They are the best three players at the club, so it is simple. Whatever else Dave Houghton decides to do when he comes into his new role next week, he can rest assured that his two best batsmen and his most reliable bowler are with him for the foreseeable future.
Madsen's deal, taking him to the end of 2022, is effectively one that puts an end to any links with other counties. He will be 38/39 when this contract finishes; young enough perhaps to warrant one more at the county he has served so loyally and so well, but too old, one would think, to warrant the clamour of other counties.
As regular readers will know, I never gave real credibility to stories linking him with Yorkshire, likely the work of a canny agent trying to work the best deal for his client. He would still walk into any side in the country though and, for all that our dear neighbours have picked up Ben Slater, Ben Duckett and Joe Clarke, I don't think many Derbyshire supporters would swap Wayne for any of them.
The return of Dave Houghton, as he revealed in an interview with The Cricketer today, was a major factor in his signing the new deal. I know how highly he rates Houghton as a batting coach and we might even see the runs output increase next year as a result, even though he again eased past the thousand run mark for the season in this game.
In all likelihood, by the time he has finished this contract, only Kim Barnett will be ahead of Wayne in the Derbyshire batting records, if he maintains his current runs output. Additionally, with one eye on the future, his reputation as a legend of the club will be unsullied by a departure to a longstanding rival and his sports coaching business with his wife, Kyla can only benefit.
Then again, so could Derbyshire, because when he decides to call it a day, sometime in the future, one would have thought him a strong contender for a coaching role at the club. He will know that the move into such a role from playing doesn't always work well - look at Glen Chapple and Andrew Gale for examples - but he would be in a strong position, without doubt.
I'm thrilled. In watching John Morris, Chris Adams and Kim Barnett I saw what was the pinnacle of Derbyshire batting. Wayne has joined that group and, in all weathers and conditions, is up there just behind Barnett for me.
Enjoy the majesty of his batting for another four years, ladies and gentlemen.
Like all of our heroes, he will be a long time gone, so it is important to celebrate and enjoy his considerable talents while we can. Whatever the ECB do to our domestic game, that will now be for at least the next four years.
And, when you have done and said all, makes today a rather special one for all county supporters.
Happy Tuesday, everyone.
A Derbyshire top five of Barnet Bowler Morris Adams and either Jones or Azaruddin Wayne Madsen wouldn't get in, Peter Bowler a better alround batsman in my opinion
ReplyDeleteSorry Anon I was excluding overseas players. Bowler was a fine player but didn't have Wayne's range of shots in my opinion
DeleteAgreed. Bowler was a good player but not as good as Wayne...imo.
DeleteDerbyshire CCC legend and by all accounts a thoroughly nice guy too. Excellent news.
ReplyDeleteMartin said.
ReplyDeleteTo have those 5 or 6 players would be an embarrassment of riches, we are not likely to ever have again, especially with our cheque book wielding neighbours at the other end of the A52.