Dull, huh?

And so we enter the closing weeks of the summer, having written off sizeable chunks of it with no play to watch.

For all that Derbyshire didn't do especially well in it, I quite enjoyed the Royal London Cup. With their sizeable squad, Lancashire always looked favourites to win it and I think they will. Even though the hearts of many will err to the side of Kent and Darren Stevens.

The evergreen all rounder has been released by Kent, but he was once before and they back-tracked. At 46 he is an age when county cricketers were often doing their thing, but is very much a rarity these days.

Indeed, Bill Bestwick took 147 wickets for Derbyshire in 1921 at the same age, bowling more balls that summer than the next two most used bowlers, Sam Cadman and Arthur Morton, put together.

I suspect Kent may yet backtrack on a contract, but if not he might have one more year at Leicestershire, where he first made his name. He certainly seems to hold no thought of retirement and why should he? A typical April next year with green tracks will still likely see him rack up 25-30 wickets by the end of the month, aside from what he does with his still-punishing batting.

Of course, Stevens is the antithesis of what certain former England players see as the way 'forward' for our game. They see a man of that age blocking the development of young talent. The counter-argument being, of course, that he still wins matches and people like to watch him.  A far greater obstacle to the progression of the young would be reducing their opportunity and having less first-class counties.

In common with many of you, I suspect, I would watch Derbyshire if they were at a lesser level, but they have been first class for decades and should always be so. They represent an English county and unless local authorities become franchises, that should always be the ultimate challenge of a professional cricketer. 

I haven't watched the other competition and never will. I have even seen a couple of references to Derbyshire players doing well, but didn't read on. Churlish as it may seem, I simply don't care. I suspect that by 2028, despite the millions being thrown at it, the format will be dead. 

No other country wants it and they will never attract the very best. When Tabraiz Shamsi leaves (one I did read) his franchise side to play in the CPL instead, it speaks volumes. 

What damage it may do to the game that we love in between times is a moot point, but we must all get behind our counties, speak up on their behalf and resist those who attempt to brainwash that 'new is best'. 

Let's face it, would Brooke Guest, Anuj Dal, Ben Aitchison and Sam Conners be starring in county cricket with fewer counties? They would likely be in ordinary jobs, without the increased opportunity that eighteen counties brings. Would Leus du Plooy even be in England to take a franchise deal on top of a county contract? Or Wayne Madsen, for that matter? George Scrimshaw certainly wouldn't have got another deal after leaving Worcestershire following multiple injuries. 

Derbyshire's season has been very encouraging, but the scheduling of county cricket this summer has been a disgrace. The ECB need to get more of it played around weekends, when people have time to attend. The streams are great and encourage greater involvement, but were I closer to Derby it wouldn't preclude my attendance on all but the coldest or dampest days. 

Plenty will still choose county cricket over any alternative. 

IF it is on when they are free to attend. 

It really is a no-brainer.