Midweek Musings

 Sorry there was no blog last night but Mrs P and I turned back the clock last night with a visit to the Glasgow Concert Hall and the Celtic Connections Festival to see one of our favourite bands, The Mavericks. We were in there when they first burst on the scene in the early '90s and it was great to see them, as good as ever, last night. A great time was had by all and if they come to a town or city near you later in the year I'd strongly urge you to go along for a potent mix of Cuban rhythms, country, Tex-Mex, Zydeco and classic retro music. Great stuff.

Still, this is a cricket blog and there's been a few titbits of news around over the last few days. It was great to read on the club site that Wayne Madsen will be leading coaching courses for young cricketers between the ages of six and eleven next month. Very thoughtfully, it even starts on Mrs P's birthday and until I saw the age breakdown toyed with the idea of an unusual  birthday gift...

Joking apart, it is a laudable idea and one that should be a success. Even as you get older there's something immensely satisfying about a 'proper' cricketer praising your game. I still remember the buzz I got from our then Australian professional praising my successive boundaries in a tight finish a few years back. Exposing talented and/or keen youngsters to quality coaches at an early stage can only be beneficial in the long term, either from a playing or supporting perspective. Nor could there be a better man to represent the club than Madsen, a man of talent, humility, humour and charm - handy traits when working with youngsters!

South Africa blew the one-day series against New Zealand, imploding spectacularly when only needing 112 from 20 overs with nine wickets in hand. Even allowing for their side being a little inexperienced, that was a little poor, especially when five perished to run outs. Had that been a Derbyshire collapse, I'd suggest we would be less than impressed...

It has been a strange kind of tour for Martin Guptill, with a superb T20 century amid more low scores than he has been used to of late. I am sure he will return with a vengeance in England, but I am equally sure that Kane Williamson will thrive, after his experience at Gloucestershire. I think the latter is a very talented cricketer at 22, making a fine century today after taking four wickets with his useful off-spin last week. One to watch, beyond a doubt.

Prior to our signing Shivnarine Chanderpaul, I had regularly referred to the paucity of overseas talent available to counties for 2013 and an example came today, when Essex announced the signing of Victoria batsman Rob Quiney for most of the summer. I mean no disrespect to a player of some talent, but there was a time when an average of 36 (16 in T20) was unlikely to stir county interest. Nine runs in three Test innings were far from confirming he was ready for the next step and at thirty Quiney will have to be a serious late developer to prove his worth.

Yes, I know that average is comparable to Martin Guptill's, but the latter had proved himself at international level, across formats and at a much younger age before joining Derbyshire. Quiney may yet emulate him at county level, but I'd hazard a guess that their fans are somewhat underwhelmed tonight.

More from me later in the week. Hope the snow goes away sometime soon.