A question of seamers...

In my leisurely moments,  of which there are pleasingly many since I retired, I've been giving some thought to Derbyshire's seam bowling and a perhaps left field approach to resolving outstanding issues. 

We know that in Zak Chappell, Pat Brown and a raft of all rounders we have people who can use the ball well. I have high hopes of Martin Andersson, who I think will prove very useful with bat and ball. But with Sam Conners now gone to Durham, thereafter we hit the questions.

Of course Harry Moore will be in contention, but he doesn't finish school until the end of June, by which time a lot of red ball cricket will likely have been played. 

Can Nick Potts emerge from a couple of difficult summers as a genuine county seamer? Will Ben Aitchison return from back surgery and will he be the bowler he was AND stay fit? 

Such questions are impossible to answer, at this stage, but there is also the question of our second overseas player. I understand it is going to be a seam bowler and that the most likely scenario is a return for Blair Tickner, assuming all is well with his wife. 

But is that the best option? 

With money tight, is there, for example, a case for Luke Fletcher?

I will be honest. I don't really see Luke a Derbyshire player, any more than I saw one in Samit Patel. In both cases there is little doubt that the best days are behind them, but equally I could see a case for a red ball-only contract for Fletcher.

If Ben Aitchison is unable to return, he is an experienced bowler of 36 who has taken nearly 500 first class wickets at a good average, mostly in division one. He knows local pitches and how they behave and would be a good 'go to' for the skipper. 

36 isn't old and one has only to look at the likes of James Harris, Tim Murtagh, Chris Wright, Darren Stevens, Toby Roland-Jones and others of similar age in recent seasons to see their merit. 

The caveat, of course, is that Fletcher was fit and willing to bend his back for the cause, extend his career and MAYBE be a sage counsel for young seamers on the way up. He would be an option if Aitchison was unable to return (but I SO hope his injury issues are behind him) but also a cheaper option than an unproven overseas player.

Let's be honest, you wouldn't have to shell out for air fares with Fletcher, nor accommodation or car, but it would have to be a bloke with something to give and not, with respect, the one we saw on loan in 2016, when he bowled about the same pace as me, pre-retirement. 

I am not saying at this stage it would be a preferred option, but I could certainly see it as one. Given the choice between a 'proven fit' county seamer and an overseas of questionable ability, it should be considered.

Mickey Arthur hasn't gone especially well with his overseas seamers so far. I'm prepared to give Tickner the benefit of the doubt, because had our slips held the chances he created, he would have done better last year. Without off-field issues on his mind, perhaps he could be a success.

But Suranga Lakmal certainly wasn't, nor was Daryn Dupavillon. The former made some sense, as an experienced international bowler, but he had never had a sustained workload at that level and couldn't bowl the required overs on the county circuit. Meanwhile Dupavillon looked very ordinary, perhaps a reflection of first-class cricket in South Africa these days. 

While I always look forward to the cricket season, I have to say I have too many questions needing answers to have any degree of confidence ahead of 2025.

Not  boosted by the news that Caleb Jewell has been dropped to Tasmania Seconds, because of poor form...

It's a talking point - which is hopefully where you come in. 

Thoughts?