Big task ahead for Head of Cricket

I suspect that it may be at least the end of next week before Derbyshire announce their new Head of Cricket, possibly even longer.

The reason for the delay will become obvious in time, but the successful candidate will need to hit the ground running, whenever he is free to start. 

Derbyshire's staff list on the website only features 17 names. Given that one of these is George Scrimshaw, who has taken on a Lord Lucan quality since the end of the Vitality Blast, we can say it is sixteen. My understanding is that a contract was offered, but declined, as a better one was out there. I am surprised that he hasn't yet signed this, but don't expect him at Derby this winter.

Of the remaining sixteen, Luis Reece may not be fit for the start of the summer, while Nick Potts has barely played. So it is evident that new players are needed.

I still think it ridiculous that Dave Houghton was allowed to recruit - on two year deals in some cases - before he left, but the counter balance to that is had he not, we wouldn't have a side, let alone a squad. The new HOC may come in and be unimpressed, but that is but the first challenge awaiting.

How does he replace our leading run-scorer, Matt Critchley, who was also our lead spinner? I am not convinced yet that Alex Thomson or Mattie McKiernan can take on that latter role, but unless we bring in an overseas spinner, I don't see any better around the circuit.

I do think Tom Wood might be a good replacement at five, but so too would Leus du Plooy, more likely productive there than at three. But who bats three? Wayne Madsen prefers four, so perhaps our four-day overseas picks are a spinner and a number three bat, to rotate with Dustin Melton.

Much will depend on who we can pick up around the circuit, but the 'name' out of contract players have been snapped up. We also need a wicket - keeper, to replace Harvey Hosein, ideally one who can wield the willow. Not to mention at least one more seamer, or seam bowling all rounder, to replace Fynn Hudson-Prentice.

Paul Walter at Essex may be a good option, as noted by Essex fan on a previous post, a left-handed all rounder of some talent. His limited chances haven't been improved by Matt Critchley going there, but others will be interested and they have people in post to make decisions.

Overseas players were a disaster last year. It is refreshing to see Leicestershire using analytics to bring in two Afghan players for the T20, based on their statistics and who they were made against. I would love to see us do similar. 

Last year, Stanlake was an accident waiting to happen, while the figures of McDermott tend to show him as a flat track bully, a strong bottom hand and tendency to play away from his body causing bother whenever the ball moves. Van Beek fielded brilliantly, but a tendency to bowl one or two bad balls an over cost him. Rampaul was sadly past it, while Melton was too often injured and will hope to do better and have better fortune this year.

Things to sort, then. Even before realisation dawns that Madsen, Godleman and du Plooy are in the final years of their deals... 

Yet if the new man comes in (and those in the frame are names) with a passion for excellence that lures players in to work with him, and an ability to coax the best from a small squad not without talent, we may see an improved 2022.

But there is much to do 

Critchley leaves for Essex

There has always been, at least for your correspondent, a strong likelihood of Matt Critchley leaving this winter.

He is an intelligent, talented and ambitious lad, who should have gone on the Lions tour this winter. That he did not, after the summer he had, was a disgrace. 

In moving to Essex he follows a path trodden previously by Geoff Miller, and will be closer to where the media are to push his England claims. How much bowling he gets is a moot point, with Harmer and Lawrence already bowling spin there, but he will be playing division one cricket, which is the major factor in his move. 

I am just glad he is not moving down the road to you-know-where, or to Glamorgan, which made no sense from anything but a financial perspective. There will have been other interest, but I suspect he has chosen well.

I wish him all the best. I shall miss his languid class with the bat and his coltish enthusiasm in the field. Most of all that developing leg spin, which helped him give us a genuine and rare three in one player. Not to mention his cheery smile and warm welcome on the occasions we met.

It leaves the new Head of Cricket with a big gap to fill. We have lost our top scoring batsman and lead spinner, not easy boots to step into. They may look overseas to do so, with spin looking comfortably our weaker suit. Can Alex Thomson or Mattie McKiernan step up? Is there someone out there who can deliver those dual roles? Essex have had to pay a fee to release him from his contract, so there is at least money there. 

Anyway, thanks for the memories, Critch.

It was always a pleasure and I wish you well. 

Scottish success offers Derbyshire interest

I have taken a great deal of pride in watching the Scottish cricket team at this World Cup. If you like cricket and live in the country, you have to. 

