Abbott seems perfect fit for Derbyshire

The signing of Sean Abbott, announced today by Derbyshire, ticks all the boxes.

Quick, with the ability to zip the ball about, he should enjoy bowling in early season conditions here. The Australian, who plays for New South Wales and the Sydney Sixers, has a fine record in all formats and was a stand out in last year's Big Bash competition.

At 27 he is coming to his prime and has the ability to make the national side, something that a good English summer could help with. The prospect of Abbott and Ravi Rampaul opening the bowling is an exciting one, perhaps supplying the missing ingredient from last season. What side wouldn't benefit from a quick and hostile opening bowler? Perhaps two, after the addition of Michael Cohen last week.

He can handle a bat too, as most of his countrymen seem able to do. Don't be surprised to see valuable late runs and some powerful hitting in the T20.

He has done very well to put the Phil Hughes tragedy behind him. It will always be there, of course, but it was an accident, the kind where perhaps the real surprise was that it hadn't happened before.

Of course, we shouldn't get too carried away. You don't need the longest of memories to recall how the signings of Billy Stanlake and Kane Richardson failed to go to plan this year and we all know that quick bowlers can pick up injuries at any time.

But if this goes to plan...well, we have an attack coming together to match the batting line up that produced so well last year.

With another overseas player to be announced tomorrow - and my money on another bowler for the second half of the summer - things are really looking good for 2020.

Welcome to Derbyshire, Sean.

You are joining the friendliest club in the country  - and one very much on the up.