aside,it is clear that the FF has now descended into the depths of insult to other supporters and unfair unsupportive attacks on players.
With the culture there, in one of our best seasons,still one of negativity and lack of understanding of the realities of First Class cricket, it only strengthens your blog as one which is the must read for serious cricket fans of Derbyshire.
bf.
Many thanks for the kind comments BF, which are much appreciated.
ReplyDeleteThere are some good contributors on the Forum, but they are in danger of becoming swamped in a tidal wave of personal enmities and petty comments that do no one any favours. Certainly not the club.