Scrimshaw call up the latest good news for buoyant Derbyshire

When Mickey Arthur arrived at Derbyshire, he said that he wanted to make us the 'preferred destination' for players, that he expected us to challenge and that he thought a couple of our players were good enough to challenge for England recognition.

He's not done bad, has he? I must ask him for the lottery numbers this weekend...

Yesterday's news that George Scrimshaw has been called up for England Lions was welcome and deserved. He has bowled well for the past couple of years but has really kicked on this season, generating serious pace to go with the generous bounce one would expect from someone of his height. When he has got it right, which has been most of the time, it has been spectacular. 

Credit is due to Ajmal Shahzad for his input, as well as to the player for a lot of hard work, but the Head Coach is getting the best from a small group of players, despite injury issues for most of his attack.

That was referenced by Anuj Dal today, when he presented Shan Masood with his second Player of the Month award in three months. Of the four nominees this time, two came from Derbyshire, Wayne Madsen the other.

Both are having stellar seasons, but there are many others. Brooke Guest, Dal himself, Mattie McKiernan, Mark Watt.. all have been encouraged and boosted by a coach who has achieved astonishing things in a few short months, regardless of what happens this Saturday in the Vitality Blast quarter-final.

These are indeed heady days. I was quite open in my assertion that last year was as low as I have felt as a Derbyshire supporter. There were a few bright spots, but it was largely dull, formulaic, uninspiring, losing cricket. My honest opinion then - and even now, with the benefit of hindsight - was that another year like that and they could have closed the gates and thrown away the key without too much complaint.

This is chalk and cheese. My least enjoyable year closely followed by one that is up there with those where we won a trophy, or came close to it, such as in 1996 and 1970.

Regardless of what happens for the rest of this summer, when I gave the Head of Cricket a 'free hit', this has been one in which Derbyshire became respectable, even fashionable again. I have had countless messages and emails from people who aren't even Derbyshire supporters, all of them saying how much they are enjoying the vibrant, positive, exciting brand of cricket that our team has produced.

Just as we supporters have enjoyed the smiles on the faces of players and coaching/support staff, their obvious enjoyment in what they do and the panache with which they have done it.

Well done to George Scrimshaw, Shan Masood and Wayne Madsen. 

But well done to the rest too, for making 2022 an already memorable summer that will live long in the memory.