Another new signing for Derbyshire County Cricket Club was announced today, with the news that Scotland slow left arm bowler Mark Watt has joined the club on a six-month contract.
It is a signing that follows the club's blueprint under Dave Houghton, in giving opportunity to young talent. At 22, Watt as already gained considerable experience for Scotland and is highly rated north of the border.
His performances for the country saw him gain an opportunity with Lancashire last summer, when he bowled tightly without getting wickets.
It also continues the link with Cricket Scotland, that saw Calum MacLeod and Safyaan Sharif play in the Blast last year.
It is another signing that, with respect to the player, is unlikely to see supporters overly excited, yet could well prove very shrewd in the fullness of time. He has a growing reputation for parsimony in the one day game and will doubtless have opportunities to impress.
The club now has a full hand of spin bowlers. Off spin is taken care of by Hamidullah Qadri, leg spin by Matt Critchley and Matt McKiernan and now slow left arm by Watt.
It will be interesting to see the makeup of the Derbyshire side this summer. With the glut of all rounders in the top six, we now cover all spin bowling options and for me there would be no surprise in seeing the regular fielding of a second spinner as the summer goes on.
I hope that supporters get behind the rationale at the club. There will be a lot of young players battling for a place in the senior eleven, and I think most people or appreciative and understanding of this.
It augurs well and promises to be a very interesting summer.
It cannot come soon enough for me.
Welcome to Derbyshire, Mark. If you do as well as Dallas Moir a few years back there will be no complaints.
A little surprised by this signing PF. We seem to have lots and lots of bowling options. Lots of young bowlers already who's chances are going to be limited. Spending more money on another young bowler seems strange at best. We seem much lighter in batting options. If one of the top 6 break a finger next week I cant really see an obvious replacement?
ReplyDeleteChaddesden Jim
So glad to hear that you are progressing steadily Peakfan. Really looking forward to your posts again once you are fully recovered. With regard to Mark Watt, I'm hoping that he will be given early opportunities to build his confidence and feel himself to be a very valued member of the squad. He could be a very useful turn-to bowler and as a slow left-armer, he will take wickets in the limited overs format. Although we undoubtedly are short of a tenacious, hard hitting middle order batsman, I am encouraged by the noises coming out of the club, which suggest a smaller but harmonious squad, which believes in its ability to compete. As always we await the early matches with a little trepidation but plenty of enthusiasm.
ReplyDeleteI have been wondering about this deal with Scotland cricket. Good to see it’s still a thing. Welcome to the lad. Good luck.
ReplyDeleteHi PF,
ReplyDeleteDon't know much about this guy but we'll see how it goes. I just hope it doesn't mean there is a lack of confidence in Hamidullah Quadri who will only improve with experience.
Still, looking forward to it, like I always do - Tuesday 11.00 am even if its only a warm-up. Cricket is back - in March! I can remember when it didn't start in anger until mid-May.
The world's gone mad.
Vince
I think we are crying out for a quick strike bowler.
ReplyDeleteSimon
Fair point, Simon, but a lot of teams are. And we had one, who didn't really cut it.
ReplyDeleteIn the absence of viable and affordable alternatives, we go with what we have and hope the overseas does his stuff and the youngsters have come on as we have been told.
Take your point on a batter, Jim, but we can't afford the luxury of a battle-hardened bat playing in the twos. It would afford opportunity for Dal to bat top six,or maybe Wood to get a go. And there is always the loan market..
I think this is a very shrewd move as I saw him play against England and he has lots of potential to be a very handy spinner. He could be especially useful in the T20 Blast as he played a number of matches last season for Lancashire. Seems to be a good win win partnership between Cricket Scotland and Derbyshire and one that makes sense for all. It will save on the wage bill for Derbyshire (as well as getting a talented player) and for Scotland it players like Watt get more game-time and exposure at a higher level. Alec
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