Melton signs on as overseas player

With no disrespect intended to an extremely likeable bloke, today's announcement of Dustin Melton as one of Derbyshire's overseas players for 2021 will have raised a few eyebrows.

I cannot think of another player who has been given such a 'gig' after a short first-class career in which he has taken just ten first-class wickets at 38 runs each.

It is a leap of faith in some eyes and undoubtedly a surprise.

And yet, if you give the subject due consideration, it makes a lot of sense. In limited appearances last season, Dustin took eight first-class wickets at 29, bowling with pace and hostility, not unlike a latter-day Ole Mortensen in his aggressive style. He ran in hard, zipped it about and got good wickets with a high level of fitness that let him bowl for long spells. He showed, in bowling the successful final over against Leicestershire in the T20, that he handles pressure well. 

I liked him when I first saw him in the second team, his pace disconcerting a few at that level, though his wayward, nervy debut against Australia was not fully indicative of his talent.

He can still be prone to a wayward spell, as in the second innings against Lancashire at Liverpool last year, but there is potential there. His progress under Steve Kirby is marked and another winter of work should see further development.

Dustin will take a place in a young seam attack featuring Ben Aitchison, Michael Cohen, Sam Conners and possibly an overseas seamer, with good support from a plethora of all rounders.

I suspect that the challenges of finding overseas players for next year played a part. No one knows what the global impact of Covid-19 will continue to be, or how much cricket will be played at this stage. A limited number of players will want to commit to such a role, especially in a slog around the county circuit for several months. Finances will also play a part, with the club's income streams reduced this year and potentially next.

Engaging Melton while he qualifies to play in this country by residence makes sense in the long-term. The experience may benefit us for years to come and I have no doubt that he will work very hard to continue his improvement. By 2022 he should be English-qualified. 

I wish him well. With Ben McDermott also engaged for one-day cricket, one assumes the third permitted overseas player (two can play in any match) will be a seam bowler or an all rounder. No doubt close tabs are being kept on Sean Abbott, but a player who will offer with bat and ball, especially in the one-day game, will be highly prized. A spinner would be nice for late season, but there aren't too many in the world game who are willing or able to come. 

In closing, congratulations to Dustin. He is a lovely bloke, unless he is 22 yards away with a ball in his hand. The club's social media today highlighted what it means to him and how grateful he is for the opportunity. 

It could turn out to be an inspired bit of work by Dave Houghton and is worth keeping an eye on.

With decent luck and continued hard work, Dustin will get his share of wickets next season. 

And beyond.