Good wishes for 2023!

It isn't ideal to be approaching the end of 2022 with an element of uncertainty over the future of Mickey. Arthur. But such is professional sport these days that things rarely run smoothly.

For what it is worth, I would be surprised were the Head of Cricket to leave his post. There is considerable goodwill towards him at Derby and what I'm sure is a generous contract is his for the next three years. He can achieve something at the county in that timescale and leave it in a far better condition than it was found.

If he goes back to Pakistan? Things are never simple in that part of the world and it always seems to me that there are way too many fingers in pies they should be steering well clear of. Selection inconsistences and infighting seem to go hand in hand. There is no doubt that the main sport in that country produces some magnificent cricketers, yet I am never convinced that their strongest eleven ever takes the field.

The absence of Shan Masood for a long time and Mohamad Abbas perpetually seems odd at this distance and they are far from isolated occurrences. I get the impression that a slight shift in power battles sees the current incumbent of the coaching role in an awkward position, usually resulting in the end of a contract. It has been so for Arthur before, it will be again.

We must only hope that common sense prevails. Were he to see out his Derbyshire contract he would still be young enough to take on another international role, having probably added something notable to his CV. Leaving, let's make no bones about it, would leave a bad taste and after protestations of wanting to leave a legacy and be referred to in the same breath as the likes of Eddie Barlow and Fred Swarbrook, that wouldn't happen. But at the end of the day, all of us must make our own decisions in life.

With the offices at the Incora County Ground closed for the festive period, it is likely that any statement from the club will come next week, when they all return to work. I do hope that such a statement is quickly forthcoming, because there are memberships to sell and an overseas player to be signed. This work will be made considerably easier with the right man in post and that right man is Mickey Arthur.

Anyway, that will all sort in due course. From me, very best wishes for 2023 and thank you to all of you for your support, your messages, comments and emails over this year.

Perhaps 2023 is the year of the falcon...

Arthur conjecture gathering pace

You can pay your money and take your choice on this one.

According to some reports, Mickey Arthur is set to return to Pakistan as coach of their national side. According to others, his opinion only on the new cricket supremo in that country has been sought and he is happy where he is, at Derbyshire.

I really have nothing to add to this. It was inevitable, when I first heard that his name was in the frame for the role, that this kind of thing was going to happen. After all, international coaches of established pedigree are not common. It was my concern when he was chosen over Grant Bradburn, who also made the final cut.

By the same token, I think he would make a mistake in going back to a country where they decided against extending his contract originally. Returns in sport are seldom successful and I would be surprised - and of course disappointed - if Arthur were to turn his back on Derbyshire after just one season in charge and after signing a contract that keeps him at the club for a further three seasons.

Yet after 50 years and counting of following sport, very little surprises me anymore. 

All I hope is that either the club or the coach himself is quick in making a statement to clarify the situation for supporters. Things have blown up very quickly over Christmas and I have no doubt that there are some of those reporting who are perhaps quite liberal with the truth.

One way or the other we will know what is happening by the end of the week. But one thing is for sure.

Derbyshire will continue. But players who signed on the dotted line on the understanding that they would be working with him will be mighty disappointed were that to prove not to be the case.

I know I would.

Have a great Christmas!

There is just time, before we all shut down for the joys of family Christmas, to thank you all for your support over the past 12 months and for following the blog, wherever you are in the world.

I remain incredibly humbled that blog usage continues to rise, especially during the summer months. Family commitments limit my time to write stuff in the winter, but I continue to try to keep pace with developments and create copy, as and when I can.

Special thanks to those who have generously donated. That support really does make a difference and for those of you who would like to do so in the next couple of weeks, here is a little news about a January draw.

I will be offering five prizes in that draw, all of them excellent cricket books. The first name drawn out gets to choose first, then the second and so on. 

That draw will be open to all of those who have donated towards blog running costs, which is quite a few people!

Thank you so much to every single one. I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas and wish you the very best in 2023.

Here's to a winning Derbyshire!

Second team to hold trials

In another development that I can only applaud, Derbyshire will be holding trials in the early new year for English-based players with an interest in playing for the second eleven n the coming summer.

Led by Second XI Coach & Head of Analytics, Chris Highton, and with involvement from former Derbyshire all-rounder and new Analyst & Support Coach, Alex Hughes, the Second XI will provide players with the opportunity to play high level cricket and work to the standards expected by Head of Cricket, Mickey Arthur, in the first team.

The Club’s pathway will provide a steady stream of players for the Second XI, as they continue their development, but Derbyshire are also giving players the opportunity to impress ahead of the 2023 season and earn a spot within the setup.

It is a notable step forward. For a long time appearance in the second team, rightly or wrongly, appeared to be down to who had a few days off and was a decent player. There was a very poor occurrence a couple of years ago, when an overseas professional for a local club was originally announced as captain for a second team game.

I will be honest, as I always am. I see no point in offering opportunity in the county second eleven to anyone who is not legitimately looking for or good enough for potentially making a step up. There is a big difference between when Eddie Barlow brought over Peter Kirsten, Allan Lamb and Garth Le Roux, all seriously talented players and with a view to seeing which one was best fit for Derbyshire, and our playing a young Australian, Zimbabwean or South African who just happens to be local for a few nights.

We have seen changes this winter, all of them positive, but a lot of players are out of contract at the end of next season. If we can unearth a few gems, either from local cricket or further afield, then that would be a very positive use of the second team and excellent succession planning.

