The future of County cricket and Derbyshire v Durham MCCU Day 2

Peter Burgoyne (Left) with Nick Knight

Sometime tomorrow afternoon, Derbyshire should win this game by a considerable margin. Indeed, to further extend my mystic reputation, I will wager there’s more chance of my being this summer’s big signing for Manchester United than Derbyshire losing this one.

There were good wickets today for Ali Evans, who has a habit of taking them, and three for Peter Burgoyne, who emphasised his talent with 3-43 while all around him were taking some serious ‘tap’ from Surrey man Freddie Van Den Bergh. He made an aggressive century while all around him were sinking fast, but Derbyshire had a lead of 207 that they extended by a further 224 in 44 overs.

Dan Redfern showed a welcome return to form with a sparkling 91, while Tom Poynton smashed a run-a-ball 77 as Derbyshire pushed for the declaration. Evans struck early in the second innings but Durham need 404 to win, which isn’t going to happen.

In the Champions Trophy opener, India and South Africa shared over 600 runs with the Indian side coming out on top. Their talented batsmen make it all the more frustrating that they cannot play T20 outside the IPL and one can quickly work out where the remaining players will come from for that competition.

I can’t see any Pakistan players being signed, the West Indians will be in the Caribbean version, Bangladesh only have one player and he’s signed for Leicestershire, but that’s one more than Zimbabwe, where Brendan Taylor has gone off the boil.

That only leaves New Zealand and South Africa. While I am a big fan of Kane Williamson he is not a T20 player (as his average of 18 suggests).

South Africa? They have astonishing depth and I think most players will be from there. Albie Morkel is usually good value in this competition if you bat him high enough, while Colin Ingram is a pugnacious bat. I also like Farhaan Behardien who can bat and bowl well.

Outsider? Maybe a man somewhat off the radar but a very good player. Jacques Rudolph, who has scored a lot of runs across all formats in England. He wouldn’t come cheap, if he was available and much would depend on the money available.

Finally tonight, the concept of the County Championship beginning overseas, as floated by those wunnerful men at the ECB is a non-starter for me. As Simon Storey points out, you can’t blame them for the ‘blue sky thinking’ and brainstorming that at least shows they are trying, but the biggest stumbling block, besides cost, is the loss of matches to members.

It might be nicer to dig out your knitting or sup a old one in Barbados or Dubai, but how many people will actually go? I can’t think that Derbyshire v Leicestershire in Bridgetown will get the locals excited and you then need to review the membership costs as Bill and Sonia have just lost four days worth of cricket and some value from the package.

Newsworthy? Yes. Likely to make it past the planning stage? Nope.

My turn next. Three-a side in the local community hall. Take the game to the people and watch them flock in for a two-over a side match. Ideal for those tea breaks when you can’t think what else to do and for the ones for who T20 is way too long.

You know it makes sense…