Monday musings

It's that time of year again, when players coming to the end of their contracts do one of two things, depending on their age and form.

One is to look at the options and see if there are teams out there who will pay a good - perhaps inflated - rate for your services. The other is to keep your fingers crossed that another offer is tabled at your existing county. Our most recent opponents, Worcestershire, are a case in point, where there are six cricketers at the end of their contracts in September.

Logic suggests that seamer Richard Jones and all-rounder Gareth Andrew would be wanted by the county but they may not lack for suitors elsewhere. Chris Russell and Imran Arif will perhaps be sweating on new offers, although the latter looked useful when he was first discovered in the Yorkshire leagues. Then there's two seasoned professionals in Ben Smith and Matt Mason.

Smith has been a fine servant to the county but at 38 has found form elusive this season. A first class average of just over 40 indicates that the former Leicestershire player can play, but Worcestershire and any potential employer have to work out whether he still has the ability, reactions and eyesight or whether his days in the first-class game are numbered. Back in my youth, Smith was the sort of player courted by Derbyshire, an experienced, solid professional who could score his runs though perhaps not as prolifically as in his prime. Players like Brian Bolus, Clive Inman, Phil Sharpe, John Hampshire and Ron Headley were picked up with varying degrees of success, with the unwritten understanding that the feats of their prime were unlikely.

I would have thought Smith unlikely to be retained, given Worcestershire's impressive young batsmen coming through, while, two years younger, Matt Mason's dual role as bowling coach may see him get another deal. Mason is a good bowler, but has had his share of injuries in recent seasons like many of his kind. That record may legislate against interest from other counties, but the paucity of young seam bowling talent around the circuit and that role in the club may make another year at Worcester a fair investment.

There are also bigger names who will be looking at options in the next few months. Owais Shah, Ryan Sidebottom, Graham Onions and Eoin Morgan will not lack interest in their services, but it was interesting to read Ashley Giles suggesting that Warwickshire may go down the Kolpak route to strengthen next season, citing the role that Dale Benkenstein and Michael di Venuto have played in Durham's success.

I am sure that John Morris will also be looking in this area too, as he faces the prospect of replacing his leading batsman and bowler as things stand. One of them will presumably be replaced by an overseas player, and although an English-qualified "name" would perhaps be Morris' preference, the greater likelihood is that the Kolpak route could be an option for the other.

Perhaps one from Rolof van der Merwe, Paul Harris or Johann Botha might fancy the idea of a county stint, deciding that their opportunities at international level are too sporadic? Maybe Morris might leave the spin options to Greg Smith and Jake Needham and look at bringing in a seamer, perhaps Charl Langeveldt? A great deal will depend on the success in luring players from elsewhere, or spotting somone, like Wes Durston, who is deserving of another opportunity. Gloucestershire came up trumps with Gemaal Hussain this season and he has rewarded them with nearly fifty first class wickets after being rejected at Essex, Nottinghamshire, Sussex and Worcestershire. At 26 he has justified his contract and looks set for a lengthy county career.

Who else is out there?