Overseas Players

[The Phantom Ram]

It would only be illegal if you told the counties they could only employ 2 or 3 non-English qualified players. If the rule was that they could employ as many as they like but the competition rule was that they could only play 2 or 3 in any game it is totally legal.

I think the rule would help give youngsters games earlier and develop technique againsts top players.

[Richie Benauds Love Child]

Back on topic, as much as I dislike him as a person, and also considering Jayasuryas faliures, Grame Smith has been a real shot in the arm to somerset. He's going great guns with the bat and has dragged the team up severel levels and there winning. Cant ask for alot more than that.

[Notts Exile]

He's a quality batsman. Might not be the most attractive to watch but he's good. And he can play the cover drive, when he's on form.

[The Phantom Ram]

On the subject of overseas Derbyshire players, I read an article about John Wright (NZ) who was our overseas player in the early eighties. The article was making him out to be a revolutionary thinker becasue in his time at Derby (when only one overseas player could be played - although I am thinking Greenidge/Marshall at Hant & Garner & Richards at Somerset). He persuaded the management to sign Michael Holding. Then on the morning of each match he would look at the pitch and tell the captain who to pick, himself on a batting track or Holding on a bowling wicket. It went on to say what a fantastic average he had that year! Seem as bit selfish to me.

[Maranello]

Originally Posted by The Phantom Ram

himself (Wright) on a batting track or Holding on a bowling wicket.

Should it not be the other way round? Surely you need your top-class international pro when things are a bit difficult, and your county journey-men cannot get enough runs on the board, or take ten wickets. So pick Holding on a perfect batting pitch, and a quality batsman on a bowlers pitch to add some solidity. Of course, John Wright was not a top-class international pro, and no better than many county journeymen himself, and maybe that was the reason they went for this defensive approach.

[The Phantom Ram]

Can't comment on Wright as I never saw him play but he is always spoke of as a good player. But I agree why play a 'better' batsman on a wicket that will give high scores. A team player would want to win and therefore get the bowling advantage, and vice versa.