Speculation season starts

Nathan Buck. Shiv Thakor and Moin Ashraf.

All names I have seen linked with a move to Derbyshire today.

The Telegraph reports that we have made an official approach for the Leicestershire pair, both of them good young players with the potential to get better.

Buck is a strapping seam bowler whose development has perhaps been impaired by having to be both strike and stock bowler in an average attack. Injuries haven't helped him in the past couple of seasons, but then Mark Footitt had similar issues at that age and has turned out quite nicely. At 23 he has massive potential but that will have been spotted by a number of counties.

Thakor is less advanced in his development but at 20 has a string of impressive first team appearances to his name. A genuine all-rounder, he is a long way from the finished article but his ability is unquestioned. Again, demand for his services is likely to be high but I'd expect us to be able to compete up to his real, rather than anticipated value, as I don't think we'd go down the 'silly money' route of some clubs.

Ashraf? A good bowler and, if Yorkshire are offering him reduced terms, I'd expect him to be a decent punt for a move to Derbyshire, again given our inside knowledge of players from that county. Which, of course, includes knowing them warts and all. As with Azeem Rafiq, we will know his real value and whether he can make the step from promising talent to established county cricketer.

Worth keeping an eye on, that's for sure.