He is a good cricketer and as I have written before, there are plenty who feel that Lancashire backed the wrong horse in releasing Jack and retaining Tom Hartley. The latter obviously offers more with a bat, but when I have seen the two of them in opposition, he looks the lesser bowler.
Jack has done little wrong since he arrived at Derbyshire. He clearly enjoys his cricket and has taken his share of wickets along the way. There have been times he has bowled less effectively, but at 25 he is some way from being the finished article. So too with Shoaib Bashir, who is three years the younger.
Few people would have had him as a starter in the T20 side this summer, yet the way that he bowled was very impressive and suggested greater maturity already. He can improve further with bat and ball, but he is a reliable fielder and another who plays the game with a smile on his face. That may mean little to some, but I like to see it. I don't doubt there is a considerable difference between playing for a living and playing for fun, but there is no reason why you can't obviously enjoy a career for which many would donate a body part.
I understand that there were several approaches for his services after those early appearances in The Blast, but Mickey Arthur acted quickly to tie the player down to a longer deal.
Should Shoaib Bashir do well for England this summer, the likelihood is that he will be retained on a central contract in 2027, so his appearances with Derbyshire will be limited. Jack is well-placed to replace him and he appears to be a lad with the right work ethic to succeed.
I haven't always agreed with some of the bullish comments the Derbyshire Head of Cricket has made, but I cannot disagree with his assertion that he has two of the best finger spinners in the country at the club.
That is now set to continue.
Excellent news!
Jack has done very well in the T20 this year.
ReplyDeleteI think at times, perhaps due to circumstances, Derbyshire have not always played to his strengths, bowling low and flat.
He has often got the opposition batters out, by enticing them to open up in into playing riskier shots.. I would like to him bowling straight after the ‘power play’, when there is more flexibility to set the field.
I’m amazed you agree that we have two of the best finger spinners in county cricket. How about jack leach. Jack Carsen. Liam Patterson white. Dom Bess. Ben Kellaway and Fahan Ahmed
ReplyDeleteGood spinners too, but again 'among the best'. Not saying THE best, but they would be in discussions
DeleteTo be honest it’s good to see any off spinner get a longer or better deal. County cricket is getting harder and harder by the season for spin bowlers and I think it’s always the highlight of a days play watching a decent spin bowl twirl through a 15 or 20 over spell and it’s becoming sadly rare. Ps I did forget probably the best spinner in county cricket Simon Harmer plus Zafar Gohar
DeleteYeah that covers the best finger spinners, with a few leggies thrown in. There's also James Coles who is useful as a SLA bowler
DeleteMaybe the best pair, since Geoff Miller and Venkat. Although, I am not sure how many times they played together. Dre
ReplyDeleteWe also had Fred Swarbrook then, and Bob Swindell. I will never understand the rationale of having 3 good young spinners and bringing in competition. Maybe they thought they would learn from him? But Bob drifted out of the game after a good start and Venkat always got first pick of ends!
DeleteOh yes, I forgot about Freddie. He had the strangest bowling action ever. Dre
DeleteWell deserved, really pleased for Jack, has never let the side down, plays with a smile on his face very approachable and an absolute credit to himself and the club.
ReplyDeletemartin
I'm not sure about this. Unlike many people. Morley , don't get me wrong, he did well against Durham and Yorkshire, but has toiled of since, or maybe he just prefers home. I preferred Thomson , thought he offered more with the bat. I don't think Arthur liked him though , I loved him, one of the nicest guys I've ever met. I think we need to look more at Joe Hawkins , played some one day cup, but has since been ignored. Whilst we have Bashir, use him. He has more experience than Morley, he is better than Morley and he is more encouraging in the field. Thought we could have let him go and got a better replacement to be honest.Would like to see how he dares at Chesterfied , a smaller boundary. Me and a friend think his wickets have came off bad bowling . Think he gives away too much runs before a wicket . Not overjoyed about the news, but also not too disappointed.Ethan
ReplyDeleteThing is, Ethan, that Alex was older, more experienced and likely more expensive. He is a lovely bloke, but he has to be judged on runs and wickets.
DeleteWe all have different opinions, of course but the only one that matters is Mickey. Remember he said that Thommo had England potential? Maybe he realised he made a mistake there, I don't know.
As for Joe Hawkins he has a lot to learn. He has to have, he is only 19 and took some stick today. Hard work might get him there but for me his 2nd team appearances haven't yet justified elevation to the firsts.
Time will tell if he is one of many who dominates in age group cricket, but struggles with the leap to second, then first team