Something for the weekend

If they were ever going to do a cricket version of Stars in their Eyes, I reckon that Alviro Petersen would go through the door and the dry ice and come out on the other side as Simon Katich...

Today it was announced that the talented South African opener was joining Somerset for a good part of 2013. Coming after stints at Glamorgan (successful) and Essex (less so), Petersen should find Taunton to his liking and will doubtless make up a powerful opening pair with Marcus Trescothick.

He is now closing on "Four counties" Katich, who himself trails Marcus "I've had five" North. Maybe Petersen is aiming to be a cricketing Daniel O'Donnell, the Irishman today announced as the first singer to have charting albums in 25 consecutive years. At 32, Petersen had better hurry if he's aiming to play for all of the counties, though I console myself in the knowledge that Derbyshire is a much changed club.

The club I supported as a callow youth would otherwise have offered terms to Petersen in 15 years time...

On to other matters and I understand that talented youngsters from across the East Midlands are currently attending the County Ground with a view to being part of the next Academy intake. Most of you will be aware that Peter Burgoyne has "graduated" from it after some fine efforts, while talented all-rounder Matt Fletcher has also done so, heading off to university alongside fellow graduate, seam bowler Ben Cotton.

With the exception of Harry White, who has been released, and Matt Hughes, who left to concentrate on his examinations, the remainder of last year's intake are still working hard and have been joined by several other boys, the aim of all of them being to be a part of the 2013 intake that will be announced in the early New Year.

Seamer Will Davis, leg-spinning all-rounder Greg Massingham, left-arm seamer/all-rounder Greg Cork and all-rounder Tom Taylor, along with two talented wicket-keeper batsmen in Mykylo Bird and Harvey Hosein will all hope for a slot, but competition will undoubtedly be fierce. Practice sessions twice a week, as well as Saturday mornings, help to hone their skills and hopes are high that some of this intake could emerge to be the next Redfern, Whiteley, Knight or Hughes. The professionalism of the work going on is encouraging and Derbyshire seem to have a very bright future, assuming some of these boys continue to develop.

Finally today, a response to Graham, who got in touch to ask me who I would target for Derbyshire overseas player if money was no object and there was no such thing as international commitments.

Great question mate, albeit hypothetical, but after considered deliberation, here, in no particular order, would be my top three. I've chosen them on the basis of full season representation in the championship and CB40.

Jacques Kallis - to quote Tina Turner, simply the best. Keeps scoring runs, takes valuable wickets and catches anything that is remotely close to him. You couldn't go wrong. A giant of the game.

Shivnarine Chanderpaul - if you choose a player who is a batsman alone, he has to pretty much guarantee runs and there's no one does that better than the brilliant West Indian. Like Kallis, still very much at the height of his powers

Shane Watson - I'm also assuming full fitness, something that has often eluded the Aussie all-rounder, but he is an outstanding cricketer who would grace the county game.

I'm sure you all have your ideas and sadly the international commitments of such players in all likelihood  makes this nothing but a fantasy.

Still, a man can dream, can't he?

Have a good weekend.