George Scrimshaw

It was good - and even more, important - to see George Scrimshaw make his debut for England yesterday.

It might not have gone as he planned, certainly not in the opening couple of overs. He overstepped frequently and was taken to task by the Ireland opening batters. By the end of his second over in international cricket, he had taken his first wicket but had conceded 35 runs, a harsh reality check by any standards.

He finished better, ending up with figures of 3-66 in just under eight overs, but will now be well aware of the additional demands at international level. Even against a side like Ireland, who are far from international heavy hitters, despite some talented players.

The truth is that George can be - often is - expensive. He bowled beautifully at Taunton last year, when no one else did, but there were also matches when he went around the park. Many people will recall his closing over in the pulsating win over Lancashire last year, when he conceded only five runs. Perhaps fewer will remember that his previous three overs had gone for 48.

Some observers on social media were saying that they weren't bothered, because he is no longer a Derbyshire player. I get that, but he is still on the staff until the expiration of his contract and on the team sheet and score cards it will still say 'G.Scrimshaw - Derbyshire' and it was his performances for us that got him there.

That is important. Because irrespective of it not being a first choice England eleven - you could perhaps argue it was close to a third - George will have at least one England cap in his trophy cabinet at home, to look at when he is long retired. He also has three wickets at international level, something few of us ever get close to achieving.

It is more important for Derbyshire. Because commentators and those who take frequent opportunities to snipe at the county game can no longer point to the last England player we produced being Dominic Cork. Besides which, without the opportunity given to the player by Derbyshire, it is likely he would have been working outside of the game by now. My understanding is that he was not awash with offers when he left Worcestershire, after a few seasons where he was ravaged by injuries.

Without Derbyshire, without eighteen counties, George could have been just another statistic, a player of undoubted talent who flitted across the county game, without making any lasting contribution to it.

That's why the county game in its existing, long standing form is so crucial to player development. All ten wickets yesterday were taken by players from counties who are not seen as 'essential' by those who would cull the county game. Four were taken by Rehan Ahmed of Leicestershire, three by Durham men, Mattie Potts and Brydon Carse, the rest by Scrimshaw.

It is also worthy of note that Mickey Arthur said, soon after his arrival at the Incora County Ground, that there were several players who had the ability to play at international standard. There may have been a few raised eyebrows at this, but with Sam Conners making the England Lions, now George making the full side, his assertion has been proved correct. Even before you look at age group players like Yousaf Bin Naeem and Harry Moore.

So let's rejoice that 'one of our own' (not a phrase I especially like, but..) has earned his national colours and at the end of it all has done all right.

We won't see George in Derbyshire colours again, but that changes nothing.

The incentive, however, is clear.

Who's next?