Something for the weekend

As is always the case, there’s a mixture of comments around the boards on the winter signings so far. I never cease to be amazed by human nature in that so many people are quick to criticise without giving an opportunity. I’ve been an amused onlooker of late as various ‘fans’ on 606 have had to eat humble pie, having declared James Bailey and John Brayford a waste of space when they were signed by Derby County.


Several months later they are the most consistent players and I hope that similar acts of contrition are to be seen in due course from those who have been quick to comment negatively on Mark Turner and Tony Palladino. As I wrote yesterday, both are an improvement on what we had and now need regular cricket to move up a level. With Luke Sutton an impressive ‘new’ wicket-keeper and Matt Lineker a batsman we can only win with, I’m quite satisfied with the winter work thus far.

Again though, I can’t understand the fixation over Morris needing to replace Wagg, Peterson and Rogers. I’ve written before that Wagg’s replacement is already in situ with Jonathan Clare, while Rogers will probably be replaced by an overseas batsman who may also come in as skipper.

As I wrote on IMWT last night, we don’t know the cuts to the playing budget and my guess is that an international batsman would cost more than Chris Rogers. The latter was a very good player, but not a Test batsman. Such status puts you in a different league in terms of the salary you can command and I’m sure Morris’ budgeting has kept that in mind.

We must also remember that John Sadler’s role in the Seconds has to be addressed in some way, whether through internal reorganisation or recruitment. That role will be crucial, as bringing through a group of talented young cricketers is essential for a county of modest resources.

Replacing Peterson was never going to be easy, as spin bowling all rounders capable of nearly 500 runs and over 50 wickets are as common as bulls that can yodel. The simple answer is that John Morris can’t replace him, as there’s no one out there. Perhaps if David Wainwright had wanted away from Yorkshire or Simon Kerrigan from Lancashire we might have been interested, but when people say we must replace Peterson, my answer is ‘who with?’

Given the financial penalties incurred, a county has to be pretty sure of their Kolpak recruit to go down such a path. With only Zimbabwe, South Africa and the West Indies to choose from, the potential signings become a very select band. The player concerned also needs recent international experience, which then further restricts the search. Zimbabwe don’t have a decent spinner, while the West Indies only have Nikita Miller, other than Suleiman Benn. Miller has a good record in the Caribbean, but such is the standard of wickets there and the paucity of talent that it is hardly a glowing testimonial.

South Africa? With Botha their one-day skipper and Paul Harris the Test spinner of choice it leaves just Rolof van der Merwe and…er… Robin Peterson. The former has never struck me as a top-class spinner, while the latter burned any bridges he had by going back to the international fold on his return to the country, having renounced it on joining Derbyshire. There’s more chance of me having the Christmas number one than Peterson being considered for another Kolpak deal.

So there is no one, outside of Harry Potter (who would be good for a spell or two..) leaving John Morris to reshape rather than replace his squad, something I think he’s done pretty well. Spin bowling duties will now be left with Greg Smith and Wes Durston, with Jake Needham coming in as required and probably playing a lot of one day cricket. If Jake returns from his South African winter with his confidence to bowl to close fields in helpful conditions enhanced, talk about a new spinner will be largely redundant.

Of course, we could bring back former Somerset off spinner Omari Banks from Anguilla. But only so that someone could ask ‘Dino’ Palladino who the new recruit was and he could reply ‘That’s Omari…’

I should be on the stage…

Have a good weekend!