No surprise in Olivier Kolpak deal

There was no real surprise for me in yesterday's news of Duanne Olivier signing a 3 year Kolpak deal with Yorkshire.

Understandably, there are cries of anguish from South Africa, as the bowler had enjoyed a stellar winter in the national colours and had been the stand out bowler. Yet in a country that has enviable depths of seam bowling talent, there was no guarantee of a regular place in the national side when everyone is fit.

Given their policy of rotating players, Olivier had the choice of guaranteed county income for the next three years, or keeping his fingers crossed that he maintained form and fitness, while others didn't.

For me, that was a no-brainer. He got married last year and we are all, to some extent, motivated by money. If someone offered me guaranteed income against the possibility of it only from elsewhere, the former wins every time.

One or two people have bemoaned his signing for Yorkshire, rather than Derbyshire and I have seen the words 'lack of ambition' used. That is nonsense, because the harsh reality is that Derbyshire simply cannot compete in a bidding war when the opposition includes Test match counties.

All that we can hope to do is to identify young overseas talent hoping to make a name. We may well have done that with Logan van Beek, but if he has a top season for us this year, others will undoubtedly be offering more money for 2020. Occasionally you get someone who remains loyal, like Wayne Madsen, but in a relatively short career it is understandable for players to want to make as much as they can.

I wish Duanne well. While young Yorkshire bowlers may not be so happy, he simply replaces Liam Plunkett and Jack Brooks, neither of whom were produced by the county.

It is the way of the world and with the window of opportunity to take up a Kolpak deal likely to close post Brexit, my only surprise is that there have not been more South Africans heading this way over the winter.

Though of course, there is still time...

A chat with the President

I had the pleasure of a chat with club legend and last year's President, Edwin Smith last week. He called to wish me well with my forthcoming hand surgery and it was a pleasure, as always, to talk cricket with him.

Even more remarkably, Edwin told me that he had made the final of the Derbyshire Masters snooker competition, which is open to players over the age of 50.

Edwin is 85.

That puts into context how good a snooker player he has been, irrespective of his cricket ability. One of the thrills of my sporting life was playing a couple of frames against him last year. I managed to win the first frame, then Edwin told me, with a smile, that he would put his glasses on for the second.

I was soundly beaten, but it didn't matter. I just enjoyed being on the same table as a local sporting legend.

Edwin enjoyed his year as club president and regular readers will know of my pleasure that the club reverted to its former policy of the senior surviving capped player as president. That being the case, I hope that Edwin is followed into the role by the great Harold Rhodes.

While Edwin is the last surviving county player with over a thousand first class wickets, Harold would undoubtedly have got there but for a premature retirement to take up a more lucrative position outside the first class game.

Like Edwin, he is very well known in the local area and after retiring from playing he became a very respected umpire. And what a bowler he was.. pace, bounce, movement, the lot.

I hope that in the coming weeks I am able to report on Harold becoming president.

It would be well deserved.

Grab yourself a bargain!

I am pleased to say that I have managed to get hold of a few remainder copies of my oral history of Derbyshire County Cricket Club since the Second World War, 'In Their Own Words: Derbyshire Cricketers in Conversation'.

Once these copies are gone, the book will be out of print, following on from the similar success of my earlier biography of county legend Edwin Smith.

Starting with the only in-depth interview ever given by legendary groundsman Walter Goodyear, whose recollection of pre-war Derbyshire cricket was invaluable, the book includes interviews with such county stalwarts as Harold Rhodes, Edwin Smith, John Wright, Devon Malcolm, Geoff Miller, Tony Borrington, Alan Hill, Wayne Madsen, Graeme Welch and many more.

