So 'Jim' posting below the last article suggests that I sit on the fence. Hmmm... I can only assume that he's not read much of the blog as I don't think too many people would concur. I won't flatter myself in thinking that people will always agree with what I write, but I don't think I've ever resorted to a Mavis Barlow, Coronation Street "Ooooh...I don't know."'Jim' presumably doesn't like the fact that I defend the club's stance in only having one overseas player. Now that's fair enough to a point, but it ignores a few harsh realities.
Like the fact that the club had no idea, until it happened, that Usman Khawaja (pictured) would be called up to an Australian training camp at very short notice. Had they known that, early plans could have been put in place for a replacement, because you don't just sign a player, see him jump on a plane and walk into the dressing room. There are many visa and registration details to complete, all the formalities of anyone going to another country to work for a period of time. That's after you've discussed the niceties of the deal with his agent. If you've ever had to do that sort of thing, you know how time-consuming it can be. If you haven't, trust me.
Had Chris Grant got someone to say 'yes' on the day he heard about Khawaja's departure, that player would probably be set to appear from next week, given the timescale. Someone mailed me to suggest he should have had someone lined up for that eventuality. Why would he? That's like having a hire car on constant standby in case yours breaks down. It is unrealistic, to say the least.
I have criticised the club plenty of times in the past - check back if you don't believe me - but what else could they have done? So Leicestershire signed Razzaq in the nick of time - the work on that signing was going on for weeks because they knew they had a vacancy. Simple as that.
The big thing is, what can you realistically expect to get? Some of the bigger names have come to T20 for figures around £80K to £100K for 16 matches, with the semi-finals and finals if they have done the business to be paid for on top of that. That is £5-7K per match, a handsome reward, but not when those big names have just spent six weeks in India in the IPL and have picked up between £30K and £60K per match.
I know that enquiries were made for several players who might have made a big difference, but they weren't interested. The money on offer was not inconsiderable, but when you've been away from your family for six weeks and made a lot of money, is another, less lucrative offer to keep you away for another month really something you would want?
We could then have gone down to the next level. Picked up a Travis Birt, Jon Moss, Chris Harris, Mohammad Kaif if you like. Would they have made a difference? For all the fact that we had Loots Bosman and Charl Langeveldt last season, did they win us many games? A Chris Gayle would, but he's hardly going to bother his shirt for five grand a game. He knows that after his IPL exploits this year he is guaranteed a million next time around.
There were plenty of moans about last year's campaign with those two experienced international cricketers, because there are no guarantees in this game. Middlesex spent a fortune on Dave Warner and Adam Gilchrist, huge names in the format - and did what? Warner had a highest score of 43 from 15 innings and Gilchrist had one decent knock. The previously mentioned Abdul Razzaq had a highest of 44 for Hampshire in 15 attempts...
Keep in mind too that we had two thousand people at the Lancashire game when there was everything to play for. Even if they all paid £16 (which they didn't) that's £32K income to cover all the other costs, including the notional additional overseas player. Sorry to set off my train of thought rolling down this track, but the T20 cash cow is needing urgent veterinary treatment. Have a look at the latest offering by the excellent George Dobell on Cricinfo and see what I mean:
http://www.espncricinfo.com/county-cricket-2011/content/story/519534.html
Yes, a second overseas player would have made a difference. That's a no-brainer, but to criticise the club in this instance is just silly. There are too many extraneous factors beyond their control and people need to try and understand that.
