tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-46846306391908034.post5852660742359930093..comments2024-03-28T13:00:53.561+00:00Comments on Derbyshire Cricket - Peakfan's blog: Kolpak/UK passport signings muddy long-term thinkingPeakfanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01328174919897893268noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-46846306391908034.post-82623366226566378942015-05-04T20:39:43.618+01:002015-05-04T20:39:43.618+01:00I'm sure we all agree with the sentiment but i...I'm sure we all agree with the sentiment but it has been this way for decades now, just the quality has changed. When i played for Leicestershire in the early eighties we had Andy Roberts, Brian Davison , Paddy Clift , George Ferris and Mike Haysman . Two of these played in the seconds, leaving only 9 spots for the rest of us and this was the same for our opposition. The result though was hard fought second team games and an early exposure to international standard cricketers . It quickly became apparent who could cut it. I do think that the gulf between first and seconds is now so vast that it is approaching being irrelevant when assessing talent and the leagues have become a better indicator of ability.knacknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-46846306391908034.post-66778816407101457712015-05-04T10:18:56.597+01:002015-05-04T10:18:56.597+01:00The Kolpak route will always be a feature of crick...The Kolpak route will always be a feature of cricket,unless or until the rules are changed. There is pressure on the coach/head of cricket (or what ever name the leader goes under)to produce results and strive for success. Part of the problem is they know themselves they only have a limited shelf life and taking a longer term outlook is unlikely to prolong their own stay.<br /><br />Few coaches have England at the forefront of their mind and they can hardy be blamed for that,given the shambolic way the national team is being run.Any sympathy I may have had for England went out of the window a long time ago.<br /><br /> I,m not in favour of the Kolpak theory but I do believe there is some benefit to be derived from young players playing with and against top foreigners.Cream will always rise to the top and those good enough will make the grade.<br /><br />People involved with cricket from the chairman down to the average supporter all crave success and not many are too concerned as to how that is achieved. It may not be an ideal situation but I can,t see it changing any time soon.<br /><br />Marcnoreply@blogger.com