I know one or two of the squad - indeed Calum MacLeod played hockey for the same club as me - but the Derbyshire connection is strong and may yet get stronger.

Their success as a cricket nation started with the appointment of Grant Bradburn, and Shane Burger has taken things on well. Bradburn gave them a strong team ethic, a never say die attitude and an understanding that all eleven need to be at the top of their game to compete. 

Safyaan Sharif, Ali Evans, Calum MacLeod and Mark Watt all played for Derbyshire, albeit with varying degrees of success. Watt was dispensed with too soon, but seems to have worked hard on his weight, which was likely an issue. That he is a canny spinner is beyond doubt and he is a thinker. Balls from 23/24 yards, from two or three paces, from wider on the crease.. I like his combative edge and if Derbyshire were to lose Matt Critchley this winter  (I remain convinced we will) then he would be a decent pick for T20.

Wicket keeper Matthew Cross might be a decent option too. I liked the way he handled the chase yesterday, assaying nothing stupid, just knocking it around, which is all that was required. His glove work is undemonstrative and he strikes me as a thinker. He had some time at Essex and Nottinghamshire, but may well be a classic late developer. 

With Brooke Guest the only wicket keeper on our staff, the new HOC will look for someone to push him, I suspect. 

Meanwhile counties will doubtless look at Richie Berrington and George Munsey and fancy them in their T20 sides. Both are good batsmen, fine fielders, solid assets. I am not necessarily advocating our need for them - we don't lack explosive batsmen - but the departure of Critchley would leave a gap in the order.

It will be worth watching them as the tournament progresses, but so too leg-spinning all rounder Chris Greaves and off spin counterpart Michael Leask. As players for an associate status cricket nation with British passports, they may well find their talents in demand as summer approaches.

I look forward to seeing how they handle the top level teams they will now face, just as I eagerly await news of our new Head of Cricket. 

Anyway, unless that news breaks in the next few days, I will be quiet for that period. Into hospital at 11am, surgery on my hand at noon and back, with a cast, in the late afternoon. 

I will see you on the other side, when I will get to grips with the voice recognition software again.

Later...

Hosein retires from cricket

Sad news from Derbyshire this morning, with the announcement of the enforced retirement of Harvey Hosein.

Four recent concussions have seen the only logical consequence for the wicket-keeper/batsman. There are far more important things in life than cricket and Harvey will doubtless get support from the club and the Professional Cricketers Association as he forges a new career.

It is a desperate shame for the player and also for the club. He has always been an organised, technically correct batsman, one capable of accumulating steadily, if not usually quickly. Last season he started the year in fine form, his technique solid and his bat seemingly impenetrable. Sadly, the blows on the head that he received have had major consequences and his career has ended prematurely.

As a wicket keeper he was solid, occasionally spectacular. His record haul on debut at The Oval, when he looked slight enough to be collecting autographs, rather than catches, perhaps hindered him subsequently, as high expectations were set for a lad who had been promoted ahead of his time.

Like Tom Poynton before him, he has the time and opportunity to make a new career and, as a bright lad, he will undoubtedly do so.

Like all county supporters I wish him well.

It leaves Derbyshire, a county that at times has had three or four keepers on the books, with only Brooke Guest to call upon. The new Head of Cricket will look at that and decide whether a second keeper is needed, or the money could be better utilised elsewhere in the squad.

With loans fairly easily accessible, both options are very feasible and there will be good options out there if a permanent option is deemed the better one. 

Nice question on the HOC role

I would like to thank a regular contributor to this blog for an interesting question that I received by email today.

'You said you had looked at a lot of coaches, Peakfan and that Grant Bradburn was your pick in a fantasy shortlist.

What if that shortlist included, obviously hypothetically, an international coach or two? For example, wouldn't someone like Justin Langer, Ravi Shastri, Mark Boucher or Mickey Arthur be a better fantasy bet'? 

And I thought I was getting into fantasy land! 

The big appeal for me in Bradburn would be that he has coached, broadly speaking, at Derbyshire level and under budgetary constraints. He has had great success with them in New Zealand and in Scotland, which is a major consideration in appointing to such a role. 

