He looked a good bowler in his most recent stint at Derbyshire and produced figures that would obviously have generated interest at our end. It needed the agreement of Lancashire to release him from the final two years of his contract, however, which they have now done once he indicated his desire to leave for greater opportunity.
I wish him well and it is a sound piece of recruitment, a player with the capability of getting better. Many Lancashire supporters regarded him a better spinner than Tom Hartley, so I think we have a talent on our hands. At 23 he can get much better.
I do hope he works on his batting, as low order runs will always be valuable. With three runs in his seven innings over the last four games, the only way is up for Jack in that department.
But bowling will be his strength and he offers a variety we did not have.
That will always get my vote
Welcome to Derbyshire (again) Jack!
Pleased we have got this one sorted. Showed promise last season and hopefully should continue to improve.
ReplyDeleteGood to see a young player walk away from a 2 year deal with a big county for a 2 year deal with a smaller county. I doubt that the money is better so he has come for cricketing reasons. Something I always like to see.
ReplyDeleteMarkb
"Many Lancashire supporters regarded him a better spinner than Tom Hartley"
ReplyDeleteLancs fan here. Those supporters would only be anyone who had ever seen both of them bowl. I don't think even Tom Hartley's mum thinks Hartley is a better spinner. Hartley's a better bat and fielder, to be fair, and a good lad, but it shows how we are as a club that we've let the two best spinners at the club leave in 2 seasons because we think Luke Wells is a front line spin option. You keep capitalising on our inability to develop talent, though. You might want a look at George Lavelle too btw.
I like Lavelle and he looks good when I have seen him. But I don't think we need a third keeper, especially when our number one, Guest, seems indestructible!
DeleteIs Lavelle good enough to play as a specialist bat? Not sure..
That's a reasonable question to ask about Lavelle, to be fair. I fear there is a strong aura of Michael Bates about him; first rate glovework (good judges felt him a generational wicketkeeping talent as a youth player), not so strong with the bat. For us, Matty Hurst, a very good keeper and an excellent bat, has quite reasonably supplanted him (and I suspect will see George Bell off next season as well when the latter's contract comes up).
DeleteGood signing but I can’t help but feel a bit sorry for Alex Thomson; Derbyshire wish him a happy birthday and then announce the signing of his probable replacement on the same day. ‘Happy Birthday Alex! By the way, we’ve signed your replacement today because the HoC doesn’t think you will ever take wickets at Derby! Enjoy your day!’
ReplyDeleteChris
I didn't think Morley would give up a 2 year deal at Lancs tbh. Their fans seem sad to see him go. Of course, his batting stats aren't great, certainly nothing like Thomson's. A permanent left arm spinner, a right arm one and a leggie is maybe a bit of a luxury? We will probably only play one in 4 day cricket. Kris
ReplyDeletePerhaps the hope is that long term, Mitch can offer all round input? I think Alex needs a good season in 2025 and also the opportunity to have one. But he needs better luck with injuries for one thing
DeleteMixed feelings. Morley bowled well for us last season, and has a lot of talent. But where does this leave Alex Thomson?
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