The summer presents an opportunity for them to find out the way that Mickey Arthur and his coaching staff work, and to buy in to the club's ethos.

If they can prove that they have what it takes for stepping up a level, then so much the better.

Madsen signs new deal

Such great news this morning, as Wayne Madsen extends his contract with the county to the end of the 2024 season.

He will be 40 by then, but if last season's form is anything to go by, maybe he can do a 'Darren Stevens' and play on longer still.

Last year very much marked a renaissance in his fortunes. His batting with Shan Masood was a joy to behold, but throughout the year he set an example with the bat, while remaining as good and safe a slip fielder as anywhere in the country.

That he was often the choice for point in T20 matches, when Anuj Dal was not playing also speaks volumes for his fitness. He still looks as fit as he did when he first burst onto the Derbyshire scene.

We have all been privileged to watch a genuine all-time Derbyshire great bat exclusively for our county for what will have been a decade and a half by that stage.

The thought of it continuing for at least another 2 years is very much a thought to warm the heart.

I'm sure I'm not alone in looking forward to both his classically correct and wonderfully improvised stroke play over the next two summers.

Fantastic news, for sure

Bring on 2023!

Weekend Warmer

On a day where the temperature here is currently reading -6, a winter warmer is very much what the doctor ordered!

Truth be told, there's not much to relate from a Derbyshire perspective. I am sure that off the field, the clubs, function rooms and the marquee are doing their bit towards supporting Mickey Arthur's ambitions. A successful festive period, following on from a very well attended fireworks night, can make a major contribution towards the club's financial well-being.

The only real news this week, though very positive, was the return to action of Sri Lankan seam bowler Suranga Lakmal. Having him restored to full fitness will be a major boost ahead of 2023 and his 2 for 29 in 4 overs, against the side currently coached by Arthur, was a respectable effort.

We seem to have plenty of options with both seam and spin this year, although of course, like every year you are only a couple of injuries away from a problem.

Mark Watt has also been in fine form for Scotland and has bowled with his usual guile and parsimony.

Perhaps this week we might have a pre-Christmas boost with the announcement of the second overseas player, but more logically that may have to wait until the new year.

Whatever happens, have a good week, stay safe and stay warm!

Just a thought...

While claiming no inside information, I wouldn't be at all disappointed if Mickey Arthur's choice of overseas batsman to replace Shan Masood turned out to be Abdullah Shafique.

The 23-year-old Pakistan opener looks to be really special, a generational talent. While he is batting on something akin to a road in the current Test match, his style and class are quite evident. Mind you, a Test average of 67 and first class one of over 70 is a reasonable indicator of quality.

I suspect that both he, his advisors and the PCB would see a stint in England as a very good finishing school. 

I have no doubt he will score very heavily in the years to come and will only get better.

I recall Dave mentioned him as a good option a few months back, in a blog comment. 

Nothing I have seen would dispute that assertion.

Arthur signs on for three more years!

There is wonderful news to wake up to today, as Derbyshire announce that Mickey Arthur has signed a 3-year contract extension, which takes him up to the end of 2025.

The news could hardly be better, as the experienced international coach has galvanised the county's fortunes in a relatively short space of time. The transformation was clear last season, when the side was much more competitive with minimal change to the playing staff. Over the next three seasons I would expect the club to kick on still further, with the playing staff changing to reflect the Head of Cricket's mentality and requirements.

It is a thrill to read how much he has bought into the county and into the area. My only concern, when I first heard of his interest in the post, was that we might be merely a stepping stone back into international cricket. It is extremely pleasing to see that is not the case and equally so to see that finances have been put in place to enable him to do the ' roots and branches' review that was needed.

Last season was exciting. Hold on to your hats, because the next three look like upping the excitement level!

Speaking of which, the fixtures came out this week. That announcement always seems to bring the season a little closer, even though we still have plenty of cold, frosty, wet and snowy days to come.

It is the typical mess that we have come to expect from the ECB. It would be nice if County cricket - the source of all those players doing so well for England at the moment - was played at a time of year when spectators might enjoy some sunshine on their backs, while the players were able to discard several layers of sweaters and leave the hand warmers in the dressing room.

During a 36 day period across July, August and September 2023, Derbyshire have eight days of cricket, home and away. Seriously, at the height of summer.

Meanwhile, after 20th May they play on a Saturday just once. It is crazy, counter-productive and as if those arranging the fixtures were hell bent on the game being unsuccessful. We can only hope that the next review of the county game actually considers when it is being played, not who is playing it.

They will argue, of course, that they want to leave Saturdays free for those who want to play the game, while later in the season, they want to avoid potential clashes with football. The argument simply doesn't stack up. There are many more people who love cricket and are unable to play the game for whatever reason, while the days of football being a 3pm Saturday game have long gone. Perhaps for 2024 we might have fixtures arranged for a time when spectators could actually attend a spectator sport. How radical would that be...?

The silver lining for me, however, is that the away game against Durham runs Thursday to Sunday and so enables me to go for the first three days with no impact on my annual leave. My accommodation is already booked and I am looking forward to attending a lovely ground and catching up with old friends.

I am also thrilled that after several years of trying I should be able to attend the Chesterfield Cricket Festival! As things stand, I will be there for the entirety of the four-day game against Yorkshire and I am already excited at once again watching a game where I had my introduction to Derbyshire cricket, back in 1967. 

Exciting times!