Derbyshire sign young seam bowler, Ben Aitchison

I have been very reassured in the past few days, especially with the return of county cricket in the very near future.

Today came news that a short-term contract for the remainder of this season has been offered to former Lancashire and Cheshire seam bowler Ben Aitchison, 21. He had limited opportunity at his home county but has done so well in Australian grade cricket over the past two winters that they appear to have been keen to have another look. He also performed well for Cheshire in the Minor Counties, while playing with distinction for his home club at Formby.

Sussex were reportedly keen, as were other counties, but Derbyshire got in first for a tall seamer (pictured bowling for Formby) who almost without precedent was playing first grade while unsigned by a county in this country. Only eleven bowlers in the division took more wickets and he now has the opportunity to make a case for a longer-term deal.

Interestingly, he played his grade cricket in Australia for the same side, Parramatta, as Sean Abbott, so there is a nice link there. He will undoubtedly get opportunity in what remains of this summer, alongside other young bowlers, Michael Cohen and Sam Conners. The future of the county lies in discovering and developing such young players and it is encouraging to see that Steve Kirby's recent words along those lines are being adhered to. With Luis Reece and Fynn Hudson-Prentice to lend all round support, the seam bowling seems to be in very good hands, with perhaps an overseas professional and the evergreen Tony Palladino to set the standards.

Those young bowlers have a fine coach in Steve Kirby. I have heard only good things about the bowling coach and like how he speaks in the interviews produced by the club. A fine and competitive bowler himself in his heyday, the youngsters have an excellent role model in Kirbs and I look forward to seeing their development in the years ahead.

Also encouraging is that TomWood blazed yet another century for Ticknall last weekend, making an unbeaten 131 out of 281-1 against Alvaston and Boulton. Their top four looks very powerful, with Paul Borrington making 82 and Joss Morgan, Wayne Madsen's brother-in-law, adding an unbeaten 39. With Greg Cork due in at four, few sides will fancy bowling at them this season.

I would love to see Tom get a crack at county level, as I have said on this blog many times over the years. His misfortune is that our top four of Godleman, Reece, Madsen and du Plooy is of similar quality to the legendary Barnett, Bowler, Adams, and Morris. Alex Hughes offers all round balance at five but Tom can only keep scoring runs and knocking at the door.

I also heard from a friend that we have picked up another very good young cricketer for next season. It hasn't been announced as yet and the name may not mean a lot to some people, but the player in question is also young and with a reputation to build upon after impressing in limited opportunities for his existing county. He also offers competition in an area that is needed, and is a player of terrific potential.

I am not going to announce the name, because having done all the work the club is entitled to break the news whenever it suits them to do so. But it proves that our coaching staff are starting to extend our traditional hunting grounds of Derbyshire and Staffordshire for talent.

As well as confirming that we are not sitting back on our laurels after last season's Finals Day.

That may well turn out to be just the beginning...

Postscript: just after I published this news came that Tom Wood has been awarded a similar contract for the remainder of the season. This comes, according to Dave Houghton, after 'looking sharp and impressing in training.'

I wish him well. People just need opportunity in life. Let's see what he makes of it.