Cricinfo piece on Morkel signing

Not much to report on with regard to the Scotland game tonight, bar for Neil Carter showing the benefit of experience in the limited overs game.

The former Warwickshire player, at 38, showed that you never really lose it with an admirable spell for Scotland tonight. It was the sort of display that makes me wonder if there is a discerning county out there who would consider him for a short term T20 contract.

He'd be much cheaper than an overseas player and with a scoring rate around that of Albie Morkel and good strike and economy rates with the ball, I think Carter could do a job for a county, especially going in, as he has done many times over the years, as a pinch-hitter at the top of the order. He won't be a whippet in the field, but I could see him as a good short term signing somewhere.

Speaking of Albie Morkel and I am pleased to see the favourable comments about his signing around the game and the sites. Why not? He is a proven talent who, in the right environment, could make massive contributions to any side. He may not blast hundreds, but plays the sort of game that can take you from 100-3 in 14 to 180 at the end of twenty. Playing the way that he does, he could just as easily go quickly, but if he fires two or three times in his time at the club it will be memorable.

Likewise his presence up the order allows us to play either an extra batsman or bowler, perhaps an extra spinner. A first-choice side could thus line up something like:

Durston
Hughes (C)
Madsen
Chanderpaul
Morkel
Hughes (A)
Johnson
Burgoyne
Wainwright
Turner
Knight

Alternatively, Redfern could come in, especially if he bowled as he did against Hampshire earlier this week.

Finally tonight, Cricinfo has my latest piece up on the Morkel signing. You can see it here

See you tomorrow. Hopefully the rain relents for the Somerset game...oh, and the skipper calls right at the toss!