He has now been announced as a Derbyshire player for the duration of the 2024 season. Which poses a few questions, but certainly improves the squad.
Morley is a talented slow left arm bowler, but at 22 is unlikely to get much first class cricket at Lancashire this summer. With two international spinners ahead of him - and his county unlikely to pick both of them very often - it makes sense for him to move somewhere fairly convenient to get regular cricket. There is, however, a recall notice in the deal, should he be required.
It will be interesting to watch his progress, because I have always been impressed by him when I have seen him. He made his debut against us at Liverpool a few seasons back and did pretty well. He bowls tightly, yet is unafraid to give the ball a little air. There has been nothing so far to suggest he is a batter, which is why Tom Hartley forced himself ahead in the available options.
I have no doubt he will take wickets, given opportunity, but while pretty much confirming that Samit Patel will play no four-day cricket this year, it does raise a question about whether he or Alex Thomson will be first choice. Logically the man on our staff should be, but equally Derbyshire will want a good look at Morley and Lancashire will want him to be playing cricket at a higher level than second team.
I had thought that he might be looking at his options ahead of next year, but Lancashire have announced that he has signed a new contract to the end of 2026.
Maybe, as the summer progresses, we might field two spinners? As I have said many times, it is hard to be overly optimistic about our 4-day chances until we know what the pitches at Derby will be like. The presence of Reece, Dal and Lloyd in a first choice side offers the option of two spinners, but I would be very surprised if that happened in early season.
Doubtless these questions will be answered in due course. In between times, welcome to Derbyshire, Jack.
If you do as well as the other lads who came down here from the red rose county, there will be few complaints!
Can'because t help but wonder why give Alex a contract extension, and then undermine him slightly. This is obviously a personal opinion but having spoken to Alex a number of times he's doesn't come across as naturally confident a really easy to talk to friendly man most definitely.
ReplyDeleteWill a second spinner make him or break him. I'll be honest I'm routing
for Alex because,he's a late bloomer in my opinion it will be 35 plus before we see the best of him.
Your spot on with Alex I would write the identical comment
DeleteI wouldn't say I know him personally but have spoken with him a number of times.
I think most spinners are late bloomers. I am also a big fan of Alex but it is good that at least he has competition for a place now. Deliver and play is the message to both, but we could accommodate both on suitable surfaces...
DeleteHe's just signed a contract at LCCC til the end of 2026 so I don't see him joining us. All in all a rather strange signing. Time will tell.
ReplyDeleteDon’t get too excited, with our luck he’ll probably get recalled next week!
ReplyDeleteYou seem to correct about Samit not playing red ball cricket as he only appears on the white ball team photo for 2024.
ReplyDeleteYes, I noticed that, David. And with Thommo and Morley he won't need to. Good options to have!
DeleteAs the Lancs fan from the last comment, this is the best outcome from my point of view - Jack signs a new contract and plays proper cricket for a proper county this summer. Will say it does seem rough on the very likeable Alex Thomson though. For those who don't know, Steve's assessment of Jack's batting prowess is reasonably spot on - Jack will get altitude sickness batting higher than 10 - and Hartley is a top-drawer fielder as well, whilst Jack isn't a duffer by any means but isn't in Tom's league. But Jack's a wicket-taker. I think you'll be happy with him, although being a bit old school myself I'd hope you'll field both Morley and Thomson from time to time as Jack bowls well with another twirler at the other end.
ReplyDeleteNathan Lyon will no longer be available for LCCC's T20 campaign nor their later CC matches. I'm presuming this will mean an early recall for Morley.
ReplyDeleteMaybe, maybe not. Perhaps later season, but we may have an overseas spinner by then anyway. Doubt any team will field two spinners till July tbh. Glad it isn't just us getting mucked about but one assumes they knew this when agreeing to the loan
DeleteFrom the Lancs perspective, I think the fans would like to see Jack back at OT when Lyon goes, but if he's doing well with you and obviously kicking on, that calculation changes. Both Morley and Hartley traditionally bowl at their best in tandem, though, and they grew up through the age groups bowling together, I think the club will want to see it. Shame for Derbyshire in theory, but at least it would give Alex Thomson the opportunities he deserves later in the season. I don't think Jack would like pushing out another member of the Young Spinners Union, anyway - they seem to look out for each other.
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