They cannot do otherwise at present, with uncertainty on when off field income generation can resume and if spectators are likely next summer.
One would hope that will be the case, but the lucrative concerts, the fireworks night and the festive parties will all be impossible this year. It has put a sizeable hole in finances and the club will doubtless be careful on what they do at present.
What they will almost certainly do is offer contracts to players who have impressed on short term ones. That being the case I will be massively disappointed if there is no announcement of a deal for Ben Aitchison soon. He could have done little more this summer to earn a permanent deal and I see him as a fixture in our side for the next few years.
Likewise, if there is any justice in this world Tom Wood will get a deal. My astonishment at his lack of opportunity, especially in the T20, has yet to dissipate, but a season contract is right for both player and club.
I still feel he has a role at either three, with Wayne Madsen dropping to five, or at five himself, where his power would be useful against a tiring attack. Of course, both Alex Hughes and Matt Critchley will have designs on that berth, but competition is seldom a bad thing.
There are a few players being released around the country, but question marks on finances will preclude new signings for many at this stage. I think both Luke Wells and Harry Finch will get a deal elsewhere, having surprisingly been released by Sussex, while Toby Lester is too talented a left arm seamer to not get picked up after his Lancashire release.
If not signed elsewhere, he struck me as a 'Derbyshire' signing. He will be well known to Mal Loye and several members of the staff, with only a question mark over his fitness in the past. A talented bowler though, for sure.
Several Kolpaks have been released around the shires, but my understanding, as I have written before, is that both Michael Cohen and Leus du Plooy will be fine. They have European passports and can continue to work towards being England - qualified.
The case of Dustin Melton is less clear. While he qualifies on grounds of residence next year, I understand that this may be too late for him to be considered for a deal in 2021, other than as an overseas player.
I like him a lot and rate him, but think that is unlikely at this stage, so we may need to wait to see him in county colours again-- if there is still interest, of course.
With Palladino and Rampaul both presumably gone and McKiernan and Priestley at the end of deals, we look to be low on numbers at this stage.
Expect things to happen, but apart from those already on the staff, perhaps not yet.
Looks like you timed your new article to coincide with the Aitchison announcement.
ReplyDeleteI hope we would also be interested in Brett Hutton but may already be signed for another county.
Gareth
Yes, a good player. Surprised he has been released.
DeleteHis choice, I think. as Northants were at pains to point out that he'd turned down their offer of a contract extension. I suspect he might be homeward bound to Notts, who never really wanted to let him go, even though they didn't give him much encouragement to stay with their obsessive attempts to poach bowlers from other counties. They haven't replaced Wood and Coughlan, and with Fletcher seemingly increasingly injury prone, they desperately need to add some experience to their bowling.
DeleteIf he's not already committed, he'd be a very good addition for us. Even with Aitchison's signing and with the assumption that we'll have an overseas quick bowler next year, we still need to strengthen the pace bowling, with Conners, Cohen and Aitchison all in that dangerous early 20's phase when injury or loss of form has derailed many promising careers. Two more signings one a more mature bowler, would provide depth and relieve some of the burden that might otherwise fall on Reece and Hudson-Prentice.
Hutton would certainly fit that description, although I note that Northants didn't seem to rate him for T20, and that's something we do need. So would Toby Lester, who's been starved of opportunity at lancs, and would be very much at home in Derbyshire's dressing room at the moment.
Certainly agree regarding Hutton. If memory serves me correct, I believe he left Notts as he was not getting much white ball cricket and he wanted more opportunities in that regard, which he has never really had at Northants either. I would have thought that we could offer this, although I suspect so can others. He can contribute with the bat too which would be useful.
DeleteToby Lester should be on our radar, although again I think that there will be others interested in his services. Our many Lancashire connections may help though and those that have moved from Old Trafford to us have all had the opportunity to develop their games. His T20 record, albeit from a limited number of games is promising, and he would as notoveryet highlights fit right in our dressing room.
I noticed that George Scrimshaw has been released by Worcestershire, I remember him having some promise a couple of years ago, but I think he has had a horrendous time with injuries. He is a Staffs lad and was playing in the Derbyshire Premier League in recent seasons. I am not sure of his full situation but maybe others know more.
It is going to be interesting as counties try to weigh up balancing the books, alongside strengthening their squads and tough decisions will have to be made.
Luke Wells and Harry Finch would be very good signings for Derbyshire.
ReplyDeleteThey would, but likely not cheap. Either would be an asset in the middle order, but our main focus has to be bowling, for me
DeleteThe question has to be how long can county cricket as we know it without paying spectators and membership subscriptions and all the other match day revenue survive?another summer of empty grounds will probably push a lot of counties to to edge of closure perhaps this is something the ECB is secretly hoping for the chance to finally restructure the first class game in England?
ReplyDeleteHaving turned down a contract extension one suspects that Brett Hutton's future is assured.If that were to be with ourselves then all to the good especially with Tony P's departure.
ReplyDeleteIf not [and as I suspect ]then the future surely lies with the development of our latest crop of young seamers but they will need an experienced head to lead them.For me this role will be crucial to fulfilling their potential.
I agree with yourself PF that this has to be the priority in any recruitment [along with Tom's overdue contract lol !]
Then again and as always what do I know ?
Best wishes
Alison
Graham Wagg ?
DeleteYou know, Simon, I wondered about that.
DeleteHe must have a deal on the table to call time on his Glamorgan career. The number of counties who might offer that are limited. While on one hand he is of comparable age to Rampaul and Palladino, who have been released, he is a genuine all, rounder for all formats.
His stats for last year were impressive and our need for an experienced bowler is obvious.
One who can also bat holds considerable appeal. It will come down to money, as always, but it is a possibility
I'd dangle the carrot of T20 captaincy. A very competitive guy who wont settle for less than 100% effort from all. Billy excels in the 4 day and 50 over game but for me struggles in T20 both as opener and captain.
ReplyDelete