Monday musings

I spent half an hour yesterday afternoon looking around 606 at what fans of other counties were saying and there was a fair amount of activity.


One Lancashire fan suggested they could sign Muralitharan as a Kolpak, which was an eye-opener since I hadn’t realised he had a South African, Zimbabawean or West Indian passport. As things stand, only players from those countries can become Kolpak signings and my understanding is that such players will only get the requisite visa/permit by signing to say that they are finished with international cricket.

Given that Kolpaks also need to have played recent international cricket, the window of opportunity isn’t open too wide, which heightens my feeling that we have seen the last of Robin Peterson at Derbyshire. He may or may not return to the international fold this winter, but I would find it hard to think that the ECB would then grant him renewed Kolpak status having previously declared himself finished with the international game.

Unless it is challenged under labour law, Peterson may be one of the last. You can play as a Kolpak for two years from your last international appearance, as long as you’ve played the requisite number of international matches in the previous 2-5 years. But if you’re then signing to say you’ll not play international cricket again, you cannot perpetuate the circle by returning to the international fold, then come back as a Kolpak for another two years. There will be mixed opinions on this one, though few would dispute Peterson’s contribution to Derbyshire last season.

One player in talks with counties is former New Zealand batsman Lou Vincent, who has had his share of problems in recent years. A tempestuous time at Lancashire perhaps did him no favours and he has had health issues, but Vincent now holds that most precious of cricket commodities, the UK passport. At his best he is a fine player with a lot to offer, equally at home in one and four-day cricket and in opening or batting in the middle order. At 31 he should be around his prime, although a batting average in the thirties suggests an as yet unfulfilled talent.

Perhaps someone will take the plunge and offer him a deal. After all, batsmen of international pedigree are not exactly falling from the trees right now. Many will recall his blistering T20 century against us at Old Trafford in 2008, but the very public fall out with then coach Mike Watkinson will make a few wary of him.

Another player of talent but with a question mark over his future is Mark Cosgrove of Glamorgan. He has not yet been signed for next season by the Welsh county who are ‘considering their options.’ Now that may be media-speak for ‘Oh heck, we can’t afford him now we’ve shelled out megabucks for Graham Wagg and not managed promotion’ or they may genuinely be unsure as to their greater need. Perhaps they’re looking for a star bowler instead, but I would have thought Cosgrove’s agent will not be short of alternative offers should he prove to be available.

In a time of whippet-lean cricketers who look every inch the athletes the rest of us aspire to be, Cosgrove’s more ample form stands out. Then again, his batting statistics are more impressive than his vital ones and he has produced some meaty performances for his adopted county. Given his availability appears to be season-long, there will be a few people keeping an eye on ‘Baby Boof,’ so nicknamed after Darren Lehmann. The latter was far from conventionally-sized, but there have been few better overseas players in the past twenty years.

It is another sign of the times, of course. Back in my early days of cricket watching, there were some big lads around, including the likes of Colin Milburn and David Shepherd. Fred Swarbrook and Fred Rumsey were far from svelte, but were effective performers for all that. Cosgrove should only be judged on what he does and while the runs continue to stack up in his favour, negative comments on his size will carry little…ahem…weight.

In closing tonight, there's a superb piece by Mark Eklid that has been copied onto IMWT by Chris. Great job mate and it should be essential viewing for any Derbyshire fan. John Morris tells it like it is with regard to signings and also with regard to message board comments.

It is a shame that the piece isn't available on line as it might silence a few people unaware of the bigger picture. I haven't any qualms whatsoever with the disparaging comments about 'bloggers' when what is being referred to are primarily contributors to 606. I believe the comments on this blog are fair and even-handed and definitely pro-Derbyshire cricket. Given that this is, to my knowledge, the only 'blog' on Derbyshire cricket (the others are bulletin boards or forums if we're being pedantic) I should be upset.

But I'm not.

If a few more people looked at things that way, perhaps having read the excellent piece on IMWT, then Mark Eklid will have done a very good job indeed.