Random thoughts

Well, that was a lot of fun…

It turned out that the BBC studio that I’d to speak from this morning was just around the corner from my work, which was nice and handy. Thanks to the staff there who were very professional and friendly, as well as to those at Radio Derby who were a pleasure to work with.

To quote Miriam, so beautifully played by Brenda Blethyn in the cricket comedy Outside Edge a few years ago, it’s not compulsory…

It was nice to get an opportunity to put over a point of view and the early signs from the poll are that most readers of this blog are firmly in the John Morris camp. Not even I would say that this season had gone to plan, but there are mitigating circumstances that the more discerning fans appreciate. If you have to get a project off the ground at your work and rely on several key personnel to do it, the chances are you would struggle if they went off sick or left. Such has been John Morris’ lot this season.

I got an e mail last night from someone who said that irrespective of the vote, Morris had brought in poor replacements for some ‘gifted’ batsmen. It’s a free world and everyone is entitled to an opinion, but anyone who doesn’t see Madsen, Durston and Hughes as a step forward perhaps needs to borrow my glasses, while I’m still puzzled as to the identity of the gifted ones…

Speaking of gifted ones, it appears that Ashley Giles has jumped in to sign Laurie Evans of Surrey for the rest of the season, thus stealing a march on other counties. Considering the Bears’ batsmen this season have made those elsewhere look Bradmanesque it is hardly a surprise. Meanwhile they have released Scottish seamer Callum McLeod, who hasn’t kicked on as they hoped he might since he left Uddingston.

Finally tonight, what a shame to see the shenanigans at Leicestershire, where internal fighting is at an astonishing level, with players threatening strike action and others talking about leaving. It is all reminiscent of the annual bloodletting that was a feature of Derbyshire’s winters, usually ending with committee men resigning and players disappearing. For their fans sake I hope that they can sort it out at Grace Road, but if not, there’s only one thing for it.

They can send us James Taylor and Nathan Buck…