When coaching at an elite level, it is different. In fact, I asked that very question of John Wright in my book, In Their Own Words: Derbyshire Cricketers in Conversation. His reply was:

'The pressures at international level are the hardest, but the main difference is that at county level you are working with players who have a wider spectrum of ability and attitude. That creates challenges and you cannot be ruthless at county level. In international cricket you bring in someone else. At county level you need to be patient and wait for players to realise what they are capable of.

There is also much less technical emphasis in the international arena. The players are the best of the best and so you are more 'hands off' '

John Wright had a spell at Kent before taking over as first New Zealand, then India coach, so he knows his stuff. 

 Of those named, Langer coached Western Australia for several years before taking the Australian job, while Boucher did very well for the Titans in South Africa, winning several trophies. Multi-millionaire Ravi Shastri would never come to England from the role he has, while Arthur had surprisingly little coaching outside the elite level, only a couple of years at Griqualand West before moving to coach South Africa, then Australia and now Sri Lanka. 

Would such people bring an 'elite mentality' to Derbyshire if, theoretically, they opted for a 'quieter' life? Yes, probably, but my concern would be exactly as John Wright said, plus we would likely only be a short-term stepping stone to the next elite role. 

Besides, IF Bradburn came in - and I must stress his resignation from the Pakistan role may be mere coincidence - I remain convinced he would bring that little sprinkle of fairy dust. He knows cricket, cricketers, people and getting the best from them. 

Anyway, fantasies, notions and wild ideas are done. 

By next weekend I expect us to know our new Head of Cricket.

Maybe we are all wide of the mark and we end up with Alan Titchmarsh...

If so, we will know Neil Godrich was on the panel!

Bradburn resignation starts conjecture

I had several messages yesterday about Grant Bradburn, regarding his resignation from his post with the Pakistan Cricket Board. 

I had seen the news early yesterday and like many of you was intrigued. 

Bradburn was in a very senior role, Head of Performance, the capo dei capi in the coaching field in that country. Undoubtedly a senior, very highly paid position. 

Could he, or would he resign that post to come to Derbyshire? Or is the timing coincidental and he has been offered a position elsewhere? 

As I wrote several weeks ago, and have done since, he would be my choice of Head of Cricket. Yet we don't know he has applied, nor that he is in line to be interviewed. 

One would assume that the latter would be a formality, if he did the former and also that he would by far be the best qualified candidate. 

Yet we must not get ahead of ourselves. I understand that we have still to interview some candidates anyway, so even if he was interviewed, an announcement may not be imminent. 

I have been part of a number of interview processes where the successful or preferred candidate was known in advance, but the process had to be followed and those interviews completed. 

IF (note the capital letters) Bradburn applied for the job and IF ( note them again..) he was interviewed, then the likelihood is he will be new Head of Cricket. He is intelligent, articulate, supremely qualified and perfect for the job. 

But we don't know if he has. 

While his potential appointment would be as exciting for me as anyone, I will keep my powder dry until there is an announcement. 

But what an announcement it would be.. 

Back to two divisions in 2022

As we wait for the communication, be it puffs of smoke, semaphore or tweet, that announces the new Head of Cricket at Derbyshire, news comes today of a return to two divisions next season.

It is welcome for me. I like my life and  sport simple and three conferences always struck me as a faff, even if a necessary one in these Covidian times.  I struggled with most of last season after our awful start to it, but the latter section, merely to prove who was best and worst of the worst, was pretty dull fare.

It was ironic, because those celebrating the creation of three conferences said it meant there would be no meaningless games like we used to see in three-day cricket when it was a seventeen or eighteen-team single division. I liked that and far preferred seeing every county and its players in the course of a summer, even when tenth v twelfth didn't matter all that much. 

Now? Leicestershire twice in T20 and four-day, maybe in the RLODC. Same for Nottinghamshire, who must have hoped that the ECB might forget they will be in division two alongside us... 

They must start massive favourites for that division next year, although if we get our Head of Cricket appointment right and recruit good overseas players, we can challenge for the second promotion berth.

But so can most teams and that is the beauty of it. Fixtures will be out in November and there is no one else in the division that, with a good, motivational coach and a sage selection policy, we can't beat.

The two divisions :

Division One

Essex, Gloucestershire, Hampshire, Kent, Lancashire, Northamptonshire, Somerset, Surrey, Warwickshire, Yorkshire

Division Two

Derbyshire, Durham, Glamorgan, Leicestershire, Middlesex, Nottinghamshire, Sussex, Worcestershire.

