Arthur signs on for three more years!

There is wonderful news to wake up to today, as Derbyshire announce that Mickey Arthur has signed a 3-year contract extension, which takes him up to the end of 2025.

The news could hardly be better, as the experienced international coach has galvanised the county's fortunes in a relatively short space of time. The transformation was clear last season, when the side was much more competitive with minimal change to the playing staff. Over the next three seasons I would expect the club to kick on still further, with the playing staff changing to reflect the Head of Cricket's mentality and requirements.

It is a thrill to read how much he has bought into the county and into the area. My only concern, when I first heard of his interest in the post, was that we might be merely a stepping stone back into international cricket. It is extremely pleasing to see that is not the case and equally so to see that finances have been put in place to enable him to do the ' roots and branches' review that was needed.

Last season was exciting. Hold on to your hats, because the next three look like upping the excitement level!

Speaking of which, the fixtures came out this week. That announcement always seems to bring the season a little closer, even though we still have plenty of cold, frosty, wet and snowy days to come.

It is the typical mess that we have come to expect from the ECB. It would be nice if County cricket - the source of all those players doing so well for England at the moment - was played at a time of year when spectators might enjoy some sunshine on their backs, while the players were able to discard several layers of sweaters and leave the hand warmers in the dressing room.

During a 36 day period across July, August and September 2023, Derbyshire have eight days of cricket, home and away. Seriously, at the height of summer.

Meanwhile, after 20th May they play on a Saturday just once. It is crazy, counter-productive and as if those arranging the fixtures were hell bent on the game being unsuccessful. We can only hope that the next review of the county game actually considers when it is being played, not who is playing it.

They will argue, of course, that they want to leave Saturdays free for those who want to play the game, while later in the season, they want to avoid potential clashes with football. The argument simply doesn't stack up. There are many more people who love cricket and are unable to play the game for whatever reason, while the days of football being a 3pm Saturday game have long gone. Perhaps for 2024 we might have fixtures arranged for a time when spectators could actually attend a spectator sport. How radical would that be...?

The silver lining for me, however, is that the away game against Durham runs Thursday to Sunday and so enables me to go for the first three days with no impact on my annual leave. My accommodation is already booked and I am looking forward to attending a lovely ground and catching up with old friends.

I am also thrilled that after several years of trying I should be able to attend the Chesterfield Cricket Festival! As things stand, I will be there for the entirety of the four-day game against Yorkshire and I am already excited at once again watching a game where I had my introduction to Derbyshire cricket, back in 1967. 

Exciting times!