In some ways, Charlie Macdonell is lucky to get another year on his Derbyshire contract, especially when Tom Wood didn't.
Yet the one-year deal announced yesterday gives the county another summer to assess his true worth, especially when the start of that summer will see him back at Durham University and doubtless exposed to the first-class game for the Durham MCCU side.
The past summer was perhaps not as prolific as he would have liked, but in his occasional first team appearances, Macdonell has not looked fazed by the environment and appears to be a well-organised player.
He will be 23 next summer and by the end of it, I think we will have a better idea of his potential at first-class level. His cause is helped by his bowling, which Cricinfo records as fast medium, yet is off spin. He bowled a lot of overs last summer and perhaps the feeling is there that his all round potential may be worth another look.
We'll see, but his fledgling first-class career sees him with an average in the forties, so his extended opportunity with the club is well merited.
It is all up to him, now and I wish him well.
Finally today, a racking of my brain to think of potentially available players for our 'seam bowler who can bat' requirement for the early season overseas role has come up with one name.
Jason Holder.
The West Indies captain is a good cricketer and, at 25, likely to get better. His first-class record is a good one and, on the recent tour of England, he proved himself a talent with both bat and ball. He takes wickets with his medium-fast bowling from a height of 6'7" and hits it a very long way.
He could get an IPL call up, of course, like other names I considered like Tim Southee, Chris Morris and Matt Henry. Like them, I think he could do well, given the opportunity. Caribbean stars are less common in overseas roles these days, but I'd fancy Holder, given opportunity, to do well.
And yes, that's the same Matt Henry who disappointed in the T20 this year. I think he is a better cricketer than that and would likely benefit from more bowling than he got in that competition, when he seemed at times to lack rhythm.
Any thoughts?
Great stuff Peakfan. I would be happy with Holder. His height adding some versatility. Viljeon is a big lad too but faster and I do like the idea of someone down the order who can pinch hit well. Plus he’s another leader which I think the Overseas player should be ideally.
ReplyDeleteJason Holder is a decent shout, he brings International experience as well as IPL and Carribean Premier League nous to the table, he will be 26 and a good asset if he can commit to a large chunk of the campaign, depending on how things progress, he may well be a like-for-like replacement for Shiv Thakor. Despite being a long-standing Lancashire member I do enjoy this blog as Derby is barely a couple of hours commute for me and I always try to visit the annual 2nd X1 fixture at Glossop, my own county have had a decent summer and, similar to Derbyshire, will likely be looking for a seam bowler too, Graham Onions is still a threat in the county game but the loss of Kyle Jarvis and probably Ryan McLaren leaves a big hole in our seam bowling department, I am glad to see Luis Reece being rewarded with a three year deal, he has a lot to offer and I was impressed with his knock against the Red Rose in the T20 game at Derby, well done Luis, if Hardus Viljoen winters well and Holder is recruited then they will form a useful seam battery with Will Davis & Ben Cotton, next March is a long way off, but snippets of county cricket news, moves and contract extensions will make the long days pass quicker.
ReplyDeleteThanks Carlos and welcome! I think Holder a very good fit for us, but good cricketers will always be in demand.
ReplyDeleteSo what are your thoughts on Shiv Chanderpaul this year?
JOHN in Derby
ReplyDeleteGlad to see the club percivering with CM. Not seen a great deal of him as he doesn't play his club cricket in Derbyshire like the other younger guys. What I have seen of his batting suggests promise but again will need both time and opportunities. I must admit I didn't expect him to survive after Wood was released. Especially when you eluded to more departures might be on the horizon. Both Wood and Charlie have played Most of their cricket in th 2s this year. A quick check of his stats shows he is 7 runs per innings behind Wood in red ball and 20 odd in fifty over cricket. He doesn't appear to play in 2s 20/20 which I find odd for a contracted player. Makes Woods departure appear even harsher than before? Especially as he was good enough to make the first team T20 squad. All I can think is its about money. Can't imagine he'll be on big money for a 2/3 summer contract. A shame Wood could not have been offered the same grace. I notice on Twitter that Wood as signed to play grade cricket in Oz this winter. A team called Frankston near Melbourne. Not sure but I think that's where Steve Stubbing came from. Team mates to include Scot Boland, John Hastings and John Holland when not on state and big bash duty.
Hi Agree, Holding is a great call. Only thing is his commitments to the Windies. Do they have any fixtures next summer?
They don't appear to at this stage John.
ReplyDeleteTo be fair, I wouldn't say no to Holding in his pomp...your typo made me smile!
John in Derby
DeleteAhhh. I'll put it down to predictive text. You've probably worked out by now my spelling and punctuation is rubbish any way. Verging on dyslexia.
Anyway let's hope yours and Derbyshire thoughts are aligned on this subject also...
Shivnarine Chanderpaul, he obviously brings a wealth of experience to the crease, and the dressing room, although Haseeb Hameed had a challenging second season (to put it mildly) I think he will benefit immensely from spending time with the West Indian legend, I know he had a lean spell at Derbyshire but Chanderpaul performed well in both 50 over and four day cricket back home last winter and our younger batsmen (Livingstone, Davies, Jones and the aforementioned Hameed) will have learned from the great man, as none of our other batsmen managed to score in excess of 800 red ball runs at an average of 50+ then I think it's fair to say that he was a success, my understanding is that he will be back next year, I will follow his exploits in the Caribbean this winter with interest, having household names in your ranks isn't a guarantee of rewards on the field of play, you only have to look at Yorkshire's struggles in the First Class game this season, Lyth, Ballance, Bresnan, Rashid, Plunkett, Willey, Sidebottom have all represented their country (admittedly Ryan was some time ago) but they only secured their First Divison status in the last days of September, I think there will be a few more county moves before the winter draws in as the county coaches complie their squads for 2018, there may be no domestic cricket on the horizon for six months but these are still exciting times.
ReplyDeleteI've thought for some time that Holder would be great for us, so I'm glad to see you suggesting him too, Peakfan. He's a cracking player with a great attitude and seems like the kind of person who'd fit into the team nicely while also offering a bit of challenge. Could be just what we need!
ReplyDeleteAndy in Devon
Just seems a good 'fit' Andy.
DeleteLots to like in a bloke who bowls fairly quick, gets bounce, hits it a long way and is a fine fielder.
Reminds me of Keith Boyce in style...though much taller!
Would be delighted with Jason Holder, great shout
ReplyDelete