Derbyshire's midweek musings: 11th October

If this week’s county cricket news were to be visually represented in the style of a film, it would probably be as a derelict western town, with tumbleweeds blowing across the street. It’s been that quiet.

Charlie Shreck, a good bowler whose career has been ravaged by injury, has been released by Kent. One suspects it is the final stage of a career that has brought him 432 first-class wickets at thirty runs each – a decent, but not spectacular return.

Charlie Shreck

It would be hard to see another opportunity for a bowler who will be 36 in January, and I’d certainly not advocate a move for him by Derbyshire. As I’ve said before, I’d back our seam attack against any in division two and want to see a natural progression from the Academy, through the second team and into the first eleven. The potential of some of those youngsters is considerable.

If I’m honest, I’ve only seen three players thus far announced as released who I’d have liked at the County Ground. One, Will Smith, has moved to Hampshire, presumably on an impressive salary.

Another, Joe Gatting, would be an asset but will almost certainly stay down south. I am still not convinced that players brought up on southern tracks score heavily ‘oop north’ and I don’t think there’s any great likelihood of the former Sussex man being a trail-blazer in that respect.

The other who interests me is Stephen Moore. He only played two first-class games for Lancashire this summer, but they are awash with young batsmen, hence the decision to let him go. In the YB40 he averaged 27, while in T20 he was their highest scorer, racking up 338 runs at a strike rate of 143.

There will be those who, because they always do, will cry ‘he’s past it’. There will be others who wouldn’t be keen as he’s played for Lancashire. Then there will be those who, like me, will look at a player of 32 who has a first-class average of 36 and stroke their chins thoughtfully, something akin to a jazz fan in the midst of a long, long solo.

Moore can play. A one-day average of 30 and a T20 one of 29 confirms that. It may be that a move to a positive environment where he is valued would serve the player well. Few would be better from that perspective than Derbyshire, although whether we could get anywhere close to his Lancastrian salary, especially if there was competition for his services, is a moot point.

Given my track record of suggesting Will Smith the night before he was announced as a Hampshire player, the chances are that tomorrow morning he will be unveiled as a Worcestershire player once more. I’d like to think that his name has at least been mentioned in despatches down Derby way though. The memory of his blistering, 42-ball 74 at Old Trafford in July will no doubt linger, especially with David Wainwright, from who he took 23 in an over.

That’s it for now. I’ll be back soon, but now have the pleasure of writing up the first part of the interview I did with county legend Harold Rhodes the other night. He’s every bit as nice a man as he was an outstanding bowler.

If I can do our chat justice, you’re in for a treat in the near future.

See you soon.