Dal signs two-year extension

If ever a player deserved a new deal at a club it is Anuj Dal, who was today announced as staying with the county until the end of 2024.

He has hinted at his talent for a few years, even when the main reason for his selection in the side was his fielding. There were times when his batting flattered to deceive, when he would look good for a quick twenty-odd, then get out.

I saw him do that one day in the second team at Belper. Aneurin Donald made a brilliant century for Glamorgan, but Dal lost nothing in comparison, with quick feet, even faster hands and an ability to find the gaps in the field at will. 

It was magnificent while it lasted, but didn't do so for long enough. For a while it seemed he was destined to be in that sizeable 'talented, but not quite' bracket, which so many fall into.

He started to swim, rather than flounder at the end of last season, reeling off big scores and taking important wickets. My question then was could he start a new season, against better opposition, as he finished the last?

He has. A much-improved batting line up has left less opportunity to bat, but he still averages 46, while ten wickets shows his increasing value to the side as an all rounder. Perhaps the departure of Matt Critchley, leaving a void for that role, will be the making of him. 

I always got the impression that Dave Houghton saw his bowling as a last resort, while Mickey Arthur sees it as a genuine option and threat. Certainly he wobbles it around just quick enough, varying that pace, to keep batsmen alert. He takes good wickets and showed a new string to his bow against Glamorgan, when wide yorkers helped to stem the flow of runs on the final day and save the game. 

I think he will be more often used in T20 than before. The only issue when he bowls, of course, is that he is not in his usual place at cover point, where he is brilliant. 

This year alone there was the catch to remove Ackermann at Leicester, the one yesterday to dismiss d'Oliveira.. the speed over the ground, often well into double figures on runs saved, even before he goes into bat. He sets a standard in the field and is up with the best I have seen in that cover point position. 

So it is right and proper that his deal is extended to the end of 2024. His batting and bowling averages will rise and fall respectively  in that time and he will remain an early name on the team sheet. 

Add in his role as PCA vice-chair and Mr Dal looks set to be involved in cricket for many years to come. His articulate interview with the DCMS during the racism investigations would have been the envy of many politicians. 

Well done Nuj. Keep it going.