T20 conundrum

Dave Houghton appears to have one recruitment issue to resolve ahead of the 2019 season, that of the second T20 player.

Last year we had two good ones, both Lockie Ferguson and Wahab Riaz proving excellent captures, even though the former was a late addition to the ranks. He endeared himself to supporters with some searingly quick bowling and the best yorker seen round these parts since Charl Langeveldt dropped them into the block hole at will.

Riaz wasn't as blindingly quick, but still has that quick ball, coupled with variations and a willingness to help other bowlers - Alex Hughes being especially open to his advice and suggestions. Riaz also showed himself a very handy pinch hitter and played two very entertaining knocks, though later in the competition being pushed down the order again, for whatever reason.

I am sure that Dominic Cork and Dave Houghton have been in deep discussion on the skill set required for the other player, with Logan van Beek filling one of the roles. He brings good bowling at decent pace, as well as the ability to clear the boundary when the late innings charge is on.

Ideally, we want someone who isn't going to be involved in the Caribbean Premier League, therefore requiring someone to fly in for a handful of games, which is far from ideal. A death bowler would be useful, but so too might someone who can hit hard and contribute overs at some point in the innings. Logically, Ravi Rampaul could fill the other 'death' role, but we have plenty of bowling options down our potential eleven.

If we look at ten of a notional side as follows:

Godleman
Critchley
Reece
Madsen
Hughes
Dal
Van Beek
Hosein
McKiernan
Rampaul

Where do you see the greater need? Another quality bowler, ideally who can hit it, or a batsman, who can bowl a few overs? We have eight bowlers in the above ten names, which any captain would enjoy.

Or a batsman who can bowl some overs? Mark suggested Colin de Grandhomme yesterday, who isn't going back to Warwickshire. That would be a decent shout, if he is not already picked up elsewhere, as he scores at a ridiculous 167 per hundred balls. As a comparison, Martin Guptill, no slouch, scores at 127 and the 'Universe Boss' himself, Chris Gayle, at 147.

de Grandhomme is currently bowling first change for New Zealand against Bangladesh and hammered an unbeaten 76 from 53 balls in the Kiwi innings. There is much to like in him, and someone like that, who can win matches with bat or ball, would be the Peakfan choice.

Riaz can do that too, of course and Jimmy Neesham is another who may merit discussion, especially with John Wright's contacts in the southern hemisphere. There is also Chris Morris, who seems to be slipping down the South African pecking order but is a good all-round cricketer, as is Dwaine Pretorius.

Much as I would love to see Mitchell Santner, I suspect New Zealand will carefully manage his workload after being out for nearly a year. He is a key player for them, so suspect he may well be made unavailable.

What do you think?

Calum MacLeod? Will there be another T20 contract for the Scotland batsman who made that brilliant century at Northampton last year? I'm not sure, and I think that decision will hinge on the overseas signing. He is a good player, but there's a finite amount of money. To be honest, I'd prefer Tom Wood and slip him into my eleven, but we don't yet know if he will be engaged for the summer.

There's also the captain, following the departure of Gary Wilson. Unless that role is used to entice someone to the club, my choice would be Alex Hughes. A canny, combative cricketer, he has done it (well) before and the players would enjoy playing under the sort of competitor I like in my side.

A couple of discussion points there, and I look forward to your thoughts.