Weekend warmer

There were a couple of good interviews on the club site this week, if you missed them.

In the first, the club's Head of Science and Medical, Ryan Smith, discussed the various long-term injuries that had plagued the season this year and how those involved were recovering. It makes for a good listen and I'd recommend it.

In the second, Mickey Arthur discusses a range of topics, apologises for 'Ignorantgate' and talks about the plans for next year. Again, it is a decent listen and I can't always say that about his interviews. 

Towards the end of the interview he said that he's looking for an overseas batter for the full season, as well as a spin bowling all-rounder for the Blast.

Both signings make sense and it would be especially so if the batter in question either opened the batting or was comfortable at first wicket down. Paramount to expectations of improvement next year has to be a more robust, confident top order. Too often last year we were two down too quickly and it was heartening, at least, to hear Mickey talking about addressing the 'mental' side of the issue.

I will be honest, my personal preference for a batter would be someone from either South Africa or Australia. Both countries have served Derbyshire well over the years and I feel they bring the requisite grit and attitude to the ranks. I would like to see someone younger with a willingness to learn, to work hard and to earn a reputation, rather than someone who has been there and just wants another payday. Another Peter Kirsten, perhaps? That'll do nicely...

I know Mickey has got contacts galore in Pakistan and Sri Lanka, but the players from these countries are not necessarily at home on English pitches. The added issue is that the cricket boards in that part of the world are always likely to throw additional tournaments and series into the mix, that eat into the availability of players. 

The PSL overlaps with the English season to a considerable extent and I am neither a fan of a player coming in late, nor of a revolving door process with overseas players. It would be very easy to take on a player from Pakistan who may miss the first half dozen games, by which time your chances in red ball cricket are perhaps already diminished.

I also feel it is important that whoever comes in is comfortable in the language and can contribute to the dressing room dynamic. It is fair to say that neither of our signings for last summer's Blast were especially fluent and this has to have an impact on the discussions ahead of and during matches, regardless of others acting as interpreters. 

So my preference would be for players from South Africa and Australia, with New Zealand as back up. The slight issue is that it is an Ashes summer, so you need to steer clear of expected participants, while New Zealand also tour in September for 3 T20s and 5 ODIs.

All of which makes the case for South Africa the more compelling. The good thing is that they have a number of players who have played international cricket but are not necessarily seen as regulars at this stage. So they may welcome an English stint to state their case, much as David Bedingham has done so well at Durham.

For example, I watched earlier in September as they beat Namibia and was very impressed by two young batters. Jordan Hermann looked both composed and powerful, a stylish left hander with a fine range of shots. His averages across the formats suggest serious potential and he had a short stint with Somerset last year, when he made a century and averaged 45 in division one.

His opening partner in that series, Connor Esterhuizen, also looked a serious player and has already attracted the attention of IPL recruiters. Tall and another powerful stroke player, he also keeps wicket, which would be an asset in The Blast and would allow Aneurin Donald to concentrate on his batting and the captaincy. 

I would be happy with either of those, but Kiwi batter Bevon Jacobs is another player of talent. Perhaps better known as a T20 finisher, his average in first-class cricket is also respectable and perhaps a stint in England for him, as with the other two, would be seen as a good finishing school.

Brian Bennett of Zimbabwe has been mentioned by another contributor to the blog and is a young player with a growing reputation. I'm just not sure if he has played enough cricket to be confident he could handle the strain of a long county season, but at some point I would expect someone to take a punt on a player who has clear talent.

For the Blast, my fantasy signing, as I have written several times before, would be Cooper Connolly. He is an immensely powerful left handed bat and a talented slow left arm spinner who would be a useful foil for Matthew Montgomery's off spin. He will be playing alongside Aneurin Donald for the Perth Scorchers in the Big Bash, so my fertile imagination sees Nye extolling the virtues of the Peak District in early summer and Cooper reaching for his pen and asking 'where do I sign'? 

It probably won't work that way, but you have to hope, don't you? Another good player would be Michael Bracewell of New Zealand, a powerful hitter and handy off spinner, although with the caveat that he has seldom produced figures outside of New Zealand to match what he's done domestically. Of course there's also Mitchell Santner, who we almost had before, but he is in demand around the world and I would think it unlikely that he would be available, such is his importance to New Zealand.

You probably wouldn't say no to Shadab Khan, a. mercurial all-rounder. Yet his stock will have risen after his remarkable century against England last week, while my comments on players from that part of the world still apply. I would be surprised if he was available for the entirety of the Blast, since he pops up in almost every franchise competition you care to look at.

There's also Matt Renshaw, who I mentioned a few months back as a potential season-long batter. He is now back in the national side and has done well, but he might fancy a short spell in the Blast, where his powerful batting and useful spin would be an asset to many sides.

A few names then, to take into the weekend. Hopefully you might have a few more and you might care to share your thoughts. I'm sure Mickey and the team at Derby are in discussions with a few people and their agents at present. 

I wondered about the possibility of a romantic return for Leus du Plooy, but having made himself available for South Africa I suspect they will want to see what he can do and his availability could be limited. But that country has so many young players of talent and you could also add in Dewald Brevis and Lhuan-dre Pretorius, though both seem to their futures exclusively in T20 franchise cricket. You could also include Marques Ackerman, who played two excellent innings against Australia this week and has a fine first-class record as an aggressive left-hander, either opening or in the middle order.

Anyway, enjoy your weekends and stay safe around the fireworks this week!