Recruitment impressive

Well, Samit's in, following on from David, Pat, Mohammad and Aneurin. Things are shaping up nicely, eh? 

So much so that it is very hard to pick a first choice side, especially when we still have, theoretically, player number 7 and the second overseas player still to come in.

I am struggling to figure out the role of that second import.

Mickey has said, in the not too distant past, that both overseas players would be bowlers. Yet yesterday he said that Samit Patel could play some four day cricket if conditions warranted a second spinner. Which would seem to rule out signing someone who is primarily a purveyor of twirly stuff. Unless he is throwing us off the scent...

A seam bowler perhaps? Maybe, but with Amir in the squad already, a second would mean only one from Chappell/Conners/Aitchison/Brown/Potts in each game. With Reece, Dal and Lloyd all able to bowl, picking four specialists would be overkill, don't you think? 

Perhaps a change of mind, bringing in a batter? I watched Abdullah Shafique yesterday and thought what a talent he is, but Reece and Came seem to be secure 'up top'. With Guest at three, Madsen four, Lloyd (presumably) at five and Donald, Wagstaff and Lamb fighting for six ahead of Dal at seven, it seems overkill, perhaps? 

My gut feeling is that we are missing, especially for T20, either another all rounder or a specialist spinner, maybe a leggie. Early season conditions in England are not often conducive to wrist spin, but a good one will always puzzle batters and get them out. Jeevan Mendis did a pretty good job in the early summer a few years back, but leggies are often hugely successful in T20 too. Might it be the missing link on Derby wickets? 

One other thought on the signing of Samit Patel. I don't see his age, 38, being a major issue. There are a number of Derbyshire signings in my time at the club who were advanced in their playing careers but did a stellar job. As Jasper pointed out in the comments of the last piece, Barry Wood is one example, so too Dean Jones, John Hampshire, Phil Sharpe and Ron Headley. 

The great Eddie Barlow was 36 when he joined Derbyshire and was still a magnificent cricketer. Going back further, Garnet Lee was also 36 when he too moved from Trent Bridge and gave wonderful service as batter and spinner. Because he had to spend two summers qualifying at that time, he too made his county debut at 38, but remarkably played for another eight seasons!

Samit has never been a greyhound, but he has been a terrific cricketer. I liked the words he spoke on the club site and the confidence that Mickey Arthur has that he has signed to 'make a difference'.

I am quite enthused with the winter recruitment so far.

And if isn't finished yet..