The Club’s pathway will provide a steady stream of players for the Second XI, as they continue their development, but Derbyshire are also giving players the opportunity to impress ahead of the 2023 season and earn a spot within the setup.
It is a notable step forward. For a long time appearance in the second team, rightly or wrongly, appeared to be down to who had a few days off and was a decent player. There was a very poor occurrence a couple of years ago, when an overseas professional for a local club was originally announced as captain for a second team game.
I will be honest, as I always am. I see no point in offering opportunity in the county second eleven to anyone who is not legitimately looking for or good enough for potentially making a step up. There is a big difference between when Eddie Barlow brought over Peter Kirsten, Allan Lamb and Garth Le Roux, all seriously talented players and with a view to seeing which one was best fit for Derbyshire, and our playing a young Australian, Zimbabwean or South African who just happens to be local for a few nights.
We have seen changes this winter, all of them positive, but a lot of players are out of contract at the end of next season. If we can unearth a few gems, either from local cricket or further afield, then that would be a very positive use of the second team and excellent succession planning.
The summer presents an opportunity for them to find out the way that Mickey Arthur and his coaching staff work, and to buy in to the club's ethos.
If they can prove that they have what it takes for stepping up a level, then so much the better.
Agreed Steve, very positive. Hopefully the club will arrange some home fixtures for the massive voids when the first eleven are out of action.
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