Season-closing thoughts

And so the dust has settled on another cricket season. A better one, enjoyed by most Derbyshire supporters, I would think.

I will be honest, I don't expect major changes to the playing staff this winter. The rumours about potential interest in Hassan Azad, oddly released by Leicestershire, continue but I don't see interest in many other domestic players. Not because they wouldn't improve the side, but because at this stage the budget isn't there.

With four existing players awarded their county caps, their salary would have had to increase commensurate with that. That may or may not have taken up a little slack in the budget. But no one would argue against those awards and if it helps to retain the services of the players concerned then it gets my vote.

I am curious, very curious about the way that Mickey Arthur will go in his search for an overseas player. It may be that this year he splits it, bringing in one man for the county championship cricket and Royal London cup, another - a 'rock star' as he calls it - for the T20.

I have seen and heard various comments about replacing Masood on a like for like basis, but I am not so sure that we will. Having been contracted for next year, Billy Godleman will almost certainly start it and will open. Having returned to the form that we have come to know and love, I expect Luis Reece to be his opening partner. He is a far more effective player in that role and with a strong seam bowling staff next year will not have to do so much in that line.

The reality under Mickey Arthur is the same as it was under Dave Houghton. We cannot afford to carry senior players in the second eleven. The two men named above, like a number of others next year, will be playing for their Derbyshire futures. My understanding is that the current staff is very happy and only a major sea change in that respect would see many of them, or any of them, wishing to leave next season.

With Yorkshire replacing Nottinghamshire, I genuinely think we could be well placed to challenge for four day promotion next year. But I also think an overseas spin bowler, ideally one who can handle a bat, would be a better option for us than replacing Masood like for like.

To throw in an example, someone like Imad Wasim might be a good option. Good enough with the bat to average over 40, talented with the ball in all formats. He did well for Nottinghamshire in a T20 stint and more recently has done an excellent job in the Caribbean T20. At 33 he is probably not going to interest the Pakistan selectors any more, but might just see a county stint as a last throw of the dice from that perspective. Mohammad Nawaz would be a similar option, good in both skills.

It is all conjecture, of course. But we need to be wary of a Derbyshire side where the tail starts at number 8. I think that Harry Came is deserving of a run at number six next year, which probably keeps Anuj Dal at seven, even though his batting talent probably warrants being at least one place higher. Someone like Wasim at eight would give him the support that is required to rebuild innings, while also giving Derbyshire a very strong option as either a stock or strike bowler, depending on conditions.

Anyway, we will see. Next year will be the 15th of this blog and I won't pretend that this year has been especially easy to keep it going. Hopefully things calm down a little in the coming months and for your interest over that period I will be doing pieces on some of our key players.

Do please keep in touch, with your comments and your emails. Your support is also appreciated with a donation, using the button on the blog for that purpose. I will be doing a few prize draws over the winter with some excellent cricket books as prizes.

But thank you to all of you for your support, your comments and your interest over the summer months.

May the current feeling of optimism continue to buoy us all over the winter!