Tuesday thoughts

I'm not quite sure why we have a week's break at the start of September before our next match. If such a break were to be a staple of cricket seasons I would reckon the players might fancy one to get their breath and reassemble limbs just after the T20. Still, what do I know?

First tonight, congratulations to Usman Khawaja for making the Australian side for the first Test in Sri Lanka, where he will bat number six. I'm sure that, like me, you will watch his performance with interest and keep your fingers crossed that he does well.

The poll is nearing its end and at this stage looks like most people would like a star batsman. As things stand, that would probably be my preference, though it depends on other factors. To take two recent rumours as an example, if we picked up Martin Van Jaarsveld or Chris Taylor as a batsman, I'd be quite happy with Danish Kaneria as an overseas. Hey, we can all dream...

Good comments from Mastervillain and notoveryet below the last two posts and I'd be inclined to agree with them to some extent, though financial considerations will dictate what we do with regard to improvements in the winter. I'd agree that Chesney Hughes needs a bit of work on his footwork (and his running between the wickets at times...) while Ross Whiteley will be better known next season. By the same token, we can't really afford to leave either of them or Dan Redfern in the second eleven and bring in others. I would agree that Michael Thornely is a good player, but only if Karl Krikken and Luke Sutton feel that he is substantially better than those named above is there any point in recruiting the guy.

The reality is that next season each appearance by Redfern, Hughes, Whiteley, Knight, Burgoyne, Borrington and Poynton, not to mention Clare (whoops, I did...) brings us £2K PER MAN. Apologies for the capitals but it is important to remember this. We would get a small percentage of that for Thornely, with Sussex, who developed him, getting the lion's share. If the feeling was that Thornely might average 40 and/or more than Paul Borrington as opener that might be one thing, but over a season the latter would earn us £20-30K more money. If they were both likely to average in the thirties, I know which one makes sense as a regular.

I'd also look at the stats - Thornely averages 19 from 30 first class innings; Borrington 30 from 42. The former does, granted, average 38 in one day games, but given Borrington has only played one (and made 25) that's a comparison that can't be made.

I'd agree another experienced batsman would be good, but he has to be someone with the nous and the stats to make it worthwhile. I don't think we can pay 40K-plus for a player who isn't going to be in the first choice team making a lot of runs or taking wickets.

Here's a cautionary tale. An all-rounder changed counties last winter for a reported salary of £90K and extras. This year his 19 innings have produced an average of 18 with the bat (19 in one day games) and he has 24 wickets at 45 each (just 7 at 60 in one day games.)

That was Graham Wagg, as you probably guessed. It can work in both directions though, so we need to make sure we get it right - we all remember Rikki Clarke. Chris Grant won't pay over the odds for anyone and anyone coming in will have to fit into the masterplan, as a player and as a man. The side have shown a tremendous spirit this season, itself a major selling point.

I look forward to news on winter recruitment. Like all of you, I have my ideas, but I am content in leaving it to the professionals, who know their stuff better than any of us.

They'll do a good job.