I have felt that many times with Derbyshire. Most notably when we signed Eddie Barlow and Dean Jones, when it went as hoped, but I also remember when we signed Lawrence Rowe, among many others, when it didn't.
Big names have come and gone, yet there are few bigger in the context of the county game in recent seasons than Mohammad Abbas. His record speaks for itself and there will be few sides in division two who are confident of handling his many skills with a cricket ball.
Abbas was the cherry atop the icing on a particularly fine winter cake, as Mickey Arthur recruited very well. Shoaib Bashir will attract the headline writers of course, not all of them hoping he succeeds, such is the way of the media these days. With two international bowlers in their attack, Derbyshire surely has to be a more potent force with the ball than in recent seasons?
Much will depend on pitches at home. There will be an element of risk in making them more sporting, but the attack put together is the match of any in the second division.
Ben Aitchison returned in 2025 and gave additional 'oomph' to the seam bowling, while Zak Chappell will surely benefit from not having to carry the attack. He can now be rested, as appropriate, to maintain fitness. Those two will likely be first choice change bowlers for Abbas and the admirable Luis Reece, who both batted and bowled brilliantly in 2025. Behind them, Rory Haydon will be keen to impress in his first year on the staff, while Harry Moore will be wanting to put his injury-ravaged 2025 behind him.
The seam bowling strength doesn't end there, with Pat Brown and Nick Potts undoubtedly wanting to put the challenges of last season behind them. Both are better than they showed last year, when injury played a major part in underwhelming seasons. Both need better form and luck this summer, with challenge coming from an increasingly impressive Pathway and their current deals running only to the end of the summer.
Seam bowling should not be an issue, especially with Anuj Dal and Martin Andersson to lend further support. The latter had a spectacular year with the bat last summer, though again injury limited his bowling. As for Dal, he will want to show that the decline of the last two summers is not terminal, again in the last year of his current contract. He may not be a first choice and must make the most of opportunity when it presents itself. Everyone will hope this genial, popular all-rounder rediscovers the form of his best days.
The arrival of Bashir, replacing Alex Thomson, is an intriguing signing and puts pressure on Jack Morley for the first choice spinner role. Jack took 27 wickets last year and bowled some good spells, but an average of 47 needs to come down. Bashir also needs to show that he has what it takes for a long county career, having been elevated to first choice for his country ahead of schedule. It is easy to forget he is only 22, very much learning the game. Plenty of bowling will aid his development. Like any other job, you only learn with experience. To
The wicket keeping will be again in the safe hands of Brooke Guest. Both that and his batting will likely benefit from the arrival of Matt Montgomery from Nottinghamshire, enabling him to drop down the order, likely to number five. Nye Donald will offer back up, but is unlikely to be first choice in the red ball format, ahead of a man who has made the position his own in recent years and offered admirable consistency.
The success of the season will depend on how the batting functions as a unit. Given appropriate pitches, the bowlers will take wickets and winning matches will be dependent on scoring enough runs to win matches.
The very best Derbyshire sides were not especially strong in batting. The ones in the 1930s and 1950s generally cobbled together enough runs to bowl at, while rarely posting mammoth scores. They allowed time for the bowlers to do their thing, something the class of '26 must emulate.
This year's model has talent, but must show it on a regular basis. Caleb Jewell will want to put an ordinary winter for Tasmania, where he averaged just 24, behind him and again lead from the top as he did so well last year. He will likely open with Harry Came, a player of considerable talent who must now show that he has progressed from promising youngster to established and consistent county professional. The starts they give will largely dictate the county fortunes.
Montgomery will add a touch of steel and class at number three and I expect him to be close to or past four figures by the end of the summer. I've always rated him highly and consider his acquisition an excellent piece of work by Mickey Arthur. He will take weight from the shoulders of Wayne Madsen, captain once more in his eighteenth season with the club and his 42nd year. There were no signs of a diminution of his powers last year and he remains the most prized wicket in the side.
Luis Reece will offer depth to the batting, especially with his long experience of facing the new ball. How nice would it be for him to often come in at 300-4 rather than 52-4? Nye Donald will hope for opportunity, as will Amrit Basra. Both may see more cricket in the white ball game, but are equally capable of offering an injection of pace and power into the batting lineup, when given the opportunity. Both are entertainers and their arrival at the crease is always likely to be enjoyed.
Mitch Wagstaff and Yusuf bin Naeem will hope for opportunity, again after more injuries than they would have wished last year. While Naeem is largely unproven, there's a good cricketer in Wagstaff. The injury that ended his season before the 50-over competition last year ruined a great showcase opportunity. He could yet succeed but needs to grasp opportunity when it presents itself. There is much to like in a left handed bat who bowls very handy leg spin.
There is enough talent in this squad to push for promotion. I will look at the other teams in a separate piece, but while Durham and Lancashire will likely start favourites, there is usually one side that upsets the form book.
Few would have predicted Leicestershire and Glamorgan to go up last season.
If they get off to a good start, have their share of luck, hold their catches and keep their nerve in tight situations, why can't it be Derbyshire this year?
The question mark, I expect, will be the final month of the season. Abbas *might* be selected for the Pakistan tour of this country, while Jewell is likely to have to return to Australia, as their cricket board expects of all players, ahead of the domestic season there.
Is there money to bring in a replacement, if needed? I don't know the answer at this stage, but first we need to get into a position where the question becomes relevant.
It will make for fascinating viewing.
I am sure we all wish them the very best of luck.
The Dean Jones signing did initially go well - but unfortunately not for long enough. I had such high hopes for 1997 after the previous summer's near miss in the Championship but Jones was gone by June amid reports of senior players stirring the pot. What might have been had he stayed we'll never know but I for one still regret his acrimonious departure.
ReplyDeleteMark, from Buxton.
It was a strong dressing room, Mark, with some big characters within it. It would have needed someone with good diplomatic skills to keep them all happy. That wasn't one of his strengths. Outstanding player, good captain but someone who is not to every taste by a long chalk
DeleteNot forgetting his fellow Victorian, Les Stilman. Together they instilled a very aggressive approach. Worked for a while, and elevated Chris Adams to another level. Others were less impressed...
DeleteWhat happened at Derbyshire in 1997 was virtually a repeat of what had happened at Victoria twelve months earlier with Mr Jones unfortunately, I’ve always hoped that Kim would one day write his biography and give his official version of the events,
ReplyDeleteNot sure if that will happen, KJB. Not sure if Kim wants to stir up old issues, although it would make for a great read. I told him some time ago that if he was ever interested he should let me know and I would be delighted to help!
Delete