Clarification on the Kolpak situation

So Tim Bresnan didn't end up at Derbyshire, which seemed unlikely all along and has instead got himself a contract at Warwickshire, where he will doubtless offer good value as a sound all-rounder for a few years.

The destination always seemed likely to be a Test ground county, which is, after all, where the money is (and isn't, with all the overheads and fingers crossed of getting a big match) in the current county set up. There are already players moving ahead of next season, with others announcing their retirement from the circuit at truncated season end.

Had Bresnan come to us, he would have been a like for like replacement for Ravi Rampaul, who will finish county cricket at the end of this summer. His Kolpak status cannot be renewed and realistically he is at an age where that would have been a gamble, regardless of the superb summer he had last year. There will be time to write about his contribution to Derbyshire in due course, but hopefully he can give us something to remember him by with his efforts in whatever cricket is played in August and September. We should know that in the near future.

Another player who will be unable to return is Dustin Melton, who like Ravi will be classed as an overseas player with effect from next summer. I feel for him, as he has had no chance to impress in his one-year deal and an ankle operation in the early Spring would have limited his cricket anyway.

However, better news is that both Leus du Plooy and Michael Cohen WILL be able to return in 2021. Both of them have European passports, under the terms of which they will be able to continue to build their careers and reputation in the county game.

Both, I am sure you will agree, will be welcomed back with open arms, We already know plenty about Leus, while Michael's left arm skiddy pace might enliven a few sessions around the country. Crucially, both are young enough to get much better, which promises to be something to keep your eyes on.

Of course, there are other players out of contract this year, most notably Tony Palladino and Matt Critchley. There are doubtless discussions going on with them at present and I am sure we all hope to see them back at Derbyshire in 2021 and beyond.

Whether the financial savings on the contracts of Rampaul and Melton allow for team strengthening is hard to say. County clubs will be mindful of the need to balance the books in a year when not just cricket but also commercial income has been badly hit. I would certainly be wary of suggesting there will be automatic replacements for them, and much will depend on progress in the coming couple of months.

Like the rest of you I am preparing to watch all of my cricket online, whenever it starts and just hope that it won't be too long before our favourites are once more out on the pitch.

Fingers crossed...

Postscript : after this was posted, news came that two overseas players will be permitted in both the RLODC and County Championship next season.

This brings it into line with the Vitality Blast and is presumably where the Kolpak money will be used.