du Plooy contract the perfect aperitif for Derbyshire supporters

Since he arrived in the early weeks of the summer, Leus du Plooy has provided something that was missing from the Derbyshire batting.

A touch of genius.

You have the classic style of Madsen, the unorthodoxy of Godleman and the alternate grit and panache of Reece. Now that important spark, the one that can turn a game in a few overs, or a couple of sessions, depending on the format and his mood.

Every side would like a player like him in their side, with a shot for every ball, timing to die for and a languid style that makes even the casual onlooker purr, as he leans into a cover drive. He has looked accomplished against the red ball in unfamiliar conditions, devastating against the white, all this despite missing a few weeks with a nasty hand injury, sustained in his first bowling spell for the county at Durham.

I had suggested that it wouldn't be too long into the winter before David Houghton signed him up to a new deal and he has beaten my prediction by several weeks. A new two year deal, on top of the one he had remaining, will see the player at the club until at least the end of 2022.

It is fantastic business. A top four of Godleman, Reece, Madsen and du Plooy pretty much guarantees runs in all formats, as it has this summer. With that quartet in place, the Head of Cricket can now concentrate on strengthening the bowling.

Leus may well go down as one of our best signings since John Morris brought Wayne Madsen to the county. Acting on a recommendation from Jacques Rudolph, Houghton brought him over for a trial, liked what he saw and signed him quickly to a two-year deal, to see what he could do.

Starting at eight in the order, he was quickly elevated and he has played some stunning innings. A century against Australia A, a fine knock against the full side, the demolition of Yorkshire at Headingley, fastest fifties in T20 and List A...the list goes on. It is easy to forget this is his first summer of English county cricket and he will only get better.

That will be in Derbyshire colours for the foreseeable future. Counties of our size must always be wary of predators lurking nearby and Leus will have caught the eye of most opponents this summer.

It is wonderful news, and like all of you I look forward to seeing the helmet removed and the bandana revealed to celebrate many centuries in the years to come. I expect his bowling to develop too, as someone who gives the ball a tweak and keeps a steady length, while his fielding is excellent, whether in the slips or further afield.

Special news indeed, in a special week.