Thoughts from down south

Thanks to the nation's public library service I'm able to take half an hour out from my break down south to pen a few thoughts on Lee Goddard's release.

First, I'll admit that I was delighted when he signed as I thought that he would be an excellent replacment for James Pipe. His record for Durham 2nds suggested that he could do a good job, but it hasn't worked out for him, or the club. There have been suggestions around the boards that John Morris was unfair in letting him go, but I think that he's done the right thing in releasing a player who has not met expectations.

A wicket-keeper is the key man of any side in the field. If he is performing well, the fielding will often be doing the same and he will act as a catalyst. I've seen Goddard on several occasions this season and I've never thought he looked good behind the sticks, his glovework sloppy at best. I like my wicket-keepers ideally to be undemonstrative and efficient, as exemplified by someone like Bob Taylor. A 'character' in the field, a noisy, chirpy player like Karl Krikken is fine, but needs to keep up a level of performance as people are naturally drawn to them. To Krikk's credit, he kept up that high standard as Derbyshire keeper, but Lee Goddard, for some reason, didn't. Whether it was concentration or motivation I don't know, but it didn't work out and Morris moved quickly to give himself time to try other options, especially with Tom Poynton nursing an injured finger.

Steve Adshead has an early opportunity to stake a claim with a few games, but there may be other options. Adshead did well at Worcestershire, albeit with limited opportunities, while at Gloucestershire he showed himself a competent keeper and batsman, without perhaps doing well enough in either role to cement a long-term place.

Others who may come under the microsope have been mentioned on the boards, but a couple of situations may develop in the coming months. Niall O'Brien is rumoured likely to be released at Northamptonshire and the Irishman is both a punishing, early order batsman and solid behind the stumps. Meanwhile, at Lancashire both Luke Sutton and Gareth Cross are reportedly unhappy at being pigeonholed as four-day and one-day wicket-keepers only. Both would prefer a full-time role and I'd be delighted to see either of them at Derby. Such a move would be a return for Sutton, of course, and he is still young and fit enough to be a good option while Tom Poynton matures and gains further experience.

Another mentioned in various quarters is Joel Pope at Leicestershire, who Clive Radley said had the best pair of hands he'd seen in a long time. Pope also scores heavily for their seconds, and it is another name to keep in mind.

We certainly need a wicket-keeper to contribute with the bat, something that Goddard did all too rarely. The days of specialists are long gone and whoever gets the nod for next season must be able to add runs as well as take most edges that come his way.

Elsewhere it was nice to read of Ross Whiteley's double century for Chesterfield in the Premier League, an innings containing 18 fours and 18 sixes. I rate the lad, but feel he may develop into a batting all rounder rather than the genuine article. His left arm swing is too erratic at present to be a genuine threat, but he remains a young player of talent who could have a role to play in future.

Finally, a superb century by Chesney Hughes has put us very much in the ascendancy during the Northamptonshire match at Chesterfield. The 19-year old is a special talent and I'm only sorry that I had to defer my time at the match until tomorrow. Now, of course, I'm just hoping that the game lasts until then. If I go along tomorrow morning with Derbyshire chasing around 85 to win I'll be more than happy. It was also good to see Jon Clare back at his best with the ball and we have missed the young all-rounder this season.

Until the next time...