Strange symmetry

It is reported tonight that Yorkshire are set to announce profits of almost £700,000 for last season, an impressive achievement at any time bit especially in the recent economic climate.

At the same time, this is my 700th post on the blog, which is just closing in on its second birthday. The hits seem to increase all the time too. I've been astonished by the interest over the close season, so can only wonder what it will be like when the season starts.

Speaking of which, I see Herschelle Gibbs has signed with Yorkshire for the T20. On February 7th I suggested that Gibbs might come under the microscope for a county and I'm starting to impress myself with my mystic-ness (think I just invented a word there!) He'll do a decent job for them, but they'll be hoping that he doesn't get a Test recall and scupper things.

Gibbs will miss the first T20 game against us (there's a pity...) and a chance to play against Robin Peterson. Thereafter he will be available for all the T20. I suppose that the same might go for anyone else in the Saffer one day set up, so if we signed Langeveldt, Bosman or Parnell we would doubtless lose them for the opening round of games.

As I said the other night though, John Morris will wait to see who is available before making his T20 selection. I'm sure he has people in mind, but much will depend on who makes the cut for the Australian and Pakistani squads for the summer's one day games in this country. With Pakistan's selectors not knowing who should be in their top eleven and Australia trying out a lot of players at present, we just do not know who might be in the frame.

News just out is that Nottinghamshire have signed Hashim Amla for the opening weeks of the season, prior to David Hussey's arrival. He is a very fine player, in my opinion. Lancashire had mixed fortunes with Ashwell Prince last summer, but Amla is the real deal, especially in the longer formats.

It was good to see Charl Langeveldt bowling well for South Africa the other night, despite being unlucky when he hit the stumps in his final over without dislodging a bail. I was also pleased to see Wayne Parnell score runs at this level for the first time. He is a fine young player and will, I think, be one of the world's best in five years. Think back to how Dale Steyn was all over the place when he played with Warwickshire. Parnell needs only to progress at a similar rate to be a star for his country for many years to come.

See you soon. The season approaches fast!