Shahzad becomes new bowling coach

There was many a time in my 54 years of supporting Derbyshire that I would scratch my head at a signing, or the recruitment of a coach who didn't seem the best fit. Indeed there have been many summers in the time I have written this blog where things didn't seem right and attempting to explain the goings on needed considered use of words.

I have to say that in recent years my writing has become easier, because we get most things right, on and off the field. In particular, the appointment of Dave Houghton as Head of Cricket has lent a gravitas and common sense approach that has not always been the county's way of working.

Thus the appointment of Ajmal Shahzad as bowling coach, following in the footsteps of his fellow county man Steve Kirby, makes eminent sense. 

As a player he was good enough to play for  England. Just the once, but a Test bowling average of under 16 is pretty good on a CV. At county level his career was truncated by injury, but he was a lively, skilled bowler of fast medium who gave good service to Yorkshire, Lancashire, Leicestershire, Nottinghamshire and Sussex. He played in all formats and so will be well aware of the lengths to bowl in them, together with the skill sets required to be successful. Equally he will know the mental and physical challenges of county cricket, ideal for a coach who has a young attack to work with.

After finishing his career at the too-young age of 31, he became coach at Ampleforth, before becoming Head Coach at the MCC.

Steve Kirby held that position too and did a sterling job when he moved back north. Kirbs made a big impression on everyone with his cheery disposition, as well as being a coach of considerable ability. 

His move to Somerset has seen Ajmal follow him once more  and I am sure all of us hope he can get the best out of an exciting crop of young bowlers. As he said on his 'welcome' video this afternoon, there is variety to the attack, with right and left-armers,  tall and smaller ones. Each offering different challenges to batsmen and good options for Billy Godleman. 

There is a nice air of positivity in the Derbyshire camp as we get to within sixty days of a new season. The batting should take care of itself, but if the young bowlers have learned from their short 2020 and a winter in the nets, 2021 could be memorable, for all the right reasons.

Just need our other overseas recruit signed up now and we will be good to go. 

Welcome to Derbyshire, Ajmal. 

We all wish you well.