Admit it folks. When you read the list of new recruits to the Derbyshire Academy this morning, you felt a teeny-weeny bit of envy, didn't you?
I know I did. Back in the day when I could run around the covers and field pretty well, bowl decent medium pace and contribute some handy scores, I would have given anything to have played for Derbyshire at cricket. Even though the side I followed was pretty poor at that stage, I'd have loved to walk out at Derby or Chesterfield with them. The fact was that I was a decent player, but not spectacular, although that hasn't stopped me from enjoying the game in the middle over the following 40 years.
These lads are obviously different. There is something about their talent that makes them worthy of the club investing time and money into their development over the next year at least, possibly more. To get to that stage, you must be a bit special and they should all be very proud of their achievement in getting to this stage in a potential cricket career.
Of course, the real work starts now. They will all be well aware that they need to be even fitter, hone their skills even more, learn mental and physical skills that they don't even know about at this stage.
Right now they will all be buzzing with excitement and will be aspiring to emulate Whiteley, Redfern, Knight, Burgoyne, Borrington, Poynton and more. In ten years time one or more of them may be being talked about in the same breath as John Morris, Chris Adams, Mike Hendrick or Geoff Miller. Derbyshire legends all, produced from within and going on to become outstanding cricketers.
It's a big challenge, but why shouldn't it happen? The boys have access to top coaches, as well as the opportunity to learn from players who took their county into the top flight last summer. They will undoubtedly have the support of proud families who, like those of boys who have graduated already, will be ready and willing to ferry them here, there and everywhere to play, practice and train.
Some might not make it. But if one or two of them do, it will be another piece of a long-term, successful future for the county.
Good luck to all of them. I look forward to reading about them, watching them in action and reporting back...
Good luck to all of them. It is essential some of these players do make the grade,if the club,s strategy is to be maintained into the future. To cover all eventualities we need at least one,maybe two players a year to reach county standard.
ReplyDeletePlenty of potential wicket keepers in the line up. I've played against one of them, Mykylo Bird, in recent years. Playing for Ockbrook 3's at the time (2010), he batted their whole innings for an unbeaten 83, and then followed it up with a good performance with the gloves. We still won though, so it was all good...
ReplyDeleteChanging the subject a bit. I had to laugh at the number of days till the new season counter Peakfans put up. It really can't come quick enough can it?.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comments guys! Good to hear that Mykylo is the talent that reports suggest Sam!
ReplyDeleteI hope it warms up between times Mark!
And Marc - couldn't agree more...