Big task ahead for Head of Cricket

I suspect that it may be at least the end of next week before Derbyshire announce their new Head of Cricket, possibly even longer.

The reason for the delay will become obvious in time, but the successful candidate will need to hit the ground running, whenever he is free to start. 

Derbyshire's staff list on the website only features 17 names. Given that one of these is George Scrimshaw, who has taken on a Lord Lucan quality since the end of the Vitality Blast, we can say it is sixteen. My understanding is that a contract was offered, but declined, as a better one was out there. I am surprised that he hasn't yet signed this, but don't expect him at Derby this winter.

Of the remaining sixteen, Luis Reece may not be fit for the start of the summer, while Nick Potts has barely played. So it is evident that new players are needed.

I still think it ridiculous that Dave Houghton was allowed to recruit - on two year deals in some cases - before he left, but the counter balance to that is had he not, we wouldn't have a side, let alone a squad. The new HOC may come in and be unimpressed, but that is but the first challenge awaiting.

How does he replace our leading run-scorer, Matt Critchley, who was also our lead spinner? I am not convinced yet that Alex Thomson or Mattie McKiernan can take on that latter role, but unless we bring in an overseas spinner, I don't see any better around the circuit.

I do think Tom Wood might be a good replacement at five, but so too would Leus du Plooy, more likely productive there than at three. But who bats three? Wayne Madsen prefers four, so perhaps our four-day overseas picks are a spinner and a number three bat, to rotate with Dustin Melton.

Much will depend on who we can pick up around the circuit, but the 'name' out of contract players have been snapped up. We also need a wicket - keeper, to replace Harvey Hosein, ideally one who can wield the willow. Not to mention at least one more seamer, or seam bowling all rounder, to replace Fynn Hudson-Prentice.

Paul Walter at Essex may be a good option, as noted by Essex fan on a previous post, a left-handed all rounder of some talent. His limited chances haven't been improved by Matt Critchley going there, but others will be interested and they have people in post to make decisions.

Overseas players were a disaster last year. It is refreshing to see Leicestershire using analytics to bring in two Afghan players for the T20, based on their statistics and who they were made against. I would love to see us do similar. 

Last year, Stanlake was an accident waiting to happen, while the figures of McDermott tend to show him as a flat track bully, a strong bottom hand and tendency to play away from his body causing bother whenever the ball moves. Van Beek fielded brilliantly, but a tendency to bowl one or two bad balls an over cost him. Rampaul was sadly past it, while Melton was too often injured and will hope to do better and have better fortune this year.

Things to sort, then. Even before realisation dawns that Madsen, Godleman and du Plooy are in the final years of their deals... 

Yet if the new man comes in (and those in the frame are names) with a passion for excellence that lures players in to work with him, and an ability to coax the best from a small squad not without talent, we may see an improved 2022.

But there is much to do