Random thoughts...

So Corky has gone down to the south coast and joined Hampshire. I suppose it was only to be expected, that he'd want to join another first division outfit, but I'd have liked to see him at Derby. Where we go now for a seamer I'm not sure. It may be that there's a good bowler out there waiting on offers, but I don't know who that may be.

It would be good if Tom Lungley was fit for next year and if he was, we'd have the extra seamer anyway as he was rarely available this season. A useful option may be Mark Hardinges, who I rate as a useful county all-rounder. He is especially good in one day cricket and I think someone may snap him up before too long. Gloucestershire may well come to regret letting him go as he has his best years ahead of him.

A comment on here the other night suggested Ali Brown of Surrey as a potential signing. Its not the worst idea in the world as he is, on his day, one of the most destructive batsmen in the country. My concerns would be that he is an eye player and recent performances suggest that its not as sharp as it once was. Allied to the fact that he has spent his career and made his reputation "dahn sarf" and there would be a few reservations.

The Ian Blackwell story still lingers and he is apparently unhappy at Somerset but he is another who may well want to stay in division one unless the pull of his home county is too strong - aka we make him an offer he can't refuse.

Lance Klusener would be another fine signing, but he's another one that will not be lacking suitors and whether we would want another Kolpak is debatable. Some player though, and I'd love to see him in Derbyshire colours.

I hope Morris doesn't top up the squad instead of signing genuine talent. We've some good players but they need experience and ideally more alongside them with that crucial ingredient. A post on 606 suggested David Hemp, who has been released by Glamorgan, but I don't think he has much to offer and I'd take Stubbo and Sadler over him quite frankly. He's been a decent cricketer but we can surely aim higher?

One final poll for this season. Let me know what you thought of the year for Derbyshire overall. Did it meet your exepctations?

In closing tonight, congratulations to Graham Wagg for his award as player of the year. There can be few grumbles from anyone, except maybe those at Edgbaston who allowed him to leave and tried to get him back. I don't care what Ashley Giles says, his role at Warwickshire and his selectorial role with England are diametrically opposed. He should be told to do one or the other, but not be allowed to do both. It gives him an emotional pull on players who presumably thinks that if he wants them at Warwickshire they must have a better-than-average chance of an England cap.

Until the next time, keep following the news in the links from this site. If anything breaks, I'll let you know...