Back in contact

Thanks to those night time magicians at BT our neighbourhood was back in contact with the outside world this morning after being out of commission yesterday.

To be fair, I missed very little from a blog-worthy perspective. Northamptonshire released three players who were at best peripheral figures in their squad, but the most telling comment came from Kent’s cricket supremo Paul Farbrace, who said that he did not expect to sign any players this winter as he didn’t have the money. At the same time he doesn’t expect to have an overseas player next summer either…

That potentially affects Derbyshire in two ways. Firstly, I would have thought it knocks on the head once and for all any suggestion that Greg Smith will be moving down there. Secondly it may mean that the likeliest destination for Makhaya Ntini for next year (assuming he remains interested in a county stint) has gone. I haven’t any more idea of John Morris’ intentions than the rest of you, but if he is looking for a fast bowling spearhead, there is not likely to be a better one available than Ntini. Currently without a South African central contract and unlikely to be involved in the IPL, he could potentially be available. I don’t think that will be the case with Morne Morkel and Dale Steyn, so my guess is that Ntini will be potentially of interest to a few counties.

Today Nottinghamshire announced that opening batsman Matt Wood and all- rounder Bilal Shafayat have been released. Wood has never made the runs at Trent Bridge that once flowed from his bat at Somerset and has struggled to hold down a place, even when the county have been in dire need of an opening batsman. Nonetheless, a bloke who a few years back was good enough to score 297 in an innings must entertain hopes of another deal somewhere.

As for Shafayat, it is one of the mysteries of the game why he hasn’t gone on to greater things, having starred at Under-19 level. He can bat beautifully, bowl useful seam and keep wicket. He left Nottinghamshire for Northamptonshire, then decided to go back, the latter a decision he must now regret as his career has stalled, especially in the last two years. In the right environment he may yet flourish and at his best he would be an asset to any side, yet it has still not happened. At 26 he may not yet have reached last chance saloon but now needs to make the right move. A batting average of 30 perhaps doesn’t do justice to his ability, while a bowling one of a similar rate for less than thirty wickets suggests he has been under-bowled.

Perhaps, like a good many before him, he will be a late developer. I would be surprised if no one took him on as the talent is there, but he now needs regular first team cricket and to show that he can do more than play attractive cameos. One in five of his first class innings has resulted in a score over 50, but only 25% have been converted to three figures.

If someone can harness that ability, there is a good cricketer in there.

Elsewhere, the Seconds look to have had the beating of Nottinghamshire. After bowling them out for 242 on day one (three wickets for Knight, two each for Clare, Whiteley and Sheikh), we made 370 with Durston scoring an unbeaten 140 and Whiteley adding 81.  Ian Hunter then bowled beautifully to reduce Nottinghamshire to 74-8 at the end of the second day (last night). Hunter took 5-23, illustrating what we have missed this season.

More tomorrow, but for now - good night!