I understand he has been looking at options for some time and will have some very clear targets in mind.
One such player might be Graeme van Buuren.
Having mentioned the need for a slow left arm option in the attack and support for the batting, van Buuren would be a good option to cover both bases.
31 years old, he has played his cricket at Gloucestershire since 2016, having started in South Africa with Northerns and the Titans franchise. He didn't get as much cricket as he would have wanted last year, as there have been issues over his eligibility after the end of the Kolpak status.
He must be close to qualifying by residency now, but hasn't yet signed a new deal at the county that has been his home since he starred for Enfield in the Lancashire Leagues.
The downside to a potential signing is that it would be another 'South African signing' for a county that already has a good few.
The upside is that he is a very good cricketer, with a batting average north of 40 and a bowling one just over 30. Last year, in very limited appearances, he averaged over 50 with the bat and took seven wickets at 17. Very much an all-format cricketer, he usually bats five and would be a solid replacement for Matt Critchley.
But there are plenty of others out there.
To catch up with my postbag, I think that Anuj Dal will stay and a contract will be down to Mickey Arthur to discuss, when he arrives.
He did very well at the end of the season and contributed well in all formats. His next step is to deliver against the stronger opponents, not forgetting that the closing fixtures were played against the weaker ones in the country. He is good enough to do it and will enter 2022 in great confidence.
As for George Scrimshaw, I don't know. I heard that Nottinghamshire offered a deal, but cannot verify that. I also heard that it was subsequently withdrawn, perhaps when they realised they already had about sixteen contracted seamers for next year...
That may be another one for the new HOC, but there has been no mention of him in months, so perhaps bridges are burned at the Derbyshire end. We will know soon enough.
Finally today, it was good to see Leus du Plooy in good form in South Africa, making 91 and 85 in his two innings against Easterns for South West Districts. He was batting four, so the solution of one place higher in the batting order remains one of the challenges for Mickey Arthur this year.
Among those bowling against Leus was my new favourite cricket name, Divan Posthumus, who narrowly edges out his fellow countryman Shadley von Shalkwyk.
Proper names!
Keep your questions coming and I will answer when I can.
PS thanks to all those who logged in to read about Mickey Arthur's appointment. There were over three thousand views that day, which just shaded the 2.5 thousand who wished our dog Wallace a happy birthday on Twitter.
Wallace is much better looking than me, though...
Yes, van Buuren looks like someone who would be a solid performer for us with both bat and ball. He also has a double century under his belt. I'm not against adding more South Africans to the squad if they have talent. It will be fascinating to see who Mickey brings in. Whatever happens next season, my hunch is that we'll be playing more aggressive cricket and we'll see some of the younger players come on leaps and bounds.
ReplyDeleteFair point about the number of bowlers Notts have on their books,I would have thought it on the slim side of remote that Notts would want to sign George Scrimshaw who i am sure is a talented bowler but would struggle to get game time at TB
ReplyDeleteMicky Arthur is an excellent choice as your head coach,I can see him doing what should have been done under the previous regime, Its all about standards, MA will not settle for second best and you can be certain any team he sends out will give their all, Something my team Notts will need to be aware of when they face each other next season.
There should be some tasty matches ahead when we resume hostilities next summer.... I can hardly wait.