There was no real surprise in the appointment of Gary Wilson to the role of Derbyshire vice-captain, which was announced today.
From the time that his signing was announced, there was a strong likelihood that a man who had captained Surrey with common sense and skill in 2014 was likely to be offered such a role. At thirty, he is a time-served professional who will undoubtedly do a good job whether playing as wicket-keeper batsman or as a batting specialist.
Whoever gets the gloves next season, it would appear that we will have someone who offers their fair share of runs from the role. With the form he showed at season-end, Harvey Hosein will push Wilson all the way and that can only be of benefit to the side.
A contributing player at number seven will be perfect for us, someone who can nurse the tail to a decent total on occasion, while perhaps launching a final assault if the earlier batting goes well.
I wish Gary well, as I am sure that you do.
Speaking of well, there's nothing healthy about the Australian cricket side at present. They were once again hammered by South Africa last night, their last eight wickets going down in the blink of an eye.
There appears little desire to fight and a fairly poor technique among some of the Australian players and their batting appears to stop at number four. Indeed, take away Dave Warner and Steven Smith and their batting has astonishing frailties, the likes of which I have never seen, to be honest.
Are the South Africans THAT good? They are without the increasingly injury-prone Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel is returning from injury, but Vernon Philander is a wily seamer and Kagiso Rabada will likely be the best fast bowler in world cricket in the next two or three years. Their match-winner in Hobart was Kyle Abbott, a man who has spent several summers in this country at different counties, yet it is only a few short months since he was hit for 57 in less than four overs by us in the T20.
It's a funny game cricket, but I think that an exciting crop of emerging players will make South Africa, with England and India one of the the top sides in the next few years.
More from me later in the week.
My only hope, following this announcement is that Harvey knows exactly where he stands. I don't believe we needed another wicket keeper, but yes, we needed a bit more batting experience in the middle/lower order.
ReplyDeleteHarvey deserves to start 2017 CC div2 with the gloves. He was 'the man in possession'. If Gary plays as a batsman, so be it.
Nothing should be allowed to stand in the way of Harvey's progress. The majority of us, i'm sure think he has a brilliant future in front of him.
Totally agree, Harvey should start as keeper in the 4 day game.
ReplyDeleteGodleman made a comment about a Wilson being keeper and having a great view of everything. I think if anyone plays as a specialist batsmen it might be Harvey. Also Kim Barnett had said that Harvey will still get plenty of game time as Wilson is away with Ireland. So for me it seems clear that Wilson will start with the gloves, fitness permitting at least.
ReplyDeleteLacks strategic perspective it used to say on my annual assessment when I worked. I didn't understand what they meant let alone realised I lacked it.
ReplyDeleteI am now going to try and show I do have strategic perspective and the club may also be displaying it. Harvey's progress is a priority for us supporters we see that we have a star in the making but for how long can we reasonably keep him? His current contract expires at the end of next season so we can try and talk him into an extension during the winter or leave it until the summer. If we leave it to next summer and he develops as we all hope then the big money clubs will start to circle offering monies we cannot afford.
I think by having Wilson it gives us a credible alternative to watching Harvey disappearing down the A52 or A38 then wondering what we are going to do. It also keeps the pressure on Harvey to develop and Wilson can also give guidance as you would expect a Vice Captain to do. Not forgetting Wilson may bring some ridgity playing as a batsman and adviser to our captain.
I hope Harvey developes into a star and in Derbyshire colours but I am also a realist, loyalty is not always everything particularly if the team does not perform.