Lineker signs

Interesting news broke this morning as Derbyshire announced the signing of Matt Lineker on a summer contract for 2011.


Lineker, a left-handed batsman, has been a standout performer in the Derbyshire Premier League for several seasons, scoring heavily for both Alfreton and Ockbrook and Borrowash as well as taking his share of wickets. I believe he has been offered terms before but declined for business reasons, but if it is possible to make the jump from league to county cricket, Lineker is perhaps the man most likely to do it. Over a thousand runs again last summer highlights his ability, but it would be unfair to expect him to make the jump in level with ease, nor to be automatically in the first choice side.

It is an interesting signing and one that sends out the right message to players in the strong Derbyshire Premier League - perform and there is a chance for you. While Lineker will not be the biggest name to join Derbyshire this winter, this is still encouraging and reaffirms the club’s links with the leagues that have produced so many outstanding players over the years.

Who knows, maybe Lineker is the next?

Elsewhere, the Somerset fan who highlighted the signing of Mark Turner has posted on IMWT that John Morris is in discussions with Usman Afzaal, formerly of Nottinghamshire, Northamptonshire and Surrey. It doesn’t surprise me, as the player was seen at the County Ground before his move to London, when presumably Morris offered him terms. He was outgunned on the money front then and may be again, but perhaps the player wants to move back nearer to his family, something that would obviously work in our favour.

I’m a little baffled by some comments that we couldn’t afford him. That may be the case, but this would be the same as any transaction. The player and his agent will have an idea of what he wants, John Morris will know what he can afford and they’ll attempt to find middle ground. Morris has been involved in many of these discussions on both sides of the table and knows very well how it works, having been a successful sports agent himself before coming to Derbyshire. He also knows what he needs for next season and we should see what unfolds.

Comments about ‘attitude’ are of little concern, The player is considerably more mature than the callow youth who made his international debut and most dressing rooms are full of disparate personalities. I’ve read several accounts of how the successful Middlesex side under Mike Brearley had several spiky individuals who didn’t especially get on, but it didn’t stop them being a fine side. The bottom line is that for most of the last seven or eight years Afzaal has averaged between forty and sixty. Maybe I’m alone on this one, but give me a quirky character who does that over a nice bloke who averages twenty anytime, especially if it results in a successful side.

More on that one if anything happens...