Hewson and Kerr top Derbyshire's target list
by Alan Rowley, 25th November 2001

If reports in the local press are to be believed, Derbyshire County Cricket Club are looking to the west to strengthen their squad for the 2002 season. Gloucestershire's Dominic Hewson and Somerset's Jason Kerr are said to be top of Derbyshire's list of possible targets.

Derbyshire have already signed Free State player Andrw Gait. Twenty-three year old Gait, described as "an exciting batsman and an excellent fielder" qualifies to play for the county through his father's British nationality.

27 year old Dominic Robert Hewson is already well-known to the Derbyshire squad following his unbeaten maiden century at the County Ground last season. In the return game at Bristol, Hewson scored a magnificent career best 168 to set Gloucestershire up for an innings victory.

Hewson has already informed Gloucestershire that he wants to leave. According to our Gloucestershire colleagues, Hewson "has been given long enough to prove himself and the pressures placed on him due to a weak batting line-up could have proved too much." He has scored 2,172 first class runs at an average of 24.96.

Jason Ian Douglas Kerr, also 27 years old, has been with Somerset for eight years and is a middle order batsman and right hand medium fast change bowler. He will add strength to the Derbyshire middle order which collapsed alarmingly on several occasions last season. Kerr has scored 1,394 first class runs at an average of 20.80 with a highest score of 80. He has taken 113 first class wickets at 40.33 with a career best of 7 for 23.

Derbyshire were quick to point out that no deal has been sealed. The county are reported as saying that they "expect to announce reinforcements early next month" , but they are not confirming their interest in anybody.

Although any moves to strengthen the squad must be welcomed, these guys are hardly world-beaters. Would Derbyshire be better off looking elsewhere for new players?