As always, I would love to hear your thoughts. 

Indeed, if anyone wants to give me theirs on next season and the new coach (when announced) in an article, do please let me know.

Next Friday I go in to hospital for surgery on my other hand, which I was supposed to have over two years ago. I will be unable to type for two weeks, but will again use voice recognition software, as I did before, if there are breaking stories.

Do please keep your thoughts and comments coming! 

Weekend Blog

Enjoying a nice day off yesterday, I spent a pleasant few hours watching Scotland play Papua New Guinea in a T20 in Dubai. Earlier I had watched Ireland demolished by the United Arab Emirates in another warm up match for the T20 World Cup, but the Scots hold considerable 'Derbyshire' interest.

Ali Evans was bowling, while Calum MacLeod (quaintly called 'Maclee-od' by one commentator) not only saw his team to victory with the bat but bowled a few tight overs of off spin, which slowed their opponents down. He started his career as a handy seamer, but suggestions that his arm wasn't always straight saw it largely go by the wayside.

There was a good finishing knock too from Richie Berrington, who very nearly had a trial with Derbyshire during John Morris' time. I put him in touch with the then Derbyshire coach and a trial was arranged but fell through due to his Scottish commitments.  It was a pity, because he is a decent cricketer and was then in a rich vein of form.

It is always a pleasure to watch George Munsey bat and as someone commented early in the week, he would be a one-day asset to Derbyshire or most sides.

The powerful left-hander led off in typical style and is in a rich vein of form just now. Whether he could fit into a Derbyshire batting line up at full strength is a moot point.

In today's Scotland game against Namibia, both Mark Watt and Safyaan Sharif are on display, so there is plenty of Derbyshire interest out there. Only tarnished by a commentator who bellows into the microphone at any activity. Jim Laker, he isn't... 

Much will depend on winter activity at the Incora County Ground, both in the recruitment of the Head of Cricket and any possible departures.

I'd recommend the Free Sports Channel 64 on Freeview. The South African domestic T20 is going just now and there are some fine players on view, our own Leus du Plooy soon to be among them, playing for South Western Districts. 

Congratulations

Well done to Neil Jones, who is the winner of the first sponsors draw for a cricket book over the winter.

A signed copy of Luke Sutton's 'Life of a Sports Agent' will soon be winging its way to Neil's home - can you drop me an email with your address, please Neil?

Many thanks to those who entered and there will be another book up for grabs next month!

If you want to take part, or if you just want to sponsor the blog, please click the 'donate' button, that you will see on the top left hand side of the screen when on a PC or tablet. 

Fantasy short list

I always like it when a question posed in an email generates thoughts worthy of an article.

So it is that today I give you my fantasy five-man short list of people who I would love to have applied for the Derbyshire job. I have no idea if they have, but these five would give the board some fascinating interviews and provide a heady mix of experience. Thanks to an old friend for providing the stimulus for it!

Ian Bell

I think he wants to get in to coaching, so why not with a challenge? On the up side, his name would generate interest. On the down side, he has no background in coaching but has recent playing experience. Can he motivate people? 

Karl Krikken

The coach with the best record in recent history. Would he leave a role at Lancashire where he is settled? Would he go back to a club that sacked him? He is good with young players, both spotting and developing them. 

Mark Alleyne

Back working with Gloucestershire and a man with a fine track record as player, captain and coach. Yet not given a role in the game for a few years, for some reason. That he would be a canny coach is beyond doubt, that his tactics would be sharp is too. Could he get the best from a group of players not without talent? Would he capture media attention?

Simon Katich

Knows Derbyshire, knows the English game, but likely to be part of the 100 in some capacity and while the concept is appealing, the conflict of interest would be an issue. An overseas coach might be the way to go if he could cover the bases of the job description and offer knowledge of the county and world game. 

Grant Bradburn

For me - and I have spent a lot of time in recent months studying potential coaches around the world - he would be 'the man' . 

The question mark is if he would be remotely interested in Derbyshire. He has a senior role, Head of Performance in coaching the top coaches in Pakistan. 

His career and reputation has been made in improving the fortunes of clubs and countries that were minnows.  He did it in New Zealand, in Fiji and in Scotland. 

