Saturday 17 June 2017

Just a thought...Kyle Coetzer for T20 anyone?

It has been good and encouraging to read John Wright's bullish comments this week, ahead of the T20, which approaches fast.

No doubt the Derbyshire players will be working hard on their skills in the coming weeks and I think that the format may - injuries permitting - suit us this summer. An attack of Tahir, Thakor, Viljoen, Henry and one other looks promising, though the current absence of two of these from the Derbyshire attack is a concern. As we have already seen, the well is a little more dry below these, though Matt Critchley and Ben Cotton have proved their ability in this format in previous summers.

My concern - and that of a few others, I think - is the absence of a top order 'biffer'. Someone who can get us off to a flyer and make the job of those to follow a little easier. I agree with John Wright's assertion that the opposition win few games from being 30-4 after the Powerplay, but on the days when the wicket is a belter, we need someone who can set a platform in those crucial first six overs.

Looking at the current staff, perhaps the best-placed to do that might be Tom Wood, but it is asking a lot of a relatively unknown youngster to come in and be the star of the show. In an ideal world, a more experienced man alongside him might be ideal.

Just a thought, but what about Kyle Coetzer?

The former Northamptonshire and Durham man (pictured), at 33, is in the form of his life for Scotland, coming off the back of a successful stint in the Hong Kong T20 Blitz in the winter. There he partnered Tillakaratne Dilshan and often outscored him, making a 35-ball 63 in the competition final, including 7 sixes. Throughout the tournament, against international bowlers, he scored at a rate well over a hundred, often much higher. Earlier in the competition, making 87 from 57 balls against an attack containing Yasir Arafat, Dwayne Smith and Marlon Samuels, he shared a stand of 120 in ten overs with England's Chris Jordan.

This summer he scored 118 from 84 balls as Scotland beat Sri Lanka in a pre-Champions Trophy game, while in recent days he scored 112 against Namibia, then 109 against Zimbabwe, each at better than a run-a-ball. He also scored 156 off Bangladesh in the 2015 World Cup and, as I write, has an unbeaten 50 from 45 balls today, against Zimbabwe again.

A county average over 30 confirms he could handle the level and, as we did when signing Wes Durston a few years back, there is little better than picking up someone when they are in prime form.

 I'm not claiming that he is better than, say, Martin Guptill would be, but would be more affordable and might be available, depending on his Scottish commitments, where he is captain and doing very well. I accept that Zimbabwe's attack isn't the best in the international game, but you still have to make the runs and he is getting them, quickly, in large quantities.

I am more than happy to promote players from our current staff, but after years of under-achievement in this format, might an experienced, in-form player not perhaps make a difference?  I would be very surprised if a county out there didn't think Coetzer was worthy of a short-term deal.

As always, I like to create talking points here on the blog and would welcome your thoughts...

11 comments:

  1. I do think we need someone at the top of the order. Opening. As it stands would probably be 2 from Wood, Slater and Reece and there are not too many t20 matches opening from those 3 so it would be a yes from me Peakfan.

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  2. He's better that what we've got so it would be a yes from me however its all hypothetical as we wont sign anyone else

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  3. Tim, Chesterfield18 June 2017 at 20:33

    We're a batsman light if not two so I'd sign him, yeah.

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  4. This reply was meant to be in answer to your piece on Kyle Coetzee, I hope you can rectify my error.
    Another good all round performance from Callum Broderick playing for Rolleston yesterday in the Derbyshire League . I rate this lad highly.

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    1. He is a very talented lad and another of who I have only heard good things. Good prospect!

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  5. No brainer Peakfan, we should be all over this deal like a rash. Can we afford him though?

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  6. Thats the question mate. But unless we have already used the Elton and Boyzone money it would be a good use while JG is here.
    Or maybe we are getting Peter Kirsten back... ;)

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  7. Agree he would improve the team. I would have 3-11 as Thakor, Madsen, Wilson, Hughes, Smit, Critchley, Henry, Viljoen and Tahir. Take your pick on the openers but probably go with Wood and Reece at the moment. Choice of 5 seamers and 3 spinners so plenty of bowling options

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  8. Paul Fitzpatrick20 June 2017 at 19:10

    We do need fireworks at the top of the order
    To be honest our current possible picks don't have that pedigree
    Bowling mix looks ok injuries permitting
    I think he is a good shout

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  9. Wilson named t20 captain I see. Would have been my choice. Good move

    Worrying comment he made about the middle order in t20 he included Billy Godleman in that along with Shiv, Wayne and himself. If we have Godleman in the t20 side middle order I won't be too happy personally. For me the side Gary mentioned above is spot on and like him I would have Reece and Wood (of Coetzee) if he is an option but I doubt it. Reckon we will go with what we have.

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  10. You could look at a few players from Scotland for a T20 contract.
    Berrington is in great form, Munsey has played Hong Kong t20 too.
    Coetzer is definitely a good shout

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