It is no real surprise, as he said in a radio interview near the end of the summer that he would be around next year. But it is welcome, for all that, as he is a young player of obvious potential who has come through our own academy.
At 20 he has plenty to offer. There were signs last season that he could be very useful, with a hard-fought half century at Scarborough followed by a more aggressive innings against Glamorgan. In both displays he looked to have what it takes and when one factors in his useful leg spin, there is much to like.
It would appear unlikely that he will start next season as a first choice, given the number of signings made over the winter months. Yet there should be opportunities for him and they come both on and off the pitch, as he can tap in to the experience of some very good cricketers and incorporate things in to his game that could take him to the next level.
Nice to start the day, and the month with good news!
Good news. However, only one year, I'm not sure why that would be.
ReplyDeleteQuite agree. He has talent and youth on his side and someone with his ability should have been given a longer contract.
DeleteI don't know. I think it is an incentive. So far he has scored two good half centuries and taken a couple of wickets. His target this year is to boss second team cricket, and build on those scores. If he can, I suspect a two year deal will follow. But we need to see what more he has to offer, for me
Deleteif you are correct with his target being doing well in second team cricket then fair enough , my concern would be the depth of the squad this year might make it difficult for him to get many opportunities outside of the one day cup in the first team.
DeleteI think it's unwise, and not especially good treatment of a young player. If he's as promising as people seem to be saying, and if he's worth being one of a 20-player squad, then at his age he's worth investing in with a longer contract--even if he does spend most of it playing in the seconds.
DeleteIt's unwise because if he does do really well in the seconds--or even more if he gets into the first team somehow and scores some runs--, then on June 1st he's going to have half the division one counties sniffing round him and probably offering him more money than Derbys can manage. From a financial point of view, now is exactly the right time to get him on a longer term deal. He's an investment.
I think a one year contract is perfectly reasonable at this stage. It would be a somewhat meteoric rise if division one sides come calling as soon as you suggest.
DeleteHowever, I do hope the next time he scores a half century for the first team he isn't dropped for the next game...
I am with Jasper on this one. He needs to score runs at local level, in the second team and then grab his chance. I don't see how he makes the first choice side early season, any more than I think two half centuries are worthy of a long term deal.
DeleteIf he does these things, they will be quick to offer something to make it worth his while staying.
Very pleased for the young player and hope he grasps this opportunity and earns a longer contract.
ReplyDeletesorry, forgot to add name, Nudger
ReplyDelete