Box office Tahir

Another day, another masterclass in leg spin from Imran Tahir today.

2-21 in 9.2 overs with 41 dot balls...considering the Sri Lankans are reasonably adept players of spin, having plenty of their own, they haven't come to terms with our man at all on their current tour. He seems so full of confidence and to me looks better than he has ever looked. It augurs well for the summer ahead and Derbyshire can be excited at his addition to the squad.

It has been a fairly quiet week and we are still none the wiser as to whether there will be a new Broom or we stick or twist, if you will. Then again, we are hardly likely to know and have no right to expect an announcement. I have little doubt that work will continue behind the scenes for a T20 player and possibly, just possibly for another Kolpak.

That last word has become synonymous with the game in recent weeks and the divide is even between those who are for and those against. I'll be honest, if the people coming over are of top quality and will enhance both the team and the overall standard of competition, I have no issue with it.

Derbyshire could quite easily go on being 'good old Derbyshire', making a modest profit each year, playing ten youngsters and gaining patronising plaudits for doing so, yet getting beaten way too often for supporters tastes. Or we can bring in some overseas help and improve the team dramatically. As long as the majority of the Derbyshire side is from this country and the people who come in improve our fortunes, I can live with it.

I want more, with respect, than Andrew Gait and Dominic Telo. I want players of proven pedigree, like Hardus Viljoen and if the opportunity came along to sign another at some point and it improves the chances of my side being a winning one, you can count me in.

The best players will still come through and one assumes that any such signings would be to enhance what we have, offer something different and put a few more bums on seats. That's what the game needs and a few 'box office' players, here for the season rather than a flying visit, will be a shot in the arm for the county game. You can't wait for Tahir to take a wicket and run half way to the Gateway, can you? I know I can't.

Anyway, that's enough from me for now. In closing, I would just like to say that I am looking forward immensely to my speaking engagement at Old Trafford on Monday evening, when I will be talking to the Lancashire and Cheshire Cricket Society about the blog, my books and all things cricket.

The weather is set fair for the trip and we're all getting through the winter rather well.

Roll on summer...