I got an e mail a couple of days ago from a Derbyshire fan wanting to know what the best Derbyshire XI I have ever seen would look like, allowing for only one overseas player.
Tough call! After much deliberation, this is the crème de la crème over 43 years.
Kim Barnett
Wouldn’t he be in everyone’s all-time XI? Simply a very, very good batsman
Peter Bowler
A fine opener who we missed badly when he moved to Somerset
John Morris
A class act at three, which is why I've omitted Peter Kirsten instead of
Dean Jones
Plays at four. I swithered over Kirsten, Diva, Azharuddin and Rogers. Barlow would have got the best from all of them, but Jones was a simply brilliant batsman and the best pacer of an innings I ever expect to see. Plus he would graft if conditions were unfavourable. You couldn't ask for more
Chris Adams
Pugnacious batsman who learned a lot from Jones. Sadly, Sussex then saw the very best of him but he was a fine player.
Dominic Cork
Some serious competitors in this team! Like him or not, Corky was always up for a battle and could win matches with bat and ball.
Graeme Welch
Aggressive batsman, penetrative bowler and top bloke. Could you ask for more?
Geoff Miller
Far better batsman than his returns suggested, steady off spinner and reliable fielder. Can’t leave him out
Derek Morgan
I only caught his later years, but he could play. Bowled both seam and cutters and they’d have to dig him out if the innings went pear-shaped. Caught anything in the field and a genuine all-rounder
Bob Taylor
He’d be in my World XI to take on Mars, so you can’t go past the best wicket-keeper I’ve ever seen.
Mike Hendrick
Hendo leading the attack with Cork? Welch as first change then Morgan and Miller? We’d only need three batsmen…
I look forward to seeing your sides. Remember, only one overseas player!
Good choices. The only changes I'd make to your team would be Alan Ward for Welch, and Kirsten for Jones, with Morgan batting at 6 or 7.
ReplyDeleteYes, that would work Martin. In his pomp Ward was seriously quick but burned out all too quickly. Devon would have been in the mix too, of course.
ReplyDeleteKirsten? Yes, fantastic player. I wish we could get one like him for next year!
Good to hear from you again.