As the publisher puts it:

In this county history with a difference, the people at the centre of the biggest stories tell how it was from their angle. You will read:

• Walter Goodyear's thoughts, for the first time in print, on several generations of Derbyshire cricket's personalities and names from the 1930s to 1980s
• How Edwin Smith took 8-21 on his second appearance for the county – and was dropped!
• Harold Rhodes on the throwing controversy that ruined his England aspirations – and how he became the fall guy in a witch hunt
• Geoff Miller's memories of a county career that prepared him for the top job in English cricket
• Alan Hill and Tony Borrington's thoughts on the fastest and nastiest of the many overseas fast bowlers in the 1970s and 1980s
• Brian Jackson's smooth transition from league professional to one of the most feared seam bowlers in the country
• Devon Malcolm's unusual route to the county game and the highs and lows of his career
• John Wright's take on life as an overseas player, and the differences in coaching at county and international level
• The transition of Peter Gibbs from stylish opening batsman to acclaimed writer
• Bob Taylor's take on wicket-keeping, then and now – and his unique way of preparing his gloves
• How Dean Jones abrasive leadership nearly won a championship, but lost a dressing room
• How Eddie Barlow transformed a run-down club into competitive and dangerous opponents

With the season fast approaching, this is a one-time only offer, perhaps as a Father's Day present or for the cricket fan in your life. Or why not treat yourself?

The book has been blessed with four and five star reviews since its publication and you can now pick up a signed and inscribed copy for only EIGHT POUNDS, including postage and packing.

Please email me at peakfan36@yahoo.co.uk, including address and inscription details and I will provide payment details.

Alternatively, follow me on Twitter @Peakfanblog, I will follow back and I will provide payment details by direct message.

I look forward to hearing from you!

To all of you, and those who bought both of the books, a huge thank you.

Thoughts on 'The Hundred'

And so the 'long awaited' regulations for the Hundred are out at last. They had simplified the game of cricket beyond my expectations, let me tell you.

As it says in the press release:

 "The Cricket Committee recommendation for playing conditions in the new competition - agreed by the Board - is for each innings to be 100 balls, a change of end after every ten balls, and an individual bowler able to deliver either 5 or 10 consecutive balls, with a maximum of 20 per game."

Which if course is massively more easy to understand than 'each innings of 120 balls, a change of end after every six, with an individual able to deliver no more than six consecutive balls, with a maximum of 24 in a game'. 

It assumes of course, if they are simplifying it, that there are no wides and no balls and maybe they are allowed in this competition. Never mind, because 'we are getting people to re-appraise cricket in terms of their perceptions of what the game means to them'. 

Well, I know what the game means to me  and don't need suit-speak to better understand, thank you very much. For me it is enjoying the company of friends, while watching MY team, one I have followed for over fifty years, try to beat the best another county has to offer. If I watch a second eleven, it should be through choice. I want to see Wayne Madsen handle Kagiso Rabada, or Tony Palladino bowling at an international star in the other team's colours.

Yet there is the rub. The timing and current world cricket scheduling is such that there will likely be no Indian players in the new tournament, while all the international sides have tours during its first year. So it will be made up of fringe international players and those who are recently retired. Nor is there likely to be any major involvement from England players. It is not so much a Vegas residency, more an end of the pier tribute show with dodgy wigs optional.

Tom Harrison, the CEO of the English Cricket Board, says that 'cricket fans can start to get very excited about this'. Considering that we have been told all along that it wasn't aimed at us, that's slightly amusing. So too his assertion that cricket fans around the country will 'flock to see' the tournament. When I told my 91-year old Dad this he said they were 'flocking crazy'. At least it sounded like that.

With The Hundred to be played at the same time as the domestic fifty-over competition, but the best white ball players signed up for it, the competition which prepares players for the format of this year's World Cup will comprise largely second team players. Yet the fact that they won't play the format 'won't impact on our success at fifty-over international level' according to Tom Harrison. I genuinely can't decide if he is naive or nuts. The more you do anything in life, the better you get, I am sure most will agree. 

As I have said over the past two years, Lancashire people outside Manchester will not support a team of that name. Nor will Yorkshire folk outside of Leeds, and don't get me started on the good folk of God's Own County supporting a team playing at Trent Bridge. The concept ignores centuries-old rivalries and enmity. I wouldn't go if there was a game in Glasgow, and that is said as a passionate fan of cricket. Proper cricket, because it holds no appeal for me.

Since this tournament was first touted, I have spoken to literally hundreds of people at talks, grounds and dinners and have genuinely yet to meet one in favour of it. The only support the tournament appears to be getting is from those in the media who see it as another nice pay day in the commentary box, together with those who are reluctant to bite the hand that feeds them, even when it marginalises the formats that have earned them a career.

From a Derbyshire perspective, the worst is perhaps yet to come.

