Sharif, from Huddersfield, moved to Scotland with his parents when he was five and has since become a respected bowler on the club scene. He currently plys his domestic trade for Glenrothes, but had a fine winter that brought him to the attention of Derbyshire and other counties.
I've often thought that the celtic countries haven't always been considered seriously for cricketers, with the classic case being Kevin O'Brien, considered a bit part T20 slogger for the most part, yet scorer of Ireland's first Test century yesterday. O'Brien should have been an automatic pick for a county looking for a T20 cricketer in recent summers, just as his brother gave sterling service to Northamptonshire and Leicestershire as a combative wicket-keeper/batsman.
To be honest, when I read today that 'Derbyshire sign Scotland star for white ball cricket' I thought that we had picked up Kyle Coetzer, a man I still think would make a difference in the T20 at the top of the order. Sharif it was, and after ten wickets in three World Cup Qualifiers against Zimbabwe, Ireland and West Indies he fully deserves his chance.
He has earned a reputation as a death bowler, going for less than eight an over and that is perfect for Derbyshire. With the jury still out on the location of the radar of Hardus Viljoen and Duanne Olivier, another seamer who can find line and length alongside Ravi Rampaul will be no bad thing.
I think our batting capable of scoring big in the one-day game and would feel that more if Billy moved back to the top of the order. With Reece, Madsen, Hughes and Critchley to follow, the decision would be which keeper got the nod, with both capable of improvising well. The most vulnerable batsman on current form would be Alex Hughes, but dropping a man who is one of your best fielders and can offer bowling options might not be the smartest move.
If we assume that Viljoen, Olivier, Sharif and Rampaul all play, there would be no room for Smit and Wilson, though maybe the latter would be given a breather after Ireland's first Test match.
We'll see soon enough but Sharif will be no makeweight in the attack and will play a full and pivotal role as white ball cricket takes over the summer.
I wish him well, as I am sure you all do.
You can see him in action against the West Indies here
I've come to the conclusion that we are just going to keep signing bowlers until we find a couple who don't go for 40+ extras !!!
ReplyDeleteIf we play this new lad Peakfan, I believe it will be at the expense of Hardus Vijoen. I don't believe we have signed Olivier to have him sat on the bench, although a Little cameo at the end of our innings from HV could see valuable runs added to our total.
ReplyDeleteWith this change in personnel I think we could go with...Godleman, Slater, Reece, Madsen, Critchley, Hughes, Smit, Wilson, Rampaul, Sharif and Olivier.
Surely, even we should be happy with seven bowlers !!!!
Do you still expect another T20 signing Peakfan following this news? Surely a batsman would be expect now and not yet another bowler? The confidence of the existing attack must take a bit of a knock with more and more bowlers dropped in for the shorter formats. James
ReplyDeleteI dont think Palladino, with a coaching remit, benefit and recent side strain would play one day. Similarly Davis, with his injury record and the need for committed fielders.
ReplyDeleteOlivier wont be here for T20, so theres Hardus, Ravi, Waqab, Safyaan and (maybe) Wheeldon. Could Hughes, Reece, Critchley and Madsen handle the other four overs? Or do we need a bona fide spinner for slower tracks? A batsman who bowls spin might be an asset...but where are available ones?
Good points Peakfan. Marlon Samuels, Chris Gayle, Glenn Maxwell or Shakib Al Hasan would be good options then. We can but dream! Just think the county are going in a different direction to others and only recruiting bowlers. To get to Finals day you really need a bit of extra specialist help in the batting. James
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