They fully deserved it and it was great to see a supposed 'lesser county', one 'making up the numbers', coming out on top.
Yes, they were not as affected as some clubs by the other competition, but match after match they pulled things out of the fire. They were together as a team and I applaud their efforts. It was especially nice to see two young local lads turn the match for them. It reminded me in some ways of when Dominic Cork and Karl Krikken turned the Lord's final against Lancashire, with a big stand that gave us a total to work with.
Their win was testimony to a lot of hard work by Claude Henderson, who is proving himself to be a very astute coach, having been a canny and underrated cricketer. To turn them around from the chaos of mid-season, when Paul Nixon departed, is a really good effort.
What they have done with young players is the ideal template for Derbyshire. I am sure that we will in the long term, with an effective Pathway now in place, achieve something similar but it is unrealistic to say we should play Bin Naeem, Moore and Wagstaff alongside Sam Conners next season.
For one thing, education gets in the way, as does personal and physical development. I watched Yousaf batting for Sandiacre yesterday and he looks a fabulous talent, yet with the obvious physical limitations (power) of a mid teenager. The same goes for Moore - you can't throw him into first- class cricket and get him to bowl 15 to 20 overs per day at that age.
It takes time, which it has taken Leicestershire, but the desire to do it appears to be there. So for now, I expect Derbyshire's 'vision' to be more short-term, with the recruitment of players who know their games and can offer match-winning ability. Much the same way, in fact, as when we signed the likes of Barry Wood, David Steele, John Hampshire, Steve Oldham and Simon Base back in the day. Canny, seasoned battlers all, who helped to change the club mentality.
Would you say, for all their achievement, there was more talent in the Leicestershire side than our own? I don't think so, but they have played as a team, with everyone performing a role and carrying it out very well. We didn't do that this year, certainly not often enough to be effective.The introduction of the new recruits should make us tougher, more street-wise, willing to battle it out.
Next season I expect Derbyshire to give it a real go. If the names that I have heard are coming in transpire, I expect supporters to be very happy indeed. Serious cricketers, match winners and for me, an enhancement on those before them.
I still feel the second overseas role will be crucial. Mickey Arthur may opt to split it, with one player for the four-day game and another for the T20, but I would be beyond confident it will be a player from Pakistan. Realistically it would have to be someone on the periphery of, or outside, the Pakistan squad, because they would otherwise be involved in the T20 World Cup.
It would exceed bizarre were Derbyshire to miss out on an overseas star, because their own Head of Cricket had selected the player to play for Pakistan in his other job...
If he could attract Imad Wasim you could bank on the knockouts now, because he is such a fine player, yet likely outside the World Cup squad on grounds of age. Currently starring alongside Mohammad Amir for Jamaica Tallawahs where they have 28 wickets between them, he is also a very good batter, a proven match-winner.
He would be my first pick, but it may be a developing player is more within budget. I'd love Mohammad Wasim Jr, but would be surprised were he not in the World Cup squad, so perhaps someone like Salman Ali Agha or Qasim Akram may be good options, all rounders both. I suspect that announcement may take time, because by taking a county contract, the player concerned would know he was not going to be in the World Cup.
Anyway, we must sit tight and await news from the club.
I suspect it will be well worth waiting for..
Some very pertinent comments Peakfan but I struggle to share your faith re the academy/pathway which over the years has failed miserably to produce cricketers who have gone on to play long county cricket careers. Some have burst onto the scene then faded away or gone to other counties ( usually Leicester or Northants ) and not progressed. Cotton, Davis, Taylor, Qadri to name but a few. Of the present bunch only Connors is a regular for the first team but would this really be the case if we had any strength in depth ?
ReplyDeleteWhen did we last produce a Rehan Ahmed? Indeed who was our last England player ? Cork ? Crikey that was 20 + years ago !
For me if we are to be successful next season our recruitment has to be spot on especially the overseas. Certainly no room for a Lakmal type error
Appreciate a name thanks, Anon! Yes it has failed but the likes of Whiteley, Slater, Taylor, Blackwell, Parkinson have done well in the game, though not necessarily for us for long enough
DeleteWe have to improve on that. Show them we can compete for trophies and further their careers at the same time
Sorry
DeletePaul