According to The Cricketer, the side based at Lord's will be run by the CEO's of Middlesex and Essex, together with the CEO of the MCC. Logically, when they appoint coaching staff it is likely that players from those counties will make up most of the squad. There is supposed to be a similarly logical look to the running of other sides, and it suggests Surrey/Kent at The Oval and Hampshire/Sussex at the Ageas Bowl, as well as Nottinghamshire/Leicestershire at Trent Bridge.

So what about Derbyshire?

Will we merge with Yorkshire? Or will they link with Durham? Whatever way you look at it, there are eighteen first-class counties and eight sides in The Hundred'. So two sides will need to draw on three counties, if it is being done fairly. That gives you a chance of a stronger squad, but less chance of getting a ticket to the dance if you play for one of those three.

It all seems rather messy, my only concern being who will be left from the Derbyshire squad to watch when The Hundred is in full swing.

Because you can bet your bottom dollar I won't be watching the circus.

Sponsor sought

I would appreciate any help you can offer with regard to a new blog sponsor for 2019.

Office Care have been very supportive for the past few years, but the search for a new sponsor continues, otherwise I will need to pop the dreaded Google Ads back on again to bring in some money.

If you and your company are interested, please drop me an email to peakfan36@yahoo.co.uk and we can take it from there.

Please mention it to friends and I am happy to discuss options.

Cork return completes off-field picture

With this morning's announcement of the return of Dominic Cork to the Derbyhire coaching setup, the club's off-field picture is now complete.

It is welcome and common sense news. As a player, Dominic was second to none in his approach to the game and gave no quarter. He will expect the same from what is likely to be a young and fearless Derbyshire side in that format, where I fully expect high standard fielding to back up aggressive and common sense batting and bowling.

The players will not lack for support off the field and there is a definite 'feel good' factor around the club at present. There has not been massive recruitment over the winter, but what we have appears to fit very much into a common sense category.

Logan van Beek arrives from New Zealand as full season overseas player, and may well fly under the radar accordingly, while Tom Lace will have a season-long loan at the club from Middlesex. While critics may say that he has yet to make a first-class fifty, one has only to watch him bat to see that, and more, happening sometime soon.

The attack may be only one experienced player's injury from a problem, but the loan market could then be utilised. I would expect a few counties to look to Surrey in such a situation, where they seem to have three sides worth of seam bowlers. With two Currans, Dernbach, Dunn, McKerr, Meaker, Morkell, Plunkett, Jordan Clark and Rikki Clarke they have staggering depth, even allowing for England calls and the odd injury.

In closing today, good luck to Wayne Madsen, who starts his stint with Peshawar Zalmi in the PSL

I have every confidence he will do well.

Wood's stellar winter deserves reward

If there is any justice in this world, the next contract announced by Derbyshire County Cricket Club will be one for Tom Wood. Should it happen, only the churlish would suggest that it was anything other than fully deserved.

At the levels of the game that he has so far played, Tom has dominated. Not only has he scored runs in huge quantities, it is the way he has made them that has impressed.

For the last three years he has scored major runs for Derbyshire Second XI, for Ticknall in the Derbyshire Premier League and also for Frankston Peninsula, in the Victorian first grade.

Following on from a 2018 summer in which he scored over a thousand runs for the county second team as well as for his club, he has had a stellar winter in Australia, despite five weeks out with a broken thumb.

He has averaged just under 58 with the bat, including three centuries, 51 in twenty-over cricket and over 60 in the 50 over game. By any standards, that is highly impressive.

To put it into context, other county players such as Ben Slater, Matt Critchley, Luis Reece, Alex Hughes and Paul Borrington averaged around 35 in trips to Australia. In three winters over there, Tom's lowest average has been 45. 

He will be 25 this summer and the above statistics suggest that his time is now. I understand that Dave Houghton plans to have a good look at him on his return home and would be both surprised and disappointed were the player not to be offered a deal.

Of course, the Derbyshire batting side seems to be well established and assuming that everyone is fit, Tom would on paper be outside it, alongside Matt McKiernan and Anuj Dal. Yet in a side with several all rounders, the beauty is that Dave Houghton can select an extra batsman or bowler, depending on the greater need. 

All three of the above are capable of stepping in and making an important contribution. All are young enough to have their best years in front of them.

