Mohammad Amir has been announced as one of Derbyshire's overseas players for next season. He will play the first half of the summer, including red ball and T20 cricket.
It is quite a coup. He is a very special cricketer, combining pace and swing to good effect, often devastating if you are at the other end with a bat in your hand. At 31 he should be in his prime, hasn't been flogged into the ground and is certainly a player very much in demand, for T20 cricket especially, around the globe.
I have no interest in his earlier indiscretions. Most people make mistakes in their younger days and Amir paid for his. He is now a married man with a family and from all the reports I have read appears to want to settle down in this country.
So it could still be that the player continues to play for us thereafter as a local, as a number of media outlets were reporting over the weekend. On the face of it, this move allows time for him to qualify, while retaining his services for all cricket, potentially in the medium term.
That is for another time, but one assumes that his signing means that Zaman Khan will not be returning. This would allow the focus to move to another area of need, perhaps a spin bowling all rounder. Although Amir and Zaman opening the bowling would indeed be a worthy spectacle...
I expect there to be announcements of more comings and goings in the coming weeks. On the face of it, if we assume David Lloyd is a replacement for Billy Godleman and Pat Brown for (I suspect) George Scrimshaw, Amir is a partial replacement for Suranga Lakmal and there is then the money for du Plooy and any other departures nominally in the budget, as well as anything that can be raised from off-field activities.
The loss of du Plooy is a big one, probably one that Mickey Arthur was neither wanting nor expecting. But he said on Radio Derby last night that a 'top batter' was pretty much there
Change is needed and it is important that, as supporters, we sit back, watch what happens and then get behind the Head of Cricket and his squad.
Welcome to Derbyshire, Mohammad. We all know there is nothing like the sight of a world class fast bowler running in.
In this fella we have secured one.
Here he is in action - hopefully we support him better in the field!
Announce Samit! 🤣
ReplyDeleteOnly here for 1st half of season. so will leave another hole to be filled when Derbyshire could be in a good championship position .
ReplyDeleteAlso leaves that position to be filled as needs of team dictates. A good spinner might be an option. Or the contract may be extended. There are always players available..
DeleteWas first published as a local signing but now classed as overseas for first half , would be worth some clarity on tenure after mid point 2024!
ReplyDeleteI am sure it will be clarified. Might be to ensure his services if there is a delay in qualification, but especially good signing of they could also sign, ultimately, two overseas players
DeleteLooking at the way our bowlers are performing today we certainly need him. Let's hope something is done about the Derby pitch next season.
ReplyDeleteVery jealous as exactly what we could do with as an o/s bowler.
ReplyDeleteBrilliant bowler not quite as good as he was a few years back but still a class apart. Be careful if he plays at Scarborough...the only time I've heard racism at a cricket game. Disgusting behaviour not isolated to a few sadly.
Essex Fan
Something for Haider Ali, Anuj Dal & Suranga Lakmal to look forward to in September then 😕
DeleteI think he was targeted due his youthful indiscretions, and this was before he destroyed their batting, must have spurred him on no end.
ReplyDeleteEssex Fan