I know one or two of the squad - indeed Calum MacLeod played hockey for the same club as me - but the Derbyshire connection is strong and may yet get stronger.
Their success as a cricket nation started with the appointment of Grant Bradburn, and Shane Burger has taken things on well. Bradburn gave them a strong team ethic, a never say die attitude and an understanding that all eleven need to be at the top of their game to compete.
Safyaan Sharif, Ali Evans, Calum MacLeod and Mark Watt all played for Derbyshire, albeit with varying degrees of success. Watt was dispensed with too soon, but seems to have worked hard on his weight, which was likely an issue. That he is a canny spinner is beyond doubt and he is a thinker. Balls from 23/24 yards, from two or three paces, from wider on the crease.. I like his combative edge and if Derbyshire were to lose Matt Critchley this winter (I remain convinced we will) then he would be a decent pick for T20.
Wicket keeper Matthew Cross might be a decent option too. I liked the way he handled the chase yesterday, assaying nothing stupid, just knocking it around, which is all that was required. His glove work is undemonstrative and he strikes me as a thinker. He had some time at Essex and Nottinghamshire, but may well be a classic late developer.
With Brooke Guest the only wicket keeper on our staff, the new HOC will look for someone to push him, I suspect.
Meanwhile counties will doubtless look at Richie Berrington and George Munsey and fancy them in their T20 sides. Both are good batsmen, fine fielders, solid assets. I am not necessarily advocating our need for them - we don't lack explosive batsmen - but the departure of Critchley would leave a gap in the order.
It will be worth watching them as the tournament progresses, but so too leg-spinning all rounder Chris Greaves and off spin counterpart Michael Leask. As players for an associate status cricket nation with British passports, they may well find their talents in demand as summer approaches.
I look forward to seeing how they handle the top level teams they will now face, just as I eagerly await news of our new Head of Cricket.
Anyway, unless that news breaks in the next few days, I will be quiet for that period. Into hospital at 11am, surgery on my hand at noon and back, with a cast, in the late afternoon.
I will see you on the other side, when I will get to grips with the voice recognition software again.
Later...
Agree there are some gems in that Scotland team we could look at.
ReplyDeleteAll the best with the op!
MacLeod had his moments but the others failed to impress. Agree Watt could have been persevered with but as you say he looked overweight and was a passenger in the field and these must have counted against him. From the albeit limited amount I've seen him so far in this World Cup his fielding doesn't seem to have improved....it will be interesting to see how his bowling goes against the 'bigger' teams. Greaves might be worth a look....
ReplyDeleteAfter Quinton De Koch not taking the knee today at the T20 WC, his career at SA could be over.?
ReplyDeleteNow, if this was the case, I reckon Derbyshire should speak to his management and see if he's interested in County cricket. ( He may have a lot of time on his hands)
A top order batsman that can keep wicket could kill two birds with one stone.
Certainly something to think about. He would be an exciting player.
Whatever you think of his stance, I'm glad he did what HE thought was the right thing to do, not just do as he was told to appease the SA cricket Board.
Fantasy signing, for sure, but suspect he would want AT LEAST 200K to play a season here.
DeleteHe could travel the world playing T20 and make a million a year, so I don't see it happening mate.
Much as I would love it!