I suppose the concern is always that the more affluent counties will sniff around any player of talent - and Ben is certainly one of those. But the county has been patient with him while he recovered from surgery and there are signs that this patience will be rewarded in spades.
There is a lot to like in Ben. He isn't, as described on Cricinfo, a 'fast' bowler, but he doesn't need to be, because his bowling has other strengths. Line and length are the prime ones, together with moving it just enough to cause problems. It is all well and good to obtain extravagant movement, which looks great on replays. But the best bowlers know that you only need to move it half a bat's width and find the edge to reap the rewards. As Wilfred Rhodes once put it, the rest is for show...
At 26 and having lost two years to his back injuries, Ben will be keen to make up for lost time. He was thrust back into the Derbyshire side and had to play T20 when he was neither match fit nor experienced in the format. Even now, he has only bowled 43 overs in the short form and while he took wickets, including 5-29 at Headingley, he will be keen to get his runs per over into single figures.
His averages in all formats are very good and are likely to improve. So too is his batting, which has always been worthy of greater respect than given in some quarters. Whether he ever becomes a genuine all-rounder is something time will tell, but he will always be an asset in the field, where he has a safe pair of hands anywhere, especially in the slip cordon, together with a good arm.
With Mickey Arthur keen to reduce the age demographic of the Derbyshire side, Ben still fits into a 'young' category, but will increasingly become a 'go to' for captains. With Harry Moore (18) likely to return next season and Rory Haydon (22) knocking loudly on the door, the county will have young pace options, including Nick Potts (23). He too has signed a deal until the end of next season and will need to prove that he can stay fit , first of all, then limit the bad balls that often ruin his figures.
He is capable of pace, has a good yorker and, like Ben, is excellent in the field.
We will see next year if he can make it, or if like many before him, his ceiling is that of a very good league cricketer.
Fingers crossed he makes it.
But that is encouraging news today.
Pleased for Ben, wouldn’t have extended Potts contract. Grant from Telford
ReplyDeleteAitchison was a no brainer & good news. I have no problem giving Potts a deal unless it is at the expense of a deal for Haydon.
ReplyDeleteMarkB
I'm baffled by Nick Potts getting a new deal. There has to be better out there.
ReplyDeleteRob
Agreed Simon
DeleteI'm pleased with both these re-signings. Aitchison is obvious but I think Potts also deserves time.
ReplyDeleteHe's very clearly got ability, his bowling at the death in the first one day game showed tremendous skill, it's one of the most difficult skills in the game and additionally he showed mental strength to bounce back from his opening spell where he took some tap.
His treatment has been abysmal, he quite clearly needs games to show what he can do and get into his rhythm and play with confidence. He's a young homegrown player and he's had 1 over in the Blast and 1 OD game this season. Should be playing every game in the OD Cup.
I find it strange that in the clubs press release MA talks about both players being given chances, which Is a bit of a joke in Potts case as it appears that he is only selected when there are no alternatives available.
DeleteMA also said before the one day cup that youth was going to be given a chance but as the competition has gone on fewer and fewer younger players have been picked.
Aitchison has clearly got fitter as the season has gone on. I'm hopeful he can take wickets with a duke ball, early season. Potts is clearly a reliable 12th man and a good fielder. His bowling remains hot and cold. Kris
ReplyDelete