Both available for the entire season.. Wow, check!
One would have to admit that Mickey Arthur has done an astonishing job in securing the services of two quality cricketers for the entirety of an English summer. At the same time he has secured leaders, players for the others to look up to and match in terms of commitment and standards.
I have covered Shan Masood already, but securing the services of Suranga Lakmal for the next two summers is something of a coup.
At 34 he knows his game and he has taken wickets all over the world, 168 of them in Test matches and still the leader of the Sri Lankan attack. I suspect he will thrive in early season conditions over here, while crucially he has the nous and accuracy to keep it tight on more batsman-friendly wickets. At 6'3 he will get bounce and lateral movement and likely prove a handful.
He captained his country on five occasions, winning three, so will offer sage counsel to whoever leads the side in different formats this year.
His T20 runs per over is only eight, very good for someone who bowls in the Powerplays. He will be a handful, for sure,
the fourth Sri Lankan to play for Derbyshire and I suspect the best.
Clive Inman was past his best when he played a few one-day games after leaving Leicestershire, while Tillekaratne Dilshan was a disappointment in the T20. Jeevan Mendis did well though, and would have likely done better if engaged for late, rather than early summer.
His value to a young and relatively inexperienced attack cannot be overestimated and I look forward immensely to seeing him in our colours.
Welcome to Derbyshire, Suranga!
Click on this link to see him in fine fettle against Australia at The Gabba
I suspect in a few years we will see the arrival of Micky Arthur in the same way as we saw Dean Jones. In terms of expectations of the players, and the ability to make stuff happen on/off the pitch through sheer force of personality/drive/experience and connections.
ReplyDeleteFor the first times in years, I'm feeling really positive about the summer (trust dcfc to counterbalance that) and I really hope that unlike Dean it's the start of a real change in DCCC rather than another flash in the pan.
My final point is credit where credit's due - repect to whoever it was that got Micky to sign
He has so far recruited more sensibly and to a higher standard than we have seen for some time.
DeleteI am curious as to his planned T20 signing(s) and while I think our 4 day and RLODC summer should be solid, I think there is something missing for the T20 with current personnel.
But he will address that, I am sure.
As for his recruitment, he applied for the job, which came at the right time for him and us.
It was then always going to be a shootout between him and the one other standout candidate.
He has a chance to turn it around here, like Jones and Barlow. We can't get worse than we were collectively last year.
So even in a year where he has a 'free hit' he should see an improvement.
What kind of player do you think would be the biggest priority for the T20 Peakfan?
DeleteA quality spinner.
DeleteTeams will look at us and think 'Lakmal, Cohen, Scrimshaw, Melton.. let's prepare a slow track'
Maybe Thomson and McKiernan may thrive on being lead spinner. Perhaps we could use Tom Wood and Wayne Madsen's spin more.
But a good, tight spinner, especially if he can clump it...
I would go for Watt again for the bowling. Just think someone in the lower order who can clear the ropes in the last 4 overs is needed, if the top order doesn't fire.
Again, McKiernan can do that in the 2s. Can he step up? I would love to see it!
Looks a good signing.
ReplyDeleteAlso in terms of t20 Masood has made a great start to the PSL. 4 games, 240 runs at 60 and a strike rate of 150 odd. A Reece and Masood opening partnership could be tasty.
Yes, that's very tasty! Madsen and Leus to follow, maybe Wood at 5,there is good power there.
DeleteWith the right T20 addition(s) we could do well..
Very tasty! With Wayne, Leus and Tom to follow, a powerful top 5. Alex in there too, a big loss last year.
ReplyDeleteI don't want to be negative but this guy is going to be 35 by the time the season starts and Derbyshire have given him a two year contract let's hope Derbyshire get value for money out of him
ReplyDeleteIt's the same age Charl Langeveldt was when we signed him. If you look around the counties, people like Murtagh, Stevens, Anderson, Broad, Wright still take wickets.
DeleteWe have lacked not just the old head to best use helpful tracks, but also to keep it tight on less helpful ones.
Having dispensed with Palladino (too soon, for me) we needed that older head.
Age is my only concern, although our young bowlers have been injured a lot. I worry about the lower order batting, without Hosein and FHP. Also, a spinner for T20 would be nice. Kris
ReplyDeleteLike Kris I think the lower middle order needs strengthening and I guess the answer is a back-up keeper whose batting is good enough to fit in at 6 or 7. I hope Mickey Arthur still feels a slow leftie is needed - I thinkk it's a definite requirement. For t20 a spinner who can belt it - a Matt C replacement.
ReplyDeleteI'm a bit lost on the overseas ruling - I take it our quota is now full including the t20?
Hi Phil you can have 3 on the staff and play 2.
DeleteSo until Melton becomes 'English' we have a full quota