Domestic season almost upon us

I must say I am pleased about all the activity I am hearing regarding the local cricket scene. Before we know it the domestic season will be upon us and the provinces are currently stocking up on players for the forthcoming summer.

Obviously there is going to be the normal movement of players, which generally concentrates on the younger brigade, but there are one or two exceptions. Shafiek Abrahams has journeyed north to join the Titans and Easterns are currently negotiating with some new faces. One who has had his fair share of media attention is Andrew Hall who looks like leaving Gauteng and moving east.

I feel the most exciting news regarding the domestic build-up is the signing or attempted signing of overseas professionals. Overseas pros are an expensive investment but there is no doubt the correct signing can be of enormous value and can provide significant benefit to the province. We only have to look at the sterling work Vasbert Drakes has done over the past few seasons for Border to get a clear picture of what I am talking about.

Gauteng have treaded boldly and put their signatures on a contract for West Indian Franklyn Rose. I worked with him for one Test in Jamaica and found him to be a very pleasant guy. He is disillusioned with West Indies cricket at present and could be the ideal signing. He is big and strong and was rated as still very useful by the guys who faced him in the Caribbean during some minor games. I think he will also like the Wanderers as a home venue.

Courtney Walsh and Muralitharan were on Gauteng’s shopping list initially, but eventually following advice and budget constraints no doubt, Rose was selected.

Down the Free State way, rumours are rife that they are talking to both Wasim Akram and Aravinda de Silva. Either of these two would be outstanding acquisitions and would not only be impressive and proud performers but would raise the profile of the Unions dramatically.

Western Province have still got the services of Neil Johnson to lean on and he will have advanced his cricketing prowess following another season in the UK.

Otis Gibson is the overseas signing down Durban way and I would imagine the elevation of Eldine Baptiste to coach will bring the best out of him.

My initial experience with an overseas international was in my first season of first class cricket way back in 1982 when South Australia signed the ‘larger than life’ Joel Garner. He was magnificent. He never missed an opportunity to either lead by example or pass on some valuable knowledge to junior and senior players alike.

All the players in that South Australian side will readily agree that through their interaction with “Big Bird”, they became better cricketers.