In Praise of Mickey Arthur

It is nothing short of extraordinary to see the change in Derbyshire cricket in a few short months.

Let's not forget that last year we were fairly awful across the formats. We rarely got into winning positions and when we did, we blew them. Players were low on confidence, supporters almost devoid of reasons for optimism.

Then the club announced the signing of Mickey Arthur, after a lengthy and robust recruitment process. 

He has come into the club and turned it on its head. Yes he has recruited wisely, with an outstanding overseas batsman in Shan Masood, who has led the batting from the front. Suranga Lakmal has had to contend with the best early season batting wickets in a decade, but has still bowled economically and well before injury struck, while Hayden Kerr suggests he will be a very able replacement. 

But it is the impact on existing staff that is so impressive. 

Anuj Dal has kicked on a level, as he hinted he might and is now a genuine all rounder with a niche in the side. Alex Thomson has proved himself a very able finger spinner and dependable late order batsman, while Mattie McKiernan has scored a maiden century and proved a very handy leg spin option now trust has been shown in him to be more than a bit-part player.

They are not alone. Brooke Guest looks a serious wicket-keeper/batsman and will only get better now he has established his credentials in the first-class game. Leus du Plooy looks less nervy at the crease and is playing with his early freedom, while Wayne Madsen has returned to the free-scoring run machine of his pomp.

These are examples, but there are others. Across the group the players are showing fight and ability, which is allowing supporters to get behind them. We have lost games, as any side will do, but have not gone down without a fight, which so often frustrated last year.

I said at the start of the summer that the Head of Cricket had a free hit this year, but he has proven how quickly a top coach can influence a group.  Just as Eddie Barlow did forty-odd years ago. Good players have stepped up a level, the more average have still kicked on, all have bought into the ethos. 

There will be casualties along the way, those who make way to get the group he needs. Barlow had to do that too and some big names departed, but the end justified the means. He did it his way and it was the right one. 

With concern over the future of the county game, my concern was always that Derbyshire couldn't stick with Dave Houghton. Lovely bloke, but less good as a motivator of men, a communicator . It is no coincidence that only Derbyshire saw fit to give him a head of cricket role and we did it twice, as if we didn't believe it the first time.

With Mickey Arthur we have the real deal and I hope that we get at least the three years from him that we got from Barlow. Forty years on, those who played with and under him still mention his name with affection, reverence and awe. Those who saw his team still get misty - eyed at the memory.

I suspect that those around in forty years time will do the same at the mention of the Mickey Arthur era.

This season is proving special. To see the players with smiles on their faces, obviously enjoying every minute, is a pleasure. As one said to me 'I'm pleased that is coming across, because coming in to work every day is an absolute joy'. 

I can't wait to see what the future holds.