I would be astonished were he to apply, but this is a fantasy list and I have read that he is away from his family in Pakistan, which must be a strain. He is also known to John Wright, who brought him to the county for a few weeks to work on the T20, with success. 

That is my top five fantasy list. If any one of those applied they would be a stand out, bringing new ideas, voice and tactics to the club. 

If they all applied? You couldn't go past Bradburn. Living in Scotland, I saw what he did for the cricket team and its media profile up here. The players both respected  and responded to him. They beat England, claimed several other notable scalps and became more professional. He is a thinker, a strategist, a tactician, but most of all a motivator who gets the best from people. 

We can all dream, right?

And if you have ideas for other articles over the winter, please drop me an email or DM on Twitter. 

Landmark weekend and deadline passes

 Been a busy old week chez Peakfan, with my birthday among other things that have kept me busy.

It is also a landmark weekend, with the blog going past 2.75 million views and interest continuing. Thank you so much to all those who check in, wherever you are in the world.

Yesterday was the closing date for applications for the Head of Cricket role, so we are fast approaching a defining moment for Derbyshire cricket.

I think they will want to interview as soon as possible, so my expectation is that the successful candidate will be announced inside the next fortnight, so he can get on with the job of improving our fortunes in 2022.

With John Sadler already taking the Northamptonshire role, it is the only one on the county circuit at present. A challenge, for sure, but one that a lot of people should fancy. We just need someone brave enough to make big decisions, intelligent enough to strategise the club's future and cricket-savvy to make our game more aggressive. Throw in the need for motivational skills and good contacts and the need for someone special is clear.

Fingers crossed we get such a man.

In closing,  there are just over 24 hours to put your name in the hat for a signed copy of Luke Sutton's excellent book 'Life of a cricket agent'

It is open to anyone who has so far sponsored the blog, so if you have done so AND would like the book, please drop me an email to peakfan36@yahoo.co.uk

If you haven't yet donated, please feel free to click the 'donate' button that is visible on your PC or tablet, in the top left hand corner.

I look forward to announcing the winner in the coming week.

Good luck!

Three re-sign as Priestley leaves

I didn't have time earlier in the week to comment on the contracts awarded at Derbyshire, but I have a few minutes now.

I have no real issue with the award of two year contracts to Alex Hughes and Tom Wood, nor the one-year one to Mattie McKiernan. It was something of an inevitability for the latter two, after the awards they won at the club's annual dinner last weekend.

With Wood having been 'poster boy' for the club Twitter feed in recent weeks, it would have looked pretty silly to then announce his release. His century against Nottinghamshire will live long in the collective memory and his power and  stroke play in one day cricket will prove a potent weapon.

He has work to do on his technique for the four-day game and the defence isn't as secure as it could be, but the talent is there for the new Head of Cricket to work on. 

Similarly, McKiernan was voted Second XI player of the year, so to then announce his departure would have made the club a laughing stock.

I like him as a cricketer, but he needs to make the most of his opportunities next year under a new Head of Cricket. He also needs to be given more at senior level, because his bowling seems to be seen as a 'last resort'. I think it is better than that and perhaps he, like Anuj Dal, could benefit from greater responsibility.

Long time readers will know I am a big fan of Alex Hughes  and so I am pleased to see him get a new deal. Coming in from left field, he will be a strong contender for the captaincy if they don't look to Matt Critchley, certainly in the one-day games. A change is needed, in my opinion, with fresh eyes and enthusiasm. 

Yet my concern is that Dave Houghton has made, or been allowed to make, decisions on contracts when he won't be at the club.

Unless the new Head of Cricket is to be given a pot of money as yet undeclared, he looks set to go with the same squad for next year, as he has been presented with a fait accompli.

I just find it very odd. So whoever comes in cannot be fairly judged next year, unless he turns us into a mid-table side, because there would appear to be only money for the overseas players.

It makes the appointment of the right man absolutely critical, because we desperately need someone with a track record of motivation, capable of getting the best from what we have.

Nils Priestley won't be part of the new regime, his release having been announced yesterday.

A talented cricketer, capable of useful left arm spin and clean hitting, his development was not sufficient, at this stage, to earn a new deal.

It could come again, if he goes away and works on his game, or his future could be outside cricket.

Either way, I wish him well.