Aneurin Donald signs!

There will be those who point to an average just north of 30 and be unimpressed by today's announcement of the signing of Aneurin Donald. I would direct them to comments of Hampshire supporters on Twitter, who are generally, in the modern parlance, 'gutted' at the news.

As a reference point, his average is very similar to that of Matt Critchley, and had we announced the return of the Critchmeister it would have been rightly deemed  akin to the second coming..

Donald is a very fine player. He gives us back up to Brooke Guest, as a wicket keeper of talent and at 26 years old he is only just coming into his peak. It should also be remembered that he missed two full seasons in 2020 and 2021 with an anterior cruciate ligament injury. 

Any player who has had surgery takes time to recover from the mental side, let alone the physical. One has only to look at Luis Reece, who had surgery on his shoulder and knee, to see how it impacts on a player of considerable talent. Luis wasn't the same last year - it was unfair to expect him to be so - but he has come back in 2023 and been the star of the show. He trusts his body again and we have reaped the benefits.

Aneurin Donald now needs to play regular cricket. It is beyond dispute that he is one of the cleanest strikers of the ball in the domestic game, a player who can take the game away from you in two or three overs. Everyone will refer back to the double century that he scored against Derbyshire, when he annihilated our attack and broke several neighbouring windows as he hit 15 sixes. Yet he is far, far more than a modern day Ted Alletson.

He proved that in the summer just past, with blistering one day cup centuries against Kent and Worcestershire, one from 71 balls, the other from 73. Yes, he can sometimes get carried away in the enthusiasm of youth and give it away when the crowd are desperate for more. For Donald read Adrian Kuiper, or Chris Wilkins, players of similar style and value. It never lasts as long as you want, but you enjoy every second while it does.

Such is the lot of the entertainer. He wouldn't be the same player if he knocked it around, nurdled a few here and there, ground it out instead of taking the attack to the opposition. There is a balance, but he is a match-winner. And every side needs its share of match-winners.

The side for next season is nicely taking shape. I don't see Aneurin as replacing Leus du Plooy, because you don't replace players of that talent. But he brings his own skill set, his own dynamic and an unquestionable, obvious talent to the Derbyshire middle order.

If he fires, you will want to be there, or be in front of your TV, because he is well worth every minute of your attention.

This is a very special signing and supporters should be pleased. There is an additional dynamic element to our side now, especially in T20 cricket, but I think he will want to prove he can deliver across formats. After all, if you score your runs quickly, you have more time to bowl out the opposition and force a win.

We have his services for two years initially and I expect him to play a full and prominent part in a Derbyshire resurgence.

Welcome to Derbyshire, Aneurin. 

I never expected to write that. This is a good day.