With a head of cricket who is keen to offer opportunity to the best young local talent, I would be surprised if there were many better options out there than Tom Wood.

Perhaps 2019 will be his summer and I could see him as a very strong option for us in the limited over game especially. A top six of Godleman, Reece, Madsen, Wood, Hughes and Critchley has a nice look to it. 

I hope he gets his chance. It would be very sad if a player of such obvious ability failed through a lack of opportunity alone. While Tom Lace will get four-day opportunity, Wood seems a better fit for the shorter forms. Indeed, a recent 160-ball innings of 141, with seven sixes and 13 fours, confirmed his power in the one-day game.

For me, the limited opportunities that he has had so far have not given him the chance to properly showcase his skills and a contract, together with an opportunity to justify a place, would be of mutual benefit.

Thoughts? 

McKiernan extension is welcome news

Today's breaking news that Matt McKiernan has signed a contract extension at  Derbyshire may fly under the radar with some people.

He is not yet a big name, nor indeed a new one, having played for our second team last season. He did so with some success, scoring useful runs and  taking wickets with his leg spin variations. His displays earned him a call up to the senior side for one T20 match, when he let no one down.

That he has impressed over the winter months is no real surprise, as Matt is a very talented young player. He played in a successful Leigh Cricket Club team alongside Luis Reece, and has also played with success  for Cumberland. His all round talents will make him a useful player for Derbyshire and I could see him being particularly effective in the T20.

By the same token, it is never a bad thing to have a player in your side worthy of selection as either a batting or bowling specialist, who can slot into the side and give depths two both disciplines. As the summer progresses we could quite easily see Matt in the same team as his namesake, the talented Mr Critchley.

With Hamidullah Qadri also on the staff, Derbyshire has a trio of exciting young spin bowlers. Depending on the fitness of our seam attack as the summer progresses, they may each get plenty of bowling opportunities in 2019.

Matt has worked hard at lower levels of the game to get to this stage. Don't be surprised if that level of commitment and willingness to work hard takes him on still further.

Like the rest of you, I wish him well.

New county sponsor, same old ECB

There was good news for Derbyshire County Cricket Club this week with the announcement of a new sponsor.

Pattonair, a multinational company with their headquarters in Derby will get naming rights for the County Ground and their support will back the clubs on-field ambitions. It can only be good news and I applaud the work of chief executive Ryan Duckett and his team in pulling this together.

Meanwhile, there was an interesting interview on the club's website in which wayne madsen said that Dave Houghton was the best coach that he had worked with and praised the work that the squad had done so far. Wayne will be flying out to play in the PSL shortly and I am sure that he will do well.

There is a feel good factor around the club at the moment, which is diametrically opposed to that around English cricket. With plans advancing in regard to a new tournament of whatever length is eventually decided, I have a feeling that 2019 will be the last summer in which the traditional county cricket fan will feel they are on a level of some kind with the other first class counties.

I am far from a betting man, but nothing that I have seen or heard has changed my mind from the opinion that this competition is a clandestine way of making eight 'super counties', with the rest simply becoming feeders for them in time.

While the argument of 1.3 million pounds per year over 5 years is strong, I do not feel alone in asserting that we have accepted 'conscience money' to wipe out debts but to the detriment of the overall standard and interests of the game as a whole.

It is all very sad.

Finally, in the Caribbean, we see a totally underprepared England team being hammered by a West Indies side that has some promising players but is far from the juggernaut that dominated world cricket from the 1970s onwards.

Joe Root asserts that the side was prepared for the tour, when it is perfectly obvious that they were not. With batsman struggling for touch and bowlers for rhythm, they will lose a series that should, with preparation, have been winnable.

The lack of preparation smacks of arrogance and it is always nice to see such an attitude put firmly its place. While the romantics among us will delight in seeing an improved West Indian team, I am not convinced that they are as good as our poorly  prepared team is making them look with poor shot selection and bowling of mediocre standard, in some cases.

Good luck to them though. Perhaps the embarrassing spectacle of our insipid performance will be the catalyst for future tours to allow for proper preparation.

Just as you would not expect Derbyshire's players to start a County season on the back of two days against a university side and a couple of nets, is it not common sense for the highest level of the game to be properly prepared for?

I rest my case.